PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Human Tissue Repair
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MSc/ MRes
(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 September 2016 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Medical Sciences
Parent Department:
Division of Medicine
(the department responsible for the administration of the
programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/medicine/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
One calendar year full-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the programme:
First or upper second class honours degree or overseas equivalent, in a
relevant subject (e.g. Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Cell Biology
and Medicine) from a recognized university, or an appropriate degree level
professional qualification.
Length of the programme:
One calendar 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)
Level 7
At date of production, no relevant postgraduate benchmark.
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
Outline of the program structure:
The structure of this programme is summarised in Appendix 1 (below).
Briefly, students will all take 4 core modules (60 credits) in Term 1 which form
the foundation of knowledge required for the both the MSc or the MRes
degree. During the first term, the students will be asked to select one of
three pathways or routes which will determine:
a) the name of their degree, ie Human Tissue Repair (Inflammation OR
Immunotherapy OR Transplantation Science)
b) whether their degree will be MSc or MRes
c) their research project
There will be a ‘project day’ in term 1 where the students will be presented
with research projects for each route.
The programme will consist of 180 credits made up from modules worth 15
credits and either a research project worth 60 credits leading to the MSc or
90 credits leading to an MRes/MSc. Completion of the 4 core modules from
Term1 can lead to a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits). Completion of 4
additional modules from Term 2 making a total of 120 credits can lead to a
Diploma. Further, the “flip lecture” content of many of the modules will enable
them to be packaged as CPD courses.
Term 1
- 4 Compulsory Core modules: ‘Principles of inflammation (NEW)’, &
‘Immunology in health and disease (NEW)’, ‘Tissue repair and
regeneration (NEW)’, Research Methods (NEW)’,
Term 2:
- 1 compulsory Core practical module, ‘Practical Research Skills (NEW)’
- 3 Selective Modules: Student will select their ‘Route’ by selecting EITHER
‘Inflammation and disease (NEW) OR Immunological basis of disease
(NEW) OR Transplantation science(NEW)
If the students opt for a 90 credit research project they will not choose
optional modules. If the students opt for the MSc (60 credits) they will
choose from 2 optional modules (total 30 credits) from the list provided in
their chosen ‘route’/
- ‘Inflammation’ Route Optional modules:
1. Transplantation (NEW, 2. Stem cell therapy,3. Immunological basis of
disease (NEW), 4. Ethics, Translation & commercialisation ,5. Biological
Molecules as therapies
- ‘Immunotherapy’ Route Optional modules:
1. Transplantation (NEW),2. Stem cell therapy, 3. Inflammation & Disease
(NEW), 4. Ethics, Translation & commercialisation, 5. Cell & Gene
Therapy: Molecular and clinical aspects
- ‘Transplantation Science’ Route Optional modules:
1. Stem cell therapy, 2. Tissue engineering, 3. Immunological basis of
disease (NEW),4. Ethics, Translation & commercialisation,
5. Applied Biomaterials
Term 3:
Research project (60credits) for each route.
Outline of the assessment methods:
Attendance at scheduled lectures/ tutorials on the timetable.
Assessment will be made by a mixture of exams (MCQs and long
answer), coursework including (literature review, practical skill
assessments, presentations, poster sessions and critical evaluation
assessments and peer/ group assessment).
Completion of a research project.
In the event of failure of <25% of the taught components of the programme
(eg. failure of coursework OR failure of examination OR failure or journal club
presentations), re-sit examinations /assessments will be set. The research
project dissertation cannot be failed.
Name of Board of Examiners
Human Tissue Repair
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
This is an integrated programme designed to link three complementary and interconnected areas of biomedical research,
namely inflammation, immunity and regenerative and transplantation sciences, providing the student unsurpassed training
and understanding in all aspects of human tissue repair.
The programme aims to deliver core training in a) the cell and molecular pathways regulating inflammation, tissue repair,
regeneration and the pathogenic mechanisms underlying common and rare inflammatory conditions, b) immune responses
underlying these mechanisms c) understanding of current treatments and therapies (pharmacological, immunotherapies, stem
cell therapies, organ transplantation, tissue engineering and biomaterials used to repair organs). Studies will bridge both
science and medicine/surgery disciplines with particular reference to human health therapy, drug discovery and translational
biomedicine. The course will prepare students for further academic study (transfer to PhD programmes) and to work at the
highest levels within the biomedical sciences. It will also provide the foundation for careers engaged in public healthcare sector
and the NHS, in industry and biopharma, government and research councils, biomedical charities and stakeholders, sports
medicine, and scientific media and publishing houses.
Inflammation and the immune response are the most important biologic processes in maintaining health and provide a critical
link between injury and tissue damage, coordinating effective repair and restoration of organ function. They are also pivotal
pathological drivers in almost all human diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, fibrotic diseases, cardiovascular
diseases, degenerative diseases and dementia. Key facets of inflammation have been targeted by the pharmaceutical industry
to pioneer the development of the most robust treatment modalities now widely adopted for all human diseases, including
biologics, such as anti-cytokine therapy, small molecule kinase inhibitors and antibody-based cell depletion strategies. These
highlight the importance of understanding the fundamental biology of inflammation and repair in health and in the development
of strategies for advanced therapeutics for human disease.
The course harnesses basic, biomedical, clinical and surgical expertise and research strengths assembled from across UCL
Institutes and Divisions and UCL partner hospitals and together with industrial colleagues will provide world leading teaching
and training in inflammation, immunology, tissue remodelling, tissue regeneration, tissue transplantation, drug discovery and
in understanding and treating human disease. In addition the students will gain knowledge through undertaking a specialised
research project, as well as aspects of ethics, regulation of research and intellectual property. The programme also aims to
provide students with additional skills such as organising and managing the project, working as part of a scientific team,
communicating their findings in the form of scientific writing as well as orally presentations to a broad audience.
Specifically the programme aims to:

