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College of Science and Engineering
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAMME PROPOSAL
PhD with Integrated Study in Optical Medical Imaging
with Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The College Research and Training Committee is asked to approve the new programme of
“PhD with Integrated Study in Optical Medical Imaging with Healthcare Innovation and
Entrepreneurship”.
Rationale
The University recently approved the degree title of “PhD with Integrated Study”, for which
the regulatory framework is given in Appendix 1. This paper contains a proposal for an
award, “PhD with Integrated Study in Optical Medical Imaging with Healthcare Innovation
and Entrepreneurship”. This award is related to the funding by EPSRC of a Centre for
Doctoral Training (CDT) in Optical Medical Imaging, a collaboration between the School of
Chemistry (SoC), the School of Engineering (SoE), the Business School (Biz) and the
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM) at Edinburgh, and the University of
Strathclyde (UoS).
Structure of the programme
Background
The EPSRC and MRC CDT in Optical Medical Imaging has been established to ensure that
the UK has a strong and sustained pipeline of future scientific leaders and innovators in
optical medical imaging encompassing the molecular, cellular, preclinical and clinical
applications of physical and biomedical science in this priority area. 60 PhD students will be
recruited over the following five years with the programme running for eight years. The PIs
are Professor Mark Bradley (Edinburgh) and Professor Duncan Graham (Strathclyde) and
the CDT will be run on a day-by-day basis by the CDT Director Dr Colin Campbell, School of
Chemistry, University of Edinburgh.
Establishment of a new degree program
A key element of the CDT training program is the establishment of a 4-year PhD with
Integrated Study in Optical Medical Imaging with Healthcare Innovation and
Entrepreneurship. This degree will be awarded jointly by the Universities of Edinburgh and
Strathclyde.
The degree will be formally owned by the School of Chemistry at the University of
Edinburgh. However the degree program is delivered jointly by the School of Chemistry,
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, School of Engineering and Business School at
the University of Edinburgh and the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Strathclyde
Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, The Department of Physics and the Hunter
Centre at the University of Strathclyde.
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Multidisciplinary projects and training
CDT projects and training will cover multiple areas of engineering, optics, chemistry and
biology and business with all PhD students assigned a supervisory committee including at
least one supervisor from CMVM, one from UoS, one from SoC and one from SoE thus
ensuring a strong clinical pull and underlining the multidisciplinary ethos of the CDT. The
CDT involves over 30 potential PhD supervisors, and PhD students will benefit from summer
schools, industrial placements, clinical mentors and a bespoke course in Healthcare
Innovation and Entrepreneurship delivered in partnership with the University of Edinburgh
Business School, the University of Strathclyde’s Hunter Centre (HC) and our industrial
partners.
Regulations
The University of Edinburgh’s Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study and
Postgraduate Assessment Regulations for Research Degrees will apply.
Progression
The following procedures will cover the monitoring of student progress for all of the students
within the CDT. These are the only procedures that will be used for monitoring student
progress and assessment and CDT students will not be required to fulfil any additional
requirements of the graduate school of their principal supervisor. The CDT will inform the
School of Chemistry’s Graduate School that reviews have taken place and are satisfactory.
If a student’s review is not satisfactory, the CDT will provide evidence to the Graduate
School that an action plan is in place.
Students will be formally assessed by their supervisory committee and the Director:
(i) 3 months - all students will write a fifteen-page review on their research area and present
this to their PhD panel.
(ii) 10 months - students will present a thirty-page report that details their progress,
including a detailed overview of their training accomplishments and their plans for outreach
activities in years two and three, followed by a viva. If the committee agree that progress is
suitable at this stage the student will be formally transferred to the PhD register.
(iii) 24 months - students will prepare a short summary of their accomplishments and
objectives, prepare a draft publication to shape future research, and present their training
portfolios at a viva.
(iv) 36 months - students will submit a summary of their accomplishments, present an oral
report their 3-month placements and prepare thesis plans and abstracts.
(v) 48 months - students will submit a thesis and undergo a viva. In addition, during second
year students are required to present a poster and during third year students are required to
carry out an oral presentation to their peers, supervisors and the scientific advisory
committee at the annual summer school.
