Programme summary for MSc Medical Physiology

This programme is run by the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.

About the programme

This programme develops a critical understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of a wide range of body systems in health and disease
This programme allows students to understand the causes and diagnosis of disease
This programme highlights the importance of nutrition in health and disease
Students on this programme will use and learn a wide range of techniques and instrumentation (from cellular to whole body) to investigate the body
This programme emphasises the normal values of a wide range of tissue variables and how measurement of changes in these are useful in diagnosis
This programme is unique in explaining how medical instruments work and are used to collect and analyse biological signals
This programme enables students to learn the practical and theoretical skills of basic life support and obtain a first aid certificate
The programme is supported by a newly equipped Physiology, Pharmacology, Sports and Bioscience laboratories.
Specialist lecturers from hospitals and other universities are invited to give lectures to enhance the student experience
Transferable and research skills and practical training are an integral part of the MSc and PGD programme.
Much of the taught component is available on UELPlus allowing students to study at their own pace.

Programme structure

One year full time or two years part time for MSc and PG Diploma (PG Diploma only available as an intermediate award).
One year part time for PG Certificate (only available as an intermediate award).
Part-time MSc students study Research skills for Pharmacology & Physiology in semester A and Clinical Instrumentation & Diagnostic Physiology in semester B of the first year. These are followed by Advanced Cellular Pharmacology & Physiology in semester A of year 2 and Health and Disease of Physiological Systems in semester B. The project would be taken in the summer period.
Taught modules are delivered in a semesterised system, with semesters running from September to January and February to June. The research projects will run through the summer period

Career opportunities

Graduates trained in Medical Physiology will find their training applicable to advanced research in both health and disease conditions using both invasive and non-invasive techniques on humans. It will enable them to consider careers in the NHS after further training. By learning an extensive and wide range of experimental techniques graduates will be able to apply for a wider range of jobs in the Biomedical Sciences. Knowledge of a wide range of instruments will enable graduates to also apply for careers in Marketing/sales of medical equipment. The programme will therefore be of interest to both domestic and international students. This degree can also be utilised by those students who have less specific career aspirations but enjoy the challenge of scientific study at this advanced level.

Support

The School of Health and Bioscience provides immediate contact with University support systems.

When you arrive, you will be allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will see your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general. Your tutor will be responsible for directing your skills development work, by directing you to courses which will tackle any areas in which your academic background may be deficient.
The programme tutor may also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
The School also has a Help Desk to provide administrative assistance and advise how to get the right help.
Internet homepages are used by many staff to support their teaching and your learning.
Lecture and practical files, quizzes, mark summaries and much more is now available for several modules via UELplus

Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled support activities devoted to specific aspects e.g. how to write your project report, or more general aspects such as careers.
Support for students on a University level includes:

Libraries and Learning Resource Centres
Careers advice and information · Counselling and Advice for practical problems
Health Centre with a nurse regularly on duty.
Language tuition
Dyslexia support
Accommodation

Admission

For entry to this programme, students are required to have a minimum of a second class undergraduate honours degree from a UK university in a relevant subject area e.g. Physiology, Pharmacology, Sports Science, Applied Biology, Toxicology or an equivalent qualification and/or experience. All students admitted to the University are required to have GCSE at grade C in maths and English (or equivalent). For overseas students there is a requirement for demonstrated evidence of proficiency in written and spoken English. In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL score of 650 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes. Applicants whose qualifications do not conform to these criteria may be admitted to the programme at the admission tutors discretion, only if they are likely to be successful in gaining an award. This will normally involve an interview. Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.