Online Access to Higher Education – Science (Biochemical Pathway)

Do you want a career in the most vital area of science?

Do you need a Level 3 Qualification to meet the entry requirements for University?

If so, then this is the course for you!

Traditionally, universities were quite strict on what they accepted as adequate qualifications to meet the entry requirements of scientific degrees. This would limit many would-be students from pursuing higher education to reach their career goals, such as a Forensic Scientist. Now, many more qualifications are accepted as adequate preparation for learners going into higher-level study, including Access to Higher Education Diplomas.

Created as alternatives to traditional qualifications (e.g. A-levels), Access to Higher Education Diplomas are designed for learners who have been out of education for an extended period of time and are looking to return to study.

They are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to confidently undertake a degree level programme.

Most universities across the UK accept Access to HE Diplomas in place of A-levels and will accept applications from students working towards, or holding, this qualification.

It is important to check the entry requirements of the universities you wish to apply to, however, as all university admission criteria differ!

Are you fascinated by the research and testing that takes place in laboratories? How about the major breakthroughs that this testing and research leads to in health, science and industrial sectors?

If you’re scientifically minded, are a keen problem solver and want a career at the forefront of innovation and change, you should consider studying biochemical science.

As all life on Earth hinges on biochemical reactions and processes, biochemistry is one of, if not the most, vital areas of science.

The impact biochemical research has on the world is astounding – breakthroughs made by biochemists have led to the creation of essential diagnostic tools, therapies and medicines that keep people alive and healthy each day.

By studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biochemical Pathway, you can get the skills and qualifications to pursue a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

The vocation-focused modules provide learners with subject-specific knowledge and skills whilst gaining a qualification worth the equivalent of 3 A-Levels, and with such a detailed focus on this important area of scientific study, you can progress onto an array of fascinating degree topics. You will also complete modules that focus on giving you the study skills for university, which is perfect for those who have been out of education for some time.

Throughout this course, you will study topics that cover the typical scope of biochemistry. This includes the atomic structure, the Periodic Table, human nutrition, cell division and heredity.

Modules on academic writing skills and preparing for university learning will teach you to organise you time, write with relevance and summarise for academic purposes and upon successful completion of this course, you will have an excellent understanding of the biomedical science sector and will be able to apply for a number of undergraduate degree programmes.

Gaining this knowledge can be a great stepping stone to careers in biomedical science. You could become anything from a Pharmacologist or even a Forensic Scientist!

Do you want to study online from the comfort of your own home?

Are you unable to commit to full-time college-based study due to personal or employment reasons?

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biochemical pathway is a flexible distance learning course, allowing you to study at a pace that suits you.

Studied completely online, the flexibility of this course enables you to work towards a future career in the biomedical science sector outside of your current work / life commitments. So, no matter if it’s a full-time job or childcare, you can complete your course around them.

Once you have enrolled onto the course, you will be given 24/7 online access to interactive and easy-to-follow materials. As part of your study programme, you will also receive support and guidance on your university application so that you can get the most from your diploma.

Stay On Top Of Your Learning

You will have a dedicated personal tutor who will be available to contact for assistance. You will be supported every step of the way.

You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.

The amount of time required to complete this course is approximately 600 hours and you’re free to do this in as little as 6 months or over the course of one academic year.

Access to Science -Biochemical Pathway Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
• Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas

Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how to use key information sources
• Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand note-making methods
• Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 3: Cell Biology

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and organisation of cells
• Understand cellular metabolism
• Understand how cells grow and divide

Unit 4: Atomic Structure

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of their relative charges and masses
• Understand the distribution of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom given its Atomic number and Mass number, including some isotopes
• Understand the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principal quantum numbers and know the shapes of s, p and d orbitals
• Understand how ionisation energies of elements relate to reactivity
• Understand the position of elements within the Periodic Table from ionisation energy data

Unit 5: Cell Division & Heredity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of cell division
• Demonstrate an understanding of heredity and genetic variation

Unit 6: Periodic Table

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the Periodic Table
• Understand periodicity in the elements of period 3
• Understand ionisation energy
• Understand oxidation and reduction
• Understand reactions of the Group 2 metals
• Understand the Group 7 elements

Unit 7: Trigonometry

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to use trigonometrical functions
• Be able to use trigonometry to solve equations and problems
• Be able to use trigonometric functions and identifies in the context of proofs
• Be able to produce trigonometric graphs

Unit 8: Human Reproduction, Growth & Development

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive systems
• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system throughout life
• Understand human development from conception to birth

Unit 9: Differentiation and Integration

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand differentiation
• Understand integration
• Be able to solve problems involving differentiation and integration

Unit 10: Atomic Structure & Bonding

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure of the atom
• Understand electronic structures
• Understand the formation of ionic bonds
• Understand the formation of covalent bonds

Unit 11: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the nervous system
• Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions
• Understand the role of the nervous and endocrine systems homeostasis

Unit 12: Chemical Bonding and Structure

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand electronic configuration using s, p, d notation
• Understand ionic, covalent and dative covalent bonding
• Understand polarisation and intermolecular forces
• Understand the relationship between structure and properties of molecules
• Understand electron pair repulsion theory
• Understand the nature of organic chemicals

Unit 13: Human Immunity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand non-specific defences against disease
• Understand specific immunity
• Understand the biology of vaccination

Unit 14: Human Disease and Prevention

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the categories and causes of disease
• Understand the epidemiology of disease
• Understand preventative measures for a chosen disease or condition

Unit 15: Hydrocarbons

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of organic compounds
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkanes

