Admissions

UCAS Course Code: BC98

Brief Course Outline

Duration of course: 3 years
Degree awarded: (dependent on specialism in the latter part of the course)
BA (Hons) Cell and Systems Biology
BA (Hons) Neuroscience
Intake: 33
Applications shortlisted for interview: 56.8%
Successful applications: 16.9%

Open days

26 and 27 June, and 20 September 2013

For further information, email: bmsadmissions@medsci.ox.ac.uk

or visit our website

Contact details

Biomedical Sciences Course, Medical Sciences Teaching Centre, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PL
Please email us at bmsadmissions@medsci.ox.ac.uk
View the website

Biomedical Sciences

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A typical weekly timetable

A first-year student would typically attend six to ten lectures, a Mathematics class and a three-hour practical class. Practical work undertaken in laboratories forms an integral part of this programme; students are required to complete practical work to a satisfactory standard in order to progress through the degree course. In addition, students prepare for weekly tutorials at which discussions between students and tutors highlight, through consideration of experimental studies, the significance and limitations of the topic under consideration. Students’ remaining time is available for self-directed study and extra-curricular activities.

During the first two terms of the second year, work is divided between lectures (about five per week), tutorials (one or two per week) and practical classes. The final term of the second year is set aside for the laboratory research project.

During the third year students attend lectures, seminars and tutorials in their chosen specialist area.

1st year

Courses

Numerical and Scientific Skills (Mathematics and Statistics, Chemistry and Physics)
Body, brain and behaviour
Cells, molecules and genes

Delivered by lectures, classes and practical sessions

Assessment

Examined by three written papers at the end of the year.

A satisfactory practical record is required for progression to Year 2.

2nd year (Part I)

Courses

2 terms

Students will select courses totalling ten units from a wide range of options. Subject areas offered include:

Psychological processes and disorders
Neurophysiology
Cellular and systems physiology
Intra- and intercellular signalling
Genetics and developmental biology
Pharmacology
Cellular pathology and immunology.

The full list is available on our website

1 term (Part II)

Students will work on their research project, which is submitted during the third year as a component of the final examination.

Assessment

Examined by two written papers at the end of the year.

20% of the final degree mark is contributed by written examination of this material during the second year. An academic penalty will be applied for an unsatisfactory practical record.

3rd year (Part II)

Courses

Either:
Cell and Systems Biology

Two advanced options (one major option, one minor option) from the Honour School of Medical Sciences:

Neuroscience
Molecular medicine
Myocardial, vascular and respiratory biology
Infection and immunity
Signalling in health and disease

Each option comprises eight themes. For the major option, students would typically be expected to study material from five or six themes; for the minor option, students would typically be expected to study material from three or four themes.

Or:
Neuroscience

Two advanced options from the Honour School of Experimental Psychology (see the Experimental Psychology page) plus four themes from the Neuroscience option from the Honour School of Medical Sciences.

Assessment

Examined by four written papers during the third term of the final year.

Students will also submit a project dissertation. In addition, students will deliver a presentation on their research project and answer questions from the examiners.

80% of the final degree mark is determined by performance in the written papers and the project dissertation.