| Unit name | Foundations of Health and Healthcare |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SEMTM0053 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Jon Lees |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science and Engineering |
Why is this unit important
Students from backgrounds such as engineering, maths and computer science are often interested in applying their skills to important challenges in healthcare. During their careers they may need to work in diverse healthcare areas. It is therefore important for those students to:
Explore some examples of health conditions to develop an understanding of how to approach states of health and disease.
Have an appreciation of how clinicians approach clinical scenarios and the patient journey in healthcare settings
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit explores a range of exemplar conditions and diseases and their impact on health. Students will gain an insight into the diagnostic process and how clinicians make decisions as well as how patients interface with healthcare in primary care, secondary care and in the community. Links will be made to where AI/digital systems could make an impact, for example through monitoring, aiding diagnosis, decision making or behaviour change.
An overview of content
This unit provides an understanding of how to approach common states of health & disease, and how clinicians and patients collaborate to manage health conditions, providing context for the examination of health technologies. Students will examine core physiological processes and health-related behaviours, alongside approaches to researching and interpreting information about new diseases and conditions. The unit also considers the factors that shape the diagnostic process and influence clinical decision-making, while emphasising the patient’s role, perspective, and experiences in managing their own health. In doing so, it provides context for understanding how clinicians and patients collaborate in practice and how health technologies are assessed and applied.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will emerge from this unit with an overview of human health and healthcare processes which will prepare them for future careers in health and biotech.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
This unit will consist of a combination of teaching and learning methods including core lectures, synchronous and asynchronous online sessions, such as pre-recorded video lectures, practical work, group seminars and structured reflection. You will be expected to actively participate in the lectures and labs and to engage with videos, readings, self-directed exercises, and problem-solving activities.
How you will be assessed
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be given the opportunity to write sections of a report and leaflet to support the development of your academic writing and prepare you for the summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Disease report & leaflet (50%): A written report on a disease or condition not taught on the unit. Students will have to select what information to include and justify why it is important. This will be accompanied by a patient information leaflet. (ILOs 2, 4)
Exam (50%): MCQ-based exam testing concepts within health, health behaviours, and clinical decision making (ILOs 1, 3)
When assessment does not go to plan:
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SEMTM0053).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
