Four years, full-time.

Clinical Physiology describes a range of professionals involved in the effective diagnosis and treatment of patients within the health service. Their role is to measure and assess a patient's physiological function to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of a range of human diseases. The variety of test procedures carried out by a Clinical Physiologist require a high level of understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology and instrumentation as well as the ability to work sympathetically with patients. The BSc Hons Clinical Physiology programme is designed to provide education and training at the undergraduate level for careers in Clinical Physiology.

The BSc Hons Clinical Physiology programme at the University of Ulster is offered as two separate degree pathways:

• BSc Hons Clinical Physiology (Cardiology)
• BSc Hons Clinical Physiology (Respiratory).

During the first year it may be possible, to change programme, for example from the BSc Hons Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) to the BSc Hons Clinical Physiology (Respiratory) or to the appropriate year of the non-clinical, three year degree programme BSc Hons Applied Physiology. This will be dependant on the availability of places in each of the programmes

Professional Role of the Cardiac Clinical Physiologist 

The cardiac clinical physiologist works in direct contact with the patient. As a cardiac clinical physiologist you will be responsible for conducting and interpreting a range of investigations and will work as a key member of the clinical team delivering cardiac care. The range of investigations that fall within the cardiac clinical physiologist’s role will include electrocardiography (ECG), exercise stress testing, ambulatory ECG and blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography. Additionally cardiac clinical physiologists are closely involved in the care of patients who have permanent pacemakers and/or implantable defibrillators. 

Professional Role of the Respiratory Clinical Physiologist

The respiratory clinical physiologist also works in direct contact with the patient and as a respiratory clinical physiologist you will be a key member of the clinical team delivering care to patients with respiratory disease for example patients with asthma or emphysema. Respiratory clinical physiologists conduct and analyse a wide range of investigations which include lung function tests, spirometry (measure of the speed and volume of airflow), lung volumes, gas transfer, blood gas analysis and overnight sleep studies.

The Clinical Physiology degree programme is delivered by a combination of academic and clinical practice modules. The academic subjects cover the education and training in human anatomy and physiology, cellular biology, pathology, pharmacology, physics and instrumentation as relevant to practice and specialist subjects related to the clinical specialism. Professional practice and clinical training will occur principally during placement periods in designated departments in hospital trusts. 

In the first semester of the first year you will have modules in anatomy and physiology, clinical physiology and knowledge and skills for professional practice and subsequently progress along your chosen specialist pathway. This is a 4 year full time programme and you will spend a full year in clinical placement in year three.You will also spend periods in clinical placement during years 1, 2 and 4 some of which will involve placement during the summer months. In order to meet the learning outcomes of this programme it may be necessary for you to undertake placements outside Northern Ireland.

Clinical placement experience is an absolute requirement for the Clinical Physiology degree and for Registration with the professional bodies. However, the availability of clinical placements is dependant upon arrangements with Clinical Departments in Hospital Trusts and is not in direct control of the University and cannot be completely guaranteed. If the number of placements available does not match the demand they will be allocated to students on a competitive basis.  On this basis if a suitable placement cannot be found for any student and the student is in good academic standing they will be offered a place on the non-clinical programme BSc Hons Applied Physiology.

Presently the BSc Hons Clinical Physiology programme is accredited for Cardiology and Respiratory Physiology and successful completion of the course with the imbedded clinical experience periods, will meet the requirements for provisional registration with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiology (RCCP).

Excellent opportunities exist for Clinical Physiology Graduates within the Health Service, in private practice and with those companies involved in the manufacture and sale of the clinical equipment and devices used by Clinical Physiologists. In addition, graduates will be eligible for entry into MSc and PhD programmes.