Medical Science

Medical Science is the science of dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. This is a practical, work related course providing a vocational perspective integrated with knowledge, understanding and skills of key scientific principles to support progress to higher education or employment in areas of Medical Science.

This is a new course commencing September 2019. There are two qualifications; a Certificate (equivalent to AS) and a Diploma (equivalent to an A-level).

The nested units will ensure that students can move from the Certificate (three units) to the Diploma (six units).

• They cover the key topics of health, physiology and disease, as well as providing the opportunity to study the areas of pharmacology, physiological measurement, clinical testing and medical research.
• These will develop the knowledge and understanding of the science used by organisations and industry.
• They will develop your interest in Medical Science and its practical applications by exploring and experiencing science in a vocational context.
• They will prepare you for further study on a course in a Medical Science related subject or for training in a Medical Science related occupation.

Certificate:
Unit 1: Human Health and Disease (50% exam).
Unit 2: Physiological Measurement Techniques (25% internally assessed portfolio).
Unit 3: Medical Science Research Methods (25% internally assessed portfolio).

Diploma:
Unit 1: Human Health and Disease (25% exam).
Unit 2: Physiological Measurement Techniques (12.5% internally assessed portfolio).
Unit 3: Medical Science Research Methods (12.5% internally assessed portfolio).
Unit 4: Medicines and Treatment of Disease (25% internally assessed portfolio).
Unit 5: Clinical Laboratory Techniques (12.5% externally assessed assignment)
Unit 6: Medical Case Study (12.5% exam).

The overall weighting (over the two years):

• 50% external assessment with two exams and one externally assessed assignment.
• 50% internal assessment with three coursework portfolios.

This course will enable you to enter laboratory based employment or to study for higher level qualifications in a range of Medical Science areas. Students taking this qualification have gone on to study nursing, midwifery, radiography, physiotherapy, biomedical science and sports science.

Exam Board: WJEC