What will I learn on this module?
The purpose of this module is to allow you to deepen your knowledge of life science for clinical practice, enabling development within your advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. In your studies you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes, largely appropriate to your clinical specialism. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology and explore how various pathological manifestations present clinically. Each study day will be specific to a body system and discuss normal anatomy and physiology while common pathophysiology of all body systems will be critically explored. This will link to disease classification, disease processes and compensatory mechanisms involved in homeostasis.
The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed and self-directed study. The module will be summatively assessed through a 3,000-word essay, critically analysing a chosen organ dysfunction and discussing the manifestation of this at a cellular level. This will be commensurate with the standard required for advanced clinical practice, working towards Health Education England’s Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England (2017).
How will I learn on this module?
This module will be delivered using a variety of teaching and blended learning methods, which encompass teacher facilitation and student-centred learning. This content will be partly delivered at Northumbria University by lecturers from a multiprofessional background who have specialist experience within the healthcare sector, with knowledge of and expertise in advanced clinical practice. The classroom-based, face-to-face sessions will be interactive and will be designed to help you to explore your topic areas identified within your guided study. You will be expected to participate in class discussion and group work, share your own expertise, develop debate and make recommendations for practice.
Although most of your study for this module will consist of either classroom-based work, or guided study, there are additional hours to be spent on independent study and workplace learning. These are intended to encourage you to pursue areas of study that are not identified within the guided study, but may be related to or pertinent to the topic area being studied. Engaging with your clinical colleagues, including your clinical supervisor, will offer further opportunity to contextualise your knowledge.
The module utilises a structured core lecture and specialist applied seminar approach to enable you to tailor your learning to your specialist area. You will be encouraged to attend the seminar that is most suited to your learning needs; however, if you are completing a specialist named award, then you will be required to attend the seminars that are identified as being a core component of your recognised curriculum or standard. The specialist named awards and their recognised standards are as follows:
• Emergency Care- ACPs working in Emergency Care will work towards the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Emergency Care Advanced Clinical Practitioner Curriculum.
https://rcem.ac.uk/acp-curriculum/
• Primary Care- ACPs working in Primary Care will work towards the Royal College of General Practitioners Core Capabilities Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice (Nurses) Working in General Practice/ Primary Care in England.
. https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/services/item/724-advanced-clinical-practice-core-capabilities-for-nurses-working-within-general-practice-settings-in-england
• Advanced Critical Care Practitioner- ACPs working in a Critical Care setting will work towards the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicines Advanced Critical Care Practice curriculum. https://www.ficm.ac.uk/careersworkforceaccps/accp-curriculum
• Sexual Health- ACPs working in Sexual Health will work towards the FSRH, BASHH and NHIVNA Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Specialist Training Curriculum.
https://www.fsrh.org/news/fsrh-bashh-and-nhivna-advanced-level-curriculum-acp-for-nurses/
• Acute Medicine- ACPs working in Acute Medicine will work towards the Health Education England and Royal College of Physicians Advanced Clinical Practice in Acute Medicine Curriculum Framework. Accessed via https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/credentials/endorsed-credentials/.
• Older People- ACPs working with older People will work towards the Health Education England and Royal College of Physicians Advanced Clinical Practice in Older People Curriculum Framework. Accessed via https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/credentials/endorsed-credentials/.
During this module, learning networks between peers and practice colleagues will be encouraged and facilitated by the module utilising eLP discussion boards and/or social media, inspiring classroom links to interact with your professional practice. Peer support sessions will be incorporated into most of the classroom and will be based upon structured group activities. The purpose of these sessions is to enable you to explore ideas from the module in depth with your colleagues, as well as providing an opportunity to receive and offer constructive feedback on the learning process.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by the module team, who are specialists in their clinical field. Formative feedback will be provided in group-led seminars and will also be available via individual tutorials throughout the module. You will also receive feedback from your peers, as many of the activities are designed to be student-led with module tutor facilitation. Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, email, and the electronic learning portal.
You will be able to access both library and student support services. The latter is offered via a 24-hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and an Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online. You will be allocated a personal tutor who will provide appropriate pastoral support and guidance during your studies.
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. You will critically discuss the manifestations of pathology and analyse the consequence upon health status.
2. You will apply a critical understanding of normal and altered physiology and relevant clinical investigations.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will demonstrate a critical awareness of the metabolic and homeostatic mechanisms required to maintain health, linking directly to your developing advanced clinical practice role.
4. You will evaluate quantitative research relating to altered physiology.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will critically reflect on your learning and its application to your advanced clinical practice.
How will I be assessed?
Formative
There will be regular multiple-choice questions to enable you to assess your current knowledge and to guide your learning. You will present your summative assessment topic during the module for peer and module tutor feedback. This academic and peer feedback will enable you to reflect on your learning, whilst developing a robust plan for summative assessment. This will guide your learning and future self-directed study.
(MLOs- 3, 4, 5)
Summative
You will be expected to:
Electronically submit a 3000-word critical appraisal of literature, based on a relevant organ dysfunction of your choosing. This will represent 100% of your total mark.
Feedback will be electronic and individualised to identify good practice and suggest areas for development.
(MLOs- All)
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
The Life Sciences module aims to deepen your knowledge of life sciences appropriate to advanced clinical practice (ACP). This enables further development within your ACP role in relation to all four pillars of advanced clinical practice. You will critically examine the complex interaction of normal physiological processes involved in the control and regulation of metabolism. Within your study you will analyse the manifestations and consequences of altered physiology in response to disease processes. You will also critically appraise the means and methods of measuring the parameters of normal and altered physiology and explore metabolic and homeostatic mechanisms at a cellular level.
The module will be delivered through a combination of taught, directed, and self-directed study, including structured lectures and seminars; within the seminars, feedback will be given by lecturers and peers. The module will be summatively assessed through a 3,000-word critical appraisal essay. There will also be opportunity for formative assessment of your ideas through seminar feedback.
The module utilises a core lecture and applied seminar approach and you will be encouraged to attend the seminar that is most suited to your learning needs; however, if you are completing a specialist named award you will be required to attend the seminars that are identified as being a core component of your recognised curriculum or standard.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Part Time
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start January 2026 or March 2026
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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