1. General Information
Welcome to the School of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Welcome to your Postgraduate Taught Programme in the School of Medical Sciences within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. The University has a worldwide reputation based on high quality teaching and research, and I am sure that your programme will provide a solid foundation for your future career success.
Within the School and the wider Faculty, our goal is to create an environment that allows you to excel and reach your full potential. Offering access to first-class facilities and strong links with regional health-service providers, our postgraduate programmes are designed to meet the diverse needs of all our students. The curriculum of our taught programmes provides the knowledge and skills you will need in your subject area and all our Masters programmes include an opportunity to carry out an independent research project on topics spanning all areas of biomedical research from molecular to experimental biology and clinical medicine. While subject areas cover a broad range, all our taught programmes have two common aims:
- To develop your skills in your chosen field of study
- To enhance your knowledge within the field you have chosen. Whether you are a graduate, professional or have a clinical background, the programmes have been tailored to meet your specific needs
As a student of the School of Medical Sciences, you will be expected to take responsibility for your degree, within a supportive environment that fosters your development and helps prepare you for your future career. This handbook will be a useful resource as you progress through your programme. It provides programme-specific information that I am sure that you will find helpful throughout your study. If however, you have questions or would like some further advice, please do not hesitate to contact the people listed in this handbook for further information and assistance.
I wish you every success as you embark upon your programme, and in your future career.
Dr Helen Jopling
Director of Education
Introduction to the Programme
Welcome to the Division of Dentistry blended learning postgraduate courses in Advanced Restorative Dentistry. Applicants will have the option of studying for the full masters, part-time over two years, the Postgraduate Diploma, part time over eighteen months or the Postgraduate Certificate after successful completion of 30 Credits if not completing any further units.
You will be provided with a comprehensive overview and thorough knowledge of the clinical/scientific evidence and literature in relation to various diagnoses and techniques used to treat complex adult dental patients. The practical/hands on element of the training will be delivered at the Residential Courses (one per year). This will give students the opportunity to share knowledge, skills and good practice with a diverse, multi-ethnic global community of peers.
Students will benefit from a flexible, blended learning approach, and learn from a wide range of practitioners in dentistry, benefitting from collaboration with experts from many departments within the University of Manchester. The course emphasises a self-directed approach. For those students enrolled on the full masters, you will be trained in the planning and writing up of research, including ethical approval, literature review, research methodology and implementation and interpretation of results.
In summary, this programme will enable you to:
- Study advanced restorative techniques on a blended learning postgraduate course.
- Benefit from the combined expertise of the University’s dentistry staff and other invited knowledge leaders.
- Gain practical experience of techniques such as advanced anterior/posterior restorations and aesthetics, bonding and cementation, occlusion and clinical photography through residential sessions.
- Earn your qualification from a university ranked 4th in the UK and among the top 25 in the world for dentistry (QS World University Rankings 2018).
We hope that this handbook proves useful in helping you progress through your course. Every effort has been made to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information; however, some minor details may change during the course of your studies. Any changes and additions will be brought to your attention.
If you have any queries or comments, or would like to contact us for advice and guidance, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +44 (0)161 2756620 or Email: programmesupport.smspgt@manchester.ac.uk
On behalf of the University of Manchester I wish you an enjoyable and successful time on the programme.
Professor Hugh Devlin
Programme Director
Points of Contact
Programme Director
Professor Hugh Devlin
Room: G.125, Coupland 3
Tel No: +44 (0)161 275 6849
E-mail: hugh.devlin@manchester.ac.uk
Programme Support
Programme Support Contact Details
Academic staff and course unit leaders
| UNIT 1: | Research Methods |
| UNIT CODE: | DENT61010 |
| UNIT LEAD: | Juliette Kendall |
| Email: | Juliette.Kendall@manchester.ac.uk |
| UNIT 2: | Fundamentals in Restorative Dentistry |
| UNIT CODE: | DENT61282 |
| UNIT LEAD: | Xiaohui (Helen) Chen |
| Email: | xiaohui.chen@manchester.ac.uk |
| UNIT 3: | Issues in Patient Management |
| UNIT CODE: | DENT61292 |
| UNIT LEAD: | Hugh Devlin |
| Email: | hugh.devlin@manchester.ac.uk |
| UNIT 4: | Operative Dentistry |
| UNIT CODE: | DENT61382 |
| UNIT LEAD: | Indika Weeraperuma |
| Email: | indika.weerapperuma@manchester.ac.uk |
| UNIT 5: | Complex Treatment of Patients |
| UNIT CODE: | DENT61392 |
| UNIT LEAD: | Stephen Davies |
| Email: | stephen.j.davies@manchester.ac.uk |
| UNIT: | Dissertation |
| UNIT CODE: | DENT60031 |
| UNIT LEAD: | Juliette Kendall |
| Email: | Juliette.Kendall@manchester.ac.uk |
Staying Safe – Covid-19
Feeling prepared and equipped at the present time inevitably brings thoughts of health and safety. We have followed the advice from Universities UK, Public Health England and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make sure our campus is a safe and happy environment for you to start your studies.
We’re adjusting our COVID-19 guidance in line with the latest government recommendations.
We will continue to move forward with caution to protect ourselves, each other, and the most vulnerable in our society. For the latest advice, please refer to the UK government’s coronavirus information.
It’s important for everyone to follow the guidelines on campus to keep themselves and others safe. We have faith that all members of our University community will do the right thing.
Our ‘Staying Safe’ microsite outlines the safety measures that are in place as well as useful information regarding:-
- How to register with a GP (doctor)
- Keeping yourself and your neighbours safe off campus
- Health and wellbeing support
- Financial Support
Student Frequently Asked Questions is regularly updated online but if you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact your school as soon as possible.
Communication with Students
Please note that only Blackboard and canvas, the University e-learning platforms and your allocated student university email address will be used as official communication by University staff. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can access and read email from this source.
All information and communication to students will only be sent to your student University e-mail addresses, and it is essential that any communications with tutors and the Advanced Restorative Dentistry administrator are made via your university student e-mail address.
Any e-mails received from a non-University address will be replied to at the student’s University address. The reason for this is to ensure that students have a fixed e-mail account for the duration of the course and so do not miss out on important pieces of information which may include group information sent to “all students”.
