Course Structure

The Postgraduate Diploma / MSc  in Endocrinology and Diabetes (distance learning) is designed both as a complete curriculum in Endocrinology and Diabetes for new entrants into these fields and as an update and extension for those already in it. The course should provide clinicians with a framework for the theoretical and clinically applied aspects of their discipline.

All students initially register for the postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma comprises a taught course of 8 modules.  These will be covered in 2 modules per semester over 4 semesters – with total duration of 16 months total study. All of the modules are core to the Diploma and are studied in fixed order, commencing with a 'generic skills and core knowledge' module which provides a foundation on which the subsequent modules build. There are no optional modules or alternative pathways, to ensure that we cover all of the relevant subject areas comprehensively.

On successful completion of the taught course, students who are eligible and who wish to, may apply to transfer to the MSc course. This involves an additional independent research project. The project proposal, supervisor, host institution and funding arrangments are organised by the student in their own institution but must be approved by QMUL. The project will have additional oversight from a QMUL supervisor and will be completed by a dissertation and viva examination.

 

Taught Course Module Titles
module number	Topic / Title
1	Endocrinology: Core Knowledge and Key Skills
2	Hypothalamus and pituitary
3	Thyroid
4	Calcium and Bone
5	Reproduction, pregnancy and paediatric endocrinology
6	Clinical Chemistry, Gut and Metabolism
7	Genetics, Oncology, Neuroendocrine Tumours
8	Adrenal Cortex and Medulla
Each module accounts for 15 credits In parallel 9 Clinical Endocrinology Dissertation Dissertation accounting for 60 credits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Learning methods

The curriculum will be covered in a 'taught course' of 3 terms divided into modules. Three modules will be covered in each of the first and second term and two modules in the third term, thus there are 8 taught modules alongside (for students completing the full MSc programme) a 60-credit dissertation module.

Each taught module accounts for 15 credits and each module takes 4 weeks to cover the taught materials including one or more module assignments. Teaching will make use of blended learning methods and the 'flipped classroom' model. This means that you will study a number of elements using online materials including lectures, podcasts, guided reading exercises and so on, with regular face-to-face tutorials in which various activities incorporating individual and group work will help you to consolidate your learning.

In parallel with the taught course, you will have a programme of clinical observation sessions across several domains including general endocrinology, specialist endocrinology, endocrine investigations and therapies and regular clinical academic meetings.

You will complete a reflective portfolio log-book in which your experiences are mapped to each of the modules.

Following on from the above modules you will work on and complete a dissertation for the remainder of the programme. The project title and research / dissertation format will be agreed between yourself and the course organiser and may take the form of independent clinical research or a dissertation based on clinical cases.

Occasionally, students may choose to omit the dissertation, completing the programme at the stage of postgraduate diploma.

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Assessment
Assessment of the Postgraduate Diploma

Formative Assessment

Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback at the regular tutorials and also during the clinical observation aspects of the programme. Formative assessment may be available as part of some of the online tasks that form part of the blended learning strategy, for example marks for quizzes and also direct feedback from programme tutors.

Summative Assessment
Assessment of the taught course will comprise assessment of module-specific assigments and assessment of module-specific portfolio sections. The assignment techniques will comprise a mixture across the modules of written submissions, submissions using multimedia, case presentations, and verbal presentations. You will be clearly told which assignments and tasks form part of summative assessment and assignments for each module must be completed by the end of that module block.

The other aspect of assessment comprise your personal reflective portfolio log-book which will contain records of attendance,reflections and pieces of written work completed as part of programme.

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Technical Requirements

The online resources from the course will be delivered via the QMPlus virtual learning environment (VLE) which is hosted by Queen Mary, University of London.

Hardware requirements
QMplus is accessible to both PC and Apple Macintosh computers. That said, it is assumed that you will have a relatively up to date computer. For PC users, this should be running at least Windows XP and for Apple Macintosh users, Mac OS X. Many of the learning activities are lectures to watch – make sure you are planning to use a computer with speakers or that you have headphones and a headphone jack to plug them in.

Internet connection

You will require a broadband connection to the internet. Your course contains multimedia materials which, by their nature, have relatively large file sizes. A fast internet connection is therefore required to be able to access these materials.

As well as having an internet connection, you will also have to ensure that you can connect to the systems at Queen Mary. This means ensuring that there are no firewall restrictions on your internet connection that will prevent you from connecting to Queen Mary systems.

Software

If you are a regular internet user then it is likely that you will already have many of the necessary software components installed on your computer. You may, however, have to change configurations or perhaps even install some new software to allow you to access your course content. To do this you will require administrator access to your computer. This shouldn't be an issue if you are using your own computer but if you are using a computer supplied by your place of work, you may have to negotiate with your technical support to ensure that your computer can be appropriately configured.

Java

The virtual learning environment requires Java to be installed on your machine. The browser checker mentioned above will check for a Java installation on your computer. If you do not have Java, it can be downloaded for free from:
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Please note that Java is different from Javascript.

Adobe Flash Player

You will also need Adobe Flash Player installed. It will be helpful if you can have access to the most up to date version of the Flash player.
http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

PDF Reader

You will need a PDF Reader , such as the Acrobat PDF reader which you can download for free from the Adobe website and you will need Microsoft office or compatible software such as Microsoft Word or Powerpoint.

Office software

Some documents may be made available to you in Microsoft Office formats either Microsoft Word or Powerpoint.