Skip to content

Applied Sciences (Biology – Human Health Units)

Course Code: UF9016
  • Level: 4
  • Qualification: Higher National Certificate
  • Awarding body: Pearson
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Full-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: Two days per week

What's it all about?

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.

Course information

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:

  • a minimum of 32UCAS points, including a science / biology subject (to include a full level 3 qualification)
  • T Level pass in an appropriate subject area
  • 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.

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

Download course PDF

Future careers

What you could earn:

Biological Scientists and Biochemists

£56,485.96

Potential salary

£18,604.59

Entry level salary

£32,423.43

Average salary

37

Annual openings in Plymouth

Related courses

Forensic Science

  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Diploma
  • Awarding body: Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA)
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Full-time

Applied Forensic Science

  • Level: 4
  • Qualification: Higher National Certificate
  • Awarding body: Pearson
  • Duration: One - two years
  • Course type: Full-time, Part-time

Science (T-Prep Foundation Programme)

  • Level: 2
  • Qualification: College Certificate
  • Awarding body: City College Plymouth
  • Duration: One year
  • Course type: Full-time
View all courses

Book an open day and come visit us!

Come and visit us on one of our college open days, where you can find out more about our courses, check out our facilities and speak to current students and staff.