England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
Qualification dates
StartEnd
30 Jan 2027Sept 2027
This final module in our biomedical sciences degree gives you the opportunity to carry out an independent data-based investigation in an area of your choice. First, you’ll develop a research question on an area related to your experience and study, or choose from a list of suggested topics, and then start designing your investigation. You’ll then proceed to data collection and analysis, before producing a concluding scientific report. This project module is a chance for you to plan and execute a piece of research of interest to you and showcase the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through study.
The study materials, tutorials, and discussions with your tutor will support you throughout the module, helping you plan and carry out your project, work with scientific literature, analyse data, and write your report.
Early in the module, you’ll identify a suitable topic and develop it into a clear research question. In agreement with your tutor, you can choose a topic from any appropriate area of biomedical sciences, likely informed by your previous studies and experience. We’ll also provide example topics to help you get started. Possible research areas include cancer and cellular biology, therapeutic interventions, clinical laboratory testing and quality assurance, and pharmacovigilance through epidemiological analysis of drug safety data.
Once you’ve settled on a project idea, you’ll review the knowledge and skills needed to complete it successfully and identify any areas for development. You’ll also produce a project plan to guide your work through the module, and complete the appropriate risk and ethical assessments for your investigation.
You’ll then move into the data collection and analysis phase. Your project may involve using secondary data from online sources, such as a provided dataset, a database or published research, or collecting primary data in a laboratory at your workplace or healthcare setting. You’ll also search scientific literature to place your investigation in context and support your analysis.
In the final stage of the module, you’ll write up your findings as a scientific report and submit it as part of your end-of-module assessment.
Throughout the module, you’ll keep a log to help you track your progress, reflect on any challenges you encounter, and, with support from your tutor, identify how best to move your project forward.
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need appropriate knowledge of biomedical sciences obtained through:
Are you ready for SXBM390?
We recommend that you’ve completed:
These parts relating to investigation design are especially relevant.
We also recommend familiarising yourself with the Library search tool and referencing guide.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SXBM390 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Science project module: biomedical sciences (SXBM390) starts once a year – in January/February.
It will next start in January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.
This module ends in September, so you’ll receive your final results in late October rather than June/July. You should consider this if you’re planning further study and wish to use your degree as an entry qualification.
Back to previous page