Human Biology with Sociology and Psychology

Description

The programme is modular in nature. In each year a semester system of two 15-week teaching blocks is operated with students studying three modules in each semester (six modules/year). The first two years of the programme provides a firm foundation in relevant aspects of human biology, psychology and sociology. In the later years sudents will focus their studies on disease states, current therapies, including gene therapy, and their implications for the individual and society. Theoretical elements of the programme are supported by practical classes which are designed to develop the skills and techniques necessary for employment. The development of strong communication skills is an integral element of this degree. Graduates will have a good understanding of human biology and will appreciate the social, ethical and psychological implications that arise from an understanding of human biology and in particular from new developments in this field.

Why Choose This Programme?

There is a strong relationship between body and mind, brain and behaviour and these associations have profound effects on society. The Human Biology with Sociology & Psychology programme exposes students to the interface between biology and the other disciplines, which is particularly important in the light of the social, ethical and psychological implications of recent developments in the life sciences.
The School of Life Sciences offers a friendly environment with state-of-the-art facilities. As part of a relatively small group, you will enjoy easy access to both staff and laboratories. The programme is run by dedicated staff who are committed to producing quality graduates with an up-to-date theoretical knowledge combined with well developed laboratory and communications skills and who can successfully compete in an expanding global job market.
This particular mix of subject areas will only be found at Glasgow Caledonian and the opportunity to either complete this degree, or possibly move across to one of the other specific career areas, is at the end of Year 1. Although multidisciplinary in nature, the programme has a strong emphasis on human biology and the flexibility of the modules on offer allows student choice as well as a degree of specialisation.
By the end of your second year, you will have a good appreciation of the specialist streams and you can choose subjects in your third and Honours years which you feel are most interesting and appropriate to your career aspirations.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue careers in health promotion, health counselling, voluntary organisations in the health service, welfare and social services and in all other areas dealing with health and human issues. They will also be well equipped for careers in many other areas such as journalism and the leisure industry. Graduates also pursue careers in research-based activities within the universities and public service and are qualified to study for higher degrees.

Employment Details

This programme is designed to produce graduates equipped with a life science background with a strong social science and psychology slant, as well as possessing professional knowledge and skills that open up a wide range of career paths in counselling, social work, health education, journalism and media, teaching, industry and research. Our graduates often undertake postgraduate study in a related field.
We have strong links with the careers service, which delivers careers information at different stages in the course, to help students identify their own key skills and attributes in order to match their own career aspirations, improve their employability and assist in their graduate job search.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline As soon as possible Tuition fee

Contact us

Not specified Start date September 2015 Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time Intensity Flexible

Course Content

• Year 1: Introductory modules for Human Biology, Psychology and Sociology.

• Year 2: Modules include Human Physiology, Brain Behaviour and Experience, The Person in a Social Context, Self and Society, Introduction to Microbiology and The Gene.

• Year 3: Modules include Systematic and Cellular Pathology, Genetic Manipulation and Bioethics, Personality and Individual Differences, Research Methods for Psychology, Nutrition and Health, Human Physiology in Health and Disease, Clinical Microbiology, Pharmacology, Human Cognition, Social Psychology, Researching the Social World, Critical Perspectives in Health & Illness, Biopsychology.

• Year 4: Students take an empirical project or dissertation (equivalent to two modules) and four other modules from: Forensic Psychology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infections, Human Toxicology and the Environment, Pharmacology: Special Topics, Environmental Psychology, Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Neuropsychology, Abnormal Psychology, The Body & Society and Ageing and Society.

Assessment Methods

Our programme has been commended by the external assessor for its breadth and width of assessments, which include critical essays, seminar presentations, literature reviews, workbooks and lab reports.
The most significant piece of work for our Level Four students is the double module dissertation project on a topic often self selected, giving them an opportunity to investigate and review an area of interest while demonstrating their higher order thinking skills. The findings are presented in a substantial piece of written work as well as a talk given to peers and academics. The multi-disciplinary approach of this programme gives our students a singular opportunity to draw on multiple perspectives when planning their dissertation, allowing them the academic freedom to produce a truly unique piece of work.
Low satisfaction scores on the recent National Student Survey questions related to feedback are being actively addressed at all levels in the University with a view to improving this area of the student experience.

Teaching Methods

The ultimate aim of our programme, the only one of its kind in Scotland, is to produce graduates equipped with a broad solid knowledge base and multiple skills to ensure they are prepared for whichever career paths they wish to follow as independent life-long learners.
By the time our students undertake the transition to honours level they will have developed well-informed critical perspectives and the ability to make both intra- and inter-disciplinary connections. At every stage, they will be prepared for and supported in their progress from one level to the next.
Our students benefit from learning next to students from a range of other disciplines, sharing modules in life sciences, health professions, psychology and sociology. This widens their learning experience and gives alternative perspectives to learning.
Perhaps the most significant resource available to our students is our body of dedicated and experienced academic staff. Many of our lecturers are actively involved in research which feeds into their teaching and underpins the development of new teaching material.
Teaching is given a high priority within the contributing schools, and our students are exposed to a learning environment shaped by an ethos of academic curiosity, creativity and forward thinking. The staff have embraced new and innovative forms of teaching, are helpful and supportive, and generally operate an open-door policy.
Our students have the opportunity to study abroad, last year, two third year students spent a term in Madrid and one in Australia.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 60(Grade C)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

• Higher: BBBC
• A-Level: BCC
• ILC: BBC/BCCC at Higher grade
• Recommended Subjects: Human Biology (or Biology), Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology or Sociology. English (S) or (H).

Additional Requirements: Applicants are invited for interview to one of our Biorama evenings (applicants living further than a 50 mile radius from the university can make alternative arrangements). Visit our website for more details.

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements, international students where English is not the first language require an IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Glasgow Caledonian University.