wk 9- intro

• When analysing markets, a range of assumptions are made about the rationality of economic agents involved in the transactions
• The Wealth of Nations was written

  1776
• Rational


  (in classical economic theory) economic agents are able to consider the outcome of their choices and recognise the net benefits of each one
• Consumers act rationally by


  Maximising their utility
• Producers act rationally by


  Selling goods/services in a way that maximises their profits
• Workers act rationally by


  Balancing welfare at work with consideration of both pay and benefits
• Governments act rationally by


  Placing the interests of the people they serve first in order to maximise their welfare
• Rationality in classical economic theory is a flawed assumption as people usually don't act rationally
• Marginal utility


  The additional utility (satisfaction) gained from the consumption of an additional product
• If you add up marginal utility for each unit you get total utility
• The exam is designed to test overall broad knowledge of the module content and an ability to draw several examples from different topics in the module together
• Partial practice questions will be provided throughout the module, with more detailed practice in the Revision Workshop in Wk 34
• Biomedical science is practiced in healthcare laboratories to identify, research, monitor and treat diseases
• As one of the broadest areas of modern science, biomedical science focuses on the complexity of the human body and underpins much of modern medicine
• Biomedical scientists and laboratory staff analyse blood, fluids and tissue samples from patients, identifying diseases and providing reports that highlight the effectiveness of potential treatments
• In the UK alone, healthcare laboratories are involved in over 70% of diagnoses in the NHS and handle over 150 million samples every year
• To protect public safety, anyone practicing as a biomedical scientist must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and continue to meet their standards
• Biomedical Scientist


  • Performs routine and specialist analytical testing on a range of biological samples
  • Gives test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat the patient's illness
  • Processes patient samples in good time and make sure that turnaround times for reporting results are achieved
  • Prioritises their workload and perform urgent analytical testing as required
  • Identifies abnormal or unexpected results and report back and follow up with requesting clinicians
  • Maintains and run specialist lab equipment
  • Maintains and order stocks of materials
• Laboratory tests are ordered to diagnose and treat patients' illnesses
• Biomedical Scientist


  • Requires life-long learning
• Pathology Service


  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Haematology and Transfusion
  • Cellular Pathology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular genetics
  • Clinical Immunology
  • Virology
• Biochemistry


  • Routine biochemistry
  • Lipid Profile
  • Screening for drugs of abuse
  • Endocrinological investigation
  • Proteins and immunoglobulins
  • Therapeutic drug monitoring
  • Gastrointestinal function investigations
  • Haematinic assays
  • Tumour markers
  • Markers of diabetic control
  • Paediatric investigations
  • Antenatal screening service
• Haematology and Transfusion (Blood Bank)


  • Routine haematology and anticoagulant services
  • Haemostatic investigations
  • Thrombophilia investigations
  • Haemoglobinopathy analyses
  • Cell marker studies
  • Clinical haematology service
  • Grouping and antibody screens
  • Kleihauer testing
  • X-matching facilities
• Immunology


  • Auto antibody screening
  • Skin and renal biopsy
  • Cellular structure
  • Functional antibodies
  • Complement degradation products
• Histopathology and Cytology


  • Diagnosis of disease from tissues
  • Full cervical smear screening service
  • Diagnostic non-gynae-cytology & fine needle aspiration cytology
  • A full post-mortem service
• Microbiology and Virology


  • Microscopy for evidence of infection
  • Culture and identification of micro-organisms
  • Susceptibility testing
  • Direct detection of viral antigens
  • Virus culture
  • Serological investigations for microbial antibodies
  • Semen analysis
  • Urine screening
  • Faecal pathogen screening
  • Faecal parasitology
  • Mycology
  • Infection control
• Other Specialties (Disciplines)


  • Andrology
  • Point of Care Testing (POCT)
  • Molecular and Clinical Genetics
  • Transfusion Practice
• Biomedical Scientists can work in a range of settings beyond healthcare laboratories
• IBMS


  • Main professional body for all Biomedical Scientists
  • Publish educational resources and award professional qualifications
  • Promote the role of Biomedical Scientists in society
  • Publish professional guidance and advice
• HCPC


  • Government regulator
  • Regulates 16 professions involved in healthcare
  • Keeps a public register
  • Sets minimum standards of Conduct, Proficiency, Continuing professional development
• IBMS and HCPC work together to ensure Biomedical Scientist's possess the required knowledge and skills to practice safely and to the required standard
• IBMS accredited Biomedical Science Hons degree


  • Designed to provide students with a wide ranging, research-informed scientific education
  • Graduates will be well equipped to seek employment in a range of academic and industrial research settings, in addition to diagnostic practice
  • Meets the required knowledge to become a registered Biomedical Scientist
• Routes to training as a Biomedical Scientist


  • Complete a portfolio during a sandwich placement in an IBMS approved training laboratory or as part of an apprenticeship
  • Apply for a trainee position within an IBMS training approved laboratory post degree
  • Post degree, apply for an Associate practitioner/Medical Laboratory Assistant role (gaining experience but no guarantee of training support)
  • Complete an approved degree and then Apply for unpaid work experience – (which may lead to support for training)
• HCPC registration and training Placement

  • To become registered as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC, you need to demonstrate that you meet HCPC standards of proficiency for biomedical scientists
  • This can be demonstrated by a certificate of competence
  • An IBMS Certificate of Competence demonstrates that you have met the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for biomedical scientists through a combination of academic qualifications and clinical laboratory training
• Careers for Biomedical Scientists

  • NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP)
  • Research
  • Bioinformatics and Health Informatics jobs
  • Biomedical product sales/engineering support
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Clinical trials
  • Regulatory work: includes roles such as medical writing and regulatory affairs
  • Science Education - Teaching in schools, colleges and universities
  • Medicine and other Healthcare careers
  • Communication - Scientific and technical writing, Science Communication, Scientific Journalism
• NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP)

  • You'll be employed on a fixed-term contract and paid a salary during your training
  • The STP lasts for three years and involves approved and accredited workplace-based training (you'll usually spend the first year in a range of settings and then specialise in the last two years)
  • Gaining a master's degree in your chosen area of work
  • Once you have completed the STP, you will be eligible to apply for suitable healthcare science posts as a clinical scientist
• STP Entry requirements


  • Applicants must have a 1st or 2.1 either in an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master's degree in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialism for which they are applying
  • Applicants with a relevant 2.2 honours degree will also be considered if they have a higher degree* in a subject relevant to the specialism for which they are applying
  • Evidence of research experience (e.g. in the form of a higher degree or equivalent evidence of scientific and academic capability) is considered desirable
• Employability support is provided in year 2 through the Employability Team, Tutorials, Careers Fairs, Placement prep workshops, and Career talks
• Biomedical science is an important service to the public in terms of both research and diagnostics
• Professional organisations work to improve education of the profession