Masters Degrees (Cardiac Ultrasound)

Taught by industry recognised experts, this course provides a solid grounding in research methodologies, experimental design and statistics — delivering all the transferable skills required for a career executing specialist cardiac ultrasound procedures.Following the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) syllabus, you will be equipped with the advanced theory and practice of cardiac ultrasound and signal processing.

With a significant leaderships and management component, the course teaches the management, legal and ethical concepts required of leadership positions. Our specialist laboratory, run by experienced practitioners, also houses a wide range of diagnostic equipment that you can access not only during classes, but also for independent study and research.

This course is designed for healthcare practitioners, including sonographers and physiologists, already working in the field of cardiac ultrasound. However, it is also suitable for graduates, who are interested in a research or an academic career, and will provide you with the knowledge and skills required for further study at doctoral level.

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Why choose this course:

• You'll be taught in our modern Clinical Skills Suite by some of the area's leading experts in medical ultrasound.

• You'll develop skills relevant to your own area of clinical practice, which will help you to move forward with your career.

• This course is a nationally recognised qualification and is accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) for its flexible and innovative approach.

About the course:

If you are a qualified healthcare professional, such as a radiographer, nurse or midwife, this course will help you to develop your ultrasound skills enabling you to practise independently.

Recently there has been a sharp rise in the use of ultrasound within the NHS, which is reflected through the number of non-imaging medical and health professionals seeking specialist ultrasound training.

This course, which is nationally recognised and accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE), will provide you with the high quality training you need to become a practising sonographer within your workplace.

You can tailor the course to your own interests, with the option to specialise in these areas:

• Focused Specialist Ultrasound Practice
• General Medical Ultrasound
• Obstetric Ultrasound
• Early Pregnancy Assessment
• Gynaecology Ultrasound
• Cardiac Ultrasound
• Vascular Ultrasound.

Alternatively you can study a selection of modules from all areas to give you a wide range of training. We also offer some modules that will develop your management and leadership skills, which you can take alongside your chosen specialist modules.

You'll be supported throughout your studies and practical training by a tutor and a mentor. This ensures that you'll develop all the skills you need to practise in your chosen area of medical ultrasound.

You must have already organised a clinical placement in medical ultrasound with management support before you apply for this course. You'll also need to be able to complete a minimum of 200 hours practical scanning time, so that you can successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate stage.

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The course involves the detailed study of the physiological consequences of chronic debilitating diseases and highlights the changes that these different diseases cause during exercise testing.

This unique course gives you a solid grounding in theory and application of physiological tests in clinical populations including: graded cardiopulmonary exercise testing; cardiac ultrasound; vascular ultrasound; and muscle function analyses; as well as practical and theoretical elements of Phase IV cardiac rehabilitation.

Throughout the course you will actively participate in practical sessions designed to increase your skills, with supervised practice sessions working alongside University sports teams. Integration of theory and practice ensures you will meet developing statutory professional requirements of practice-specific knowledge, understanding and skills.

Intermediate qualifications available:

• Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Masters level https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/clinical-exercise-physiology3

• Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Masters level

Visit the website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/clinical-exercise-physiology

Course detail

• Study on a unique course with a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching, with access to world-leading staff expertise and research
• Explore areas including: research design; exercise testing and diagnosis; exercise testing and prescription; physical activity, nutrition and metabolic health; laboratory skills; research methods; advanced exercise testing and diagnosis
• Develop the high-level professional standards demanded of members of a health care team; understanding your ethical, moral and legal responsibilities as well as acquiring the practical competencies, theoretical knowledge and research skills that will help you access careers in health and fitness or academia
• Gain from the opportunity to practice your skills on work placement, and shadow experienced staff
• Benefit from gaining the necessary skills to become a Health Promotion Specialist; Clinical Exercise Physiologist; Clinical Technician or researcher, and/or continue to further research-based study on MSc by research, MPhil or PhD programmes.

Modules

• Laboratory Skills
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and Interpretation
• Exercise Testing and Diagnosis
• Exercise Prescription for Clinical Populations
• Research Methods
• Clinical Exercise Physiology Dissertation
• Psychological Approaches to Public Health*
• Professional Skills for Healthcare Providers*
• Metabolic Health*
• Sport Science Support*
• Placement (short)*
• Placement (long)*
*denotes options

Assessment

A variety of assessment formats are used and are designed to develop your transferable skills such as written and oral communication, the ability to follow logical instructions, problem solving and time management.

Some assessments are designed to mimic the scenarios that you may find in the clinical environment, such as practical exams, assess client care, technical skills, analysis and interpretation of test results.

All of these assessments are considered to be the best method to assess the learning outcomes of the particular unit, as well as developing professional and transferable skills.

• Written assessments – dissertation, projects, reports, lab reports (approx. 85%)
• Exams and tests (5%)
• Presentations and practicals (approx. 10%)

Careers

You will experience hands-on practical experience from the start of the course developing confidence for meeting and assessing patients in the clinical setting.

