Physiological Sciences BSc (Hons)

University of Sunderland

Pursue a broad approach to physiological sciences. Specialise in training that is suitable for NHS healthcare science practitioners. Choose your own path with this flexible course.

Overview

Studying Physiological Sciences will broaden your knowledge of the important organ systems of the human body, including how they function in health and disease. You will develop specialist knowledge from a range of optional modules to suit your interests, which include pathophysiology and therapeutics, cardiac physiology, blood science and the physiology of sport and exercise.

Depending on the availability of suitable placements, and subject to interview, you may be able to switch from a degree in Physiological Sciences to Healthcare Science, specialising in one of the following areas:

Cardiac Physiology: Healthcare Science Practitioners within this field are responsible for performing and interpreting a wide range of diagnostic tests including Electrocardiographs (ECG), ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitors, and exercise stress tests. Qualified staff also monitor patients during invasive tests such as coronary angiograms and percutaneous coronary intervention. They also ensure the optimal function of implantable devices such as pacemakers and implantable cardiovertor defibrillators (ICDs).

Audiology: Audiology is a challenging and expanding field involving the study of hearing and balance. As a healthcare profession, audiology involves assessment, management and therapeutic rehabilitation of people with hearing and balance problems, and associated disorders. If you have a particular interest in biological sciences, psychology, physics and electronics as well as speech and language development, you may find that audiology has a lot to offer.

The course includes a series of integrated clinical placements each year in an approved clinical training laboratory. If you would like to follow this route, then you would apply for BSc (Hons) Physiological Sciences, then apply for one of the areas above when you start the course.

Employment

NHS salaries for staff working in healthcare science range from around £21,000 to around £80,000 per year. At entry level, the work involves obtaining diagnostic data from patients and working as part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes doctors, nurses and radiographers.