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Postgraduate Programme Specification

PgDip Experimental Medicine

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title PgDip Experimental Medicine Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Postgraduate Diploma
Programme Code MED-PD-EX UCAS Code HECoS Code 100270 - Medical sciences - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 120
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

Awards, Credits and Programme of Learning Outcomes

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations:

1. The Postgraduate Diploma in Experimental Medicine is only available to those who are enrolled for the MSc and who are not able to achieve the award of Masters.

2. Candidates who achieve 120 CATS points from the 3 core taught modules and the Research Project will be eligible for the award of Diploma.

Students with protected characteristics

Normally there are no barriers, but as this is a laboratory based subject, each case will be considered individually

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

Yes
No (With the exception of students who are taking this as an intercalated degree and whose primary programmes are subject to Fitness to Practise (FTP) regulations) FTP programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to FTP rules

Educational Aims Of Programme

Acquire the knowledge and skills to understand the principles of experimental medicine research.

Show evidence of participation in original biomedical research.

Demonstrate scientific writing skills through the completion of written course assignments.

Evaluate current and future developments in experimental and translational medicine and understand novel therapeutic approaches.

Critically analyse scientific literature and show proficiency in scientific writing.

Recognise and employ key skills in team building.

Demonstrate ability to incorporate innovation into their research topics

Demonstrate capacity for self-directed and life-long learning.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Analyze, interpret and appraise experimental data

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures
Research supervision

Methods of Assessment

Essays
Research Project

Adopt various experimental approaches and combine information from different sources to develop an experimental plan

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Assess publically available data sets and outline how they would be useful in their research approach.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Research project

Evaluate ethical issues in human and animal research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses, Journal Clubs, Guided Self-Directed Learning and Small Group Learning

Methods of Assessment

Presentation, Written assignment

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically evaluate scientific literature

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written Assignments

Apply analytical, numerical and creative thinking skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Work independently and take responsibility for self-learning

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Research Project

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including presenting scientific information

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses

Methods of Assessment

Presentations, Written assignments

Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals
Research project

Methods of Assessment

Research Project

Develop own knowledge and skills and contribute to the development of others, through active participation in teamwork and group learning opportunities

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Journal Clubs, Small Group Learning

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Use information technology with particular emphasis on the recording of information and data retrieval

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guided Self Directed Learning, Small Group Learning, Practicals

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Apply scientific research principles and audit

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Enhance Professional and Career Development portfolio

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars, Masterclasses

Methods of Assessment

Written assignment

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically analyse and discuss principles of translational medicine and how they can be applied in translational/clinical arenas

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Discuss experimental approaches, techniques and design in experimental medicine

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars
Laboratory meetings

Methods of Assessment

Oral Presentations (PowerPoint)

Demonstrate an understanding of genomic alterations that lead to cellular phenotype changes in human disease

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Oral Presentations

Apply the principles of clinical trial design and indicate how translational studies can be incorporated into clinical trials

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Critically evaluate current scientific literature.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Journal Clubs

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Discuss research ethics in relation to studies in humans and animals and correctly apply established principles and legislation to these areas of research

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guided Self Directed Learning

Methods of Assessment

Presentations

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Critically analyse experimental approaches to address research hypotheses

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written Assignments

Explain techniques that will underpin the experimental design of their Research Project

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Oral Presentations

Develop and present a Research Proposal for their Research Project

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignment

Demonstrate the ability to use publicly available literature databases

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Masterclasses, Lectures

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Demonstrate the ability to write a research report, indicating progress and future plans/directions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Guided Self Directed Learning

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Demonstrate the ability to write a scientific paper based on established guidelines for a chosen journal

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments

Critically appraise a scientific paper

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments, oral presentations

Identify the factors that contribute to a high quality clinical trial.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Presentation

Depending on their subject specialty, the successful student will also be able to demonstrate the skill sets as indicated below. Throughout the different themes, emphasis will be placed on critical thinking using tutorials where the students will critique published scientific research.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

not applicable

Methods of Assessment

not applicable

Advanced Research Skills in Experimental Medicine:
This module provides a detailed theoretical and practical introduction to advanced research skills in Experimental Medicine. This will be a state of the art Module. It will provide a depth of knowledge of the research process and practical skills for the design and conduct of research studies, including data collection and analysis.
Topics, which will be covered in this module include:
•Preclinical Research Experimental Design.
•Advanced human cell culture, including stem cells.
•Advanced Imaging Training such as confocal microscopy.
•Single Cell RNA Sequencing
•Multi-dimensional parameter analysis of cell populations
•Bioinformatics
•Statistics
•Organoids / 3D Culture Systems
•3D Printing
•Microfluidics
•Proteomics and Metabolomics

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation/Written assignments

Explain the principles underpinning advanced research skills
Design an experimental plan to investigate a research question.
Describe research methodology used to culture human cells, perform advanced microscopy and flow cytometry.
Explain single cell RNA sequencing data.
Describe uses of organoids/3D culture systems, 3D printing, and microfluidics in research.
Critically evaluate current scientific literature in the field

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation/Written assignments

Experimental Medicine towards Clinical Translation:
This module provides detailed theoretical and practical introduction of Experimental Medicine towards clinical translation. It focusses on state-of-the-art methods on the research and clinical translation related to vascular, respiratory and infection/immunity related diseases. Current therapeutic approaches are also covered together with potential future strategies based on cutting edge translational research. The full spectrum of translational experimental medicine is covered from animal and human models of disease through to the design and implementation of clinical trials.

Topics to be covered include:

Gene Therapy /CRISP/CAS9
Drug development / repurposing
Stem Cells / Reprogramming- Cell based Therapies
Harnessing the immune system for therapeutics
Pharmacokinetics / Pharmacodynamic studies
Vaccine Development
Developing new ways to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance
Exploiting omics for therapeutics
Harnessing the Microbiome
High throughput drug screening
Biomarker discovery
Commercialisation
Clinical Trials

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation/Written assignments

Recognise and utilise state-of-the-art methods in research and clinical translation related to vascular, respiratory and infection/immunity related diseases.
Discuss vascular, respiratory, immunology and inflammation related disorders, and the current clinical needs and emerging research developments shaping future practice.
Critically evaluate the use of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models to support clinical translation.
Explain and critique the therapeutic approach to designing a new intervention (vaccine/therapeutic) or diagnostic tool.
Explain basic concepts behind clinical trials
Critically analyse relevant current scientific literature

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation/Written assignments

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Experimental Medicine towards Clinical Translation SCM8181 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 70% 30% 0%
Advanced Research Skills in Experimental Medicine SCM8180 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 70% 30% 0%
Research Project SCM8146 7 60 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 20% 0% 80%
Fundamental Research Skills in Experimental Medicine SCM8145 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 70% 30% 0%

Notes

Students must take the three core taught modules (20 CATS each; 60 CATS), plus the Research Project (60 CATS).