At some point in our lives we all benefit from the services of a Biomedical Scientist. For example, through the screening of patients, the diagnosis of disease and evaluation of the effectiveness of a treatment or research to develop new healthcare technologies, diagnostic tests or treatments for disease or education or scientific writing. The overall purpose of the course is to provide an academically challenging and vocationally relevant science education for those Foundation Degree in Applied and Medical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biosciences or Healthcare Sciences graduates or equivalent sub-degree graduates working in a clinical healthcare setting in Life Sciences, the pharmaceutical industry or other areas of biomedical science, producing competent graduates to meet local regional and national needs. The course aims to provide opportunities for students to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biomedical science, human health and disease;

Develop core skills necessary to evaluate and to undertake research in biomedical sciences; and

Apply intellectual, practical, enterprise and personal skills (including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, decision making, initiative and creativity) to enable effective life-long learning in biomedical sciences.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must

(a) satisfy the University’s general entry requirements;

AND

(b) satisfy specific academic subject requirements for admission as detailed below:

1. hold a Foundation Degree in Applied and Medical Sciences, Biomedical and Applied Science, Biomedical Studies, Healthcare Science (Biomedical Science), Human Biosciences, Medical Science or closely related subject.

OR

2. hold a BTEC HND or National Diploma/BSc (Ord) qualification in the life sciences from an institution of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council of National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education Training and Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard in an approved alternative qualification.

AND

(c) normally be employed as a medical laboratory assistant, trainee biomedical scientist or equivalent in a hospital or research laboratory or have access to similar medical facilities.

AND

(d) meet the minimum technical specification required by the Institute of Lifelong Learning for distance learners.

AND

(e) must be able to fulfil requirements for a number of laboratory practical sessions. If such applicants work in, or have access to approved training laboratories in the NHS or equivalent their practical sessions can be carried out at their place of work. Otherwise, the required practical sessions at Level 6 must be carried out as a block over 3-4 days on up to two occasions at the University laboratories in Coleraine.

Applicants who do not have Physiology and Anatomy of the Human Body within their sub-degree studies must take the bridging Physiology and Anatomy (Level 4) module, which requires attendance at a block of practical sessions over 3-4 days at the University laboratories in Coleraine, and pass it before progression to Level 6 studies.

Applicants who do not have Molecular Biology and Genetics within their sub-degree studies or have a Foundation Degree which only includes 100 credits at Level 5 within the qualification framework must take the bridging Molecular Biology and Genetics (Level 5) module, which requires either attendance at practical sessions over 2 consecutive days at the University laboratories in Coleraine or completion of the specified practical sessions in their work place, and pass it before progression to Level 6 studies.

Health screen: In order to ensure students safety and to permit them to fully avail of the many learning opportunities provided throughout the course it is important that they have relevant vaccinations. Information on the various relevant vaccinations will be made available to them at Induction. They will also be asked questions about their vaccinations on a Health Declaration Form completed at registration.

English Language Requirements
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International students require to possess IELTS score of 5.5.

Other Fees

Tuition fee for Great Britain students - £3000

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The course is primarily designed for those who wish to follow careers as Biomedical Scientists in the wider context of biomedical science (including bio-pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries).

The aim of the course is to provide advanced education and professional training in the biomedical sciences, allowing specialisation in either: cellular pathology, clinical chemistry, haematology with transfusion science, immunology or medical microbiology, and provide the opportunity for critical reflection and evaluation of current practice and policy, enabling lifelong learning and professional development in biomedical science.

Entry Requirements

a) (i) A second class honours degree or better in a science subject which contains a significant element of biological sciences from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard

or

(ii) an equivalent standard in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification

and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent); overseas students whose first language is not English: IELTS overall band 6.0 with no contributing band less than 5.5 or TOEFL 550 in the paper based-test

Specialist taught modules require that students have studied that specialism at level 5 or can demonstrate their ability to undertake the module through the accreditation of prior experiential learning

Distance learning students should normally be employed as a biomedical scientist, trainee biomedical scientist or, equivalent in a hospital or research laboratory or have access to similar laboratory facilities.

Other qualifications
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In exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements
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International students should possess a IELTS score of 5.5.

Other Fees

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Bioscience’ is a diverse, inter-disciplinary and topical subject which contributes much to health and wealth worldwide. Our course focuses on the application of human and molecular biology to offer solutions and opportunities within the biomedical science and food professions. Our course extends and enhances your bioscience knowledge and understanding, and develops your research and innovation, and enterprise skills, which not only benefits your career advancement but also your employer. Our fully online delivery offers you flexible learning, and progression at a study pace which best suits you. Successful completion of our course also allows you to progress to higher degrees (taught and research) at universities around the world.

Our course is not designed for school leavers but for those in the work place, locally and internationally, who need flexible learning. We need to be able to accredit you for your prior learning to the value of 120 credit points at level 4 and 80 to 120 credit points at level 5. This includes BSc Hons students who did not complete their degree, sub degree graduates and even higher degree graduates looking to update their biosciences.

Most students enter to complete 120 credit points at level 6, over two academic years, but there are opportunities to fast track or slow track your studies. Those students entering the course via 1 or 2 bridging level 5 modules, require 1 or 2 additional semesters.

The internal coherence of the educational aims of the course and its associated learning outcomes across the particular fields of applications of biology (human and molecular), within an environment which promotes research, innovation and enterprise, demand that all modules (120 credits at level 6) are compulsory. This course provides opportunities for students to:

Extend and enhance their existing knowledge and understanding of biosciences, within the context of applications in biomedical, health and food sciences.
Develop their work-related competences, enterprise skills and transferable skills.

- Utilize research skills to undertake research in biosciences.

- Critically evaluate advances in the biosciences and discuss the economic, social and ethical implications of developments in the biosciences and their applications.

