Health and Medical Sciences BSc (UCAS B990)

Course overview

BSc Health and Medical Sciences enables students to investigate current local and global problems in health from multiple perspectives.

Wherever we look in the world, health and medical services are struggling to cope with the rising demand and increasing burden of disease. Advances in the scientific understanding of health and disease, along with technological innovations offer exciting opportunities for improved health, but also present novel challenges to our health systems in terms of developing affordable and accessible treatment and health management strategies.

Multiple factors ranging from our genes to our lifestyle and interactions within society will influence our physical and mental health and wellbeing. Multidisciplinary solutions to health problems must be multi-faceted and comprehensive, requiring individuals who have the skills to work across boundaries as agents for change.

The BSc in Health and Medical Sciences will help you understand current local and global problems in health through the integrated perspectives of health science and medical science. Medical sciences, including molecular biology, genetics and epigenetics, physiology, anatomy, immunology, pharmacology, discovery science and clinical trials, promote an in-depth understanding of human biology, health and disease from the level of DNA, cells, and systems in the human body up to the level of patient as a whole.

Health Sciences, including health care systems, patient safety, ethics, human behaviour, psychology of health, sociology, epidemiology and health economics promote an in-depth understanding of health problems from the level of individuals, families, the workplace, up to the level of societies and populations. Therefore, this course will equip you with the essential skills to be able to make a valuable contribution to health in our society, both locally and globally.

Case-based learning, a signature educational approach for Warwick Medical School, and small group teaching is a feature of the course, as is technology enhanced learning. These progressive learning methods ensure our graduates are highly competent and employable across a broad range of careers in health and medical sciences.

Student case study

Core modules

The course is delivered over three years and largely conforms to University standard terms (approx. 25 weeks), holiday and assessment periods. The course addresses current local and global problems in health through the integrated perspectives of health and medical science, covering six main thematic areas:

• Non-communicable diseases
• Infectious disease
• Physical health
• Mental health
• Nutrition
• Civil strife and displacement

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Optional modules

In Year Two you may choose from WMS Pathways options, or any other University-approved optional module. For example, you could choose a module from the Institute of Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL) or an optional module from WBS.

Assessment

The BSc Health and Medical Sciences course includes a mix of examinations, written course work, presentations, posters and skill-based assessment types. Many modules have more than one assessment type, so that you can convey your understanding of module material in diverse ways as we all learn in different ways.

The assessment strategy of the course links to employability and further study. In year two of the course you will be able undertake two optional modules allowing you to develop transferable skills. In years two and three of the course you will also have chance to work on a range of personal development areas, having access to the extensive careers and skills service.

Student research lies at the heart of the course assessment strategy. In year one you will undertake a dedicated ‘Methods of Enquiry’ module and present your ideas for a small research project. In year two you will develop your research skills in reviewing evidence, forming a research hypothesis, identifying appropriate methodology, addressing ethical issues, and communicating your findings. In year three, the research theme culminates in a dissertation project supervised by an expert in your field of interest from across the Health and Medical Sciences. Your dissertation project will develop your skills in critical thinking, extended exploration of concepts, testing of theory and analysis, and presentation of findings.

Teaching

At Warwick Medical School, our signature educational approach is case-based learning, undertaken in small teaching groups. You will be encouraged to get actively involved in activities centred around real-world case studies. Case-based learning will help you to develop problem-solving skills and integrate your learning.

You will explore a broad range of structured and specifically designed learning activities including discussions, debates, technology enhanced learning and interactive lectures.

As an additional feature of the course, some of the content will be delivered wholly online. This will give you some flexibility to learn at the times that suit you and help you to develop personal responsibility for your studies.

The rest of your time will be taken up by directed learning activities, project work, additional reading and reflection as well as preparations for group work and assessed elements.

Class sizes

We expect the class size to be around 35-45 students for full cohort sessions. Case-based learning and other small group activities will be in groups of around 10 students.

Typical contact hours

Around 20 hours per week.

Tuition fees

Your career

This course was launched in 2020, so our first cohort of students have not yet graduated. However, we expect that our students will have an interest in areas such as:

• Public health and health promotion
• Corporate social responsibility
• Industrial and graduate training programmes in health
• Non-governmental organisations
• Health services management and administration
• Graduate entry to further health and clinical education programmes
• Biomedical or health sciences research

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Career Society at Medical School Event
• AFP Interview Preparation
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Foundation Programme (UKFPO) Information evening

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

Warwick Medical School

Established in 2000, Warwick Medical School (WMS) forms part of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine at the University of Warwick. Alongside a range of educational opportunities, WMS has a reputation for research excellence, investigating solutions to significant global health challenges.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our courses

• Integrated Natural Sciences (MSci)
• Health and Medical Sciences (BSc)

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