PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc in Translational Immunobiology
Final award (BSc, MA
etc):
MSc
(where stopping off points exist
they should be detailed here
and defined later in the
document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this
programme
specification is
applicable:
From 2014 entry
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding
institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Brain Sciences
Parent Department:
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
(the department responsible for
the administration of the
programme)
Departmental web page
address:
www.ucl.ac.uk/ioo
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission
to the programme:
Length of the
programme:
BSc (Hons) 2i, or equivalent qualification from overseas, in a relevant subject
area (biomedical science, medicine). Other applicants from outside the relevant
subject areas are welcome to apply but will be assessed on an individual basis.
1 academic year; full time
(please note any periods spent
away from UCL, such as study
abroad or placements in
industry)
Level on Framework for
Higher Education
Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject
benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
7
At date of production, there is no relevant subject benchmark statement.
Brief outline of the
structure
of
the
programme
and
its
assessment methods:
(see guidance notes)
Students are required to attend:
1. Core: Research in Practice (15 credits over Term 1)
Assessment by 1 hour Exam – short answer questions
This module will be shared with the MSc (Translational and Regenerative
Neuroscience), the MRes (Visual Science) and MRes (Translational Neurology).
This module aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in the methods
required to design and implement a research project from conception to end of study,
including how to prepare study documentation, obtain ethical and regulatory
approvals and apply for sponsorship. The module will also cover the main principles of
research and medical statistics.
2. Core: Translating Science into the Clinic (15 credits over Term 1)
Assessment by 1 hour Exam – short answer questions
This module will be shared with the MSc (Translational and Regenerative
Neuroscience) and MRes (Translational Neurology).
This module will focus on the key elements of how research is conducted. It will cover
a wide range of topics, which can be divided into three main topics: Preclinical
Research, Drug Development, and Biomarkers. By the end of this module students
will have a thorough understanding of the early testing of new pharmacological
agents, including use of disease models, safety and efficacy, and translating
preclinical findings into clinical correlates.
3. Core: Ocular Immunology (15 credits over Term 1)
Module shared with existing MSc Biology of Vision programme.
Assessment: 2 Essays (50%); Seminar (25%); Journal Club (25%)
This module will provide a general basic knowledge of immunology, and how the
various immune pathways relate to the eye and eye disease.
4. Core: Developing Translational Research (15 credits over Term 2)
This module will be shared with the MSc (Translational and Regenerative
Neuroscience), the MRes (Visual Science and Translational Neurology).
Assessment: Coursework: students will submit coursework assignments on: simulated
grant application [60%]; write abstracts (one pre-clinical and one clinical) [2 x 10%];
data-mining task [20%].
This module will give a strong grounding on how to make progress after the data
acquisition phase has been completed, including data mining and integration of data
with massive “-omics” data sets, scientific communication, and development of
funding streams. While these elements will be shared with other closely related
courses, there will also be a portion (approx. 25%) specific to the course on (i) the
marketing of translational science and (ii) entrepreneurship and enterprise.
5. Core: Master Classes: Translational Science in Practice (15 credits over Term 2).
Assessment: Oral Presentation of a problem-solving task.
This module will put students in the place of translational researchers through a
seminar series run by different scientists, including internationally leading figures from
IoO and wider FBS. They will describe the step-wide process of translational research
demonstrating pathways that they have followed from bench and bedside. These
approaches will often involve immunotherapy, so this module represents an
opportunity to build on the ocular immunology learned in term 1. Other science
background knowledge will be introduced briefly at the start of each session in an
interactive session led by students, for which participation by peers during Q&A will be
assessed.
6. Optional Modules from IoO/School of Pharmacy in each Term (1 & 2)
Students will choose two of the following: Genetics and Epidemiology of Ocular
Disease (BoV); Microvascular Biology (CVS); Pharmacogenomics, Adverse Drug
Reactions & Biomarkers (15 credits each over Term 2)
Assessments will be according to module. Either Exam (90 min)
Coursework: Report
on background and interpretation of research publication. Oral presentations will be
marked independently by two examiners attending each presentation. Marks will be
based on content, quality of presentation, and answers to questions after the
presentation, according to Faculty guidelines.
Project: 60 credits (Term 3)
Student will be expected to: Attend all scheduled lectures on the timetable; Attend and
present seminar assignments as scheduled; Attend and present journal club/paper
review assignments; Complete a research project. Assessment is by a dissertation
and by viva voce.
We will follow the UCL regulations for taught MSc programmes.
Name of Board of Examiners:
Board of Examiners:
“MSc in Translational Science”
Professional body
accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to provide students with a broad understanding of human translational research
covering areas from bench to bedside. With the successful development of immune targeted therapies
for use in the clinic, this course will have an immune emphasis but will be based on a multidisciplinary
approach to understanding translational research. The topics will cover basic research methods and
statistics, as well as the ethics and regulatory processes involved. Interaction with industry is increasingly
common for developing new therapies and for applying existing approved drugs to orphan diseases.
