Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) - Natural Science Pathway

Natural science refers to any science which relates to the physical world. Students who follow the natural science pathway will gain a foundation of knowledge in physics, chemistry and biology units and gain the necessary qualifications needed to enter university.

As this pathway provides a combination of all the sciences, it is ideal for students who are still deciding which area of science they are interested in pursuing. After this course, students should be fully prepared to embark on a biology, physics, chemistry or natural science related degree programme. As the course has been specifically designed for learners who have spent time away from education, it also includes units which help to develop academic practices and study skills.

With an Access to HE Diploma, there is no need to wait until September to get started. You can start studying towards this qualification at any time of the year. Furthermore, you won’t have to attend inconvenient classes which will interfere with your schedule. With distance learning, you can study at any time of day, in the location of your choice. This flexibility makes an Access to HE Diploma a perfect choice for learners with busy work and family lives.

How does my Access to HE Diploma (Science) work?

Our comprehensive course materials are interesting and easy to understand. Each student will also receive a broad range of additional information to support their learning. Everyone will also have access to our Stonebridge tutors who will be contactable via phone, email or our online platform, PEARL. Students can also get in touch with their classmates using our online platform.

How long it takes you to complete your course really depends upon how much time you are able to dedicate to your studies. The programmes are designed to give you the flexibility to study at times that are suitable for you, and to fit your studies around your other commitments. The maximum time you have to complete your Diploma is outlined in your Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The minimum time you can complete your course is six months, on average learners complete their course within 8 to 9 months.

How will my Access to HE Diploma (Science) be assessed?

Your qualification will combine a number of units. Each of these units will end with an assignment. Once you have completed the assignment to the best of your ability, you should return it to a tutor. The tutor will then mark the assessment and return it to you with useful feedback and strategies for improvement. Once your work has been marked, Stonebridge will be able to award you with a number of credits. The Access to HE Diploma is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). In order to achieve the Access to HE Diploma you must achieve 60 credits in total. 45 of these credits are taken from graded units which are concerned with academic subject content. The remaining 15 credits are ungraded units which are included to help you to develop your study skills.

What happens after the Access to HE Diploma (Science)?

After you have completed your diploma, you will likely be primed and ready for undergraduate level study at the university of your choice. Once you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, you will have many career paths open to you. These include but are not limited to careers in:

• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Science publishing
• Teaching
• Universities
• Government
• Hospitals

Unit 1: Preparing To Study

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand how study is organised and planned
• Understand how to apply theories of learning in relation to personal approaches to learning
• Understand a range of constraints upon study
• Understand the importance of assessment feedback.

Unit 2: 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 concepts and debates in responding to a set, academic writing task.
• Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information or central ideas.
• Understand the role of reference, allusion and paraphrase to avoid plagiarism.

Unit 3: 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 4: Cell Biology  

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the cell.
• Understand cellular metabolism.
• Understand how cells grow and divide.

Unit 5: 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 6: 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 7: Electromagnetic Spectrum

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the principles and types of electromagnetic waves.
• Understand the properties of visible and ultraviolet light.
• Understand the properties of microwaves and infrared.
• Understand the biohazards of ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
• Understand the hazards and uses of X- Rays in medical applications.

Unit 8: 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 9: Human Immunity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand non-specific defences against disease.
• Understand specific immunity and the immune response.
• Understand the biology of vaccination.
• Understand how immune sensitivity may cause ill-health.

Unit 10: Radioactivity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the main types of ionising radiations and their measurement.
• Understand radioactive decay.
• Understand the practical applications of ionising radiation and radioisotopes and their use with acceptable safety.

Unit 11: The Human Endocrine & Nervous System 

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the anatomy and organisation of the nervous system and how it co- ordinates the body.
• Understand the structure and function of nerve cells and other cells in the nervous system.
• Understand how the endocrine system co-ordinates body functions.
• Understand homeostasis.

Unit 12: 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

Unit 13: Medical Physics

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand atomic structure.
• Understand the nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and X-rays.
• Understand the main uses of ionising radiation in monitoring and treatment.
• Understand how radio isotopes are used in health care.
• Understand the health applications of a selected part of electromagnetic spectrum.
• Understand how ultrasound is used in health care.

Unit 14: Human Disease and Prevention

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the categories and causes of disease using infectious disease to illustrate your answer
• Understand the epidermiology of commonly occurring diseases/conditions
• 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.
• Understand the structure and characteristic reactions of alkenes.

Unit 16: Optics & Sound

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the Laws of Reflection.
• Understand the Laws of Refraction.
• Understand the action of convex and concave lenses.
• Understand the simple optics of the eye.
• Understand the nature of transverse and longitudinal wave motions.
• Understand how the ear detects sound waves.

Unit 17: The Human Muscular and Skeletal System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand anatomical terminology.
• Understand the skeletal system and locomotion.
• Understand the muscular system.

Unit 18: Chemical Change

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know how 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: Physics

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the connection between force and motion and be able to use Newton’s Laws of Motion.
• Understand conservation of energy and momentum.
• Understand the concepts and vocabulary of wave motion.

What’s included:

• All study materials
• Study guide
• Full tutor and Admin support
• The course fee includes the awarding body registration and certification fee (valued at up to £96)