Provide in-depth knowledge of inflammation in human disease delivered by experts

Provide in-depth knowledge of immune responses and immunotherapy in human disease delivered by experts

Provide in-depth knowledge of regenerative and transplantation science

Provide research experience/training under the supervision of internationally-renowned academic/clinical/ surgical
specialists

Provide students with a good range of practical laboratory skills

Provide students with a broad understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of research methodology and
ethics, experiment planning, data handling and critical analysis.

Provide training in scientific communication and presentation.

Provide understanding of translational research from basic bench-top research to commercialization strategies.

Enhance the interaction of students with the research community as well as the pharmaceutical industry.

Provide overseas graduates with experience of biomedical research and practice in the UK.
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:
 Human tissue repair at the molecular, cellular,
tissue and organ levels, involves complex
biological process including inflammation,
immunity and regeneration. The course will
highlight the mechanisms that drive it under
normal under normal tissue repair/
regeneration and the abnormal alterations
that occur in these processes in human
diseases.
 The core modules ‘Principles of inflammation’,
‘Immunology in health and disease’, ‘Tissue
repair and regeneration’, provide the
foundation of specific knowledge required to
understand human tissue repair.
 The Selective core modules ‘Inflammation
and disease ,Immunological basis of disease,
Transplantation will provide the more
advanced aspects of human tissue repair
especially in the context of disease and will
allow the student to choose a pathway
following their own specific interests.
 The practical module ‘Practical Research
Skills’ will provide the necessary basic skill
required for working in biomedical research
laboratory. The taught module ‘Research
Methods’ will teach the necessary theoretical
and practical skill to work in a scientific
manner including, statistical methods,
experimental design, scientific presentation
skills etc.
 The optional modules ‘Stem cell therapy’,
‘Tissue engineering,’ ‘Applied Biomaterials’,
and ‘Cell & Gene Therapy: Molecular and
clinical aspects’ provide the student with the
option to specialise in a specific aspect of
human tissue repair, regeneration and
replacement.
 Optional modules‘ Biological molecules as
therapies’ and ‘Ethics , translation &
Commercialisation’ will allow the students to
learn about drug design as well as ethics,
regulation and the translational pathways
towards commercialisation, which is essential
for stimulating student “entrepreneurship”
and making potential therapies a clinical
reality.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Lectures by active, world class researchers in the field
of inflammation in human disease, tissue repair, tissue
regeneration and tissue replacement.

Recorded ‘Flip’ lectures and face-to-face tutorial groups

Student presentations of current ongoing research with
discussions led either by course tutor/s and other
lecturers within the Faculty.

Journal club presentations will be open to discussion at
follow-up tutorials, students will write a 250 word
abstract of selected presentation
Assessment:

Unseen examinations,

Course-work in the form of essays and presentations.

Multiple choice questionnaire examinations,

Production and presentation of a dissertation of original
research carried out by the student under the
supervision of an active, international class researcher.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:

Critical appraisal of scientific literature.

Critical analysis and interpretation of data.

Understanding and application of
generated data in the broader context of
the field
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Small group seminars and oral presentation.

Group and individual discussions.

Critical appraisal of journal articles.

Research Project design.

Group learning
Assessment:

Marked coursework assignments, projects, reports and
presentations.

Unseen written exams.

Dissertation and oral presentation for Research Project
module.

Peer assessment
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):

Design, organise and manage a project

Manage time efficiently.

Present ideas, concepts and original
research in a clear and concise scientific
manner

Present scientific data to business
audience

Perform cell culture and to plan simple cell
based experiments
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Research project design

Laboratory work, practical skills

Production of high quality scientific dissertation

Oral presentations
Assessment:

Research project dissertation of 10,000 words

Practical Assessment

Research project laboratory assessment by
supervisor’s report

Oral Presentations
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):

Appreciate and understand scientific
methodology

Perform critical analysis on others’
research

Perform analysis and interpretation of
numerical data

Understand and use statistics effectively

Effectively time manage

Present and communicate scientific data
competently to other scientists and to
non-scientists
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Lectures

Seminars, Tutorials, Oral and Poster presentations

Critical reading of research articles

Assigned reading and self-directed learning

Group discussions

Laboratory work

Research project design
Assessment:

Examinations

Coursework assignments

Dissertation

Oral Presentations

Research project supervisor’s report
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.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 Markella Ponticos
Date of Production*:
May 2015
Date of Review:
11 November 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching Committee:
Date approved by Faculty Teaching
Committee
13 November 2015
Appendix 1
26th November 2015