AA0407 - Applied Life and Social Sciences: Planning and Evaluating Care

What will I learn on this module?

Nurses require an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and physical and mental health problems across the age spectrum and all fields of nursing. These are considered an essential basis for safe and effective practice. This module will enable you to apply biosciences to understand the determinants of health- social, psychological, behavioural, environmental and genomic factors and how they impact on health at a physical and psychological level. You will develop an understanding of the functioning of the body at different levels (cell, tissue, organ, system) and how this knowledge will assist you in delivering safe, holistic, compassionate nursing care.
You will enhance your understanding of the structure and function of the human body by exploring the complex relationship between health, anatomy, physiology and disease. This will be achieved through an exploration of diseases and conditions that arise from a malfunction of the systems of the body which will include an element of biochemistry and genomics. Pharmacology will be examined in relation to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. You will analyse and apply this information to help you examine the role of the nurse in anticipating the needs of patients, making care decisions and supporting an individual with illness.

During this module you will explore the following concepts:

• body systems, altered pathology and their relationship to disease and illness.
• assessment and anticipating changing health needs.
• understanding the fundamentals of safe and quality care provision.

How will I learn on this module?

A variety of student-centred approaches are taken to teaching and learning within this module so that different learning styles are taken into consideration and accommodated. You will be taught key concepts related to body systems diseases and conditions via online supported learning such as pre-recorded lecture videos, virtual reality-based anatomy and physiology programmes and interactive e-learning packages using story board technology available to you on Blackboard Ultra which will give you an overview of the varied topic areas. This material will assist you to become an independent learner and assist with seminar and workshop preparation. In addition, the online supported learning introducing key concepts will help you to revise key facts for the module assessment. You will be given the opportunity to explore some of the key issues in more depth in group workshops to enable a deeper understanding of the links between pathophysiology and patient symptoms. The Seminars will facilitate shared learning to help you develop understanding of your role as a nurse by exploring concepts related to illness and wellbeing. You will be expected to engage in all directed learning activities.
Supplementary materials will be available through Blackboard Ultra to enable you develop a greater understanding of the diseases and acute conditions associated with the human body. Ongoing formative activities will allow you to assess your own development and engage with peer supported learning.
You are also expected to investigate concepts through self- direction and independent enquiry.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Throughout the module you will be supported by experienced academic staff from a range of specialist backgrounds within the adult nursing profession. The academic staff involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic coaching to ensure you confidently engage with the requirements of this module. You will be provided with the opportunity to prepare for your assessment during the workshops and seminars during the module delivery. You will also be provided with structured feedback and feedforward on completion of formative assessment activities. Your peers are also a key support mechanism within this module. Many activities undertaken within workshop and seminar sessions are aimed at facilitating peer discussion and learning from each other.
Additional study support is available from Ask 4 Help (on-line or face to face staff support) on-line resources and student support services can be accessed within the library and via the library homepage where a variety of study skills resources that can support your learning.
Extensive support from the programme team such as your Personal Tutor and the Programme Leader are also available to you throughout this module delivery.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Develop an understanding of applied anatomy, physiology, psychosocial principles and pharmacology within the concept of health and illness.
2. Understand and explore fundamental concepts and principles underpinning professional, safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led, child, family/person centred nursing care.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Understand the principles and processes involved in supporting people and families with a range of care needs to maintain optimal independence and avoid unnecessary interventions and disruptions to their lives.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Demonstrate the ability to ensure practice is delivered in a compassionate, respectful way maintaining dignity and wellbeing for all service users and their carers through promoting individuality, independence, rights, choice and inclusion

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment:

During engagement with module seminars and workshops there will opportunity for verbal feedback about your achievement of the module learning outcomes from the module team and your peers. MLO1-2

Practice examination material will be available via Blackboard Ultra. Peer feedback will inform development, including peer assisted study sessions. MLO 3-4


Summative Assessment:

A 2-hour unseen short answer written examination to assess MLO 1-4.
The option of three questions, answering only two.

The exam will be taken and invigilated on campus face to face.

Exam results will be available electronically via blackboard and the exam paper.

The exam will assess your knowledge of biological systems, the application of these, and the planning of care to meet the needs of the adult

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module will enable you to demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge of biosciences to explain the altered physiological processes or mechanisms leading to the abnormal functioning of organs and the resulting diseases or conditions. The module content will facilitate understanding of the complex and multi-factorial nature of disease and how individuals respond to physiological, psychological and environmental changes. You will learn how to assess patients and anticipate their varying individual needs. You will also learn about the importance of providing safe and effective evidence-based treatments and care and how to provide advice and explanations to patients and carers about their condition and treatment. Throughout this module you will be challenged to examine your approach to care provision and develop a questioning approach to becoming a nurse. You will begin to appreciate the role of research in healthcare.

Course info

UCAS Code B700

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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