These assessment criteria are compatible with the assessment criteria of all partners and
students will not be required to carry out additional assessments within the graduate schools
of their individual supervisors.
Lab demonstration or tutoring
Students will be eligible to perform tutoring or demonstrating duties in the institution of their
principal supervisor, in line with local regulations.
The taught elements of the programme
The organisation responsible for delivery of the taught elements is indicated in brackets (Biz
- UoE Business School; Soc – UoE School of Chemistry; CMVM – UoE College of Medicine
and Veterinary Medicine; HC – UoS Hunter Centre; PAC – UoS Department of Pure and
Applied Chemistry).
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The majority of courses already exist and have associated QA documentation and
assessment criteria. The exceptions are Ethics and Regulation, Build Your Own Microscope
and Translational Study (see appendix for course descriptions).
Core Modules at SCQF Level 11 (Students take all of the following)
Optical Medical Imaging Grand Challenge. (SoC)
Placement (SoC)
Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship (Biz)
Translational Study - Innovation and Entrepreneurship Masterclass (Biz)
Ethics and Regulation (CMVM)
Technology Commercialisation Workshop (Biz-HC)
Build your own microscope (PAC)
20 Credits
60 Credits
20 Credits
20 Credits
15 Credits
10 Credits
5 Credits
Electives at SCQF Level 11 (Students take 2 from the following)
Entrepreneurial Challenge (Biz)
The Entrepreneurial Manager (Biz)
Marketing (Biz)
Accounting and Finance (Biz)
15 Credits
15 Credits
15 Credits
15 Credits
Representative timetable
Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug
Year 1
Grand Challenge (20 Credits)
Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship (20 Credits)
Build your own microscope (5 credits)
Year 2
Ethics Regulation and Healthcare (15 Credits)
Translational Study - Masterclass (20 Credits)
Year 3
Elective 1 (15 Credits)
Tech Comm Workshop (10 Credits)
Placement (60 Credits)
Year 4
Elective 2 (15 Credits)
Final award
Students must pass a minimum of 140 credits with a pass mark of at least 50% and attain an
average of at least 50% overall for the 180 credits of taught programme and pass the PhD
viva to be awarded the PhD with Integrated Study in Optical Medical Imaging with
Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Students who pass the PhD viva but do not pass the required taught components will be
eligible for the award of a standard PhD from the institution of their primary supervisor.
Students who fail the PhD viva may be eligible to submit for a Master of Science by
Research (MScR) in the institution of their principal supervisor.
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Students who are found to be making unsuitable progress at the 10 month monitoring point
may be asked to submit for a MScR in the institution of their principal supervisor.
Fees
Fees will be standard University of Edinburgh PhD fees. The FTE and fee split will be as
stated in the Memoranda of Agreement related to the CDT in Optical Medical Imaging.
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Appendix 1: Regulatory framework for the PhD with Integrated Study
The degree programme should comprise a total of 720 credits, of which at least 540 should
be at SCQF level 12 (thus equivalent to the PhD) and at least 690 at SCQF level 11 or
above (thus ensuring that taught components are consistent with the requirements for
Masters). The prescribed period should be for four years with a further “writing-up” period of
up to 12 months (pro-rata for part-time study), where permitted by the external sponsor. (For
EPSRC only, the submission due date for student theses is calculated as end date of
funding plus one year.)
The programme PhD with Integrated Study should be available, subject to approval by the
relevant College Committee, to a cohort of students following a programme which requires a
structured programme of study which integrates research with assessed taught postgraduate
training in a range of skills and subject focused modules, up to a maximum of 180 credits.
The outcome of the assessment of the training and skills component may be used in
determining progression on the programme, or eligibility for an exit award at
Masters/Diploma/Certificate level, providing that the student has attained the requirements
for the award as set out in the University regulations. For the award of PhD with Integrated
Study, the research component must meet the assessment criteria for a PhD in the current
University regulations.
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Appendix 2: Course description for Ethics and Regulatory Processes in Translating
Innovation from Bench to Man
Course name:
Ethics and Regulatory Processes in Translating Innovation
from Bench to Man
Owning school:
CMVM
Home subject area:
CMVM
UG or PG:
PGR
Visiting students only?:
N
Credit points:
15
Credit level:
11
Session course
operational from:
2015
S1, S2, or full year?
