Masters Degrees (Prosthetics And Orthotics)

Why this course?

This MSc programme combines knowledge of the engineering and medical sciences with advances in technology and practice to generate applications and solutions to clinically relevant problems.

It affords a Masters level degree in this clinical area, while considering globally the effects of disability within a population and society’s approaches globally.

This is one of the few programmes globally that offers a specific degree in prosthetics and orthotics. The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics (NCPO) has an international reputation for quality education within this field. The staff of the NCPO is involved in research and clinical practice both nationally and internationally.

The main aim of the course is to produce postgraduates capable of developing careers in allied health professionals and biomedical engineering (research, industrial and NHS).

We require candidates first degree to be in Prosthetics & Orthotics. Our learning environment brings together ideas and concepts from science, medicine and engineering to enable the development of relevant clinical and industrial research.

What you'll study

Taught classes, laboratory demonstrations, practical exercises and clinical visits take place during semesters 1 and 2. Diploma students then complete a project dissertation and MSc students complete a research or development project reported by a thesis.

Work placement

Visits to local clinical centres and lectures from industrialists and visiting experts from the UK and overseas are an integral part of our courses.

You'll also have the opportunity to meet our many industrial and clinical collaborators to help advise and further your career.

Major projects

You'll undertake a clinically relevant project in the rehabilitation area of prosthetics and/or orthotics.

Facilities

The Department of Biomedical Engineering consists of the Bioengineering Unit and the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics – two complementary and key areas of health technology teaching and research within the University.

The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics was established in 1972, growing out of the Bioengineering Unit at the University of Strathclyde, which was established more than 50 years ago, both being internationally-recognised centres of excellence for education and research at the interface of engineering and the medical science, with particular emphasis on clinically-related teaching and research. The new department of Biomedical Engineering in 2012 was formed through the merger of these two esteemed units.

Research areas include:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Medical Devices
• Diagnostic Technologies: the Foot in Diabetes

The department also hosts the Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Devices and Health Technologies, the Strathclyde Institute of Medical Devices and the Centre for Excellence in Rehabilitation Research.

In addition the department is a major partner in the Glasgow Research Partnership in Engineering; Health Technologies Knowledge Transfer Network; and Glasgow Health Technology Cooperative.

Guest lectures

This programme will include internationally recognised lecturers from the World Health Organisation and large NGOs globally which may include Handicap International and the international Committee for the Red Cross.

Learning & teaching

The course is delivered through a wide range of lectures, tutorials, practical laboratories, teaching seminars, networking events, and career support sessions.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a range of varied methods including: written assignments, exams, written assignments, presentations, and individual projects.

Careers

This Masters degree in Prosthetics & Orthotics is planned to afford the graduates the ability to consider and evaluate prosthetic and orthotic clinical practice with an evidence-based approach. The programme is designed to develop the ability to assess the country specific health care needs as recommended in the World Health Organisation guidelines and standards, and in alignment with the UN convention of Human Rights of the persons with a Disability. Future careers would include:

• education
• prosthetic & orthotic healthcare management
• clinical research

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Why this course?

The postgraduate courses offered are modular and intended for off-campus delivery. The courses can lead to an award of an MSc., Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.

The courses have been designed for professionals already working in prosthetics, orthotics, healthcare, medicine or associated disciplines. They are offered by distance learning allowing you to study at your own pace, at times and places that are convenient for you.

You’ll study

You'll select courses from the range of instructional modules available. The choice will be limited by initial qualifications. 

Optional modules

• Clinical Governance
• Orthotic Studies*
• Prosthetic Studies*
• Introductory Biomechanics
• Lower Limb Prosthetic Biomechanics
• Lower Limb Orthotic Biomechanics
• Clinical Gait Analysis

* not available to prosthetists or orthotists

Restricted modules (for professional prosthetists/orthotists only)

• Advanced Prosthetic Science
• Advanced Orthotic Science

Please note that not all modules may be offered every year.

