Part ne: Prgramme Specificatin Curse recrd infrmatin Name and level f final award: Name and level f intermediate awards: Fundatin Degree in Healthcare Science: Diagnstic Techniques (The Fundatin Degree in Healthcare Science: Diagnstic Techniques is a Fundatin degree that is Blgna FQ- EHEA first cycle degree linked r diplma cmpatible.) Certificate f HE Awarding bdy/institutin: University f Westminster Status f awarding bdy/institutin: Recgnised Bdy Lcatin f delivery: Cavendish Language f delivery and assessment: English Curse/prgramme leader: Chrystalla Ferrier Curse URL: http://www.westminster.ac.uk/curses/subjects/bimedicalsciences/undergraduate-curses/pendistancelearning/d09pufdb-fundatin-degree-in-bimedicalsciences Mde and length f study: Blended learning/3 years University f Westminster curse cde: JACS cde: UCAS cde: D09PUFDB QAA subject benchmarking grup: Fundatin Degree Prfessinal bdy accreditatin: Date f curse validatin/review: Date f prgramme specificatin: April 2012 April 2012 University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Admissins requirements All applicatins fr admissins t the FdSc Healthcare Science: Diagnstic Techniques will be handled by the hst Schl s Admissins Team. The admissins criteria are utlined belw. Students must nrmally have cmpleted a full level 3 qualificatin in line with University f Westminster s admissins regulatins: One A level Pass in a related subject NCVQ recgnised awards, including relevant GNVQ at level 3 Advanced GNVQ Internatinal Baccalaureate Irish Leaving Certificate with passes in 5 subjects at Higher level Pass in a link Fundatin curse Pass in a recgnised Access curse BTEC/SCOTVEC at level 3 Internatinal Students Internatinal qualificatins will be assessed in accrdance with guidance frm the Natinal Academic Recgnitin Centre (NARIC) fr the UK. An IELTS scre f 6 r equivalent Mature students Mature students wh d nt fulfil the abve requirements will receive cnsideratin based n the experience and qualificatins utlined in either f the tw items belw. Significant experience within the bimedical science envirnment will be expected. 1. A minimum f tw years full-time r part-time emplyment in a related area plus: Supprting reference frm emplyer NVQ Level 3 in an area assciated with their rle Plus five GCSE passes including Mathematics and English Language r Fur passes in the Scttish r Irish Certificate f Educatin, all at Higher Grade including Mathematics and English Language Evidence f key IT skills, Internet, Micrsft Wrd and ptinal Excel and PwerPint 2. A minimum f three years full-time r part-time emplyment in a related area plus: Supprting reference frm emplyer Evidence f emplyment related knwledge skills at Level 3, such as Agenda fr Change, Knwledge and Skills Framewrk flder Plus five GCSE passes including Mathematics and English Language r Fur passes in the Scttish r Irish Certificate f Educatin, all at Higher Grade including Mathematics and English Language Evidence f key IT skills, Internet, Micrsft Wrd and ptinal Excel and PwerPint Evidence f time management skills Evidence f grunded mtivatin fr this curse University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
All students All students will be required t cnfirm that they have regular access t a persnal cmputer/laptp with Internet access and with specificatins and sftware that enable them t use the University s virtual learning envirnment Blackbard. In additin students must be in full-time r part-time emplyment, undertaking wrk relating t the curse and wrkplace supprt fr their studies. They will require a supprting letter frm their emplyer t this effect. Accreditatin f Prir Learning Under the University f Westminster s Academic Regulatins, a student may be awarded recgnitin fr previus learning thrugh the Accreditatin f Prir Certificated Learning (APCL) r Accreditatin f Prir Experiential Learning (APEL). This will nrmally be undertaken at the beginning f the curse r when a student first applies fr the curse. Hwever, a student must apply, with guidance frm the curse leader, by cmpleting the apprpriate frm and supplying the apprpriate evidence, which will then be cnsidered by the APCL/APEL Bard at the University. Shuld grunds fr the award f additinal APCL r APEL credits cme t light, and the student wishes t apply fr them during the curse, the curse leader can again ffer guidance thrugh the prcess. Fr APEL applicatins Fr APEL applicatins a student will be required t prepare a prtfli f evidence t demnstrate that he/she has the necessary