Applied Medical Science
Structure & Courses
Structure & Courses
The Course is structured around 3 core modules
1. Evidence Based Medicine and Research
Aims
To provide core skills in critical review, communications, medical ethics, statistics and data handling, research methods and the principles of evidenced-based medicine, good clinical practice and clinical governance to equip students for their own practice, to enable them to evaluate evidence, cite appropriate references, and conduct a research programme and to prepare them for specialist courses in the MSc associated programmes. This course will provide knowledge important in performing and understanding research.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- To be able to critically review papers in the peer reviewed literature and relate them to evidence-based medicine
- To understand the principles of medical epidemiology and be able to critically review studies and know how they relate to clinical practice
- To be able to summarise and communicate literature reviews effectively
- To have a good understanding of the use of ICT in modern medicine and the use of telemedicine, and to reflect in their use in current practice
- To apply statistical methods to study design, audit and data analysis
- To understand different approaches in diagnostic methods
- To have a good understanding of the ethical issues relating to the practice of modern medicine and to reflect on current practice and how ethical issues may influence this
- To be able to apply good clinical practice and understand clinical governance
- To understand medical research methods and philosophy
2. Research Methodology in Applied Medical Science
Aims
To develop students’ proficiency in conducting laboratory or field based experiments and associated validation and analysis of data to a standard that would be required for peer-review publication in preparation for future research training and independent research.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Search the available literature to select suitable research methodologies in support of a research question or hypothesis
- Critically assess, develop and validate research methodologies to a standard that would be required for peer-review publication
- Proficiently utilise laboratory and/or other skills relevant in applied medical science
- Assemble, interpret and report research data making use of appropriate data analysis software to a standard that would be required for peer-review publication
- Prepare and present research findings and convey these findings to both professional and lay audiences
3. Research Dissertation in Applied Medical Science
Aims
The masters-level research project or dissertation is a means of getting students to engage in detail with one topic or issue relevant to their specialist medical science subject, to carry out original research into that topic or issue, and to present an extended written argument. It requires them to draw on their knowledge of key concepts and theories gained from other parts of the programme, together with their knowledge of research methods and analytical techniques, in order to present a coherent, masters-level dissertation or project.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- To plan and execute a substantial piece of original research project with the support of a dissertation supervisor
- To identify the literature relating to a specific topic or issue and to present a synthesis and critical review of that literature
- To formulate specific research questions and to identify specific problems deriving from the literature review
- To select appropriate research methods to gather data, and to analyse that data using appropriate techniques
- To present the findings from their research and to draw appropriate conclusions that relate to the research questions or problems identified
- To communicate a complex, extended argument effectively in writing using appropriate academic conventions
- To execute and complete tasks on time.
How is progress assessed on the MSc Programme?
Evidence Based Medicine and Research: Exam (60%), reflective portfolio (25%), class essay (10%), oral presentation (5%).
Research Methodology in Applied Medical Science: 2 short reports (40%), reflective laboratory notebook (40%), 2 oral presentations (20%).
Research Dissertation in Applied Medical Science: Dissertation (80%) and poster presentation (20%).