PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MRes. in Translational Neurology
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MRes.
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2014 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Brain Sciences
Departmental web page address:
Institute of Neurology
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Length of the programme:
A degree in Medicine or at least an Upper Second (2:1) in Life or
Biomedical Science subject, ie Neuroscience, Pharmacology,
Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences
1 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
There is no relevant subject benchmark statement at the time of
writing.
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
The programme is comprised of 180 MLevel credits:
120 credits extended research project
4, 15-credit taught modules, comprising 60 credits
(see guidance notes)
The research project is assessed by means of written thesis in the
form of an article suitable for submission to a journal (70%) and Viva
(30%).
The taught modules have mixed modes of assessment. Three are
assessed by means of short answer unseen exam, taken in Moodle.
One is assessed by means of coursework: simulated grant
application & written clinical abstract, as well as a small component
(30%) of further short answer exam.
Board of Examiners:
i) Name of Board of Examiners:
MRes in Translational Neurology (new Board)
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
n/a
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The aim of the programme is to provide students with a theoretical understanding of, and practical experience in,
designing, implementing, and reporting clinical studies within a Neurology setting, making full use of its co-location
to, and integration with the £22million Leonard Wolfson Centre for Translational Neurology.
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:
Fundamental principles of clinical
investigation in Neurology, both in theory
and practice
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Lectures will be complemented by practical classes and
workshops, for example on medical governance, and
data analysis.
Principles of modern technologies used in
clinical research
Lectures will be integrated with practical sessions on
clinical trials and translational technologies. Students will
have the opportunity to shadow clinical trials at the
Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre
(LWENC), Queen Square, and observe the
neuroimaging techniques at key imaging facilities on site,
and in wider UCL.
Research design, hypothesis formulation,
and research methodologies
Lectures will be complemented by practical classes and
workshops, for example on medical governance, and
data analysis. Students will be taught how to write
abstracts, and papers, and how to prepare and present a
poster, how to prepare and target a grant application
The regulation of clinical research,
including ethical considerations
As above, lectures will be combined with practical
sessions to best teach this material
The essential facts, concepts, principles,
and theories relevant to the students
theme of research
Students will be required to meet regularly with their
supervisors and submit a progress report at regular
intervals. Regular student presentation sessions will also
be held, at which students discuss their progress to date.
Students will attend journal clubs and /or departmental
and institutional presentations to review and discuss
relevant papers, and keep abreast of new developments
in the field.
Assessment:
Fundamental principles of clinical
investigation in Neurology, both in theory
and practice
Short answer exam, clinical abstract, poster presentation
Principles of modern technologies used in
clinical research
Short answer exam, abstract, poster and thesis (if
appropriate)
Research design, hypothesis formulation,
and research methodologies
Clinical abstract, poster and thesis
Short answer exam, final thesis
The regulation of clinical research,
including ethical considerations
The essential facts, concepts, principles,
and theories relevant to the students
theme of research
Poster and thesis
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Critical evaluation of current
developments
Lectures, journal clubs, practical sessions
Formulation and testing of hypotheses
using appropriate experimental design, in
line with statutory and other regulation
Lectures, practical sessions
Planning, execution and writing-up of an
extended piece of original research
Journal clubs, presentations (attending and delivering),
meetings with supervisor
Interpreting data and evaluating
information from a variety of sources
Workshops/practicals, journal clubs, presentations
Effectively using the appropriate scientific
literature
As above
Communicating ideas and findings
Presentations
Assessment:
Critical evaluation of current
developments
Formulation and testing of hypotheses
using appropriate experimental design, in
line with statutory and other regulation
Clinical abstract, poster, viva and thesis
Poster, viva and thesis
Planning, execution and writing-up of an
extended piece of original research
Viva and thesis
Interpreting data and evaluating
information from a variety of sources
Clinical abstract, poster, viva and thesis
Effectively using the appropriate scientific
literature
Clinical abstract, thesis
Communicating ideas and findings
Poster, viva
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Plan a study
Lectures, workshops, visits to LWENC
Monitor safety
As above
Interpret scientific and clinical data
Lectures, journal club, presentations, workshops
Use appropriate technologies and
software
Workshops and visits to LWENC and Imaging Facilities
Assessment:
Plan a study
Exam, poster, thesis
Monitor safety
Exam
Interpret scientific and clinical data
Abstract, poster, thesis
Use appropriate technologies and
software
Exam, poster, thesis
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Effective Communication
Workshops, presentation sessions, lectures
Statistics and computer Models
Lectures, workshops, practicals
Project Management
Lectures, workshops, visits to LWENC
Knowledge Transfer
Visits to LWENC, lectures, seminars and workshops
Use of information and specialist
technologies
Workshops, visits to Imaging facilities
Growth as an independent researcher
Journal clubs, workshops, tutorials, underpinned by
lectures
Access, interpret and synthesize complex
information
Lectures, workshops, practical sessions
Assessment:
Effective Communication
Poster, Viva and thesis
Statistics and computer Models
Exam, abstract, poster and thesis
Project Management
Exam, poster, thesis
Knowledge Transfer
Abstract, Poster, thesis
Use of information and specialist
technologies
Poster, thesis
Growth as an independent researcher
Thesis, Abstract
Access, interpret and synthesize complex
information
Poster, abstract, thesis and viva
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
• the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/default.asp;
• the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/default.asp);
• 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 Vincenzo Libri
Date of Production:
October 2013
Date of Review:
Date approved by Head of
Department:
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2014
October 2014
October 2014
November 2014