Students are required to keep the University informed of any change to their personal circumstances such as change of name or address. Changes can be recorded by the student via their own personal online record. It is also essential to inform the Programme Administrator if you do not intend to return to the next session of the course, if, for example, you are moving away.
Aims of the Programme
The overarching objective of the programme is to deliver a part-time, masters-level training programme in Advanced Restorative Dentistry.
| The Masters programme aims to: | |
| 1
|
Provide students with a comprehensive overview of the clinical/scientific evidence and literature in relation to various diagnoses and techniques throughout the spectrum of restorative dental specialties. |
| 2 | Provide a comprehensive overview of multidisciplinary care and to develop their clinical skill diagnostic and treatment skills. |
| 3 | Provide CPD topics that are relevant to dentists and in line with recent General Dental Council requirements eg that lectures have clear learning objectives. |
| 4 | Provide opportunities for student reflection on patient treatment and best practice. |
| 5 | Provide hands-on training in two Residential courses taking place during the duration of the course. This will mainly involve practical exercises carried out in a laboratory setting with the aim of improving students’ manual skills. |
| 6 | Educative students with a wide, and knowledgeable view of current dental treatment provision. In particular, the medical problems encountered in dental practice eg polypharmacy and treating the elderly and infirm |
| 7 | Give students experience in designing a research project they could undertake in general dental practice for the benefit of patients. This will involve an understanding of data collection, statistical analysis and critical interpretation of clinical research projects. The Research Methods (unit 3) will prepare students for a dissertation (unit 6). |
| 8 | Provide students with the ability to undertake audit projects in their own dental practices. This will involve exercises throughout the course on choosing the correct techniques and dental materials in particular clinical situations. |
| 9 | Understand time management and producing work to given deadlines. |
| 10 | Provide students with knowledge about the processes of guideline development. Students will challenge existing clinical guidelines to better understand the research evidence underlying current clinical recommendations. |
| 11 | Allow students to study the publications of the COCHRANE collaboration, specialist dental societies and other original research in assessing evidence. |
| 12 | Provide students with the necessary tools to further develop their own skills and abilities in the future. |
Online Skills Training Resource
The Faculty has developed a skills training resource to support you through your postgraduate taught programme. This online material should supplement the assessed learning material and activities undertaken in your taught programme.
Accessing the online skills resource
You can access Blackboard through the My Manchester portal (http://my.manchester.ac.uk). The skills training resource is available in an academic community space available to all registered PGT students in the Faculty through Blackboard.
If you cannot see these units in your Blackboard please contact your Programme Administrator.
Content
Full details of all these resources can be found in the introduction to each unit. These resources have been designed to give you formative feedback on your progress through them. If you experience any problems and would like to talk to someone please contact your Programme Director. If you have questions about referencing and how it applies to your own work, please contact your Programme Director or dissertation supervisor/module lead.
| Research Methods* | This course is spilt into 2 units that cover introductions to study design and dissertation skills. It has a number of online quizzes where you can test your knowledge. |
| Introduction to Statistics* | The course provides a valuable foundation for understanding and interpreting biostatistics. It aims to provide you with the fundamentals of quantitative analysis. |
| Presentation Skills | This short interactive unit is designed to help you to enhance your presentation skills. Regardless of whether you are presenting in public, preparing for conferences, an oral examination or more informal settings this unit will give you the tops tips to improve your delivery. The course also includes a unit on influencing effectively, alongside the presentation and poster information. |
| Qualitative Research Methods* | This unit has been designed to give you an introduction to Qualitative Research. |
* NOTE: the material in this online resource is for reference and formative learning purposes only. In some of your taught programme you may be required to undertake assessed course units for Research Methods, Qualitative Research or Statistics. If your programme involves taught units then you should refer to the Blackboard material relating to that course unit. Please contact your Programme Administrator if you are unsure which material relates to your assessed work. You will still be able to refer to the online skills resource in later years.
Mandatory Introductory Courses
All students are automatically enrolled onto the Blackboard introductory unit that provides information on Health and Safety and Academic Malpractice.
Completion instructions for each of these sections are clearly defined within the course. All assessments must be completed within a month of you starting your programme, with the academic malpractice driving test completed before the first piece of summative assessment is submitted.
You must achieve 70% in each of the Health and Safety elements and 100% in each of the Academic Malpractice Driving Test elements to pass.
2. Course Overview
This course offers a part-time, masters level training programme in Advanced Restorative Dentistry. The course will provide you with a comprehensive overview and thorough knowledge of the clinical/scientific evidence and literature in relation to various diagnoses and techniques used to treat complex adult dental patients. The practical/hands on element of the training will be delivered at the Residential Courses (one per year). This will give students the opportunity to share knowledge, skills and good practice with a diverse, multi-ethnic global community of peers.
Students will benefit from a flexible, blended learning approach, and learn from a wide range of practitioners in dentistry, benefitting from collaboration with experts from many departments within the University of Manchester. The course emphasises a self-directed approach.
The Dissertation and Research Methods units will train students in the planning of research, ethical approval, literature review, research methodology and implementation, interpretation of results and write up.
The MSc programme is studied part time over 2 years, with the Diploma being 18 months part time and the PG Certificate, 1 year part time. The Certificate award is only given as an exit option and cannot be selected at the point of application.
The programme comprises 120 credits of core taught units plus a 60 credit research project (dissertation).
Programme Structure
| Year | Unit No. | Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Value | PGCert | PGDip | MSc |
| 1 | 1 | DENT61010 | Research Methods | 15 |
|
X |
X |
| 2 | DENT61282 | Fundamentals in Restorative Dentistry | 30 |
X |
X | X | |
| 3 | DENT61292 | Issues in Patient Management | 30 | X |
X |
X |
|
| 4 | DENT61382 | Operative Dentistry | 15 |
X |
X | ||
| 2 | 5 | DENT61392 | Complex Treatment of Patients | 30 |
X |
X | |
| DENT60031 | Dissertation | 60 |
X |
||||
All students will maintain a portfolio and develop a personal development plan in conjunction with their academic supervisor.
Research Project (Dissertation) (60 credits)
Students will undertake an empirical research project for their dissertation. The dissertation will be 10,000-15,000 words. This permits students to develop and refine core research and transferable skills in addition to expanding their knowledge and understanding of advanced general practice dentistry.
Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge & Understanding
At the end of the programme students should be able to:
| A1. | Understand the principles and practical aspects of advanced restorative dentistry. These techniques involve all the sub-specialties of this subject. In particular, students wish to know about the advanced aesthetic restorative techniques that they might use in their dental practices e.g. use of Botox, orthodontic treatment and veneers. |
| A2. | Understand the principles and practical aspects of advanced treatments. The course will outline and identify key knowledge underlying principles of treatment using dental cements, bonding and adhesion of anterior resin composites, partial dentures, principles of bridgework and anterior crown lengthening. They should be able to explain the factual information relevant to the use of techniques and materials used in dentistry. . |
| A3. | Define, describe and summarize key treatment concepts using generic learning skills. |
| A4. | Understand the framework relating to clinical governance, service evaluation and clinical audit. Understand the inter-relationship between the specialties and manage scenarios in a multi-disciplinary manner. |
| A5. | Understand the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) and it role in maintaining knowledge and skills throughout your working life. Students need to memorise key information about dental scenarios so that they can order, reorganise, and reproduce this information. |
| A6. | Understand and be able to explain the scientific basis for routine restorative treatments. This will develop their understanding of the evidence underlying evidence-based guidelines. |
| A7 | Understand the basic statistical issues needed for the development of a study protocol, and key epidemiological concepts e.g. developing a PICO, literature review, methods of data analysis, and ethical considerations. |
| A8. | Understand the key methodological and statistical issues to consider when critically appraising published research. |
| A9. | Have knowledge of procedures involved in applying for ethical approval |
| A10. | Understand how to write up a dissertation |
B. Intellectual Skills
At the end of the programme students should be able to:
| B1. | analyse and appraise for themselves the literature describing treatments options and the latest developments in the field. This will involve comparing, critique the existing literature in an unbiased and dispassionate manner. |
| B2. | Understand, investigate and describe the literature concerning advanced treatment techniques. This requires knowledge of the literature concerning restorative materials and techniques for treating the adult permanent dentition . |
| B3. | investigate and describe the literature concerning advanced treatment techniques. The clinical literature is often based on small datasets, case reports and personal opinion. We will discuss how to separate reliable from more biased literature. |
| B4. | Self-question and self-reflect. This forms part of clinical governance, audit, service evaluation and research and describes the difference between them |
| B5. | Describe and discuss the guidance on and management of legal issues in dentistry. |
| B6. | Describe and discuss the management of various medical emergencies in dentistry. |
| B7. | Critically appraise guidelines and the use of guidelines, evaluate different guideline development processes, identify the suitability of guidelines for a particular setting and identify implementation strategies for use in a local setting |
| B8. | Discuss the role of research in a clinical discipline, explore the development of a research idea from hypothesis through to the drawing of conclusions, make judgements on the quality of a research article with consideration of implications for clinical practice/future research and discuss issues regarding the implementation of research findings. |
| B9. | Discuss the role of statistics in dental research, make a judgement on the credibility of methodology and statistical analysis of the research/article and issues regarding the implementation of research. |
| B10. | Have an appreciation of research design, methodology and various statistical tests and how to interpret the results. |
C.Practical Skills
At the end of the programme students should be able to:
| C1. | Communicate effectively. They will learn to write and speak effectively to present a particular viewpoint |
| C2. | Teamwork. Students should question whether they are working efficiently with their team members. Are they using analytical, creative and critical skills to solve clinical problems? |
| C3. | Know the distinction between decisiveness and recklessness in treating patients. |
| C4. | Employ appropriate cross infection and PPE techniques. |
| C5. | Manage a medical emergency appropriately including the administration of emergency drugs and the use of a defibrillator. |
| C6. | Negotiate conflict situations with patients and staff |
| C7. | Carry out statistical analysis by hand and using a statistical software package. |
| C8. | Discuss statistical techniques covered in the course with statisticians and specialist and non-specialist colleagues alike. |
| C9. | Generate information to a standard suitable for publication. |
| C10. | Identify key bibliographic databases relevant to the area of specialty. |
| C11. | Carry out focussed searches to identify research literature relevant to a chosen topic area. |
| C12. | Develop and implement a framework for successful project/time management. |
| C13. | Undertake the key components of academic writing. |
| C14. | Be able to use bibliographic software (Endnote) for searching online bibliographic databases, organising references, images and PDFs, and creating bibliographies and figure lists. |
| C15 | Critically appraise literature to a high standard. |
| C16. | The student will develop literature review, statistical analysis, writing and presentation skills. |
D. Transferable Skills and Personal Qualities
At the end of the programme students should be able to:
| D1. | Literature review skills. |
| D2. | Critical appraisal skills. |
| D3. | Presentation skills. |
| D4. | Time management; work to deadlines; use initiative when seeking information. |
| D5. | Use information technology and appropriate related software to a high standard |
| D6. | Excellent contemporaneous record keeping skills. |
| D7. | Assess potential problems and implement change. |
| D8. | To demonstrate the ability to evaluate his/her own academic progression. |
| D9. | To demonstrate effective team working by taking responsibility for carrying out tasks within a group. |
| D10. | To be able to carefully consider the appropriate communication of guidelines to various specific audiences. |
| D11. | Manage workload; use initiative when seeking information. |
| D12. | Use information technology and appropriate related software to a high standard. |
| D13. | Apply research related skills to professional practice |
| D14. | Literature review, critical appraisal, statistical analysis and presentation skills. |
Course Unit Outlines
DENT61010 – Research Methods
- GENERAL INFORMATION
| Title | Unit 1 – Research Methods |
| Unit Code | DENT61010 |
| Credit Rating | 15 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Contact Hours | 10 hours of online content including video lectures |
| Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Online lectures. Self-directed learning. Workshop at residential. |
| Pre-requisite units | None |
| Co-requisite units | None |
| School responsible | Division of Dentistry |
| Member of staff responsible | Juliette Kendall |
| ECTS | 7.5 |
| Notional hours of learning | 150 |
2. AIMS
The aim of the unit is to:
- produce students who are competent in issues related to the design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research. The latter may include medical education, public health and basic-science areas such as genetics, microbiology or
- provide students with critical appraisal skills so that on a life-long basis they will be able to apply these skills to assess any research evidence that comes before them
3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT
The Research Methods Course is a 15 credit, interactive online course which provides students with an introduction to key material required for the design, execution and interpretation of clinical and clinically-related research and the production of a high quality dissertation.
