Why study Medical Sciences at the

University of Edinburgh?
The University of Edinburgh has some of the
best biomedical research programmes
nationally and internationally, as indicated by
ratings in the most recent Research Assessment
Exercise, providing an excellent research-rich
environment for student learning. Medical
Sciences academic staff bring a breadth and
depth of research-based knowledge and
expertise to their teaching and supervision,
providing an outstanding student learning
environment that fosters individual intellectual
development.
The Medical Sciences degree programme
combines a fexible structure and a wide degree
of student course choice, which will facilitate
entry to one of a broad range of different
healthcare and related career paths. It also
encourages personal and professional
development by providing communication,
presentation and graduate skills that will equip
students for a range of healthcare employment
options. There is a dedicated virtual learning
environment, the Edinburgh Medical Sciences
Electronic Curriculum (EMSEC). This provides a
unique personalised gateway for each student
to all Medical Sciences degree programme and
course resources, including computer-assisted
learning, an electronic portfolio for personal
development planning (PDP), and student
discussion boards.
The Medical Sciences degree programme is
organised and administered by the Biomedical
Teaching Organisation (BMTO), based in the
School of Biomedical Sciences in the College of
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.
Through the BMTO, Personal Tutors provide
individualised course and career guidance
throughout the degree programme. In addition,
each Medical Sciences student has the support
of a tutor dedicated to the degree programme.
Courses making up the Medical Sciences degree
programme are delivered either in the central
University area around Teviot Place and George
Square, or at the Kings Buildings Campus. In
addition, some specialised Senior Honours
elective courses and research projects may also
be located at the Edinburgh Royal Infrmary at
Little France.
What does the degree involve?
The unique identity of the BSc (Hons) Medical
Sciences degree programme is provided by
programme-specifc healthcare related courses
in all years. In addition, the programme shares
compulsory and elective courses with the
Biological Sciences degrees.
The frst year is a foundation year in basic
biomedical sciences. Medical Sciences 1 is a
programme-specifc compulsory core course
that runs for 11 weeks in Semester 1, and is only
open to students enrolled on the Medical
Sciences programme. It aims to defne the
distinctive identity of the Medical Sciences
degree programme by introducing the breadth
of disciplines that contribute to our
understanding of the science that underpins
medicine.
The second year aims to develop knowledge
and learning in the Medical Sciences disciplines
of human anatomy, immunology, microbiology,
neuroscience, pathology, physiology, and
pharmacology, thereby providing a platform for
the Junior and Senior Honours years.
Anatomy & Pathology 2 is a programme-specifc
core course that introduces an integrated
approach to the structure of the human body at
different levels of organisation, including
aspects of pre- and post-natal growth and
development, histology and gross appearance
of human tissues and organs, and interactions
between various body systems.
In frst and second year, elective courses can be
selected from a range of biomedical and
non-biomedical courses run throughout the
University, thereby providing the opportunity to
broaden knowledge and experience.
Students take three compulsory core courses
during their Junior Honours year (third year):
Health, Illness and Society 3 covers several
health and society issues related to
healthcare careers, including the
understanding of disease at a population
level, prevention of disease and promotion
of good health, ethical issues in medicine,
health needs of older people, and health
and illness behaviour.
Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3
uses the cardiovascular system to
demonstrate how basic biochemistry and
analytical chemistry can be applied to
medical diagnosis. The course covers areas
such as blood pressure, tissue damage,
enzyme release, electrolytes, and links to
the respiratory, renal and reproduction
systems.
Clinical Immunology and Haematology 3A
demonstrates how the immune system
develops, prevents infectious diseases and
interacts with other bodily systems to limit
or cause tissue damage. The course uses
clinical case studies to emphasise the link
between basic science and the clinical
situation.
The Senior Honours year (fourth year) has four
compulsory components and a series of two
student choice elective courses, which open up
areas of interest specifc to each student. A
Medical Sciences compulsory core course
provides opportunities to discuss and critically
analyse high-profle contemporary issues in the
Medical Sciences. Elective courses either build
on and develop themes introduced in the earlier
year courses, or introduce novel areas of study.
All courses focus on those disciplines necessary
to give Medical Sciences graduates the
appropriate knowledge and skills for further
postgraduate studies and graduate entry to
MBChB degree programmes.
The Senior Honours year also places students at
the cutting edge of modern biomedical
research by including a compulsory major
research project involving either original
laboratory-based medical research, clinically-
related research or library-based literature
research.
Medical Sciences
The University of Edinburgh
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
April 2014
What are Medical Sciences?
The BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences is a four year degree programme
that provides opportunities for motivated individuals to explore the
biological, physico-chemical and clinical sciences that form the
foundations of 21st century medicine. Many different disciplines
make up the Medical Sciences and as such the programme is
structured, through a combination of compulsory and elective
courses, to deliver a common core Medical Sciences knowledge
base to all students, alongside a student-specifc programme of
learning.
In frst and second year courses in human anatomy, immunology, microbiology, pathology,
physiology, and pharmacology establish the core Medical Sciences knowledge base. Additional
elective courses that address molecular, cellular and whole organism aspects of Medical Sciences
create a unique programme of study for each student. In the later years the Medical Sciences
programme aims to provide the knowledge, skills and personal development appropriate for a
career in the many healthcare and healthcare-related professions.
