Programme Specification – 2015/16
1. Awarding Body University of Surrey
2. Teaching Institution (if different) N/A
3. Final Award MSc
4. Programme title/route/pathway Veterinary Microbiology
5. Subsidiary award(s) and title(s) PG Diploma in Veterinary Microbiology , PG Certificate in Veterinary Microbiology
6. FHEQ Level FHEQ Levels 6 & 7
7. Credits and ECTS credits 180 UK credits, 90 ECTS credits 8. Name of Professional, Statutory or Regulatory
Body (PSRB)
NA 9. Date of last accreditation (if applicable) NA
10. Mode of study Full-time/Part-time/CPD
11. Language of study English
12. UCAS Code N/A
13. QAA Subject Benchmark Statement (if applicable)
Veterinary Sciences 14. Other internal and / or external reference points NA
15. Faculty / Department Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
16. Programme Director Professor Roberto La Ragione
17. Date of Production / Revision of the specification
September 2015 18. Educational aims of the Programme
This is a one year full-time programme aimed at preparing graduates to work in a range of fields in which a detailed understanding of veterinary microbiology is a valuable asset. These fields include research, commerce, government and policy, reference laboratory and diagnostic work, epidemiology and disease mapping, veterinary science, farming especially animal production, wild and zoo animal conservation and education. As such, it is intended that graduates will achieve the highest levels of professional understanding of veterinary microbiology within a range of contexts. The programme combines the study of the theoretical foundations of, and scholarly approaches to, understanding the application and various practices of veterinary microbiology within the contexts described above along with the development of practical and research skills. The main aims are to enable students to a) acquire sound knowledge of the major principles of veterinary microbiology; b) develop the skills to perform relevant interpretation and evaluation of data, c) apply those acquired skills in practice through research and d) to utilise acquired knowledge and evaluative skills to communicate successfully with stakeholders.
19. Programme learning outcomes – the programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas: Programme outcomes - the programme provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning and educational outcomes.
The learning outcomes have been aligned with the descriptor for qualification at level 7 given in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) produced by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher education.
Knowledge and Understanding Teaching and learning strategies: MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert:
• The main principles of current veterinary microbiology;
• The methods and approaches used for the molecular characterisation, and diagnosis of disease agents
• The main principles of infectious diseases epidemiology
• The analysis of disease and disease carriage that impact on the development and application of control measures to combat disease.
• Modes of control of infectious diseases • Modes of transmission.
• The various aspects of host pathology and immune responses to disease agents; • Analytical skills to allow interpretation of
data and formulation of conclusions
Teaching and learning strategies
MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert:
• Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self-directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, laboratory
practicals, research project. Assessment
• Examination, coursework essays, research project dissertation, problem solving exercises, oral presentation of assignments, data handling exercises and practical reports.
Skills and other attributes - Intellectual / cognitive skills
MSc:
• Critically appraise scholarly and professional writing on a wide range of subjects pertaining to the various aspects of veterinary microbiology;
• Critically analyse experimental data to enable the formulation of hypotheses. • Design relevant experiments to test
formulated hypotheses
• Efficiently analyse new developments in technology and critically assess their utilisation to answer existing and new problems.
PG Dip/PG Cert:
Cognitive (thinking) Skills – Able to: • Critically appraise scholarly and
professional writing on a wide range of subjects pertaining to the various aspects of veterinary microbiology;
Teaching and learning strategies
MSc:
• Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self-directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, laboratory
practicals, research project. Assessment
• Examination, coursework essays, problem solving
exercises, oral presentation of assignments, data handling exercises and practical reports.
• The research project dissertation will allow the student to demonstrate their ability to design, execute and analyse experiments, relating the data to present literature and question existing principles and theorise beyond these. PG Dip/PG Cert:
Teaching and learning strategies and methods:
• Critically analyse experimental data to enable formulation of hypotheses. • Efficiently analyse new developments
in technology and critically assess their utilisation to answer existing and new problems.
Assessment
• Examination, coursework essays, problem solving exercises, oral presentation of assignments, data handling exercises and practical reports.
Skills and other attributes - Professional practical skills
MSc:
• Plan and execute an
experiment/investigation, act autonomously and demonstrate originality
• Analyse numerical data using appropriate computer tools including specialist computer packages
• Communicate experiments at a project level, including report writing
• Perform specific specialised experimental skills
PG Dip/PG Cert:
Practical Skils – Able to:
• Analyse numerical data using appropriate computer tools including specialist computer packages
• Communicate experiments at a project level, including report writing
• Perform specific specialised experimental skills
Teaching and learning strategies
MSc:
• Many of the practical skills will be learned in supervised laboratory practicals, computer based exercises and the research project and dissertation.
Assessment of practical skills • MSc research study dissertation. • Submission of practical reports
PG Dip/PG Cert:
Teaching and Learning Strategies and Methods
• Many of the practical skills will be learned in supervised laboratory practicals, computer based exercises.
