Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical scientists are a liaison between clinical practice and fundamental or applied medical research. Whereas doctors focus on understanding syndromes from a diagnostics and treatment point of view, biomedical scientists explore the disease itself. Biomedical scientists do not see or treat patients directly. They do, however, come into contact with laboratory specialists and researchers from various disciplines.
What
Medical knowledge in recent decades has evolved exponentially, resulting in a new division of labour: while doctors mainly concern themselves with patient diagnosis and treatment, other medical researchers investigate what causes diseases. In the programme, knowledge of the basic sciences is mainly provided by cell biologists, biochemists, biotechnologists and physiologists. The applied knowledge is supplied by medical engineers responsible for improved medical imaging (such as CT and MRI scanners), diagnostic equipment, etc... Biomedical scientists are a liaison between clinical practice and fundamental or applied medical research. Whereas doctors focus on understanding syndromes from a diagnostics and treatment point of view, biomedical scientists explore the disease itself. Biomedicial scientists have a thorough knowledge of current biology, and of the possible factors and mechanisms that influence a disease process. Biomedical scientists do not see or treat patients directly. They do, however, come into contact with laboratory specialists and researchers from various disciplines, and they are trained to conduct, lead and coordinate research.
For whom
You are fascinated by how the human body functions, and by what causes disease. Instead of becoming a doctor, however, you choose to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of medical academic research. Successful completion of the programme depends on a sound knowledge of the basic sciences: fundamental biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. A solid prior knowledge of these disciplines is essential. In the course of the programme, these disciplines will be studied in depth. In addition, you will receive a solid training in the basic medical sciences, and methodology.
Structure
- Bachelor
The first year largely consists of course units dealing with the basic sciences (i.e. physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics). From the beginning, the contents of these basic course units, however, is specifically oriented towards applications leading to a better insight into the analysis and functioning of the human body. This is an important element of our study programme. These course units provide a solid scientific basis, which is further built upon throughout the entire study programme. The first year also includes basic elements of cell biology and general physiology. Additionally, it introduces academic biomedical research and its related methodologies via the course unit Biomedical Information and Information Processing. In the second and third year, the basic disciplines are developed further while fundamental medical subjects become more prominent. Throughout the programme, we pursue a clearly integrated trinity of basic science course units, medical course units and methodological course units. The entire Bachelor’s curriculum consists of three learning pathways: insight into (dys)functions of the human body, methodology, and the use of data sources.
- Master
The Master’s programme is taught in English. The programme includes general course units, the choice of one major, a number of elective course units, a research work placement and a Master’s dissertation. In addition, you will attend and report on academic lectures and meetings (i.e. ‘medical seminars’). Experimental work is part of the Master’s dissertation as well as of the preparatory research work placement. Taken together, the general course units, majors, elective course units, the research work placement and the Master’s dissertation make up two learning pathways in the Master’s curriculum, namely the student’s evolution into an independent researcher, and into being able to perform an important bridging function between various medical disciplines.
Labour Market
A Master in Biomedical Sciences find employment in a wide variety of sectors, primarily in university research laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and in the biotechnology and biomedical industry. Other options are hospital laboratories or government and health sector laboratories. Food inspection, epidemiology and ecology are also part of the biomedical scientist’s field of activity. Two other important fields of practice are academic research and education.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
Unique Selling Points
- Human pathologies: you learn how cells, tissues and organs function under normal circumstances. We strongly focus on the underlying factors and mechanisms that play a role in the origins and evolution of disease processes. Ranging from molecule to patient, our curriculum covers the entire spectrum.
- Multidisciplinary: you take on a broad range of course units, in which we combine the fundamental sciences with basic biomedical course units. Our curriculum also contains methodology and specialist course units, including in the Master’s programme.
- Creative knowledge development: we stimulate your 'scientific thought process’. We train you to become a critical professional, possessing the necessary creative and problem-solving skills.
- Research-oriented: we train you to conduct, lead and/or co-ordinate biomedical research in an indepent manner.
- Building bridges: we train researchers who act as liaisons between fundamental or applied biomedical research and clinical practice.
Strengths
- The Bachelor's curriculum evolves from offering a broad scientific knowledge with a focus on humans towards understanding pathologies and their molecular origins. The English-taught Master's curriculum has room for specialization by means of different majors, all focusing on a current biomedical research discipline. Professional development according to your own interests is possible via a set of electives.
- Integration of theory and practice: our curriculum contains a varied combination of lectures, tutorials, supervised exercises and practicals. In small groups, our students set to work in practice rooms (Bachelor’s curriculum) and in well-equipped laboratories (Master’s curriculum).
- High quality Master's dissertations: you carry out original independent experimental research independently. Individual supervision and coaching by experienced researchers in the biomedical field is a great added value in our strongly scientific and research-oriented study programme.
- Committed team of lecturers: our programme boasts a team of committed lecturers, who combine their teaching activities with a research and/or medical career. As such, they are the perfect role models for lifelong learning. Their presence guarntees a curriculum that is permanently up to date with the newest developments in the field. Thanks to our close ties with Ghent University Hospital, our students learn first-hand from experts in all branches of biomedical research.
- Participation: student involvement in our programme is strong, as is their participation in the day-to-day management. Each Bachelor’s and Master’s year has committed representatives in the Biomedical Student Council.
Challenges
- Students are of the opinion that there is room for improvement in terms of interim feedback. In collaboration with the students we are looking for ways to incorporate interim feedback into the curriculum in a more structural and integrated fashion.
- Internationalization can be even better. At present, the curriculum has international exchange windows in the third Bachelor’s year and in the Master’s. Our Internationalization Unit is actively committed to creating more opportunities for international exchange.
- We deliver socially engaged citizens, but this is not visible enough in the curriculum. We must make entrepreneurship/entrepreneurial action more prominent.
This study programme is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (Dutch: NVAO). Accreditation was extended following the positive outcome of the institutional review in 2022. Programme quality was validated by a quality review, i.e. a screening of the Education Monitor by the Education Quality Board. The Quality Assurance Resolution (in Dutch) can be found here.
This information was last updated on 01/02/2023.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.