Science Courses

LEARN ADVANCED ANATOMY

An advanced anatomy course developed for people wishing to develop a career in health and human sciences, paramedical jobs and alternative therapists, specially massage therapists and other health care professions working in close contact with the patients body.

Topics covered include surface anatomy, regional and systemic anatomy, radiographic and diagnostic anatomy, plus cytology. 

This course assumes a basic understanding of anatomy, and is an ideal follow on from Human Anatomy and Physiology BSC101.

Biochemistry 1 (Animal) BSC103  focuses on the biochemistry of humans and animals.  Biochemistry is an integral part of all human and animals health studies. Learn with highly qualified and experienced tutors the basis of life while studying in your own home.

To help you get the most out of the course we initially walk you through the fundamentals of chemistry including atomic structure, the periodic table, molecules, nomenclature, organic chemistry and more before investigating common organic compounds such as carbohydrates, lipids and more.

Lessons cover: introduction to biochemistry, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, thermo regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, absorption, acidity, alkalinity, chemical analysis, and industry applications.

Prerequisite: Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential.

START YOUR PLANT SCIENCE CAREER WITH BIOCHEMISTRY I (PLANTS)

Biochemistry is the chemistry of living things. This course focuses on the biochemistry of plants, rather than animals or humans; though much of what is studied will relate to all types of living things.Our Problem Based Approach for learning makes the learning experience practical and applied, helping you to understand, absorb and retain your new knowledge.

Lessons cover: Biochemical substances and terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones, chemical analysis and biochemical applications in industry.

Course requisites: Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential.

BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF BIOCHEMISTRY FURTHER WITH BIOCHEMISTRY II. 

Learn about the important building blocks of life including: Amino acids, proteins, sugars, polysaccharides, lipids, enzymes, vitamins, homones, RNA and DNA. This course focuses on biochemical molecules. 

Biochemistry has its roots in medicine, nutrition, agriculture, and natural products chemistry. It covers many other areas as well, but today it is mostly is concerned with the chemistry of molecules found in and associated with living systems, especially the chemistry of these molecules. Biochemists are always trying to break processes down in order to understand how these work, how molecules are created or destroyed and how they relate and affect each other. With the advent of all the modern equipment and computer systems many biochemists also study intact systems and how each system functions and the other structures or processes that may be affected.

Course requisties: Biochemistry I (Plant) BSC102 or Biochemistry I (Animal) BSC103 or similar, before attempting this module.

This course is designed for people working or wishing to work in a human or animal health or science related profession, as practitioner, educator or researcher.

In this course we examine a wide range of detailed metabolic processes.  You will learn to explain a range of common biochemical processes including glycolysis and glycogen metabolism, lipid, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, enzyme activity, sugar and polysaccharide metabolism, electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation and movement across membranes and a range of other processes.  Enrol now to get the most out of this fascinating course. 

Prerequiste: Biochemistry II or equivalent

PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY III - ADVANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND CAREER

This course will deepen your knowledge on Biochemistry with an emphasis on plants. This is an advanced course in biochemistry that will give you a more thorough understanding on how life processes work, where living organism obtain their energy and nutrients and how these are processed to renew and develop new living materials.

Lessons cover: glycolysis, electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, photosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, enzymes, reproductive processes, hormones and more

Prerequisites: Biochemistry I and II or equivalent knowledge.

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF BOTANY

The course contains the basis of plant science, and is an introduction to plant physiology and taxonomy, covering general botany including morphology and anatomy.  Lessons cover: taxonomic classification of plants; cells and tissues;  specific vegetative parts of a plant; flowers and fruit; seed and the developing embryo; photosynthesis and growing plants; respiration; the role of water; movement of water and assimilates through a plant; the effects of growth movements.

This course satisfies the Royal Horticulture Society’s Module B of the Advanced Certificate in Horticulture.

Comment from one of our Botany students:     "Very good. I like your challenging assignments".   Marthe.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

This course explains the principles and practices of plant physiology. The course is designed for all those that need to know plants in depth, how they work, how they grow, which factors promote their development and which factors hinders their growth. This course is for people that work or wish to work in the horticulture industry or as a scientist, for nursery personnel, technicians and researchers and science students wishing to further their knowledge in plant physiology. 

Lessons include: Flower physiology; Phytoperiodism; control of flower bud initiation and development; dormancy; effects of plant associations and competition; respiration and post harvest physiology; post harvest storage, transport, retailing and shelf life; endogenous and synthetic growth regulators; risks involved with plant growth manipulation.

START ON YOUR HEALTH SCIENCE OR BIOLOGY CAREER WITH CELL BIOLOGY

Cell Biology BSC100 is an essential foundation course for all people interested in human health, animal care and animal studies. The cell is the basic unit of life. Its knowledge is most essential to understand how life works for higher animals and plants.  

Lesson include:  introduction to cells and their structure; cell chemistry; DNA, chromosomes and genes; cell division: meiosis and mitosis; cell membranes; protein structure and function; protein synthesis; food, energy, catalysis and biosynthesis; intracellular compartments, transport and cell communication; the cell cycle and tissue formation.