All modules count for 20 credits towards a postgraduate qualification.

MSc

You must obtain a total of 180 credits which includes 120 credits from a selection of compulsory, optional and restricted modules and 60 credits from a final project to be awarded an MSc in:

• Rehabilitation Studies
• Prosthetic Rehabilitation Studies
• Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies
• Prosthetic & Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies

Postgraduate Diploma

If you obtain a minimum of 120 credits from a selection of the optional and restricted modules, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in:

• Rehabilitation Studies
• Prosthetic Rehabilitation Studies
• Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies
• Prosthetic & Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies

Postgraduate Certificate

If you obtain a minimum of 60 credits from a selection of the optional and restricted modules, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in:

• Rehabilitation Studies
• Prosthetic Rehabilitation Studies
• Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies
• Prosthetic & Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies

Major projects

The final year project aims to develop planning, resourcing and implementing healthcare focused research skills within a work based research project. You'll be involved in a number of processes which include:

• justification of the selected topic
• selecting, devising and applying appropriate methods and techniques
• applying for ethical approval where human subjects are involved
• anticipating and solving problems which arise
• displaying knowledge of background literature
• evaluating and reporting the conclusions of the study

The project may take the form of an extended literature review or involve experimental work. This project work will have been supported by compulsory modules in research methodology and data analysis.

Learning & teaching

You select instructional modules from the range available. All the modules include:

• coursework
• classwork
• tutorials
• self-directed learning (with the appropriate academic support)

Some modules will require you to attend a residential week at the National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics.

The course is delivered by distance learning. All course materials are available on the University's virtual learning environment 'Myplace' along with a timetable of coursework submission and feedback dates. You can upload coursework to myplace at the appropriate time for each module and feedback is provided by an agreed feedback date. Skype is also available for individual contact with supervisors.

Guest lectures

A range of guest lecturers contribute the research methodology/data analysis and clinical gait analysis residential weeks.

Assessment

You must perform all coursework and course assignments satisfactorily. Some modules may require a pass in a written exam at the end of a compulsory residential week. Exams are held at the conclusion of each of the instructional modules, either at the end of the residential week in the National Centre or overseas at a nominated local institute or British Council Office.

If you do not show satisfactory progress you may, on the advice of either the Course Co-ordinating Committee or the Board of Examiners, be permitted to transfer your registration to the Postgraduate Diploma or the Postgraduate Certificate.

You’ll only be allowed one attempt to pass each exam. However, the Board of Examiners may, in special circumstances, allow you one further attempt to pass an outstanding exam.

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IN BRIEF:

• You will have the qualification required for Health and Care Professions Council registration as a statutory requirement for practice.
• This qualification will enhance your employability
• You will have advanced knowledge, skills and attributes to escalate your professional and academic development
• NHS funding available
• Work/industrial placement opportunity
• Clinical placement opportunityI
• nternational students can apply

COURSE SUMMARY

This is a unique podiatry programme at master’s level leading to Health and Care Profession Council registration. Currently the only programme in the UK.

This is a 3 year full-time programme in which you will be developing practical skills with patients from the first semester (in the University in-house clinics) and then on placement within health services in subsequent years. The placements will be in wide variety of specialisms and you will be supervised by experienced and specialist podiatrists. Aligned with this is the academic component of acquisition of knowledge, the development of critical enquiry, research and application of research into practice. You will be taught by national and internationally recognised academics who are subject specialists. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in the Foot and Ankle Research Programme, led by Professor Chris Nester. You will be taught by and have opportunity to work with senior post-doctoral researchers who, have published in peer reviewed journals and written books aligned to the profession. You will be supported by academic, personal tutors and placement supervisors in the development of skills for critical reflection in order to ensure ongoing professional and personal development, and enhance employability. 

Please note: For applications for entry in September 2017 or later, it is likely there will be changes to the funding of fees and a bursary may no longer be available. 

