PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MRes in Biomedicine
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:
From 2013 entry
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Population Health Sciences
Parent Department:
UCL/Institute of Child Health
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mresbiomedicine/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
High calibre students with a good scientific background.
Good first degree (2:1 or better) or equivalent and a commitment to
innovation in learning and research.
Those who are likely but not exclusively wanting to proceed to a PhD
in the Biosciences and its allied specialities or to pursue a career in
research and scientific investigations in industry or in Professions
Allied to Medicine.
Length of the programme:
One calendar year
(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
n/a
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Board of Examiners:
The programme will lead to an MRes in Biomedicine (equivalent to an
MSc by Research). Students can choose research themes from a
variety of subjects including Infection, Autoimmune diseases in
Children, Stem cell and Gene Therapy, Genomics and Proteomics in
Health and Disease, Developmental and Cancer Biology. The year
includes three 15 credit taught modules, a short project (45 credits)
and a long project (90 credits). Emphasis will be given to providing
students with practical and theoretical experience in a wide spectrum
of research methodology and critical analysis.
Name of Board of Examiners:
MRes in Biomedicine
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
 To introduce students to Academic and Key skills essential for all fields of research in Biomedicine
(including Professions Allied to Medicine).
 Provide practical research training under supervised conditions in highly rated Departments with an
excellent track record of independent research and critical analysis.
 Provide a sound basis for subsequent PhD studies.
Furthermore, we aim to:
 provide students with generic and scientific skills, which will enable them to embark on lifelong careers in
research and related fields.
 provide students with an excellent introduction to research in the UK.
 to award an Master of Research in Biomedicine.
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:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
How to recognise and validate
problems
Original independent and critical
thinking
Ability to develop theoretical
concepts
Ability to critically analyse and to
evaluate one’s own findings in
context with other research
Work as an active learner
the commonly used research
technologies, biomedical ethics,
good laboratory practice and safety,
statistics, grant and professional
writing, group work and seminars
The role of Biomedical Sciences for
Health Care improvements
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i-vii
Taught modules, workshops, tutorials, seminars,
portfolio development, self directed learning,
research workshops, specialised research
allocation, laboratory meetings, attendance of
specialist meetings, supervisory guidance,
writing mini-project and maxi project
Assessment:
MCQ and short answer exam: Research Methodology
and Statistics
Assignments and presentations and portfolio
development : Understanding research and critical
appraisal: Biomedicine
Development and submission of a skills development
portfolio and reflective report, covering the duration of
the degree programme.
Lab books will also be reviewed as part of the portfolio of
practice for clarity, completeness and intelligibility (see
later).
Essay on pre-disclosed topic in biomedicine.
Mini research project
Maxi research project
Viva
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
i.
Ethical and scientific conduct of
laboratory/field
investigations
ii.
Comprehension of context of
research
iii.
Accuracy in observing, describing
and recording of scientific
data
iv.
Active Reflection on learning and
the interpretation of the value of
information
Maintain subject specific reading
and critically interpret the
information in a balanced contextual
manner
v.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i–v
Workshops, tutorials, seminars, portfolio, journal
club, research workshops, lab meetings
Research staff training in specific techniques,
Ethics and research application process,
Laboratory note keeping, planning own research
goals, budget and writing mini and maxi project,
feedback and discussion sessions, literature
review
Assessment:
One assignment to evaluate knowledge and skills
covered by this component (eg. analysis of published
research and writing a scientific abstract).
The mini project will be evaluated as a scientific
summary of research performed during the time period.
Assessment will include scientific clarity, presentation,
logic, research design, statistical appropriateness and
interpretation of information.
The portfolio will include assessments of student
participation in tutorial group sessions and scientific
presentations.
Lab books will be reviewed as part of the portfolio of
practice for clarity, completeness and intelligibility. The
mini project will marked the supervisor and 2 other
examiners.
The maxi project will be evaluated as a scientific
summary of research performed during the time period.
Assessment will include scientific clarity, presentation,
logic, research design, statistical appropriateness and
interpretation of information. The Maxi project
supervisor will assess the laboratory attendance, skill
development and commitment of the student. The
project will be marked by the supervisor and two other
examiners, one external to the Department. The
assessment will include a viva examination.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
Make decisions
Work as part of a team
Develop specialised research
techniques
Project Management through the
setting of research goals,
milestones and priorities
Project specific skills eg
laboratory/statistical
Study a variety of written and digital
materials in libraries and research
institutes
Information retrieval, management
and presentation
Communicate effectively in writing
Maintain a constant rhythm of
learning and research
Conduct professional research with
accurate and complete
documentation
Plan and manage a research
budget
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
i-xi
Research staff training in specific techniques,
laboratory notekeeping, lab meetings, planning
own research goals, budget review (i.e. true cost
analysis of projects) and writing projects
Assessment:
The projects will be evaluated as a scientific summary of
research performed during the time period. Assessment
will include scientific clarity, presentation, logic, research
design, statistical appropriateness and interpretation of
information.
The portfolio will include assessments of student
participation in tutorial group sessions and scientific
presentations.
Lab books will be reviewed as part of the portfolio of
practice for clarity, completeness and intelligibility.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
a. Learn efficiently
b. Make decisions
c. Communicate effectively in writing
and oral presentations
d. Identify self-training needs
e. Demonstrate self-discipline and
thoroughness
f. Recognise work boundaries and
draw upon appropriate support
g. Work independently and show
initiative
h. Construct coherent arguments
and articulate ideas to a range of
audiences
i. Constructively defend research
outcomes at seminars and
presentations
j. Develop cooperative networks and
working relationships with
supervisors, colleagues and peers
k. Listen, give and receive feedback
and respond perceptively to others
l. Study a variety of written and
digital materials in libraries and
research institutes.
m. Assess and analyse published
evidence
n. Discuss results in the context of
the overall scientific discourse
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
a-n
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, student
presentations, scientific writing
Assessment:
Skills and knowledge developed through the taught
modules with overflow into, and be integrated with,
assessments for the formulation, management, writing
and presentation of the mini and maxi research projects.
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)
Dr Mona Bajaj-Elliott
Name(s):
Dr Alan Burns
Date of Production:
11th June 2008
Date of Review:
November 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
November 2015
30 November 2015