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Certificate of Higher Education in Health Sciences - Learning outcomes

Educational aims

This is an intermediate science qualification which aims to provide you with:

  • an introduction to health topics in their wider personal, cultural and social contexts
  • the ability to engage with an evidence-based, scientific approach to health sciences and to develop an appreciation of the limits of scientific knowledge
  • an opportunity to develop a range of basic scientific skills
  • an opportunity to develop your general skills in interpreting, generating, and presenting information and data using a variety of text-based, graphical, numerical, audio-visual and online sources, and using a computer to support your learning
  • an opportunity to enhance your personal development, in particular your confidence to move to Level 2 study.

Learning outcomes

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/or 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.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding is acquired from specially prepared teaching materials using a variety of learning approaches which may include self-assessment questions, reference texts, computer-aided learning packages, directed reading (this may be entirely online), computer forums and other web-based resources such as audio and video material.

Skills are developed in parallel with knowledge and understanding.

You will work independently with the teaching materials, but are encouraged to form self-help groups with other students, communicating by telephone, email and online discussion forums. Tutors support your learning in a variety of ways.

Assessment is by a combination of tutor-marked assignments requiring answers ranging from short reports to essays, computer-marked assignments, and end-of-module assessments. In addition, you will have many opportunities for self-assessment, within module texts, and practice quizzes.