Applied Diploma in Medical Science

Introduction – why choose this subject?

The Level 3 Applied Diploma in Medical Science is about how we maintain health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. Medical scientists are at the forefront of healthcare services, as they are vital in the diagnosis of disease, determining the effectiveness of treatments and searching for new cures. This qualification equips learners with scientific knowledge and understanding, as well as practical skills, that would support progression to higher education or a range of job roles within health care and medical science.

Job roles might include those within the areas of life sciences, e.g. carrying out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This could include microscopic examination of tissue samples, analysis of blood cells to investigate anaemia, or analysis of samples to identify the cause of an infection. Alternatively, there would also be opportunities to progress to job roles within the physiological sciences, working directly with patients, measuring and evaluating particular organs and systems, such as scientists working in neurophysiology recording the electrical activity in the brain.

A significant proportion of career opportunities in this sector are at degree level. When supported by other appropriate qualifications, Medical Science will enable progression to higher education in a range of Applied Science programmes, such as biomedical science, life sciences, nursing and veterinary nursing.

How is the course examined?

The Level 3 Applied Diploma in Medical Science consists of six units;

Unit 1 – Human Health and Disease – External exam (25%)

Exploring a range of body systems, their function and the impact of lifestyle on these systems

Unit 2 – Physiological Measurement techniques – Internal assessment (12.5%)

Medical testing techniques such as blood pressure, ECG, peak flow and using equipment to collect data about a patient’s health

Unit 3 – Medical Science Research methods – internal assessment (12.5%)

How do you get information about patients and medicines? This unit covers experimental design and analysis of data, including statistics

Unit 4 – Medicines and treatment of disease – Internal assessment (12.5%)

The action of medicines on the body systems covered in unit 2, including a particular focus on the treatment of cancer.

Unit 5 - Clinical laboratory techniques – Internal assessment marked by WJEC (12.5%)

Diagnostics testing techniques including genetic sampling and blood tests. This is a laboratory based practical unit.

Unit 6 – Medical case study – External exam (25%)

Synoptic unit for units 1-5.

Equipment

Students will need a pen for each lesson. Other essentials are – pencil, ruler, calculator, graph paper, red pen.

It is essential that you purchase 2 lever arch folders – one for each teacher.

Homework

Homework will involve past paper questions, wider reading, practice questions, and preparing for internal coursework tasks.

Learning outside the classroom

Students will have the chance to visit laboratories to complete practicals for Unit 5.