In addition there will be a series of lectures and seminars on immunology and the eye as a model with
which to develop novel translational ideas, as well as cell biology and ophthalmology. The programme
aims to train postgraduate students primarily towards the subsequent completion of a PhD and/or a
career in basic or applied immune-biology research. This course would also be of interest to those
considering a science-related career in a number of translational areas: clinical trials administration;
working with regulatory bodies; pharmaceutical industry; patient-based studies. However, the course will
also provide an excellent training in areas requiring critical appraisal of complex data transferable to
other disciplines. Transferable skills that will enhance future employability include report writing, oral
presentations, working independently, IT literacy, statistical literacy, and critical analysis. Students will
also be involved with specialised research centres at the Institute depending on their choice of research
projects.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Research methods and basic
statistics, including how to design
and implement scientific projects
and studies involving humans;
planning clinical trials; how to
apply for Ethics approval; the
various regulatory steps involved
in human studies such as
handling data, storing specimens,
recruiting volunteers.
Lectures delivered by experienced individuals on the
various aspects of research methods and statistics will
be mixed with practical classes on medical governance
and data analysis.
2. Fundamental principles of
immunology, including: innate
and adaptive immunity; tolerance;
immune cell interactions; the role
of cytokines; autoimmune
disease; allergy; transplantation.
Lectures, seminars and some practical demonstrations
(flow cytometry) given by research-active individuals,
internationally recognised in their fields.
Supplementary lectures available online given by highly
respected immunologists and will be discussed during
class.
Students will be required to attend all classes, study
extensively on their own and, on the core courses
mentioned above and one optional module, prepare
assessed coursework and a research thesis.
3. Current understanding of
pathways involved in ocular
immune responses, including:
ocular pathology; cell trafficking
to the retina; immune-mediated
uveitis; corneal transplantation;
allergic eye disease.
4. How to conduct translational
research, including: preclinical
research; the principles of drug
development; the different uses
of biomarkers.
5. How to develop a translational
research project, including:
critical reviewing of papers;
writing scientific papers and
reports; communication of results
within the scientific/ clinical
/industry environment; handling
large data sets; data mining;
applying for funding.
Lectures delivered by experienced individuals on the
various aspects of research methods and statistics will
be mixed with practical classes on: case studies on
testing specific drugs; biomarkers in clinical trials.
Lectures delivered by experienced individuals on the
various aspects of research methods and statistics will
be mixed with practical classes on writing abstracts, use
of data bases, grant writing.
Assessment:
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1. Ability to disseminate complex data
and concepts, critical thinking, problem
solving, creativity.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Intellectual skills are developed throughout the course.
Students are also required to present current vision
research to the other students in a seminar with
discussion aided by either a programme tutor or other
contributor to the programme.
These skills will be most developed during the course of
the research of the research project in which students
will be expected to critically evaluate and summarize
current cutting-edge research.
Assessment:
Students’ abilities to critically evaluate data will
assessed summatively through seminar presentations,
essay writing associated with specific modules and the
project dissertation.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. In-depth understanding and application
of state-of-the-art immunological
techniques.
2. Literature search-based data
acquisition and analysis.
3. Oral presentations on assigned
research topics.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Students will attend lectures, demonstrations and
perform self-guided practicals.
2. Students will use data-mining software to acquire
information on a selected research areas and develop a
current review of the area.
3. Students will use Powerpoint or equivalent
presentation software, and will be given constructive
feedback.
Assessment:
1. Students will sit an examination paper structured
to assess the students’ analytical skill in light of
the techniques in which they have gained
experience.
2. Students will give an oral presentation reviewing
a research area.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1. Effective communication, oral/visual
presentation.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Students will learn to present current immunological
research to their peers and teaching/research staff. The
students will also understand the process of engaging
scientific colleagues as part of their approach to
perspective supervisors to secure a project of interest to
them in an area relevant to the programme remit.
2. Active listening,
understanding/tolerance of others,
groupwork/teamwork, self
awareness/assessment, peer
assessment, initiative/proactive approach,
Independence and leadership,
2.These listening skills will be gained during the modules
making up the programme but also through their
audience participation during assessed presentations by
their peers, and in their research projects.
Assessment:
1. The production and oral presentation of a
dissertation on original research carried out by
the student under the supervision of an active,
international class researcher.
2. Ability to follow, understand and ask relevant
questions pertaining to scientific presentations
given by lecturers and peers during journal club
and seminar presentations.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please 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 takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Dr. Virginia Calder
Date of Production:
12th November, 2013.
Date of Review:
October 2014
Date approved by Head of
Department:
October 2014
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2014
November 2014