PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title: / Medical Otology and AudiologyFinal award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document) / MSc in Medical Otology and Audiology (ENT Practice) / MSc in Medical Otology and Audiology (Audiovestibular Medicine) (180 credits)
Stepping off points :
1) Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Otology and Audiology (120 credits)
UCAS code:
(where applicable) / n/a
Intake cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards) / Sept 2014
Awarding institution/body: / University College London
Teaching institution: / University College London
Faculty: / Brain Sciences
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme) / Ear Institute
Web page address:
(if applicable) / http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/degrees/brain/earMethod of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other / Full-time (1 year)
Flexible (up to 2 years)
Criteria for admission to the programme: / Prospective candidates should have a medical degree.
English Language Requirement Level - 7.5 with no element below 6.5
As there will be clinical placements within the NHS students will be expected to satisfy the requirements of the DBS check and Occupational Health.
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry) / Full-time one year
Part-time 2 years
Flexible 3 to 5 years
Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes) / Level 7
Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS)
(see Guidance notes) / ENT/Audiology/Audiovestibular Medicine
Brief outline of the structure of the programme / its assessment:
(see guidance notes) / The Master of Science (MSc) in Medical Otology and Audiology is run on a modular basis and comprises of 8 modules as well as a research project. Each module is worth15 credits and the research project is worth 60 credits with a total of 180 credits. There are three compulsory modules with 5 optional modules. The optional modules offer a choice in either a surgical otology pathway or a medical audiology pathway. The course is designed to provide the theoretical, scientific, clinical, research and vocational skills necessary for those ENT surgeons, trainees and physicians who wish to develop their careers or sub-specialise in Otology and Audio vestibular Medicine. It also caters for General Practitioners with a specialist interest in ENT and Over Seas doctors who wish to set up their own specialised practice abroad.
The aim of this programme is to accept doctors with a documented or potential interest in otology and audiology and teach the anatomy and physiology of the vestibulocochlear and facial nerves, their clinical and pathological application, diagnostic techniques and management strategies in both children and adults. This will allow for appropriate specialist practice with a particular emphasis on evidence-based medicine, ethics and the requirement for continuing professional development.
Programme Schedule
The programme runs for a calendar year from end of September to end of September. There are two academic terms within which some modules are taught by lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Master-classes occur throughout the year and can be outside of term time. Assessment will take place throughout the year.
Module Selection
All module choices must be approved by the Programme Director before the student can enrol on the modules.
Core Modules
The following three modules are compulsory to be taken by all students.
EARIGA01 Research Methods and Statistics
AUDLGE04 Imaging
AUDLGAV2 Anatomy and Physiology of the Audiovestibular System for Audiovestibular Physicians
Optional Modules
Surgical Otology Pathway
Students following the Surgical Otology Pathway will choose any five from the following modules.
AUDLGE01 Medical and Surgical Treatment of Hearing and Balance Disorders
AUDLGE03 Lateral Skull Base and Facial Nerve
AUDLGE05 Diagnostic Audiology for ENT Practice
AUDLGS04 Introduction to Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation
AUDLGS05 Balance
AUDLGS06 Paediatric Audiology
EARIGA03 Auditory Processing Disorders
EARIGA07 Advances in Auditory Implants
Further information on Optional modules
The following optional modules are clinical practice modules and are undertaken within accredited clinical placements, either in NHS hospital departments or within the private sector. The modules cover all clinical and practical aspects of Otology and surgery and Audiological assessment and rehabilitation
AUDLGE01 Medical and Surgical Treatment of Hearing and Balance Disorders
AUDLGE03 Lateral Skull Base and Facial Nerve
Medical Audiology Pathway
Students following the Medical Audiology Pathway will choose five from the following modules.
