Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) - Biophysical Pathway

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) - Biophysical Pathway

This Course at a Glance

• Pursue a career in biophysics or related fields
• Get to university without A Levels
• Prepare for degree-level study
• 100% online learning
• No classrooms
• No exams

About Your Diploma

If you have an analytical mind and a passion for scientific discovery, a career in biophysics will suit you perfectly. For those of you that have career ambitions to work in this field, you will need accredited qualifications to reach your goals.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biophysical Pathway is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares you for degree-level study. You will gain a solid understanding of biology and physics, delving into human nutrition, cell biology and other crucial topics.

An Access to HE Diploma is the equivalent to 3 A Levels, making it the ideal qualification to obtain if you do not already possess them. Most universities accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas as part of their entry requirements instead of A Levels, but please check with your chosen establishment before applying.

Studying for this accredited qualification has the potential to guide you towards a rewarding and important career in biophysics. With this foundation knowledge, you will develop a solid understanding of the core principles of biology and physics.

As a result, you can present yourself as an attractive candidate to universities and employers, such is the vast knowledge you will have gained from achieving an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biophysical Pathway.

Getting Started

Once you have enrolled on the course, you will have two years to complete it, but on average, learndirect learners achieve their Diploma in 9 months. The time you take to work through the course is dependent on you, but you will have assignment deadlines to meet.

To help keep track of deadlines and your learning journey, you will be issued with an Individual Learning Plan. Given that the course is 100% online, you can tailor your study to fit around your existing commitments, and without the stress of exams, you can focus solely on your assignments.

One of the many benefits of online learning is that you are not restricted to classroom study; all you require is a computer/laptop and a stable internet connection.

Modules

Unit 1: Exploring Cellular Structure and Activity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand cellular structure.
• Understand the processes and products of cellular metabolism.
• Understand cellular growth, division, and the impact of cancer at a cellular level.

Unit 2: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write academically and with relevance.
• Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work.
• Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism.

Unit 3: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task.
• Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style.
• Understand different reading strategies.
• Be able to take effective notes.
• Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment.

Unit 4: The properties, principles, and applications of the electromagnetic spectrum 

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand electromagnetic waves.
• Understand visible and ultraviolet light including their applications.
• Understand microwaves and infrared light.
• Understand ultraviolet light and infrared light in terms of their potential to become hazardous.
• Understand the use of x-rays in medical settings.

Unit 5: Cell Division and Genetic Variation

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand cell division.
• Understand genetic variation.

Unit 6: Characteristics of Radioactivity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the main types and characteristics of ionising radiations and how they are measured.
• Be able to analyse radioactive decay.
• Understand the practical and safe uses of ionising radiation and radioisotopes.

Unit 7: Introduction to Human Reproduction

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive systems.
• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system.
• Understand the development of human life from the stage of conception to birth.

Unit 8: The Physics of Medical Imaging

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand mass and charge of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Understand the nature and safe working practices related to alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and X-rays.
• Understand ionising radiation in diagnosis and treatment.
• Understand the use of radio isotopes in medicine.
• Understand how medicine can utilise the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Understand the use of ultrasound in medicine.

Unit 9: The role of human nervous system and endocrine system in homeostasis

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how the human nervous system is structured and how it functions.
• Understand endocrine system regulation.
• Understand the role of the endocrine system and the nervous system in maintaining homeostasis in humans.

Unit 10: Exploring Trigonometric Functions, Ratios and Rules

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to use trigonometric functions and ratios.
• Be able to solve equations and problems by employing trigonometric rules.
• Be able to construct proofs by applying trigonometric.
• Be able to illustrate trigonometric functions graphically.

Unit 11: The Major Laws of Physics

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand force and motion.
• Understand energy conservation and momentum.
• Understand wave motion.
• Understand reflection and refraction.
• Understand magnetism and electrical current behaviours.

Unit 12: Immunity and Disease Defence

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand examples of first and second line defence against disease.
• Understand third line immunity and immune disorders.
• Understand vaccinations.

Unit 13: Health and Disease

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the categories of disease and contraction of an infectious disease.
• Understand the epidemiology of a chosen disease or condition.
• Understand the preventative action available for a specific disease or condition.

Unit 14: Human Experience of Optics and Sound

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the Laws of Reflection.
• Understand Snell’s Law.
• Be able to calculate the power of lenses.
• Understand the correction of myopia and hyperopia.
• Understand the nature of transverse and longitudinal wave motions.
• Understand human hearing.

Unit 15: Interaction of the Human Muscular and Skeletal Systems

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure of the human muscular system.
• Understand the structure and function of the skeletal system.
• Understand the musculoskeletal system in terms of locomotion, growth, and repair.

Unit 16: Human Digestive System and Dietary Needs

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and functions of the human digestive system.
• Understand how to achieve a balanced diet in humans.
• Understand the importance of a balanced diet and dietary needs at different stages of the human lifespan.

Unit 17: Principles of Mechanical Engineering

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to perform vector calculations.
• Be able to perform vector resolution calculations.
• Understand uniformly accelerated motion.
• Be able perform projectile motion calculations.
• Be able to use Newton’s Laws of Motion.
• Be able to perform calculations involving the principles of momentum and conservation.
• Understand the concepts of energy, work, and power.
• Understand the components of internal energy.
• Be able to perform calculations related to the ideal gas laws.
• Understand the basic principles of kinetic theory of gases.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, illustrated report, work sheet, experiment, presentation (video and audio recording), essay, scenario analysis, revision guide, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

A range of units make up this qualification, with an assignment at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback. You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biophysical Pathway. Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on the academic subject areas. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included to help you to improve your academic writing and study skills.

As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) - Biophysical Pathway, (QAA ref = 40012906), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

By obtaining an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biophysical Pathway, you will be able to progress to degree-level study and eventually work towards a career as a biophysicist. This career has an essential component of scientific study as you will be responsible for studying biological systems through an interdisciplinary research programme.

As part of your role, you will be conducting and analysing research into molecules and organisms, interpreting your findings for scientific evidence. The main purpose of a biophysicist is to provide information to the scientific and medicinal community.

To put you on the path towards a career in this field, after you have obtained your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biophysical Pathway, you can go on to university to study one of the following degrees:

• Biophysics
• Physics
• Biology

If you want to venture into another region, perhaps in healthcare, you may want to consider using your Access to Higher Education Diploma to study the following degrees:

• Medical Science
• Physiotherapy
• Radiography

Further Qualifications and Prospects

If becoming a biophysicist is your career goal, then once you have achieved your degree, you will need to continue your academic journey by studying for a Master’s degree. This is a requirement for an aspiring scientist who wants to work in applied research and product development. It may also be beneficial for you to gain laboratory experience during your studies.

Aside from biophysics, if you go on to study a medical science, physiotherapy, or radiography degree, you could pursue the following careers:

• Physiotherapist
• Dental Hygienist
• Radiographer
• Physicist
• Biomedical Science
• Optometrist
• Paramedic

Whatever career you choose to pursue, you can kick-start your journey by studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biophysical Pathway with learndirect.

Frequently Asked Questions