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Programme Specification
Awarding Body/Institution Queen Mary, University of London
Teaching Institution Queen Mary, University of London
Name of Final Award and Programme Title MSc in Neuroscience and Translational Medicine
Name of Interim Award(s) PG Diploma in Neuroscience and Translational Medicine and PG
Certificate in Neuroscience and Translational Medicine
Duration of Study / Period of Registration 1 year
QM Programme Code / UCAS Code(s) A3F
QAA Benchmark Group N/A
FHEQ Level of Award Level 7
Programme Accredited by N/A
Date Programme Specification Approved 5 Jul 2012
Responsible School / Institute Blizard Institute
Schools which will also be involved in teaching part of the programme
N/A
Institution(s) other than Queen Mary that will provide some teaching for the programme
N/A
Programme Outline
In modern medicine and biomedical sciences there is an increasing need for scientists and clinicians who understand the challenges of developing better treatments, and also master the knowledge involved in rapid translation of a discovery from the bench to the clinic. These aspects are included in the concept of “translational medicine”. There is a strong move towards translational medicine, exemplified by the development of centres for translational research in many prestigious academic institutions worldwide. In the UK, the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research have recently launched a joint strategy aimed at strengthening translational research. However, the training of specialists in translational medicine is at a very early stage in many countries, including the UK. In particular, the need for more elite physician scientists in the UK is exemplified by surveys such as that carried out by the British Medical Association and the Medical Schools Council [previously the Council of Heads of Medical Schools], who have highlighted the difficulty in filling top-level clinical research positions in Britain’s top medical institutions.
Although many centres of excellence in neuroscience in the UK are developing translational activities, no such post-graduate programme exists at present in the UK or the rest of Europe. Similarly, in the USA there are centres for translational research, but there is no evidence of this type of post-graduate programme. The students taking this programme will develop general and transferable skills in the field of drug discovery and drug development and clinical trial management, combined with in-depth
knowledge in a chosen speciality. Neurology is a medical field where the clinical unmet needs are numerous, and the scope for high quality translational medicine is significant. In particular, the UK is not in a good position in terms of number of neurology specialists in the population, compared to other European countries. A post-graduate course in Neuroscience and Translational Medicine organised in London could not only attract overseas students with an interest in this field but would also contribute significantly to the high quality training of the next generation of physician scientists specialising in neurology in the UK. We expect that a successful graduate training programme in Neuroscience and Translational Medicine will have strong support from the Association of British Neurologists, the British Neuroscience Association and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies.
Aims of the Programme
To provide an critical insight into modern concepts in the neurobiology relevant to major diseases of the nervous system To identify clinical unmet needs in selected disease areas in neurology To critique new approaches to disease diagnosis and the assessment of treatment efficacy To discuss the process of drug discovery, including the pre-clinical phase and clinical drug development To evaluate and appraise the knowledge required to design, organise and run a clinical trial To discuss the legal processes underlying intellectual property rights and the governance of clinical trials To synthesise information regarding the translational process using specific examples in neurological pathology.
What Will You Be Expected to Achieve? Students who successfully complete the programme will have detailed knowledge of the drug discovery and development process, clinical trial design and methodology, and the regulatory environment. The research project provides training in laboratory skills and research techniques, data analysis, oral presentation skills, and critical appraisal of the scientific literature. This training will provide essential transferable skills for a future career path, and also provides excellent training to students who wish to pursue a PhD.
Academic Content:
A 1
Demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of translational science and the steps involved in drug discovery and drug development, its application and an awareness of the provisional nature of such knowledge.
A 2 Demonstrate the ability to critique the clinical specific needs and translational challenges in specific areas of neurology
A 3 Evaluate advanced scholarship critically in evidence-based neuroscience, and make a case for alternative approaches.
Disciplinary Skills - able to:
B 1
Produce scholarly work, to demonstrate skills of analysis, synthesis, reflection and critical evaluation.
B 2 Contextualise the practical, scientific and ethical framework of the research process.
B 3
Evaluate advanced scholarship critically in evidence-based neuroscience, and make a case for alternative approaches.
Only students who satisfactorily pass the 120-credit taught modules (minimum 50% pass for each module) will be eligible to proceed to the 60-credit project module.
The award of the degree will be made only when all modules are satisfactorily completed and passed. In the event of a candidate achieving an overall average score of <50% for each of the taught modules, the candidate may take a single re-sit of the required module(s) during the next academic year. Re-sits will be capped at 50%.