The course will run over a 10 week period. It is supplemented with a workshop session at the first Residential, which will be used to consolidate some of the online material.
Topics covered include:
- Library skills
- Epidemiology (key concepts and different epidemiological study designs)
- Critical appraisal (appraisal tools and practical application)
- Dissertation skills (time management, academic writing and reference management)
- Designing a study (protocol development, types of data, basic statistics)
- Ethics, research governance and data protection
- Systematic reviews and meta-analysis
- Evidence based practice (implementing research findings)
4. LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Category of outcome | Students should be able to: |
| Knowledge and understanding | – understand basic statistical issues needed for the development of a study protocol
– understand key epidemiological concepts – understand the structure of, and be able to differentiate between, the common types of epidemiological studies – identify different types of data – understand the key issues to consider when critically appraising different study designs – understand key ethics and research governance documents and legislation, such as the Helsinki Declaration, and legislation such as the UK Data Protection Act – understand procedures relating to obtaining ethical approval for your research, using the UK NHS Ethics Committee system as an example – define evidence based dentistry and recognise the keys steps involved in its practice – recognise the role of secondary research in EBP (including systematic reviews and clinical guidelines) |
| Intellectual skills | – discuss the role of research in a clinical discipline
– explore the development of a research idea from hypothesis through to the drawing of conclusions – make a judgement on the quality of a research article with consideration of implications for clinical practice/future research – discuss issues regarding the implementation of research findings |
| Practical skills | – identify key bibliographic databases relevant to the area of specialty
– carry out focussed searches to identify research literature relevant to a chosen topic area – develop and implement a framework for successful project/time management – have a clear understanding of the key components of academic writing – be able to use bibliographic software for searching online bibliographic databases, organising references, images and PDFs, and creating bibliographies and figure lists – critically appraise literature to a high standard |
| Transferable skills and personal qualities | – manage time; work to deadlines; use initiative when seeking information
– use information technology and appropriate related software to a high standard – apply skills for identifying, appraising, synthesising and applying evidence, in professional practice – apply research related skills to professional practice |
5. LEARNING AND TEACHING PROCESSES (INCLUDING THE USE OF E-LEARNING)
The course will be delivered predominantly through e-learning over a period of 10 weeks, with three timetabled face-to-face symposiums. A variety of online material will be utilised including web-based reading, audio presentations, online discussions, tutor feedback, interactive exercises, self-assessment through MCQs and self-reflection.
The face-to-face symposiums will be a mix of tutor presentations, group work and student group discussions.
6. ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING THE USE OF E-LEARNING)
| Assessment task | Length | Weighting within unit (if relevant) |
| Self-assessment MCQs for the following topics:
Library skills; Study design; Epidemiology; Systematic Reviews; Evidence based practice |
1/2 hour per topic | |
| Formative: Protocol development small group exercise | 300 words | |
| Self-assessment online critical appraisal exercise | 1.5 hours | |
| Summative: Marked written assignment (mid-term) | 1500 words | 35% |
| Summative: Marked written assignment (end of term) | 2500 words | 60% |
| Participation mark (Discussion board group exercise) | 1 hr | 5% |
DENT61282 – Fundamentals in Restorative Dentistry
- GENERAL INFORMATION
| Title | Unit 2: Fundamentals in Restorative Dentistry |
| Unit code | DENT61282 |
| Credit rating | 30 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Contact hours | 10 online lectures |
| Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Online lectures, Work-based learning, self-directed learning |
| Pre-requisite units | None |
| Co-requisite units | None |
| School responsible | Division of Dentistry |
| Member of staff responsible | Xiaohui (Helen) Chen <xiaohui.chen@manchester.ac.uk> |
| ECTS | 15 |
| Notional hours of Learning | 300 |
- AIMS
The unit aims to:
- To describe the science underlying restorative dentistry
- To provide a basic, fundamental understanding of the interaction between different specialities to restore the dentition in a harmonious manner.
- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT
This unit will be delivered via a series of 10 hours of online recorded lectures. There will be self-directed learning (attached reading list providing a basis for this).
- INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Category of outcome | Students will be able to: |
| Knowledge and understanding |
|
| Intellectual skills |
|
| Practical skills |
|
| Transferable skills and personal qualities |
|
| Webinars based on the above provided currently by University of Manchester staff | |
| DENTAL BIOMATERIALS | |
| Dental cements | Dr Helen Chen |
| Bonding of resin composites | Dr Helen Chen |
| Properties of Ceramic materials | Dr Nick Silikas |
| Properties of metals | Dr Nick Silikas |
| TREATMENT OPTIONS | |
| Dental Health Toolkit | Dr Rebecca Craven |
| Introduction to Indirect restorations | Dr Reza Roudsari |
| Principles of bridgework | Dr Alison Qualtrough |
| Partial dentures | Prof Hugh Devlin |
| Anterior crown lengthening | Dr Joanne Cunliffe |
| Maintenance of anterior crowns and prevention of periodontal disease | Dr Hugo Pinto |
“Explaining treatment options by Nick Grey” to be given prior to the first residential
- LEARNING AND TEACHING PROCESSES (INCLUDING THE USE OF E-LEARNING)
- On-line lectures: Materials update
- Face-to-face residential in a clinical skills laboratory environment
- Work-based learning
- Self-directed study
- ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT, E-ASSESSMENT, and INFORMATION ABOUT FEEDBACK)
| Assessment task | Length | How and when feedback is provided | Weighting within unit (if relevant) |
| There will be an end of unit assignment for this module. MCQs exam; 30% of final mark
SSQs; 50% of final mark |
approx. 40 MCQs
approx. 5 SSQs |
15 days | 80% |
| EBL/WIKI group learning – two topics per group. 300 words from each student. Plus a detailed reflective statement (600 words). | Wiki: 300 words and reflective statement 600 words | 20% |
- INDICATIVE READING LIST
| Reading List based on Learning outcomes
