University of Bradford:
Postgraduate Programme specification
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
Faculty of Life Sciences
School of Medical Sciences
Programme title: Cellular Pathology Laboratory Practice
Awarding and teaching
institution:
University of Bradford
Final and interim awards:
MSc
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
[Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications level 7]
Programme title
Cellular Pathology Laboratory Practice
Relevant subject
benchmark statement(s)
N/A
Programme accredited by:
N/A
Duration:
1 year, full-time
UCAS code:
N/A
FHEQ Level:
7
Approved :
August 2014
Introduction
Cellular Pathology is the branch of pathology which is concerned with the
examination of tissue and/or fluid samples (removed during diagnostic
sampling/ at surgery). Examination of such samples is carried out by teams
of Biomedical Scientists (BMS) and Pathologists and involves the specialist
preparation of tissue and/or fluid for examination, and the macroscopic and
microscopic interpretation of pathological changes. This forms the basis of
the diagnosis of a patient’s condition, and it is this information that is then
interpreted by a clinical multi-disciplinary team in the process of planning
appropriate treatment(s) for patients.
Changes in NHS Pathology structure and delivery, together with wider
changes in the NHS emphasise the continued need for a well-trained
laboratory workforce. The Department of Health has stated that “Clinical
Commissioning Groups have a duty to seek out and adopt best practice, and
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promote innovation”: Department of Health, 20111.
The laboratory
workforce will need to demonstrate an ability to critically assess advances in
diagnostic pathology, to remain up-to-date with these advances and have the
skill base to bring relevant research findings into diagnostic practice. This
relates to the current NHS strategy to adopt new technology to improve
patient experience and to promote effective working across the NHS2. In the
context of Cellular Pathology, this will entail the adoption of emerging
technologies such as digital pathology to improve workflow through
laboratories and to accelerate reporting turnaround times (time taken from
taking of a sample from a patient to the production of an authorised
diagnostic report). Laboratory workers will also need to operate within a
regulatory framework, and will in future be required to interact with a range
of healthcare providers.
On this programme, the emphasis will be on laboratory and diagnostic
processes. The programme will address several issues:




Establishment of diagnostic cellular pathology service and
maintenance of standards
Contribution of cellular pathology laboratory to the diagnostic process
Future directions of diagnostic cellular pathology
Role of research in development of new diagnostic tests
This will be supported by a newly developed histopathology laboratory
facility within Bradford Pathology: a project with the long-term objective of
establishing an accredited diagnostic histopathology facility within the
Faculty of Life Sciences. This is a novel development at the University of
Bradford, and is designed to provide our students with an opportunity to
work in a histopathology laboratory and contribute to its development.
Existing collaborations with colleagues at St James’ Hospital, Leeds will
ensure that students are able to have contact with practitioners in diagnostic
histopathology.
Furthermore, ongoing discussions with a local NHS
Foundation Trust are directed at providing additional access to practitioners
in the field of diagnostic histopathology. These developments are aimed at
enhancing the student experience and providing greater insight into
workplace related issues.
The Bradford Pathology project also provides students with an opportunity to
gain insights into the application of new technology in histopathology. A
partnership with Philips (international healthcare company) has recently seen
the installation of the Philips Digital Pathology Solution: a digital slide
scanner and associated image management system that will provide our
students with a practical insight into the application of digital pathology.
The University of Bradford is currently the only UK Higher Education
Institution to have the Philips Digital Pathology Solution.
As digital
1
Innovation, Health and Wealth: Accelerating adoption and diffusion in the NHS. Department of Health, NHS
Improvement & Efficiency Directorate, Innovation and Service Improvement, 2011. p. 26.
www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/adopt-diff.pdf
2
Safer Hospitals Safer Wards. Achieving an integrated digital care record . NHS England 2014.
http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/idcr.pdf
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pathology is a growing area nationally and internationally, it is envisaged
that the Philips Digital Pathology Solution along with a module in Digital
Pathology will provide our students with a practical understanding of future
developments in histopathology.
Students will be expected to develop key skills required by Biomedical
Scientists to work as part of a larger healthcare team tasked with providing
diagnostic support to clinical colleagues, and contributing significantly to
patient treatment. The student will develop a working knowledge of the
regulatory requirements of a diagnostic laboratory which will act as a
platform from which they can themselves contribute to setting up diagnostic
services in their host institutions. They will also gain a perspective on the
need for continued innovation and personal development and in so doing
understand the importance of keeping up-to-date in their chosen specialty.
In this way, the programme will provide an understanding of the processes
required to transfer research findings into the diagnostic arena. The
completion of this programme does not necessarily guarantee employment
as a Biomedical Scientist – a protected title which requires completion of
recognised course of work.
The programme will develop skills in communications, critical review,
group/team working, laboratory management, and personal transferable
skills whilst enhancing autonomous learning. The skills gained during
course of this programme will enable students to seek employment in
diagnostic histopathology laboratories either within the NHS or in the
growing private sector histopathology providers (diagnostic and research
support) if students have the supporting qualifications.
The aims and outcome statements have been referenced to the University’s
Learning and Teaching Strategy http://www.bradford.ac.uk/educationaldevelopment/learning-and-teaching/ to the QAA Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2008) and
to the QAA’s Master’s Degree Characteristics (2010) document.
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Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:

