PMBLOSCI - MSc Blood Science

The MSc course is designed to promote a deep understanding in the emerging mixed disciplinary area of Blood Science. Students will develop knowledge and skills which will empower them to be autonomous professional practitioners. The course will foster high level reasoning skills and promote lifelong learning and continuous professional development (CPD).

Emphasis will be placed on self-directed and problem based learning within a lecture/tutorial/ practical framework. Students will explore case studies to promote high level reasoning in a professional context. They will compare laboratory diagnostic methods, consider new methodologies and examine research literature.
Tutorial exercises and progress tests will be used to provide students with feedback on their progress. Summative assessment of students’ knowledge base and their understanding will be incorporated into formal in-course tests/exercises and the individual presentation completed at the end of each unit.

Students have access to the innovative Graduate centre to meet and discuss their courses. The North campus library has recently undergone a successful refurbishment offering specialised group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources. There are also open areas on the ground floor of the Tower building and the green lounge at Benwell Road offering open study areas. These areas all have access to IT facilities with several terminals at each one.

Practical skills are an essential part of the MSc course and students have access to the unparalleled facilities in the Science Centre Laboratory. Practical classes are designed to reinforce the knowledge from the lectures and tutorials. The course aims to promote a good knowledge-skills balance enhancing the professional practice of the students. The science centre also provides an excellent facility to carry out the final research project. MSc project assessment will culminate in the presentation of a dissertation and a viva exam, which also explores knowledge and understanding.

The Postgraduate taught Blood Science programme aims to:

1. provide graduates with advanced study of Blood Science, which underpins career progression and development; an appreciation of the depth and breadth of Biomedical Science, the remit of the HCPC and IBMS, the attributes and roles of the practitioner and requirements for laboratory safety, QA, QC, and accreditation bodies
2. develop students’ knowledge and understanding of different theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, research interests and practical applications within Blood Science.
3. develop an informed and critical appreciation of recent scientific developments in relation to diagnostic laboratory pathology.
4. enable students to gain, specialist knowledge in areas such as Haematology, Clinical Biochemistry, Transfusion Science and Immunology.
5. enable students to plan, conduct and report a masters level research project.
6. enhance understanding of QA/QC, external quality assurance schemes, MHRA, GLP etc.
7. explore and critique the clinical, diagnostic and research implications within the fields of Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology and Transfusion Science, within the a clinical multidisciplinary laboratory.

In addition to the general programme aims above, the individual modules provide CPD opportunities for extending knowledge, updating skills, or gaining new skills in specialist Biomedical Science areas at postgraduate level.

11a. Knowledge and understanding

Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Biomedical Science focusing on Blood Science consistent with consolidation of advances in the subject within an existing knowledge framework
2. technical developments, their advantages, limitations and implications
3. how research impacts on the diagnosis and treatment of disease (with particular emphasis on laboratory diagnostics and monitoring)
4. interdisciplinary operational differences between Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology and Transfusion Science
5. the rationale for an extensive Research Project (MSc only)

11b. Cognitive/intellectual skills

Students should be able to demonstrate cognitive (thinking) skills by:

1. assimilating information and developing ideas on issues, methodologies or pathogenic processes
2. explaining how a working hypothesis may be devised and tested within the constraints of a biomedical context
3. critically evaluating material on a complex Biomedical Science topic in order to present a balanced review
4. planning the execution of an extensive Research Project and assessing the outcome (MSc only)

11c. Subject-specific practical skills

Students should be able to demonstrate development of practical skills, through

1. experience of advanced or novel practical methodologies
2. the application of knowledge to practical problems, including test selection and the design of appropriate experimental protocols with due regard to safety and quality control issues
3. experience of IT software and searching the Biomedical Science literature
4. comprehension and application of statistical analyses where appropriate
5. the organisation and execution of practical work in an extensive Research Project (MSc only)

11d. Key/transferable skills including employability and professional practice

Students should be able to demonstrate superior transferable skills and competencies, which support employability and professional practice, including:

1. effective communication verbally, in writing, and by electronic means
2. the ability to implement an advanced information search and extract relevant information
3. the capacity for rational and balanced debate of complex biomedical issues
4. individual initiative, organisation and the capacity for independent learning
5. increased awareness of how changes in knowledge and technology may impact on professional practice in the subject area and require adaptability
6. effective team working
7. production of a written dissertation (MSc only)