AUDLGAV1 Audiovestibular Physics
AUDLGAV3 Clinical Diagnostics for Audiovestibular Medicine
AUDLGAV5 Vestibular Medicine and Rehabilitation
AUDLGAV6 Adult Audiological Medicine and Rehabilitation
AUDLGAV7 Paediatric Audiological Medicine and Rehabilitation
EARIGA03 Auditory Processing Disorders,
EARIGA04 Advanced Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation
EARIGA08 Advanced Management of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis,
Please note that none of the proposed modules are new modules. These all are current modules of existing MSc programmes within the Ear Institute.
Assessment
Each module will be assessed using a range of different assessment methods which will typically include written coursework assignments (e.g. essays, lab reports and, statistical assignments) and unseen written tests and examinations. The clinical modules will be assessed by a variety of assessments including vivas, case presentations and clinical portfolios.
Details of the assessments required for each module, including the weighting of each assessment components and information, on which assessment components must be passed in order to pass the module, can be found in the individual module sections. The deadlines for coursework submission and dates and continuous assessments take place throughout the calendar year.
Successful completion of all eight modules of the programme in accordance with the programme and UCL regulations will lead to the award of an MSc in Medical Otology and Audiology (ENT Practice) or MSc in Medical Otology and Audiology (Audiovestibular Medicine) depending on which stream is completed.
Borderline Candidates.
The Board of Examiners may allow the possibility of a condoned fail at MSc level in modules which have a combined total credit value of 60 or less provided:
1) that the overall mark achieved in the module in question is at least 40%
2) the mark gained in each assessment element within the module which must be passed in order for the module to be passed is at least 40%
3) that the module in question is not the Research Project (GM99)
Board of Examiners:
/ Name of Board of Examiners: MSc Medical Otology and Audiology
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
/ tbaEDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to provide the theoretical, clinical and research skills necessary for ENT Surgeons and trainees, physicians who wish to pursue a career in audio vestibular medicine and General Practitioners who wish to further specialise in ENT/Otology.
It also aims to ensure that graduates are scientifically literate at postgraduate level as well as clinically competent in medical otology and audiology.
· Capable carrying out and applying evidence-based practice
· Fit to practise clinically and / or to conduct research legally and ethically with appropriate professionalism and attitudes.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The scientific principles underlying the physics of sound, acoustcs and signal processing, the processes involved in human hearing and communication and the technology used within the ENT and Audiology profession. It will explore the scientific principles of balance and the facial nerve.
2. The anatomy and physiology related to the audio vestibular system, lateral skull base and facial nerve. Normal structure and physiological function of the auditory and vestibular systems and facial nerve and their pathological processes. Gross anatomy of the ear proceeding to the detailed structure of the cochlear and vestibular system and of the relationship of structure and function in the transmission and processing of external stimuli from the periphery to the cerebral cortex.
3. Physical principles of the auditory and vestibular systems
4. Disorders of hearing, balance and the facial nerve including clinical identification and management.
5. Pathological processes affecting the structure and physiology and how repair, regenerative and rehabilitative methods may ameliorate these effects.
6. Normal embryological development of the auditory and vestibular systems and how genetic defects may affect these processes.
7. Epidemiology of balance problems, overview of causes of balance problems in children and adults, diagnostics strategies of all commonly recognised peripheral and central vestibular disorders.
8. Technical specifications and correct use of current audiological technology.
9. Basic theory and application of audio-vestibular diagnostics testing, underpinning clinical audiology skills and facial nerve testing.
10. Technical and practical aspects of the test procedures used.
11. Adult audiology including normal function and ageing, further aspects of test techniques and detailed differential diagnosis with management strategies applied to adults / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Acquisition through lectures, tutorials, practical classes, laboratory work, student-led tutorials, web-based self-study materials, coursework, projects and supervised clinical placement work and regular (non-assessed and assessed) coursework.
Throughout the programme, the learner is encouraged to undertake independent reading both to supplement and consolidate what is being taught/learnt and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.
12. Paediatric audiology including normal function and auditory development; aspects of test techniques; detailed diagnostic and management strategies applied to children. Knowledge of different medial conditions affecting hearing in children. Importance and methods of hearing screening and assessment in a child of different chronological and developmental age. Effect of deafness on speech and hearing development and its psychological consequences.
