BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science course preparation

Suggested reading

You will be given lots of information about which textbooks to read and be introduced to the University Library, as well as the many ebooks we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.

In the meantime, there are a couple of popular science books you might like to read if you can, before starting your degree. We don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive. But if you can pick some up second hand, borrow from a library or access online, our Head of Biology suggests:

• Vaxxers: The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine success story. Written by the Oxford University virologist Sarah Gilbert with Katherine Green.
• The Gene: An intimate story. An entertaining and short history of life and DNA by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
• Rosalind Franklin – The Dark Lady of DNA. A biography of the grand x-ray crystallographer who helped lift the mystery of the DNA structure. By Brenda Maddox.
• The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality: This book takes an all-integrated look into mankind, encompassing life sciences, humanities, evolution, and social sciences. By Nobel price candidate Oded Galor.
• Gender Mosaic: Beyond the myth of the male and female brain. A book brim-full with facts providing evidence that everyone can embark on the career they desire, independent from their background – written by the neuroscientist Daphna Joel with Luba Vikhanski.

Useful websites

Why not visit the Institute for Biomedical Science (IBMS) webpage and learn what’s on right now. The IBMS is the professional body for all biomedical scientists in the UK. You can also access the free monthly “British Journal of Biomedical Science” to learn more about current research, diagnostic matters and career options.

You might like to use the BBC and Guardian websites to follow science (especially biomedical) stories in the press. Focus of the scientific principles rather than the human element as you read.

For some great articles and insights, the New Scientist website is highly recommended. And, as it’s never too early to start thinking about topics you enjoy, you could try comparing news articles to scientific papers you can find on Google Scholar. This will be a useful skill for your studies.

Other useful websites include:

• Trello.com to create an online To Do List
• To research future careers in Bioscience, visit the prospects website

Useful podcasts

The following podcasts are a great way to catch-up on recent milestones in biomedical, medical and biological development:

• Listen to IMBS’ educational podcasts.
• Sarah Gilbert, and her Oxford team on how to develop the Covid-19 vaccine: Listen to “The Life Scientific” from September 15, 2020.
• If you’re interested in brain research (neurosciences)  listen to Prof Peter Goadsby, a neurologist at King’s College London. Hear how his team has developed a fantastic new treatment for migraine.

Things to do over summer

Here are a couple of ideas for you to try some Bioscience related fun:

• Try some home experiments: STEM Learning has some good ideas
• Discover a new and exciting topic with a TED talk
• Start a journal: get practicing for writing a lab book