Programme Specification
MSc 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 | MSc Experimental Medicine | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Master of Science | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | MED-MSC-EX | UCAS Code | HECoS Code |
100270 - Medical sciences - 100 |
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| ATAS Clearance Required | No | |||||||||||||
| Mode of Study | Full Time | |||||||||||||
| Type of Programme | Postgraduate | Length of Programme |
Full Time - 1 Academic Year |
Total Credits for Programme | 180 | |||||||||
| Exit Awards available | No | |||||||||||||
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences |
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Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 7 |
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Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
N/A |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
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No accreditations (PSRB) found. | |
Regulation Information
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Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations No |
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Programme Specific Regulations Programme Specific Regulations Awards, Credits and Programme of Learning Outcomes |
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Students with protected characteristics Normally there are no barriers, but as this is a laboratory based subject, each case will be considered individually |
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Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Yes |
Educational Aims Of Programme
Acquire the knowledge and skills to understand the principles of experimental medicine research.
Show evidence of participation in original and high quality biomedical research.
Acquire the knowledge and laboratory skills to design, troubleshoot and execute research experiments in experimental medicine.
Demonstrate scientific writing skills through the write up of their research as a Dissertation and the completion of written course assignments.
Evaluate current and future developments in experimental and translational medicine and critically assess novel therapeutic approaches.
Critically analyse scientific literature and show proficiency in scientific writing of research articles.
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.
Demonstrate the knowledge and research skills for progression to a PhD programme.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Analyze, interpret and appraise experimental data |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures/research supervision Methods of Assessment Written Assignments, Research Project |
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Adopt various experimental approaches and combine information from different sources to develop an experimental plan |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars, research project Methods of Assessment Presentations, |
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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 |
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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 |
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Search for, retrieve and evaluate scientific literature |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials, Workshops Methods of Assessment Presentation, Written assignment |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Critically evaluate scientific literature |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures Methods of Assessment Written Assignments |
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Apply analytical, numerical and creative thinking skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars Methods of Assessment Presentations |
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Work independently and take responsibility for self-learning |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials Methods of Assessment Research Project |
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Develop comprehensive understanding of and laboratory skills in experimental design, troubleshooting and execution |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Research project Methods of Assessment Research project, presentations. |
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Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including presenting scientific information |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Masterclasses Methods of Assessment Presentations, Written assignments |
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Manage time effectively and prioritize tasks |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practicals; research project Methods of Assessment Research Project |
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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 |
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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 |
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Apply scientific research principles and audit |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials Methods of Assessment Written assignments |
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Enhance Professional and Career Development portfolio |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars, Masterclasses Methods of Assessment Written assignment |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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 |
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Discuss experimental approaches, techniques and design in experimental medicine |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars/laboratory meetings, Research project Methods of Assessment Oral Presentations (PowerPoint) |
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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 |
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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 |
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Critically evaluate current scientific literature |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Journal Clubs Methods of Assessment Presentations |
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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 SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Critically analyse experimental approaches to address research hypotheses |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures Methods of Assessment Written assignments |
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Explain techniques that will underpin the experimental design of their Research Project |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars Methods of Assessment Oral Presentations |
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Develop and present a Research Proposal for their Research Project |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials Methods of Assessment Written assignment |
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Communicate complex scientific concepts, experiments and data analyses in a comprehensive written dissertation |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Masterclasses, Lectures Methods of Assessment Project dissertation |
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Demonstrate the ability to use publicly available literature databases |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Masterclasses, Lectures Methods of Assessment Written assignments, Project dissertation |
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Demonstrate the skills 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 |
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Critically appraise a scientific paper |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Small Group Learning Methods of Assessment Oral Presentations , Written assignments |
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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 |
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Identify factors that contribute to a high quality clinical trial. |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, Tutorials Methods of Assessment Presentation |
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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 |
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Advanced Research Skills in Experimental Medicine |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars Methods of Assessment Presentation/ Written assignments |
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Explain the principles underpinning advanced research skills |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars Methods of Assessment Presentation/Written assignments |
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Experimental Medicine towards Clinical Translation: |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, Tutorials, Masterclasses, Seminars Methods of Assessment Presentation/ Written assignments |
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Recognise and utilise state-of-the-art methods on the research and clinical translation related to vascular, respiratory and infection/immunity related diseases. |
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 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Dissertation | SCM8147 | 7 | 60 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Research Project | SCM8146 | 7 | 60 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | -- | 20% | 80% | 0% |
| 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) and Dissertation (60 CATS) which is completed over the summer.