Programme Specification 2015/16

Transcription

1 Programme Specification 2015/16 1. Awarding Body University of Surrey 2. Teaching Institution (if different) 3. Final Award MSc 4. Programme title/route/pathway Veterinary Microbiology 5. Subsidiary award(s) and title(s) PG Diploma in Veterinary Microbiology, PG Certificate in Veterinary Microbiology 6. FHEQ Level FHEQ Levels 6 & 7 7. Credits and ECTS credits 180 UK credits, 90 ECTS credits 8. Name of Professional, Statutory or Regulatory NA Body (PSRB) 9. Date of last accreditation (if applicable) NA 10. Mode of study Full-time/Part-time/CPD 11. Language of study English 12. UCAS Code 13. QAA Subject Benchmark Statement (if Veterinary Sciences applicable) 14. Other internal and / or external reference points NA 15. Faculty / Department Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine 16. Programme Director Professor Roberto La Ragione 17. Date of Production / Revision of the September 2015 specification 18. Educational aims of the Programme This is a one year full-time programme aimed at preparing graduates to work in a range of fields in which a detailed understanding of veterinary microbiology is a valuable asset. These fields include research, commerce, government and policy, reference laboratory and diagnostic work, epidemiology and disease mapping, veterinary science, farming especially animal production, wild and zoo animal conservation and education. As such, it is intended that graduates will achieve the highest levels of professional understanding of veterinary microbiology within a range of contexts. The programme combines the study of the theoretical foundations of, and scholarly approaches to, understanding the application and various practices of veterinary microbiology within the contexts described above along with the development of practical and research skills. The main aims are to enable students to a) acquire sound knowledge of the major principles of veterinary microbiology; b) develop the skills to perform relevant interpretation and evaluation of data, c) apply those acquired skills in practice through research and d) to utilise acquired knowledge and evaluative skills to communicate successfully with stakeholders. 19. Programme learning outcomes the programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas: Programme outcomes - the programme provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning and educational outcomes. The learning outcomes have been aligned with the descriptor for qualification at level 7 given in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) produced by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher education.

2 Knowledge and Understanding Teaching and learning strategies Teaching and learning strategies: MSc/ The main principles of current veterinary microbiology; The methods and approaches used for the molecular characterisation, and diagnosis of disease agents The main principles of infectious diseases epidemiology The analysis of disease and disease carriage that impact on the development and application of control measures to combat disease. Modes of control of infectious diseases Modes of transmission. The various aspects of host pathology and immune responses to disease agents; Analytical skills to allow interpretation of data and formulation of conclusions MSc/ Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self-directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, laboratory practicals, research project. Examination, coursework essays, research project dissertation, problem solving exercises, oral presentation of assignments, data handling exercises and practical reports. Skills and other attributes - Intellectual / cognitive skills Critically appraise scholarly and professional writing on a wide range of subjects pertaining to the various aspects of veterinary microbiology; Critically analyse experimental data to enable the formulation of hypotheses. Design relevant experiments to test formulated hypotheses Efficiently analyse new developments in technology and critically assess their utilisation to answer existing and new problems. Cognitive (thinking) Skills Able to: Critically appraise scholarly and professional writing on a wide range of subjects pertaining to the various aspects of veterinary microbiology; Teaching and learning strategies Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self-directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, laboratory practicals, research project. Examination, coursework essays, problem solving exercises, oral presentation of assignments, data handling exercises and practical reports. The research project dissertation will allow the student to demonstrate their ability to design, execute and analyse experiments, relating the data to present literature and question existing principles and theorise beyond these. Teaching and learning strategies and methods: Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, laboratory practicals.

3 Critically analyse experimental data to enable formulation of hypotheses. Efficiently analyse new developments in technology and critically assess their utilisation to answer existing and new problems. Examination, coursework essays, problem solving exercises, oral presentation of assignments, data handling exercises and practical reports. Skills and other attributes - Professional practical skills Plan and execute an experiment/investigation, act autonomously and demonstrate originality Analyse numerical data using appropriate computer tools including specialist computer packages Communicate experiments at a project level, including report writing Perform specific specialised experimental skills Teaching and learning strategies Many of the practical skills will be learned in supervised laboratory practicals, computer based exercises and the research project and dissertation. of practical skills MSc research study dissertation. Submission of practical reports Practical Skils Able to: Analyse numerical data using appropriate computer tools including specialist computer packages Communicate experiments at a project level, including report writing Perform specific specialised experimental skills Skills and other attributes - Key / transferable skills MSc/ Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods Many of the practical skills will be learned in supervised laboratory practicals, computer based exercises. of practical skills Submission of practical reports Teaching and Learning strategies MSc/ Problem solve Evaluate and exploit new technology Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means Work effectively in small groups and teams towards a common goal/outcome Apply basic statistical and numerical skills to data Use information technology including specialist packages. Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self-directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, supervised practicals and research project. Examination, coursework essays, rapid oral reports, group presentations, problem solving exercises, modelling exercises, practical reports and research project dissertation. 20. Programme structure including the route / pathway / field requirements, levels modules, credits, awards

