University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Health Sciences > Bristol Medical School > Clinical Sciences (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 8BRMS001U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Liang-Fong Wong
Gavin Welsh |
Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
School/department | Bristol Medical School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Biosciences (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme aims to:
(i) develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of clinical and laboratory research methods, experimental design and data interpretation
(ii) enable the student to acquire a broad understanding of the principal areas of current research in key areas in the Health Sciences such as renal disease, cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, arthritis and endocrinology disorders,
(iii) enable the student to relate basic and clinical research in the laboratory to improvements in healthcare for the patient
The programme also aims to:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures, problem-based learning projects, small group seminars/tutorials, library study and original, experimental research projects Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials as well as library and practical research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Data handling/interpretation assessments, short answer questions and essays. Summative assessment via unseen written examinations, including MCQs and essays. Research dissertation in written and oral formats. Formative assessment is also used throughout the programme, particularly in tutorial work, to provide students with feedback on their progress. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Lectures, problem based learning projects, and small group tutorials/seminars and original, experimental research projects Independent learning is achieved through written coursework, directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials as well as library and practical research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Data handling/interpretation assessments, short answer questions and essays. Summative assessment via unseen written examinations, including MCQs and essays. Research dissertation in written and oral formats. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Team working, decision-making and problem-solving skills are developed in group tutorials/projects and research projects within supervised laboratory. Time management is essential for meeting coursework deadlines and for execution of the research project. Computer and information retrieval skills are taught in small groups and are integral to coursework and laboratory projects. Communication skills are developed through assessed coursework and research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is through written and oral presentation of research dissertation as well as course work including written essays and oral presentations. These provide evidence of written and oral communication and computer skills. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students are required to successfully complete all of the taught units (80 credits) which are compulsory. In addition, students will carry out and present in the form of a written dissertation a research project in a topic in health sciences (40 credits). Students need to be able to cope with evolving concepts in modern medicine and be able to critically evaluate evidence from research papers. Based on seminar discussion and advanced reading, they should be able to provide a coherent overview of our current level of understanding, as well as the unresolved issues, in the topics covered. They must also be able to evaluate and interpret new scientific data from their own research project. Oral and written communication skills are developed through seminar discussions, oral presentations, and the writing of a research dissertation. |
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The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
The undergraduate population in the Faculty of Health Sciences is in the majority made up of students following the professional programmes of:
For professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. The professional programmes are designed so that students in the early years are given a solid grounding in the scientific basis of their chosen profession and provides the foundations for knowledge and skills in the subject. The teaching will comprise of lectures, practical work, tutorials, seminars and required coursework. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on professional programmes in the Faculty often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example, because of the requirement for students of veterinary subjects to complete Extramural Studies or the timings of placements in Medicine and Dentistry) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
The remaining undergraduate population in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following either a more standard BSc workload or will be intercalating students who are taking time out from their professional programme (BDS, MB ChB or BVSc) and joining the third-year equivalent of a BSc to gain a BSc in one year. In these courses, the more standard credit framework will apply whereby 20 credits normally equates to some 200 hours of student input. This time will be divided between lectures, practical work, tutorials, seminars and required coursework and self-directed learning. A BSc student can expect an average workload of 40 hours per week over the 30-week academic year. The workload will shift from more directed and structured learning in the early years towards more research led and independent study in the final years of a BSc where significant time will be spent on a research project, dissertation or portfolio of work. Students with examinations in the standard examination periods will be expected to use the Christmas/ Easter vacation to revise and complete work which reflects their interest in, and commitment to their programmes of study. (Students with resit examinations will need to revise during the summer vacation).
Assessment Statement
Please select the following links for statements about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
N/A
Liang-Fong Wong School of Clinical Sciences Tel: 0117 331 1427 email: l.wong@bristol.ac.uk
This degree is offered to students (usually from Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Science) as an intercalating award, normally taken after 2 or 3 years of study.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Introduction to Research in Health Sciences | SOCS30006 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Laboratory Research Methods | SOCS30002 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Clinical research methods in chronic disease | SOCS30001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Molecular basis of disease | SOCS30003 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Diseases of the nervous system | SOCS30004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Research dissertation | SOCS30005 | 40 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Clinical Sciences (BSc) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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