COURSE DETAILS

This non-standard 3 year full time programme will provide you with a master’s level academic qualification together with a professional practice qualification, which is a pre-requisite for registration to the Health and Care Professions Council. It will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attributes to become leaders in the podiatry profession with research and/or the clinical roles.

The ethos of the programme is to enhance:

• application of research into clinical practice
• application of knowledge into practice through mentorship/teaching
• application of experience of practice into knowledge
• escalation of professional and academic development

TEACHING

• Lectures - will provide foundation material for further study as well as guest lectures by key individuals from practice, service users & carers and academia to ensure students are exposed to the wider national and international context of podiatry.
• Individual and group tutorials - will enable peer learning to take place as well as more focused individual learning needs.
• Critical Reflection on practice experience and ongoing personal and professional development through PDP/log book.
• Self- directed learning - essential for development of key skills and independence in choice of learning material.
• Teaching and learning experience in clinical practice will include exposure to a range of clinical placements where students learning will be facilitated by experienced practitioners in specific fields of practice, including other members of health and social care professions.

ASSESSMENT

Theoretical components

• Assignment 20%
• Objective structured exam 10%
• Exam 10%
• Viva 20%

Practical components

• Log book /PDP 100%

FACILITIES

Podiatry clinic

Our podiatry clinic adds a cutting-edge to your training, as well as providing a valuable asset to the local community.

The clinic includes:

• Private cubicles
• Orthoses suite with workshops
• Computer aided design and manufacturing facilities
• Gait examination room
• Seminar rooms
• Gait laboratory
• Anatomy room
• Clinical skills rooms

Clinical gait analysis and research facility

This laboratory was part of a £1.5 million renovation of the podiatry clinical education and research spaces. The laboratory hosts the Salford Gait Analysis Service which provides quantitative gait analysis and consultation services for four National Health Service Trusts in the Manchester area.

The service supports the care of children with cerebral palsy by enabling assessment of their gait to input to their care pathways. We also offer gait and human movement assessment related to amputees, neuromuscular disorders (such as stroke) and a range of orthopaedics disorders.

The equipment includes:

• 10 Qualisys OQUS motion analysis cameras
• Four AMTI force plates embedded into the floor
• Custom stairs that integrate with the force plates are available
• Visual 3D real-time analysis software
• Eight channel Noraxon Telemyo G2T wireless EMG system with associated foot switches and accelerometry
• Tekscan pressure system.

Human movement laboratory

This is the original gait laboratory within the University, and is located adjacent to the prosthetics and orthotics clinical suite and technical workshops.

This lab is used for research, clinical and educational work and has:

• 10 camera Vicon 612 motion analysis system
• Two Kistler force plates (embedded into the floor)
• Two Kistler force plates located in a purpose built portable walkway
• 12 Xsens inertial measuring units
• One eight-channel MIE telemetric electromyography system
• Visual 3D real-time analysis software
• ORLAU video vector generator.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Currently, BSc (Hons) students work within NHS services or the independent sector.

With this new programme it is anticipated that in addition to the above, the students will increase their employability in these areas and also increase their career progression. It is also anticipated that students may subsequently want to continue in education to complete PhD studies or to gain employment in the commercial sector.

LINKS WITH INDUSTRY

NHS clinical services/ commercial organisations aligned to podiatry for placements, career advice and mentorship.

FURTHER STUDY

PhD in the Foot and Ankle research programme – Health Sciences

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The MCh Orth Course in Dundee (accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England) is a clinically-based Masters degree that encompasses taught, clinical attachment and research elements, which provide orthopaedic surgeons with in-depth knowledge of the latest advances in surgical and biomechanical techniques.

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, to reflect the multi-disciplinary aspect of the research carried out at IMAR, where the majority of the MCh Orth projects are conducted, the respective staff were returned into Unit of Assessment 25 (General Engineering - Biomedical Engineering) and Unit of Assessment 8 (Primary Care and Other Community Based Clinical Subjects) where 90% and 85% of our quality profile was deemed of international class. This is an excellent outcome taking into consideration that IMAR was only established in 2003 in support of the MCh Orth course.