Dental Biomaterials: 1. The Journal ‘Dental Materials’ is available online. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/dental-materials. There is a large volume of digitised online resources on the reading list (Link2lists) https://manchester.rl.talis.com/lists/5820CB29-387B-D847-A942-D9325D5EAE00.html. Relevant articles include: 1. Rosenstiel, S. F. et al Dental Luting Agents pp. 280-301 Rosenstiel, S. F. et al, (1998) “Dental Luting Agents”, The journal of prosthetic dentistry, 80, pp.280-301. 2. Influence of air-abrasion on zirconia ceramic bonding using an adhesive composite resin – B. Yang, A. Barloi, M. Kern 2010. Dental Materials. Volume 26, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 44-50. 3. A. Brunthaler, F. König, T. Lucas, W. Sperr, A. Schedle Longevity of direct resin composite restorations in posterior teeth: a review. 2003-6. Clinical Oral Investigations 7 Issue 2 Page 63-70. DOI 10.1007/s00784-003. Treatment Options: 1. Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-Ray Equipment. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337178/misc_pub_DentalGuidanceNotes.pdf 2. Periodontology in General Dental practice BSP publications freely available at http://www.bsperio.org.uk/publications/index.php 3. The British Society for Disability and Oral Health (BSDH) have produced some useful guidelines for the care of patients with various disabilities, including those critically or terminally ill, oncology patients and those unable to comply with treatment. 4. Publications from the Dental Defence organization (Dental Protection) on managing risk with various procedures. These include videos of scenarios, pamphlets and journals on risk assessment, dealing with complaints etc. https://www.theddu.com/guidance-and-advice/journals. 5. Book: Diagnosis and treatment planning in dentistry. Editor.; Nesbit, Samuel Paul, editor. 2017. (available online). 6. Integrated dental treatment planning: A case-based approach. P Brunton. British Dental Journal, 2005, Vol.199(2), p.120. 7. Book: Removable partial dentures a clinician’s guide. Jones, John D., Dr.; García, Lily T. 2009. (available online) |
For Information and advice on Link2Lists reading list software, see:
DENT61292 – Issues in Patient Management
- GENERAL INFORMATION
| Title | Unit 3 – Issues in patient management |
| Unit code | DENT 61292 |
| Credit rating | 30 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Contact hours | 10 weekly online recorded lectures |
| Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Online lectures, Work-based learning, self-directed learning |
| Pre-requisite units | None |
| Co-requisite units | None |
| School responsible | Division of Dentistry |
| Member of staff responsible | Professor Hugh Devlin |
| ECTS | 15 |
| Notional hours of Learning | 300 |
- AIMS
The unit aims to:
- To provide a scientific basis to understanding restorative dentistry
- To provide clinically relevant bioscience, detailing the clinical applications and putting the science in context.
- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT
This unit will be delivered via a series of 10 hours of on-line recorded lectures. A 5-day residential in a clinical skills laboratory environment will also be provided towards the end of this unit. There will be self-directed learning (attached reading list providing a basis for this). Unit 2 will run from June to mid-August 2019. Residential 1 will take place in September 2019 and will assess the MCQ and SSQs/EMQs for both units. (If anyone cannot attend they will have to submit mitigating circumstances and either take at next opportunity or be offered an alternative assessment).
- INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Category of outcome | Students will (please delete as appropriate) be able to: |
| Knowledge and understanding |
The “gaining knowledge” category of outcome is taken from the cognitive domain of Bloom’s Taxonomy. This unit forms the foundation of later treatments. |
| Intellectual skills |
|
| Practical skills | During the residential students will be introduced to the basics of occlusion and understanding the concepts involved.
These will include (but not be limited to) – 1. Examining the occlusion and associated musculature 2. Understanding how to use a stabilization splint. |
| Transferable skills and personal qualities |
|
| Lectures based on the above provided currently by Univ of Manchester staff | |
| Lecture topic | Lecturer |
| TOPIC 1: Integrated Dental Bioscience | |
| Introduction to Occlusion and Articulatory systems | Dr Stephen Davies |
| Temporomandibular Disorders (parts 1 and 2) | Dr Stephen Davies |
| Anaesthesia for dentistry | Professor Julian Yates |
| Behaviour management and sedation Parts 1 and 2 | Dr Alex Crawford |
| Treatment Planning | Dr Alison Qualtrough |
| Choosing the correct radiographic examination | Dr Anita Sengupta |
| Medical emergencies | Prof Julian Yates |
| TOPIC 2: Medical Topics | |
| Haemostasis and bleeding in dental practice | Dr Helen Petersen |
| Analgesics and Antimicrobials | Prof Julian Yates |
| Temporomandibular disorders | Dr Stephen Davies |
| Patient Assessment | Dr Helen Petersen |
Aesthetics symposium to be given at the Residential
- LEARNING AND TEACHING PROCESSES (INCLUDING THE USE OF E-LEARNING)
- On-line lectures: Materials update
- Face-to-face residential in a clinical skills laboratory environment
- Work-based learning
- Self-directed study
- ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT, E-ASSESSMENT, and INFORMATION ABOUT FEEDBACK)
| Assessment task | Length | How and when feedback is provided | Weighting within unit (if relevant)
|
| There will be an end of unit assignment for this module. | |||
| EBL/WIKI group learning – two topics per group | 1,000 words | 15 days | 20% |
| MCQ’s exam | approx 40 MCQ’s | 30% | |
| EMQ’s | approx 5 | 50% |
- INDICATIVE READING LIST
| Integrated Dental Bioscience
1. Christensen, J. Domiciliary care for the elderly patient. Dental Update 1988, 15: 284-90. 2. Giles, D.L. and Murphy, W.M. Dental treatment of the elderly in-patient. J.Dent. 1980, 8(4): 341-48. 3. Lawson, W.A. & Bond, E.K. Speech and its relation to dentistry. The influence of oral structures on speech. Dental Practitioner 19: 113-118, 1968. 4. Faigenblum, M.J. Retching, its causes and management in prosthetic practice. British Dental Journal 125: 485, 1968. 5. Fawcus, R. Dental problems in speech pathology. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine (Section of Odontology) 61: 619-622, 1968. 6. Fawcus, R. Dental problems in speech pathology. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine (Section of Odontology) 61: 619-622, 1968. 7. Basker, R.M., Davenport, J.C. & Tomlin, H.R. Prosthetic Treatment of the Edentulous Patient. Macmillan Press, London, 1983. Following references are available on the link2lists reading lists. 6. Basic Principles for Use of Dental Cone Beam CT Consensus Guidelines of the European Academy of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology – European Academy of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology 2009. Medical Topics (available online through the library) 1. Books: Cawson`s Essentials of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine. 2. Ponduri S. Keynotes in medicine for dental students. BDJ 2009: (2) p497. 3. Book: Medical problems in dentistry. Scully, Crispian. 2010. 4. Book: Scully’s handbook of medical problems in dentistry. Scully, Crispian. 2016. |
For Information and advice on Link2Lists reading list software, see:
DENT61382 – Operative Dentistry
- GENERAL INFORMATION
| Title | UNIT 4 : Operative Dentistry |
| Unit code | DENT 61382 |
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Contact hours | 10 hours of online content including video lectures and tutorials |
| Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Online lectures, Work-based learning, self-directed learning |
| Pre-requisite units | None |
| Co-requisite units | None |
| School responsible | Division of Dentistry |
| Member of staff responsible | Indika Weeraperuma |
| 7.5 | |
| Notional hours of Learning | 150 |
- AIMS
The unit aims to:
Instruction is designed to help you master a comprehensive range of restorative procedures. The practical modules will provide advanced training in the four subject areas most commonly carried out in clinical practice: Direct restorative techniques, Periodontics, Endodontics, Fixed and removable prosthodontics
- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT
This unit will be delivered via a series of 10 webinars and on-line recorded lectures. There will be self-directed learning (attached reading list providing a basis for this).