4 and further information on the mode of study. The Masters programme is delivered as ten 15 credit modules and a 30 credit practical module with a dissertation. This Masters programme is delivered by a consortium comprising the University of Surrey and two world class veterinary microbiology institutions: the BBSRC funded Pirbright Institute (PI), and the Government sponsored Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA). The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and Public Health England (PHE) also contribute to the programme. Programme adjustments (if applicable) NA Programme pathways and variants NA In the case of joint honours (equally weighted subjects) or a major/minor combination programme, please provide a rationale for the particular subject combination and details on how the combination will operate. - Who is the lead faculty, department or school? NA NA FHEQ Level 7: Potential awards MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Module code Module title Core /compulsory /optional MMVM001 Microbiology & Veterinary Immunology Credit volume MMVM002 Microbial Genetics Compulsory 15 1 MMVM003 Molecular Epidemiology of infectious diseases Semester (1 / 2) Award requirements Compulsory 15 1 On completion of this level students will have Compulsory 15 1 achieved 180 credits at FHEQ level 7 and will be awarded an MSc (principal award) Subsidiary award MMVM004 Transmission and control of infectious (Non-vector) Compulsory 15 1 MMVM005 Transmission and Compulsory 15 1 control of infectious (vector) MMVM006 Infectious diseases Compulsory 15 2 of animals- Practical sessions (APHA, Pirbright ^ PHE/VMD) MMVM007 Diseases of animal Compulsory 15 2 systems: Gastrointestinal diseases of animals MMVM008 Diseases of animal Compulsory 15 2 systems: Respiratory MMVM009 Diseases of animal Compulsory 15 2 PG Cert 60 credits at FHEQ level 7must be achieved before a student may exit this programme with a PG Cert PG Dip 120 credits at FHEQ level 7 must be achieved before a student may exit this programme with a PG Dip The pass mark for all modules is 50%

5 systems: Multisystem diseases of animals MMVM010 Diseases of animal Compulsory 15 2 systems: CNS.SKIN MMVM011 Research project Compulsory 30 2 How many optional modules must a student choose All modules are compulsory for the MSc. in order to achieve the necessary amount of credits to achieve this level? 21. Opportunities for placements / work-related learning / collaborative activity please indicate if any of the following apply to your programme Data supplied by an external source for student analysis which contributes to an assessment Guest / external / associate lecturer (please detail the extent of their contribution, i.e. do YES they mark?) Professional Training Year (PTY) Placement, study or work placement outside of the PTY(please indicate if this is one day, one month, six months, a year etc.) Clinical Placements (that are not part of the PTY Scheme) ERASMUS Study (that is not taken during Level P) Study exchanges (that are not part of the ERASMUS Scheme) Dual Degree Joint Degree Further information One week practical sessions (X3) at partner institutes. Collaborative agreements are in place with the APHA and the PI. MoU covering the delivery of teaching are also in place with the APHA, VMD and PI. Have the relevant Agreement(s) been approved and signed? Yes 22. Criteria for admission Applicants should normally possess at least a 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject (biosciences) or a degree in medicine or veterinary medicine. However, relevant research experience may also be considered. Selection will be based upon the candidate s application, references and an informal interview. In special circumstances, a student may be set work for assessment before being offered a place on the programme. You may take up to three modules as standalone courses before registering retrospectively for the MSc and counting the accumulated credits towards your degree. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS IELTS min overall 7.0 IELTS min by component regulations Please click on the following link for the full assessment regulations

6 All programmes within the University of Surrey adhere to the Regulations. All taught programmes also reference and follow the Code of practice for assessment and feedback 24. Support for students and their learning Sources of help and advice may include: Induction, revision sessions, handbooks, personal tutors, placement officers, project supervisors, central support services, careers service, SurreyLearn etc. 25. Quality management indications of quality and the methods for evaluating and improving quality The quality management of this programme is monitored through: Periodic programme review Annual Programme Review Reports Module Evaluation Questionnaires The igrad Survey Joint Staff Student Liaison Committees Personal Tutoring Board of Study meetings Board of Examiners 26. Further information Further information can be found on our webpages at (for example the Key Information Set), and within the Programme Handbook, which is provided on entry to the Programme. The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at