Masters Degrees (Reproductive Medicine)

Diploma MSc is an award-winning provider of online medical education for Postgraduate Diploma and Masters courses. We are now pleased to add the Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Postgraduate Diploma and Masters online courses to our growing range. Our Health Economics courses are offered in conjunction with our partner, the University of South Wales, who have developed a strong reputation for delivering innovative learning.

With a dramatic increase in the demand for fertility services and IVF treatment in the hands of the specialist, there is an increasing need for knowledge in the treatment and management of fertility issues at primary care level. This includes conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, which has a prevalence of 10% amongst females as well as low testosterone and erectile dysfunction amongst men. Similarly, with 10% of couples presenting to primary care with issues relating to fertility, this is a common primary care problem yet it is not covered adequately in training.

Our courses in sexual and reproduction medicine are applicable to GPs, doctors, nurses, physicians and pharmacists with an interest in sexual and reproduction medicine.

Postgraduate Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine

Our online 1 year Postgraduate Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine will focus on direct application to current topics, case studies and processes relevant to the student’s own remit and country of practice. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises 6 modules of 20 credits each.

On completion of the Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Diploma, you will be able to demonstrate:
An understanding of the care of patients in sexual and reproductive medicine.
A critical awareness of current issues affecting the care of patients undertaking treatments in sexual and reproductive medicine.
Advanced knowledge of sexual and reproductive medicine that will facilitate decision-making in unpredictable and/or complex situations.
An ability to use knowledge to adapt professional practice to meet the changing demands of healthcare systems.

Course Structure

Our 1 year course consists of 6 modules per year, each of 6 weeks duration.

Module 1 - The Reproductive System, Fertility and Pregnancy
Module 2 - Sexual Function
Module 3 - Male Subfertility and Infertility
Module 4 - Female Subfertility and Infertility
Module 5 - Initial Management of the Infertile Couple
Module 6 - Assisted Reproduction and Ethics

Assessment

The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment thus embedding assessment within the learning process.

Each of the 6 modules has the same assessment format. Due to the online nature of the course, students are expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module (ideally on a daily basis).

Students use the skills gained during the lectures to engage with the different activities (see below).

Clinical case scenarios with case based discussion - 40%
Individual learning portfolio - 10%
Group/individual activity - 20%
Case based examination - 30%

Teaching Methods

Each module has the same format. Using an online platform and one tutor per 10-15 students, the self-directed distance learning is guided by tutor stimulated discussion based on clinically rich case scenarios. Group projects are undertaken alongside independent projects. Reflective practice is recorded in a reflective portfolio to help students consider how the learning can be translated into everyday work and practice. Teaching starts with 1 day of introductory lectures. Students may attend these lectures in the UK (Glyntaff campus, University of South Wales). The lecture series are delivered by the faculty and tutors, they are a pre-course organiser, giving students the tools required to undertake the online course such as:

Scientific writing.
Levels of evidence.
Harvard referencing.
Reflective writing.

The lectures series give an opportunity to meet face to face with tutors/other students prior to the online course.

MSc Sexual and Reproductive Medicine

The Sexual and Reproductive Medicine MSc course provides a progression route for the Postgraduate Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine course offered by the University, and has been developed for GPs, doctors, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and other suitably qualified individuals with an interest in sexual and reproduction medicine.

Entry to the 1 year MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University.

Our 1 year Sexual and Reproductive Medicine MSc is the shortest route to MSc certificate available and is delivered online. You will be able to learn around existing work commitments.

On completion of the Sexual and Reproductive Medicine MSc, you will be able to demonstrate mastery and autonomous working in an extended area of sexual and reproductive medicine practice.

Course Structure

Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine.
Professional Project: Sexual and Reproductive Medicine.

Teaching Methods

Module 1: Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal - MSc teaching methods for this module are similar to the PG Diploma course modules, however it is run over 12 weeks.
Module 2: Professional Project - To produce the professional project, students continue to use the online course; however much of the work is self-directed.

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The MSc in Reproductive Medicine: Science and Ethics has been designed for students who wish to gain an advanced education and training within the context of a medical issue that affects 1 in 6 couples wishing to start a family.

*This course will be taught at the Canterbury campus*

Visit the website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/228/reproductive-medicine-science-and-ethics

Course detail

As the average age of parents increases, the call for increasingly novel treatments to aid reproduction is similarly on the increase. In the UK around 1-2% of all babies are born through IVF. Reproductive medicine generally, and IVF in particular, is an area in which the UK is world-leading.

Purpose

This course will aim to answer fundamental questions such as:

• What is the scientific basis of development and infertility?
• What are the legal and ethical implications of the work that is done?

The course provides training in the modern practical, academic and research skills that are used in academia and the clinic. Through a combination of lectures, small-group seminars and practical classes, you will apply this training and learn how it is applied towards the development of new therapies. The programme culminates with an individual research project or dissertation on a specific aspect of reproductive medicine research that interests you most.

Format and assessment

The MSc in Reproductive Medicine involves studying for 125 credits of taught modules, as indicated below. The taught component takes place during the autumn and spring terms, while a 60-credit research project take place over the summer months.

In addition to traditional scientific laboratory reports, experience is gained in a range of scientific writing styles relevant to future employment, such as literature reviews, patent applications, regulatory documents, and patient information suitable for a non-scientific readership.

