Information on Liverpool Masters Degree in Clinical Science (Medical Physics)

Transcription

1 Information on Liverpool Masters Degree in Clinical Science (Medical Physics) Page 1 of 6

2 Introduction The University of Liverpool and the Merseyside NHS Training Consortium for Medical Physics (MTC), consisting of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust (RLUBHT) and the Clatterbridge Centre for Cancer (CCC), have formed a partnership to deliver the degree of M.Sc. in Clinical Science (Medical Physics) in support of the NHS Scientist Training Programme within the Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) framework. This brief document describes the programme; more detailed information is available from Helen Boston ([email protected]). Course and Module Structure The course structure is based on an initial four week period of intensive teaching in Liverpool in the October of the first year, followed by week-long modules spread throughout the remainder of the first and the second years, which deliver the required academic and hands-on practical knowledge. The modules are supplemented by pre-course material and post-course assignments, which the students complete at their own employment location. The third year consists of a research project. The University provides support through its virtual open door policy via , telephone and online tools throughout the course. The week-long modules in the first and second years run from Monday lunchtime to Friday early afternoon to enable students to travel to and from Liverpool on those days, reducing the cost of accommodation since students spend only 4 nights away from home. We feel that this structure also meets employers needs, since they can plan well in advance to cope with clearly defined and limited absences. For students, the week-long modules avoid detaching them from their workplace environments for too long, but give them an opportunity to meet and learn through discussion with peers, lecturers and tutors. The modules are intense periods of learning, structured to provide a mix of lectures, tutorials, hands-on practicals, workshops and discussions. The timetable for a typical module is illustrated in Table 1. This is the schedule for PHYS854: Clinical Radiation Generators and Radiation Dosimetry which is a lecture structured delivery though we also have a number of modules that use problem based learning. These face-to-face teaching blocks are scheduled to interlink with the process, timing, and content of the workplace-based training, as far as is allowed by the MSC framework. This is achieved through regular dialogue and consultation with the students work-based learning providers through the Training Coordinators at each site. The M.Sc. timetable has been modified in response to the comments of Training Coordinators and following the experience of the first cohort of students. The changes ensure that more academic material relevant to the early stages of the work-place training, such as Medical Imaging, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Radiation Physics, is provided in the first four weeks of the M.Sc. Furthermore, selected introductory lectures (not assessed) are provided in the introductory block to support clinical rotations prior to the delivery of generic and specialist modules 1 later in years 1 and 2. These additional lectures in the first 4 1 PHYS853: Radiation Protection, PHYS861: Nuclear Medicine, PHYS854: Clinical Radiation Generators & Radiation Dosimetry, PHYS856: External Beam Radiotherapy Planning, PHYS857: Brachytherapy and Unsealed Source Therapy, PHYS869: Ultrasound and Optical Imaging, PHYS870: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, PHYS871: Clinical Imaging Applications Page 2 of 6

3 weeks of the students academic career provide the rudiments to the rotations they will participate in even if they occur before the academic course is provided. Material that becomes more important later in the career of the trainees, such as information on Professional Practice in the NHS, is now provided in the second rather than the first year as we listened to the students and their training centres as to what parts of the course they would prefer in the first year. Module delivery takes place in a specially designed small group teaching space which forms part of the Continued Professional Development suite associated with the University s new Central Teaching Laboratory (CTL). The state-of-the-art Radiation Laboratory in the CTL is used for practical sessions. The students are also provided with a work-space with PCs, internet access etc. while they are in Liverpool, and have access to cafes and other social and sports facilities at the University. Table 1 Timetable for PHYS854: Typical structure for modules based on lectures. Note that there are refreshment and lunch breaks which are not indicated in the above. Students will also be set about 2 hours work each evening The post module assignment will involve self-directed learning, with online support, on material related to the module, and the production of an assessed report, which must be handed in to an agreed deadline. Details of the programme timetable, showing the specialisms, are given in Table 2. There are 60 credits worth of material in each of the three years of the programme, the first two years being composed of six 10 credit modules and the final year of a research project which is worth 60 credits. Table 2 also indicates how the modules offered at Liverpool relate to those identified in the MSC Programme document: M.Sc. in Clinical Science, Learning Outcomes and Indicative Content. Page 3 of 6

