This module teaches human biology in an interdisciplinary context, relatable to various backgrounds, including science, technology, humanities and health. You’ll learn about human body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory, endocrine, nervous, digestive and reproductive) and their major dysfunctions and examine multifactorial conditions related to lifestyle choices. While teaching the science, the material also emphasises the richness of interactions between the individual and their environment. It lets you appreciate how such knowledge is relevant to issues in health and disease.
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.
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 obtained through:
We recommend that you’ve completed one of the following modules:
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:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SK299 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.
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.
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