5 facts about biomedical science you perhaps didn’t know

Biomedical science is not talked about enough or appreciated. You rightly hear a lot about other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses – that play a central frontline role in healthcare – but not enough about the biomedical scientists working in the background. But they should be celebrated, since at least 70% of NHS diagnoses rely on this lab and pathology work.

For those not familiar, Biomedical science is an area focused on bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and clinical settings. It primarily involves studying the human body at various levels including at both cellular and genetic levels, in order to better understand human diseases. By understanding this, then therapies and preventative strategies can stem. It is often seen as the same as biology, however biomedical science is medical research focused whereas biology is the universal study of life in all forms. 

• They play a huge role in diagnosis.
  I acknowledge a lot of healthcare relies on lab work. For example, analysing blood samples, identifying infections and piecing together a diagnosis after gathering all the relevant information. It is something so truly fascinating – especially for those who love puzzles!
• Accreditation is more important than you think.
  To become a registered Biomedical Scientist, it is required to have a HCPC portfolio and an accredited degree to meet professional standards. It also helps if I want to work in the NHS later in life, something that I am considering since Kingston University’s Biomedical Science degree is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
• You don’t learn only one type of science (not just Biology).
  In this course, you learn a broad portfolio of topics. For example, immunology, human anatomy, physiology, genetics, microbiology, laboratory and research techniques, disease pathology and many more. This makes the course so much more interesting because you are learning something new every day.
• It is a very versatile degree.
  A biomedical science degree doesn’t mean you have to become a biomedical scientist. You can get a job in many diverse fields for example pharmaceutical companies, teaching, public health, medical sales, medical laboratory assistant and many more. This is helped by the wide variety of modules you cover over the 3 years including physiology, biochemistry, microbiology and immunology.
• You can do further postgraduate study.
  There are many post graduate opportunities available to do after a Biomedical science degree for example, research masters, taught masters, scientific training programme (STP), PhD, Graduate entry medicine or dentistry.

Upon learning this about biomedical science I looked at my degree differently. It is so much more exciting and fulfilling from what I had initially thought. It really resonates with me because the work biomedical scientists are doing in their everyday lives has such a huge impact on each of us. They play a huge role in healthcare and is something I would love to be a part of.

Discover the Biomolecular Sciences offering at Kingston University.