Human Physiology, Physical Activity & Health in Relation to Medicine BSc

Course overview

Physiology is the unique and exciting discipline which underpins modern medicine. On this course, through research-led teaching, you'll discover how the body copes with the demands we place upon it during everyday life.

You'll study how these systems can go wrong in diseases such as diabetes, COPD, obesity, hypertension, and neurodegeneration.

Your approach will be an integrative one, ranging from understanding how whole organs work and interact to control body functions, down to the individual molecular mechanisms operating within cells.

Feedback from graduates is highly positive on this degree course, which has been praised for its choice of modules and wide variety of topics to choose from for the advanced topics module. This course provides you with the opportunity to choose topics that interest you the most.

Past comments praising the course:

• "The dissertations were beneficial in increasing our transferable skills set."
• "Project supervisors gave lots of support."
• "Learnt how to critically appraise literature, which will be a highly beneficial skill to have for the future."

Course details

The course will:

• provide you with advanced study of specialist areas such as cellular physiology, neuroscience and integrative cardiorespiratory physiology, broadly reflecting the research interests of the teaching staff
• require you to undertake a research project from a wide range of styles and subject areas
• provide opportunities to develop competency in transferable skills, including communication skills, problem solving, experimental design, data and information retrieval, integration, analysis and interpretation, using statistics and computing/information technology as appropriate
• provide appropriate support and guidance
• provide high-quality learning resources to support the objectives of the course.

Research projects

You can apply for, or may be offered, projects in any area of Biomedical Science (eg human physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience), which include laboratory, literature, computational, educational, commercial, societal, or systematic review research projects. Here are some titles of projects offered recently by members of the Physiology Programme team or undertaken by our intercalating students:

• Personalised exercise prescription in chronic disease
• Diagnosis and management of exercise-related breathlessness
• Mechanisms of skeletal muscle dysfunction
• Mechanisms of exercise intolerance in health and disease
• Mechanisms of respiratory rhythm generation
• Mechanisms of acute/chronic pain and analgesia
• Trigeminal system and chronic oro-facial pain
• Cellular mechanisms associated with cardiac dysfunction
• Lipid regulation of cardiac myocyte function
• Cardia myocyte morphology and function
• Excitation-contraction coupling in diseased myocardium
• Obesity: an epidemic
• Molecular physiology and pharmacology of P2X and TRPM ion channels
• Structural basis of movement in living cells: molecular motors
• The genetic basis of neurological disorders

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Compulsory modules

Research Skills and Professional Development (20 credits) - This module will support you to apply the skills, experience and knowledge you have gained earlier in your degree to your Capstone Research Project or MBiol project, through a series of Skill Units focusing on specific methodologies, techniques and transferable skills. This module will also provide the opportunity to develop and enhance skills and experiences to support the next stage of your career or education.

Capstone Research Project (40 credits) – You'll undertake a research, workplace, or social justice capstone experience, collaborating with others on a project or task to co-create a solution or output to a problem relevant to the Biomedical Sciences. The module consists of project-based experiential learning, allowing you to “learn by doing”. You'll be given ownership and responsibility for your education, developing new experiences and competencies, which will be extremely beneficial to your future career.

Research Topics in Human Physiology I (20 credits) - You will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of research in specific topic areas, led by active researchers in the field. You’ll be introduced to a variety of research topics in the physiological and broader biomedical sciences, while developing your ability to collate, critically analyse, and effectively describe scientific information.

Optional modules

Advanced Exercise Physiology (10 credits) - You will discuss and critically analyse key contemporary issues in exercise physiology, evaluate relevant literature, and understand the significance in relation to sport and exercise science. The module includes four lectures and tutorials on topics such as muscle oxygen consumption control, muscle fibre type plasticity, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiovascular and pulmonary performance limitations, genetics of human performance, circadian rhythms in performance, the female athlete triad, exercise in pre-puberty, and exercise during pregnancy.

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) (10 credits) - In this module, you will focus on the health and well-being of individuals engaged in sports and physical activity. You will learn about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries, as well as the promotion of overall health and performance. The module will explore current issues and challenges in SEM, taught by clinical experts, and will provide a critical understanding of its interdisciplinary nature and role in performance, health, and disease.

Applied Concepts in Physical Activity and Health (20 credits) – The module covers definitions of physical activity and recommendations for different populations by national (Chief Medical Office, UK) and Global health bodies (World Health Organisation). You will learn about the impact of the environment (space and communities) on physical activity and consider concepts such as cultural tailoring of physical activity and the ableist notion of physical activity.

Inherited Disorders (20 credits) - You will cover a general introduction to the study of inherited disorders and the general principles involved in the study of inherited disorders. Highlights on this module include the exploratory approach to learning about different inherited disorders in team presentations.

Research Topics in Human Physiology II (20 credits) - You will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of research in specific topic areas, led by active researchers in the field. You will be introduced to a variety of research topics in the physiological and broader biomedical sciences, while developing your ability to collate, critically analyse, and effectively describe scientific information.

Exercise and Psychological Health - In this module, you will explore various topics related to exercise and psychological health. You will critically analyse research in exercise and health psychology and describe key theoretical models underpinning behaviour change. You will understand how exercise is used as an intervention to promote psychological health and review the maladaptive consequences of exercise on psychological health.

(10 credits each)

• Diet and Cardiovascular Health​
• Teaching and Coaching Young People​
• Event Management​
• Sports Development and Management​
• Introduction to Strength and Conditioning​
• Research Development Project​
• Outdoor Adventure-Land, Water and Air Activities​
• Health Promotion: Applications of Theory & Practice
• Food and Cancer
• Discovery modules

Learning and teaching

Teaching will be delivered through lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials and a research project. Assessment is similarly varied, including in-course assessment (formative and summative) and written examinations. The in-course assessment exercises include tests of practical skills, essay writing, data manipulation and problem solving. The research project will be assessed throughout the project and on the final written report. Degree classification will be based upon the marks obtained in each of the component modules, with the appropriate credit weighting applied.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Entry requirements

Other course specific tests:

Successful completion of the first two years of an MBChB programme at UK Universities or international equivalent. For international students, proof of English Language proficiency will be required. In line with undergraduate medicine, we require a minimum of English GCSE grade B or IELTS 7.5.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

Applying

Read about applying for intercalation on the School of Medicine website.

This course is taught by

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Contact us

Faculty of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office

Email: fbsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

The course is designed to give you a challenging, enjoyable and rewarding year which will add significantly to your skills, knowledge, and enhance your career opportunities on graduation.

The course allows full integration with existing science-based BSc courses and the chance of a substantive research project.

In addition to providing subject-specific knowledge, we equip you with the best possible skills for future careers. There is a strong emphasis on practical based teaching, small group teaching, online learning and problem solving. You will gain a wide range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. You will be ideally placed to focus on your personal development and make the most of your intercalating year.