This Medical Physiology programme provides an excellent opportunity to study the complex anatomy and detailed function of the human body in health and disease. Anatomy and Physiology are two of the core subjects of Medicine. Special importance is given to learning practical anatomy and relating this to physiological function. Applied Physiology is emphasized throughout the programme by the teaching of techniques and instrumentation used to investigate and assess health and disease e.g. ECG, fitness tests, chest X-rays. All students will learn life support and obtain a first aid certificate. The programme is ideal for a research career in the biological/medical fields or for studying higher degrees (MSc, PhD). The programme should be extremely attractive to those intending to pursue a career in Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and other professions allied to Medicine in the NHS or using their skills in teaching, the Pharmaceutical and other industries.

The minimum requirement is 240 points at A2 level from Physics, Biology or Chemistry. Applicants can obtain this by a combination of either 2 A levels or 3 for both single and combined honours programmes. We would expect the majority to have studied Biology at A2. We also accept the equivalent Baccalaureate or Irish Highers. Other qualifications include Access to Science, Advanced GNVQ in Science at merit grade, and BTec National Diploma in Science with a minimum of 6 modules at merit grade or higher. All students should also have a minimum of grade C at GCSE, or equivalent, in English language, mathematics and double science (or chemistry and biology if taken separately).
Applicants with overseas or alternative qualifications are considered on an individual basis. Overseas students need to show some evidence of both written and spoken English (e.g. TOEFL at 550 or an IELTS score of 6.0). For mature students (aged 21 or over), credit may be given for relevant work experience and recognition of particular skills and/or knowledge through accreditation of prior learning (AEL), according to established University procedures.
Direct entry to the second year of the programme is available for students with Higher National Certificate or Diploma in an appropriate area, or for those who have successfully completed study equivalent to level one in a similar programme at another University. Direct entry to level three is only available to students who have successfully completed levels one and two of a programme with very similar content at another University.
Applicants lacking the required entry qualifications may apply for the extended degree programme which is an appropriate basis for starting the degree.

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:

• Acquire a sound understanding of the theory and practice of Medical Physiology.
• Critically evaluate the concepts, techniques and applications of Medical Physiology
• Develop the practical and transferable skills necessary for a career in Physiology and related areas.
• Develop responsibility for independent learning.

Knowledge and understanding

• An understanding of the detailed structure and function of the human body, with a knowledge of health, disease, disorder and dysfunction, and pathology.
• An understanding of the investigative techniques used in physiology to interpret and diagnose normal and abnormal function of body systems
• The principles and applications of scientific enquiry, including the research process*
• Applications of exercise physiology including fitness assessments**
• Theory and practical skills of first aid including the first aid certificate***
• An awareness of applicable health and safety legislations and the practice of health and safety policies and procedures

*Applies to single and combined hons students undertaking a physiology research project at level 3
** Applies to single and combined hons students who complete the Exercise Physiology module at level 3
*** Applies to single and combined hons students who complete the Clinical Physiology and Employability module at level 3.

'Thinking' skills

• The ability to comprehend, analyse and criticise published information.
• The ability to formulate hypotheses and make reasoned conclusions
• The ability to use integrated approaches to problem solving.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• The ability to analyse data from your own and other people's experiments and to interpret them in the light of published work.
• The ability to select and apply a range of practical skills to solve problems.
• The ability to design and carry out experimental work.
• The ability to effectively communicate your work to others by a variety of means.
• The ability to select and utilise appropriate computer software.

Skills for life and work

• The development of your own style of independent learning.
• The ability to communicate ideas and experiments to others and to debate relevant scientific and /or ethical issues.
• IT skills.
• Numeracy skills
• Work safely in accordance with health and safety regulations
• Communication of information, instructions, advice and opinion to a variety of people.
• Team work.
• Time management.

The duration of this programme is three years full-time (four years sandwich) or five years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year begins in September (or February) and ends in June (or January). A student, normally registering for 6 modules (120 credits) in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study and a student registering for up to 4 modules (80 credits) in one year (2 modules in each Semester) would do so in part-time attendance mode of study.

This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A typical full-time student will take six 20 credit modules per year. An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3.

It is possible to bring together modules from one subject with modules from another to produce a combined programme. The University offers subjects in a variety of combinations:

Single 120 credits at levels one, two and three with minimum of 40 credits drawn from university wide option
Major 80 credits at levels one, two and three with a minimum of 20 credits drawn from university wide option
Joint 60 credits at levels one, two and three with a minimum of 20 credits drawn from university wide option
Minor 40 credits at levels one, two and three.

Modules are defined as:
Core Must be taken
Option Select from a range of identified modules within the field
University Wide Option Select from a wide range of university wide options

In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher

In order to gain an ordinary degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 300 credits including:

• A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
• A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
• A minimum of 60 credits at level three or higher
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In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher

In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain an Associate Certificate you will need to obtain a minimum if 20 credits at level one or higher

In order to gain a Foundation Degree you will need to obtain a minimum of 240 credits including:

A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher
A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher
(A Foundation degree is linked to a named Honours degree onto which a student may progress after successful completion of the Foundation degree)

Knowledge and understanding is developed through

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Practicals
• Reading
• Internet, UEL-plus, CAL

'Thinking' skills are developed through

• Computer aided learning
• Presentations
• Preparing for tutorials and seminars/workshops
• Completing coursework assignments (including data analysis essays, presentations etc)
• Independent reading

Practical skills are developed through

• Laboratory Practicals
• Computer simulations and use of IT

General skills are developed through

• Managing time
• Presenting ideas and arguments in a structured manner - written and oral communication
• Problem solving
• Team work

• Written examinations
• Practical reports
• Essays
• Data analysis
• Poster presentations
• Oral presentations
• Portfolios
• Final year research project and dissertation
• MCQ tests
• Database searches
• Library exercises

Knowledge and Thinking skills are assessed by

• Evidence of reading and comprehension of the topics covered in the module being assessed. This will be particularly apparent in essay work and examinations.
• Ability to describe, explain and discuss various aspects of the course material in the context of class tutorials, group work, presentations and other pieces of assessed coursework for the module.
• In the final year particularly, thinking skills will be assessed by the ability to take information presented in any module out of its original context and to utilise this information in the construction of arguments, comparisons, hypotheses etc as required to address the specific assessments in each module

Practical skills are assessed by

• The ability to carry out laboratory practical work effectively, within the timeframe allocated.
• The ability to interpret and report on work carried out in the laboratory.
• The ability to complete assignments using appropriate resources.
• Evidence of logical planning and management of time in the preparation of materials for assessment.

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• The ability to work to strict deadlines
• The ability to select and utilise appropriate problem solving skills
• Demonstration of effective oral and written communication skills
• Evidence of interpersonal skills such as teamwork and /or team leadership
• Evidence of general numeracy skills