Health Sciences with Foundation Year | BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Course overview

Work placement

You study three core discipline-based themes:, human anatomy and physiology, human biology and disease, and healthcare systems and technologies, and explore how humans change over the lifespan, adapt to external stressors, and how lifestyle can have an impact on health. You research and identify potential therapeutic and clinical strategies to reduce the effect of these risk factors on disease states.

This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree.

Alongside this, you develop skills for employability including good laboratory practice, control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) assessments, health and safety policies, Human Tissues Act, quality assurance and patient care. You also develop transferrable skills including verbal and poster presentations, written reports, independent research and teamworking skills. This degree also prepares you for postgraduate study including research degrees and taught masters programmes (MSc) including public health, dietetics, physiotherapy, diagnostic radiography, radiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing detailed here.

If you are interested in applying for a course in Nursing, Midwifery & Health Professions leading to professional registration, then our CertHE Health Sciences and CertHE Health Sciences (with Foundation Year) courses will help you develop your knowledge and skills in a range of subjects that will help your application.

You study at Teesside University’s Middlesbrough campus, but during your degree you have the opportunity to gain valuable experience at the new National Horizons Centre at the University’s Darlington campus which is home to a range of state-of-the-art facilities. This £22m purpose-built biosciences research, education and training facility is a focal point for the growing regional biosciences community.

Study this course and you may be eligible for the Professor Leni Oglesby Transformation Scholarship.

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Program Outline

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Degree Overview

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Overview:

The Health Sciences with Foundation Year (HSciFY) program provides students with a comprehensive education in the human body, its functions, diseases, and treatment. This 3-year (4 with work placement) BSc (Hons) degree focuses on a multidisciplinary and evidence-based perspective on human health and the causes, diagnosis, and management of diseases. The foundation year equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills for successful completion of the degree, particularly for those with insufficient qualifications or needing additional preparation.

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Objectives:

• Develop a thorough understanding of human physiology and the major systems within the body.
• Gain knowledge on human health, diseases, their cause, diagnosis and treatment.
• Explore different approaches to healthcare and life science settings for potential careers.
• Acquire valuable laboratory and research skills along with professional skills in communication, team working and data interpretation.
• Prepare for postgraduate studies in related fields like public health, dietetics, physiotherapy and more.

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Outline

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Program Content and Structure:

The HSciFY program consists of a foundation year followed by three years of academic study. The foundation year provides essential background knowledge in various scientific disciplines, while the subsequent years delve deeper into the specific topics of human health and disease.

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Foundation Year Core Modules:

• Big Data
• Chemical Science and the Environment
• Experimental Methods for Life Science
• Global Grand Challenges
• Introduction to Health Sciences
• Life on Earth

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Year 1 Core Modules:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Application of Health Sciences
• Biochemistry and Chemical Science
• Cell Biology
• Microbiology
• Pathology

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Year 2 Core Modules:

• Clinical Pharmacology
• Health Science Project
• Human Development
• Immunology
• Life Course and Health
• Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics

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Optional Work Placement Year

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Final-year Core Modules

• Biologics and Health Product Development
• Health Technologies
• Human Ageing and Disease
• Medical Microbiology
• Science Research Project

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Course Schedule:

The program operates on a semester system with teaching sessions typically scheduled during the weekdays. Additional information regarding the specific modules and schedule can be obtained from the course webpage or by contacting the program administrator.

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Individual Modules

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Foundation Year Modules:

• Big Data: This module introduces the concept of big data, its creation and interpretation.
Students explore its use in society, its ethical considerations and its role in various fields such as uncovering criminal networks, predicting disease outbreaks and understanding ecological trends.
• Chemical Science and the Environment: This module delves into the fundamental concepts of chemistry, exploring the properties and reactivity of elements and compounds, and its crucial role in physical and life sciences.
• Experimental Methods for Life Science: This module allows students to explore their academic interests in a practical setting, learning safe working practices, proper documentation and conducting basic experiments in various disciplines like microscopy and food handling.
• Global Grand Challenges: This module encourages teamwork as students explore how science can address major challenges faced by society today.
They delve into areas like health and well-being, resilient and secure societies, digital and creative economies, sustainable environments, and learning for the 21st century.
• Introduction to Health Sciences: This module introduces students to the scientific knowledge applicable within different healthcare settings.
• Life on Earth: This module explores the diversity of life on Earth and the concept of evolution.
Students examine Darwin’s theory, taxonomic classifications and the evolutionary tree. They analyze different organisms, their strategies for thriving and how evolution has led to diverse life forms.