There is a strong vocational relevance to this unit. The material taught will be directly relevant to “every-day” dentistry supplemented by additional advanced techniques. This theme forms the first half of the unit taught material and lasts 5 weeks. There will be updates on periodontology, endodontics, partial dentures, occlusal analysis, and fixed prosthodontics.
The second half of the unit will emphasize what to do when these advanced treatment techniques fail, how to plan for failure and when to refer patients for further assistance. This unit will take place from Feb 2020 to April 2020; the previous Research Methods unit 3 starts on 30/9/19 and finishes on 13/1/20.
- INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Category of outcome | Students will (please delete as appropriate) be able to: |
| Knowledge and understanding | 1. develop their clinical skill diagnostic and treatment skills.
2. reflect and be aware of patient treatment and best practice. Self-questioning is also important to encourage self-reflection. The clinical literature is often based on small datasets, case reports and personal opinion. 3. Provide students with knowledge about the processes of guideline development 4. assess evidence of various treatments and their problems. |
| Intellectual skills | – investigate and synthesize the literature concerning advanced treatment techniques.
– analyse and appraise for themselves the literature describing treatments options and the latest developments in the field. This will involve comparing, critique the existing literature in an unbiased and dispassionate manner. |
| Practical skills | During the residential 2, the students will be putting into practice some of the concepts learned in the lectures given during unit 4. The residential takes place before units 4 and 5. |
| Transferable skills and personal qualities | – Literature review skills
– Critical appraisal skills – Presentation skills |
| Webinars based on the above provided currently by Univ of Manchester staff | |
| Lecture topic | Indicative Lecturer |
| Advanced Techniques | |
| 1. When to refer patients | Dr Alison Qualtrough |
| 2. Selecting your case | Dr Stephen Davies |
| 1. Periodontology update | Hugo Grancho Pinto |
| 2. Periodontal Surgery | Ammar Aldawoodyeh and Kawthar Al-Ali |
| Endodontics update | Dr Alison Qualtrough |
| Advanced Restorative Dentistry | Prof Hugh Devlin |
| Patient selection for implants | Prof Julian Yates |
| Planning implant care: what the surgeon expects from the restorative dentist | Dr Verena Toeding |
| Cone beam CT | Dr Anita Sengupta |
| Failure of Treatment | |
| Toothwear | Mr Martin James |
| Failure of treatment part 1 | Dr Alison Qualtrough |
| Failure of treatment part 2 | Prof Hugh Devlin |
- On-line lectures: Materials updateLEARNING AND TEACHING PROCESSES (INCLUDING THE USE OF E-LEARNING)
– Face-to-face residential in a clinical skills laboratory environment
– Work-based learning
– Self-directed study
- ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT, E-ASSESSMENT, and INFORMATION ABOUT FEEDBACK)
| Assessment task | Length | How and when feedback is provided | Weighting within unit (if relevant) |
| There will be an end of unit assignment for this module involving clinical cases.
3 x Clinical cases (in endodontics, periodontology and operative dentistry) |
2-3 months | Within 15 days | 33%, 33% and 34% |
- INDICATIVE READING LIST
| Students will need to access the online dentistry resources at http://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/dentistry/
These include for the advanced prosthodontics: Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics. By Sather, David A. Shillingburg, Herbert T..For toothwear a classical text by JS Rees The biomechanics of abfraction is essential reading – see http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1243/095441105X69141 |
For Information and advice on Link2Lists reading list software, see:
DENT61392 – Complex Treatment of Patients
- GENERAL INFORMATION
| Title | UNIT 5: Complex treatment of patients |
| Unit code | DENT 61392 |
| Credit rating | 30 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Contact hours | 10 recorded lectures |
| Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Online lectures, Work-based learning, self-directed learning |
| Pre-requisite units | None |
| Co-requisite units | None |
| School responsible | Dentistry |
| Member of staff responsible | Dr Stephen Davies |
| ECTS | 15 |
| Notional hours of Learning | 300 |
- AIMS
The unit aims to:
Instruction is designed to help you master a comprehensive range of restorative procedures. This module will provide advanced training in the treatment of patients
- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT
This unit will be delivered via a series of 10 webinars and on-line recorded lectures. There will be self-directed learning (attached reading list providing a basis for this). This unit will run from April 2020 to end of June 2020.
- INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Category of outcome | Students will be able to: |
| Knowledge and understanding | 1. The student will be able to plan and carry out advanced treatment for patients.
2. In this unit, students will learn a thorough understanding of all disciplines in restorative dentistry 3. Their treatment should be evidence-based so that they are able to predict likely outcomes of failure. 4. plan successful treatment that has a known success rate, organising treatments events so that successful replacement therapy can be planned should treatment of particular teeth fail. |
| Intellectual skills | 1. investigate and describe the literature concerning advanced treatment techniques.