Unit 16: The Human Muscular and Skeletal System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the muscular system
• Understand the anatomy, organisation and function of the skeletal system
• Understand how the muscular system and skeletal system interact in locomotion

Unit 17: The Human Nutrition and the Digestive System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and functions of the digestive system
• Understand nutrients and their sources
• Understand the components of a healthy diet and the consequences of an unhealthy diet

Unit 18: Chemical Change

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to measure the concentrations of solutions
• Understand energy changes during chemical reactions
• Understand factors influencing rates of chemical reactions
• Understand the concept of chemical equilibrium

Unit 19: Cell Metabolism

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand metabolism and metabolic pathways
• Understand the tricarboxylic acid cycle
• Understand the dark reactions in photosynthesis
• Understand the biochemical basis of generating adenosine triphosphate in subcellular organelles

Course pre-requisites

Applicants for Access to Higher Education Diplomas must be aged 19 years old or over at enrolment and will require a minimum of Level 2 Maths, English and Science. This means you will need GCSE English at Grade A*-C (9-4) or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills), GCSE Maths at Grade A*-C (9-4) or equivalent (Level 2 Functional Skills) and GCSE Science at Grade A*-C (9-4).

Some Universities will only accept GCSEs to meet entry requirements. They will also require you to have additional GCSEs at Grade A*-C (9-4) for some courses and pathways.

Minimum age restriction

As Access to Higher Education Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling, applicants must be aged 19 or over at enrolment.

As this is a distance learning course there are additional eligibility criteria:

Additional Requirements

• As the course is fully online you must have strong ICT skills to enable you to cope with the demands of the course.
• You will also need to have your own laptop.

Post-Application

You will be required to attend an interview. At interview please bring in the email correspondence you have had with the universities you are intending to apply to, providing such information as the required GCSE Maths and English/Level 2 qualifications. Please note that many degree courses have a GCSE Maths and/or English and/or Science requirement for courses, although some will be satisfied with a level 2 Functional Skills in these subjects.  It is therefore important that you contact your chosen universities and ask about their specific GCSE requirements and bring this information to your interview.  It is not possible to study GCSE qualifications alongside an Access diploma.

University Entry Criteria

Access to Higher Education Diplomas fulfil the entry criteria for range of different university courses and are suitable for the UCAS application process, however it must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria.

When searching for a university course, you’ll find the entry requirements include a minimum number of UCAS points. This will often be 112 UCAS points, although this will vary from course to course, however most universities seem to accept that 112 UCAS points are the standard for the average UK student. Universities will also assess their candidates on many different factors as part of their criteria.

Admission criteria may include, but is not limited to:

• Having a set number of credits attained at Merit or Distinction level
• Attending a face-to-face interview at your chosen university
• Passing literacy and numeracy assessments
• Successful completion of work placements or work experience

You must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted.

It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. Colchester Institute will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) -Biochemical Pathway is modular and composed of graded and ungraded units, allowing learners to quickly and easily absorb the information in bitesize chunks.

In order to achieve this qualification, learners will need to have attained a total of 60 learning credits, of which 45 of these will be taken from graded academic subject units, whilst the other 15 units are ungraded skills for learning units relating to study skills.

Learning is assessed through various methods to prepare learners for study at university, including essays, report writing, online assessment, and presentations.

The assessment process of the course consists of the following:

Assignments

The assignments for this course aim to prepare learners for the next step into higher education while providing the number of credits necessary to achieve the qualification.

At the end of each unit of study, you will need to complete an assignment which your tutor will then mark and provide you with feedback and a grade to help you to progress.

The feedback aims to show the quality and effectiveness of the submitted piece of work and where improvements are needed going forward. These assessments are integral to the learning process as they are signposts of where progress is taking place.

Credits

To successfully complete the Access to Higher Education Diploma, learners will need to achieve 60 credits in total.

The credits are split between the following categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of the diploma, learners will also receive help and guidance with their university application and the research they need to do to get the most out of this qualification.

Are Exams required?

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

In order to gain your diploma you need to successfully pass all units within the course. This diploma has been assigned 60 credits.

Following successful completion of this diploma you will be awarded a QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma at level 3 (QAA ref: 40008848).

Successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Biochemical Pathway and a related degree can open up a broad range of important careers to you.

Learners who complete this qualification can progress to university to study for an Undergraduate Degree in a wide range of subjects.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

The knowledge you gain in this Access to Higher Education Diploma will prepare you for a number of degrees that rely on your detailed knowledge of biology and chemistry.

Many students of this course have progressed on to degrees in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Biomedical Science
• Pharmacy
• Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy

Should you pursue any of these degrees, there will be a number of postgraduate courses you can take to either enter or elevate your science-related career. These can be academic or vocational, research, taught or work-based, and can either be completed in a full or part time capacity.

The type of postgraduate study that suits you will depend entirely on your interests and the type of career you want to go into, as many science-related roles require you to have completed a Masters or PhD.

What are the career routes for this course?

By completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Science pathway and then a subsequent degree, you will open yourself up to an array of career prospects, allowing you to turn your inquisitive mind and thirst for knowledge into a career that can transform global healthcare.

The below are just some of the many bioscience-related sectors/roles you can work in with a degree and in some cases, postgraduate qualifications.

• Research and development in industry or within academia
• Clinical biochemistry, immunology or microbiology
• Technical areas like quality control, or a research technician
• Specialist areas like ecology or pollution control
• Bioinformatician
• Pharmacy

You may also want to consider:

• Teaching or lecturing in school, college or university
• Science communication, journalism or publishing
• Research management and administration
• Scientific sales and marketing