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Year 1 Modules:

• Anatomy and Physiology: This module provides students with a foundation in human anatomy and the mechanisms that control and regulate the physiological processes of major organ systems.
Homeostasis is emphasized throughout the module as students explore interrelationships between human functions and develop a comprehensive understanding of how the body works.
• Application of Health Sciences: This module provides a broad understanding of health science, clinical and non-clinical support services within the NHS context, and their role in delivering high-quality, personalized care.
Through service user/carer involvement, students gain an insightful perspective on the personal experience of patients receiving healthcare.
• Biochemistry and Chemical Science: This module focuses on the fundamental principles of biochemistry, including the structure of atoms, chemical bonding and intermolecular forces.
It investigates the chemistry of carbon and its ability to form complex molecules essential for life. Key biological molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids are studied in detail.
• Cell Biology: This module advances students' understanding of biological processes at a cellular level.
• Microbiology: This module plays a crucial role in many aspects of life science.
It introduces the fundamental concepts of microbiology, covering various microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and eukaryotic microbes. Students learn key practical skills and theoretical concepts, including microbial cell structure and function, microbial growth, diversity, importance in the environment, industry and human health.
• Pathology: This module offers students an overview of normal human tissue structure, molecular and cellular factors associated with common diseases and the underlying pathology.
They examine the causes, mechanisms and extent of diseases, as well as adaptations to injuries, such as apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, inflammation, wound healing and neoplasia.

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Year 2 Modules:

• Clinical Pharmacology: This module explores clinical pharmacology in its entirety – the relationship between drugs and humans.
It delves into how drugs act as chemicals interacting with cellular mechanisms at molecular, systemic and behavioral levels, focusing on treating and preventing diseases and considering adverse drug effects and their impact on living systems.
• Health Science Project: As a project team, students apply their health science knowledge to address environmental problems and answer specific questions.
They develop project management, presentation, research and commercial awareness skills to address complex problems and enhance awareness of professional issues related to health, safety, environment and workplace ethics.
• Human Development: This module takes students on a journey through different stages of human life – from fertilization and infancy through adolescence and adulthood.
They also examine scenarios where the human reproductive system doesn't function optimally and how advances in reproductive medicine can assist.
• Immunology: This module provides a solid foundation in immunology, exploring the role of the immune system in protecting against microorganisms and maintaining human health.
Students examine its functional organization, immune cells, antibodies, chemical mediators and cellular processes related to innate and adaptive immune responses.
• Life Course and Health: This module recognizes that social, environmental and economic factors influence an individual's health and wellbeing, considering aspects like diet, education, income, smoking, and alcohol abuse.
Students examine these influences, both positive and negative, and utilize an evidence-based approach to understand key developmental issues across different life stages – from preconception and adolescence to old age. They develop effective research skills, critically evaluate existing information and theories, and apply their learning to propose solutions for key public health issues.
• Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics: This module explores modern molecular biology concepts and techniques.
Students delve into the impact of gene/genome sequencing, sequence analysis and manipulation in revolutionizing molecular biology. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique receives particular emphasis.

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Final Year Modules

• Biologics and Health Product Development: This module tackles real-world challenges associated with launching a healthcare product, guiding students through research and development to market launch.
They gain an understanding of nutrition, medical, biotechnology, and healthcare sector ventures, refine their entrepreneurship skills, conduct and implement effective market research, and develop business plans.
• Health Technologies: This module offers an overview of health technologies used in preventing, managing, and treating diseases within the health sector.
The impact of medical technologies like medicines, medical devices, diagnostic techniques and surgical procedures is emphasized, alongside exploring how different conditions are diagnosed and treated, considering efficacy measures like cost-effectiveness.
• Human Ageing and Disease: Ageing serves as a major risk factor for various diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal and cancer.
Students build their understanding of molecular, cellular and whole-organism ageing processes. By exploring how ageing accumulates damage to molecules, cells, and tissues and leads to an increased risk of death and advancing intervention mechanisms that contribute to reducing disease risk and development in an aging population.
• Medical Microbiology: This module examines key human pathogens, focusing on their subversion of host cells and causation of diseases.
Students explore underlying molecular mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and overall impact of many key pathogens. They gain insight into the interaction of humans with various non-pathogenic microorganisms and their effect on human health.
• Science Research Project: Students independently investigate a specialized aspect of their field, bringing together practical and academic skills from previous studies to analyze, critically evaluate data and reflect critically on potential risks, moral and ethical issues.
A research supervisor provides support during this process.
• Modules offered may vary.

