BSc (Hons) Osteopathy

Year 1

Core modules

• Technique Practice - Fundamentals and Biomechanics (BCNO4001)

  Introduces the principles, concepts, philosophy, and models of osteopathy from an evidence-informed perspective. Enables the development of skills needed for an osteopathic evaluation of body structure and function. Fundamental osteopathic manual technique skills and the underlying mechanisms of technique are established. Includes the concepts of biomechanics and its role in musculoskeletal health and disease.

• Professionalism and Clinical Integration 1 (BCNO4002)

  An introduction to clinic through observation and practical skills. Students are familarised to GOsC fitness to practise requirements, professional standards and competencies within the UK. An introduction to sociology related to healthcare provides further context for patient and practitioner values and related expectations. Students are introduced to research methods, reflective practice and critical thinking.

• Anatomy 1 (BCNO4004)

  The nature and structure of the connective tissues and the muscular system form the foundation of the module. The classification, names, markings, and position of each bone and the classification and structure of each joint in the human body are covered in detail.

• Anatomy 2 (BCNO4005)

  The module covers the structures and features that comprise the nervous system in the human body. The module studies the nerves and how they integrate with other structures and cause pain.

• Physiology (BCNO4006)

  This module introduces students to the physiological organisation at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Homeostasis and the genetic, physical, and biological factors underpinning disease are reviewed, including introducing the pathological principle of cellular adaptation to disease, autoimmunity reproduction, and infection.

Year 2

Core modules

• Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing (BCNO4003)

  Examines the utilisation of food on a cellular, tissue, and whole-body level. How chemical energy from food in the form of macro and micro-nutrients is converted via metabolic pathways. The requirement and use of macro and micro-nutrients in the maintenance of health. It also includes lifestyle changes in the maintenance of health and wellbeing. Role of other therapies promotion and prevention in health and wellbeing.

• Clinical Diagnosis, Pathology and Pharmacology (BCNO5002)

  The module covers the cellular basis of disease and injury, body defence, repair, and regeneration. The content overlaps with normal physiology to integrate structure, function, control, pathology, and clinical presentation of the major physiological systems. To understand the role of differential diagnosis of common presentations. Provide a general overview of common use drugs and potential adverse events

• Technique Practice II- Functional Applications (BCNO5003)

  Aims to critically align osteopathic concepts and models with established osteopathic evaluation skills to enable students to integrate core knowledge and develop responsible practices The student will build on their soft-tissue techniques. Self-awareness of practitioner and patient handling and communication skills will be elaborated, developing the process of autonomy in practice and working within defined parameters.

• Clinical Methods (BCNO5004)

  Practical knowledge of clinical methods and osteopathic tests and examinations required for osteopathic practice and diagnosis. Problem-based series of practically focused clinical case scenarios supported by clinical observations to enable students to integrate their knowledge, understanding, and technical skills to aid in diagnosing and clinical reasoning

• Musculoskeletal Diagnosis (BCNO5005)

  The module provides an understanding of orthopaedic and rheumatological conditions and introduces the basic concepts of medical imaging techniques such as X-ray, MRI, CT, and ultrasound.

Year 3

Core modules

• Clinical Practice 1 (BCNO5006)

  This is a clinical practice module, the students manage patients under close supervision from tutors and develop their skills in case-history taking, examination, clinical reasoning, and treatment/management plans in partnership with patients.

• Technique Practice III - Applied Treatment (BCNO6004)

  Emphasis will be placed upon monitoring, critically evaluating, and integrating theoretical and practical applications within techniques for delivering safe and flexible patient care and management. Students will be assuming more responsibility for their actions as they progress towards autonomy. Aims to enhance established technical and clinical reasoning relating to patient evaluation, diagnosis, and techniques.

• Functional Nutrition (BCNO5001)

  Review of functional medicine matrix and revision of clinical imbalance pathways. Clinical nutrition topics, covering the major physiological systems and the nutritional aspects of these systems, along with common nutritional disorders and dietary treatment. How to undertake clinical case history for nutrition, patient compliance, and case histories

• Paediatrics (BCNO6002)

  The module covers paediatric osteopathy, including child safeguarding, emergency signs and symptoms and their management, pregnancy, labour and birth, premature babies, infant feeding, colic, and the unsettled infant, child development, examination of children, common childhood conditions, children’s oncology, paediatric medication, and osteopathic treatment.

Final year

Core modules

• Research Project (BCNO6001)

  The analytical and integrative skills required to produce a paper equal the standard for a BSc (Hons). The project will involve the formulation and testing of an experimental hypothesis and can be either quantitative or qualitative in nature it follows on from earlier modules at Level 4.

• Clinical Practice 2 (BCNO6003)

  Students autonomously integrate knowledge, understanding, practical skills, and professional attributes within a real patient context. Students will demonstrate full responsibility for the care and management of patients within the clinic. This environment of clinical uncertainty enables students to critically apply multi-dimensional attributes to a range of patient presentations coupled with possible co-morbidities.

• Advanced Skills in Practice (BCNO6005)

  This module aims to provide practical leadership skills (mentorship, appraisal, feedback) for learners relevant to an osteopathic/healthcare setting. The module aims to also provide the practical skills of business management (marketing, résumé writing, HMRC, as examples)

• Psychology (BCNO6006)

  Introduction to behaviourism, cognitive and humanistic approaches. Students gain an understanding of personality, abnormal psychology, aspects of developmental and social psychology. Provides an overview of the main conditions and the relationship between psychological factors and disease. Taught from a clinical viewpoint to understand emotional, psychological problems and reactions experienced by patients.