Induction week

Last week was a busy period for staff and students as we welcomed back our second and final years and met 220 excited first years who were keen to start their studies. The school held a series of events introducing the new cohort to the academic staff and core laboratory facilities. This was accompanied by a well-attended social event in the graduation tent on the Hoe on Wednesday evening and our annual social trip to Mount Edgcumbe on Friday. Fortunately the sun shined enabling Drs. Foey, Breese and Belshaw to play touch rugby with the energetic students, whereas others preferred the delights of the park and the Edgcumbe Arms.

Graduation 2012-13

Graduation was held on the Hoe on the 16^th September celebrating the hard work and achievements of our 2012-13 cohort of students.  Family, friends and staff were delighted to see so many smiling faces and were ‘enlightened’ by the wisdom of Gilberts and George’s Ten Commandments for life.  Staff wish graduates all the best for the future and please keep us up to date about your subsequent success.

Society of Biology award winner for the highest aggregate mark in the school Sean Kelly, with Christine Fry (L) and Mairi Knight (R)

Lecturer Gail Rees on TV talking about recent nutrition and health study

Click here for ITV Westcountry interview and read press release below (covered in Times and Daily Mail).

Expert reaction to substance found in broccoli, metabolism and ageing, as published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*

 Dr Gail Rees, Lecturer in Human Nutrition, Plymouth University, said:

“This is an exciting study that demonstrates how eating broccoli benefits our metabolism. It is of huge scientific interest as we are now starting to unravel exactly which components of fruit and vegetables are responsible for good health and what the specific effects are.

“The study published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is particularly important because it shows the advantages of eating regular but reasonable portion sizes of a special type of broccoli high in glucoraphanin. The study also demonstrates that the response to eating this type of broccoli is dependent on genetic makeup, so how beneficial it is to your health varies according to your genetics.

“We must remember that there are thousands of bioactive components in fruit and vegetables and we need to have a mixture of different types daily. This novel type of broccoli, grown to have a high amount of this particular bioactive component, is not yet widely available in the UK and may have cost implications for consumers.

“The best advice is to continue to consume at least five portions of different fruit and vegetables per day as part of a healthy diet. Reduction of cancer risk and healthy ageing are also dependent on decreasing alcohol and fat consumption, reducing smoking, lowering body weight and regular exercise. This study was carried out on 48 people so it was a fairly small study and may now need to be carried out on a larger sample size to ensure the results are representative of the wider population.”

*Armah CN, Traka MH, Dainty JR , Defernez M, Janssens A, Leung W, Doleman JF, Potter JF, and Mithen RF

(2013) A diet rich in high-glucoraphanin broccoli interacts with genotype to reduce discordance in plasma metabolite profiles by modulating mitochondrial function. Am J Clin Nutr 98: 712-722

Student perspectives - Charlotte McMillan, Healthcare Life Sciences

Healthcare Science Blog

Charlotte H McMillan

As a student on the Healthcare Life Sciences Programme at Plymouth University, I have gained a wide variation of practical and theoretical skills of which I have developed in an academic and placement environment. What is most gratifying about being a student on the Healthcare Science Programme is the integration of academic learning with placement experience. Being situated in a realistic working environment is a highly rewarding experience because I am able to apply my theory gained from University into practice and also develop a range of unique generic and specialist skills relevant to diagnostic medicine. 

I have found the placement experience in the NHS setting to be highly intriguing as it consistently tests my overall understanding of the principles of diagnostic practice. It has also allowed me to appreciate the different roles and responsibilities that are typically found in the real working environment of the NHS Trust. What makes the placement experience more rewarding is the fact that it has allowed me to recognise and develop my own personal goals, such as confidence and communication skills, which in turn have allowed me to flourish as a Trainee Healthcare Practitioner. In addition to this I have also been able to practice within my chosen specialism of Blood Sciences which can only be achieved in the working environment such as the NHS. Asides from acquiring personal and scientific skills, working in the NHS laboratories has also permitted me to build independence and team-working skills of which are essential to Healthcare practice.

Overall my two years of study in Healthcare Science has equipped me with a range of practical, theoretical, personal, and professional skills, all of which are considered relevant to a career in scientific practice. The experience I have gained to date from placement in the NHS has only encouraged me to pursue my career in Blood Sciences Pathology, in which I have met and worked with professionals who share the same passion as I do and have supported me throughout my placement experience.  I believe practicing in the working environment is a highly rewarding opportunity for any student since it allows development of a range of different skills that can only be acquired in such practice. It can potentially establish useful contacts within the NHS which is highly important for any individual who wishes to pursue a career in Healthcare Science. I strongly recommend enrolling onto the Healthcare Life Sciences Programme for any individual who is passionate about modern diagnostic laboratory medicine, has high motivation and ambition when faced with challenges, and wishes to work for the NHS whose aim is to provide optimal patient care and maintain high quality standards of service.

 

Clearing Places Available!!!

****UPDATE 16/8 09:20****

Still places available on all courses but now very limited - Some places left on Healthcare Sciences courses

We have a small number of clearing places available on all of our degree programmes:

BSc Biomedical Sciences
BSc Healthcare Sciences (Life Sciences)
BSc Human Biosciences
BSc Nutrition, exercise and health

And visit our new school webpage. If you want to apply, visit our clearing pages.

We'll keep these updated throughout the day.......

BSc Healthcare Sciences (Physiological Sciences) FULL

New Departmental Video!

Healthcare Science cardiac crusaders walk for charity!!

A hearty congratulations to Harriet Hogg (2^nd year Healthcare Science Physiology student) and Cherith Wood (clinical cardiac lecturer) for successfully completing the 15 mile Midnight Walk in aid of St Luke’s Hospice here in Plymouth on Sat July 27th.

Harriet and Cherith walked as part of the cardiac crusaders team, of cardiac physiology staff from Derriford hospital.  The team successfully completed the 15 miles in 4 hours 43 minutes, they must all be extremely fit!!

If anyone would like to make a sponsorship contribution, please contact the School office.