Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The essential concepts, principles, theories and current issues in the health sciences

• The structure and function of systems, organs, cells and processes in the human body and their interaction with external factors

• The scientific basis of human physical and mental health, disease and disability and the use of diagnosis, screening and interventions in defined health conditions.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Use your knowledge and understanding of essential health sciences facts, concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied

• Analyse and interpret information and data from a range of different sources, including texts, tables, graphs, diagrams, numerical data and visual and interactive media.

Practical and professional skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Conduct and report on health science investigations or practical tasks and demonstrate an awareness of relevant ethical issues

• Review and manage your own personal and professional development and/or career plans

• Use skills that support life-long learning, including reflecting on your progress and using feedback from others to identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your performance.

Key skills

On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:

• Collect, process, analyse and present data using appropriate quantitative methods

• Communicate health sciences information accurately and effectively in written, visual, and spoken forms in a style and language appropriate to your purpose and audience

• Use skills that support life-long learning, including reflecting on your progress and using feedback from others to identify your strengths and weaknesses and improve your performance.

This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits.

• In Stage 1, you’ll study two 60-credit modules.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)
• Human biology: a body in balance (SK190)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.

• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.

• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.

• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.

• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.

• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.

• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

This certificate is for people working in, or wishing to enter, the health-related sector, and who wish to pick up a broad base of subject knowledge and skills. Many of the skills you acquire by studying health sciences modules will be highly valued in the modern workplace, which is increasingly concerned with effective knowledge management, critical thinking and the effective communication and presentation of ideas and arguments. The ability to select and analyse relevant data and to present conclusions concisely and logically is essential in most lines of work, as is the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.

Career relevance

While this course is not attached to a specific professional endorsement, it provides a broad base of subject knowledge and skills appropriate to occupations such as biomedical research, diagnostic services, health promotion, health and safety, health therapy, and health services administration and management.

Other careers

People with science qualifications are well placed to enter both scientific and non-scientific jobs. The logical, reasoned approach needed for science study is relevant to a wide range of financial, business and public sector employment.

In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies

• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities

• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students

• Details of each assignment and their due dates

• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details

• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.