4 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 [Healthcare Science] [Research Methods] PHYS851: Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry # [Introduction to Medical Physics] PHYS852: Radiation Physics # PHYS855: Medical Imaging #, * PHYS853: Radiation Protection in Medicine PHYS860: Medical Information Technology PHYS859: Physiological Measurement PHYS862: Medical Statistics & Experimental Design PHYS850: Professional Practice for the Clinical Scientist in the NHS Radiotherapy Physics [Radiotherapy 1] PHYS854: Clinical Radiation Generators & Radiation Dosimetry [Radiotherapy 2] PHYS856: External Beam Radiotherapy Planning PHYS857: Brachytherapy and unsealed source therapy Specialist option 1 Radiation Safety [Radiation Safety 1] PHYS854: Clinical Radiation Generators & Radiation Dosimetry [Radiation Safety 2] PHYS861: Nuclear Medicine PHYS857: Brachytherapy and unsealed source therapy Specialist option 2 Imaging with ionising radiation [Imaging with Ionising Radiation 1] PHYS854: Clinical Radiation Generators & Radiation Dosimetry [Imaging with Ionising Radiation 2] PHYS861: Nuclear Medicine PHYS871: Clinical Imaging Applications Specialist option 3 Imaging with non-ionising radiation [Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation 1] PHYS869: Ultrasound and optical imaging [Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation 2] PHYS870: Magnetic Resonance Imaging PHYS871: Clinical Imaging Applications Specialist option 4 Notes: Square brackets in table indicate modules in the MSC document: MSc in Clinical Science, Learning Outcomes and Indicative Content. Liverpool modules shown under these MSC modules provide the number of academic credits required by the MSC framework and may be appropriate for several MSC modules. #These modules will be delivered during the year 1 introductory 4-week block. *PHYS855: Medical Imaging is a specialist module common to all specialities. 1,2,3,4 Specialist options are dependent on the chosen specialism. One module must be selected from the following: 1 Radiobiological Modelling or Nuclear Medicine or Clinical Imaging Applications 2 Clinical Imaging Applications or Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Ultrasound and optical Imaging 3 Radiobiological Modelling or Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Ultrasound and Optical Imaging 4 Nuclear Medicine or Clinical Radiation Generators & Radiation Dosimetry or External Beam Radiotherapy Planning Table 2 Programme timetable. Page 4 of 6

5 Assessment The delivery of the M.Sc. is supported by a carefully designed assessment scheme. Class tests are held during the course, allowing students progress to be monitored. These tests generally related to 10% of the overall mark for the module. The post-module material includes an assignment that is assessed and counts towards the M.Sc. mark, typically 20%. Where possible the students get hands on experience in the lab and are required to complete a write-up worth 10% of the total module mark. Formal examinations are also held for each module in the May of the academic year. It is pleasing to be able to report that the performance of the first cohort of students in these exams in 2012 was excellent and the External Examiner commented that their performance and the standard demanded of them by the course were both of a level comparable to that expected of pre-msc trainees. The delivery and assessment of the modules is supported by the University s online systems, such as VITAL (Virtual Interactive Teaching At Liverpool). These online tools include chat rooms where students can initiate discussions about areas of the course whether they are at Liverpool or their workplaces and in which other students and teaching staff can then participate and will ensure that support is provided regardless of the trainee s location. Within these systems we have, for each module, student evaluation surveys which we encourage the students to complete to give us the feedback on the course, this gives us the opportunity to see what the students liked about the course and also to make relevant changes to the course delivery in the following year. Research Projects The research project in year 3 will be proposed by the trainees place of work and jointly supervised by staff at the trainees institutions and the University of Liverpool. The Training Coordinators at each institution will be required to submit a short description of the proposed projects before these are offered to the trainees, including, where relevant, evidence that approval for the project has been obtained from ethics and safety committees. These will be vetted by the Board of Examiners to ensure they meet the University s requirements and appropriate feedback provided. Students will submit a detailed project plan one month after starting their research project. This will be worth 10% of the marks and will be assessed by the supervisors and an independent University academic. At the midpoint of the project, the student will produce an interim report and travel to the University to present the report and have a short viva with independent academics, which will be worth 25% of the marks. The remaining mark will be based on the final project report, a presentation of its contents to the MSC trainee cohort and staff at Liverpool and questions asked after the presentation. During the research project, contact with the trainees will be maintained through , VITAL and weekly or fortnightly telephone calls/conferences. Page 5 of 6

6 Accommodation All NHS trainees taking this programme in 2012 will be offered University accommodation. We encourage the students to use the time at the accommodation to forge links between their institutes and others around the country. City of Liverpool Built on an illustrious heritage Liverpool has a global reputation for sport, music, architecture and a wealth of culture for students to explore. With more museums, theatres, galleries and listed buildings than in any other region outside of London and a skyline with the same World Heritage Site status as the Taj Mahal Liverpool is a fantastic place to study. Students can choose from a host of restaurants, cafes and bars that cater for all tastes and budgets both on and off campus. Liverpool has the benefit of being easily reached via plane, train or car from most places around the country. Summary This document has presented a summary of the M.Sc. in Clinical Science (Medical Physics) offered by the University of Liverpool and the Merseyside NHS Training Consortium for Medical Physics. Its brevity means that, for those interested in the programme, many questions will remain open. In keeping with the open door policy of the University, staff involved in the programme will be happy to try and answer these questions. Please, in the first instance, contact Helen Boston ([email protected]) if you require further information. Page 6 of 6