Masters Degrees (Perfusion)

This programme addresses both academic and professional requirements: it integrates academic knowledge and understanding with both the needs of the working professional clinical perfusion scientist and the demands of professional registration with the Society of Clinical Perfusion Scientists of Great Britain and Ireland (SCPS).

It will develop your interest in and knowledge and understanding of perfusion science. Successful completion of the programme will lead to accreditation as a clinical perfusion scientist by the SCPS.

This MSc provides high-quality, research-led education that is focused on the needs and expectation of students interested in perfusion science. It will equip you with enhanced knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the current approaches and emerging research in the field. It will cover:

- Advanced physiology and disease states of organs that are affected by Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and thereby relevant to perfusion science.
- Composition and function of blood and implications of transfusion and use of CPB on function.
- Detailed knowledge regarding pathobiology, epidemiology and symptoms of cardiovascular diseases (coronary artery disease, valve and heart disease, paediatric heart disease) and their current treatments.
- Current pre-clinical and clinical research to improve the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease.
- A theoretical background in quantitative statistics leading to more advanced knowledge on clinical trial design and management.
- Principles and practical aspects of the currently used techniques in adult and paediatric perfusion science.
- The key elements of a well-designed research project.

The programme provides a firm theoretical grounding in the basic scientific principles and clinical applications of perfusion science. In conjunction with work-based practical training, this will provide you with the essential skills for employment or a further degree in this field. In addition, you will also be introduced to key practical techniques that you will require as a perfusion scientist.

Programme structure

This programme will be delivered in a blended learning format, utilising both distance (online) learning and campus-based teaching. Students will be required to attend Bristol for eight one-week blocks during the two years, for either lectures or exams.

All units are mandatory.
- Anatomy and physiology (20 credits)
- Clinical Trials and Statistics (10 credits)
- Coronary Artery Disease (20 credits)
- Adult CPB principles and practice (20 credits)
- Heart and Valve Disease (20 credits)
- Paediatric perfusion and circulatory support (20 credits)
- Work-based assessment (10 credits)
- Research project (60 credits): This can either be a 'wet' or a 'dry' project of an appropriate area of study. It will be presented both in written form and orally with a mini-presentation and viva.

Careers

This programme will accredit trainees as clinical perfusion scientists.

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The studies in Biomedical Imaging provide you with strong knowledge on either cellular biology, anatomy and physiology, nanomedicine or biophysics, depending on the area of specialisation. You will study in a highly international environment and gain excellent theoretical and practical skills in a wide range of imaging techniques and applications as well as in image analysis.

In addition, the courses cover for instance light microscopy, advanced fluorescence techniques, super-resolution imaging techniques, PET, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Also an understanding of the use of multimedia in a scientific context and excellent academic writing skills are emphasised. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides you with a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art knowledge in biomedical imaging related to many different areas in cell biology and biomedicine.

The graduates have the possibility to continue their studies as doctoral candidates in order to pursue a career as a scientist, in industry or science administration, and in an imaging core facility or a hospital research laboratory.

Academic excellence and experience

The strong imaging expertise of Turku universities is a great environment for the studying Biomedical Imaging. Imaging is one of the strongholds of the two universities in Turku, Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku. Both universities also maintain the Turku BioImaging, which is a broad-based, interdisciplinary science and infrastructure umbrella that unites bioimaging expertise in Turku, and elsewhere in Finland. Turku is especially known for its PET Centre and the development of super-resolution microscopy.

Winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Stefan Hell did his original discoveries on STED microscopy at the University of Turku. Turku is also a leader of the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure network which provides imaging services for European researchers.

Turku has a unique, compact campus area, where two universities and a university hospital operate to create interdisciplinary and innovative study and research environment.

Research facilities include a wide array of state-of-the-art imaging technologies ranging from atomic level molecular and cellular imaging to whole animal imaging, clinical imaging (e.g. PET) and image analysis.

Studies in bioimaging are highly research oriented and the courses are tailored to train future imaging experts in various life science areas.

• PET
• TCDM
• Nobel

Biomedical Imaging specialisation track is very interdisciplinary with a unique atmosphere where people from different countries and educational backgrounds interact and co-operate. Students are motivated to join courses, workshops and internship projects also elsewhere in Finland, in Europe and all around the world. Programme has Erasmus exchange agreements with University of Pecs in Hungary and L’Institut Supérieur de BioSciences in Paris, France.

Master's thesis and topics

Master’s thesis in biomedical imaging consists of two parts: an experimental laboratory project, thesis plan and seminar presentation, and the written thesis.

The aim of the thesis is to demonstrate that the student masters their field of science, understands the research methodology as well as the relevant literature, and is capable of scientific thinking and presenting the obtained data to the scientific community.

Usually the Master’s thesis is conducted in a research group as an independent sub-project among the group’s research projects. Experimental research work will be conducted under the guidance of a supervisor.

Examples of thesis topics:

• Exercise and brown adipose tissue activation in humans (EXEBAT)
• Stimulated emission depletion microscopy of sub-diffraction polymerized structures
• Optimization of immunofluorescence protocols for detection of biomarkers in cancer tissues.
• Exploring the feasibility of a new PET tracer for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques in mice.
• Morphology of the inner mitochondrial membrane
• Accuracy and precision of advanced T2 mapping in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
• Prevalence of perfusion-diffusion mismatch in acute stroke patients

Competence description

After completing the studies, you will:

• have a strong basic knowledge in either cellular biology, anatomy and physiology or biophysics depending on your interests and area of specialisation
• have excellent theoretical and practical skills in a wide range of imaging techniques and applications as well as in image analysis
• have a degree from a highly international learning environment where students from all around the world have a chance to interact and collaborate with each other
• understand the use of multimedia in scientific contexts and see it as a powerful tool of popularising science
• master scientific writing in English
• have excellent readiness for postgraduate studies

Job options

The interdisciplinary curriculum provides you with broad knowledge on biomedical imaging that is related to many areas of biomedicine and life sciences.