Why study Orthopaedic Surgery at Dundee?

There are six key reasons:
- Course accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England
- Best lecturing faculty drawn from specialists across the entire UK
- Best research experience in clinical and biomechanics in association with the Institute of Motion Analysis and Research, one of the leading facilities in biomechanics and motion analysis worldwide
- Associated clinical attachment with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with no need for GMC registration
- Our MCh Orth philosophy is to recruit ambitious orthopaedic surgeons with career aspirations that encompass leadership, academic excellence and the highest levels of skill and expertise
- Our successful MCh Orth graduates value education and recognise the need for professional reflection and lifelong learning to deepen their understanding, and to enhance their ability and develop a sound professional judgement

We have been successfully educating orthopaedic surgeons for 20 years and to date we have over 350 graduates. We continue to offer the highest standard of visiting external lecturer and orthopaedic lecture topics to be found anywhere and on any other similarly titled course; arthritis, foot and ankle, gait and motion analysis, hand and wrist, biomechanics, hip and knee, paediatrics, imaging techniques, shoulder and elbow, trauma, wheelchairs and seating systems, spine, research, statistical analysis and many other associated specialities.

What's so good about studying Orthopaedic Surgery at Dundee?

This programme is delivered by the Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery and the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research within the School of Medicine.

"It was a great learning experience. Coming here, my overall personality has changed. I have learnt the right way to write thesis and also got to know the recent advancements in field of Orthopaedic surgery."
International Student Barometer, 2009

How you will be taught

You will be taught via lectures, tutorials, multi-media demonstrations, dry bone workshops, anatomy demonstrations, clinical and operating theatre attachments, and hands-on latest surgical techniques using Thiel embalming cadavers, which is unique to Dundee in the whole of the UK.

What you will study

Bioengineering material will provide you with basic science and permitting you, as clinicians, to associate with clinical engineering materials to compliment your clinical knowledge. A formal programme of lectures, tutorials, multi-media demonstrations, dry bone workshops, anatomy demonstrations, clinical and operating theatre attachments, and hands on latest surgical techniques (using

Thiel Embalming cadavers, which is unique to Dundee in the whole of the UK) are provided and these include:
Foot and Ankle
Hand and Wrist
Hip and Pelvis
Knee
Paediatric Orthopaedics
Shoulder and Elbow
Spine
Trauma
Tumour
Infection
Pathology
Disability Medicine
Biomechanics
Implants
Introduction to Mechanics
Orthopaedic Technology
Statistics in Medical Research
Mechanics of Materials
Orthotics
Prosthetics
Seating and Wheelchairs
Foot Pressure Analysis
Gait Analysis
Motion Analysis
Sports Injury

How you will be assessed

The programme assessment is made up of three elements: two written MCQs (one per semester) using the latest e-assessment technology and iPads, OSCE and a thesis. Candidates will be examined orally on the subject of thesis by a committee consisting of a convenor, an external and internal examiners. Students are required to pass each element to qualify for the award of the degree. There is no resit facility.

Careers

Many of our MCh Orth graduates have gone on to highly successful careers once returned to their own countries with many taking up new challenges and opportunities within the UK up to Consultant position. Several have published widely in journals and at conferences and have even gone onto Fellowships throughout Europe and employment in the UK.

This unique MCh Orth course offers a truly wide ranging curriculum that will help you to achieve your career goals no matter what your speciality. Our distinguished visiting lecturers are specialists at the forefront of innovative orthopaedics and continue to return each year to teach as they understand the value and benefit of this course to working surgeons. They care deeply about the course and what it has achieved over the last twenty years and without their support we would not have been able to be so successful.

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Why this course?