Enhance learning by providing a range of study options to suit your
interests and/or career aspirations: teaching will include seminars,
workshops, student-led presentations and group work;

Enable you to develop a systematic understanding and critical
awareness of current issues within the area of cellular pathology: this
will include consideration of informed consent and ethical issues and
the role of the Human Tissue Act in the practice of diagnostic
histopathology and research;

Develop your understanding of the monitoring and laboratory
standards;

Provide opportunities to work collaboratively with fellow students on
the programme: this includes group-work and presentations.

Provide opportunities to become familiar with new technologies in the
delivery of a diagnostic service;

Develop your understanding of the application of research findings in
the diagnostic setting;

Develop your ability in the design and execution of research and the
interpretation of scientific data;

Enable you to appreciate the advantages, limitations and applications
of a range of biomedical techniques;

Provide learning opportunities to enable critical thinking to develop
autonomous and lifelong learning;

Develop and enhance your ability in a range of personal and key
transferable skills;

Enhance your skills associated with the communication of scientific
data;

Provide knowledge of sample processing and laboratory management
within the context of diagnostic and/or research laboratories;

Deliver a programme of postgraduate study in cellular pathology to
students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
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Programme Learning Outcomes (LO)
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
LO1: Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of
current techniques and issues in cellular pathology
LO2: Critically evaluate and communicate scientific data
LO3: Critically evaluate and appraise experimental design and experimental
techniques.
LO4: Write, interpret and peer review scientific reports.
LO5: Write a business case.
LO6: Prepare and present a scientific poster based upon research data
LO7: Select and use appropriate statistical methods for analysing research
data
LO8: Demonstrate understanding of a range of issues relating to sample
and laboratory management
LO9: Effectively use reflective practice to modify your personal and
professional activities
LO10: Demonstrate self-direction and originality in implementing a research
project.
Curriculum
Postgraduate Certificate
Module
Code
Module Title
BM-9145D
Applied
Pathology
BM-9132L
Research
Methods
BM-7003D
Type
&
Credits
Level
Study
period
Diagnostic
C
20
7
1
Analytical
C
20
7
1&2
Personal
&
Professional
Development
in
Cellular
Pathology Laboratory Practice
C
20
7
1
&
If you have achieved the regulatory credit points at Level 7 and have
achieved learning outcomes LO 1-3, 6, 8 and 9 you may exit the programme
and are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate.
Postgraduate Diploma
Module
Code
Module Title
Type
BM-7002D
Laboratory
Management
&
C
20
7
2
BM-9119L
Critical Appraisal of a Current
Topic in Biomedical Science
C
20
7
1&2
Practice
© University of Bradford
Credit
s
Level
Study
period
5
BM-7001D
Digital Pathology
C
20
7
2
If you have achieved the regulatory credit points at Level 7 and have
achieved learning outcomes LO 1-6, 8 and 9 you may exit the programme
and are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma.
Masters
Module
Code
Module Title
Type
Credits
Level
Study
period
BM-9129Z
Research Project
C
60
7
3
If you have achieved the regulatory credit points at Level 7 and have
achieved learning outcomes LO 1-10, you are eligible for the award of Master
of Science.
The MSc in Cellular Pathology Laboratory Practice consists of 120 taught
Credits (60 credits in each of semesters 1 & 2) and a substantial 60 credit
research project (semester 3).
The teaching, learning and assessment strategy employed takes into
consideration the learning outcomes for the programme, the nature of topic
studied and the need for you to demonstrate significant autonomy in your
learning. Directed study, involving directed reading of appropriate texts and
the preparation of assessed work, is used to address the majority of learning
outcomes. At level 7 you are expected to demonstrate well-developed skills
of analysis, synthesis and criticism and to demonstrate self-direction and
originality in dealing with complex problems. These aspects will be assessed
by a variety of strategies, including written and oral examinations, report
writing, case studies, group work, essays, a critical appraisal dissertation,
oral presentations, a poster presentation (LO6), viva voce and the project
report.
Formal lectures will facilitate your acquisition of knowledge and
understanding (LO 1) and will be augmented by your self-directed evaluation
of related scientific literature and experimental approaches (LO 2-4). You will
be expected to critically evaluate scientific data (LO2-7) and to design
appropriate experimental approaches to test specific scientific hypotheses
(LO3 & 10). You will be expected to develop a business case to build
capacity in the context of a diagnostic histopathology laboratory (LO5). The
research project module provides a major opportunity to demonstrate
competence in the execution of experimental work and autonomy in data
handling and critical interpretation in a research context (L10). Your ability
to deal with complex issues and to solve problems will be enhanced by
