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PgDip Experimental Medicine

Academic Year 2021/22

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 and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

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

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(s)

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

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)

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 available 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)

No
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.

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

Essays

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

Essays

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, Project dissertation

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

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Medicine:
Identify the physiological principles underpinning cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Assess the use of pre-clinical models as a basis for translational research
Discuss and evaluate the current approaches used for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in diabetes
Evaluate current strategies for the prevention and management of diabetic cardiovascular disease.
Discuss the mechanisms of action of commonly used cardiovascular drug therapies in diabetes
Critically valuate the potential of novel strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation/Written assignments

Infection and Immunity:
Explain and critically analyse the functioning of the immune system
Discuss the processes that occur during infection and analyse the host-pathogen interactions
Explain the outcomes of deregulated immune responses during disease
Compare and contrast in vitro and in vivo models of disease
Explain the therapeutic approaches to the design of new treatments and have an understanding of the principles and practice of clinical trials.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars

Methods of Assessment

Presentation/Written assignments

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Inflammation and Immunology - from Cell to Clinic

SCM8062

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

70%

30%

0%

The Immune System in Health and Disease

SCM8097

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

75%

25%

0%

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Medicine Biology & Disease

SCM8110

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

75%

25%

0%

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Medicine: Clinical Translation

SCM8111

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

70%

30%

0%

Fundamental Research Skills in Experimental Medicine

SCM8145

7

20

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

60%

40%

0%

Research Project

SCM8146

7

60

YES

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

70%

30%

0%

Notes

Students must take the core taught modules (80 CATS) and two modules (20 CATS) from one of the groups above (Group A SCM8110 SCM8111 or Group B SCM8097 SCM8062)