Degree in Medicine
BSc Honours in:
Medical Sciences
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Typical degree curriculum: BSc Honours in Medical Sciences
1
st
Year 2
nd
Year 3
rd
Year 4
th
Year
Foundation year involving six courses Aims to expand knowledge in basic
biomedical sciences and involves fve
courses
Six courses aimed at increasing the
biomedical knowledge base and fostering
intellectual and critical development
Two elective courses to be selected
Core courses
Medical Sciences 1
(Biological Chemistry 1A subject to
qualifcations)
Medical Biology 1
Molecules, Genes & Cells 1
Anatomy and Pathology 2
Biomedical Sciences 2
Microorganisms, Cells and Immunity 2
Health, Illness and Society 3
Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3
Clinical Immunology and Haematology 3A
Medical Sciences 4
Medical Sciences Project Preparation
Dissertation
Medical Sciences Project
Medical Sciences Academic Portfolio
Elective courses *
Origin and Diversity of Life 1
Our Changing World
Biological Chemistry 1B
History of Science 1
History of Medicine 1
Geoscience courses
Language courses
Industrial Management / Business
Animal Biology 2
Chemistry for Life Sciences 2
Evolution in Action 2
Genes and Gene Action 2
The Dynamic Cell 2
Technology and Society 2
Language courses
Industrial Management / Business
Molecular Microbiology 3
Molecular Genetics 3
Pharmacology 3
Physiology 3
Reproductive Biology 3
Brain & Behaviour 3
Developmental Biology 3
Medical Microbiology 3
Molecular Cell Biology 3
Mechanisms of Brain Development 3
Biotechnology 3
Biomedical Ethics
Cancer Biology and Medicine
Forensic Investigation
Health Promotion
Immunotherapy
Infammation
Ion Channels in Health and Disease
Ion Channels and Electrical Signalling in
the Brain
Making Sense of Disease Pathways
Neuroimaging: your brain inside out
Regenerative Medicine
Science Communication
Animal Models of Human Disease
* This is not a defnitive list. In years 3 and 4 the advanced elective courses refect the research and teaching expertise of the Biomedical Sciences academic staff. It is likely that this list will
evolve as new staff members with additional research and teaching interests are recruited. Students may take any course they are qualifed for depending on availability, timetabling and
University regulations. Advice on course choice will be given by Personal Tutors.
The School of Biomedical Sciences is home to
research centres in Neuroscience, Integrative
Physiology and Infectious Diseases which, along
with the wider strengths of clinical research
centres in the College of Medicine and
Veterinary Medicine, provide exciting
opportunities for project work in state-of-the-
art laboratories working alongside
internationally recognised research scientists
and clinicians.
What sort of teaching and
assessment methods are used?
Course delivery combines traditional (lectures,
tutorials, practical sessions) and more innovative
(computer-assisted learning, student-led groups,
self-directed and problem-based learning)
approaches. Assessment will be a combination of
in-course assessment and formal examinations in
all years. Degree classifcation will be determined
by performance in third year (Junior Honours) and
fourth year (Senior Honours) with a 1:2 weighting.
What can I do after my degree?
The Medical Sciences degree programme is
aimed at the growing number of students
planning careers in healthcare and healthcare-
related professions, including medical
postgraduate study/research, healthcare
management and administration, healthcare/
medical teaching, medical writing/publishing,
clinical trials management, pharmaceutical
industry/drug sales, and clinical laboratory
sciences.
The BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences degree is not a
qualifcation in medical practice. Careers in
Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy,
Nursing, Clinical Practice, Veterinary Medicine
and Forensic Science would all normally require
periods of further study. For example, a number
of UK medical schools offer graduate entry
courses into Medicine and similar graduate
entry routes are available into Dentistry,
Physiotherapy and Veterinary Medicine. The BSc
(Hons) Medical Sciences may provide a platform
of knowledge and learning from which entry to
these courses and their career paths might be
considered.
Normally, up to fve offers for entry into second
year of the Edinburgh MBChB degree
programme will be made to fnal year BSc
(Hons) Medical Sciences undergraduates.
Application for these places will be through
UCAS. Medical Science graduates applying to
the MBChB will be required to have the
appropriate academic qualifcations, will have
to sit the UKCAT online test, and will be
interviewed in common with other graduate
applicants. Offers will be conditional on the
successful completion (upper second class
degree or better) of the full Medical Sciences
degree programme.
What are admissions staff
looking for?
Medical Sciences has proved a popular
programme choice and competition for places
is strong. Consequently, the typical offer level
for the BSc Medical Sciences is normally
considerably higher than the stated minimum
entrance requirements. Due to the high
numbers of applications the selection process
will not start until after the closing date for
UCAS applications on 15
th
January. Selection
decisions will be made after assessment of both
academic and non-academic qualities.
Applicants are not normally interviewed.
You will fnd our most up to date entry
requirements at: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/
undergraduate/degrees
All the major national and international
qualifcations are recognised and entry offers
will be based on them.
Home and overseas applicants with non-
standard entry qualifcations are invited to
contact the BMTO to discuss details of their
present and expected qualifcations. Students
with high entry grades may be offered direct
entry into the second year of the Medical
Sciences degree programme.
Non-academc qualities will be evaluated
primarily through the UCAS personal statement
and reference. Evidence will be sought that the
choice of degree is informed, either through
recognition of the importance of biomedical
science and medical research to the healthcare
professions and/or relevant work experience.
Personal qualities including effective
communication skills, evidence of responsibility
and leadership potential will also be assessed.
Any achievement beyond academic study (e.g.
sport, music, arts, voluntary work) will also be
considered as evidence of the organisational
skills required to balance high academic
achievement with additional socially
advantageous activities.
How do I fnd out more?
Further information about the Medical Sciences
degree programme can be obtained from:
Biomedical Teaching Organisation (BMTO)
School of Biomedical Sciences
The University of Edinburgh
Medical School
Teviot Place
Edinburgh, EH8 9AG
Tel: 0131 650 3160
Email: BMTO@ed.ac.uk
For more detailed information on degree
structure and content, please also see:
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/
student-recruitment/publications-resources/
degree-programmes