The MSc is a modular conversion course which provides broad training in biomedical engineering to help you progress with a career in research, industry or in the NHS.

We bring together engineering, medicine and the life and physical sciences to enable the development of relevant clinical and industrial research.

The programme explores advances in technology and engineering to generate applications and solutions to clinically relevant problems.

As part of the course you’ll go on visits to local clinical centres and attend lectures from industrialists and visiting experts from the UK and overseas. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet our many industrial and clinical partners to help advise and further your career.

You’ll study

The first and second semesters consist of taught classes, laboratory demonstrations, practical exercises and clinical visits.

Following this, Diploma students complete a project dissertation and MSc students complete a research or development project reported by a thesis.

Facilities

The Department of Biomedical Engineering was formed in 2012 following the merger of the Bioengineering Unit and the National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics.

Accreditation

The MSc in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). An IPEM-accredited MSc is normally required for those wishing to pursue careers as Clinical Scientists in the National Health Service.

Learning & teaching

Instructional classes include:

• lectures
• laboratory demonstrations
• practical exercises
• clinical visits

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit local clinical centres and attend seminars given by visiting experts from the UK and overseas.

Assessment

This credit-based modular degree comprises assessed instructional modules and project work.

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Technology has always been central for the diagnosis and treatment in orthopaedics, biomechanics and rehabilitation, and the use of technology has never been greater than it is at the present time. For instance, twenty-five years ago there was only one type of artificial hip and today there are more than forty. This rapid development has considerable implications for all those working in the fields of orthopaedics and rehabilitation. This programme aims to provide an understanding of the principles involved in the development, application and evaluation of orthopaedics, biomechanics and rehabilitation technology.

The programme consists of two seperate courses, the Postgraduate Diploma in Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Technology and the MSc in Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Technology. For each course there are four groups of distance learning modules. In addition, the MSc course includes a project. The courses must be completed within a period of two to five years from the start date.

This programme is delivered by the Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery Department.

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, to reflect the multi-disciplinary aspect of the research carried out at the Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery Department where the majority of staff are tutors on this programme, the respective staff were returned into Unit of Assessment 25 (General Engineering - Biomedical Engineering) and Unit of Assessment 8 (Primary Care and Other Community Based Clinical Subjects) where 90% and 85% of our quality profile was deemed of international class.

Aims of the Programme

The programme is intended to provide students with an understanding and knowledge of the technological aspects of orthopaedics and rehabilitation.

Programme Content

The programme consists of four taught modules: Introductory Topics, Biomechanics, Rehabilitation Technology and Orthopaedic Technology. In addition, those studying for an MSc, undertake a research project in a relevant area.

Each student is assigned a tutor, who is available for direct contact by telephone; a telephone answering service is available after office hours, and you may also contact your tutor by email, post or fax. Email is the preferred option for all tutor contact.

For detailed information on the syllabus, visit the course website.

Methods of Assessment

The modules are assessed by a combination of written examination and continuous assessment. In addition, the research project, undertaken by those studying towards an MSc, is assessed by dissertation and oral examination.

Coursework:
At the end of each module group you submit an assignment to your tutor(s) for assessment. A copy of the assignment is returned to you with your marks and the original is retained by the University. The assignment forms the coursework element of the final assessment.

Examinations:
Written examinations are held during March every year in Dundee and also by arrangement at fully approved examination centres throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. You will sit either four or five examinations, depending on the introductory modules you have studied. You must complete all the modules in a module group, including the assignment, before you can sit the exam(s) for that group. You may choose to sit all the exams together or spread them throughout your course.

Dissertation:
The Masters project is assessed by dissertation and viva (oral examination). Vivas are held during September each year in Dundee. Course regulations require MSc students to pass the final assessment for the Diploma course before they may submit their dissertation.