S2
Short description of
course (max 2000
characters):
Ethics and Regulatory Processes in Translating Innovation
from Bench to Man is a course which blends formal lectures,
mentorship and a problem-based learning exercise.
The course will comprise 6 hours of lectures and an exercise
with 2 assessed components (a peer assessed wiki and a
presentation) to answer a clinically-relevant translational
challenge.
The lecture series will cover the principles of GCP/GMP,
Regulatory submissions, Trial design, Ethical Board
applications and general challenges in introducing
technologies in to patients.
The course is split into two phases:
Phase 1 is an intensive one-day workshop mixing formal
lectures by external experts with Q&A sessions and group
discussions.
Lectures will be delivered by expert speakers from regulatory
consultancies, clinicians, quality assurance and the
pharmaceutical industry.
Phase 2 is a 6 week problem-based exercise where students
in small groups are tasked with the generation of a WIKI page
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detailing the context and suggested approach for an
ethical/regulatory issue in technology development. Each
group will be assigned a staff mentor. Students will see their
mentors weekly for a maximum of one hour. The students will
present their wiki to their peers and mentors to assess their
approaches to the regulatory challenge. The assessment will
generate new ideas and provide feedback to the students to
refine and improve their strategy before they make their final
presentation. The final presentation will be judged by the
students’ mentors and the expert lecturers. After the
presentations the students will receive further feedback from
the external lecturers.
Pre-requisite courses, if
any (only logic operations
on named courses can be
specified here):
Students must be enrolled on a PhD in the EPSRC and MRC
CDT in Optical Medical Imaging.
Co-requisite course:
None
Prohibited courses, if any
(only logic operations on
named courses can be
specified here):
None
Other free-text entry
conditions (if any) e.g.
minimum mark, only for
VUGs:
This course is not open to undergraduates.
Scheduled class hours:
To be arranged
Other attendance
information:
None
Summary of intended
learning outcomes (max
2000 characters):
At the end of this course students will be able to:




Understand an ethical/regulatory research problem
from a variety of perspectives including scientific,
commercial and social.
Understand the basic principles of GCP
Critically assess other people’s approaches to solving
significant scientific and regulatory challenges.
Develop a WIKI page and web-based skills to
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
communicate knowledge of the ethical/regulatory
issues.
Have a broad understanding of the ethical/regulatory
challenges of translating technology from bench to
man.
Learning outcomes specific to attainment of a pass at Level
11 include:
- ability to integrate all, or most, of the main areas of the
course
- development of original and creative responses to problems
and issues within the course
- application of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to
issues at the forefront of the subject area
Assessment information
(free text)
This course will be assessed first through the development of
a web-based resource (wiki). Assessment of the wiki will be
peer assessment. The final assessment will be on the basis of
a presentation. Assessment of the presentation will be by a
panel of external experts and the students’ mentors.
Course organiser:
Dr Kev Dhaliwal
Course secretary:
To be confirmed
Default course mode of
study:
Main exam diet (Dec or
Apr):
n/a
Exam requirements:
n/a
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Appendix 3: Course description for Translational Study
Course name:
Translational Study - Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Masterclass (Biz)
Owning school:
Business
Home subject area:
Business
UG or PG:
PGR
Visiting students only?:
N
Credit points:
20
Credit level:
Level 11
Session
operational from:
course 2016/17
S1, S2, or full year?
To be arranged
Short
description
of The Translational Study is a student-led, independent study
course
(max
2000 course designed to promote student exposure to the
characters):
challenges and opportunities associated with translating
innovation into a market context. The course builds on the
outcomes of the Grand Challenge and Innovation-Driven
Entrepreneurship (IDE) courses. Students are encouraged to
work in small teams, but may choose to work independently to
investigate a specific innovation of personal interest. Each
team is assigned a staff member. Teams are expected to
meet with that staff member approximately one hour each
week.
The course is split into three phases: 1) ideation, 2)
development research, and 3) entry evaluation.
Phase 1, ideation, is a 2 week activity in which the teams
explore a limited set of innovations related to their research
studies. Teams may build on innovations explored during
Grand Challenge / IDE or may investigate a novel innovation.