learning t gain exemptins frm curse mdules. Aims f the curse The curse has been develped in partnership with healthcare emplyers, with the fllwing aim: The curse has been develped in partnership with healthcare emplyers and will prvide a recgnised qualificatin fr a newly created rle that spans bimedical science and physilgical measurements. T prvide an apprpriate prfessinal qualificatin fr the pst currently called Assciate Practitiner Healthcare Scientist (stage 4 in the Healthcare Scientists Career Framewrk, 2005) emplyed within the UK Natinal Health Service and the related private sectr. It is designed fr new entrants t the prfessin as well as existing practitiners wanting cntinuing prfessinal develpment. T suitably align with the first tw years f the Mdernising Scientific Careers (MSC) Practitiner Training Prgramme t facilitate career prgressin in accrdance with MSC. T prvide graduates with infrmatin regarding legislatin and guidelines that relate t healthcare prvisin in their cuntry f emplyment. University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
T equip graduates with the skills, knwledge and behaviural elements required fr patient cntact within the cntext f healthcare diagnstic tests. T equip graduates with the infrmatin technlgy skills required fr the input, retrieval and manipulatin f data frm diagnstic tests. T prvide graduates with a range f technical and scientific skills t enable them t autnmusly perfrm and trublesht a range f diagnstic tests as defined by their scpe f practice. T widen participatin and lifelng learning by recruiting such prfessinals wh have nt previusly studied at an institutin f higher educatin. T respnd t the changing training needs f healthcare science prfessins by ffering a blended learning experience f e-learning, wrk-based learning and limited blck attendance at university. T equip graduates with the knwledge, understanding and academic skills t prgress nt a BSc Hnurs prgramme thrugh further study T prvide the pprtunity fr verseas students, fr example in sub-saharan Africa, wh are currently wrking in diagnstic healthcare settings t btain an internatinally recgnised qualificatin by studying this curse in their wn cuntries. T develp the cnfidence f the graduates s that they can successfully apply, in the wrkplace, the knwledge and skills develped n this curse. T facilitate student persnal develpment planning (PDP) by the inclusin f reflective practice and prtfli prductin, this can serve the dual purpse f evidence fr cntinuing prfessinal develpment and prfessinal cmpetency evidence. Emplyment and further study pprtunities Tday s rganisatins need graduates with bth gd degrees and skills relevant t the wrkplace, i.e. emplyability skills. The University f Westminster is cmmitted t develping emplyable graduates by ensuring that: Career develpment skills are embedded in all curses Opprtunities fr part-time wrk, placements and wrk-related learning activities are widely available t students Staff cntinue t widen and strengthen the University s links with emplyers in all sectrs, invlving them in curriculum design and encuraging their participatin in ther aspects f the University s career educatin and guidance prvisin Staff are prvided with up-t-date data n labur market trends and emplyers requirements, which will infrm the service delivered t students. It is anticipated that all students recruited t this FdSc Healthcare Science Diagnstic Techniques will already be in relevant emplyment in UK NHS r private healthcare University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
r in similar psitins verseas. The skills and knwledge pssessed by students n entry t the curse have been acknwledged in the develpment f the curriculum. Fr successfully cmpleting students, the award f this FdSc Healthcare Science Diagnstic Techniques wuld typically enable direct entry int the secnd year r third year f a part-time UK Hnurs degree in a relevant discipline subject. Learning utcmes Learning utcmes are statements n what successful students have achieved as the result f learning. These threshld statements f achievement are linked t the knwledge, understanding and skills that a student will have gained n successfully cmpleting a curse. Upn cmpletin f the curse the student shuld be able t: Apply knwledge f bilgical and medical sciences in rder that they may analyse and understand the basis f human disease Apply knwledge f the principles f selected healthcare science diagnstic tests t the perfrmance and trubleshting f