Physiological Sciences*
| From | To | UK Fee * | International Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 2012 | 31 Aug 2013 | £8,500 | £9,000 |
* Exceptions may apply. Please see Fees and Finance for further information.
Introduction
*with optional integrated clinical placement which can lead onto BSc (Hons) Healthcare Sciences.
Within BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences there is an option route onto the BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science. This option is dependent on the availability of discipline specific clinical placements and set admissions requirements (see entry requirements section). The programme therefore gives you the flexibility either to pursue a broad approach to physiological sciences or to specialise in areas covered by the department of Health’s training programme for healthcare science practitioners. Either route will help you turn your interest in science into a fascinating career in a growing area.
The Physiological Sciences programme is about understanding how the human body functions from the level of the cell up to the whole body. This programme allows you to gain a thorough understanding of how the body functions and how cells, tissues and organs work together. The programme covers all of the systems of the whole body in health and disease but it also allows the students the option of studying the body from the level of cell biochemistry or genetics.
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science:
Healthcare Science is a new degree route which has been developed in response to the modifications proposed by the Department of Health to change the way in which healthcare science practitioners are trained for work in the NHS. This programme is dependent on the availability of suitable integrated, unpaid clinical placements and requires you to spend significant amounts of time in work-based learning. In the first year this would amount to 10 weeks, in the second year 15 weeks and third year 25 weeks. This programme is offered with two specialist areas of clinical physiology: Audiology; Cardiac physiology. Audiologists identify and assess hearing and/or balance disorders, recommending and providing appropriate rehabilitation and management of the disorder. Cardiac physiologists investigate the function of the heart to assist in diagnosing heart disease, for example by using electrocardiograph (ECG), echocardiographs or blood pressure monitoring.
Course Content
Level 1- BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences
Core modules:
- Human Physiology
- Cell Science
- Clinical and Professional Practice
- Infection and Immunity
Level 1 optional modules:
- Introduction to Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science
- Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology of Neurosensory Systems
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science:
- Cardiac Physiology route core modules plus:
- Introduction to Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science
- Introduction to Practice of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science:
- Audiology route core modules plus:
- Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology of Neurosensory Systems
- Applied Physics and measurement
Level 2
Core modules:
- Research Methods
- Pathophysiology and Therapeutics
- Pathophysiology of Auditory and Vestibular Systems
- Pathophysiology of common Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Plus two optional modules:
- Cell Science II
- Infection and Immunity II
- Blood Science
- Biosciences Dissertation
BSc Healthcare Science:
Cardiac Physiology route all core modules:
- Pathophysiology of Common Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
- Instrumentation, Signal Processing and Imaging
- Research Methods
- Cardiac Physiology: ECG
- Cardiac Physiology: Blood Pressure
- Professional Practice and Work-base training
BSc Healthcare Science:
Audiology route all core modules:
- Pathophysiology of Auditory and Vestibular Systems
- Applied Physiological Measurement and Instrumentation
- Research Methods
- Fundamental Principles of Audiological Assessment
- Processes of Audiological Rehabilitation
- Professional Practice and Work-base Training
Level 3 - Core module:
- Research Project in Physiological Sciences
Optional modules:
- Molecular Pathology
- Immunology
- Haematology with Blood Transfusion
- Human Genetics and Genomics
- Medical Microbiology
- Applying Cardiac Physiology I
- Psycho/Social Aspects of Hearing Loss
- Pathobiology
All core modules:
- Research Project
- Cardiac Physiology Work-base Training and Professional Practice
- Applying Cardiac Physiology I
- Applying Cardiac Physiology II
- Applying Cardiac Physiology III
Core modules:
- Research project
- Audiology Work-base Training and Professional Practice
- Psycho/Social Aspects of Hearing Loss
- Advanced Principles of Audiological Assessment
Plus one optional module:
- Introduction to Tinnitus
- Vestibular Assessment
- Paediatric Assessment
- Specialist Hearing Instruments
Entry Requirements
Our typical offer will be 260 points from a minimum of 2 A levels/AVCEs or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award) including Biology or Chemistry.
We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Mathematics and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology (or equivalent).
Additional Entry Requirements for BSc (Hons) Healthcare Sciences route:
In order to undertake the work-based training part of the Healthcare Science programme, students will have to have a satisfactory disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau and a medical check and be subject to interview by the hospital work placement provider. These interviews will be undertaken during the first term of the first year of the BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences programme.
Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English are required to produce evidence of advanced competence in English. This will require an IELTS test score of 7.0 or equivalent, to comply with requirements from the Medical Education England Healthcare Science Programme Board.
Access Course: We would require successful completion of a Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Access programme and a minimum of GCSE grade C Mathematics and English Language (or that you have obtained the equivalent as part of your course).
Scottish Highers: Our typical offer is for 260 including Biology or Chemistry.
Irish Leaving Certificate: Our typical offer is for 260 including Biology or Chemistry.
Fees and Finance
The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.
Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.
For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching methods include lectures, practical work, seminars and other forms of group work. Assessment is by examination and continuous assessment of course work, through essays, multiple-choice tests, reports, oral and/or poster presentations.
Although the balance varies from module to module the overall split is roughly 40:60 between continuous assessment and examination.
Career Opportunities
BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences
According to a nationwide 2008 DLHE survey, 89% of biology and healthcare science graduates go straight into employment and/ or further study, making it an attractive choice for students. This programme gives you knowledge and skills that are relevant to medical research institutions, clinical laboratories, drug companies, and universities. It is possible to go on to study at Masters or PhD level or study for qualifications for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or teaching.
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science
The specialist route prepares you for roles as a healthcare science practitioner within the NHS, obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses and radiographers. NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around £20,700 to £79,000 per year.
Supplemental Information
Sunderland is currently the only university in the North East to offer places in Healthcare Science: Physiological Sciences.
Healthcare Science graduates will have undertaken the Practitioner Training Programme which will be the recognised training route to be a healthcare scientist in the NHS. The newly established Medical Education England Healthcare Science Programme Board will be approving BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science programmes during 2011.
Facilities
We have invested £8.5 million in Phase 1 of the new Sciences Complex which opened in September 2010. This provides high quality teaching and learning facilities and social learning spaces for staff and students.
The building also includes multi-disciplinary science laboratories including new equipment for drug discovery, pharmaceuticals and health related sciences.
In 2011 a new integrated industry-standard Analytical Services Lab and scientific imaging suite was added. As well as the new Lab there is also an attractive landscaped public realm space as part of a new university square.