You will be introduced to a range of specialist equipment that you become competent in, allowing you to transfer your practical skills to clinical environment.

The placement units allow you to experience the clinical setting and different clinical populations.

Clinical practitioners deliver some of the lecture and practical content ensuring that you can receive insight into the setting in which you are likely to work.

Graduates can to apply for positions such as: Health Promotion Specialist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Technician. Previous graduates have gone on to train as cardiologists, including a specialist in congenital and adult heart disease in the Evelina Children’s Hospital and Guy's and St Thomas’.

You could also apply for further study, such as a PhD or the NHS Scientific Training Programme.

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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This course aims to develop qualified health care professionals to meet the challenge of specialist, advanced and consultant practitioner status in the field of medical imaging within a rapidly evolving health service.

You can further your professional development by taking a PGC in skeletal reporting, CT head reporting, all aspects of Ultrasound, or Mammography. Alternatively you could take a single module in a specific area, including Barium swallow and VF, CTC, cardiac stress testing or HSG - please enquire for other areas. Qualified sonographers can develop niche areas of practice such as vascular and breast imaging. If you want to develop ultrasound competencies in MSK, abdominal, obstetrics and gynaecology scanning then you should follow the MSc in Ultrasound Imaging route.

We have a wide range of options for breast imaging including mammography (equivalent to the College of Radiographers' postgraduate certificate in principles and practice of mammography); mammogram image interpretation; MRI breast reproting; interventional procedures; and breast ultrasound. Pick and choose your preferred options and modules to build a bespoke Masters qualification focused around breast imaging.

Key benefits:

• Our ultrasound modules are fully accredited by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE)
• Experienced, enthusiastic and friendly staff committed to supporting you through your study
• Access to our excellent onsite clinical facilities, including ultrasound machines, digital imaging suite and a 16 slice CT scanner.

Visit the website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/pgt-courses/advanced-medical-imaging

Suitable for

This programme will appeal to a variety of health care professionals engaged in current practice including radiographers, radiologists, speech and language therapists. You will need access to a relevant caseload for clinically-related modules.

Programme details

This is a part-time course which enables you to continue working in your clinical placement, so that you gain the necessary practical experience while learning the academic information to develop your skills. It provides a highly flexible approach to developing competence in niche areas of practice.

You have the choice to exit with the following awards:

• Postgraduate Certificate: two (30 credit) modules over one year or 18 months
• Postgraduate Diploma: four (30 credit) modules over two years
• Master of Science: four (30 credit) modules plus the dissertation module (60 credits) over three years

Your module choice will depend on your practice area and the profile of your award which should be discussed with the course team prior to commencement to establish a Negotiated Learning Agreement. This means your course is tailor-made to meet your exact learning requirements.

Students can opt to take a medical imaging specialism pathway in year 1 and 2. Details of these routes can be seen at the bottom of the page.

Format

The course is delivered by:

• Classroom based lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars and student discussion groups
• Skills lab based practicals
• Self-directed study
• E-based learning
• Work based learning, some modules include visits to Centres of Excellence

Module titles

• Advancing Practice in Medical Imaging
• Screening and Diagnosis
• Publishing and Presenting in Health Care
• Fundamentals of Radiological Reporting
• Radiology Image Interpretation
• Fundamentals of Mammography Practice
• Advanced Technique in Mammography Practice
• Research Methods
• Ultrasound focused areas of practice (vascular and breast)
• Mammography practice
• Reporting (skeletal, breast, CT head)
• GI technique only (barium swallow & VF, CTC)
• GI techniques with reporting, HSG with reporting
• HSG technique only, Breast Intervention, Cardiac stress testing

Assessment

Assessment methods are designed to suit a variety of learning styles and include;

• Assignments
• Viva Voce
• Exams
• Portfolio
• Objective structured assessment
• Poster presentation

The percentage depends on the individual modules.

Career potential

Most students have been seconded from and return to their work in the National Health Service with advanced practitioner status, and a number have gone on to become consultant practitioners. Students will also be supported to apply for Advanced Practitioner Accreditation with the College of Radiographers.

How to apply: http://www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying

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We actively encourage postgraduate students on this course to undertake internships and build up a portfolio of clients and practical experience.

Course overview

Careers in Sport and Exercise Science can develop in at least two directions. Firstly you can help elite athletes reach their optimum sports performance. Secondly you can help the general population to improve fitness through exercise referral and community programmes.

This course allows you to specialise in both those areas, by providing you with a solid grounding in measurement, evaluation, research methods, data analysis, and sport and exercise psychology. Additionally, you will get the chance to study applied physiology, applied biomechanics or complete a personal project. The final stage is a research project that reflects your developed knowledge and skills.

Compared to undergraduate studies, this Masters has more emphasis on self-directed lab work, data collection and analysis. We encourage you to undertake real-world internships and build up experience with external clients and sports clubs. This practical experience will complement the rigorous research elements of the course.

By the end of the course you will have a portfolio of work, feedback from clients/employers, and a record of practical and academic projects. This will give you a clear advantage when it comes to applying for jobs.

