Human Physiology

This unit explores the biological basis of human disease and the analytical techniques used to investigate them, with an emphasis on exploring the overall physiological impact of biological changes. This will provide students with a grounding in the theory and application of the fundamental elements of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and physiology. Areas that will be covered will include infection, transfusion, genetic disorders, and histopathology. Teaching will include lab practicals, data production and analysis and problem-based learning.

The unit will help students develop the core professional and research skills required of a scientist, with a focus on the capture, analyses, interpret and effective dissemination of biological data. Including the selection and critical analysis of information sources, understanding study design and how to develop and test research questions, including ethical, legal and moral considerations. It will also provide student with an understanding of methods used to analysis biological data and how to interpret this data, with an emphasis on statistical methods. As well as exploring different linked professional roles and their requirements with a focus on graduate employability.

The module provides a knowledge and understanding of biochemistry including basic organic chemistry. Biological molecules and their importance in cell structure and function are also studied. You will be introduced to microorganisms, with focus on the importance of identification and classification of microbes, and the techniques and skills required for their isolation, enumeration and microscopic examination.

The Physiological Systems module introduces you to principles of human physiology at the organ system level with appropriate links to anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry and metabolism, disease pathology, pharmacology and therapeutics.

The aim of this module is to develop the technical skills you have gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable you to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills you have gained in the first year.

Building on from year 1 studies of physiological systems, this unit will teach the major methods of diagnosis and treatment of a range of common diseases of the human body. Examples include (but are not exclusive); diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system, respiratory diseases and cancer. The unit will examine the cellular basis of disease to integrate symptoms, the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic treatments from a range of specialisms. Students will also gain an overview of pharmacology (drug action) and therapeutics including the treatment of disease using drugs and other non-drug methods.

This unit will build on student’s knowledge of infectious agents and introduce important aspects of the immune response to infection by a microorganism in terms of the underpinnings of the biological response and physiological consequences. Population interventions such as infection control and immunisation will be examined, as well as factors affecting the spread of infection. To facilitate this appropriate epidemiology methodologies will be introduced. Students will carry out appropriate laboratory procedures involved in the isolation and identify of specific pathogens. Treatments including immunotherapy, chemotherapy and problems of resistance development using antimicrobial agents will be introduced.

Systems Neuroscience will discuss anatomy and physiology of nervous systems; neurotransmitters and their receptors; neuropharmacology; psychoactive drugs; sensory systems; motor systems and neurological disorders. The unit will focus on the topics of exploring the diversity of cell types in nervous systems, neurotransmitter pathways & receptors, signalling mechanisms and synapses, pathophysiology of nervous systems across a range of neurological disorders and their management using fundamental principles of neuropharmacology. There will also be focus on the actions of endogenous chemicals and psychoactive drugs on the nervous system.; Students will be taught in lecture and tutorial formats as well as undertaking practical laboratory work to examine the anatomy and physiology of healthy and pathological nervous systems using a range of techniques, including clinical neurophysiology as well as how sensory and motor systems function to interact with the environment and motivate and execute behaviours. 

The Blood Science module looks at the roles of haematology and clinical biochemistry laboratory tests in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease processes. A range of haematological and biochemical disorders are studied ranging from disorders of renal function and the endocrine system, to red blood cell disorders and haemostatic disorders.

The aim of this module is to develop the technical skills you have gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable you to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills you have gained in the second year.

This unit will build on previously examined physiological function in health and disease to introduce clinical diagnosis and issues in clinical practice, allowing students to translate theoretical knowledge to application through a case study approach. This will allow learners to practice clinically relevant skills (e.g, but not limited to ECG interpretation, assessment of cardiopulmonary function, neuromuscular assessment, and medical imaging). Students will also practice clinically relevant skills including, but not limited to, taking a patient’s history, appropriately choosing and carrying out selected investigations, analysing clinical findings to formulate diagnoses and explain clinical reasoning behind diagnostic decision making. The unit will also examine concepts of legal practice and/or consent training, which may include, but are not limited to, informed consent, safeguarding and consideration of humane interventions.

This unit allows all final year students to plan and undertake either a laboratory based research project or a library based dissertation in an
area of their own interest.

This module will explore current issues related to the area of Cardiovascular Science. It investigates the physiology, pathophysiology and treatment of a range of cardiovascular diseases.

The aim of this module is to develop the technical skills you have gained throughout each level of study in each module and to enable you to apply and contextualise the knowledge and skills you have gained in the third year.

The Biomedical Cell Biology module explores the cellular processes, cell cycle control and cell signalling events that occur during cell/tissue repair and regeneration, ageing and senescence, and human disorders. The cellular dysfunction that results as a consequence of ageing and disease development will be discussed in relation to normal cell function. Appropriate examples of biomedical techniques and model systems utilised in cell biology research will be highlighted to illustrate key concepts of the module. Implications for biomedical research and medicine will be investigated, together with ethical issues relating to the field.

This unit will draw together the knowledge gained by students during their previous units to take an integrated holistic approach to important public health topics. Indicative content will include healthy aging and complex disorders with multiple interacting biological and environmental risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease and asthma. These topics will be explored from both an individual and population level and will include discussion of population level intervention and risk factors. Students will be encouraged to take a whole person approach to studying the topics and to think about topics from a variety of prospectives including, healthcare providers, public health policy, research, service users and future planning.   

The unit will cover current issues related to human genetics, particularly in relation to disease & the implications on public health. It will consider topics such as genetic principles, gene structure, function & regulation, population genetics, techniques, genetic basis of health & disease and genetic approaches which may be used to treat these.