Assessment is by coursework and dissertation/project.

Careers

The MSc in Reproductive Medicine: Science and Ethics provides advanced research skills training within the context of diseases that affect significant proportions of the UK and global populations. With the UK being a world leader in infectious diseases research and pharmaceutical development, and Kent having a strong research focus in this area, there are significant opportunities for career progression for graduates of this programme in academia (PhD) and industry.

There are also opportunities for careers outside the laboratory in advocacy, media, public health and education.

How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply-online/228

Why study at The University of Kent?

- Shortlisted for University of the Year 2015
- Kent has been ranked fifth out of 120 UK universities in a mock Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercise modelled by Times Higher Education (THE).
- In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Kent was ranked 17th* for research output and research intensity, in the Times Higher Education, outperforming 11 of the 24 Russell Group universities
- Over 96% of our postgraduate students who graduated in 2014 found a job or further study opportunity within six months.
Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why/

Postgraduate scholarships and funding

We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/

English language learning

If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/international/english.html

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This Masters degree has been designed to assist qualified doctors, working in obstetrics or gynaecology and seeking a career in fertility medicine, to enhance their knowledge and skills in relation to general subfertility problems. The programme provides a strong link between theory and practice and is delivered in partnership with the Hewitt Fertility Centre at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

A key aim is to enhance your ability to provide interventions suitable to individual patient’s needs. You will develop expertise in synthesising findings from an individual’s history, combined with the results of any patient examinations and investigations undertaken, to autonomously devise an appropriate, tailored and justified treatment plan. The programme will guide you in how to select and order clinical investigations, how to interpret their results, and how to evaluate the local, national and international drivers that impact upon the development of advanced reproductive medicine.

Consideration will also be given to the systems and approaches required to manage risk as well as the professional, legal and ethical demands of working within reproductive medicine. You will develop expertise in clinical reflection and be able to recognise potential professional limitations and challenges in practice, gain a systematic and critical understanding of research governance within reproductive medicine and demonstrate a critical understanding of pharmo-therapeutics related to fertility management.

What will I study?

You will gain a comprehensive working knowledge of best practice in reproductive medicine, develop the ability to interpret and synthesise clinical and investigative information, and discover how to formulate a treatment strategy for disorders of the male and female reproductive system.

Gaining clinical competency in the use of ultrasound scanning in the investigation, diagnosis and management of infertility, you will also develop an advanced understanding of clinical andrology and oocyte retrieval.

An introduction to research methods and approaches will engage you with the evidence base that supports practice. This will prepare you for the completion of a dissertation that will enable you to plan, manage and implement a significant piece of investigative enquiry related to your professional practice.

How will I study?

The programme uses a diverse array of teaching methods. Some modules are delivered via blended learning which is underpinned by the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) while other modules require face-to-face sessions.

Across the course as a whole, you will learn through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, individual tutorials, group work and critical debates. The aim is to provide a framework to underpin the development of critical thinking and encourage sharing in the learning process.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment methods vary according to the requirements of each module but can be through assignments, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, portfolios, seminar presentations, work-based learning and a small investigative research.

Who will be teaching me?

The programme team is drawn from a wide range of clinical backgrounds relating to fertility practice. It includes consultant medics, sonographers, senior embryologists, senior fertility nurse specialists and counsellors.

Members of the programme team publish in international journals and present at national and international conferences on a regular basis.

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This Masters degree is delivered in partnership between Edge Hill University and Liverpool Women’s Hospital. It bridges the theory of fertility and assisted conception with practice related to the assessment, investigation and treatment of the infertile/sub fertile couple.

The programme is designed to ensure you will be able to plan and implement a treatment pathway for infertile couples, whilst providing opportunities to focus on areas such as ultrasound scanning for reproductive medicine, embryo transfer, oocyte retrieval and clinical andrology. There are practice competencies to achieve that will allow you to develop and enhance your clinical skills, underpinned by exploration of the evidence base that supports fertility practice.

The overall aim is to ensure that on completion of the programme you will meet and exceed the standards of an advanced practitioner in fertility and assisted conception.

What will I study?

You will study the clinical assessment and diagnostics that relate to practice within assisted conception. Modules cover topics centred round the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the male and female reproductive systems, alongside the therapeutic and pharmacological interventions aimed at assisting conception and the medico-legal aspects of fertility practice.

You will be able to choose from a range of clinical practice modules which are designed to develop specific clinical skills relating to embryo transfer, oocyte retrieval and ultrasound scanning in reproductive medicine. In addition, you may choose to complete a non-medical prescribing module or undertake negotiated learning around a specific topic of interest within reproductive medicine.

An introduction to research methods and approaches will engage you with the evidence base that supports practice and prepare you for the final dissertation. This is an advanced practice project that allows you to make use of your newly developed skills and immerse yourself in a specific area of fertility practice.

How will I study?

The theoretical component of the course is delivered 50% online (via the virtual learning environment) and 50% through attendance at taught sessions at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Edge Hill University.

The taught sessions typically run on Saturdays so that attendance can be incorporated with clinical work. Online delivery includes podcasts and lectures by consultants working with reproductive medicine and also incorporates interactive sessions relating to anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Several modules contain practice competencies that need to be met so a significant amount of time for learning is allocated to this work in practice supported by a clinical mentor.

How will I be assessed?

