Course Description
This advanced practical based course is for those students who wish to pursue a career in the Medical Sector including medical science, biomedical science, pharmacy and health care (Nursing, Allied Health Professions). You will complete projects and assignments based on real workplace situations and activities. At the end of the course you will be ready to enter employment or progress to a related degree course.
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For those who are studying this course as part of AISR's pre-nursing course in Letterkenny, you will study these modules in a nursing context. The nursing skills taught on the course (eg; blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oral care, feeding etc.,) will be assessed by way of OSCEs (observable structured clinical examinations). This assessment will be conducted at agreed dates throughout both semesters. In addition, you will get free first aid, manual handling, and care of the elderly training and certification.
 
Progression Opportunities
Depending on previous qualifications held, this course may help you to progress on to undergraduate study in medical sciences area such as medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy etc. It will also assist learners to pursue a career and / or further training in a range of medical and bio sciences and/or health and social care occupations.
 
Course Delivery
Lessons are delivered online via webinars, videos and notes. 
To gain this qualification, you are required to carry out 10 hours of laboratory practicals at our local University partner in Derry-Londonderry. These practicals will be delivered over 3 days, 1.5 days in Semester 1 and 1.5 days in Semester 2. 
Alternatively, you can carry out these practicals at your local Higher and Further Education College's or University's laboratory. In this case, you are required to liaise with your local College/University, to find a competent authority within the College/University to supervise you while you carry out the practicals and to organise all aspects of the practicals. 
 
What Will I Study?
 
Module 1. Biology and Disease
During module 1, you will understand the fundamental biological principles and their relationship to disease and infection:
you will know the main cellular components and their function. 
you will learn the principles of microbial and viral function and the action of antibiotics.
you will gain insights to the principles of immunological function and defence against disease. 
you will explore the major organ systems and their function.
you will analyse and interpret scientific data.
you will be able to perform microbiology laboratory practice.
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Module 2. Communications and IT for Applied Science​
​During this module you will develop learning strategies in a further education setting:
you will learn how to carry out research.
you will be able to express comprehensive scientific themes, ideas, opinions and judgements.
you will understand plagiarism.
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Module 3. Human Physiology and Anatomy​
During these lessons, you will learn the principles and main processes of Human Physiology, the relationships between body structure and function:
you will gain insights of the main functions of and relationships between major body systems.
you will understand the main anatomical systems of the human body.
you will learn the fundamental principles of homeostasis and its importance in regulating normal human physiology.
you will be able to apply the fundamental principles of human physiology.
you will explore the human physiology of health and the pathophysiological basis of disease
you will be able to perform a range of laboratory procedures relating to physiological function
you will be able to use computer based models of human physiology.
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Module 4. Biochemistry and Human Nutrition​
In this module, you learn and understand the structure, function and metabolism of biological macromolecules, energy in living systems, the major metabolic pathways and how they are regulated:
you will learn to use appropriate terminology, nomenclature and classification systems in biochemistry
you will understand the chemistry and structure of the major biological/nutritional macromolecules
you will understand the major catabolic pathways from which cells obtain energy via the oxidation of various fuels; chemical and thermodynamic principles underlying biological catalysis; major metabolic pathways by which cells use energy to produce carbohydrate, lipids and proteins from simpler precursors.                                       ​​​
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Module 5. Cell Biology​​
​In this module, you will learn the cellular basis of life and the relevance of studies of cell structure and function at the molecular level to human disease:
you will explore the structure and function of a range of sub-cellular components.
you will learn the storage and flow of information in cells from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to protein.
you will understand the role of membranes in energy generation and cellular partition.
you will gain insights of the various types of microorganisms
you will understand the importance of protein folding, modification and transport.
you will learn the interactions between cells and cell signalling.
you will be able to examine cell tissue and structures
​you will understand the cell cycle and replication in cells.
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Module 6. Evidence Based Professional Practice​
In this module, you will use an evidence based approach to your own professional practice:
you will be able to research and analyse information 
you will be able to evaluate a clinical/management case study.
you will be able to develop a professional portfolio