COURSE IN DEPTH
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Biochemistry
20 credits
Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental chemical and molecular reactions that occur within living organisms. The aim of this module is to introduce the biochemical reactions that occur within the human body, framed in the context of human health and disease. There are 5 broad themes in biochemistry that will be covered throughout the module:
- Properties of water, pH and buffers.
- Protein structure and function
- Nucleosides and nucleotides
- Carbohydrates and lipids
- Enzymes and Metabolism
Fundamentals of Cell Biology
20 credits
This module will introduce you to key cellular and sub-cellular concepts associated with biomedical sciences. You will encounter the cell as the fundamental, yet dynamic, unit of life. The module aims to describe the relationship between structure and function, and how the characteristics of cells facilitate their activities and allow them to contribute to the activity of tissues. You will develop a detailed and in-depth understanding of why and how cells behave as they do, both on their own, and as part of a tissue in a living organism.
This module covers the main themes and laboratory techniques in cellular biology, and alongside the Biochemistry module (level 4) prepares you for the Introduction to Human Physiology level 4 module, the Blood Science and Clinical Biochemistry and Cellular Analysis level 5 modules, and the Molecular Basis of Disease and Pathophysiology level 6 modules.
Genetics
20 credits
This module will provide you with an introduction to the field of Genetics. An understanding of genetics is fundamental to understanding biological processes, and the role of genes in health and disease. This module will discuss modes of inheritance, how information is encoded in DNA, how this information is translated, and the impacts of mutations on genetic conditions.
Microbiology*
20 credits
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of the microbial world. Students need to understand the important principles of how microorganisms function and survive before advancing to the topics where we explore the roles of microorganisms in disease.
The module is designed to be challenging and thought-provoking by the inclusion of contemporary topics that feature heavily in the news and in daily life as well as addressing issues that are potentially life-threatening. Importantly, topics are also discussed that illustrate the importance of the microorganisms associated with the human body in maintaining a healthy state. Moreover, the module also examines how our lifestyles can affect the microbes associated with our bodies and how this may impact on human health for example, obesity and diabetes.
*Microbiology is a pre-requisite for the Yr 2 Level 5 Infectious disease module
Physical Sciences 1
20 credits
This module aims to build your knowledge, understanding and skills within the physical sciences to support your training in teaching across the science disciplines within secondary schools. Using the context of the school science curriculum, this module provides opportunities for you to apply your newly acquired subject knowledge to the creation of learning resources, artefacts or activities within a sequence of learning appropriate for the school curriculum in chemistry or physics.
The Emerging Teacher
20 credits
The role of this module is to encourage you to consider in-depth your first experiences of your subject in your placement school. It will enable you to understand the complexity of the teacher’s role and the importance of adopting a professional stance at all times. You will understand the importance of an effective learning environment where all pupils feel safe and can develop to their full potential. It will provide you with practical strategies to support you in managing pupils’ behaviour within the context of your subject specialism.
Professional Practice 1
0 credits
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time, this module, Professional Practice 1, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through observation and practical experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Clinical Biochemistry and Cellular Analysis
20 credits
Disruption of normal cellular and biochemical processes has an impact on an individual’s health and wellbeing. In this module, you will investigate cellular and tissue function, and assess the investigative methods used for determining abnormalities at a biochemical and cellular level. These will include biochemical methods for detection of biological molecules.
The module aims to bring together the ability to represent data in an appropriate manner and assess the impact on an individual’s health. This will allow the information to be presented in a case specific manner, and information tailored to explain a specific individual and their health, and where appropriate to diagnose and monitor conditions. This will look at the principles of tests to investigate and determine the function and dysfunction of organs and systems and the changes seen in disease.
Fundamental Principles of Pharmacology and Drug development
20 credits
This module will build on the knowledge and skills developed at level 4 and will explore the scientific foundations of pharmacology. You will use this underpinning knowledge to examine how the pharmaceutical industry designs and develops novel drug entities to treat the underlying pathophysiology of common diseases.