There are a range of practice competencies to be met in clinical practice. Case studies, reflections and presentations will also be assessed to allow you to demonstrate your engagement with the evidence base that supports practice and the application of best practice guidance to your clinical work.

Who will be teaching me?

The programme will be delivered by consultant gynaecologists, obstetricians and andrologists from the field of reproductive medicine, together with specialist nurses, councillors and sonographers.

What are my career prospects?

This programme will develop and enhance your skills and knowledge in reproductive medicine and is designed to provide a strong foundation to progress your career within this discipline.

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The MRes in Reproduction and Pregnancy (formerly the MRes in Maternal and Fetal Health) is a 12-month master's course providing first class training in reproductive and pregnancy research.

It is a unique course designed to train those who wish to pursue a research career in reproductive medicine or pregnancy or to work in associated areas in health or science. Students do not need any prior research experience before undertaking this course.

You will undertake two interrelated research projects on a specific topic in reproduction and pregnancy, alongside taught units providing up to date knowledge of reproduction and pregnancy and training in research skills.

The MRes in Reproduction and Pregnancy will provide you with:
-The opportunity to conduct medical research at the clinical scientific interface
-Experience of running your own research project in a specific area of reproductive or pregnancy research
-Hands-on experience of cutting-edge technologies applicable to reproduction and pregnancy, and transferable to other areas of medical research
-An understanding of the latest state of knowledge in reproductive medicine and pregnancy
-Training and experience in scientific writing and developing a research proposal
-Grounding in a wide range of reproductive medicine and pregnancy related issues by attending seminars in the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre
-An opportunity to participate in high quality research at an early career stage and to contribute to public domain research output

On successful completion of this course you will gain:
-A master's degree. The majority of our students have achieved a Distinction (58%) or Merit (35%) degree;
-In depth knowledge of clinically relevant reproduction and pregnancy research from bench to bedside;
-Advanced research skills and experience of running your own research project;
-Understanding of the ethical issues and social implications of research in reproduction and pregnancy;
-A strong CV for future research or medical career;
-Public domain output. The majority of students gain public domain output during or after their MRes, including: conference presentations (national and international conferences); published abstracts; published papers (first or co-authored papers); awards e.g. RCOG oral presentation and essay prizes, travel grants.

Special features

The MRes is based in the Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre (MFHRC), the largest pregnancy research group in Europe and the Tommy's Stillbirth Research Centre. We have strong links with the Reproductive Medicine Department at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester.

We aim to find solutions to reproduction and pregnancy problems through a holistic approach to understanding, managing and treating diseases affecting mothers and babies, and through training the next generation of researchers in an interdisciplinary research environment. We conduct translational medicine research 'from bench to bedside', which is related to all aspects of pregnancy, from embryo implantation, through to pregnancy pathologies and developmental programming in the offspring.

The MFHRC has internationally renowned researchers in IVF/early pregnancy, placental biology, pregnancy complications and stillbirth. Our clinical academic researchers have developed world leading research antenatal clinics for high risk pregnancies. Integration of the research clinics and the research laboratories provides rich opportunity for translation from clinic to laboratory and application of research findings to the clinic.

Students will be based in the MFHRC and will be an active part of the research centre. We place a major emphasis on training the next generation of researchers and have approximately 40 trainee researchers (both basic science and clinical researchers) undertaking research as part of their degrees or training (from undergraduate, through the PhD and postdoctoral research).

Career opportunities

Our MRes graduates have continued their scientific or medical careers in the following areas.
-PhD research - 70% of home science graduates and 40% of our international graduates go on to conduct further research.
-Clinical training through the O&G and Academic pathways (Academic Foundation and Academic Clinical Fellows (ACF)).
-Other clinical/science professions , e.g. MBChB, midwifery, journal publishing, biotechnology, NHS STP and HIV Clinical Mentor.

Many of our students have stayed in the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre to undertake further research training.

We keep in contact with our MRes alumni and invite all past students to our annual welcome event for the new intake each October.

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About the course

Lead academic 2016: Dr Mark Fenwick

The course provides training in reproductive and developmental medicine for scientists, clinicians and others, for instance ethical advisers or lawyers looking to specialise. It’s a good platform for a research career or a career in clinical laboratory training for IVF or embryology.

Through the taught modules you’ll develop a solid understanding of reproductive science relevant to clinical applications. We cover the breadth of processes from gonadal development and production of gametes through to pregnancy and parturition. Each module is taught by leading scientists and clinicians in that field.

You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the ethical issues and international laws regulating reproductive medicine. Finally, you’ll undertake a research project to develop a depth of knowledge in a specialist topic.

Our study environment

You’ll be based in teaching hospitals that serve a population of over half a million people and refer a further two million. We also have close links with the University’s other health-related departments.

Our research funding comes from many sources including the NIHR, MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, the Department of Health, EU, and prominent charities such as the Wellcome Trust, ARC, YCR, Cancer Research UK and BHF. Our partners and sponsors include Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca and Eli Lilly.

You’ll also benefit from our collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

How we teach

Classes are kept small (15–20 students) to make sure you get the best possible experience in laboratories and in clinical settings.

Our resources

We have a state-of-the-art biorepository and a £30m stem cell laboratory. The Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) opened in November 2010. We also have microarray, genetics, histology, flow cytometry and high-throughput screening technology, and the latest equipment for bone and oncology research.