effective reflective practice (LO9). Key skills are embedded in a number of
modules but are consolidated and assessed in the Personal and Professional
Development module. More detailed descriptions of the ways in which
learning is related to assessment, in the modules that make up this
programme, can be found in the relevant module descriptors. You will also
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gain familiarity with a range of issues relating to patient sampling handling
and laboratory management (LO8) and these aspects will be assessed both
formatively and summatively through case-studies and team-based learning.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval,
monitoring and review procedures.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The programme articulates with the Teaching Learning & Assessment
strategies of the University. A wide variety of teaching methods, appropriate
to the learning outcomes of the individual modules, are employed
throughout the programme, and are supported by formative assessment.
The teaching methods progressively focus on student-centred approaches to
learning, thus you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your
own learning as you progress through the programme. In this way you are
expected to develop the attributes needed for life-long learning and
continued professional development.
Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment
Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the
following link:
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinances-and-regulations/
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless
of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed
consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision
to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from
their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme.
Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of
your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic
qualifications and other relevant experience.
Normally, you would be expected to have gained an Honours degree in an
appropriate biological sciences discipline at 2:2 or above. For students from
outside of the UK/EU you will be required to meet the current visa and entry
requirements for study in the UK, and if your first language is not English
you must satisfy the University that you meet the International English
Language Testing Service (IELTS) overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5
in all elements.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may
be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to
evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified
modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit
the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
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The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled
students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are
applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to
contact the programme leader before you apply.
Learning Resources
Laboratory classes take place in a suite of newly (2009) refurbished teaching
laboratories. The laboratories are built to Class 2 containment standard and
are very well equipped. They also have in-built audio-visual facilities. All
teaching rooms used on the programme are equipped to a high standard
and contain appropriate in-built audio-visual facilities. There will also be
opportunities to visit working histopathology laboratory to better understand
the process of tissue handling and processing (e.g. muscle biopsy
laboratory, St James’ Hospital, Leeds), and Digital Pathology research facility
at the University of Leeds.
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in the
Faculty of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic
resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to
work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to
discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each Faculty
provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information
you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references
properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the
campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's
wireless network to access the Internet from your own laptop. Most of our
online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and
you can also access your University email account, personal information and
programme-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there
is a 24/7 IT helpline available.
Student Support and Guidance
Programme Team
Support for you personally and in your programme of study, will be provided
both by the University and the Programme Team. The University and the
Faculty have well-deserved reputations for good practice in this area. . You will
be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who is someone with whom
you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. Your
personal academic tutor will be from the School of Medical Sciences. You will
see your personal academic tutor at least fortnightly throughout the first two
semesters and then occasionally through semester 3. The School will ensure
that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and
support you. If you do not feel comfortable with the Personal Tutor allocated
you may request a different Personal Tutor.
You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can