The Biomedical Imaging spesialisation track aims to train future imaging and image analysis experts to meet the increasing needs in the fields of basic and medical research as well as the high demand for imaging core facility personnel.

The Programme provides excellent possibilities for a career in life sciences. For example, you can:

• continue as postgraduate students to pursue a career as a scientist
• work in core facility management
• work in science administration nationally or internationally
• work in hospital research laboratories
• work in industry and industrial research
• work in imaging network or project management

Career in research

Master of Science degree provides you with eligibility for scientific postgraduate degree studies.

Graduates from the Biomedical Sciences Programme are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of 16 doctoral programmes covering all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.

Together with the doctoral programmes the Graduate School provides systematic and high quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.

Several doctoral programmes at University of Turku are available for graduates:

• Drug Research
• Molecular Life Sciences
• Molecular Medicine
• Clinical Doctoral Programme

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Overview

This award has been designed to facilitate the learning of the generic skills and knowledge essential to successful higher clinical practice. The emphasis is on stroke care, but also covers areas such as an understanding of Medical Education, Leadership for Health Professionals, Clinical Effectiveness and Research Methodology.

Each module consists of a mixture of different types of delivery, with some on line learning and face to face teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work or short lectures.

There are a number of CORE modules and then a wide range of other generic modules that are optional. We have designed the award to be as flexible as possible, including enabling students to study some modules from other Keele awards.

See the website https://www.keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/medicalsciencestroke/

Course Content

Each module is given a credit rating within the national Masters framework. These may be transferable from or to other institutions where the learning outcomes are comparable.
Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Science: 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Science: 120 credits
Masters in Medical Science: 180 credits
(The Masters Degree must be completed within five years of registration, the Diploma within four years and the Certificate within three years. It will be possible to complete a Masters Degree in Medical Science in two years.)

Core Modules :

Acute and Hyperacute Stroke (15 credits)
Acute stroke care is a rapidly changing field with new investigations and treatments emerging. This module will address acute stoke unit care, thrombolysis, advanced imaging (e.g. CT angiography, perfusion/diffusion imaging, MRI, transcranial Doppler) and interventional treatments (e.g. intra-arterial thrombolysis and thrombectomy) and integration of clinical practice with research. It aims to respond to the need for healthcare professionals who can rise to the challenge of rapid changes in stroke care. This module will provide technical updating and personal development for those involved in front line stroke services by using small group teaching, on-line exams and practice in audit to enhance service delivery.

Community Stroke: Prevention and Life after Stroke (15 credits)
The NHS of the future will need creative, imaginative healthcare professionals who can rise to the challenge of service redesign and improvement. This module, through a reflective portfolio of cases will enable students to develop as critical thinkers and use those skills to develop project proposals for changes to practice. Employers will see their staff develop the skills to research, argue for and develop projects that they can see will make a difference in the areas of stroke prevention and life after stroke. Students will learn the skills to turn their ideas into practice.

Stroke Service Development and Improvement (15 credits)
Mortality of stoke has significantly reduced over the last 10 years, and fewer patients remain dependent with changes in service delivery and improved care. This module further develops the ability of participants to become leaders and change managers in the field of stroke service provision. Building on the module Community Stroke: Prevention and Life After Stroke (which is a pre-requisite) those closest to the needs of patients will have the chance to implement their ideas for how services need to change. The key output of the module will be a result of a pilot developed, implemented and evaluated by the student.

Stroke Research (15 credits)
Research has led to great improvement in stroke care over the last decade. Through the infrastructure of stroke research networks more patients and staff are actively involved in the delivery of stroke research. This module has been designed to build on this experience of research and to enable participants to mover form delivering research to developing their own ideas into research projects. The development of an idea into a research protocol, user involvement, networking with professional bodies and other service providers, and becoming familiar with the grant application process will be covered. Students will meet experienced researchers, undertake private study and also receive feedback in small groups about their research ideas from peers and the module leader.

Optional Modules:

Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Assistive Technologies in Neuromuscular Rehabilitation (15 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Leadership and Management for Healthcare Professionals (15 credits)
Clinical Effectiveness (15 credits)
Contemporary Challenges in Healthcare Ethics and Law (15 credits)
Statistics and Epidemiology (15 credits)
Strategic Management of Patients with Long Term Conditions (15 credits).
The Interface between Primary and Secondary Care (15 credits)
Literature searching and synthesis (15 credits)

Dissertation:
The award of an MMedSci (Stroke) follows successful completion of the taught modules which make up the Diploma in Medical Science and submission of a further 60 credits worth of learning. This latter may be a research dissertation on a subject related to the individual’s specialty, in which case candidates will also be expected to have completed the Research Methods, Literature Searching and Synthesis, or the Statistics and Epidemiology modules depending on the type of research. A practice based project is another possibility, such as evaluation of changes implemented in a clinical setting, educational projects, or exploration of ethical dilemmas in policy and/or practice. It is expected to be a significant piece of work, and we encourage all students to consider aiming for publication of their findings. All candidates will be expected to have a local clinical supervisor for their project and educational supervision will continue to be provided by the award team. Previous experience has shown us that this is an extremely popular component of the Degree. Candidates have often published or presented their dissertation at Regional and National meetings.

Teaching & Assessment

Each module consists of a mixture of different types of delivery, with some on line learning and face to face teaching, utilising a mixture of seminars, group work or short lectures.

Additional Costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this postgraduate programme.

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