these tests within the student s scpe f practice Demnstrate apprpriate infrmatin technlgy skills in the wrkplace and during persnal use Apply knwledge f the legislatin and guidance relating t healthcare prvisin t effectively and ethically interact with patients wh require diagnstic tests Effectively cmmunicate pinins and infrmatin in a variety f frms t specialists and nn-specialists in their wrkplace Pssess the qualities and transferable skills necessary fr emplyment and prgressin t ther qualificatins Evaluate their wn academic and prfessinal perfrmance as part f their persnal develpment planning Knwledge and understanding Level 4 mdules: The learner can: Demnstrate knwledge f underpinning principles, thery and standard practice assciated with the rle f Assciate Practitiner in Healthcare Science. University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Display an understanding f the bilgy f human diseases and hw diagnstic labratries investigate them. Display an understanding f the technical and scientific principles behind selected healthcare science tests. Exhibit knwledge f the current legislatin that is applicable t healthcare prvisin in their cuntry f emplyment Level 5 mdules The learner can: Display an understanding f hw the different disciplines f within healthcare science are integrated during the investigatin f human diseases Demnstrate the technical knwledge required t perfrm and trublesht a selectin f healthcare science diagnstic tests Place the rle f the Assciate Practitiner in Healthcare Science within the wider cntext f ther prfessinals bth within healthcare science and, mre bradly within ther healthcare prfessins. Specific skills Cgnitive/Intellectual skills Level 4 The learner: Cllects, rganizes and analyses data assciated with underlying principles and practice f healthcare sciences. Slves defined diagnstic-based prblems f limited scpe using the nrmal gd practice and prcedures expected f an assciate healthcare practitiner, r equivalent prfessinal, in the wrkplace. Level 5 The learner with increasing autnmy: Identifies key issues in healthcare science within a range f envirnments and selects apprpriate methds t evaluate them in a balanced and cnsidered way. Selects and evaluates techniques fr using and applying data, prduced, fr example, during healthcare science-based diagnstic investigatins Researches, cllects and analyses infrmatin fr decisin making and prblem slving using established principles f gd practice and applies it t given cntexts in the healthcare science diagnstic envirnment. University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Key transferable skills Level 4 The learner can with supprt and limited autnmy demnstrate active develpment f skills applied t activities f limited scpe, defined cntexts and limited range f standard techniques assciated with the fllwing: Grup wrking: Interactin in grup situatins with tutrs, peers and wrk clleagues and meeting bligatins including negtiatin. Learning resurces: Accessing, gathering and use f a range f resurces fr learning and use. Self-evaluatin: Self-evaluatin f strengths and weakness against accepted nrms. Management f infrmatin: Cllectin and management f reliable data frm published surces and research simple tasks assciated with the healthcare sciences Autnmy: Take respnsibility fr wn learning in pursuance f a predictable specified range f standard practice techniques assciated with healthcare science diagnstic settings Cmmunicatin: Effective cmmunicatin and use f number skills (including the use f ICT), rally and in writing; numeracy Prblem slving: Prblem slving f well-defined prblems by applying standard methds and tls Career management skills: Reflectin n the prcess f develpment f: self-awareness f individual strengths and weaknesses and pprtunities and threats assciated with the healthcare sectr. Level 5 The learner can, with limited supprt and guidance, demnstrate that they can evaluate their wn strengths and weaknesses and develp strategies t actively develp skills applied t situatins f varying cmplexity and predictability assciated with the fllwing: Grup wrking: Interact effectively in team r grup situatins exchanging infrmatin and respnding t changes in a cnstructive way. Learning resurces: Managing learning using apprpriate resurces fr healthcare sciences, adpting apprpriate research strategies and techniques. Self-evaluatin: Evaluating wn strengths and weaknesses, demnstrating mtivatin and reflecting n persnal develpment, challenging pinin and