You’ll study nine core and one chosen topic in this module.
Topic 1: Human variation and diversity
Human genome sequencing has revolutionised how scientists and health professionals think about human health and biology. In this topic, you’ll explore how our genes direct aspects of our behaviour and how our genome interacts with the environment. You’ll also discover the role of genes in the synthesis of proteins.
Topic 2: Cells and cancers
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is continually being renewed. You’ll explore how the cells of the skin work together to repair and maintain its integrity. You’ll discover that accumulative mutations in the DNA of skin cells, primarily because of exposure to the sun, can lead to skin cancers.
Topic 3: Nutrition and digestion
Worldwide, a third of adults are overweight or obese, and this is fuelling a global increase in heart disease and diabetes. You’ll explore the importance of a healthy diet and learn how the body extracts nutrients from our food.
Topic 4: The nervous system
This topic opens with the case of the man with the 7-second memory, illustrating the fragility of the human brain. The average adult human has over 85 billion brain cells, each capable of generating electrical signals. You’ll learn how brain cells achieve this electrifying feat and use chemicals to pass information from one brain cell to another. As well as exploring the different parts of the brain and the peripheral nervous system, you’ll also learn about the senses and how the brain can be fooled!
Topic 5: Hormones and homeostasis
Hormones are critical in controlling physiological processes and maintaining the body’s internal environment. You’ll explore what happens when these homeostatic mechanisms fail, causing conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. You’ll also discover how hormones are abused to improve performance in sport or to accelerate slimming.
Topic 6: The immune system
Our bodies are under constant attack from a host of pathogens. In this topic, you’ll discover how the cells and components of the immune system defend the body without destroying it. You’ll learn how vaccinations prepare the immune system to fight disease and why there’s no vaccination for the common cold.
Topic 7: Respiration
‘Don’t hold your breath’ is an expression you’ve probably heard many times, but may not have thought too much about. In this topic, you’ll study why respiration is essential for life, including how air enters and leaves the lungs, the many dynamic factors that control breathing, and some diseases that affect respiration.
Topic 8: The cardiovascular system
The heart of a 72-year-old will have beaten roughly 2.5 billion times, demonstrating the robust and resilient nature of the human heart. In this topic, you’ll learn how the heart and blood vessels work together to ensure a continuous blood supply to the body and why controlling blood pressure is vital for human health.
Topic 9: The kidneys and homeostasis
The first organ offered for sale on the internet was a kidney! This is because, without functioning kidneys, the chances of long-term survival are limited. You’ll learn that kidneys clean the blood by removing excess water, minerals and wastes, as well as regulating blood pressure and secreting hormones.
Chosen topic: The musculoskeletal system
You’ll discover how bones, joints, muscles and nerves work together to allow body movement. You’ll also learn about calcium's various roles in this system.
Chosen topic: Stress
Stress is a significant cause of human disease and mental health problems, yet stress can also be beneficial. You’ll explore this conundrum.
Chosen topic: Fertility and reproduction
You’ll explore the topic of infertility in both men and women. You’ll learn about the hormonal and cellular events that prepare a woman’s body for reproduction and pregnancy. The topic concludes with the birth of a human child.
In addition to studying key physiological and anatomical principles of human biology, you’ll develop skills for further study in health and biological sciences, including evaluating evidence, handling numbers, presenting data, writing skills, and using information technology.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
The School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences offers optional laboratory schools in Milton Keynes at an additional cost. Laboratory schools are not part of this module but may be of interest if you wish to gain relevant hands-on laboratory experience.
Further information and instructions for booking are on the SS022 website.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
SK299 is a compulsory module in our:
SK299 is an option module in our:
Human biology (SK299) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
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We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
