Overview

The Unit provides generic knowledge and transferable skills. It has been designed to equip students with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of human physiology and the molecular basis of disease. In addition, it will provide students with an introduction to public health (principles and practice), the basics of health protection including health surveillance and basic principles of quality assurance including quality control, assurance and quality improvement.

Aims

The unit aims to:

• provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the biochemistry and physiology of the body’s major organs and tissues
• introduce students to the organisation and the scientific and regulatory frameworks underpinning professional practice within the healthcare sciences.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit the student will have:

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the cell and its organelles, and the organization of the human body.
• Knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and function of the: nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal systems including liver and pancreas, sensory system including skin and urinary system
• Knowledge and understanding of the biologic basis underpinning common diseases (e.g. apoptosis, inflammation, neoplasia, hypertrophy and hyperplasia).
• Knowledge of basic principles of physics that underpin healthcare science
• Knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts underpinning health economics
• Knowledge of the basis of health protection and principles of health surveillance.
• Understanding of how factors affecting health may contribute to inequalities in health between populations
• Knowledge and understanding of structures and processes that underpin quality assurance within the health service.

Teaching and learning methods

This unit employs a range of teaching and learning approaches including: lecturers, tutorials, case studies/presentations, problem-based learning and data analysis and interpretation exercises. This unit has a significant e-learning component with approx 50% of the unit being on line.

Knowledge and understanding

Students will have or be able to:

• Knowledge and understanding of the biochemistry and physiology of the body’s main organs and tissues.
• Knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of common diseases.
• Knowledge and understanding of the structures and processes that underpin quality assurance, including quality control, assurance, quality improve and clinical governance.
• Understand the concept of evidence based practice and its application to improve the delivery of service and improvement of patient care.

Intellectual skills

Students will have or be able to:

• Critically appraise scientific literature
• Critically analyse and objectively interpret information/data
• Recognize, define and critically appraise ethical, governance, legal consideration when developing and running a research project or clinical study
• Critically appraise concepts and measures of quality and quality assurance and their links with the effective and efficient management of resources and improvement of service delivery
• Appraise and synthesise information from different sources in order to develop a coherent critical analysis of issues relating to the practice and delivery of blood science services.

Practical skills

Students will have or be able to:

• Present information clearly in the form of verbal and written reports
• Communicate complex ideas and arguments in a clear and concise and effective manner.
• Work effectively as an individual or part of a team.
• Use conventional and electronic resources to collect, select and organise complex scientific information

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Students will have or be able to:

• Effectively utilise a range of information sources including information technology / health informatics
• Demonstrate capacity for self-learning and independent thinking and to utilise problem solving skills
• Demonstrate effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Critically evaluate their personal performance both as an individual and within a team
• Demonstrate skills in working collegiately and effectively with others as a member of a team