2. plan and carry out advanced treatment for patients. This will allow them to present the clinical cases at the end of the unit where two disciplines of restorative dentistry have been used in conjunction with a specialist. |
| Practical skills | The residential 2 will take place before units 4 and 5. Therefore students will be receiving practical instruction allowing them to complete their clinical cases at the end of these units. |
| Transferable skills and personal qualities | 1. Literature review skills
2. Critical appraisal skills 3. Presentation skills |
| Webinars based on the above provided currently by Univ of Manchester staff | |
| Lecture topic | Lecturer |
| Tooth Wear; Diagnosis, prevention and treatment | Dr. Saoirse O’Toole |
| Complete dentures: a new approach | Prof Hugh Devlin |
| Bone and soft tissue grafting in advanced restorative care | Prof Julian Yates |
| Occlusion in advanced restorative dentistry and implant treatment | Dr Stephen Davies |
| Inlays and onlays | Prof Hugh Devlin |
| Preparing you for the dissertation | Prof Hugh Devlin. Ms Julliete Kendall |
| Treating sleep apnoea | Prof Hugh Devlin |
On-line lectures: Materials updateLEARNING AND TEACHING PROCESSES (INCLUDING THE USE OF E-LEARNING)
- Face-to-face residential in a clinical skills laboratory environment
- Work-based learning
- Self-directed study
- ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT, E-ASSESSMENT, and INFORMATION ABOUT FEEDBACK)
| Assessment task | Length | How and when feedback is provided | Weighting within unit (if relevant) |
| 1 x Case presentation (multidisciplinary case). No more than 1200 words | 2-3 months | Within 15 days | 55% |
| 3 x Treatment planning exercises to demonstrate reflective practice. No more than 300 words each. | 2 weeks for each | 45% (15% for each case) |
- INDICATIVE READING LIST
| 1. Rosenstiel SF, Land MF, Fujiimoto J. “Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics” (2015).
2. Newsome P, Smales R, Yip K. Oral diagnosis and treatment planning: part 1. Introduction. BDJ 2012; 213:15–19. 3. Stefanac S, Nesbit S, Nesbit S. Treatment planning in dentistry (2006). Published by Elsevier. |
For Information and advice on Link2Lists reading list software, see:
DENT60031 – Dissertation
- General Information
| Title | Dissertation |
| Unit Code | DENT60031 |
| Credit Rating | 60 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Contact hours | 40 hours of online content including video lectures |
| Other scheduled teaching and learning activities | Self-directed learning |
| Pre-requisite units | The 120-credit taught component of the MSc Advanced Restorative Dentistry must be passed in full to allow submission of a dissertation. |
| Co-requisite units | None |
| School responsible | Division of Dentistry |
| Member of staff responsible | Juliette Kendall |
| ECTS | 30 |
| Notional Hours of learning | 600 |
- Aims
- To develop the capacity for individual research, including the identification and formulation of a specific research question;
- To develop transferable skills such as analysis, critical evaluation and argument;
- To develop skills and knowledge, that can usefully be applied in further study or the dental profession.
- Brief description of the unit
The Dissertation is completed over 32 weeks. It takes the form of a research protocol of between 10,000-15,000 words. Learning is independent and self-directed. Students are supported with extensive online learning materials and recommended reading lists. In addition, each student is allocated a supervisor, who provides one-to-one support via the e-learning platform.
- Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course unit, you will have acquired and developed the following knowledge, skills and attitude:
- A thorough knowledge and understanding of how to develop a research protocol from question setting to budgetary considerations
- The ability to conceive of a research question and then approach the problem in a systematic fashion ensuring that each aspect of the protocol is considered and completed
- The ability to critique and understand the challenges in the conceptualization of a research protocol
- The acquisition of a critical and scientific mindset
- The ability to write in a structured, concise and accurate manner, keeping within word counts and ensuring that the document addresses all the necessary concepts and is submitted on time
- The acquisition of academic writing and time-keeping skills
- Learning and teaching processes (including the use of e-learning)
- On-line teaching materials
- Extended reading lists
- Self-directed study
- Supervision
- Assessment (including formative assessment, e-assessment, and Information about feedback)
Formative feedback – at set times given to you in advance you will submit work for feedback from your supervisor; this is to help you improve your dissertation and should be acted upon. Each chapter of the dissertation should be submitted for formative feedback:
- PICO
- Aims and objectives
- Literature review
- Study Design and Methods
- Data Management, Quality Assurance and Statistical Analysis
- Ethics
- Full draft, including final sections and appendices
Summative assessment – the dissertation will be submitted at the end of the programme in electronic form. The dissertation will be a 10,000-15,000 word research protocol. Two assessors will mark the dissertation independently.
- Teaching staff (supervisors)
Ms Juliette Kendall
Dr Darragh Downey
Dr Vitalia Kinakh
Professor Hugh Devlin
Guidance for Presentation of Taught Master's Dissertations
The University of Manchester guidance on presentation of taught Master's Dissertations is available at:
Guidance for the presentation of Taught Master's dissertations
The guidance explains the required presentation of the dissertation, and failure to follow the instructions in the guidance may result in the dissertation being rejected by the examiners.
There is more information on taught master's dissertation requirements on Blackboard: https://my.manchester.ac.uk
3. Teaching Learning and Assessment Methods
Teaching and learning
This is an online course so the vast majority of teaching activity will be carried out online. There will be a residential course (lasting five days) during each of the two years of the course. The teaching environment used will be “canvas”. This provides a similar look and feel to all the on-line webinars. Each unit will last approximately 10 weeks with an examination at the end of each unit. This will be composed of a variety of different assessment methods but will be based on the learning objectives for that unit. The 30 units will involve presenting treatment plans, diagnosis and treatment using the concepts described in that unit. Continuous assessment is an important aspect of this course, and we will be providing short MCQs each week to assess participation and those who are falling behind. They can be contacted and additional support offered. On-line material will include regular on-line webinar/seminars on a rotation basis between the course tutors with web-chat Q&A. Discussion boards are an important aspect of the teaching provision requiring monitoring.
At the residential, there will be face-to-face teaching will be a mixture of lectures and interactive sessions, group work using case studies and scenarios. There will also be practical demonstrations/hands-on practical sessions of particular types of analytical methodology, utilising instrument platforms available at the University. The lecturers will provide examples of good clinical practice.
Knowledge and learning outcomes will be achieved through lecturers, tutorials, case studies and student presentations. Students will also be given directed reading in order to further consolidate knowledge and understanding obtained during on-line webinar, and at times to prepare them for feedback and discussion in subsequent online group sessions (e.g. case studies and scenarios).
