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.