At our Clinical Research Facility, you’ll be able to conduct studies with adult patients and volunteers. The Sheffield Children’s Hospital houses a complementary facility for paediatric experimental medical research.

Hepatitis B policy

If your course involves a significant risk of exposure to human blood or other body fluids and tissue, you’ll need to complete a course of Hepatitis B immunisation before starting. We conform to national guidelines that are in place to protect patients, health care workers and students.

Core modules

Research Skills in Reproductive Medicine; Gonads to Gametes: fundamentals of reproduction; Fertilisation, Implantation and Embryology; Fetal Development, Pregnancy and Parturition; Reproductive Technology and Infertility; Law, Ethics and Policy in Reproductive Medicine.

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Introduction and Course Objectives

This vocational training programme has been developed to appeal to recent biology, biomedical, biochemistry and medical graduates who aspire to develop a career in the field of clinical embryology and assisted reproductive technology (ART) and/or the associated reproductive sciences. The programme has been developed by the Division of Reproduction and Early Development within the Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics in association with the clinicians and embryologists working at the Leeds Centre of Reproductive Medicine in the Leeds NHS Trust. The programme leaders have over 20 years of experience of training clinical embryologists, reproductive medicine practitioners and reproductive scientists.

This is a laboratory-based science degree not a clinically- based infertility treatment course. The programme will provide students with a detailed knowledge of the theory and practices that underpin human clinical embryology and ART. The curriculum covers: the cell and molecular biology of human reproduction, fertility, andrology and embryology; the management and efficient running of an ART laboratory; the practices, genetic and epigenetic concepts of micromanipulation and techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD); advances in cryobiology and its application to gamete and embryo freezing and fertility preservation. It will also provide graduates with valuable insights into the theory underpinning clinical treatments and the ethical and legal controversies surrounding assisted reproduction in humans. The programme will equip graduates to pursue a career in human assisted reproduction (e.g. clinical embryology, infertility treatment) and/or research in the reproductive sciences.

The programme places a strong emphasis on all aspects of practical training for clinical embryology and assisted reproduction technology. Masters students will be tutored in research methods. They will receive hands-on training from specialist practitioners in andrology, gamete handling, IVF, ICSI, embryo culture, gamete and embryo freezing, vitrification, biopsy. Students will interact with established, clinical embryologists and reproductive medicine specialists.

Course Content:

The course will comprise the following compulsory modules:

• Fundamentals of Clinical Embryology;
• IVF and Embryo Culture;
• Micromanipulation;
• Cryobiology and Cryopreservation;
• Ethics and Law for Embryologists;
• Research in Reproduction, Embryology and Assisted Reproduction Technology

Course Delivery

This programme is delivered using a blended learning approach which combines lectures, seminars, tutorials, interactive group discussions, presentations and problem based learning sessions /case studies with self directed learning. The theoretical training is complimented by the conduct of original research and by laboratory-based practical sessions. The course content is further enhanced by an extensive array of online resources and by the provision of printed versions of all module workbooks. Course assessments will include essays, presentations, projects, practical log books, a research dissertation and examinations.

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Evolutionary Medicine is a growing and exciting new field that is highly interdisciplinary in nature. We offer the only MSc in Evolutionary Medicine in the world, taught by a unique grouping of world-class researchers specialising in evolutionary approaches to the study of health and disease. A major theme of the course is the mismatch between the environment in which humans evolved and the contemporary environment, and implications for obesity and related metabolic disorders, reproductive health and infant care. Optional courses are offered in palaeopathology and cultural evolution, and in the wider anthropology of health.

Course content

The programme is designed for students preparing for doctoral research in evolutionary medicine, or for those who would like to apply an evolutionary perspective to their work in health. It is a popular intercalated degree for medical students.

The course is suitable for those with an undergraduate degree in anthropology, psychology, biology, health sciences, nutrition or a related discipline, and for health professionals.

Evolutionary Medicine is a growing and exciting new field that is highly interdisciplinary in nature. We currently offer the only MSc in Evolutionary Medicine in the world, taught by a unique grouping of world-class researchers specialising in evolutionary approaches to the study of health and disease. A major theme of the course is the mismatch between the environment in which humans evolved and the contemporary environment, and implications for obesity and related metabolic disorders, reproductive health and infant care. Optional modules previously offered included palaeopathology and cultural evolution, and in the wider anthropology of health.

The full-time course runs for a full year, from October to September. Students attend classes between October and December (Michaelmas Term) and January and March (Epiphany), with further teaching and assessment in April and May (Easter Term), and then work, under the supervision of a specialist supervisor, to complete a dissertation in September. Students take three core taught modules, designed to provide a foundation in evolutionary theory, quantitative methods used in evolutionary medicine, and an introduction to evolutionary medicine. There is also a range of optional modules available to allow students to focus on areas of particular interest.

Each module we offer has a credit value. To obtain a Master’s degree you must register for and pass modules to the value of 180 credits. In recognition of the emphasis we place on independent research skills, the dissertation is a 60 credit module.

