Study the cell and molecular science of health and disease, from genetics, biomedicine and immunology to cell and microbiology. Experience laboratory approaches to studying and diagnosing conditions such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Learn how health research is communicated through scientific literature. Plus, analyse statistical data and report on information you’ve collected. You’ll explore different areas of the health sciences sector, from clinical sciences to publishing and industry.
In this online module, you’ll study six topics. Within these topics, you’ll conduct onscreen investigations using interactive tools and online databases. You’ll also explore published articles and consider how health information is curated and shared.
Topic 1 – Humans as a model for investigation
This first topic introduces you to working with participants in health-based research, which is core to improving our understanding of the normal and diseased human body. From the ethics and governance of human studies to clinical trials, reporting, and data analysis, this topic introduces you to underlying principles and skills that thread throughout the module. You’ll conduct a research study at home and experience collecting data and managing informed consent from your participants as they perform a simple cognitive test.
Topic 2 – Cancers: from molecular dysfunction to therapy
In this topic, you’ll explore human cancer's biological and molecular basis, from its global epidemiology and genetics to the micro-evolutionary aspects of how cells progress to form aggressive cancers. You’ll experience how tumours are graded in the pathology laboratory and see how gene expression can be used as a prognostic marker to inform cancer diagnosis, management and therapy.
Topic 3 – Rare disease: investigating cellular function
This topic will take you deep into the cell's inner workings, allowing you to study disease at the cellular level and see how our understanding of normal cellular organelles and their function is informed using cells from individuals with rare diseases. You’ll explore internal cellular structures using fluorescence microscopy and see how cells are used to research potential treatments – from stem cells to molecular therapies.
Topic 4 – Autoimmunity
This topic explores how immune cells and plasma are important in self- and non-self-discrimination and their role in the pathology of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, which arise from inflammation and tissue damage. You’ll use clinical testing techniques to detect and quantitate auto-antibodies, and explore how specificity and sensitivity are achieved in a laboratory-based diagnostic assay. You’ll also use library and internet resources to research an autoimmune disease and contribute your findings to a tutor group presentation.
Topic 5 – Genetic variation: towards personalised health
This topic will develop your understanding of inheritance patterns of human traits, how our present-day genome arose, how it functions and how the DNA sequence variation that contributes to health arises and is detected. You’ll investigate how genetic variation affects drug metabolism, learn how genetic testing is performed and explore the potential for gene-based therapies.
Topic 6 – Introducing the microbial world
This topic will develop an understanding of the core principles of microbial diversity, growth, and bacterial community – all aspects relevant to human niches such as the skin, gut, and oral cavities – and how local interactions and communications with host cells impact health and disease. You’ll study the gut microbiome and use a series of diagnostic tests to detect microbial pathogens responsible for clinical infections.
Throughout the module, you’ll access and use large health-related datasets and learn how the module’s themes can be contextualised into the broader health sciences sector, where you will hear from representatives from publishing, genetic counselling, SMEs, pharma, charity, NHS diagnostics and clinical trials.
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need appropriate knowledge of biology or health science obtained through:
Are you ready for S290?
We recommend that you’ve completed:
You’ll be able to access the module website 2–3 weeks before the module starts, so you can learn to navigate the website and organise your study plan. A module primer contains the basic concepts you should understand. You can use this primer to refresh your knowledge before starting your studies or as a resource throughout.
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:
We also provide physical:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S290 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Investigating human health and disease (S290) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.
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