Cardiology
You’ll begin with cardiology, where the module introduces its core themes through coronary heart disease. By exploring the anatomy and physiology of the heart, you’ll build an understanding of how this vital organ works, what happens when disease develops, and how to reduce risk. You’ll also examine the tests, diagnostic approaches and treatments used to prevent, identify and manage heart disease in clinical practice.
Reproductive medicine
From there, you’ll move into reproductive medicine, exploring the science that underpins human reproduction, fertility and early-life health. You’ll consider the causes of infertility and the treatments that can help, before turning to antenatal screening, diagnostic procedures and genetic testing. As the topic unfolds, you’ll also examine newborn screening for conditions such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, while reflecting on the ethical questions that surround early detection and emerging technologies.
Endocrinology
In endocrinology, you’ll explore the hormones and signalling systems that help keep the body in balance, and what happens when that balance is disrupted. Through conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, Addison’s disease and Cushing’s disease, you’ll examine causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, while also considering global health perspectives and innovations in monitoring and care.
Gastroenterology
The gastroenterology topic takes you into the digestive system, beginning with the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract and the central role of the liver in health and disease. You’ll learn how diagnostic tests are used to investigate liver conditions such as hepatitis, before exploring viral hepatitis in more detail. The focus then shifts to inflammatory bowel disease, where you’ll investigate the immune and gut changes involved, alongside the clinical features, complications, diagnosis and management of these conditions.
Oncology
In oncology, you’ll explore the science of cancer and the clinical challenges it presents. Beginning with how cancers develop and how they are screened for and treated, you’ll go on to study haematological malignancies such as acute leukaemia, as well as prostate and liver cancer. Along the way, you’ll consider risk factors, molecular drivers, diagnosis, staging and treatment, while also examining the global burden of cancer, health inequalities, and the contribution of the biomedical sciences to improving outcomes.
Neurogerontology
Neurogerontology brings together the biology of ageing and the ageing of the nervous system, opening up questions that are becoming ever more important in modern healthcare. You’ll explore the hallmarks of ageing at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels, as well as wider issues such as epidemiology and multimorbidity. You’ll then focus on conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and chronic pain, examining diagnosis, emerging treatments, and the role of research, data interpretation and statistical analysis in deepening our understanding.
Multidisciplinary medicine
As the module draws to a close, you’ll look beyond individual specialties to see how modern healthcare depends on collaboration. Using acute pancreatitis as an example, you’ll explore how diagnosis, monitoring and treatment often rely on multidisciplinary teams working together across areas of expertise. You’ll also consider the importance of leadership and mentoring in supporting effective practice and better patient care.
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:
We regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination method used for this module to an in-person exam or a remotely invigilated (proctored) exam. When we are making such a change, we will make it clear on this page. If we need to make a change after you have registered, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you have additional requirements, we will support you to complete your assessments.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the website includes access to our OpenStem Labs.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
S370 is a compulsory module in our:
S370 is an option module in our:
Health and disease: a biomedical approach (S370) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.
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.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
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 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
