PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme title: /

Master of Science/Masters-level Certificate in Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,

Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document) / The MSc is awarded upon completion of 180 credits (taught and laboratory based)
The Masters-level Certificate is awarded upon completion of 60 taught credits.
Modular part-time/flexible:
Both the MSc and the Certificate can be taken as part-time/flexible. The MSc and certificate to be completed within 5 years.
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Intake cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2001 intake onwards) / Health care professions (nurses), medical students with an iBSc, trainee plastic surgeons, scientists (those with a BSc and an interest in research in burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery).
Awarding institution/body: / UCL
Teaching institution: / UCL
Faculty: / FBS
Parent Department:
(the Department responsible for the administration of the programme) / UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science

Web page address:

(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other / The course can be undertaken either full-time or part-time/flexible
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry) / One calendar year for full time MSc
part-time flexible MSc – up to 5 years;
part-time flexible Certificate – up to 5 years.
Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes) / M
Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS)
(see guidance notes on programme specifications) / No directly relevant subject benchmark statement; however, the SBS would fall within the spirit of a medicine, biology and chemistry.
Brief outline of the structure of the programme / its assessment:
(see guidance notes on programme specifications) / The course consists of
(a)Five 15-credit compulsory taught modules – one assessed by an unseen written examination, one on coursework alone, one on a combination of written examination and coursework and two on a combination of written examination and coursework and a presentation.
(b)Optional modules: Experimental Models of Disease, Translation of Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology. All are 15 credits, two are assessed by an unseen written examination, and one on coursework alone.
(c)A laboratory or clinical research project assessed by dissertation (~10,000 words) and individual viva.
Board of Examiners:
/ The Board of the MSc in Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
/ Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
Able to apply for accreditation visit once course is running
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The aims of the course are:
  1. To introduce robust scientific understanding Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
  2. To equip health care professionals (doctors and surgeons) and scientists with the research techniques and transferable tools necessary for research in this expanding field.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The students will have a robust understanding of the scientific and research basis of plastic & reconstructive surgery; will be able to identify translational applications; will have acquired the necessary transferable skills (laboratory, critical, synthetic) that will allow then to pursue a career in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or to continue scientific research in the area.
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1.Management of data, analysis and statistics (for clinical and research issues)
2. In-depth current state of scientific knowledge in
(a) Plastic & Reconstructive surgery, dealing with the current and future applications in the biological/clinical setting
(b) Specalities in Plastic & Reconstructive surgery, the role of research and future research and current clinical practice. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. During the taught modules “Joint Research Methodology”, “Translation of Nanomedicine” delivered via lectures, tutorials, workshops and distance learning.
2. During the taught modules “ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery” “Burns, Military Wounds and Wound healing” delivered via lectures, tutorials, workshops and group discussions.
/ Assessment:
Presentations, journal club, written clinical logs, practical laboratory logs, coursework eg, scientific writing, written (unseen) examinations

B: Skills and other attributes

Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1. The programme aims to provide students with the relevant knowledge and skills to develop logical thinking processes to design solutions for clinical and laboratory research and translation to the clinic.
2. The programme aims to allow the student to develop their personal and group communication skills.
3. The programme aims are for the student to develop independence of thought, and understanding of the general workings and protocols of a clinical environment.
4. The programme will provide student with the ability to dissect and understand scientific journals and articles. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. This will be developed through the compulsory modules “Joint research methodology”, , Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery”, “ Burns, Military wounds and Wound healing” and the optional “Translation of nanomedicine”. Taught module teaching consists of practical sessions/tutorials supported by relevant theoretical sessions. Research project teaching is a “guided” apprenticeship with supervisors and support technical staff.
2. Communication and group skills will be developed through group discussions, project presentations, workshops
3. Developed through attendance of clinical lectures and observing in a clinical environment.
4. Developed though journal club.
/ Assessment:
Unseen examination; practical reports; coursework; clinical logs, journal club assignments and exams, presentations project dissertation and viva.

C: Skills and other attributes

Practical skills (able to):
This programme aims to help students develop the following practical skills:
1. Laboratory skills
2. Clinical and research data analysis skills (eg, statistics, use of appropriate software programmes, literature searches)
3. Presentation of data in various oral or written formats
4. Formulation and presentation of scientific hypotheses in oral or written formats (eg, grant application) / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Via practical sessions, mainly during the module “Applied Tissue Engineering” and during the research project
2. Via lectures, tutorials, workshops during the modules ”Joint Research Methodology”, and during the research project
3. Throughout the course via problem solving workshops, group discussions, in course assessments and in the clinical setting.
4. Course work, examinations, dissertation and tutorials
/ Assessment:
Practical assessments, coursework, presentations, written (unseen) examination.

D: Skills and other attributes

Transferable skills (able to):
Students will learn:
1. laboratory skills
2. problem solving skills
3 to use statistics
5. to conduct in-depth literature search
6. to work individually or in a group
7. to improve presentation skills
8. time management / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition of transferable skills and the students’ ability to “transfer” these skills and the ability to understand and critically appraise research/science are the main reasons for the creation of this course 1-3 will be acquired mainly through the practical aspect, tutorials and workshops of the taught modules and the research project. 5, 6 are fostered throughout the course. One-to-one input by supervisors is an integral part of both the latter modules. 6-8 are again fostered through the course.
/ Assessment:
Unseen written examinations, clinical logs, presentations, practical reports, dissertation, oral presentations.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
  • the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (
  • the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (
  • the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
  • UCL teaching and learning policies;
  • staff research.

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. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the Departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s):
/ Professor Peter Butler
Professor Alexander Seifalian
Date of production:
Date of Review: / February 2013
Date approved by Head of Department:
Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee:
Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee