Health and Human Sciences BMedSci

Core modules:

Health Inequalities

There are significant inequalities in health outcomes and experiences between different social groups and communities in the UK today. This unit seeks to explore some of the key axes through which inequality is patterned in the UK (gender, ethnicity, disability and socioeconomic position) and different explanations for this patterning (behavioural, material, biological and psychosocial).

20 credits

Introduction to Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the basic science underpinning effective public health practice. Epidemiology considers the frequency, patterns and causes of disease in populations and applies this knowledge to address public health issues through public health surveillance, investigation, measurement, evaluation and health policy development. A knowledge and understanding of epidemiological concepts and methods is a basic requirement for effective public health practice and for a complete understanding of the nature of health in society. This module offers an introduction to epidemiology covering key concepts such as measures of disease; comparison, association and causation; research and population health measures such as screening. 

20 credits

Information skills and Digital Literacy

Making appropriate use of a range of information sources is a skill which is pivotal to positive undergraduate outcomes. This year one undergraduate unit runs across two semesters. Semester one facilitates the transition to University study and introduces students to University resources and information retrieval. The second semester provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary in the retrieval, understanding and critical appraisal of evidence in the health sciences literature. Taking a broad perspective of the term `research skills’ the module will incorporate critical awareness of the distinction between scientific and other types of knowledge and the analysis of the quality of each of these sources.

10 credits

Organisation of Modern Health Care

This unit will explore the range of professional health care roles within the NHS. It will examine how these individuals with different roles and responsibilities work together and deliver care to patients. The changing demands made on those professionals by both the government and patients are challenging traditional roles and responsibilities. The module will introduce the background and theory of how organisations work, and enable students to develop an understanding of the modern NHS in a wider context. Students will discuss the current debates and the prospects for NHS health and social care, and reflect in implications for future professional developments. 

10 credits

The Body in Health 1

The course will provide a concise overview of human physiology and anatomy, relating function to structure as well as to underlying biological principals and processes. The initial sessions will cover the basics of anatomy and homeostasis before examining the body's organisation on chemical, cellular and tissue levels. Specific bodily systems such as the musculo-skeletal and nervous systems will then be considered in more detail. The `Body in Health 2' unit is designed to follow on from this to complete the overview. Detailed prior knowledge of the subject matter is not expected but some knowledge of the biological sciences would be beneficial. 

10 credits

The Body in Health 2

The course builds on the content of the Body in Health 1 unit to provide a more comprehensive overview of human physiology and anatomy, relating structure and function. A number of bodily systems will be covered in detail including the respiratory, cardio-vascular, immune, digestive and endocrine systems. A consideration of reproduction and development leads into a final discussion of inheritance and human evolution. 

10 credits

Optional modules:

Health Promotion

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to take control of, and improve, their own health (WHO, 2014). Effective health promotion has the potential to help address the burden of chronic disease and widening health inequalities across the globe.

This year one undergraduate unit will introduce students to a range of contemporary issues in health promotion including the politics and policy of health promotion, community engagement and power, health inequality, health literacy and ethical dilemmas in health promotion.

Students will mobilise their learning to design and create a health promotion resource (e.g. poster, infographic, leaflet, game) which tackles a pressing health issue of their choice. They will accompany their resource with a rationale which describes the importance of the health issue, the specific aim and target audience of their resource, a rationale for the content and design and an exploration of how the resource is informed by attention to the contemporary issues outlined above.

20 credits

Participation and Society

This module aims to introduce students to issues related to understanding persons as individuals, and as members of society. Content includes: theoretical models of disability; psychosocial impact of disability across the lifespan; concepts of self and identity; concepts of attitudes and their measurement; health beliefs and behaviours and the role of gender, socioeconomic and cultural factors in healthcare and education. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, attitudes and interpersonal skills in the context of their impact on interactions with clients, their families and other professionals.

20 credits

Core modules:

Communication For Health

This unit aims to explore the importance of effective communication within interpersonal relationships, person centred care and in the delivery of health and social care. Communication is at the very heart of health and social care and impacts upon every element of care. We will be examining prevailing theories of communication in current health and social care delivery and organisation. We will also explore the importance of effective communication within interpersonal relationships. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon and develop their own skills in communication through a variety of interactive sessions.

20 credits

Research Methods and Paradigms

The unit will introduce the students to various qualitative and quantitative research methods and underlying paradigms relevant to health sciences literature. An ability to understand research methods is important for information skills and underpins the skills of critical thinking and analysis which are desirable undergraduate core skills. Students will be able to articulate the epistemological underpinnings of different approaches to studying the social world and with regard to various research methods and paradigms. The meaning of research terminology will be explored and students will be able to critically explore the research process using a critical appraisal tool.

20 credits

Health Care Management

This unit will explore the development of management and leadership theory and consider its application within the current NHS and within social care organisations. Topics covered will include: classical management theory and bureaucracies; human relations theory and workplace motivation; team development and team effectiveness; leadership; the application of theory and research to the NHS and health care organisations (recognising the unique nature of management of the NHS); economic principles underpinning the NHS; organisational behaviour and the management of change and the management of clinical risk. 

10 credits

Health Psychology

The unit will introduce students to key psychological concepts of the individual and their health. In particular, subjective experiences of health and illness and adjustment to challenging life events will be considered. The influence of social context and interpersonal factors in the experience of health and illness will also be covered. Students will explore three inter-related areas: 1. The psychology of health-related behaviour e.g. why individuals do things that are bad for their health such as binge drink or smoke cigarettes; 2. The psychology of illness and disease e.g. what it is like to live with a chronic condition; and 3. Psychological health and well-being e.g. how do individuals cope with potentially traumatic life events. 

