Course at a glance
Introduction
The Clinical Science course examines the various organs and systems in the human body and provides clinical understanding and skills of how to assess and measure the various biological tests and ways to study the body. The first five modules are related to body systems, and will include details of common conditions and treatments relative to its function and anatomy. The following modules are devoted to specific elements of clinical practice, and will also refer back to body systems to form an integrated and holistic approach. There will be formative activities within some of the modules for revision and clarification. A glossary will be included in the majority of modules to act as a useful reference of Biological and scientific terms.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at OLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assesment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the OLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees. It is also part of the College’s validated level three Diplomas’, recognised internationally, as verified and moderated by the Centre for Interactive Education (CIE Global). Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Course Content
Part One
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 1: Cardiovascular and circulatory systems
The key organs in the body that transports food and oxygen, removes wastes, maintains and regulates the internal environment via Homeostasis are the cardiovascular and circulatory system. A detailed look at the anatomy and physiology of the heart and blood is carried out and additionally, examples of common conditions and disorders such as cardiovascular disease, leukaemia, anaemia, and other relevant conditions are given. The module will contain detailed images and diagrams to aid learning.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 2: Respiratory system
The anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and how humans respire, the mechanism involved in breathing and exchanging gases from the nose and mouth to the lungs, to be transported by the blood to every part of the body is investigated. Examples of common conditions and disorders such as carcinoma, tuberculosis, pleurisy, asthma, effects of smoking and other relevant conditions, including detailed diagrams, comprehensive symptom description and treatment indications are described in detail.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 3: Nervous and musculoskeletal systems
Something simple like blinking our eyes when we are awake or walking from bed as we get up require a complex set of movement and instruction from our brain and the Central Nervous system, CNS. This third module looks at the anatomy and physiology of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, how our body is held up, protected and moves, and also how messages are passed around the nerves and synapses in the human body. How bones are made and form a complex skeleton attached to various muscle groups using tendons and ligaments is studied. The more common conditions and disorders such as breaks and traumas, tumours, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other relevant conditions, and possible treatment is investigated in depth.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 4: Gastrointestinal and endocrine systems
This section gives students the opportunity to explore the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal and endocrine systems through detailed diagrams and comprehensive descriptions to explain what happens to the food we ingest, digestion and the waste that results. The role of enzymes and hormones is discussed, as well as examples of common conditions and disorders such as carcinoma, absorption, gastric ulceration, diabetes, Cirrhosis and glandular problems, and other relevant conditions with treatment their indications.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 5: Skin, reproductive and urinary systems, and special senses
This module looks at the anatomy and physiology of the skin, genetics, reproductive and urinary systems. Detailed look at hair and nails, as well as the role of the skin as a protective and sense organ is carried out. How humans reproduce and have adapted to their environment follows, with a general look at the Kidney in filtration and production of urine. In addition examples of common conditions and disorders such as carcinoma, eczema, psoriasis, infertility, endometriosis, prostate problems, kidney disorders, and other relevant conditions are studied.
Part two
Within the second part of this course there is a significant amount of chemistry and biochemistry used to explain the detailed reactions that help the body function from respiration to detailed processes at the cellular level. This section links closely to the previous learning in part 1 of the course. Glossaries will be given with each topic so that a useful and accessible resource containing key biological and scientific terms is available.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 6: Clinical pathology
In this module the focus is on the normal pathology or what makes the body ill or sick, which disease are the cause and how the body can be attacked. Our body can be resilient so we can build resistance and immunity and this is possible is investigated through microbiology. Detailed cellular composition, how our cells regenerate, where the energy comes from and how pathogens impact the body at its basic level is explored, with particular emphasis on common diseases as well as recent epidemics such as with the Ebola and HIV-Aids virus.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 7: Clinical pharmacology
A key to fighting pathogens was through the development of chemicals to counter-attack them. Initially humans used plants and commonly found substances like salt and spices. The classification and grouping of drugs, and how drugs work and are administered is explored. Drug addiction and the processes behind this are also considered. Specific examples of drugs and treatments are given, for example antibiotics, analgesics and chemotherapy, together with the correlating diseases they are used to treat, e.g. the use of beta-blockers in treating hypertension and heart disease.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 8: Clinical immunology and epidemiology
The immune system is a collection of cells and chemicals that protect the body against harmful micro-organisms. The basic structure and function of immunology, what it means in terms of disease, and prevention such as with the use of vaccination and inoculation, and also immune-deficiency is studied in depth. The way vaccines are made, the history of their development and how immunology is linked to epidemiology and predicting disease in the population is covered.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 9: Nutrition and psychology
Nutrition is an important part of health, growth and wellbeing as it maintains and is maintained by homeostasis. We look at different food groups, the body’s requirements and the way in which food is used by the body to provide energy that runs the body systems, and to keep us well. Eating disorders, malnutrition and the psychological aspects of diet, exercise, relaxation, health and disease are explored.
Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma Module 10: Clinical examination and diagnostic procedures
Skills are needed in effectively examining and treating a patient. A balance of professionalism is required alongside empathy and good communication. Knowledge of the systematic examination, both specifically and generally are addressed. This final module looks at some of the diagnostic procedures such as X-ray, blood tests, MRI scanning, ECG, and other significant and commonly used tests. Within this topic, specific examples where these tests are used such as for screening purposes are looked at. As the topic is vast, some information is given in detail whilst other topics are covered briefly and can be researched further depending on interest and needs of the learner.
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Clinical Science Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.