Overview
If you’re interested in biochemistry, aspire to work in the healthcare sector and want to help make the population happier and healthier, but haven’t got the relevant qualifications, don’t worry. Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) will provide you with the opportunity to get back into education, change direction and turn your dreams into a reality.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas are designed for learners who have been out of education for an extended period of time that wish to return to study. They have been created as alternatives to traditional qualifications (e.g. A-levels) and equip students with the knowledge and skills to tackle a university study programme with confidence. Completing an Access to HE Diploma is a long-established and accepted route to university and the majority of UK universities welcome applications from students working towards, or holding, this qualification. It is important to check the entry requirements of the universities you wish to apply to, however, as all university admission criteria differ.
Not only could Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) be your ticket to university, but it will also prepare you for study at a higher academic level. Modules on academic writing skills and preparing for study will teach you to organise your time, write with relevance and summarise for academic purposes, whilst science specific units will provide you with the entry knowledge you need to excel on any higher education science programme.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have an excellent grounding in biochemical science and will be able to apply for a number of undergraduate degree programmes. Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) is the first step in your journey towards higher education and, potentially, a successful career in the healthcare sector.
Why study an Access to Higher Education Diploma with Highbury College?
Once you have enrolled onto your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science), you will be given 24/7 online access to interactive and easy-to-follow materials that cover a range of topics, from cell biology and atomic structure to human disease and prevention. As part of your study programme, you will also receive support and guidance on your university application so that you can get the most from your diploma.
As this is a distance learning course, our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) is flexible and allows you to study at the pace that suits you. So, don’t worry if you have work commitments or other responsibilities that take up your time. Our Access to Higher Education Diplomas have been designed with you and your busy schedule in mind.
Nervous about taking this step towards your future? You needn’t be. You will have a dedicated personal tutor who will be available to contact for assistance. You will be supported every step of the way.
The amount of time required to complete this course is approximately 600 hours and you’re free to do this in as little as 6 months or over 18 months if you require extra time.
If you’re worried about funding this course, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. The minimum loan you can get is £300 and you won’t need to pay anything back until you’re earning at least £25,000 per annum. If you go on to complete an undergraduate degree following your Access to Higher Education Diploma, you won’t have to pay the loan back at all.
Modules for this course
Unit 1: Preparing To Study
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand how study is organised and planned
- Understand how to apply theories of learning in relation to personal approaches to learning
- Understand a range of constraints upon study
- Understand the importance of assessment feedback.
Unit 2: Academic Writing Skills
On completion of this unit you will:
- Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task.
- Know how to interpret and discuss concepts and debates in responding to a set, academic writing task.
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas.
- Understand the role of reference, allusion and paraphrase to avoid plagiarism.
Unit 3: Preparing a Written Assignment
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand how to use key information sources.
- Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced.
- Understand a range of reading strategies.
- Understand note-making methods.
- Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment.
Unit 4: Cell Biology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the cell.
- Understand cellular metabolism.
- Understand how cells grow and divide.
Unit 5: Atomic Structure
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of their relative charges and masses.
- Understand the distribution of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom given its Atomic number and Mass number, including some isotopes.
- Understand the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principal quantum numbers and know the shapes of s, p and d orbitals.
- Understand how ionisation energies of elements relate to reactivity.
- Understand the position of elements within the periodic table from ionisation energy data.
Unit 6: Cell Division & Heredity
On completion of this unit you will:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of cell division.
- Demonstrate an understanding of heredity and genetic variation.
Unit 7: Periodic Table
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the periodic table.
- Understand periodicity in the elements of period 3.
- Understand ionisation energy.
- Understand oxidation and reduction.
- Understand reactions of the Group 2 metals.
- Understand the group 7 elements.
Unit 8: Human Reproduction, Growth & Development
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive system
- Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive tract throughout life
- Understand the sequence of events from conception to puberty
Unit 9: Atomic Structure & Bonding
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the structure of the atom.
- Understand electronic structures.
- Understand the formation of ionic bonds
Unit 10: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the anatomy and organisation of the nervous system and how it co- ordinates the body.
- Understand the structure and function of nerve cells and other cells in the nervous system.
- Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions.
- Understand homeostasis.
Unit 11: The Brain & Nervous System
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the major sub divisions of the nervous system.
- Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons.
Unit 12: Chemical Bonding and Structure
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the nature of organic chemicals
Unit 13: Human Immunity
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand non-specific defences against disease.
- Understand specific immunity and the immune response.
- Understand the biology of vaccination.
- Understand how immune sensitivity may cause ill-health.
Unit 14: Human Disease and Prevention
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the categories and causes of disease using infectious disease to illustrate your answer
- Understand the epidermiology of commonly occurring diseases/conditions
- Understand preventative measures for a chosen disease or condition
Unit 15: Hydrocarbons
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of organic compounds.
- Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkanes.
- Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkenes.
Unit 16: The Human Muscular and Skeletal System
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand anatomical terminology.
- Understand the skeletal system and locomotion.
- Understand the muscular system.
Unit 17: The Human Nutrition and the Digestive System
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the structure and functions of the organs of the digestive system
- Understand nutrients and their sources
- Understand the components of a healthy diet and the consequences of an unhealthy diet
Unit 18: Chemical Change
On completion of this unit you will:
- Know how to measure the concentrations of solutions.
- Understand energy changes during chemical reactions.
- Understand factors influencing rates of chemical reactions.
- Understand the concept of chemical equilibrium
Unit 19: Cell Metabolism
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the glycolytic pathway and fermentation of sugar to yield alcohol.
- Understand the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
- Understand the dark reactions in photosynthesis.
- Understand the biochemical basis of generating adenosine triphosphate in subcellular organelles.
Requirements
To start an Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need an English and maths GCSE at grade A - C/ 4 - 9 or a Functional Skills Level 2 qualification in both subjects.
Access to Higher Education Diplomas fulfil the entry criteria for range of different university courses and are suitable for the UCAS application process. However, it is advantageous to check the requirements of each establishment that you want to apply to before submitting your application in order to avoid disappointment. Admission criteria may include, but is not limited to:
- Having a set number of credits attained at Merit or Distinction level
- Attendance and success at a face-to-face interview at chosen university
- Passing the university’s proprietary literacy and numeracy assessments
- Successful completion of mandatory work placements or work experience
Learners must also undertake their own independent research to ensure that their diploma is properly specified, which will give them the best possible chance of getting into university. The student is responsible for their own research and they should begin this as soon as possible after starting the course. Highbury College will not accept any responsibility or liability if any Access to Higher Education Diploma student fails to secure an offer from a Higher Education institution.
Assessment
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) is modular and composed of graded and ungraded units that allow you to quickly and easily absorb the course material in bitesize chunks. At the end of each unit you will complete an assignment which your tutor will evaluate and give you feedback on. The feedback is aimed to show you how effective your piece of work is, its quality, and how you can improve in the future. These assignments are important to your learning process as they are signposts of your progress throughout the course.
In order to achieve this qualification, you will need to attain a total of 60 learning credits. 45 of these will be taken from graded units for the subjects with academic content, whilst the other 15 units are ungraded units relating to study skills.
In order to gain your diploma you need to successfully pass all units within the course.
Important notice: Online access is required in order to access your course content and submit your assignments.
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science)
Following successful completion of this diploma you will be awarded a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: 40008848). This diploma has been assigned 60 credits.
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group is a national Awarding Validating Agency, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop, maintain and award nationally recognised qualifications.
AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group work proactively with employers, training providers, colleges, universities, schools and voluntary and community organisations to offer vocational credit-based qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diplomas and quality assured Customised Accreditation that enables learners gain employment or to progress into further learning and Higher Education. AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group also Quality Endorse organisations internal training and skills delivery.
Developing your career
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) will make a range of science-related degree programmes accessible to you. Even though this Access to HE Diploma focuses its content around medicine and healthcare, it will give you the confidence to pursue more generic science routes, centred around biology or chemistry. Depending on your chosen degree programme, you could develop a career as a:
- Chemist
- Biophysicist
- Biomedical scientist
- Healthcare assistant
- Hospital Technician
- Pharmacologist
- Research scientist
Whatever your dream career, Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to take your study further and invest in your career.
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Course Fees
Price £3,384.00Payment methods
(No repayments until your salary reaches £27,295)
Further Information
Course ref: 40008848
Course starts: Anytime
Notional Learning Hours: 600
Level: 3
Modules: 19
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