Compulsory modules:
-Dissertation
-Evolutionary Theory
-Evolutionary and Ecological Topics in Medicine and Health
-Statistical Analysis in Anthropology

Previous optional modules have included:
-Academic and Professional Skills in Anthropology
-Evolutionary Perspectives on Western Diseases
-Public Health Anthropology
-Anthropology of Global Health
-Cultural Evolution
-Evolutionary Psychology
-Themes in Palaeopathology
-Evolutionary Perspectives on Reproductive and Infant Health
-Foreign language option.

Please see http://www.durham.ac.uk/anthropology/postgraduatestudy/taughtprogrammes/evolutionarymedicine for further information on modules.

Learning and Teaching

Evolutionary Medicine is a growing and exciting new field that is highly interdisciplinary in nature. We offer the only MSc in Evolutionary Medicine in the world, taught by a unique group of world-class researchers specialising in evolutionary approaches to the study of health and disease. A major theme of the course is the mismatch between the environment in which humans evolved and the contemporary environment, and implications for obesity and related metabolic disorders, reproductive health and infant care. Optional courses are offered in palaeopathology and cultural evolution, and in the wider anthropology of health.

The course runs for a full year, from October to September. Students attend classes between October and December (Michaelmas Term) and January and March (Epiphany), with further teaching and assessment in April (Easter Term), and then work, under the supervision of a specialist supervisor, to complete a dissertation in September. Students take three core taught modules, designed to provide a foundation in evolutionary theory, quantitative methods used in evolutionary medicine, and an introduction to evolutionary medicine. There is also a range of optional modules available to allow students to focus on areas of particular interest.

Each module we offer has a credit value. To obtain a Master’s degree you must register for and pass modules to the value of 180 credits. In recognition of the emphasis we place on independent research skills, the dissertation is a 60 credit module.

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Take advantage of one of our 100 Master’s Scholarships to study Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at Swansea University, the Times Good University Guide’s Welsh University of the Year 2017. Postgraduate loans are also available to English and Welsh domiciled students. For more information on fees and funding please visit our website.

Every day we are hearing of ground breaking advances in the field of tissue engineering which offer tremendous potential for the future of regenerative medicine and health care. Staff at Swansea University are active in many aspects of tissue engineering.

Key Features of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

We are actively researching many aspects of tissue engineering including the following areas:

- Characterisation and control of the stem cell niche
- Mechanical characterisation of stem cells and tissues
- Production of novel scaffolds for tissue engineering
- Electrospinning of scaffold materials
- Cartilage repair and replacement
- Bone repair and replacement
- The application of nanotechnology to regenerative medicine
- Wound healing engineering
- Reproductive Immunobiology
- Bioreactor design

As an MSc By Research Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine student, you will join one of the teams at Swansea University working in tissue engineering and use state of the art research equipment within the Centre for NanoHealth, a collaborative initiative between the College of Engineering and Swansea University Medical School.

The MSc by Research in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine typically lasts one year full-time, two to three years part-time. This is an individual research project written up in a thesis of 30,000 words.

Aim of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine programme

The aim of this MSc by Research in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine is to provide you with a solid grounding within the field of tissue engineering and its application within regenerative medicine.

This will be achieved through a year of research in a relevant area of tissue engineering identified after discussion with Swansea academic staff. Working with two academic supervisors you will undertake a comprehensive literature survey which will enable the formulation of an experimental research programme.

As a student on the MSc by Research Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine course, you will be given the relevant laboratory training to undertake the research program. The research will be written up as a thesis that is examined. You will also be encouraged to present your work in the form of scientific communications such as journals and conference poster presentation.

The MSc by Research in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine will equip you with a wealth of research experience and knowledge that will benefit your future career in academia or the health care industries.

Recent MSc by Research theses supervised in the area of Tissue Engineering at Swansea University include:

- Quality assurance of human stem cell/primary cell bank
- The development of electrospinning techniques for the production of novel tissue engineering scaffolds.
- The incorporation of pulsed electromagnetic fields into wound dressings.
- The application of pulsed electromagnetic fields for improved wound healing.
- The use of nanoparticles in the control of bacterial biofilms in chronic wounds.
- The control of bacterial adhesion at surfaces relevant to regenerative medicine.
- The production of micro-porous particles for bone repair

Facilities

The £22 million Centre for Nanohealth is a unique facility linking engineering and medicine, and will house a unique micro-nanofabrication clean room embedded within a biological research laboratory and with immediate access to clinical research facilities run by local NHS clinicians.

Links with industry

The academic staff of the Medical Engineering discipline have always had a good relationship with industrial organisations. The industrial input ranges from site visits to seminars delivered by clinical contacts.

The close proximity of Swansea University to two of the largest NHS Trusts in the UK outside of London also offers the opportunity for collaborative research.

Research

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 ranks Engineering at Swansea as 10th in the UK for the combined score in research quality across the Engineering disciplines.

World-leading research

The REF shows that 94% of research produced by our academic staff is of World-Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*) quality. This has increased from 73% in the 2008 RAE.

Research pioneered at the College of Engineering harnesses the expertise of academic staff within the department. This ground-breaking multidisciplinary research informs our world-class teaching with several of our staff leaders in their fields.

Highlights of the Engineering results according to the General Engineering Unit of Assessment:

Research Environment at Swansea ranked 2nd in the UK
Research Impact ranked 10th in the UK
Research Power (3*/4* Equivalent staff) ranked 10th in the UK

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This new and exciting course focuses on conception from gamete formation through early embryo development to implantation and early pregnancy.