consult on a range of learning issues and your course tutors will be available
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to consult on subject specific queries. Further guidance is available from
module leaders (for subject specific queries) and the MSc Examination Officer
(for matters relating to assessment). You will have an individual supervisor for
your Critical Appraisal and Research Project and will meet with these
individuals prior to starting these modules and regularly during the modules.
Regular feedback on your individual performance will be provided. The
support provided by the School is enhanced by a strong university
infrastructure, including particularly the Disabilities Office and the Careers
Service, and the Library and Computing facilities. The programme team are
very responsive to student feedback though a Staff-Student Liaison
Committee.
Students’ Union
We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the
Students’ Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff
student liaison committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are
addressed rapidly.
The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to
provide confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help
with any aspect of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and
Information Services (part of the Hub) will provide you with information
about a diverse range of issues such as council tax, personal safety and
tourist information. International Students can access a range of additional
advice and support services through the Student’s Union.
Careers and Employability
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance
employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist
support is available throughout the programme from Career Development
Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements,
vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access
this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the web
site http://www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through
exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of programmes
there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or
through specially arranged workshops.
Employability skills, on this programme, are embedded within the Personal
and Professional Development module which will also provide opportunities
to discuss progression onto PhD and how best to prepare for applying for
PhD opportunities.
Learner Development Unit for Academic Skills Advise
For postgraduate students on taught programmes who are looking to
improve their marks during their time at university, study skills and maths
advice is available to all regardless of degree discipline. Students can access
a programme of interactive workshops and clinics which is delivered
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throughout the year. This is in addition to our extremely popular face-to-face
guidance from our advisers, who also offer a wide range of online and paper
based materials for self-study.
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/academic-skills/index.php
Disability
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we
are committed to ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to
everyone. The Disability Service can help by providing equipment and advice
to help you get the most out of your time at Bradford and is a place where
you can discuss any concerns you may have about adjustments that you may
need, whether these relate to study, personal care or other issues.
For
more information contact the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739
or via email: disabilities@bradford.ac.uk
University policies and initiatives
Ecoversity
Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the
principles of sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and
teaching, research activities campus operations and lives of our staff and
students. We do not claim to be a beacon for sustainable development but
we aspire to become a leading University in this area. The facilities we create
for teaching and learning, including teaching spaces, laboratories, IT labs
and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our commitments to sustainable
development. Staff and student participation in this initiative is crucial to its
success and its inclusion in the programme specification is a clear signal that
it is at the forefront of our thinking in programme development, delivery,
monitoring
and
review.
For
more
details
see
http://www.brad.ac.uk/about/ecoversity/
The University of Bradford and the Faculty of Life Sciences are committed to
the principles of Education for Sustainable Development as outlined in the
UNESCO definition (http://en.unesco.org/themes/education-21st-century)
The Faculty of Life Sciences has committed to involvement with education for
sustainable development (ESD) by ensuring that curricula reflect the
integration of practice through personal and social understanding of
responsible and ethical behaviour (attitudes and values) aligned with that of
“Responsible Science” and where appropriate “Responsible Professionalism”.
In this MSc programme there will be a significant emphasis on the
relationship between Biomedical Science and public health. Thus, issues
around ethics, healthcare and public health, the social context of disease,
genes, environment and disease, equality and diversity, health and safety in
the workplace, professional practice and service development are embedded