1a. Knowledge and understanding

Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

i) Biomedical Science focusing on Blood Science consistent with consolidation of
advances in the subject within an existing knowledge framework.

ii) technical developments, their advantages, limitations and implications.

iii) how research impacts on the diagnosis and treatment of disease (with particular
emphasis on laboratory diagnostics and monitoring).

iv) interdisciplinary operational differences between Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology
and Transfusion Science.

v) the rationale for an extensive Research Project (MSc only):

MS7051, BM7043, BM7044
MS7051, BM7043, BM7044
MS7051, BM7043, BM7044
MS7051, BM7043, BM7044
MS7001, BM7P05.

1b. Cognitive/intellectual skills

Students should be able to demonstrate cognitive (thinking) skills by:

i) assimilating information and developing ideas on issues, methodologies
or pathogenic processes.

ii) explaining how a working hypothesis may be devised and tested within the constraints of a biomedical context.

iii) critically evaluating material on a complex Biomedical Science topic in order to present a balanced review.

iv) planning the execution of an extensive Research Project and assessing the
outcome (MSc only):

MS7051, BM7043, BM7044.
MS7001, BM7P05
MS7051, BM7043, BM7044
MS7001, BM7P05.

1c. Subject-specific practical skills

Students should be able to demonstrate development of practical skills, through

i) experience of advanced or novel practical methodologies.

ii) the application of knowledge to practical problems, including test selection and
the design of appropriate experimental protocols with due regard to safety and quality
control issues.

iii) experience of IT software and searching the Biomedical Science literature

iv) comprehension and application of statistical analyses where appropriate.

v) the organisation and execution of practical work in an extensive Research
Project (MSc only):

MS7051, BM7043, BM7044, BM7P05.
MS7051, BM7043, BM7044, BM7P05.
MS7051, BM7043, BM7044, BM7P05.
MS7001, BM7P05
BM7P05

1d. Key/transferable skills including
employability and professional practice

Students should be able to demonstrate superior transferable skills and competencies,
which support employability and professional practice, including:

i) effective communication verbally, in writing, and by electronic means.

ii) the ability to implement an advanced information search and extract relevant
information.

iii) the capacity for rational and balanced debate of complex biomedical issues.

iv) individual initiative, organisation and the capacity for independent learning.

v) increased awareness of how changes in knowledge and technology may impact on
professional practice in the subject area and require adaptability.

vi) effective team working.

vii) production of a 9,000 word dissertation (MSc only:

MSP051, BMP043, BMP044.
MSP051, BMP043, BMP044, BMPP05.
MSP051, BMP043, BMP044.
BMPP05.
MSP051, BMP043, BMP044.
MSP051, BMP043, BMP044.
BMPP05

Although there are no QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) benchmark statements for Biomedical Science at Postgraduate level, course outcomes are in line with Generic QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) guidelines on Masters level qualifications.

During your studies you will undertake a variety of assessment techniques from self-diagnostic testing, debates, group work, coursework, essays, and cumulative exams. Practical skills are summatively assessed through the coursework assignments, including those in the final Project module. Data handling skills are assessed by, practical reports, problem solving exercises, information abstracting and reviewing exercises, poster presentations, exams and seminar presentations.

The course conforms to both the University’s Postgraduate Scheme and the University Academic Regulations and incorporates any requirements indicated by the Institute of Biomedical Science as part of their accreditation programme.

The resources of the Careers Service are available to all Students, who, as Postgraduates, may already be pursuing defined career goals. Students are also made aware of the advantages of IBMS membership, its careers information and the employment opportunities advertised in its publications.

External speakers are utilised to enhance delivery and maintain currency of laboratory practice within the fields’ studies on this course. Members of academic staff come from appropriate backgrounds, ex-practitioners of biomedical science, or researchers and staff members may conduct cutting edge research.

Individual modules are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Your career opportunities may include working in areas such as National Health Service (NHS) hospital laboratories and other health-related departments. Our graduates have also gone on to apply for research studentships.

The course modules will also count towards IBMS top-up education for your competency portfolio and as evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

You will be required to have:

• a second class undergraduate honours degree or above (or equivalent) in biomedical or life sciences subjects (that included appropriate biomedical content), although other less relevant subjects may be considered

You are advised to discuss eligibility for credit with the course leader before completing a credit application form.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.