Applied Sciences (Biology – Human Health Units)
Course Code: HNCAS
Level: 4
Subject area: Science
Awarding body: Pearson
Qualification: Higher National Certificate
Course type: Full-time
Time of Day: Daytime
Duration: Two years
When you'll study: Two days per week
As a student on this course you will join City College Plymouth’s growing higher education community. You will be taught by lecturers with a blend of both industry and academic experience with the passion to support you in your learning journey.
The course will develop your professional skills and assist you in becoming an independent and reflective practitioner. You will take part in a mixture of group and individual work, allowing you to develop your professionalism alongside your understanding of key concepts, principles and practices in biology.
This course will enable you to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to succeed in employment in biologically-based industries or to complete a top-up course at university. Through the study of mandatory core and relevant specialist units, you will cover much of the knowledge, skills and understanding required for successful progression into higher level study or entry into vocationally relevant employment in human health laboratories.
Modules covered include:
Year 1
- Fundamentals of laboratory techniques
- Scientific data handling approaches and techniques
- Regulation and quality in the applied sciences
- Cell biology
- Fundamentals of chemistry
- Anatomy and human physiology
- Fundamentals of biochemistry
- Microbiological techniques
Year 2
- Analysis of scientific data and information
- Applied sciences research project
- Biochemistry of macromolecules and metabolic pathways
- Molecular biology and genetics
- Immunology
- Infectious diseases and diagnosis
- Genetic analysis
You will need to have any of the following:
- at least 32 UCAS points, including a science / biology subject
- applied science BTEC level or a related discipline
- Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science
- equivalent level 3 qualification and industry experience.
Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are strongly encouraged to apply as relevant work experience will be taken into consideration eg if you have worked or are working in a care or laboratory setting.
Assessment will be both creative and designed to support and develop you. Examples of the methods of assessment used include:
- laboratory reports
- short presentations
- creating videos or websites to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding
- timed tests and practical activities
- group based research work
- creating scientific posters summarising the latest research
- an extended research project.
You will be assessed on your skills, knowledge and professional development.
Upon successful completion you may progress on to the second year HND programme or go directly into employment/university.
Fees quoted apply to courses starting in the academic year 2020/21 (August 2020 – July 2021). There may be a slight increase in fees for courses starting 2021/22.
If you are aged 16-18, due to Government funding, tuition fees may not be applicable for your course. (Please note: this does not apply to Foundation Degrees or Access to Higher Education courses, and other courses not eligible for public funding.)