Teams will be encouraged to select an innovation with
relatively near-term product potential or short development
timeframe. At the end of this phase teams present their
findings and will be assessed on the content and delivery of
their presentations.
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In Phase 2, the teams conduct primary research on the
industry and market relevant to the anticipated product.
Students will be encouraged to engage with industry
participants to better understand customer needs, product
development requirements, manufacturing parameters, and
distribution and support processes. This phase is expected to
require 4 weeks, depending on access to industry participants
and/or customers. At the end of this phase teams submit a
short report on market feasibility.
Phase 3, entry evaluation, is a 4 week activity in which teams
identify the resources and processes necessary to bring the
product to market. At the end of the phase, teams present
their analysis, including a final recommendation regarding
commercialization path. Teams will be assessed on the
content and delivery of their presentations.
Pre-requisite courses, if Students must be enrolled on a PhD in the EPSRC and MRC
any (only logic operations CDT in Optical Medical Imaging. Students must have
on named courses can be completed the Grand Challenge and IDE.
specified here):
Co-requisite course:
None
Prohibited courses, if any None
(only logic operations on
named courses can be
specified here):
Other
free-text
entry This course is not open to undergraduates.
conditions (if any) e.g.
minimum mark, only for
VUGs:
Scheduled class hours:
Other
information:
To be arranged
attendance None
Summary of intended At the end of this course students will be able to:
learning outcomes (max
 Work effectively in teams and understand the various
2000 characters):
roles that individuals can play in teams.
 Understand the specific challenges associated with
translating a research-driven innovation into a
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Assessment
(free text)
commercial context.
 Conduct primary research on market needs and new
product requirements.
 Describe the general stages of technology
commercialization, including different organizational
forms and resource requirements.
 Communicate the results of market and industry
research to both scientific and business audiences.
 Critically assess the potential commercial value of a
novel innovation for a specific market need.
information This course will be assessed at Phases 1 and 3 through
presentations. The written report submitted at the end of
Phase 2 will be marked by two members of the CDT team.
Course organiser:
To be confirmed
Course secretary:
To be confirmed
Default course mode of
study:
Main exam diet (Dec or n/a
Apr):
Exam requirements:
n/a
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Appendix 4: Course description for Build your own microscope
Course name:
Build your own microscope
Owning school:
University of Strathclyde
Home subject area:
Physical Sciences
UG or PG:
PGR
Visiting students only?:
N
Credit points:
5
Credit level:
Level 11
Session
operational from:
course 2014/15
S1, S2, or full year?
Summer
Short
description
of “Build your own microscope” is a hands-on course in which
course
(max
2000 groups of students are given the necessary components to
characters):
build a microscope. The course will be led by Professor Neil
Shand of DSTL who will teach the students through a variety
of lectures, workshops and independent study exercises how
to assemble a fully functional microscope.
Pre-requisite courses, if Students must be enrolled on a PhD in the EPSRC and MRC
any (only logic operations CDT in Optical Medical Imaging.
on named courses can be
specified here):
Co-requisite course:
None
Prohibited courses, if any None
(only logic operations on
named courses can be
specified here):
Other
free-text
entry This course is not open to undergraduates.
conditions (if any) e.g.
minimum mark, only for
VUGs:
Scheduled class hours:
Other
information:
To be arranged
attendance None
Summary of intended At the end of this course students will be able to:
learning outcomes (max
 Work effectively in teams and understand the various
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2000 characters):

Assessment
(free text)
roles that individuals can play in teams.
Understand how fundamental physical sciences can
be applied to build a functional microscope.
information This course will be assessed continuously by Professor
Shand and Dr Faulds. Students will be assigned a mark
based on their level of engagement, effort and understanding
of the task and their ability to build a functional microscope.
Feedback will be given to the students throughout the
exercise in order to ensure that the key points covered in
lectures and workshops have been understood and are being
used in the successful design and build of a functional
microscope.
Course organiser:
Dr Karen Faulds
Course secretary:
To be confirmed
Default course mode of
study:
Main exam diet (Dec or n/a
Apr):
Exam requirements:
n/a
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