Intermediate Applied Health Sciences (Level 4)

The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Intermediate Applied Health Sciences) (Level 4) delves deeper into a wide range of subjects that will provide you with the knowledge and academic skills directly relevant to higher study and further training in the applied health science sector.

Interested learners please note: all papers are compulsory and must be completed in the order listed below.

AHS200 Applied measurement and data analysis (5 credits)

This paper provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake relevant measurements, calculations, and data analyses in an applied health context.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Complete arithmetic operations with fractions and decimal numbers.
2. Calculate the quantity of tablets required to administer a prescribed dosage.
3. Calculate the quantity of liquids required to administer a prescribed dosage.
4. Collect, present and interpret data.
5. Understand and use the concept of probability in an applied health context.

AHS201 Chemistry in the human body (7 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge of chemical compounds, reactions and processes important to human function and activities in applied health contexts.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe the organisation of matter, forms of energy, chemical bonds, and chemical reactions of atoms
2. Describe the structure and characteristic of atoms of each of the major chemical elements and trace elements found in the human body.
3. Describe organic compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) and their role in the human body.
4. Describe inorganic compounds, in relation to the properties of water and its importance to the human body, and the role of these compounds.

AHS202 Human metabolism (4 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge of metabolic processes, including the role of nutrients, absorptive and post absorptive states, metabolic rates and body heat maintenance relevant to applied health contexts.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe the role of nutrients in human metabolism.
2. Describe the metabolic processes of the absorptive and post absorptive states of human metabolism.
3. Describe metabolic rate and body heat maintenance in human metabolism.

AHS203 Cells and tissues of the human body (5 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge of cellular structure and function, and the fundamental tissues of the body relevant to applied health contexts.

1. Describe cellular structure and function.
2. Describe and discuss the purpose of each of the fundamental tissues of the human body. 

AHS204 Health promotion in differing cultural settings (15 credits)

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Discuss importance of promoting health initiatives (initiatives may include, but are not limited to healthy nutrition, mammograms, mental health, exercise, smoking cessation, prostrate exams.
2. Explain how cultural background may influence provision and uptake of health initiative information.
3. Develop promotional information for at least two different health initiatives suitable for dissemination in te ao Māori, and two other different cultural settings.
4. Establish criteria for reviewing promotional material to determine whether or not it successfully conveys it health information in a manner which supports cultural diversity and encourages uptake.

AHS205 Applied health sciences careers (5 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop a study/career plan in the applied health sciences field.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Discuss applied health science careers and level of study/experience required for career entry.
2. Review career information against own interests and goals.
3. Develop a plan for continued study/career entry to achieve own long-term goals.

AHS206 Human cardiovascular system (3 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge to describe basic composition and function of blood; and normal structure and function of the heart and blood vessels.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe the basic composition and function of blood.
2. Describe normal structure and function of the heart and blood vessels.

AHS207 Human respiratory system (3 credits)

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe normal structure and function of the respiratory system.
2. Describe the factors influencing human respiratory function.

AHS208 Human musculoskeletal system (2 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge to describe the normal structure and function of the bones and joints of the human skeleton and the normal structure and function of the human muscular system.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe normal structure and function of the bones of the human skeleton.
2. Describe the normal structure and function of the joints of the human skeleton.
3. Describe the normal structure and function of the human muscular system.

AHS209 Human digestive system (2 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge to describe the normal structure and function of the human digestive system, including the process of digestion and the absorption and metabolism of the products of digestion.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe normal structure and function of the human digestive system.
2. Describe the process of digestion.
3. Describe the absorption and metabolism of the products of digestion.

AHS210 Human integumentary system (1 credit)

This paper provides students with the knowledge to describe the normal structure and function of the human integumentary system (skin, hair and nails).

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe normal structure and function of the skin.
2. Describe the normal structure and function of hair and nails.

AHS211 Human urinary system (2 credits)

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe normal structure and function of the urinary system>.
2. Describe the formation, composition, storage and excretion of urine.

AHS212 Human reproductive system (2 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge to describe the normal structure and function of the human female and male reproductive systems.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe normal structure and function of the female reproductive system.
2. Describe normal structure and function of the male reproductive system.

AHS213 Human special senses (4 credits)

This paper provides students with the knowledge to describe the ear and functional process of hearing and balance; the eye and normal functional process of sight; the nose and the functional process of smell; the tongue and functional process of taste; and the role of nerve receptors in the skin and the functional process of touch.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

1. Describe the ear and functional process of hearing and balance.
2. Describe the eye and normal functional process of sight.
3. Describe the nose and tongue and functional processes of smell and taste.
4. Describe the skin nerve receptors and the functional process of touch.