10 credits

Making Sense of Health Policy

Making Sense of Health Policy aims to introduce students to the policy process - from the origins of policy through to implementation and methods of evaluation. Health policy affects everyone - but what is it? Where does it come from? How is it developed and implemented - and how is its success measured? Using lectures, seminars, tutorials and on-line learning, this unit aims to make health policy accessible and is essential for anyone anticipating a career in the health sector. 

10 credits

Sociological Approaches to Health and Illness

This module examines the inter-relationship between health, illness, disease and society. The topics covered in the module include: introducing and critiquing the medical model of illness, exploring concepts of health and illness across the life cycle, introducing key theories in the sociology of health and illness and considering debates about the role of medicine and medical professionals in contemporary societies.

10 credits

The Body in Illness

The course will examine the medical approach to pathology, illness, and diagnosis. A systematic knowledge of all diseases, or a detailed knowledge of regional pathology is not the aim. Rather, the course will use some common conditions like diabetes and lung cancer to illustrate principals. Taught sessions will focus in detail on one condition per week and examine the aetiology, pathology and presentation of: infection; degenerative disorders; endocrine and metabolic diseases; malignancy; cardiovascular disease; congenital and genetic disorders; trauma. Examples of the more common manifestations of these disorders will be used to illustrate the relationships between pathology, clinical features and diagnosis. 

10 credits

Optional modules:

Physiology of Pregnancy and Childbirth

This module offers students an overview of the key anatomical structures and physiological processes constituting normal pregnancy, childbirth and in the postnatal period. It also details the routinely used pharmacological interventions in UK maternity care and introduces students to the basic principles of their effects and, therefore, their strengths and limitations and the evidence base for their use. Through this, students will develop an understanding of the meaning of 'normality' in pregnancy, childbirth and postnatally and what, by implication, is a deviation from normality. The learning structure will mirror the chronology of pregnancy and childbirth, beginning with conception and moving through the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum phases. 

20 credits

Ageing, Health and Wellbeing

This unit aims to explore the general position of older people in contemporary society and the specific responses of society to older people in the forms of health and social care provision. Historical factors are outlined. Particular challenges faced by older people, such as mental health problems and associated consideration of mental capacity, as well as adult safeguarding initiatives are given emphasis. Consideration is also given to physical, sensory and cognitive limitations that may occur in later life. The impacts of central policy responses, such as pensions, finance, rationing of healthcare and reliance on family care are critically evaluated.

10 credits

Biography and narrative in palliative, supportive and end of life care

Biography and narrative tell us what is important to people affected by life-limiting illness. Narrative methods offer a broad approach to experience, whilst biographical methods, including oral history, life story, autobiography and reminiscence, focus on specific issues and personal identity. Stories told at the end of life give insight into illness experience, they are frequently used in qualitative research and have potential to inform policy and practice. First-hand accounts communicate personal truths and understandings of illness and care and the extent to which medical and societal forces influence how individuals view themselves, and how they are viewed by others. 

10 credits

Core modules:

Dissertation

The dissertation module builds on the skills and knowledge that students have developed during the first and second years of the Health and Human Sciences programme. Specifically, the dissertation follows on from the first year “Information Skills and Digital Literacy" module and the second year “Research Methods” module and enables students to utilise and extend the academic skills they have developed. The module is largely student-led with signposting to key resources, a small number of review sessions on key aspects and the support of an academic supervisor. Students will select a topic area of their choice, relevant to health and wellbeing, and formulate a research question which they will explore through the academic literature.

40 credits

Optional modules:

Global Health Challenges

The module builds on the study undertaken in year one and two of the programme (NURU 146) and will explore the challenges facing health in the 21st century in greater depth. Topics covered will include: commissioning and the potential risks to service delivery, the personalisation and self directed support agenda, persisting health inequalities, economic pressures, management of scarce resources, demographic challenges, health promotion strategy in hard to reach groups, the need for evidence based interventions and their cost implications, consumerism and the market in health care.

20 credits

Ethics in Practice

Ethics in Practice builds on the students basic understanding of ethics in health care. It will offer a deeper consideration of the philosophical underpinnings of ethics and demonstrate the value of these to resolving ethical issues in health care through consideration of applied examples. Key topics, such as end of life care (inc. euthanasia), the allocation of scarce resources (organ transplantation), practice issues (mental health and mental capacity), professional issues (whistle blowing) and diversity in healthcare research will be used to develop students' understanding of the issues involved in these areas and their ability to reason ethically and rationally.

20 credits

Health and Human Sciences Placement

This module provides a safe learning experience enabling students to shadow staff within a health or social care placement area of their choice. The student works in the placement area 3 days and has study time 2 days a week. Students negotiate with their host supervisor and academic supervisor to undertake a small project related directly to placement which forms the basis of their module assessment. This is an ideal opportunity to experience, observe, and reflect upon an area of health or social care that the student feels will be directly relevant to their future area of interest. 

20 credits

Maastricht University Study Placement

The Maastricht University Study Placement allows students to study modules, up to the value of 20 credits (or European equivalent), relevant to the BMed Sci Health and Human Science at Maastricht University. All the modules are taught in English and will complement those delivered on the degree programme. Maastricht University provides a range of modules and details will be made available to you should you choose this option. 

20 credits

The Biomedical Basis of Disease Management

This unit is designed to follow on from the biomedical units included within years one & two of the BMedSci Health and Human Sciences programme. It will explore the clinical management of a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and ageing, focusing on the biomedical basis of diagnosis and treatment. It will consider the relationship between the underpinning pathology and the treatment options for these conditions, exploring screening and diagnostic techniques, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The epidemiology of the conditions will be addressed and the available evidence base explored.

20 credits