Our world-leading researchers provide state of the art knowledge on the main problems in reproductive medicine.

Around one in seven couples is unable to conceive naturally wihtin two years. Nearly a quarter of a million babies have been born in the UK as a result of IVF since 1991. Now they account for 2.2% of all births annually.

This course will enable you to improve your understanding of the clinical and scientific aspects of assisted reproduction and initiation of early pregnancy. The university-based course takes place partly in a clinical setting, offering first hand opportunities to observe clinical procedures and question those at the forefront of patient care, working across a range of professional disciplines.

This course provides continuing professional development for people already working in the field, and a theoretical and practical grounding for those seeking entry to reproductive medicine as a career direction.

Teaching methods

Teaching comprises lectures, seminars, discussion sessions and practical sessions based at the University Hospital site in Coventry, supplemented with approximately 340 hours of self-directed learning. The two modules will be run over a three week period in May 2016. ART will run for the first week, then Implantation and Early Pregnancy will run over the following two weeks. Both modules are also available as standalone Postgraduate Awards (PGAs).

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Genomics Medicine and Healthcare Courses

The Genomic Medicine and Healthcare course has been developed for healthcare professionals including Specialist Medical Practitioners, General Medical Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals, Nurses and Midwives, Genetic Counsellors and those with related undergraduate degrees or equivalent professional qualifications and background experience. It will be of interest to health professionals in the UK and internationally and will provide a solid foundation in the core concepts of genetics and genomics applied to modern medicine and healthcare. Although there are other courses covering the subject area, none are completely online so they are difficult and costly for global healthcare professionals to get involved. This course will reach an international audience in a cost effective, flexible and inclusive way, helping to develop a worldwide network of genomic medical and healthcare leaders.

Our course is well timed given increasing public and professional interests in genetic and genome-level diagnostic and predictive testing for clinical management, disease risk evaluation, prevention of major complications and offering the prospect of improved prognosis. Personalised benefits include the option for reproductive choices and reducing lifetime medical or health risks by judicious use of new emerging preventive medicines and devices combined with lifestyle/behaviour modifications.

Diploma in Genomics Medicine and Healthcare Courses

Our online 1 year Postgraduate Diploma in Genomic Medicine & Healthcare is designed to be practical and clinically focused. The course will provide an integrated approach to Genomic Medicine and Healthcare and focus on applying scientific principles to direct patient care. The Genomics Diploma course is worth 120 credits and comprises 6 modules of 20 credits each.

The Diploma course aims to equip graduates with critical knowledge and understanding of genomics medicine. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge for direct clinical benefit and future study. Our Genomics Medicine Diploma course caters to the educational needs of a primary and secondary care audience and is the only one of its kind that is completely accessible online.

Our Genomic Medicine Diploma has been designed for General Medical Practitioners, Specialist Medical Practitioners (for example Paediatrics, General Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Medical Oncology), Allied Health Professionals (Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists), Nurses (Cancer, Cardiac, Paediatric, Neurology etc.) and Midwives. In addition, the course would be of interest to those with related undergraduate degrees (e.g. Dietetics, Biomedical Science, Pharmacy) or equivalent professional qualifications and background experience

On completion you will demonstrate:

- a systematic understanding of genetics and genomic factors in human diseases
- a critical awareness of current issues affecting the management of inherited human diseases
- an advanced knowledge of clinical genomics that will facilitate decision-making in unpredictable and/or complex situations
- an ability to critically evaluate current research in applied and translational genetics and genomics
- an ability to deliver management strategies for the investigation and treatment of patients with inherited human diseases
- a basic understanding of the scope and effect of genomics on treatments including horizon scanning of potential new targeted treatments for wider population

Course Structure

The online course lasts one calendar year and is a part time distance learning course. It consists of 6 modules per year, each of 6 weeks duration.

Module 1 - Principles of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Module 2 - Genetic Counselling
Module 3 - Genomics and Society
Module 4 - Practice of Clinical Genomics
Module 5 - Reproductive Genomics
Module 6 - Genomic Healthcare

Assessment

Online Diploma in Genomic Medicine and Healthcare

The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment thus embedding assessment within the learning process.

Each of the 6 modules have the same assessment format. Due to the online nature of the course, students are expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module (ideally on a daily basis).

Students are split into groups of 10-15 students and are assigned a dedicated expert tutor who:

Facilitates clinical case discussions with the group.
Monitors, assesses and marks each student throughout the module.
Students use the skills gained during the lectures to engage with the different activities (see below).
Clinical case scenarios with case based discussion - 40%
Individual learning portfolio - 10%
Group/individual activity - 20%
Case based examination - 30%

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This MSc aims to provide medical and science students with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the field of prenatal genetics and fetal medicine, specifically human genetics, human embryonic development and fetal medicine. There is a strong focus on the development of key skills and careers advice in the programme.

Degree information

Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the field of prenatal genetics and fetal medicine, specifically in the areas of basic genetics and technology, genetic mechanisms, medical genetics, organogenesis and fetal development, gametogenesis and IVF, prenatal diagnosis and screening, fetal and perinatal medicine, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis and developing technology. They gain transferable skills including information technology, analysis of scientific papers, essay writing, seminar presentation, research techniques, peer review and laboratory skills.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits) and a research project (60 credits). A Postgraduate Diploma consisting of eight core modules (120 credits, full time nine months, flexible study two to five years) is offered. There are no optional modules for this programme.

