Course summary

Genetics and genetic mechanisms can tell us so much about heredity and evolution. When researched in the context of diseases in a massively outbred human population, genetics leads us to discover better, more personalised diagnosis and treatments of diseases. On the MBiolSci, you will hone your research and laboratory skills and extend your medically specialised BSc programme into a fourth year of masters level study. Are you interested in the role of genetics and molecular biology in understanding, diagnosing and treating disease, including clinical research, genetic testing and genetic counselling? On this four-year MBiolSci in Medical Bioscuences (Genetics) you will study a broad range of relevant topics, including proteins, gene expression, molecular cell biology, metabolism and molecular medicine and biomedical ethics. This degree will give you an education and training in genetics with particular emphasis on its application to medicine. If you take this course you will be affiliated to our Department of Genetics, one of the largest genetics departments in the country with an excellent international reputation for research in a broad range of fields including human and medical genetics. The first three years are identical to the Medical Genetics BSc, including the option to spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3. Your fourth year then lets you focus on refining your research and lab skills - while also putting into practice your employability skills - by conducting a research project in one of six specialist areas. The analytical and critical skills you acquire by studying an MBiolSci in Medical Sciences are particularly valued by PhD supervisors, researchers and employers in non-scientific fields. What's the difference? At the University of Leicester, we offer seven Biological Science subjects and four Medical Bioscience subjects, all as both BSc (three years) and MBiolSci (four years), plus a Foundation Year option, giving you an impressive range of 23 different courses to choose from. Biological Science covers major aspects of biology and molecular science across a wide range of organisms from bacteria and fungi to humans and plants. All 14 courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1. Medical Science allows you to select specialist modules that focus more closely on the application of biological principles to medicine. All eight courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1. It is possible to switch between a Biological Science course and a Medical Bioscience course during the first half of your first year, but after that the two fields diverge.