13. The causes of hearing loss in adults, and the related clinical syndromes and presentations. A site of lesion understanding of different types of hearing loss and auditory processing deficits. The diagnostic approach to auditory disorders in adults. The prevention strategies for hearing loss in adults. The diagnostic approach and management of the adult patient with tinnitus and hyperacusis
14. Is aware of the principles of adult learning and recognise the ways in which communication skills can be organised and presented to adults with acquired hearing loss.
15. Management strategies and techniques for rehabilitating patients with hearing loss. Hearing aid technology. The theoretical basis of therapy and its application within an audiological or vestibular setting. Earmould, hearing aid selection and fitting, performance verification, rehabilitation models, digital hearing aids, hearing therapy, implantable devices (BAHA and cochlear implants) and aural habilitation in children.
16. Safe clinical practice.
17. Research methodology and associated statistical knowledge
18. Key Components of a Cochlear Implant / Middle Ear Implant / bone anchored hearing aids / brainstem implants. Making a Device Choice for Cochlear Implants. Differences between Cochlear Implant Systems. History of the Development of Cochlear Implants and other auditory implants. Pre-implant Counselling. Surgical Approaches. Objective Measurements. Fitting an auditory implant in Children and Adults.
19. Fundamentals of Lateral Skullbase Disorders. Advanced overview of Lateral Skullbase Disorders. Impact on Hearing, Balance, Facial Nerve Function, Lower Cranial Nerve Function and General Well-being. Investigating and Diagnosing Disorders. Management of Specific Diseases with particular reference to Conservative, Medical and Surgical Management.
20. Medical and Surgical Treatment for Hearing and Balance disorders. Middle Ear Surgery. Meniere’s disease. Acoustic Neuroma. Vascular decompression, Vestibular neurectomy, Middle Ear implants, Bone anchored Hearing aids, Cochlear Implants, Medical pharmacological treatments for audio-vestibular dysfunction.
21. Overview of Imaging. Why is imaging useful in ENT/Laryngology? Quantifying Image quality – MRI, FRMRI.PET and CT. EEG and MEG. Source reconstruction. Differential imaging of the Audiological System and Head and Neck. / Assessment:
Testing of knowledge base is through a combination of unseen written examinations, assessed formative and summative coursework in the form of essays, Enquiry base learning reports, clinical portfolios, case reports, presentation and project poster and dissertation.
Vivas will be used to assess knowledge and understanding in the clinical modules.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:1. Reason critically
2. Critically evaluate research findings and theoretical perspectives
3. Identify and solve problems
4. Analyses and interpret.
5. Integrate and evaluate information, data and evidence from a variety of sources;
6. Use of a hypothesis-led approach to investigations, applying appropriate rationale and evidence
7. Use of logical and systematic thinking to identify and solve problems
8. Use of sound clinical reasoning as a basis for professional judgement
9. Demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought
10. Apply theoretical understanding to clinical practice / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above. Each course, whatever the format of the teaching, involves discussion of key issues, practice in applying concepts both orally and in writing, analysis and interpretation of material, and individual feedback sessions for students on work produced.
2. Critical evaluation skills are encouraged from the beginning of the course in tutorials and workshops. Guidelines and feedback on coursework encourage critical evaluation. The research projects students undertake in their final year include critical evaluations of the relevant literature.
3. Integration of theory and practice is particularly emphasised in placement-based learning which forms an integral part of the degree programme. This is supported by regular clinical tutorials encouraging development of reflective practise. These skills are developed in lectures, workshops, clinical tutorials and placement-based learning. Guidelines and feedback on coursework, particularly data exercises and case studies, encourage this kind of integration.
4. Problem solving is similarly emphasised throughout the course, with students taught specific problem solving approaches for clinical work. Enquiry Based Learning is used within modules where appropriate.