develping wn criteria and judgment. Management f infrmatin: Actively managing infrmatin by develping sund research strategies, accessing and selecting apprpriate data frm a range f surces Cmmunicatin: Cmmunicating clearly, cncisely and effectively. Prblem slving: Participating in prblem slving in key areas f healthcare sciences, including actin planning and the cnsideratin f cnsequences. Career management skills: Reflect n the prcess f develpment f: self-awareness f individual strengths and weaknesses, and pprtunities and threats, assciated with career management. University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Learning, teaching and assessment methds The curriculum design and curse delivery f the FdSc Healthcare Science: Diagnstic Techniques are infrmed by the principles utlined in the University s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2011 2015 and Crprate Services Plan, 2010-2015. In particular the fllwing: Maintain a highly prfessinal teaching and learning staff which is respnsive t innvatins and challenges in the Higher Educatin envirnment and cmmitted t prfessinal develpment Increase and expand the use f technlgy enhanced learning (TEL) Widening participatin amngst students with nn-traditinal qualificatins and experience. The curse is planned as a three-year curse available t participants wh are wrking full-time r part-time as healthcare practitiners in diagnstic settings. Learning Yu will be encuraged t becme self-mtivated and independent learners. The curriculum has been designed t meet the prfessinal needs f healthcare practitiners wh are bth wrking and learning in an ever changing prfessinal envirnment. The curse acknwledges yur prfessinal requirements t manage yur persnal develpment and career planning, as utlined in key strategic dcuments such as NHS Agenda fr Change (2005).The curse ffers blended learning: the majrity f the mdules will be delivered in Blackbard where emphasis will be placed n encuraging yu t cmmunicate with each ther, as well as with tutrs, t develp and sustain a learning cmmunity during yur studies. It is als planned t invlve yur wrkplaces as part f yur learning experience. In three mdules, the cntent is integrated with requirements placed upn yu as part f yur career prgressin. Yu will require between 12 and 20 hurs f study per academic calendar week t meet the curse requirements. Teaching As indicated in the prgramme (page 6), there are three main teaching appraches emplyed fr the curse: e-learning delivered thrugh Blackbard, wrk-based learning and blck teaching. Academic staff with expertise in nline learning have been invlved at all times in the develpment f e-learning materials and will als play a key rle in maintaining accessibility f teaching materials in Blackbard fr yu. Wrk-based learning will invlve the relevant mdule leader, a wrk-based tutr and yurself wrking tgether t ensure that yu receive apprpriate supprt and develpment pprtunities. This will ensure the relevant mdule teaching can respnd t yur changing prfessinal needs thrughut the curse. It will als facilitate input f emplyers int the teaching and assessment f the FdSc Bimedical Sciences. Since labratry-based teaching frms an imprtant cmpnent f any life sciences prgramme, blck delivery f labratry sessins have been integrated with the science-based mdules. One week f university attendance is prgrammed in each year fr yu if yu are a UK student t facilitate this. If yu are an verseas student, arrangements will be rganised with a lcal educatin prvider. During this blck, labratry-based assessments will als be carried ut. University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Assessment Assessment has been planned as an integral part f the learning prcess, ensuring achievement f specific learning utcmes. Where mdules are the same in cntent as thse taught t first and secnd year undergraduate life science students attending the University, the same assessment strategy will be fllwed. Fr mdules unique t this curse i.e. Practice-based Learning 1, 2 and 3 and Delivering Healthcare A and B, the assessment strategy will ensure linkage with yur requirements fr the develpment f skills and knwledge required fr yur wrkplace rles. The Practice-based Learning mdules will ffer a flexible apprach in that the predetermined assessments will be cmpleted in a timely manner t align with yur wrkplace training rtatin. The underpinning knwledge required fr these mdules will be prvided within the mdules themselves and Delivering Healthcare A