Profile of the Programme

Aim of the Programme:
The MSc Programme in Biomedical Sciences aims to provide high-quality education and have graduates with strong professional integrity and expertise in fields related to laboratory diagnosis and disease monitoring. This integrated programme promotes core theory, practical skills, and research principles in biomedical sciences. Additionally, it emphasizes teaching clinical specialties in one of the following fields: Immunology, Hematology, Microbiology, and Clinical Biochemistry. Currently, the program enables graduates to specialize in Immunology or Hematology. In due course, concentration courses in the other two fields/specializations (Microbiology and Clinical Biochemistry) will be added to the program, allowing graduates to study and specialize in one or more areas based on their interests and career aspirations.

Educational Aims of the Programme:
The educational aims of the programme refer to and comply with the subject benchmarking of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) syllabus (version 5: 2018) as well as with those of the UK QAA organization (ISBN 1 84482 146 3 © Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education 2004).

The general objectives that apply to all concentrators of the programme (Immunology, Hematology, Microbiology, and Clinical Biochemistry) are to:

1. Provide knowledge of and insight into the biochemical processes in human health and disease.
2. Introduce the scientific basis of modern bioanalytical instrumentation and technologies used for research and clinical diagnosis.
3. Promote the practice of transferable skills in data collection, analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and reporting.
4. Promote research skills and enable graduates to develop, evaluate, and provide new diagnostic services.
5. Teach the competencies required to manage and audit scientific techniques and procedures and maintain quality standards.
6. Teach practices of Quality Assurance and introduce management skills for a clinical laboratory’s smooth organization/functions and safety.
7. Enable graduates to enrich life-long learning skills for communication, teaching others, and working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
8. Teach ethical considerations in the profession of Biomedical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science.

The objectives specific to the concentration of Immunology are to:

1. Provide an in-depth knowledge of aspects related to the structure and functions of the immune system.
2. Present the effectors of immune responses related to defense mechanisms, the development of allergy, and the development of autoimmunity.
3. Provide in-depth knowledge of other health consequences due to abnormal functions of the immune system.
4. Identify response markers and present the immunotechnology-based methods for detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring immune and other diseases.
5. Provide knowledge on modern molecular-based methods and technologies used in the clinical diagnosis of immune-related dysfunctions.
6. Present recent advances in immunology research, prophylaxis, and immunotherapy.

The objectives specific to the concentration of Hematology are to:

1. Provide an in-depth knowledge of aspects related to basic hematology, blood transfusion, and hemostasis.
2. Provide a comprehensive understanding of immunohematology and the development of disease.
3. Give a general knowledge of other health consequences due to abnormal hematological mechanisms.
4. Review the modern molecular-based methods and technologies used to diagnose hematology-related dysfunctions.
5. Present recent advances in hematology research, prophylaxis, and immunotherapy

Career Prospects

Biomedical science has to play an important role in healthcare. The component subjects taught are at the forefront of scientific research and, therefore, the graduates of the programme will be able to understand current discoveries, controversies, and concerns regarding human health and diseases. The programme graduates, therefore, can be employed in various areas in the public and private health-related sectors since their education covers both, biological and medical science. In addition, completion of this programme can be considered as part of the 9-year minimum postgraduate training for Biomedical Laboratory Scientists that is required for registration of specialist expertise towards licensing to practice and direct a Bioscience/Clinical Laboratory.

Overall based on the core courses and specialization courses that students can take, it will qualify them upon graduation to work or provide service or do research in the relevant field, at a private or public hospital or pharmaceutical industry medical or research laboratories. Alternatively, they can also take an administrative post in the pharmaceutical industry and at health/disease-related non-governmental organizations, companies, government, or international organizations (i.e., health insurance companies, health service providers, WHO, the Red Cross, etc.).

Specific major employment areas include:

• National pathology and clinical laboratories
• National Blood Service laboratories
• Private pathology laboratories
• Health Protection Agency (i.e., WHO)
• Veterinary and agricultural laboratories
• Clinical genetics laboratories
• Forensic laboratories
• Research laboratories in universities
• Government or charity-funded research laboratories
• Research and development for the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, medical devices
• and laboratory instrumentation industries
• Clinical trials, regulatory affairs (drug registration and patents)
• Commerce (sales and marketing) related to healthcare and diagnostic products
• Education: university, college and school teaching
• Food industry and food safety
• Biotechnology industry

Access to Further Studies

Graduates of the programme can be accepted into Third Cycle degrees (Doctoral Degree)