UNIVERSITY OF KENT



Programme SpecificationPlease note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she passes the programme. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this specification is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. MSc BiomedicineAwarding Institution/BodyUniversity of KentTeaching InstitutionUniversity of KentSchool responsible for management of the programmeSchool of BiosciencesTeaching SiteCanterbury Mode of DeliveryFull-timePart-time Programme accredited byRoyal Society of Biologya) Final AwardMSc Biomedicine7. b) Alternative Exit AwardsPG Diploma in Biomedicine; PG Certificate in Biomedicine (or Advanced Molecular Biology)ProgrammeBiomedicineUCAS Code (or other code)N/ACredits/ECTS value180 credits (ECTS 90)Study LevelPostgraduate (Level 7)Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s)N/ADate of creation/revision Sept 2017/revised FSO Dec 2017Intended Start Date of Delivery of this ProgrammeSeptember 2018Educational Aims of the ProgrammeThe programme aims to:Provide an excellent quality of postgraduate level education in the field of biomedicine.Provide a research-led, inspiring learning environment.Provide a regional postgraduate progression route for the advanced study of biomedical science.Provide a flexible programme that allows a range of specialisms within biomedical science.Promote engagement with research into biomedicine and inspire students to pursue scientific careers inside or outside of the laboratory.Develop subject specific and transferable skills to maximise employment prospects.Promote an understanding of the impact of scientific research on society and the role for scientists in a range of professions.16 Programme OutcomesThe programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas. There are no relevant benchmarking statements.A. Knowledge and Understanding of:Principles, application and the critical context of key techniques in modern molecular bioscience and its application to biomedicine.The mechanisms by which scientific knowledge and research is disseminated to different stakeholders: e.g. media, policy makers, and public.Research ethics and academic integrity, and the application of related principles and procedures in an advanced biological research context.Skills and Other AttributesB. Intellectual Skills:Research skills: how to formulate original research questions and hypotheses to address current scientific issues.Analytical skills: scholarly interpretation of data, marshalling information from published sources, critical evaluation of own research and that of rmation technology: use of appropriate technology to retrieve, analyse and present scientific information.Statistical evaluation: the use of appropriate statistical analysis methods in handling and critically interpreting scientific data.C. Subject-specific Skills:Experimental skills: how to design experiments to address specific research questions and hypotheses.Practical skills: key techniques in modern molecular biology and their application in molecular bioscience to solve research problems.Data handling: how to record experimental procedures and data appropriately using good laboratory practice.Presentation of scientific research: how to write research articles in an appropriate scholarly style in keeping with high impact factor scientific journals, and posters and oral presentation for conferences and symposia.Science writing: how to present scientific information to scientific and non-scientific audiences.Careers: a recognition of career opportunities for scientists outside of the laboratory.Principles and procedures for health and safety in the laboratory research environment.D. Transferable Skills:Communication: ability to organise information clearly, present information in oral and written form, adapt presentation for different audiences.Reflection: make use of constructive informal feedback from staff and peers and assess own progress to enhance performance and personal skills.Self-motivation and independence: time and workload management in order to meet personal targets and imposed deadlines.Team work: the ability to work both independently and as part of a research group using peer support, diplomacy and collective responsibility.Teaching/learning and assessment methods and strategies used to enable the programme learning outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated.Teaching and LearningLectures and seminars.Tutor-led and self-directed learning.Case study analysis.Experimental planning.Practical classes.Research project.AssessmentsExaminations.Practical classes.Laboratory reports.Continuous assessment.Oral and poster presentations.Project report.For more information on the skills developed by individual modules and on the specific learning outcomes associated with any alternative exit award relating to this programme of study, see the module mapping table, located at the end of this specification.17 Programme Structures and Requirements, Levels, Modules, Credits and AwardsThis programme is studied over one year full-time or two years part-time. The programme is divided into two stages. Stage 1 comprises modules to a total of 120 credits and Stage 2 comprises a 60 credit dissertation module. Students must successfully complete each module in order to be awarded the specified number of credits for that module. One credit corresponds to approximately ten hours of 'learning time' (including all classes and all private study and research). Thus obtaining 180 credits in an academic year requires 1,800 hours of overall learning time. For further information on modules and credits refer to the Credit Framework at Each module and programme is designed to be at a specific level. For the descriptors of each of these levels, refer to Annex 2 of the Credit Framework at . To be eligible for the award of a Master’s degree students must obtain 