BSc (Honours) Health Sciences: Standard pathway

Stage 1

You’ll begin your studies with the compulsory 30-credit module Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125)Introducing health sciences: a case study approach::This introductory Level 1 course explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment. Each case study integrates the biological, chemical, and physical sciences with psychology, health statistics, and social studies to illuminate underlying causes and personal and societal consequences. You’ll develop skills in: evaluating evidence; understanding and using key scientific terms and concepts; handling numbers; and interpreting graphs and tables. You’ll also learn to study using ICT – including interactive DVDs, internet and online resources.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SDK125,,1. This key introductory module explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context, through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment.

Next, we strongly recommend the two 30-credit modules: Topics in health sciences (SK143)Topics in health sciences::This course gives an overview of two medical conditions that present a major global health problem; cardiovascular disease and cancer. Many of us will encounter these medical conditions either through professional involvement in health, or through affected family members or friends. Your study of cardiovascular diseases will develop your understanding of heart and circulatory diseases, and the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Cancers result from defects in cell proliferation, so you’ll study the properties of cells, how they divide and how tumours are formed and spread. Both topics consider risk factors and methods of detection, treatment and prevention worldwide.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SK143,,1 or Topics in science (S142)Topics in science::In this course you will study three exciting topics in contemporary science which will provide you with a broad understanding of Level 1 science. These topics include Human genetics and health issues, which deals with our genes – an area at the forefront of medical science and Empire of the microbes, which explores the intriguing world of bacteria, viruses, yeast and other microscopic organisms. To allow some specialisation between studying health sciences or environmental sciences you will have a choice between Molecules, medicines and drugs, which explores drug development, infection and disease and The frozen planet, which explains the science behind the polar regions.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,S142,,1. These topic-based modules include:

• cardiovascular disease
• cancers
• human genetics
• microbes
• the development of drugs. 

Alternatively you can just study one of these modules and choose 30 credits of free choice from any of our key introductory Level 1 modules.

Finally, in Discovering psychology (DSE141)Discovering psychology::Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this key introductory Level 1 course provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of psychology. Discovering psychology explores the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and shows you how psychological research addresses real-life issues. You will be provided with a textbook and access to a website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and interactive activities which are designed to help you develop your knowledge and skills.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,DSE141,,1 (30 credits), you’ll explore the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and consider how psychological research addresses real-life issues.

Stage 2

You’ll begin Stage 2 with the 30-credit module Human biology (SK277)Human biology::This course presents human biology in a way that connects it directly with health and disease. It starts with the concept of a healthy body and explores the mechanisms that enable it to maintain its integrity. Although you’ll deal with the physiology of each body system separately, the overall emphasis is on interaction and coordination. You’ll acquire sufficient background to appreciate how systems can fail and which medical interventions can be successful. The course will suit science students – especially those with a biology background; anyone interested in health; or people working in health and social care or other professions allied to medicine.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SK277,,1, examining the physiology of different body systems and the coordination between them; how systems can fail; and which medical interventions can be successful. You’ll also choose two 30-credit modules from The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228)The science of the mind: investigating mental health::To what extent can we understand mental wellbeing and treat mental health conditions such as depression and dementia by focusing on the brain and its functioning? This course presents and challenges the medical model of mental health with its reliance on drug treatment, contrasting it with ideas in the field of health psychology. You will learn from case reports of those who have a mental health condition and those who care for them, as well as from relevant research studies. The course has an emphasis on understanding different approaches within psychology, as well as the nature of evidence for and against these approaches.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SDK228,,1, Cell biology (S294)Cell biology::Cell biology explores the fascinating and diverse world of cells, from single-celled micro-organisms to the specialised cells that form complex tissues in plants and animals. It develops the key aspects of cell and molecular biology introduced in Exploring science (S104) and Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125). The origins of cells and the generation of cell diversity, as well as the common features of cellular structure and function – how they obtain energy, synthesise new molecules, communicate, proliferate and survive – are explored. There is an emphasis on the fundamental importance of cell biology in modern science, particularly in relation to cell technologies and health.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,S294,,1, Biological psychology: exploring the brain (SD226)Biological psychology: exploring the brain::What do biologists and psychologists understand by the concepts of brain and consciousness? How do we study the brain, its structure and development? What is schizophrenia? This course presents an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the brain and to the behavioural and psychological sciences. It focuses on humans, and where possible considers implications for human health of factors affecting behaviour and the nervous system. Much of our understanding of the nervous system derives from animal research, so this is also described. The emphasis is on observation and experiment, and you’ll carry out some investigations yourself.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SD226,,1 and Analytical science: health, heritage and environments (S240)Analytical science: health, heritage and environments::Have you ever wondered … How are sport drug cheats caught? How many calories are there in a burger? How do pregnancy testing kits work? How old is the Earth? How do X-rays work? How are antiquities dated? How do we know our water is safe to drink? How are diseases diagnosed? This course explains how analytical scientists know the answers to these and other fascinating questions, and introduces the major concepts in analytical science. Using examples from medicine, science and the arts you will learn about the major biological, chemical and physical techniques employed in improving the quality of our lives.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,S240,,1.