Course content

The course mixes taught elements with independent research and self-directed study. There is flexibility to pursue personal interests in considerable depth, with guidance and inspiration from Sunderland's supportive tutors.

Core modules:
-Measurement and Evaluation (20 Credits)
-Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 Credits)
-Applied Research Methods and Data Analysis (20 Credits)
-Masters Project (60 Credits)

Designated core modules (you must choose one of the following, but you may choose the other as an option):
-Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 Credits)
-Applied Biomechanics in Sport and Exercise (20 Credits)

Optional modules (choose at least one):
-Strength and Conditioning in Practice (20 Credits)
-Sports Injuries, Management and Rehabilitation (20 Credits)
-Applied Weight Management (20 Credits)
-Professional Skills and Practice (20 Credits)
-Independent Learning Project (20 Credits)
-Applied Public Health (20 Credits)
-Brief Interventions (20 Credits)

Teaching and assessment

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, problem-based learning seminars, web-based resources, small group discussions and debates. You will develop your practical skills with workshops and laboratory classes.

Assessment methods include essays, case studies, portfolios, oral presentations, scientific reports, practical exams, data analyses, critical reviews, poster presentations and a dissertation.

Facilities & location

We have invested in the latest software and equipment so that you have maximum scope to measure and improve performance. Our facilities will propel your learning in sport and exercise sciences.

Biomechanics equipment

Our equipment can measure motion, muscle activity and forces on the body during high intensity sports and the activities of daily living. Equipment and techniques include the following:
-3D motion capture systems including Vicon® systems and Xsens® motion capture suits
-Software such as Dartfish®, Kinovea® and LongoMatch® software to capture live action images for match tagging and coaching feedback
-Movement tracking tools such as Actigraph® and Catapult®
-Delsys® Trigno electromyography equipment to see how the muscles of the body are working
-Kistler® force platforms and Batak® reaction walls to analyse sporting performance
-Novel® Pedar systems to analyse foot pressure

Exercise Physiology and Psychology
Our laboratories include the most up-to-date equipment for assessing human performance. You’ll get hands-on practical experience with the following:
-Polar® Team2 heart rate monitoring system for assessing the heart rates of a full squad of team players in real time
-Cortex® gas analysers to evaluate cardiovascular performance
-Biochemical analysers from Randox®, Jenway® and Gonotec® to measure substances and enzymes within the body
-Tendo®, Myotest® and Globus® equipment to profile your strength and power and develop specific training programmes
-Fusion Sport® SMARTSPEED light gates for assessing speed, agility and reaction times
-Assess and enhance cognitive performance using our Neurotracker® 3D multiple object tracking equipment

Sports Medicine and Anatomy
Anatomy is taught by experienced staff in a specialist clinical lab using skeletons, anatomical models, 3D software, online material and human subjects. You will learn techniques for sports injury rehabilitation, including the use of sports massage and ultrasound equipment.

You will also examine balance and stability using our Biodex® stability and balance trainer and assess strength imbalances using our sophisticated Biodex® dynamometer and new BTE Primus® rehabilitation equipment. You can investigate how new techniques such as thermal imaging are being used in injury assessment with Flir® IR cameras.

Fitness and Conditioning Suite
In our lab, you'll find fitness and conditioning equipment that would be the envy of most modern gyms. From a wide range of cardiovascular equipment to machine and Olympic weights, you will receive hands-on teaching in a professional environment.

University Library Services
The University library has thousands of relevant books, e-books and journal articles, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. We subscribe to useful resources such as SPORTDiscus, which provides journal articles, book chapters and summaries about sport, fitness and related disciplines.

Sciences Complex
This course is based in the Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which has benefited from multi-million pound investments. The IT facilities are excellent and, across the University, there are hundreds of workstations as well as wireless internet access. If you have any computer problems, just ask the friendly helpdesk team.

Sports facilities
Students at Sunderland have easy access to some of the best facilities in the region. These include:
-50m Olympic size swimming pool
-95m artificial ski slope
-Climbing wall with some of the best route setters in the UK
-Football training pitches at Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light
-Marine Activities Centre for sailing, canoeing, kayaking and powerboating
-LTA indoor tennis centre with 13 indoor and outdoor courts
-Floodlit athletics tracks

CitySpace
Our City Campus features a state-of-the-art facility called CitySpace. It features:
-Sports hall (suitable for hosting large-scale events)
-Fitness suite/gym
-Strength and conditioning room
-Injury prevention and support suite
-Fitness classes
-Climbing wall

Employment & careers

Potential employers of graduates from this course include national sports associations, sports and leisure companies, recreation services, local authorities, health bodies including the NHS, schools and colleges. Job roles include the following (some require further training):
-Sports and exercise scientist
-Performance Analyst
-Sports coach/instructor
-Manager of health promotion initiatives
-Manager of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise referral
-Fitness centre manager
-Personal trainer/specialist fitness instructor
-Lecturer

Recent Sunderland graduates are now working within the fitness industry, sports development and in Further Education colleges.
A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.

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