180 credits, at least 150 of which must be Level 7. Students who obtain 120 credits, but excluding the dissertation, will be eligible for the award of postgraduate diploma.Students successfully completing 60 credits at Stage 1 of the programme and meeting credit framework requirements who do not successfully complete Stage 1 will be eligible for the award of postgraduate certificate. For the award of PGCert Biomedicine, this must include at least 30 credits from modules other than BI830 and BI836. All other students successfully completing 60 credits at level 7 will be awarded PGCert Advanced Molecular pulsory modules are core to the programme and must be taken by all students studying the programme. Optional modules provide a choice of subject areas, from which students will select a stated number of modules. Where a student fails a module(s) due to illness or other mitigating circumstances, such failure may be condoned, subject to the requirements of the Credit Framework and provided that the student has achieved the programme learning outcomes. For further information, refer to the Credit Framework at . Where a student fails a module(s), but has marks for such modules within 10 percentage points of the pass mark, the Board of Examiners may nevertheless award the credits for the module(s), subject to the requirements of the Credit Framework and provided that the student has achieved the programme learning outcomes. For further information, refer to the Credit Framework.Optional modules can be selected from a wide range of biomedically-related topics, subject to timetabling constraints. Where level 6 modules are studied, transcripts will be reviewed to ensure that there is no credit duplication from earlier study. Selection of optional modules listed below is subject to approval by the Programme Director. In some instances, it may be possible to select Biosciences modules with a biomedical focus from outside the list below; this will require permission of Director of Graduate Studies and Director of Education, in addition to the Programme Director. The module selection must be distinct from that of the School’s other MSc programmes.Modules with an asterisk cannot be compensated or condoned.Students must successfully complete 90 credits in Stage 1 in order to progress to Stage 2, trailing no more than 30 credits.At postgraduate level, the ‘Summer Term’ includes the standard summer vacation period. For specific details of term dates please refer to . KV CodeCodeTitleLevelCreditsTerm(s)Stage 1Compulsory Modules – 60 creditsBIOS8300*BI830*Science at Work7301BIOS8360BI836Practical and Applied Research Skills for Advanced Biologists7301Optional Modules Students must select 60 credits from the list of optional modules approved by the School of Biosciences. Note; at least 45 credits selected from the Spring term and at least 30 credits at Level 7.Stage 2Compulsory Modules – 60 creditsBIOS8450*BI845*Research Project760Summer and Vacation18 Work-Based LearningDisability Statement: Where disabled students are due to undertake a work placement as part of this programme of study, a representative of the University will meet with the work placement provider in advance to ensure the provision of anticipatory and reasonable adjustments in line with legal requirements.Where relevant to the programme of study, provide details of any work-based learning element, inclusive of employer details, delivery, assessment and support for students.There are no specific work-based learning elements to this programme; however, the research project may offer specific opportunities to work with industrial research collaborative partners (with co-supervision by Kent staff). These opportunities would be investigated and assessed on a case-by-case basis as they would be dependent upon the needs of the industrial partners and student visa status, but they would not affect the assessment of the programme as they would fit within the existing module pattern.19 Support for Students and their LearningSchool and University induction programmeProgramme/module handbooksStudent Support Wellbeing kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeingStudent Learning Advisory Service Service Union kentunion.co.ukKent Graduate Student Association (KGSA) School (Provision of (i) skills training (workshops and online courses) (ii) institutional level induction and (iii) student-led initiatives such as social events, conferences and workshops) kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/index.htmlInformation Services (computing and library services) kent.ac.uk/isPostgraduate student representation at School, Faculty and Institutional levelsCentre for English and World Languages kent.ac.uk/cewl/index.htmlCareers and Employability Services kent.ac.uk/cesInternational Recruitment Office ; International Partnerships Office Centre services system tutorial system - each student will have a tutor assigned from the key teaching team.Woolf College Master - issues relating to non-academic student welfare, e.g. accommodation.Graduate School transferable training programme - students will be encouraged to engage with relevant transferable training and social interaction within the Graduate School and its student community.Biosciences Student Resource Room and Postgraduate/Staff Tea Room - both provide computing facilities as well as WiFi access for informal work and social interaction (this is in addition to the space provided by the Graduate School).Twice-weekly seminar programme (during academic term time) - a shared research forum for internal and external speakers providing a vibrant research environment.Postgraduate Personal Development Folder - personal development planning resource for all postgraduate students emphasising self-directed learning and development of employability skills.Research laboratory infrastructure and core facilities.Students