Assessment of practical skills • Submission of practical reports
Skills and other attributes - Key / transferable skills
MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert: • Problem solve
• Evaluate and exploit new technology
• Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and visual means • Work effectively in small groups and teams
towards a common goal/outcome
• Apply basic statistical and numerical skills to data
• Use information technology including specialist packages.
Teaching and Learning strategies
MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert:
• Lectures, tutorials, group exercises, self-directed learning exercises, computer based exercises, supervised
practicals and research project. Assessment
• Examination, coursework essays, rapid oral reports, group presentations, problem solving exercises, modelling exercises, practical reports and research project dissertation.
and further information on the mode of study.
The Masters programme is delivered as ten 15 credit modules and a 30 credit practical module with a dissertation. This Masters programme is delivered by a consortium comprising the University of Surrey and two world class veterinary microbiology institutions: the BBSRC funded Pirbright Institute (PI), and the Government sponsored Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA). The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and Public Health England (PHE) also contribute to the programme.
Programme adjustments (if applicable) NA
Programme pathways and variants NA
In the case of joint honours (equally weighted subjects) or a major/minor combination programme, please provide a rationale for the particular subject combination and details on how the combination will operate.
- Who is the lead faculty, department or school? NA NA
FHEQ Level 7: Potential awards – MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Module code Module title Core
/compulsory /optional Credit volume Semester (1 / 2) Award requirements MMVM001 Microbiology & Veterinary Immunology
Compulsory 15 1 On completion of this level students will have achieved 180 credits at FHEQ level 7 and will be awarded an MSc
(principal award) Subsidiary award PG Cert – 60 credits at FHEQ level 7must be achieved before a student may exit this programme with a PG Cert
PG Dip – 120 credits at FHEQ level 7 must be achieved before a student may exit this programme with a PG Dip
The pass mark for all modules is 50% MMVM002 Microbial Genetics Compulsory 15 1
MMVM003 Molecular Epidemiology of infectious diseases Compulsory 15 1 MMVM004 Transmission and control of infectious diseases of animals (Non-vector) Compulsory 15 1 MMVM005 Transmission and control of infectious diseases of animals (vector) Compulsory 15 1 MMVM006 Infectious diseases of animals- Practical sessions (APHA, Pirbright ^ PHE/VMD) Compulsory 15 2 MMVM007 Diseases of animal systems: Gastro-intestinal diseases of animals Compulsory 15 2 MMVM008 Diseases of animal systems: Respiratory diseases of animals Compulsory 15 2
systems: Multi-system diseases of animals MMVM010 Diseases of animal systems: CNS.SKIN diseases of animals Compulsory 15 2
MMVM011 Research project Compulsory 30 2
How many optional modules must a student choose in order to achieve the necessary amount of credits to achieve this level?
All modules are compulsory for the MSc.
21. Opportunities for placements / work-related learning / collaborative activity – please indicate if any of the following apply to your programme
Data supplied by an external source for student analysis which contributes to an assessment
N/A Guest / external / associate lecturer (please detail the extent of their contribution, i.e. do
they mark?)
YES
Professional Training Year (PTY) N/A
Placement, study or work placement outside of the PTY(please indicate if this is one day, one month, six months, a year etc.)
One week
practical sessions (X3) at partner institutes. Clinical Placements (that are not part of the PTY Scheme) N/A
ERASMUS Study (that is not taken during Level P) N/A
Study exchanges (that are not part of the ERASMUS Scheme) N/A
Dual Degree N/A
Joint Degree N/A
Further information
Collaborative agreements are in place with the APHA and the PI. MoU covering the delivery of teaching are also in place with the APHA, VMD and PI.
Have the relevant Agreement(s) been approved and signed? Yes 22. Criteria for admission
Applicants should normally possess at least a 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject (biosciences) or a degree in medicine or veterinary medicine.
However, relevant research experience may also be considered. Selection will be based upon the candidate’s application, references and an informal interview. In special circumstances, a student may be set work for assessment before being offered a place on the programme.
You may take up to three modules as standalone courses before registering retrospectively for the MSc and counting the accumulated credits towards your degree.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS IELTS min overall 7.0
IELTS min by component 6.5 23. Assessment regulations
Please click on the following link for the full assessment
All programmes within the University of Surrey adhere to the Assessment Regulations. All taught programmes also reference and follow the Code of practice for assessment and feedback
24. Support for students and their learning
Sources of help and advice may include: Induction, revision sessions, handbooks, personal tutors, placement officers, project supervisors, central support services, careers service, SurreyLearn etc.
25. Quality management – indications of quality and the methods for evaluating and improving quality The quality management of this programme is monitored through:
• Periodic programme review
• Annual Programme Review Reports • Module Evaluation Questionnaires • The iGrad Survey
• Joint Staff Student Liaison Committees • Personal Tutoring
• Board of Study meetings • Board of Examiners 26. Further information
Further information can be found on our webpages at
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/veterinary-microbiology (for example the Key Information Set), and within the Programme Handbook, which is provided on
entry to the Programme.
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found
at http://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality_enhancement/regulations/index.htm
