School of Life Sciences

BSc (Hons) Medical Physiology and Diagnostics

BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
B122
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years),Part-time (6 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
School
School of Life Sciences
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

This innovative course is designed to provide you with current knowledge and skills in clinical areas like cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep sciences, and is particularly designed for those of you who are interested in disease processes, diagnosis and improving the quality of life of patients. If you would like to work hands-on with people, rather than in a laboratory, this might be the course for you.  

On your Medical Physiology and Diagnostics degree, you will follow one of two pathways, either Cardiovascular Physiology or Respiratory Physiology and Sleep Science. Medical Physiology and Diagnostics covers the theoretical knowledge required for you to pursue a career as a scientist within a healthcare environment or other areas that require detailed knowledge of human physiology and understanding of disease processes. Knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body will be developed so that you can appreciate the range of clinical abnormalities that occur as a result of disease. Although the main focus will be either Cardiac Physiology or Respiratory and Sleep Science, depending on your choice of specialist area, the academic provision will not be limited to these areas but will also cover the physiology and pathophysiology of the wider systems to provide an extensive knowledge base. You will consider the diagnostic tests used within your specialist professional area and be able to understand how test results are used to plan subsequent treatment. It will provide you with a comprehensive appreciation of a number of specialisms in physiological sciences through broad experiential components in cardiovascular, respiratory and sleep sciences in order to develop a more holistic view of the areas contributing to high-quality care.

Following successful completion of your first year of your Medical Physiology and Diagnostics degree, you may be able to apply to transfer onto our BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Physiological Science) award. Transfer to the Healthcare Science award is not guaranteed and is subject to having satisfied Disclosure and Barring Service, Occupational Health check, a selection interview, and the availability of clinical placements. 

What happens on the course?

Year One - The programme of study includes an introduction to the scientific basis of healthcare science including subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology and microbiology. You will then build upon this foundation to focus initially on the theoretical aspects of both cardiac physiology and respiratory and sleep science.

Year Two - You will learn about the various diseases which affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, consider the tests which are available to confirm their diagnosis, and develop an understanding of the treatments available to help such conditions.  Your studies in diagnostics will be supported with the inclusion of physics classes so that you develop an understanding of the physical processes which underpin both clinical investigations and diagnosis of disease.

Year Three - During your final year you will consolidate your knowledge in your chosen discipline with the introduction of the theory required for more advanced clinical procedures. You will focus on recent developments within your specialist area and this will be complemented by your honours project as you undertake your own research.  You will also study advanced human physiology and current perspectives in physiology, to give you a broader view of recent advances in physiological research.

All students are required to have an appreciation of good professional practice in the workplace so classes are held which focus on health and safety, patient communication and welfare, clinical governance and ethical practice. Professional practice and patient-centred care are themes that run throughout the three years of the course.

If you wish to transfer to Healthcare Science and are successful you will have integrated placements throughout the three years of your studies.  Detailed information about the requirements of the placements is available in the Healthcare Science course page.

 

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

You will be prepared to enter a career as an associate healthcare practitioner in cardiac physiology or respiratory and sleep physiology in a hospital department dependent on your choice of specialist discipline. During your employment you will be able to build up a portfolio of recognition, which may allow you to become a practitioner.  The award provides an ideal background for graduate entry into the NHS Scientist Training Programme. Opportunities will then also exist, to progress to higher levels within the healthcare science career framework, taking on responsibility for higher level diagnostic tests, training, and management roles.  You will also be equipped at the end of your studies to apply for a role in any career which requires a physiological science degree for example teaching, medical and pharmaceutical sales representatives, research etc.

 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

  • Specialised course, with lecturer/practitioners delivering much of the material
  • Innovative degree course, with long-standing collaborative support from many local hospital departments
  • Opportunity to transfer onto the BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science award which is accredited by the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHS) the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) (dependent on the availability of placements)
  • Patient and public involvement in delivery of the course

During this programme of study you will develop knowledge of anatomy and human development.

You will need to demonstrate an understanding of the integrated function and control of the component parts of the major systems of the human body.

You will develop knowledge of cell structure and function at the molecular level, and an appreciation of the interplay of complex molecular events that help to maintain cell homeostasis.

You will appreciate disease processes and the use of pharmacological and interventional treatments against them.

All students need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of physics and signal processing associated with their practice and how information can be recorded, stored and analysed in the concept of clinical physiology.

You will also be made aware of professional and research issues in clinical physiology including safe and ethical working practices, the importance of communication in a therapeutic relationship and research methodology.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13950 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £13950 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14950 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £15450 per year 2024-25

Additional Course Costs

Disclosure and Barring Service Check - £46

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

GCSE English and Maths at grade C+/4. No equivalences are accepted. 

PLUS EITHER

  • 96 UCAS points
  • A Levels AA or BCD to include Biology passed with minimum grade B
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma in Applied Science - grades MMM
  • Access to HE Diploma Full Award (60 credits), with 45 Level 3 credits of which 36 must be in Science, with at least 27 at Distinction and the rest at Merit. No pass grades are accepted

You may be requested to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check after your first year of study on this course.

 

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

International entry requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply

English language requirements also apply

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

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