Student Comment: "the course was better than I expected" "I am studying a Bachelor of Health Science next year at university. I gained far more knowledge from this course than I expected." J.McEwan

EXPAND YOUR ENGINEERING KNOW - HOW

This course complements Engineering I, developing skills to apply appropriate and innovative engineering solutions, to improve efficiency and productivity in agriculture and horticulture.  This course covers: surveying, earthworks, water management, environmental control (eg. heating, cooling, ventilation, etc.), fencing, chemical applications, mechanising manual tasks, improving engineering efficiency/operations and developing engineering solutions to different workplace tasks/problems.

Pre-requisites

A basic understanding of Engineering function is assumed, equivalent to Engineering I.

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION; TAKE ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

A course to develop your understanding of the environment. It explains the way animals and plants are classified and named, the interrelationships between living things, and basic ecological concepts. Natural environments (forests, water environments, oceans), and man made environments are studied in detail. The course concludes by investigating the environmental problems of pollution and conservation in todays world.

Lessons include:  Living Things; Basic Ecology; Global Environmental Systems; Environmental Problems; Conservation; Acting Locally: Thinking Globally

DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN ANATOMY

This course provides you with the knowledge basis to a career in health science. You will understand what is a human body, how it works and which factors determine health.

This course is designed for people working or looking to work in the health care industry, or for people who want to have the basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. Lessons cover: cells and tissues;  the skeleton; the muscular system; the nervous system; digestion and excretion; physiological systems.

LEARN ALL ABOUT ENERGY IN THE HUMAN BODY!

Discover how energy affects our body, how to manage people's energy, where it comes from and what affects energy levels. Learn about energy and movement within the human body. What are the factors that makes us move better?. By understanding these factors you can better manage people's capacity to move, and to manage optimum levels of energy within their body.   

The lessons cover: energy and work; energy pathways; the acid-base balance; osmosis & diffusion; atmospheric pressure; temperature regulation; ergogenic aids to performance

Prerequisite:  A basic understanding of body systems (e.g. Human Anatomy and Physiology).

BUILD YOUR ANATOMY KNOWLEDGE FURTHER

This course describes why humans see, touch, smell, taste and hear the world around us like we do. It also shows with practical examples how our body is able to move and how to improve flexibility, performance and posture. The course guides you to a better understanding of the operation of muscles and nerves, in movements and reactions observed in the body.

This course covers: nerves, the nervous system, skeletal muscle, muscle organisation, motor skills, structure & function of skeletal muscle, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility amd mucles and posture.

Prerequisites: Human Biology BSC101 or equivalent.

KEEP WITH THE BEAT, STUDY CARDIO RESPIRATORY PERFORMANCE

Breathing is the most important function in the human body, it is the first function that keeps us alive. This course provides you with knowledge to improve your energy levels and prevent ageing with correct respiration.

This course covers: blood, blood pressure, pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange & transport, blood flow and gas transport, cardiorespiratory control, cardiorespiratory disease, and more. 

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy & Physiology BSC101 or equivalent.

LEARN TO MANAGE AND USE TOOLS AND MACHINERY

An introductory subject which aims to develop your ability to manage the selection, operation and maintenance of tools and machinery, with particular reference to professional gardening, agriculture and horticulture. Learn the use and operation of tools, equipment and machines to keep them running smoothly by yourself. 

Lesson include: engine operation; hydraulics; machinery components; hand tools; power tools; tractors; equipment maintenance; specific workplace requirements and more.

DO YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH DOCTORS AND PATIENTS?

A special course designed for people working or wishing to work in medical environments, with no medical training, to develop skills to communicate clearly and effectively using medical terminology.

This course is relevant to anyone working or wishing to work in fields of health, alternative medicine or paramedical areas; such as reception for a doctor or natural therapist.

Gain an advanced understanding of physiology.

An advanced course on human physiology that will develop further your understanding of the principles of physiology, examining functions of the cells, tissues and systems of the human body. The course details how our bodies maintain internal equilibrium and health while exposed to the most variable range of conditions, such as physical, psychological and environmental factors. 
A course designed for health therapists and all those working in health care that want or need to develop a deeper understanding of the human body processes and health maintenance.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy & Physiology  BSC101 or equivalent.

Learn more about the nature and principles of plant ecology and apply that understanding to the cultivation of plants.

Plant ecology is the science that studies and describes why plants are located where they grow, what makes them grow there, and how they relate to other living beings, such as plants, animals, humans and other organisms.

The course is a basic foundation for people wishing to pursue a career in sciences, environment, agriculture, gardening, landscaping, organic farming, permaculture and herbal medicine, and for all people interested in the natural world.

Work on an exciting industry-based research project

Learn to plan and conduct research into the current status of an aspect of an industry relating to their area of study, and to complete a descriptive report based on that research.

Improve the value of your research to industry

To further develop the student’s ability to monitor, analyse and evaluate a common process (or processes) relevant to their stream studies. (For the purpose of this unit, a "process" is defined as any distinct series of events or changes over a period of time, and which is directly related to the area of study). Prerequisite: Research Project I or equivalent

Become efficient in the use of statistics.

Strenghten your career with this course in Statistics. If you want to develop scientifically-based research studies, this is your starting point. Learn how to interpret data sets using established statistical analysis.This 100 hour course such as this provides the most essential knowledge and skills required by consultants and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines.

Lesson cover: distributions; measures of central tendency; the normal curve and percentiles and standard scores; correlation; regression; inferential statistics; the t test; analysis of variance; chi square test.