in some modules (e.g. Personal and Professional Development /Applied and
Diagnostic Pathology). These areas are listed by UNESCO as those which
education for sustainable development must promote.
The nature of the role healthcare professionals is to improve the quality of
life of service users. The degree programmes actively encourage
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understanding of working in multi-disciplinary teams (through group work).
The module in Digital Pathology will emphasise the importance of adoption
of new technology to promote more efficient and effective working within
diagnostic histopathology. Thinking critically and problem solving are skills
embedded in the assessment structure. The students also have a solid base
of laboratory competency from their laboratory-based sessions. ESD should
give the students a better understanding of the world and promote taking
responsibility for creating a sustainable future both at home and at work. For
more details see http://www.brad.ac.uk/about/ecoversity/
Further Information:
For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact
Admissions.
The Admissions Office
The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
Faculty of Life Sciences
Richmond Road
The University of Bradford
Bradford, BD7 1DP
Norcroft Building
UK
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
+44 (0)1274 234706
http://www.brad.ac.uk/lifesciences/arch-sci/
http://www.brad.ac.uk/life-sciences/ourcourses/postgraduate-taught/
The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the
University's regulations and programme approval, monitoring and review
procedures.
© University of Bradford
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Appendices to the Programme Specification - MSc Cellular Pathology Laboratory Practice
1. Curriculum map
Programme learning outcomes
A = this outcome is formally assessed in the
module
S = this outcome is explicitly supported in the
learning and teaching but is not formally assessed
Module
Module Name
1
2
BM9145D
Applied & Diagnostic Pathology
A
A
BM9132L
Research & Analytical Methods
BM-XXXX
Personal & Professional Development (for Cellular
Pathology Laboratory Practice)
BM-XXXX
Laboratory Practice & Management
S
S
BM9119L
Critical Appraisal of a Current Topic in Biomedical
Science
A
A
BM-XXXX
Digital Pathology
S
S
BM9129Z
Research Project
A
A
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A
A
A
A
S
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
LO1: Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current techniques and issues in cellular pathology
LO2: Critically evaluate and communicate scientific data
LO3: Critically evaluate and appraise experimental design and experimental techniques.
LO4: Write, interpret and peer review scientific reports.
LO5: Write a business case: e.g. critically evaluate need and benefits of new technology in in histopathology and present
case for its implementation
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LO6: Prepare and present a scientific poster based upon research data
LO7: Select and use appropriate statistical methods for analysing research data
LO8: Demonstrate understanding of a range of issues relating to sample and laboratory management
LO9: Effectively use reflective practice to modify your personal and professional activities
LO10: Demonstrate self-direction and originality in implementing a research project.
© University of Bradford
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2a. Assessment map
Module
code
Module name
BM9145D
Applied &
Diagnostic
Pathology
BM-9132L
Research &
Analytical Methods
BM-XXXX
Personal &
Professional
Development (for
Cellular Pathology
Laboratory
Practice)
X
BM-XXXX
Laboratory
Practice &
Management
X
BM-9119L
Critical Appraisal
of a Current Topic
in Biomedical
Science
X
BM-XXXX
Digital Pathology
X
BM-9129Z
Research Project
X
X
performance
Assessment of
lab/dissertati
on
Portfolio of
evidence
Poster
Case study
Oral
presentation
Written report
Spot
test/Evaluatio
n of report(s)
Oral exam
Written exam
Assessment methods
X
X
X
X
© University of Bradford
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
3
2b. Assessment load by Semester
Module credit assessed per semester
Module
code
Module name
Credits
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
BM9145D
Applied &
Diagnostic
Pathology
20 (C)
20
0
0
BM-9132L
Research &
Analytical
Methods
20 (C)
10
10
0
BM-XXXX
Personal &
Professional
Development (for
Cellular
Pathology
Laboratory
Practice)
20 (C)
20
0
0
BM-XXXX
Laboratory
practice and
management
20 (C)
0
20
0
BM-9119L
Critical Appraisal
of a Current
Topic in
Biomedical
Science
20 (C)
0
20
0
BM-XXXX
Digital pathology
20 (C)
0
20
0
60 (C)
0
0
60
180
50 (C)
70 (C)
60
BM-9129Z Research Project
Total
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3. Teaching map
Teaching method
Module
Module name
code
Lectures Laboratory Tutorials Workshops Computersessions
based
practical
(lab)
sessions
BM9145D
Applied &
Diagnostic
Pathology
X
BM9132L
Research &
Analytical Methods
X
BM-XXXX
Personal &
Professional
Development (for
Cellular Pathology
Laboratory Practice)
X
BM-XXXX
Laboratory Practice
& Management
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
BM9119L
Critical Appraisal of
a Current Topic in
Biomedical Science
X
BM-XXXX
Digital Pathology
X
BM9129Z
Research Project
X
Case
study
Teambased
learning
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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