Medical Science

What is Medical Science?

Medical science is dedicated to understanding the human body, diagnosing diseases, developing treatments, and promoting overall health. It integrates various scientific disciplines to study the structure and function of the body, the mechanisms of diseases, and the ways to prevent and cure health issues. Medical scientists are at the forefront of healthcare services, as they are vital in the diagnosis of disease, determining the effectiveness of treatments and searching for new cures. They are involved in a broad range of activities, from basic research in laboratories to clinical trials and direct patient care, all aimed at understanding health and combating disease.

What will I study?

You will study six units across the two years.

Year 12: Unit 1: Human Health and Disease

You will develop knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology, as well as an understanding of the function of organ systems and some problems that can occur in these systems. This will enable you to understand the normal functioning of the body at a cellular and physiological system level, and learn how these systems react in different situations, or how these systems can go wrong, in order to report on the health of individuals.

Year 12: Unit 2: Physiological Measurement Techniques

You will gain knowledge and understanding of the physiological measurements that can be made to assess the function of major body systems. This relates anatomy and physiology to physiological measurement test results, through an understanding of the principles of the measurement techniques, enabling you to perform tests which will accurately measure a range of physiological functions, as well as interpret the results of tests and link these to possible physiological disorders.

Year 12: Unit 3: Medical Science Research Methods

You will discover how to plan, conduct and report research in medical sciences using a range of methodologies and techniques. This promotes an understanding of the processes involved in drawing meaningful inferences from research data and enable you to conduct your own research to obtain meaningful information, process the data you have collected, and draw evidence-based conclusions.

Year 13: Unit 4: Medicines and Treatment of Disease

You will develop knowledge and understanding about the science of medicines, and how they work through their interactions with body systems. This unit introduces cancer, its relationship to genetics, and the range of therapeutic treatments available. You will be able to provide information to a range of audiences on how medicines work, to bring about effective treatment of diseases and disorders.

Year 13: Unit 5: Clinical Laboratory Techniques

You will discover how clinical laboratory techniques can be used to assess body functions. This links knowledge and understanding of human physiology and biochemistry to clinical measurement test results through an understanding of the principles of the measurement techniques. This will enables you to perform tests which will accurately measure a range of biochemical and microbiological parameters, interpret the results of these tests, and link these results to possible physiological disorders.

Year 13: Unit 6: Medical Case Study (Synoptic)

This unit provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of the connections between the other units of this qualification. You will apply your learning in context to demonstrate the knowledge, understanding and skills you have developed through all the other units within the qualification.

Assessments

Units will either be assessed by Formal Examination or Non-Examination Assessment (coursework)

Year 12: Unit 1: Human Health and Disease.

• Formal Examination.
• 25% of qualification.
• 2 hours.
• 25% of assessment is based on a pre-release article and connected specification content, with preparation material available 4 weeks prior to the exam.
• First attempt in summer of Year 12, with an opportunity to resit in summer of Year 13.

Year 12: Unit 2: Physiological Measurement Techniques

• Non-Examination Assessment (coursework).
• Completed in autumn term of Year 12.

Year 12: Unit 3: Medical Science Research Methods

• Non-Examination Assessment (coursework).
• Completed in spring term of Year 12.

Year 12: Unit 4: Medicines and Treatment of Disease

• Non-Examination Assessment (coursework).
• Completed in autumn term of Year 13.

Year 12: Unit 5: Clinical Laboratory Techniques

• Non-Examination Assessment (coursework).
• Completed in spring term of Year 13.

Year 13: Unit 6: Medical Case Study (Synoptic)

• Formal Examination.
• 15% of qualification.
• 2 hours.
• Questions are based on three different case studies, providing medical context for the knowledge and skills developed across the course. Preparation material giving information relating to the case studies is 4 weeks prior to the exam.

Trips, visits and enrichment opportunities

• Opportunity to visit Medical Science and associated course departments at several local universities
• Enrichment visits to industry providers related to course content

What could it lead to?

• This qualification will equip you with scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as practical skills that would support progression to a range of job roles within health care. Laboratory roles in various areas of life science would directly benefit from the skills you will study in this course, such as microscopic examination of tissue samples, analysis of blood cells to investigate anaemia or analysing samples to identify causes of infection.
• This course also provides the opportunity to progress to job roles within the physiological sciences, working directly with patients or measuring and evaluating particular organs and systems, such as scientists working in neurophysiology recording the electrical activity in the brain. A significant proportion of career opportunities in this sector are at degree level, and the Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification in Medical Science, when supported by other appropriate qualifications, will enable progression to higher education to a range of Applied Science programmes, such as biomedical science, life sciences, and physiology.
• This qualification has already been endorsed by several universities as meeting the entrance requirements for a wide range of life science course, including
  • BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
  • BSc (Hons) Nursing
  • BSc (Hons) Midwifery
  • BSc (Hons) Medical Science
  • BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Genetics
  • BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
  • BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

More Information

• Learners on the Level 3 AAQ in Medical Science (Extended Certificate) will study key topic areas of health, physiology, and disease, as well as pharmacology, physiological measurement, clinical testing, and medical research. This qualification equips learners with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills for progression to Higher Education, and in turn, the pursuit of graduate careers in healthcare and medical research.
• Alternative Academic Qualifications, or AAQs, are equivalent to one A Level, and can be taken alongside additional A Levels. They have been developed to provide an alternative pathway for learners allowing them to combine academic and vocational qualifications to suit their interests and career goals. Each 2-year qualification is designed primarily for 16–19-year-olds intending to progress to higher education. The qualification is graded A*-E, which is widely understood by learners, employers, universities and other stakeholders.