Immunology - Standalone module

This course is for you if you need to “top-up” your existing degree to become a registered
Biomedical Scientist, or are seeking advanced theoretical knowledge of the role of the
immune system in health and disease, including the modern day techniques used for
immunological analyses, as part of your continuing professional development.

Course type Course format Duration UCAS code(s) Start date

Part-time, Online No placements 1 year n/a 21st September 2020
/ distance
learning

Key information, entry requirement and fees

Corresponding HCPC topic(s): "Clinical Immunology"

Credit value: 10 undergraduate level credits

Specific level: This is a Level 6 module, equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate
degree

Mode of delivery: Distance learning or on campus

Course type: Standalone module

Number of places available: Up to 25

Start date: September

Duration: Registration covers one academic year. Course delivery is scheduled over
approximately two or three weeks in Term 1, with an examination in January. Although this
 will depend upon the individual, a typical student can expect to spend around 8 hours a
week studying throughout the duration of the course delivery, equivalent to 100 hours of
study in total when including examination preparation.

Fees: £550

Entry requirements:

General entry requirements: In order to study this module you must have a non-
accredited undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences or an undergraduate degree in a
related field (such as biology or biochemistry).
Taking this module in order to “top-up” your existing degree for IBMS registration:
Prior to registering for a top-up module (or modules) you need to contact the Institute of
Biomedical Science. They will assess your degree in order to confirm that it is eligible for
“Top-Up” and to determine the additional subject areas in which you need further
qualifications. You will need to contact the IBMS by April in the year of application to
ensure that you have confirmation of your module requirements in time to register for your
modules with Aston University.
Degrees not eligible for Top-up: If your degree is not eligible for top up but you still wish
to become a registered Biomedical Scientist, we recommend that you apply to take our
accredited BSc Biomedical Science undergraduate degree.
Taking this module for professional development: No additional requirements apply.
International students: We welcome applications from international students who are
already in the UK with a valid visa. Unfortunately we are not able to accept applications
from international students who wish to come to the UK solely to take this course. We are
also not able to accept international students to take the distance learning route. You will
be asked to provide a scanned copy of your UK visa, and of your passport when you
submit the online registration form so that we can check you are eligible to take the top up
modules.

Application deadlines:

Application to IBMS (if applicable):

UK / EU students: April
International students: April

Application to Aston University:

UK / EU students: 31 July (please note that you must also have paid the course fee in full
by 31 August)
 International students: 1 July (please note that you must also have paid the course fee in
full by 31 July)
If you wish to apply after the deadline, please contact us to check as depending upon
availability we may still be able to consider your application.

Enrolment:

UK / EU students: September
International students: September

How to apply:

See above for details about applying to the IBMS if applicable.

Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Course outline

Available via distance learning or on campus study, this module allows you to develop your
knowledge in clinical immunology and immunopathology. You will explore topics such as
dysfunctions in immunity and immunological tests. It is ideal if you wish to “top-up” your existing
degree to become a registered Biomedical Scientist, or if you are looking to take a course as
part of your continuing professional development.

You will be provided with an advanced theoretical knowledge of the role of the immune system
in health and disease whilst highlighting the modern day techniques used for immunological
analyses. Covering the different cell types involved in an orchestrated immune response and
how they co-operate with each other to generate an effective immune response, you will learn
about self and non-self recognition, auto-immune diseases and immune deficiency diseases, as
well as the experimental evidence has led to current concepts.

Please note, in order to offer you the best possible experience and keep our programmes up to
date and relevant, the University is going through a transition period and is reconfiguring a
number of our programmes. These improvements will affect applicants from September 2020
onwards. This webpage will be updated with new course information in due course.
Learning, teaching, assessment and staff
This module is available on campus or via distance learning. We welcome applications from
international students who are already in the UK with a valid visa; however we are not able to
accept those who wish to come to the UK solely to take this course. Students taking this course
by distance learning must be based in the UK.

For both modes of study, students must attend a BMS Top-up Induction session on campus in
week zero (mid-September), at which we will show you how to access your university record
and Blackboard (the Virtual Learning Environment). All course material, including recorded
lectures, self-assessment quizzes, timetables, and some directed reading will be available on
Blackboard online; coursework submission and feedback are also mainly via this route.
Blackboard allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals,
e-journals, databases and much more.

On campus: the module runs over several weeks in Term 1, involving lectures and online
quizzes.

Distance learning: the study can be spread out over the term and a week-by-week study guide
is available. Recorded lectures are made available after they are delivered to attendance
students as detailed above.

All students will be required to attend on campus examinations during the January exam period.
Our courses are written and delivered by staff at the forefront of life and health sciences
teaching and research. Many members of staff currently practise or have practised
professionally. In the recent Teaching Excellence Framework assessment, Aston University was
awarded Gold, the highest award possible. In addition, our courses are regularly reviewed by
relevant professional experts.

Biomedical Sciences Top Up Modules Course Director: Dr Jonathan Cox

Module Coordinator: Dr A Devitt