Degree finder

UCAS code: Not applicable

Duration: 4 years

School: Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences

College: Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Introducing BSc Biomedical Informatics (based in China)

Biomedical informatics is the study of managing, analysing, and interpreting biomedical data.

Areas of focus for researchers in this field include:

studying and managing information
studying behaviour related to decisions
developing computational methods and using them to generate knowledge

During this programme, you will work with computers and code to build tools to manage and analyse biological and biomedical data.

As a graduate, your understanding of biomedical informatics will enable you to contribute to, and guide, public debate on issues that affect healthcare for present and future generations.

Study in China

This programme is based entirely in Haining, China. It is taught in English by staff from:

Zhejiang University
The University of Edinburgh
The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute).

On completing this programme, you will be awarded a BSc Biomedical Informatics qualification from both Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh.

ZJU-UoE Institute

The ZJU-UoE Institute is a collaboration between Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh in the field of biomedical sciences and biomedical informatics.

Together, we have established an international research institute at the International Campus of Zhejiang University in Haining, China. This builds on the strengths of our institutions and aims to foster collaboration in teaching and research.

This is a new and exciting collaboration. It is the first of its kind for both universities, making this a unique opportunity for students in this field.

What you will study

This programme is an exciting exploration of the application of biomedical informatics in human health and disease.

Year 1

Year 1 provides an introduction to biomedical informatics. You will develop key knowledge and skills in:

biomedical sciences
cell biology
molecular biology

You will also study key topics in:

mathematics
statistics
chemistry

Your Year 1 courses include opportunities to develop graduate attributes and autonomous learning skills, including:

information gathering
academic writing
reflective practice
managing and documenting computational projects

You will take the following compulsory courses:

Integrative Biomedical Sciences 1
Introduction to Biomedical Informatics 1
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology 1
Chemistry
Advanced Mathematics

Year 2

In Year 2, the focus is on building foundational knowledge in biomedical informatics and data science. You will also study aspects of:

physiology
genetics
genomics
proteomics

You will take the following compulsory courses:

Integrated Function of Body Systems 2
Biomedical Genetics 2
Genomics and Proteomics 2
Applied Data Science 2
Database and Software Technology 2

Year 3

Year 3 is an exciting exploration of the application of biomedical informatics to biomedical sciences. You will further your development by learning from experiments in key areas.

You will:

explore computational and systems biology approaches
build an understanding of human disease through biomedical informatics approaches

You will take the following compulsory courses:

Integrative Biomedical Sciences 3
Biomedical Informatics 3
Computational Biology and Systems Biology 3

Plus two optional courses from the following:

Principles of Neuroscience 3* Molecular Biology and Epigenetics 3
Endocrine and Reproductive Biology 3
Infection 3

Year 4

In Year 4, you will focus on key compulsory courses and your chosen option courses in biomedical informatics.

This will include a project where you will apply biomedical informatics approaches to a research question.

You will take the following compulsory courses in Year 4:

Integrative Biomedical Sciences 4
Biomedical Informatics Project Preview
Biomedical Informatics Research Project
Future Perspectives 4

Plus two optional courses from the following:

Biomedical Image Analysis
Brain, Cognition and Artificial Intelligence
Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases
Cancer Biology
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

Where you will study

Our facilities

Your studies will take place in state-of-the-art facilities at the Zhejiang University International Campus.

Situated in Haining, China, between Hangzhou and Shanghai, the campus has students from more than 50 countries.

It features:

newly built and well-equipped spaces for teaching and learning
newly-built, well-equipped research and teaching laboratories
on-site accommodation
extensive library and sporting facilities

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Your development in Biomedical Informatics, and as an individual, is fostered through:

lectures and tutorials that teach biomedical informatics knowledge and its underlying scientific principles
problem-based learning that encourages an analytical and interpretative approach to problem-solving
practical skills in building tools to manage and analyse biological and biomedical data
research in practice that builds an understanding of the research methodologies governing the quantification, analysis and interpretation of scientific data

How will I be assessed?

We use in-course assessments and exams in all years.

Assessment can take the form of:

individual or group projects
presentations
written submissions such as essays
timed coding challenges
degree examinations

Your degree classification for your University of Edinburgh degree will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4.

Your degree classification for your Zhejiang University degree will be based on your performance over the four years of the programme.

Career opportunities

Graduates with a Biomedical Informatics dual award from the University of Edinburgh and Zhejiang University will have attributes that are valued in all biomedical disciplines.

Skills that will have a positive influence on your career development include:

the ability to think critically about the scientific basis of bioinformatics and biomedical sciences in relation to clinical practice
research training, with an emphasis on analytical and scientific skills

Careers for graduates include:

laboratory research
disease diagnosis
the pharmaceutical industry
scientific publishing

The skills and knowledge you will gain on this programme also equip you for employment in the non-science sector, including:

teaching
marketing
accountancy
policy research

Entry requirements

Applications and admissions for Chinese nationals will be through the usual Chinese national university admission process.

International applicants (non-Chinese passport holders)

These are the requirements that students must have (or be predicted to attain) to be considered for entry. Each year there is a specific number of places available and where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places then a selection process based on academic achievement, personal statement and references will be used. Meeting the entry requirement does not guarantee a place on the programme.

SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6, to include Biology and Chemistry at B. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Higher Mathematics or Physics and Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry are recommended. National 5s: Mathematics at B and English at C.

A levels: AAB, in one year, to include Biology and Chemistry at B. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6 and English at C or 4.

IB: 34 points with 655 at HL to include Biology and Chemistry, one at 5 and one at 6. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics: Analysis and approaches or Mathematics: Applications and interpretation at 5.

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

SQA National 5 at C
GCSE at C or 4
Level 2 Certificate at C
IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements