Module Directory

This module is designed to introduce students to the basic sciences that inform professional practice, including anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology.

You will develop applied knowledge to advance your understanding of anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology, to understand health, ill health and wellbeing.

The aims of this module are:

• To introduce students to the basic sciences that inform professional practice, including anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology.


• To enable students to develop applied knowledge to advance their understanding of anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology to understand the impact of varying biopsychosocial function on health, ill health and well-being.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Use appropriate terminology to describe the structure and function of the human body systems (examination).


2. Draw upon key concepts, principles and theories of psychology to explain cognitive processes and behaviour (examination).


3. Draw upon key concepts and theories of sociology to discuss human behaviour within a social context (examination).


4. Apply relevant theories and models to discuss health, wellbeing and ill health (presentation).


5. Examine the inter-relationship of biology, psychology and sociology within the biopsychosocial model of health (presentation).


6. Discuss the impact of varying biopsychosocial function upon an individual’s health and wellbeing (presentation).

This module commences at the beginning of the academic year and runs throughout the whole of the first year. It runs alongside other modules that you study in the first year.  There is a break in the module while you attend your first practice placement.

The first half of the module concentrates on the acquisition of knowledge relating to the underpinning sciences. This learning is assessed by a written examination before you go out on placement.

In the second half of the module, you will draw upon experiences gained from your first placement and from work undertaken in other modules to advance knowledge and understanding of the varying biopsychosocial impacts upon health, ill health and well-being.  This part of the module is assessed by a verbal presentation which is given at the end of the year.

Your learning and engagement are supported by key note lectures, seminars and workshops, along with a blend of tutor led and directed group study, self-directed individual study and the use of work books.  As the module progresses, there is a greater emphasis on self-directed study.

The module will be delivered via:

• Throughout the whole module, the use of electronic and other resources within small group work, seminars, and self-directed study will support the exploratory nature of this module.
• This module will utilise practical group work, which will be both tutor lead and student directed. A range of anatomy and physiology models are used to conduct some practical sessions. Your participation in these groups and activities is strongly encouraged.

This module will provide you with opportunities to explore and develop foundation knowledge in a range of science subjects. The workbooks and a blended learning approach will form the basis of your learning and progression through this module.

The second half of the module will focus on developing the applied nature of your knowledge. Here you will be introduced to models of health, the health and social care agendas and the classifications of health.