HS123-4-AU-CO:
Biological and Medical Sciences for Speech and Language Therapy
2026/27
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 12 October 2026
Friday 27 November 2026
15
07 April 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC B630 Speech and Language Therapy,
BSC B631 Speech and Language Therapy (Including Year Abroad)
This module introduces students to anatomy and physiology relevant to the Speech & Language therapy Profession. The module explores how structures and functions of the body relate to typical speech, language, and swallowing processes across the lifespan and developmental and acquired difficulties. Emphasis is placed on developing a solid foundation for future modules and clinical practice.
The aims of this module are:
- To develop students’ knowledge of the structures and functions of the human body that underpin typical speech, language and swallowing processes; and
- To enable students to relate their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and neurology to developmental and acquired conditions.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Describe the structure of body systems relevant to the Speech and Language Therapy profession.
- Explain the functions of body systems relevant to the Speech & Language Therapy profession.
- Apply knowledge of the structure and function of relevant body systems to describe typical speech, language, and swallowing processes.
- Explain how the structure and function of relevant body systems are involved in developmental and acquired conditions relevant to Speech and Language Therapy.
Syllabus information
Basic Terms, Concepts and Imaging
Anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) of the following systems relevant to speech, language, communication, and eating/drinking/swallowing:
- Cells and Tissues
- Genetics and Embryology
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Digestive System
- The Respiratory System
- The Endocrine System
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Nervous System
Anatomy (structure) and physiology (function), including typical lifespan changes, of the following structures and organs relevant to speech, language, communication, and eating/drinking/swallowing:
- The Head, Neck, and Chest
- The Face, Jaw and Oral Cavity
- The Larynx
- Swallowing (Stages of swallowing and development across lifespan)
- The Ear
- The Brain
Others
- Intro to EDS competencies and observation activity
- Physical growth and sensory and motor development
- Physical ageing (voice, speech and the body) and death and dying
- Introduction to developmental conditions (such as Learning Disability, neurodivergence, cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate)
- Introduction to acquired conditions (such as stroke, TBI, progressive neurological conditions, dementia, cancer and trauma to head and neck regions)
This module will be delivered via:
- interactive lectures
- The lecture sessions include group work, discussions and seminar type activities
Students are expected to engage in practical learning activities during the lecture sessions, and to undertake reading and activities (e.g. via Moodle) after the lecture. Lectures will be interactive and require students to work in small groups, and engage in discussions and other practical learning activities.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Rachael-Anne Knight, email: r.knight@essex.ac.uk.
sltadmin@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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