and B. Curse structure This sectin shws the cre and ptin mdules available as part f the curse and their credit value. Full-time Undergraduate students study 120 credits per year. Credit Level 4 Mdule cde Mdule title Status UK credit ECTS FBMS400 Study Skills Cre 15 7.5 FBMS401 FBMS402 Intrductin t Human Anatmy and Physilgy 1 Intrductin t Human Anatmy and Physilgy 2 Cre 15 7.5 Cre 15 7.5 FBMS407 Bichemistry and Mlecular Bilgy Cre 30 15 FBMS408 Cell Bilgy Cre 15 7.5 FBMS409 Critical Thinking fr Scientists Cre 15 7.5 FBMS410 Practice-based Learning 1 Cre 15 7.5 Award f Certificate f Higher Educatin available Credit Level 5 Mdule cde Mdule title Status UK credit ECTS FBMS508 Applied Pathphysilgy Cre 15 7.5 FBMS509 Delivering Healthcare A Cre 15 7.5 FBMS510 Practice-based Learning 2 Cre 30 15 FBMS511 Delivering Healthcare B Cre 15 7.5 FBMS512 Fundamentals f Disease Diagnsis Cre 15 7.5 FBMS514 Practice-based Learning 3 Cre 15 7.5 FBMS*** Principles f Diagnstic Techniques Cre 15 7.5 Award f Fundatin Degree available University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Academic regulatins The Fundatin Degree in Healthcare Science: Diagnstic Techniques and its intermediate awards perate in accrdance with the University's Academic Regulatins and the Framewrk fr Higher Educatin Qualificatins in England, Wales and Nrthern Ireland published by the Quality Assurance Agency fr Higher Educatin (QAA) in 2008. All students shuld make sure that they access a cpy f the current editin f the general University handbk called Essential Westminster, which is available at westminster.ac.uk/essential-westminster. The fllwing regulatins shuld be read in cnjunctin with Sectin 17: Mdular Framewrk fr Undergraduate Curses and relevant sectins f the current Handbk f Academic Regulatins, which is available at westminster.ac.uk/academic-regulatins Award (i)t qualify fr the award f a Fundatin Degree in Healthcare Science: Diagnstic Techniques, a student must have: a) btained at least 240 credits including: - a minimum f 30 credits at Level 3 r higher, and a minimum f 90 credits at Level 4 r higher; f which 75 credits must be passed with at least a cndned credit in each f the remaining mdules wrth 45 credits; and - a minimum f 120 credits at Level Five r b) satisfied the requirements cntained within any curse specific regulatins fr the Relevant Curse Scheme; and c) attempted mdules wrth n mre than 165 credits at Level 5 r abve. (ii) The University may award: a) a Fundatin Degree with Merit t a student whse marks average at least 60% acrss the best 105 credits at Level 5 r higher; b) a Fundatin Degree with Distinctin t a student whse marks average at least 70% acrss the best 105 credits at Level 5 r higher. Supprt fr students Upn arrival, an inductin prgramme will intrduce students t the staff respnsible fr the curse, the campus n which they will be studying, the Library and IT facilities and t the Faculty Registry. Students will be prvided with the Curse Handbk, which prvides detailed infrmatin abut the curse. Students are allcated a persnal tutr wh can prvide advice and guidance n academic matters. Learning supprt includes fur libraries, each hlding a cllectin f resurces related t the subjects taught at their Faculty. Students can search the entire library cllectin nline thrugh the Library Search service t find and reserve printed bks, and access electrnic resurces (databases, e-jurnals, e-bks). University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Students can chse t study in the libraries, which have areas fr silent and grup study, desktp cmputers, laptps fr lan, phtcpying and printing services. They can als chse frm several cmputer rms at each campus where desktp cmputers are available with the general and specialist sftware that supprts the curses taught at their Faculty. Students can als securely cnnect their wn laptps and mbile devices t the University wireless netwrk. The University uses a Virtual Learning Envirnment called Blackbard where students access their curse materials, and can cmmunicate and cllabrate with staff and ther students. Student Affairs prvide advice and guidance n accmmdatin, financial and legal matters, persnal cunselling, health and disability issues, careers and the chaplaincy prviding multi-faith guidance. The Student Affairs Hub is lcated at 101 New Cavendish Street, Cavendish Huse (1 st Flr), with an additinal ffice lcated at the Harrw Campus. http://www.westminster.ac.uk/study/new-students/when-yu-arrive The University f