Professional/Short course Life Science for Clinical Engineering

Entry year
2025/26
Course code
USSJS3451
Application
University
Level
Professional/Short Course
School
School of Applied Sciences
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
Approximately 18 weeks
Delivery
Hybrid (on-campus/online)
Course Director
Rob Bauld

45 credit level 4 module

Introduction

This introductory 45 credit module, Life Science for Clinical Engineering, introduces apprentices to the foundation knowledge of the applicable physiology and medical equipment in a modern healthcare environment. It will develop the necessary knowledge, skills and processes in order to ensure that you are able to report on and confirm the safety of medical equipment commonly encountered in clinical engineering.

On successful completion of this level 4 module, you will be able to:

  • apply basic cellular, tissue and anatomical terminology in order to describe and explain the structure, function and common pathologies of key human physiological systems in the context of clinical engineering activities.  
  • explain the importance of diverse pathogenic microorganisms, e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, in the context of disease and infection control in order to support clinical engineering activities.    
  • use engineering principles (including numerical methods) to identify and explain the potential adverse effects of medical equipment on human physiology in order to support clinical engineering activities.    
  • perform, and explain the rational for, a range of simple biomedical measurements and quality assurance tests within a professional context in order to support clinical engineering activities.    
  • apply practical skills in data observation, collection, handling and report writing in order to support clinical engineering activities.    
  • identify and explain the rationale for monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security in order to support specific clinical engineering activities.

Careers / Further study

This module contributes to the BSc(Hons) Healthcare Science.

Structure

Content

The course syllabus will typically include:

Clinical Engineering Practice

  • Introduction to the role of clinical engineering in modern healthcare.
  • Introduction to the health, safety and security risks unique to the clinical  engineering environment.

Clinical Engineering Anatomy, Physiology and Pathogens

  • Introduction to the human cellular, tissue and anatomical structures commonly encountered in clinical  engineering.
  • Introduction to the human physiological systems and pathologies commonly encountered in clinical  engineering.
  • Introduction to pathogenic microorganisms and Infection control measures commonly encountered in clinical  engineering.

Medical Equipment in Clinical Engineering

  • Introduction to the requirement for medical equipment for physiological measurement and therapeutic interventions common in clinical  engineering.
  • Introduction to some common medical equipment for physiological measurement and therapeutic interventions in clinical engineering

Clinical Engineering Scrutiny and Reporting

  • Introduction to possible adverse effects of medical equipment and systems on human physiology common in clinical  engineering.
  • Introduction to routine measurements, inspections and quality assurance on a range of medical devices.

Learning and Teaching

This module will be delivered via a blended approach of on-campus practical and skills development activities held during block release weeks, and online lectures, seminars and tutorials, held throughout the academic term.

Assessment

Assessment for this module will comprise the following:

  • a written assessment (90 minutes)
  • a portfolio of content showing knowledge and practical skills directly applicable to your work-based learning. The evidence presented will be led by the needs of your individual workplace which include professional competencies (as per the NSHCS requirements); Direct Observation of Practical Skill (DOPS); a case-based discussion.

Features

Study facilities

The College of Health, Science and Society has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and the facilities it provides.

Take a personalised virtual tour of the Health Professions facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.

Prices and dates

Supplementary fee information

Please visit full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.

Dates

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How to apply

Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

For further information