Learning Materials

For each module, you receive learning materials consisting of a module guide and one or more study guides. The module guide for each module provides information about the structure, recommended reference materials and the tutor support system. Modules consists of several individual units, each unit dealing with a different aspect of the module. For every unit there is a study guide that explains the objectives of that unit (what you will have learned by the end of the unit) and leads you through the learning material, section by section, using text, illustrations, activities, exercises and references to the recommended textbooks.

You monitor your own progress through the unit by completing the self-assessment questions, which are placed at regular intervals throughout the text, and checking your answers against those provided in the study guide. At the end of each study guide, there is a short exercise which you complete and return to your tutor for marking.

Tutor Support

When you need to discuss any aspects of your study, you may contact your tutor for support. Your tutor is available for direct contact by telephone at set times during the week, as specified in the module guide for each module. A telephone answering service is available after office hourse and you may also contact your tutor by email, post or fax.
You recieve a regular newsletter and are encouraged to contact other students, even to form local groups where possible, to share ideas.

Students wishing to pursue the MSc must complete the Diploma within 3 years part-time or 9 months full-time. The MSc must be completed within a period of 1 year full-time or 2-5 years part-time.

Fees must be paid in full prior to commencing the course (in-house only).

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This programme is delivered by the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research within the Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery at the TORT Centre.

The Institute of Motion Analysis and Research (IMAR) was established in 2003 by combining the Foot Pressure Analysis Laboratory and the Dundee Gait Laboratory at the Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Department, University of Dundee. However, gait analysis has been at the forefront of development in this field for the past 25 years and foot pressure measurement for the past 16 years, which gives us a tremendous bank of knowledge on which to draw. IMAR's main goal is to promote excellence in teaching and research and to provide a comprehensive clinical service in the field of motion analysis.

A third laboratory dedicated to Sports Biomechanics is currently nearing completion to augment and support the current facilities of IMAR.

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, to reflect the multi-disciplinary aspect of the research carried out, the respective staff at IMAR were returned into Unit of Assessment 25 (General Engineering - Biomedical Engineering) and Unit of Assessment 8 (Primary Care and Other Community Based Clinical Subjects) where 90% and 85% of our quality profile was deemed of international class. This is an excellent outcome taking into consideration that IMAR was only established in 2003.

Aims of the Programme

The programme is intended to provide students with an understanding and knowledge of the technological aspects, and the fundamental and advanced concepts of motion measurement and clinical analysis.

Programme Content

This is a modular course, which includes a foundation module, plus the following subjects:
Motion Measurement
Fundamentals in Motion Analysis
Advanced Motion Analysis
For more details, visit the course website.

In addition, those studying for an MSc undertake a research project in a relevant area.

Methods of Assessment

The modules are assessed by a combination of written examination and continuous assessment. In addition, the research project, undertaken by those studying towards an MSc, is assessed by dissertation and oral examination.

Coursework:
At the end of each unit you submit an assignment to your tutor for assessment, along with an assignment card containing a signed declaration that the work submitted is your own. A copy of the assignment is returned to you with your marks and the original is retained by the University. The assignments form the coursework element of the final assessment for both courses.

Examinations:
Written examinations are held during March/ April each year in Dundee. Under special circumstances exams can also be sat by arrangement at approved examination centres (for example, at British Council Offices) outside, and in the United Kingdom. If you sit an examination outside Dundee you will be responsible for paying any costs the examination centre may charge

You must complete all the modules in a module group, including the assignment, before you can sit the exam(s) for that particular group. You may choose to sit all the exams at one time or spread them throughout your course .

Dissertation:
The MSc project is assessed by dissertation and viva (oral examination). Vivas are held in Dundee.

Available Courses

MSc (distance learning) - Normally up to 36 months £8,650
PGDip (distance learning) - Normally up to 36 months* £5,650
PGCert (distance learning) - Normally up to 18 months £2,825
MSc (in house) 12 months - £10,000

If taken in-house, the start date for this course is September. The distance learning start date can be at any point in the year.
*PG Dip to be normally completed in 24 months if the MSc is being considered.

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