Mandatory modules
-Basic Genetics and Technology
-Gametogenesis, Preimplantation Development and IVF
-Genetic Mechanisms
-Medical Genetics
-Organogenesis and Fetal Development
-Prenatal Diagnosis and Screening
-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine
-Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Developing Technology

Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake a clinical, laboratory, audit or library-based research project, which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical demonstrations in laboratories, observation days in fetal medicine and IVF units, and student presentations. There are a number of peer-led learning activities. Assessment is through essays, patient case reports, critical reviews of papers, online problem booklet, examinations and the dissertation.

Careers

On completion of the programme, all students will have gained knowledge of both the clinical and laboratory aspects of prenatal genetics and fetal medicine. This will enable the science-orientated students to go on to pursue research degrees, careers in embryology or prenatal diagnosis, or other careers in the field or in general science. Medically-orientated students will be able to develop their careers in the field of fetal medicine.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Ob/Gyn Surgeon, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale
-Trainee Embryologist, Homerton University Hospital (NHS)
-PhD Medical Genetics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CI
-Clinical Research Nurse, University College London (UCL)
-Trainee Embryologist, Life Hospital

Employability
Throughout the MSc programme students learn key skills through peer-led activities, such as evaluating and presenting orally on patient cases and media coverage of scientific papers. Basic laboratory techniques are taught as are essay writing, the critical evaluation of papers, debates and ethical discussions. We also offer a comprehensive careers programme involving our alumni, covering job applications, CV writing, general careers in science and specific advice on careers in embryology, clinical genetics, medicine and research degrees.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL Institute for Women’s Health delivers excellence in research, clinical practice, education and training in order to make a real and sustainable difference to women's and babies' health worldwide.

The institute houses the UK's largest group of academics working in women's health and the UCL/UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust collaboration at its core provides an academic environment in which students can pursue graduate studies taught by world-class reseachers and clinicians.

Our diversity of expertise in maternal and fetal medicine, neonatology, reproductive health and women's cancer ensures a vibrant environment in which students develop subject-specific and generic transferable skills, supporting a broad range of future employment opportunities.

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Combining theory and practice with placements, this programme offers registered nurses and midwives the opportunity to study sexual and reproductive health theory and apply new knowledge and skills to clinical practice.

About the programme

Sexual health is a national priority in Scotland. Many traditional family planning and genito-urinary services have integrated in order to provide a holistic, one-stop-shop approach to care.

Clinical practice is integrated with the theoretical component of the programme and may be started after the first six days of theory. Health boards allocate clinical placements to students and clinic times vary depending on the health boards.

The focus is on working in partnership with clients to promote excellence in sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Your learning

Three modules are taken together in one trimester:

Reproductive Health – explores contemporary issues in contraception and reproductive health

Genito-urinary Medicine – offers you an opportunity to explore contemporary issues in genitourinary medicine (GUM)

Sexual and Reproductive Health Practice – gives you the opportunity to apply theory learned from Reproductive Health and Genitourinary Medicine modules to clinical practice within sexual and reproductive health clinics in health boards throughout the west of Scotland.

Practical experience

Students will undertake fifty hours clinical practice which must be completed by December. Clinical placements will be allocated to the
student by the health board.

Our Careers Adviser says

New knowledge and skills can be applied to sexual and reproductive healthcare practice in a variety of settings such as primary care,
schools, gynaecology, midwifery, youth clinics, and specialist sexual health services. Successful completion of the programme may enhance employment opportunities in these areas of healthcare.

State-of-the-art facilities

Our campuses are equipped with artificial simulated environments with contemporary healthcare technology, where you’ll learn in a realistic context, to put your knowledge into practice. The unpredictability of patient symptoms are mimicked using sophisticated software in a clinical ward setting, ranging from low to high dependency beds.

Investment in the Domus Initiative – an older adult artificial home environment – provides you with experience in caring for older people and dementia care. In a first for the Scottish university sector, we have established A Community Orientated Resource for Nursing (ACORN) where students can practice within a simulated primary care environment.

Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses also provide midwifery students with excellent learning and teaching environments with facilities and equipment that includes a birthing room with maternal simulator and a birthing pool for simulated water births.

Life-changing research

We work jointly with a range of partners, both nationally and internationally, on our research interests, and this directly informs teaching at UWS – which means that you’ll learn from the experts.

Our programmes are informed by practice and all of our academic staff are members of the School’s Institute of Healthcare Policy and
Practice. Some of our most recent initiatives include –

• the launch of a new resource, ‘Jenny’s Diary’, which will provide an invaluable tool for families and practitioners to help people with a learning disability understand their diagnosis of dementia

• the development of a new ‘Philosophy of Care’ in partnership with Broomfield Court Care Home in Glasgow, which will look at ways of enhancing the culture and care within a care setting

• we have collaborated with Ayrshire Hospice to launch the first University Hospice in Scotland to help improve the lives of people with life-limiting illness, their families, partners and carers across Ayrshire & Arran; and Ardgowan Hospice in Greenock, with it becoming a University Teaching Hospice and launching a two-year research project with the University aimed at revolutionising the way palliative
care is delivered to improve the patient journey