Westminster Students' Unin als prvides a range f facilities t supprt all students during their time at the University. http://www.uwsu.cm/ Reference pints fr the curse Internally University f Westminster Quality Assurance and Enhancement Handbk 2010, available frm http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-3899 University f Westminster Academic Regulatins 2011, available frm http://www.westminster.ac.uk/ data/assets/pdf_file/0017/105920/sectin-1- Intrductin-2011.pdf University f Westminster s Enhancing the Curriculum @ Westminster Learning, Learning & Teaching Strategy 2011-15, available frm http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page- 19547 University f Westminster Crprate Services Plan 2010 2015, available frm http://www.wmin.ac.uk/pdf/crprate%20services%20plan%202010-11.pdf Externally The Quality Assurance Agency fr Higher Educatin (QAA) Fundatin Degree qualificatin benchmark (2010) QAA Descriptr fr Higher Educatin Qualificatin at level 5: Fundatin degrees (August 2008) SEEC generic level descriptrs fr HE skills at levels 4 and 5 Department f Health s Healthcare Scientists Career Framewrk 2005 Department f Health (2010) Mdernising Scientific Careers University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Skills fr Health (2011) Prfessinal bdy accreditatin Nne at present. Quality management and enhancement Curse management The curse is managed by a curse team, which cmprises f academic staff frm the Faculty f Science and Technlgy and staff frm and Infrmatin Services and Library Services. Curse apprval, mnitring and review The curse was initially apprved by a University Validatin Panel in 2012. The panel included internal peers frm the University and external subject specialists frm academia and industry t ensure the cmparability f the curse t thse ffered in ther universities and the relevance t emplyers. Peridic curse review helps t ensure that the curriculum is up-t-date and that the skills gained n the curse cntinue t be relevant t emplyers. The curse is mnitred each year by the Faculty t ensure it is running effectively and that issues which might affect the student experience have been apprpriately addressed. Staff will cnsider evidence abut the curse, including the utcmes frm each Curse Cmmittee, evidence f student prgressin and achievement and the reprts frm external examiners, t evaluate the effectiveness f the curse. The Annual Mnitring Sub-Cmmittee cnsiders the Faculty actin plans resulting frm this prcess and the utcmes are reprted t the Academic Cuncil, which has verall respnsibility fr the maintenance f quality and standards in the University. Student invlvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement Student feedback is imprtant t the University and student views are taken seriusly. Student feedback is gathered in a variety f ways. The mst frmal mechanism fr feedback n the curse is the Curse Cmmittee. Student representatives will be elected t sit n the Cmmittee t represent the views f their peer grup in varius discussins. The University and the Students Unin wrk tgether t prvide a full inductin t the rle f the curse cmmittee. All students are invited t cmplete a Mdule Feedback Questinnaire befre the end f each mdule. The feedback frm this will infrm the mdule leader n the effectiveness f the mdule and highlight areas that culd be enhanced. The University als has an annual Student Experience Survey, which elicits feedback frm students abut their curse and University experience. Students meet with review panels when the peridic review f the curse is cnducted t prvide ral feedback n their experience n the curse. Student feedback frm curse cmmittees is part f the Faculty s quality assurance evidence base. University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014
Fr mre infrmatin abut this curse: Please cntact Chrystalla Ferrier: c.ferrier@westminster.ac.uk; 020 7911 5000 ext. 64129. Please nte: This prgramme specificatin prvides a cncise summary f the main features f the curse and the learning utcmes that a student might reasnably be expected t achieve and demnstrate if s/he takes full advantage f the learning pprtunities that are prvided. This specificatin shuld be read in cnjunctin with the Curse Handbk prvided t students and Mdule Handbks, which prvide mre detailed infrmatin n the specific learning utcmes, cntent, teaching, learning and assessment methds fr each mdule. Cpyright f University f Westminster 2014 University f Westminster Handbk Versin: 2014/15 (V1) June 2014