Biomedical and Analytical Science MSc

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

1 year full-time

Places available (subject to change)

About the course

The Biomedical and Analytical Science MSc course will enable you to develop a postgraduate depth of knowledge relating to biomedicine and analytical methodologies utilised in biomedical science. Moreover, you will broaden and develop your ability to deal with complex issues, demonstrate originality in tackling and solving problems, function as independent learner and show initiative in complex and unpredictable professional environments, all of which represent key skills in the professional employment sector. Specifically, you will study cutting-edge research that is driving forward our understanding of the human genome and how it is expressed alongside the development of new biomedical technology platforms and how these are opening up novel ways to treat human disease. You will investigate the underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution of pathogens, how these are diagnosed and then monitored and the novel approaches being developed to treat emerging viruses and multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Biological aspects of disease processes will also be considered for major human illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Alongside this, you will be trained in the development and application of advanced analytical techniques in biomedical sciences, including recent advances in analytical technologies, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-ray crystallography and immunohistochemistry.

Course detail

We offer the following modules;

Research Skills

An introduction to key concepts of scientific research, including project planning, using scientific literature, the application of statistical methods, data processing and the process of creating a journal article from writing to submission. Part of the module will contain subject specific material appropriate to the student’s discipline.

Emerging technologies in Biomedicine

Overview of new biomedicine technologies that are driving research and beginning to have an impact on healthcare. Technologies discussed include next generation sequencing platforms, an overview of their respective chemistries and their limitations/advantages. A detailed overview of the CRISPR/Cas platform and how this is being iteratively improved and adapted for use in biomedicine. The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and organoid systems and their utility in research and healthcare.

Advanced genomics and gene expression

Our understanding of the human genome and how it is expressed has undergone a seismic shift in the past decade. This module will explore our modern understanding of 3D-genomes and how this relates to the complexities of transcriptional activation, post-transcriptional processing of RNA both in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and the explosion of non-coding RNA as regulators of our genes. Also, translation, a process long-thought to be primarily mechanistic, will be discussed in terms of emerging regulation via tRNA-fragments and specialised ribosomes.

Biological Aspects of Disease

Organised by organ system, this module includes the disorders of nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, urinary system, endocrine system, immune system, cancer and concludes in precision medicine. This module provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the aetiology and pathophysiology of human diseases by investigating the physiological or pathological concepts of biological systems in states of dysfunction. It encourages students to appreciate the inter-relations of the pathological sciences and how, for example, a genetic predisposition can increase an individual's risk of susceptibility to a specific cancer and thereby the associated targeted cancer therapy for the mutated gene(s).

Infectious Disease and Human Health

This module will cover several aspects of infectious disease, including the underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution of pathogens in relation to host immune response in humans. The diagnosis of disease, disease monitoring and novel approaches to treatment will also be covered in addition to emerging technologies to combat multidrug resistance in bacteria and expediated antiviral and vaccine development for emerging viruses.

NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry for Analytical Scientists

This module provides both a broad and in depth coverage of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. There is a large emphasis on developing your knowledge of the two techniques and you will be exposed to the most recent advances in instrumentation and their applications. You will explore advances in NMR design through a written assignment and you will also be able to demonstrate your ability to interpret spectral data in an exam.

Biochemical Methods

This module provides an in-depth description of many current biochemical methods as applied to analysis. This will include you learning about DNA analysis, in particular PCR and sequencing, immunological analysis techniques and the fundamentals behind them, protein separation techniques and X-ray crystallography. There will be a combination of lectures and computer simulations.

Research Project

The overall aim of the project is to train you in methods of experimental design and either to develop new analytical methods (for example, to select by critical comparison and apply the most suitable method to a particular problem) or to solve a novel research problem in your subject area.

On this course you will be exposed to advanced technologies that are driving forward our understanding of the human genome and learn how the development of new biomedical technology platforms are reshaping how we treat human diseases. Moreover, you will learn how technology-driven advances in biological research has altered our understanding of genomics and how our genes regulate cell biology and contribute to disease. Human disease will be further considered via investigation of infectious pathogens, including their underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution in relation to host immune response in humans, multidrug resistance in bacteria and expedited antiviral and vaccine development for emerging viruses. Moreover, the biological aspects of disease processes will be considered for major human illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Alongside this, the development and application of advanced analytical techniques in biomedical sciences will be covered, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-ray crystallography and immunohistochemistry. Finally, via an integrated professional development plan and research project dissertation, you will also gain expertise in several 'capstone' skills, such as interpretation of experimentally-derived scientific data and presentation of complex concepts to varied stakeholders via diverse media.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching will occur predominantly via lectures, academic-led group workshops, tutorials and directed student-centred learning. The development of students as independent learners is a particularly important aspect of the knowledge and understanding learning strategy at postgraduate level and this will be supported by the provision of resource material in the form of required and recommended additional reading during lectures. This will support the development of open learning strategies, where students are able to source the most relevant content themselves and apply their knowledge and understanding of this material to the learning outcomes. During group workshops and personal tutorials, students will be encouraged to reflect upon their learning, performance, and achievement on the course and to plan for their personal, educational and career development, being signposted to university-level support structures, where appropriate. Typically, modules are assessed by a combination of a piece of course work and an end of module test. A diverse assessment diet is employed that includes innovative assessments that that in addition to classic written content provides students with the opportunity to meet learning outcomes via the provision of online material, including podcasts, video presentations and collaborative work. The Research Project module enables comprehensive assessment of all learning outcomes via several means, including oral presentations, viva voce, written report, maintenance of research notes and personal conduct.

On average 23% of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc.

Teaching excellence

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

Honours degree (2:2 or above) in an appropriate Biological Sciences discipline, or a similar qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Career support

The Biomedical and Analytical Science MSc provides opportunities for students to develop and broaden their knowledge and research skills and better prepare for future employment or specialist postgraduate research (e.g. PhD). On successful completion of the course postgraduates will have significantly enhanced their employability by developing subject-specific knowledge in the field of biomedical science and their analytical and research skills. Students will also have gained an appreciation of how important biomedical science is to global healthcare and can approach international employers with confidence. In addition, the programme enhances student presentation and key capstone skills enabling students to compete effectively in the job market.

Career support

Career support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £9,900 (Band 3).

Tuition fees for UK students will cover the cost of your study at the University. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see our Fees and Finance. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £9,900 (Band 3).

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Important information

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes:

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.