Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Course Description
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences Degree aims at training locally-relevant and globally competent anatomists, physiologists and biochemists. This follows the biomedical sciences department’s quest to fully utilize its human and infrastructural resources to respond to current national needs for qualified health scientists with broad knowledge of the biosciences.
This BSc Biomedical Sciences programme is in line with the Government of Malawi’s plans to improve research capacity in the health sector. By teaching advanced concepts of the life sciences and exposing students to practical laboratory environments, the programme is the first of its kind in Malawi to provide a strong basis for postgraduate training in the biomedical sciences. This programme is ready to receive applications for Year One (Foundation) enrolment during the 2021/ 2022 application period. However, students who wish to enroll through the other entry levels may apply at any time
Why (study) the programme
Biomedical Science is the Science that underpins medicine, laboratory work and healthcare research. The BSc Biomedical Sciences is an intercalated degree programme developed to equip learners with broad knowledge of the Biomedical Sciences and practical skills necessary for mod-ern-day clinical and research laboratory environments. The focus on advanced aspects of the bio-sciences training distinguishes the programme from other related degree programmes. In its delivery, it takes a broad approach in giving students options to study a wide range of subjects. This is aimed at equipping learners with a deep under-standing of the human body and its functions at system, organ, cellular and molecular levels both in states of health and in disease, and prepares them for careers in academia, industry and clinics. Moreover, learners are expected to conduct research, which is fundamental for new developments, enriching post-graduate output and entrepreneurship. In this programme, students will be specializing in either Bio-chemistry, Physiology, Anatomy.
As a multiple-entry and multiple-exit programme, this programme offers a unique opportunity to students from other programmes (e.g. MBBS) to join at fourth year and graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree or a Bachelor of Science (Honours). This arrangement provides an avenue for the very young yet to acquire the maturity as a medical Doctor to gain extra biomedical science skill before finishing the MBBS programme as a practicing Doctor. As such, the programme will also increase the pool of medical Doctors who are capable of carrying out research in the course of doing their work.
Programme structure
Upon successful completion of the programmes foundation year, students will be introduced to the BSc BMS programme proper. The BSC BMS programme offers an integrated course of study of the basic and introductory therapeutic sciences in years one and two, starting from normal function and structure to abnormal function and structure. Learning in years one and two will be grouped into systems including musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, integumentary, reproductive, gastrointestinal, endocrine, genitourinary and head and neck. This will also be augmented with knowledge from haematology, pathology, microbiology and pharmacology. In year three learners will acquire advanced knowledge and practical expertise in anatomy, biochemistry, histopathology, haematology, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology. In year four learners will learn critical thinking and analytical skills befitting an honours graduate. The BSc BMS programme is the first of its kind in Malawi to provide a strong basis for postgraduate training in the biomedical medical sciences.
Career prospects
Career opportunities for graduate Biomedical Scientists are as wide as the profession itself. Our graduates will join the healthcare work-force to work in hospital laboratories. Some will work in industrial & research laboratories, join the academia, and become independent researchers, innovators, biomedical equipment specialist consultants & entrepreneurs.
Entry Requirements
Year 1
- A candidate must be a holder of an MSCE or IGCSE or other internationally recognized O-level equivalents with at least 6 credit passes (including English Language & Mathematics) and a minimum of 4 points in Biology and Physical Science at MSCE or B at IGCSE obtained in the current year or the previous 2 years.
- Those with a Diploma in Medical Sciences (or its equivalent) plus 2-years’ experience may be considered for admission.
- A candidate who has a non-science degree or diploma may need to have, in addition, 6 MSCE or O-level credits including Biology and Chemistry or Physical Science (with a grade of not more than 4 points or C in these subjects).
Year 2
- Holders of A-level certificates obtained in the current year or the previous 2 years may join the programme at Year Two provided that they have a grade of at least C in Biology, Chemistry & a third science subject (Mathematics or Physics). Further, such candidates must have MSCE or O-level credits in English & Mathematics is these 2 subjects were not done at A-level.
- Students pursuing a recognizable Bachelor of Science or Education Science programme who wish to join the BSc. BMS program may only do so at Year Two level if they managed to score an average of at least 60% in Biology, Chemistry and a third science subject (Mathematics, Physics or Statistics) at the end of the second year of their programme or upon completion of that programme.
Year 3
- On special arrangements, the architecture of the BSc. BMS programme allows Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students who are no longer interested in clinical careers or simply need a break from the medical programme to join at Year 4 level and graduate with a BSc or BSc Hons.
