Healthcare Science Practice

Program Overview

This three-year degree apprenticeship program offers three specializations: Life Sciences, Cardiac Physiology, and Audiology. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of biomedical sciences through a combination of theoretical and practical coursework, including work-based training. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for professional registration and employment as Healthcare Science Practitioners or Biomedical Scientists.

Program Outline

Outline:

Year 1:

• Fundamental Skills in Biomedicine (20 credits)
• Human Physiology (20 credits)
• Molecular and Cellular Biology (20 credits)
• Microbes and Host Defences (20 credits)
• Chemistry for the Biosciences (20 credits)
• Clinical and Professional Practice for Healthcare Science (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Research and Analytical Skills for Bioscience (20 credits)
• Professional Practice and Work-Based Training in Physiological Sciences 1 (20 credits)
• Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (20 credits)
• Blood Science (20 credits)
• Molecular and Cellular Analysis (20 credits)
• Infection and Immunity (20 credits)

Year 3:

• Advanced Professional Practice and Work-Based Training for Healthcare Science Apprenticeship (Physiological Sciences) (30 credits)
• Healthcare Science Research Project (30 credits)

Life Sciences:

• Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)
• Clinical Immunology (20 credits)
• Haematology and Transfusion Science (20 credits)
• Medical Microbiology (20 credits)
• Cellular Pathology (20 credits)
• Human Genetics and Genomics (20 credits)

Cardiac Physiology:

Year 1:

• Introduction to Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science (20 credits)
• Introduction to the Practice of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science (20 credits)
• Human Physiology (20 credits)
• Molecular and Cellular Biology (20 credits)
• Microbes and Host Defences (20 credits)
• Clinical and Professional Practice for Healthcare Science (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Pathophysiology of Common Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disease (20 credits)
• Instrumentation, Signal Processing and Imaging (20 credits)
• Cardiac Physiology: Electrocardiography (20 credits)
• Cardiac Physiology: Ambulatory Monitoring and Exercise Electrocardiography (20 credits)
• Research and Analytical Skills for Biosciences (20 credits)
• Professional Practice and Work-based Training in Physiological Sciences 1 (20 credits)

Year 3:

• Applying Cardiac Physiology: Development and Disease (20 credits)
• Applying Cardiac Physiology: Patient Centred Care and Provocative Testing (20 credits)
• Applying Cardiac Physiology: Invasive Cardiology (20 credits)
• Patient Centred Care and Provocative Testing (30 credits)
• Healthcare Science Research Investigation (20 credits)
• Advanced Professional Practice and Work-based Training in Physiological Sciences 2 (20 credits)

Audiology:

Year 1:

• Human Physiology (20 credits)
• Clinical & Professional Practice for Healthcare Science (20 credits)
• Applied Physics & Measurement (20 credits)
• Applied Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology (20 credits)
• Molecular & Cellular Biology (20 credits)
• Microbes & Host Defences (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Professional Practice & Work Based Training in Physiological Sciences 1 (20 credits)
• Applied Physiological Measurements & Instrumentation (20 credits)
• Processes of Audiological Rehabilitation (20 credits)
• Fundamental Principles of Audiological Assessment (20 credits)
• Research & Analytical Skills for Biosciences (20 credits)
• Pathophysiology of Hearing & Balance (20 credits)

Year 3:

• Professional Practice & Work Based Training in Physiological Sciences 2 (30 credits)
• Psychosocial Aspects of Hearing Loss (30 credits)
• Advanced Principles of Audiological Assessment (20 credits)
• Vestibular Assessment (10 credits)
• Healthcare Science Practice Research Investigation (30 credits)
• End Point Assessment for Healthcare Science Apprenticeship (0 credits)

Assessment:

• A combination of formative and summative assignments throughout the degree and the apprenticeship.
• Completion of the PTP portfolio during work placement.
• Life Science students also complete the IBMS registration portfolio to enable them to be eligible to apply for HCPC registration to practice as a Biomedical Scientist.

Teaching:

• Taught via traditional lectures, interactive laboratory and simulation practicals, computing sessions, seminars, workshops, verbal presentations and posters, group work, case-based learning, directed learning, and research project supervision.

Careers:

• Healthcare Science Practitioner or Biomedical Scientist (BMS).

Other:

• Completion of the degree apprenticeship enables learners to be eligible for professional registration and suitability for employment.
• For Life Sciences, learners complete the IBMS registration portfolio to enable eligibility to apply to be on the HCPC register.
• The programme is work-based and, as such, is subject to the apprentice being employed by an organisation throughout the duration of the programme.
• The employer must confirm apprentices comply with the apprentice eligibility criteria including funding requirements.