- Enhance their employability as professional Public Health, mediscience and Food industry staff, and open up progression pathways to higher degrees in biosciences.

- Embrace continuing professional development and life long learning in biosciences.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must:

(a) satisfy the University’s general entry requirements;

AND

(b) satisfy specific academic subject requirements for admission as detailed below:

1. hold a Higher Diploma in Analytical Science and Biotechnology or other suitable Higher Diploma in Applied Science from the Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong (Chai Wan) OR

2. hold an Associate Degree in Applied Science (Life Science) from Hong Kong University, School of Professional and Continuing Education OR

3. hold a BTEC HND qualification in a Science subject which includes a major element of Applied Science or equivalent National Diploma/BSc (Ord) degree OR

4. hold other sub degree qualifications in biosciences which are judged by the course team to be equivalent to 1) to 3)OR

5. hold a Foundation Degree in a Bioscience or Life Science subject

6. successful completion of Year 1 and 2 of an appropriate full-time BSc Hons science degree OR

7. hold an appropriate science BSc Hons Degree or Higher Degree AND

8. be in employment

OR

c) provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning

English Language Requirements
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International students must have a minimum acceptable score for the British Council IELTS of 6.0 (5.5 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent.

Other Fees

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Students of refractive or cataract surgery are often in full-time employment and have difficulty attending taught courses. Hence, a novel approach has been used where internationally renowned refractive specialists such as Jorge Alio, Dimitri Azar and Michael Mrochen to mention a few, have given talks which are presented in an e-learning format. This enables students to study in their own time and location with the support of e-tutors and course discussion pages. Weekly discussion themes are based on different case scenarios.

At present, cataract and refractive surgery is poorly taught in most countries. In the UK, there is no formal training in refractive surgery and most people who undertake refractive surgery teach themselves with some help from the short introductory courses available from different organisations around the world and specific instrumentation courses organised by the manufacturers. The course aims to develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary for the understanding of the key theoretical elements necessary for effectively assisting or performing Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

The aims are to:

Promote the ability to correlate pathophysiology of cataract and refractive errors with principles of surgical correction.

Promote the ability to assess available patient information and data.

Develop independence in the planning, assessment, implementation and post surgery care of cataract and refractive surgery activities; in particular microkeratomes and various lasers.

Facilitate the acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of refractive surgery and its applications and to enhance the ability to correlate the physical principles guiding each surgical step while adhering to the principles of good medical practice.

Enhance understanding for recognition and management of intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Cultivate practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge with promotion of a critical and scholarly approach to the application of a range of refractive surgery methodologies and the interpretation of their results.

The programme aims to develop in its students the qualities and transferable skills necessary for the understanding of the key theoretical elements necessary for effectively assisting or performing Cataract and Refractive Surgery. After completion of this course further training and experience gained from shadowing individuals involved in the procedures or assisting those involved would continue to advance knowledge and understanding and develop new higher-level skills to an advanced level.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must

(a) have gained

an Honours or non-Honours degree in a cognate discipline from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
Or an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved alternative qualification;
and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent) and evidence of competence in mathematics (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

or, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b):

(c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements
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Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency in English through the achievement of an IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score (in the four bands of reading listening, speaking and writing) below 5.5 or a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based).

Other Fees

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The distance learning MSc/PgDip/PgCert in Clinical Visual Science has been developed to foster advanced theoretical knowledge in clinical issues within the field of vision science, with an emphasis on how research informs practice and the evolution of eye care services and capabilities. The MSc/PgDip/PgCert course is organised and structured so you will have the opportunity to choose a particular area of study that interests you, with a balance of core modules to encourage scientific thinking and the critical review of concepts. Modules have been designed with contributions from guest experts from ophthalmology, clinicians from hospital settings and other specialists. Self-motivation, independent learning, problem solving and developing and communicating scientific arguments are encouraged through a programme which emphasizes critical thinking. A research project will be undertaken by the student in an area of their choosing with support and guidance from an academic supervisor.

Graduates of this course will be equipped to evaluate and undertake research; they will have enhanced knowledge of aspects of advanced vision science. The graduate will be equipped with skills to undertake extended clinical roles, promote the development of eye care within their region and may provide a pathway for further research endeavours including doctoral research training.

Our course team have many years experience in teaching optometry and vision science to undergraduate and post-graduate students at Ulster. The MSc/PgDIP/PgCERT in Clinical Visual Science compliments and extends our current General Optical Council approved BSc (Hons) Optometry course which has been producing high quality graduates for over 16 years.

Completion of many of the modules is accredited for continuing education and training for those with GOC regristration.

Entry Requirements

Students will be considered for entry to the MSc/PgDip/PgCert programme on an individual basis. The minimum entry criteria for the MSc/PgDip/PgCert in Clinical Visual Science are:

• Students currently holding at least a lower second class (2ii) BSc degree in Optometry or a Bachelor’s degree in Orthoptics, Medicine, or another related discipline from a University, or from an institution which is recognised by the University of Ulster Senate for this purpose; or

• Students currently holding the European Diploma in Optometry & Optics (level 6 professional qualification recognised in Europe and by the GOC in the UK); or

• Candidates who have an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification in a related subject;

• Candidates who do not meet the above requirements but who hold other qualifications and professional experience may be considered eligible for admission to the programme by accreditation of prior experiential learning (APL). Candidates who wish to be considered in terms of experiential learning must complete an APL portfolio of evidence and send this with their application. (The University APL policy can be accessed via this link: APL Policy)

English Language Requirements
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Candidates will have to provide evidence of adequate English language skills. Where an applicants first language is not English, they may demonstrate competence of English language through either a TOEFL paper based score of 550 or an IELTS band score of 6.0 or above (with no contributing band less than 5.5).

Other Fees

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