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Assessment:

The assessment methods in the HSciFY program vary depending on the module but include a combination of:

• Formal Exams: Including "unseen" exams
• Laboratory Reports: Demonstrating practical skills, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Computer-Based Assessment: Utilizing technology in knowledge evaluation and problem-solving
• Problem-Solving Exercises
• Data Interpretation: Understanding and drawing meaningful insights from presented information
• Case study analysis: Critical review and evaluation of specific healthcare scenarios
• Oral Presentations: Communication skills, showcasing knowledge, and defense of research projects
• Technical Interviews: Demonstrating practical abilities, communication skills and subject understanding
• Written assignments, literature surveys, and essays: Assessing analytical writing skills, research capabilities and knowledge application.
• Collaborative project work: Teamwork, research skills, knowledge application, and presentation of findings.
• Preparation and display of posters: Communicating complex information effectively.
• Project planning, conduct and report writing: Demonstrating critical thinking, problem solving, time management, research and writing abilities.
The assessment schedule provides details of submission deadlines for summative assessments, ensuring students are well-informed about their evaluation requirements.

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Teaching:

A diverse range of teaching and learning methods is employed in the HSciFY program, aiming to foster active engagement, understanding, and practical application of knowledge:

• Lectures: Delivering core concepts through presentations by subject matter experts.
• Tutorials: Smaller group discussions, enabling personalized support, addressing individual queries, and reinforcing knowledge.
• Seminars and Workshops: Engaging students in active participation, facilitating discussions, fostering a collaborative learning environment, strengthening analysis, research, and communication skills and encouraging teamwork.
• Laboratory work: Providing hands-on experience with modern technology, practical procedures and techniques, and applying theoretical concepts in a real-world context.
• Computer laboratory sessions: Developing computational and data analysis skills.
• Group Projects: Working collaboratively on complex challenges, enhancing problem-solving abilities, teamwork, communication, project planning, and resource management.
• Research Projects: Encouraging independent research, developing research skills, data analysis, critical evaluation, and the ability to contribute original knowledge to the field.
A virtual learning environment (VLE) supplements each program and module, providing access to:
• Module information and materials
• Learning activities
• Assessment details and submission guidelines
• Course announcements
• Communication tools for interaction between students, staff, and tutors

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Careers

Graduates from the Health Sciences program are prepared for a wide range of career opportunities within industries and organizations related to science, research, and health. The knowledge and skills gained equip them for roles in various sectors like:

• Public health: Contributing to disease prevention, health promotion and surveillance through policy development, public education and community outreach programs.
• Health service organizations: Managing and administering health services within organizations like hospitals, community health centers and public health agencies.
• Government and local authorities: Engaging in policy development, program implementation and public advocacy related to health issues.
• Industry: Research, development, and marketing in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and healthcare-related companies.
• Charitable organizations and international agencies: Addressing global health challenges through research, program implementation and advocacy work.
• Graduate entry programs in clinical disciplines: Furthering education to pursue careers as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physician associates and more.
• Research: Participating in academic and industry-based research, contributing to new discoveries and advancements in health sciences.
The program prepares students to excel in their chosen field through a combination of comprehensive theoretical knowledge, valuable laboratory skills, professional skills development and opportunities to gain practical experience through placements or volunteer work.

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Other:

• Work Placement Year: The program allows for an optional year in industry where students gain valuable experience in a professional setting, further refine their practical skills, and enhance employability.
• Program Highlights:
• Focuses on the science behind human health, equipping graduates to thrive in diverse careers related to science and health.
• Offers a strong foundation for students considering further postgraduate study in specialized areas like public health or physiotherapy.
• Provides extensive hands-on experience through laboratory sessions, preparing graduates for laboratory-based roles in research or industry settings.
• The National Horizon Center: The program utilizes this state-of-the-art facility for research, education, and training, providing access to advanced technologies and expertise, enhancing student experiences.
• This program is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in various health-related fields.

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

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UK Applicants:

• Fee: £9,250 per year
• Payment: The text doesn't specify the payment options available for UK applicants.

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International Applicants:

• Fee: £17,000 per year
• Payment: No information on payment options for international applicants is provided.

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Additional Information:

• The text mentions that the course can be taken with an optional work placement year at no extra cost.
• It also mentions that students may be eligible for an iPad, keyboard, and up to £300 credit for learning resources.
• For more details on fees, students are advised to visit the university's website.