Understanding Science: The Human Body - In Sickness and in Health

Have you ever wondered how our bodies work? The fact is that our bodies are an amazing product of billions of years of life on earth. The building blocks of our bodies are cells, small machine like units that are more complex than any man made object. Cells are grouped together to form tissues and organ systems with specialised functions such as absorption of nutrients, uptake of oxygen, excretion of waste, movement, defence, perception. The human body is made up of 11 systems which work with each other.

Although we often take our bodies for granted, just like a machine if we do not look after them they can malfunction resulting in disease. Or factors such as genetics, viruses or bacteria can cause our bodies to stop functioning correctly.

In the past half-century there has been a revolution in the understanding of how our bodies work, with the entire human genetic code being revealed we are set for a revolution in modern medicine. This course aims to reveal what makes our bodies tick and what happens when things go wrong.  

Designed as a course for students of all ages and with different backgrounds and experiences, this course is meant as an introduction for non-specialists who have an interest in medicine and would like to understand better what appears in the press.

This course is not a series of lectures but based on an interactive approach. Activities and discussions help to explain the body and its workings.

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

Imperial certificates

There are no examinations or assessments for this course. However, attendance can lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate (T&Cs apply).