Students who satisfactorily pass the first module (ICMM926 - worth 45 credits) and at least one of the15 credit specialised modules (i.e. a total of at least 60 credits), will be eligible for the PG Cert award. A student who satisfactorily passes the 120-unit taught modules, but fails to complete the project, will be eligible for the PG Dip award.
How is the Programme Structured?
Summary of the Programme Content
Taught component:
Core module (45 credits; assessed by in course work (30%) and a written examination ( 70%) )
Fundamentals of Drug Discovery and Drug Development ICMM926 Core Module
Specialised modules (15 credits/module, 75 credits in total; each assessed by in-course work (20%) and an examination (80%)
Neurotrauma and Stroke module - ICMM927 - Core Module
Neuroinflammmatory and Autoimmune diseases module - ICMM928- Core Module
Neurodegenerative Diseases module - ICMM929- Core Module
Chronic Pain and Epilepsy module - ICMM930 - Core Module
Neuro-oncology module - ICMM931 - Core Module
Research component:
Research project module (60 credits) ICMM932 - Core Module
MSc students must successfully complete and pass all the taught modules to the value of 120 credits and undertake an original research project, which will be submitted as a dissertation (equivalent to 60 credits). This represents a total of 180 credits.
Academic Year of Study 1
Module Title
Module
Code
Credits Level
Module
Selection
Status
Academic
Year of
Study
Semester
Fundamentals of Drug Discovery and Drug Development ICMM926 45 7 Core 1 Semester 1
Neurotrauma and Stroke ICMM927 15 7 Core 1 Semester 2
Module Title
Module
Code
Credits Level
Module
Selection
Status
Academic
Year of
Study
Semester
Neuroinflammatory and Autoimmune disease ICMM928 15 7 Core 1 Semester 2
Neurodegenerative disease ICMM929 15 7 Core 1 Semester 2
Chronic pain and Epilepsy ICMM930 15 7 Core 1 Semester 2
Neuro-oncology ICMM931 15 7 Core 1 Semester 2
Research Project and Dissertation ICMM932 60 7 Core 1 Semester 3
What Are the Entry Requirements?
- BSc in the biomedical science field (minimum grade 2:2); e.g. degrees in Physiology, Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Pharmacology.
- medical degree, dentistry or pharmacy degree
- Overseas qualifications at degree level from a university or an institution of university rank
Other requirements: a) Students will be expected to be familiar with basic neuroscience concepts, at the level covered in the type of undergraduate studies specified and reflected in the academic transcripts. b) Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential and non-native English speakers are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7 or an IBTOEFL score of 100.
How Do We Listen and Act on Your Feedback?
The Staff-Student Liaison Committee provides a formal means of communication and discussion between Schools and its students. The committee consists of student representatives from each year in the school/institute together with appropriate representation from staff within the school/institute. It is designed to respond to the needs of students, as well as act as a forum for discussing programme and module developments. Staff-Student Liaison Committees meet regularly throughout the year.
Each school operates a Learning and Teaching Committee, or equivalent, which advises the School/Institute Director of Taught Programmes on all matters relating to the delivery of taught programmes at school level including monitoring the application of relevant QM policies and reviewing all proposals for module and programme approval and amendment before submission to Taught Programmes Board. Student views are incorporated in this Committee’s work in a number of ways, such as through student membership, or consideration of student surveys.
All schools operate an Annual Programme Review of their taught undergraduate and postgraduate provision. The process is normally organised at a School-level basis with the Head of School, or equivalent, responsible for the completion of the school's Annual Programme Reviews. Schools/institutes are required to produce a separate Annual Programme Review for undergraduate programmes and for postgraduate taught programmes using the relevant Undergraduate or Postgraduate Annual Programme Review pro-forma. Students’ views are considered in this process through analysis of the NSS and module evaluations.
Academic Support
- One-day programme induction for orientation and introducing study skills. This is followed by a two week programme that includes practical laboratory techniques, seminars focused on writing and critical appraisal skills, and workshops teaching oral presentation skills.
Person completing Programme Specification Professor Adina Michael-Titus
Person responsible for management of programme Ms. Sharon Averill and Professor Adina Michael-Titus
Date Programme Specification produced/amended
by School Learning and Teaching Committee
Date Programme Specification approved by
Taught Programmes Board
5 Jul 2012