• the launch of Dumfries & Galloway Recovery College – the first of its kind in Scotland – which offers short courses designed to enhance self-belief, identify ambitions and encourage learning

• in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Edinburgh, the mental health team lead research into the relationship between emotional intelligence and clinical and academic performance in student nurses

• we are working with the Glasgow Improving Cancer Journey Programme to evaluate this groundbreaking intervention in cancer care in Scotland

• we have launched a new state-of-the-art microbiology lab which will form a research base in the fight against Healthcare Associated Infection

• a collaboration with a number of European partners to develop shared academic and practicebased programmes to prepare family health nurses in Europe

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This is Europe’s only graduate course in reproductive health research and is designed for those interested in acquiring the research skills necessary to conduct policy-relevant research into sexual and reproductive health. It provides a non-clinical foundation in family planning, obstetric health, AIDS and sexually-transmitted infections.

This Master's course is recognized by the ESRC as providing high quality research training and a small number of ESRC scholarships (including 1+3 scholarships) are available to UK or EU residents. These are advertised each year with the School scholarships information.

The curriculum has a focus on middle- and low-income settings but also provides excellent training in the principles and methods of research for high-income countries.

Careers

Graduates go into public health and reproductive health programmes, evaluation of family planning programmes, research for governmental and non-governmental agencies and university teaching.

Prize and awards

A prize is awarded each year to the student who has submitted the best project of the year for examination.

- Full programme specification (pdf) (http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/edu/qualityassurance/rshr_progspec.pdf)

Visit the website http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msrshr.html

Objectives

By the end of this course students should be able to:

- demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches to research of reproductive and sexual health issues

- critically assess and apply these research approaches to inform development, health and social welfare programmes

- demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding reproductive and sexual health

- identify and address appropriate research questions in reproductive and sexual health, using methods from a range of public health disciplines

- carry out research activities to identify effective components of reproductive and sexual health services within programmes

Structure

Term 1:
Students take the following compulsory modules:

Basic Epidemiology
Foundations in Reproductive Health
Principles of Social Research
Statistics for Epidemiology and Population Health

Further optional modules include:

Extended Epidemiology
Health Policy, Process & Power
Introduction to Health Economics
Population Studies

Terms 2 and 3:
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). One module (in Slot 4) is compulsory.

*Recommended modules

- Slot 1:
Research Design & Analysis*
Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries
Health Care Evaluation
Health Promotion Approaches and Methods
Maternal & Child Nutrition
Sociological Approaches to Health

- Slot 2:
Family Planning Programmes*
Population, Poverty and Environment*
Conflict and Health
Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
Qualitative Methodologies
Statistical Methods in Epidemiology

- Slot 3:

Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections*
Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health*
Social Epidemiology*
Medical Anthropology and Public Health

- Slot 4:
Sexual Health

- Slot 5:

AIDS*
Analysing Survey & Population Data*
Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries
Proposal Development

A restricted number of modules may be taken by self-study, using electronic access teaching material.

Further details for the course modules - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section2_coursedescriptions/trsh.html

Project Report:
During the summer months (July-August), students complete a research project. Acceptable types of project are: data analysis; a project proposal; an original literature or policy review.

Students normally remain in London for the preparation of their project report. Exceptionally, and only if appropriate, part of the project period may be spent away from the School, whether in the UK or abroad. Arrangements for this must be discussed and agreed with the Course Director.

Intercalating this course

Undergraduate medical students can take a year out either to pursue related studies or work. The School welcomes applications from medical students wishing to intercalate after their third year of study from any recognised university in the world.

Why intercalate with us?:
Reputation: The School has an outstanding international reputation in public health & tropical medicine and is at the forefront of global health research. It is highly rated in a number of world rankings including:

- World’s leading research-focused graduate school (Times Higher Education World Rankings, 2013)
- Third in the world for social science and public health (US News Best Global Universities Ranking, 2014)
- Second in UK for research impact (Research Exercise Framework 2014)
- Top in Europe for impact (Leiden Ranking, 2015)

Highly recognised qualification: possessing a Master's from the School will give you a focused understanding of health and disease, broaden your career prospects and allow you to be immersed in research in a field of your choice.

Valuable skills: you will undertake an independent research project (summer project) in your chosen topic, equipping you with research skills that will distinguish you in a clinical environment. While your medical qualification will give you a breadth of knowledge; undertaking an intercalated degree will allow you to explore your main area of interest in greater depth.

Alumni network: the School has a strong international and diverse alumni community, with more than 20,000 alumni in over 180 countries.

MSc vs. BSc: undertaking an MSc is an excellent opportunity to develop in-depth specialist knowledge in your chosen topic and enhance your skills in scientific research. Postgraduate qualifications are increasingly sought after by clinicians and possessing a Masters qualification can assist you in your future career progression.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msrshr.html#sixth

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The Master of Medicine (Reproductive Health Sciences and Human Genetics) and Master of Philosophy double degree is a coursework master’s degree combined with a master’s degree by research. You will enrol part-time in both coursework study and research study at the same time to complete this double degree as a full-time student over two years. The Master of Philosophy is completed under the guidance of a supervisor.

The double degree is available only to international students. Local students may enrol part-time in the two single degrees simultaneously, or they may enrol in the two degrees sequentially. In the latter instance, local students will complete both degrees part-time over four years.

To ask a question about this course, visit http://sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice/

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