will make use of core research facilities and space during practical training and research projects.20 Entry ProfileThe minimum age to study a degree programme at the university is normally at least 17 years old by 20 September in the year the programme begins. There is no upper age limit.20.1 Entry RouteFor current information, please refer to the University prospectusThis postgraduate qualification will require a minimum entry requirement of a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent in a Biosciences-related programme. Others may be admitted if they have additional vocational experience that is relevant to the programme.Students from overseas for whom English is not the first language will, in addition, be subject to the standard postgraduate entry requirement for English (6.5 IELTS, plus 6.0 in reading and writing or equivalent). Students who require additional English Language Training may be eligible for pre-sessional English courses of varying durations, as offered by CEWL. 20.2 What does this programme have to offer?The study of biomedical science at an advanced level and in a research-led environment.A progression route for PhD level study.Laboratory-based research experience attractive to employers and graduate schools.Teaching by research active specialists in biomedical science.Incorporation of content and discussions on the role of science and scientists in society, which encourages students to engage with public affairs, understand the context within which science operates, and open up careers beyond the laboratory.Excellent research facilities and a vibrant research environment with around 100 postgraduate students.Insight from NHS practitioners and industrial partners who provide perspectives on application of biomedical knowledge in patient care.20.3 Personal ProfileStudents with a degree in Biosciences with a particular and unfulfilled interest in biomedicine.Students who wish to undertake a PhD but who lack the research experience to be admitted straight from undergraduate degree level.Students from Kent who wish to study at level 7 for another year to gain a level 7 qualification.Students who have attended Kent for short-exchange programmes (e.g. Undergraduate Year Abroad and Biotechnology Summer School) who wish to attend for a full year.21 Methods for Evaluating and Enhancing the Quality and Standards of Teaching and Learning21.1 Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standardsQuality Assurance Framework Programme Review Examiners system programme and module monitoring reports Higher Education Review module evaluationsAnnual staff appraisalPeer observationExternal accreditation by Royal Society of BiologyStanding item for PGT programmes in Graduate Studies CommitteeExternal practitioner teachers and advisors from NHSRegular teaching team meetings21.2 Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standardsBoard of ExaminersSchool Graduate Studies CommitteeFaculty Graduate Studies CommitteeFaculty BoardGraduate School BoardStaff/Student Liaison Committee21.3 Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experienceStaff-Student Liaison CommitteePostgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES)Student module evaluationsPostgraduate Student Representation System (School, Faculty and Institutional level)Academic advising system21.4 Staff Development priorities include:Annual AppraisalsInstitutional Level Staff Development ProgrammeStudy LeaveAcademic Practice Provision (PGCHE, other development opportunities)PGCHE requirementsHEA (associate) fellowship membershipProfessional body membership and requirementsProgramme team meetingsResearch seminarsConferencesEquality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) awarenessCore teaching team are experts in biomedical researchTraining for postgraduate student demonstrators in practical classesStaff development courses for use of innovative assessment22 Indicators of Quality and StandardsAnnual External Examiner reportsResults of periodic programme review (18 March 2016)Annual programme and module monitoring reportsGraduate Destinations SurveyPostgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) resultsProfessional accreditation by Royal Society of BiologyQAA Higher Education Review 201522.1 The following reference points were used in creating these specifications:QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education requirements of Royal Society of BiologySchool and Faculty planUniversity Plan and Learning and Teaching Strategies research activitiesKent Inclusive Practices ()Existing MSc programme documents and monitoring dataRoyal Society of Biology Advanced Accreditation Handbook23 Inclusive Programme Design The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current equality legislation, by ensuring that the programme is as accessible as possible by design. Additional alternative arrangements for students with Inclusive Learning Plans (ILPs)/declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the relevant policies and support services.Module mapping table to be amended as appropriate to the programme specification. Where the programme includes many optional modules, it is acceptable to include only the compulsory modules in the tablesStage 1Stage 2BI830: Science@workBI836: Practical and applied research skills for advanced biologistsOptional modules*BI845: Research Project Programme Learning outcomesKnowledge and Understanding:A1XXXA2XA3XXXIntellectual Skills:B1XXB2XXXB3XXXB4XXSubject-specific Skills:C1XXC2XXC3XXC4XXC5XC6XC7XXTransferable Skills:D1XXXXD2XXD3XXXXD4XX*All optional modules deliver learning outcomes indicated in the module mapping table below. Individual modules will also deliver on other programme learning outcomes, and other learning outcomes relevant to the field of Biomedicine. ................
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