Next, you will complete Practical science: biology and health (SXHL288)Practical science: biology and health::The activities in this practical science course explore a range of topics in biology and health science, from fundamental human and animal behaviour to the vital themes of biochemistry and water quality. Online – from the comfort of your own home – you’ll conduct observations in various laboratories, in combinations of observation and experiment. The course ends with an exciting team project, where you will work with students from other courses in this Practical science series.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SXHL288,,1 online from home, focusing on the practical skills you need to complement your theoretical study, including:

• planning and conducting observations and experiments
• data handling
• data presentation
• report writing
• safe working
• professional team-working.

Investigative themes include fundamental human and animal behaviour, physiology and adaptation, genetic variation and drug metabolism, and water quality. You’ll complete the module with an exciting multidisciplinary team project. 

Stage 3

Stage 3 begins with selected modules from: Infectious disease and public health (SK320)Infectious disease and public health::Infectious disease affects all our lives to varying degrees, often making front-page news: ‘New resistant strain of TB’, ‘Will bird flu cross over to humans?’ ‘Hospital infections reach epidemic proportions’, etc. This course approaches infectious disease from several perspectives – exploring the underlying biology, epidemiology, ecology and evolution of pathogens in relation to the extraordinary immune defences of their human hosts. You will learn how infections are diagnosed, how to study changes in the incidence of diseases and investigate strategies for treatment and control through detailed case studies. You will also have the chance to study a disease or disease-related topic in detail.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SK320,,1, Molecular and cell biology (S377)Molecular and cell biology::Cells are the basic units of life. Cell biology seeks to understand not just the processes that are common to all life forms, but also the ways in which cells control their division and differentiate to form specialised tissues. This course builds from a foundation of molecular biology, with emphasis on animal cell biology. It explores how cells function and considers processes such as cell differentiation, ageing and tumorigenesis. It also develops skills in reading and understanding scientific literature and the handling of experimental data.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,S377,,1, and Signals and perception: the science of the senses (SD329)Signals and perception: the science of the senses::This sensory neuroscience course uses fundamental concepts from biology, chemistry, physics and psychology to explain how we interact with our environment through the senses and is therefore an opportunity for you to study an interdisciplinary topic. For each of the senses, you’ll investigate how sensation begins with a stimulus that is converted into an electrical impulse; how that is transmitted to the brain; and how the brain combines these messages – to arrive at a ‘perception of the stimulus’. The course is designed to be accessible to students pursuing a wide variety of degree studies.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SD329,,1 (covering hearing, sight, smell, taste and the somatic sensory system – which includes touch and pain). If you’re a paramedic or other practitioner who supports learners in a health and/or social care setting, you can choose the module Mentorship and assessment in health and social care settings (K320)Mentorship and assessment in health and social care settings::This interprofessional mentorship course is for practitioners who support and assess learners in practice in health and/or social care settings. It will enable you to become a credible, effective, valued supporter of learning and an assessor of achievement in practice. You’ll undertake activities to develop mentoring commitment, confidence and competence – drawing directly on your own experience. You’ll need access to an appropriate practitioner to support your learning in practice. Allied Health Professionals registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) will find this course particularly useful with its focus on professional portfolio development. This course is Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved (2012).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,K320,,1.

Your final study will be a project module, Researching biology and health science (SXL390)Researching biology and health science::In this project course you will undertake individual investigations within a range of defined topics: stem cells, emerging infectious disease, the human senses and coevolution. You’ll need access to scientific literature, probably from electronic library sources. The study materials provide a guide to planning and conducting project work; help with searching and using the literature; and writing a report, but ultimately this is a chance for you to plan and execute a piece of work for yourself. You should study this project course as the final module of your degree as you will need to apply knowledge and skills from your prior studies.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q71-1,module,SXL390,,1, where you’ll undertake individual investigations within a range of defined topics including:

• stem cells
• emerging infectious disease
• the human senses.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.