Undergraduate & Postgraduate
PDP frameworks
in the Chemical Sciences
Dr Kristy MacDonald CChem MRSC
Development Officer, Professional Education
RSC’s PDP for students

CPD in context

Provision of PDP frameworks

Importance of skills recording

RSC’s PDP for Postgraduate students

PDP for Undergraduate students
CPD in context
"... the responsibility of individuals for the systematic maintenance,
improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills to ensure
continuing competence as a professional throughout their career".
continuing professional development is learning, by whatever means,
which helps the individual realise and develop their potential.
recording frameworks based on the outcomes of learning and development
skills development opportunities are prevalent within the course of
study, research and employment
RSC’s CPD frameworks

RSC strongly encourage all members to engage in CPD – a
comprehensive framework is available for professional
members
Since
April 2000, Postgraduate students have had access to the
PSR
Since
September 2002, Undergraduate students have had
access to the USR
PDP
frameworks tailored to the development needs of those
individuals studying the chemical sciences
The
frameworks were designed after extensive consultation with
industry, academic supervisors and students
Importance of Skills Recording
• National Committee of Inquiry into Higher
Education
“employers want graduates with a range of
skills”
“those leaving higher education need to
understand how to learn and how to manage their
own learning, recognising the process continues
throughout life”
Importance of Skills Recording
• Chemistry in the UK, will it survive?
Communication, team working capabilities,
problem solving and organisation are becoming
increasingly important in order to succeed in
the rapidly changing and increasingly
competitive world of industry
What is the PSR?
• Six categories of skills self-assessed throughout
the PhD
•Planning & Organisation
•Handling Information
•Communication Skills
•Working with Others
•Scientific & Practical
•Improving Learning & Performance
Reflect
Record
Plan
What is the PSR?

Self-assessment of skills acquired during
postgraduate study
The
recording, assessment & development
of scientific, interpersonal & transferable
skills

Records level of scientific and non-scientific
attainment at three phases of postgraduate
study
Why is it important?
• Provides a framework for self-assessment of
scientific and ‘non-scientific’ skills
•This framework enables students to
Identify areas which require development
Identify skills gaps and actively seek
development opportunities
USR Project Rationale
• Skills recording
Secondary school
NRA’s
Undergraduate
?
Postgraduate
PSR
Employment
CPD
USR Project Rationale
• Postgraduate Skills Record
Successfully launched in 2000
87% of UK & Ireland members of
HECC requested copies
Over 5000 copies distributed
USR Project Rationale
• Postgraduate Skills Record Adaptation
Directors of Study
HE Networks
• Progress Files
USR to meet requirements of
Progress Files PDP
Undergraduate Skills Record
• Sections
•Induction
•Personal Information
•Skills Audit
•Project Work
•Skills Profile
•Career Planning
Undergraduate Skills Record
• Skills Audit
Series of statements associated with each specific skill
Rate yourself against each statement according to the
scale given
Provide evidence to support your rating, and identify
development targets for each skill
Repeat for each phase, reflecting on past
achievements and development targets/plans
Example – Skills Audit
Undergraduate Skills Record
• Skills Profile
A ‘summary’ of skills achievements
and development throughout your
undergraduate course
The Undergraduate Skills Record
• Specific Skills
•Planning & Organisation
•Handling Information
•Communication Skills
•Working with Others
•Scientific & Practical
•Problem Solving
•ICT Skills
•Improving Learning & Performance
•Study Skills
Reflect
Record
Plan
USR & PSR

What are the benefits?
•Method to critically assess skills
•Permanent record of performance &
development
•Preparation of CV’s and job interviews
•Serves as a ‘launch pad’ into Continuing
Professional Development
•Could increase ‘employability’
What the employers say..
Quintiles’ Core Competencies

Communication skills - oral and written

Team/Leadership skills

Problem solving

Project Planning/Management

Resource/Time Management
What the employers say..
In the pharmaceutical industry it is not enough to understand the
theory and practice of chemistry, it is essential to be able to use
this knowledge to solve problems creatively and efficiently…
Good teamwork and effective communication skills underpin all
R&D endeavor. Students who have developed these skills can
look forward to a stimulating, rewarding R&D career.
I strongly recommend every undergraduate in the chemical
sciences, irrespective of their proposed career path, to
complete the USR honestly and diligently, providing a
framework to identify skills gaps and address these
effectively.
Dr D Alker, Manager Academic Liaison and Recruitment, Pfizer
Distribution

The documents are free!

USR available to all undergraduate students of the
chemical sciences

Interactive on-line version Autumn 2003
www.rsc.org/ugskills

PSR available to all students (print format RSC members)

Interactive on-line version available for RSC members
www.rsc.org/pgskills