Biomedical Science (Health, Exercise & Nutrition) - BSc (Hons) Degree

This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year full-time degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

1. Students who aspire to enrol onto the first year of a science-based honours degree programme within the Cardiff School of Health Sciences, who have not achieved the standard entry requirements to enter at year one of the chosen degree.
2. Students who have not studied subjects that provide the necessary background within the scientific disciplines required to enter at year one of the chosen degree.

Find out more about the foundation year.

Please note: You will need to apply using a specific UCAS code if you wish to undertake the 4 years including foundation. Please refer to Key Course Information at the bottom of this page.

Biomedical Science (Health, Exercise & Nutrition) pathway:
Modules are designed to allow you to understand the interactions between our bodies and minds and the environment in which we live. These are complemented with exercise-based modules in clinical exercise physiology, psychology of sport and exercise, metabolic adaptation to exercise, public health nutrition, sport and exercise nutrition and sports medicine. These modules will allow you to understand and predict how the body responds and adapts to exercise, and to consider the strategies that can be employed to improve health, fitness and performance.

A major theme throughout the course will be to consider the impact that lifestyle has on health. You will learn how appropriate changes to lifestyle, such as exercise and a healthy diet, may be effective in preventing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Innovative approaches to sports medicine will also allow you to gain experience in the rapidly expanding area of ‘exercise prescription’.

You will have access to well-equipped, recently refurbished laboratories at the Llandaff campus, including the recently developed Health Assessment Suite, excellent computing and open-learning facilities and well-stocked libraries with a full range of current journals and periodicals. In addition, you will have full access to the extensive facilities at the Cyncoed campus, which include human performance laboratories, the National Indoor Athletics Centre, synthetic surface outdoor athletics track, Astroturf, indoor tennis centre, swimming pool and a sports hall.

Year One:
You will be introduced to the underlying themes of human nutrition, human physiology, biochemistry, and psychology of sport and exercise. Emphasis is placed on the effect of exercise on the physical and mental development of the body. This will enable you to develop a foundation in applying scientific principles, reasoning and practice to the field of health and exercise science.

Modules (All Core):

• Biochemistry (20 credits)
• Cell Biology & Genetics (20 credits)
• Anatomy & Physiology (20 credits)*
• Infection & Immunity 1 (20 credits)
• Laboratory Skills & Data Analysis (20 credits)
• Professional & Interprofessional Development 1 (20 credits)*

Year Two:
You will apply your knowledge obtained in year one, through the use of laboratory-based techniques and practical sessions to understand the relationships between exercise, health and disease. Emphasis is placed on the detection, assessment and monitoring of the effects of exercise and nutrition on health and fitness. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in using techniques for the detection and measurement of performance-enhancing drugs.

All second year modules are core and include:

• Analytical, Research & Diagnostic Methods (20 credits)
• Blood and Cellular Sciences (20 credits)*
• Molecular Biology and Genetics (20 credits)
• Clinical Exercise Physiology & Physiological Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology (20 credits)
• Professional & Interprofessional Development 2 (20 credits)*

Year Three:
During your final year you will be able to develop your individual strengths and interest in relation to health and exercise science, and their place in the wider worlds of medicine and public health. You will also undertake a dissertation, developing original and critical thinking, which will equip you for a range of careers in the biomedical, exercise and health areas.

All third year modules are core and include:

• Research Project (40 credits)*
• Contemporary Topics in Biomedical Sciences (20 credits)
• Sports Medicine (20 credits)
• Nutrition in Sport & Exercise (20 credits)*
• Molecular & Metabolic Adaptation to Exercise (20 credits)

*modules available through the medium of Welsh

Learning and teaching strategies include traditional lecture-based teaching sessions complemented by tutorials and practical sessions. Students also have access to ‘drop-in’ lunchtime workshop sessions in Biochemistry and Physiology. The curriculum is supported and informed by the research activities of academic staff. The personal tutorial system encourages students to continue to develop their interpersonal and reflective skills throughout their studies.

Students are assessed using a mixture of assessment method: some modules employ written assignments such as essays and literature reviews, others involve examinations, practical reports, presentations, case studies and (in the final year) an important component is the completion of a scientific research project and poster.

This unique and exciting course is designed to allow graduates to take full advantage of employment in a number of areas. There is a booming economy in the health and fitness sectors, and successful completion of this programme of study should provide a variety of careers in areas such as the Sport and Leisure industry, National Health Service, National Sports Councils, Sporting National Governing Bodies, Health Promotion and Wales National Exercise Referral Scheme.

Graduates will also be well qualified for a career in the Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage industries. Opportunities for further study are excellent and include other health related studies and higher degrees (MSc and PhD).

The Cardiff School of Health Sciences has excellent links with all relevant sectors associated with the Health Sciences. Many staff pursue ‘cutting edge’ research initiatives with collaborative Institutions including Cambridge University Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Cardiff University Medical School, the Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Bath and the Institute for Sports Nutrition.

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Typical Offers

The following requirements are based on typical offers relevant to entering year 1 of the degree.

If you do not meet these entry requirements, we also offer a Foundation Year which allows progression to Year 1 upon successful completion.

• Tariff points: 112-120
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
• GCSE: Five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy and Science.
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include grade B in Biology and grade C in an equivalent Science.
• Relevant subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Physical Education, IT, Mathematics, Food Technology, Environmental Science or Geography considered as the equivalent Science. Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject.
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DMM within Applied Science.
• T Level: Merit in a Science subject considered.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: Within a Science subject covering sufficient Biology.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Minimum two Grade 5/6 in Higher Level Biology and equivalent Science.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 in both Biology and an equivalent Science. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades CD in Biology and an equivalent Science. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.

For course specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Director, Dr Cathryn Withycombe:

• Email: cwithycombe@cardiffmet.ac.uk
• Telephone: 029 2041 5994