Pursue a broad approach to physiological sciences. Specialise in training that is suitable for NHS healthcare science practitioners. Choose your own path with this flexible course.
Overview
Studying Physiological Sciences will broaden your knowledge of the important organ systems of the human body, including how they function in health and disease. You will develop specialist knowledge from a range of optional modules to suit your interests, which include pathophysiology and therapeutics, cardiac physiology, blood science and the physiology of sport and exercise.
Depending on the availability of suitable placements, and subject to interview, you may be able to switch from a degree in Physiological Sciences to Healthcare Science, specialising in one of the following areas:
Cardiac Physiology: Healthcare Science Practitioners in this field are responsible for performing and interpreting a wide range of diagnostic tests including Electrocardiographs (ECG), ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitors, and exercise stress tests. Qualified staff also monitor patients during invasive tests such as coronary angiograms and percutaneous coronary intervention. They also ensure the optimal function of implantable devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardiovertor defibrillators (ICDs).
Audiology: Audiology is a challenging and expanding field involving the study of hearing and balance. As a healthcare profession, audiology involves assessment, management and therapeutic rehabilitation of people with hearing and balance problems, and associated disorders. If you have a particular interest in biological sciences, psychology, physics and electronics as well as speech and language development, you may find that audiology has a lot to offer.
The course includes a series of integrated clinical placements each year in an approved clinical training laboratory. If you would like to follow this route, then you would apply for BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences, then apply for one of the areas above when you start the course. For further information about Healthcare Sciences (Life Sciences) see our Help and Advice article.
Why us?
- The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching science
- Opportunities to undertake an integrated course which incorporates clinical placements in an approved clinical laboratory. You will have the opportunity to move onto BSc (Hons) Healthcare Sciences: Physiological Sciences
- You will be taught by academic staff who are engaged in international research in a range of disciplines, as well as scientists working in the NHS
- 'Hands on' approach to learning in our state of the art interactive learning facility 'The Living Lab' and modern biological science laboratories
Course structure
Teaching methods include lectures, practical work, seminars and group work. Assessment is via coursework and exams, in a ratio of roughly 40:60.
Your first year will focus on the normal function of the body, and as you move into year 2, you will be introduced to the concept of disease and how disease can affect the normal healthy function of the body. Year 3 will broaden your knowledge of how you can apply skills in laboratory or physiological testing to measure physiological functions. There is also a broad range of optional modules that allow you to build up your knowledge and skills to suit your area of expertise.
If you choose to apply for Healthcare Sciences and are successful at interview, as well as the teaching methods above, you will follow a series of integrated clinical placements each year in an approved clinical training laboratory.
Facilities
Sunderland's exceptional facilities include excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to a multi-million pound investment.
This includes a human anatomy resource, a new state of the art clinical skills suite and bioscience laboratories and a patient simulation suite/theatre.
Career ready
NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around £21,000 to around £80,000 per year. At entry level, the work involves obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes doctors, nurses and radiographers.
BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences
Healthcare Science practitioners with a specialism in physiology are skilled professionals who help medical staff to assess patients’ health and manage disease and disability. Potential employers include the NHS, academic research institutions, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, molecular biology companies and other organisations where a strong science background is an advantage. The broad range of scientific, analytical and personal skills you will develop will prepare you well for a wide variety of science related careers. Many of our graduates have progressed on to further postgraduate study in several areas including teaching, medicine and Physiotherapy.
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science - Audiology
If you choose this degree you'll be well-prepared to apply for roles as a healthcare science practitioner in the NHS, with a specialism in audiology. Audiology professionals can work in a variety of settings including hospitals and carry out a wide range of duties including assessment and rehabilitation of people with hearing loss or balance disorders.
As a healthcare profession, audiology also involves assessment, management and therapeutic rehabilitation of people with hearing and balance problems, and associated disorders. This work involves patients of all ages, from children to adults and elderly people.
New and exciting opportunities exist in this expanding field. Audiology is a fast-evolving and varied discipline. A desire to work with and help people is essential and forms an important component of both training and the job. There are excellent employment opportunities within NHS clinical practice.
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology
This degree will prepare you for a role as a healthcare science practitioner in the NHS, specialising in cardiac physiology.
Healthcare is changing and similarly the role of Healthcare Science Practitioners within cardiac physiology is changing to offer patients the best possible experience. Technology is constantly developing with equipment becoming increasingly portable, meaning many tests that at one time could only be performed in hospitals, can now be performed in GP surgeries or community clinics. The development of wireless technology now allows monitoring of patients with heart rate monitors and implantable cardiac devices without the patient having to visit hospital departments.
The main role of a Healthcare Science Practitioner is to help perform, analyse and interpret tests to provide a clinical report that assists with diagnosis of disease. Newly qualified staff will develop the core skills gained at university and learn to work independently without supervision and eventually look to specialise in one of two areas, Echocardiography or Cardiac Rhythm Management. Beyond this, staff are regularly encouraged to develop their skills to take on additional responsibilities such as patient education, training staff from other disciplines, mentorship, or service development.
Qualities of an Audiologist/Cardiac Physiologist are:
- Ability to communicate well with all types of people
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- A caring and understanding attitude
- Good manual dexterity
- Analytical skills
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