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Biological & Pharmacological Aspects of Illness Across the Lifespan - HEA00157I

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2024-25 to Spring Term 2024-25

Module aims

Building on their understanding of human biology and pharmacology from Stage 1, students will examine the aetiology and pathophysiology of disease and therapeutics of drugs and medicines optimisation.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the key mechanisms of disease and biological and genomic risk factors associated with disease.
  2. Apply this knowledge and understanding to the nursing care of the most common conditions across the lifespan.
  3. Discuss how pharmacological interventions may impact on disease and ill health, recognising therapeutics, adverse effects and minimizing or avoiding harm.
  4. Describe the ways in which research and forms of evidence influence understanding of ill health, pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Students are provided with collective exam feedback relating to their cohort, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Waugh, A and Grant, A. (2018). Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 13th edition. Churchill Livingston.

Giddens, J. (2017). Concepts for Nursing Practice. 2nd edition. Elsevier.

Blows, W. (2018). The Biological Basis of Clinical Observations. 3rdedition. Routledge.

Ashelford, S., Raynsford, J., and Taylor, V. (2019). Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Sage


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.