Infectious disease
20 credits
This module will build upon the level 4 Microbiology module, by introducing you to the different types of microorganisms that infect humans and cause disease. One of the critical issues in clinical microbiology is the speed of reporting results of tests as some infections are potentially life threatening. You therefore review some of the important and time-saving techniques and how they are beginning to replace traditional cultural methods. You will also examine antibiotic-sensitivity testing and different ways this can be accomplished. Treating the human body as a series of systems, you will examine the barriers to prevent infections and how pathogens have evolved ways to circumvent these obstacles.
Physical Sciences 2
20 credits
This module provides the opportunity for you to construct a learning episode that demonstrates your accurate understanding of selected key concepts in the physical sciences as they are taught in schools. You will be able to identify key concepts in chemistry and/or physics and will develop your skills in making the key concept accessible to learners, including how to relate subject content to interactive, engaging learning.
Subject Studies
20 credits
This module, Subject Studies, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore the nature of your specialist subject in the context of learning and teaching in the secondary school. The module provides substantial support for your professional practice in school, applied through the professional practice modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to your awareness of the importance of your specialist subject in the secondary school curriculum. By undertaking this module you will be shaping your own rationale for your approach to the teaching of your specialist subject, and to meeting the needs of the learners as they move through the secondary school phase.
The Inclusive Teacher
20 credits
This module refers to the wider inclusion agenda, rather than just pupils with special education needs or disabilities. It considers the barriers to learning that pupils may have within the subject specialism, and specific classroom approaches or interventions that can be used to address these barriers.
Professional Practice 2
0 credits
This module will provide opportunities for you to progress from professional practice 1, by support you in embedding and enhancing your classroom practice as evidenced by the teaching standards. During your placement, you will consider the wider area of inclusion and how, in your subject specialism, specific classroom approaches can be developed to address the many barriers to learning that pupils hold.
Year Three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Molecular basis of disease
20 credits
An understanding of a disease at the cellular and molecular level is important for those working in the biomedical sciences. This module is designed to explore the molecular, biochemical and cellular changes in human disease and how this has contributed to the development of novel diagnostic tools and of knowledge-based treatment strategies. It will also provide you critical-thinking skills to explore human health and diseases through reference to primary research articles, and reviews.
Pathophysiology
20 credits
This module aims to look at the conditions that are known to be the main cause of morbidity and mortality nationally and globally according to the Office of National Statistics and the World Health organisation. It is important that individuals are able to recognise key symptoms of the condition and the underpinning physiology accounting for these changes. They should also be able to identify key literature about the incidence, treatment and prevention of the disease from the literature.
Neuroscience
20 credits
The World Health Organisation stated recently that “There is ample evidence that pinpoints to neurological disorders as one of the greatest threats to public health”. This module is designed to introduce you into the exciting world of neuroscience, by giving you a clear understanding of basic principles of neuronal (inter)action, learning and memory, emotion and motivation, necessary for your contribution to research in brain disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s’ disease, epilepsy, dementia, anxiety and depression.
This module will build upon the basic understanding obtained in the modules, Introduction to Human physiology, Fundamentals of Cell biology, Pharmacology and Research methods, and will equip you to critically appraise recent developments in brain disease research across all levels of analysis, and evaluate various exciting therapeutic approaches.
Professional Enquiry Education Project
40 credits
This module will allow you to actively examine your professional practice in the workplace and to develop a reflective approach to personal development. Through studying it, you will further develop your practice-based enquiry skills. Increasing importance is placed on evidence-based enquiry to inform professional development in education.
The Professional Teacher
20 credits
This module, The Professional Teacher, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore and understand in practical terms the meaning of professionalism in the context of your subject specialism. You will understand the holistic and positive role of a teacher and the practices and policies of the education framework in which you operate. Implicit in this will be the development of your understanding of how children learn in your subject (pedagogy) and how this is organised, delivered and measured in the current range of school systems.
Professional Practice 3
0 credits
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, Professional Practice 3, enables you to build on and demonstrate your mastery and achievement of the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment.