Intellectual skills will be fostered through participation in a range of activities including problem based learning exercises, formative presentations, case studies, data analysis and analytical method evaluation. These exercises, undertaken either individually or as part of a group, allow students to develop and expand their intellectual skills within a friendly supportive environment. Informed feedback and support from academic staff is also considered a key element in developing the critical and analytic skills and abilities expected of postgraduate students. This will be achieved through the regular on-line webinars/seminars and webchat Q&A.
Practical and transferable skills will be developed through the discussion board on Canvas and refined through undertaking a range of weekly exercises, both individually or as part of a group, including verbal and written presentations, critical analysis of the literature, critical evaluation of research and analytical technologies. These skills will be further promoted through the design and undertaking of a research project and the subsequent production of a dissertation. It will be consolidated during the teaching weeks based in Manchester.
The blend of teaching and learning approaches employed for each unit will be tailored to best attain the stated learning outcomes of that specific unit.
Assessment
Assessments employed by the programme will be designed to meet the stated ILOs of a given Unit and the Programme. Specifically, the assessments will be constructed to assess a student’s knowledge and understanding whilst at the same time refining and expanding and testing his/her intellectual and transferable skills. All assessments will meet the requirements of the University of Manchester for academic awards and will conform to the University’s criteria for marking and awarding of Pass, Merit and Distinction.
Formative assessments will be given throughout the taught component of the programme and will take the form of MCQs, verbal presentations, data or method analysis exercises and wikis. Some of these assessments will be conducted on-line. This approach is based on that employed by the other MSc programmes which have found these assessment activities to be sufficient for students to evaluate their level of knowledge and understanding whilst developing and improving their intellectual and transferable skills. In addition, these assessments will provide the academic staff with an early warning mechanism to identify serious problems without being overly prescriptive in following a student’s work/progress.
A range of summative assessments will be employed by the programme to assess a student’s knowledge and understanding and developing intellectual and transferable skills. Assessment methods employed will include verbal presentations, data analysis and interpretation exercises, short answer questions and essays. The assessment methods employed by each unit will vary and be tailored to match the stated ILOs and teaching material delivered for that particular unit. The assessments will test students’ abilities to gather information from a wide range of sources, evaluate and critically analyse information, make considered judgments about that information and synthesize material into logical and coherent pieces of work. A standard set of assessment criteria will be used and set in advance. A copy of this marking scheme will be included in the programme handbook. Feedback will be provided on assessments.
The research component of the Masters is assessed by means of a 10,000 – 15,000 word formal written dissertation based on a piece of independent, empirical research that has been supervised by a member of the academic staff. Students will be given a research methods unit (unit 3 of 15 credit) in year one which will prepare them for the dissertation unit that they will undertake in year 2. The dissertation in combination with the associated research project will test a student’s ability to design an experimental strategy to address a specific research question relevant to advanced restorative dentistry and then evaluate and critical analyse the data generated during the project. Their dissertation will produce a concise and scientifically valid interpretation of the experimental findings. As such the research component of the programme will assess a student’s knowledge and understanding, and both develop and test his/her intellectual, practical and transferable skills.
Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations for Students
Students should familiarise themselves with the degree regulations for Postgraduate Taught Degrees by clicking on this link http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate-degree-regulations/ or reading the University document here: Introduction to the Postgraduate Degree Regulations for Students
Postgraduate Degree Regulations and exemptions
Please be aware this programme has some higher requirements to the University degree regulations and details of these are outlined below:
- to gain the award of Distinction: students must achieve an average of 70% or above in both the taught element and the dissertation.
Turnitin and Plagiarism
Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Malpractice
Academic malpractice is any activity - intentional or otherwise - that is likely to undermine the integrity essential to scholarship and research. It includes plagiarism, collusion, fabrication or falsification of results, and anything else that could result in unearned or undeserved credit for those committing it. Academic malpractice can result from a deliberate act of cheating or may be committed unintentionally. Whether intended or not, all incidents of academic malpractice will be treated seriously by the University.
The Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health have designed a learning module to raise your awareness of academic malpractice and how it can occur in general writing during your studies. This resource can be accessed via Blackboard - SMS Introductory Course and must be completed before you submit your first piece of academic writing for assessment.
The University provides workshops and online training via My Learning Essentials
Please refer to the University of Manchester guidance to students on plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice
The full guidance document can be viewed here: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=2870
Academic Malpractice: Procedure for the Handling of Cases can be found at: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=639
Turnitin
The University uses electronic systems for the purposes of detecting plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for marking. Such systems include TurnitinUK, the plagiarism detection service used by the University.
As part of the formative and/or summative assessment process, you may be asked to submit electronic versions of your work to TurnitinUK and/or other electronic systems used by the University (this requirement may be in addition to a requirement to submit a paper copy of your work). If you are asked to do this, you must do so within the required timescales.
The School also reserves the right to submit work handed in by you for formative or summative assessment to TurnitinUK and/or other electronic systems used by the University.
Please note that when work is submitted to the relevant electronic systems, it may be copied and then stored in a database to allow appropriate checks to be made.
Mitigating Circumstances and Short Extensions to coursework
Short Extensions to coursework
- Short term illness or injury
- Acute stress from personal or financial issues
Mitigating Circumstances
Mitigating circumstances are personal or medical circumstances which are unforeseeable and unpreventable that could have a significant adverse effect on your academic performance. You should only submit a mitigating circumstances application if you consider it serious enough, and the timing critical, to have affected your performance in your assessed work and examinations.
Request for mitigation must be submitted via the online form, in advance of your assessment submission deadline or exam. Requests for mitigation submitted after the assessment or exam (except those requests made as a result of circumstances that have arisen during the course of that assessment period) will not be considered without a credible and compelling explanation as to why the circumstances were not known before the beginning of the assessment period or why you were unable to complete or submit an application prior to the assessment or exam. Please note that not informing the University of circumstances due to personal feelings of embarrassment and pride, or having concerns over the confidential treatment of requests for mitigation, are not considered to be credible and compelling explanations
All mitigating circumstances applications must be supported by independent third party evidence. The type of evidence required will vary according to the nature of the circumstances. Examples of evidence include a doctor or other health professional’s letter, counsellor’s letter, self-certification form signed by your GP or GP’s Medical Practice (for illnesses of 7 days and under only). Please note that it is a University policy that the self-certification form must be signed by a GP; we cannot accept forms which have not been signed by a GP. Please note that if evidence has not been received within 2 weeks of the submission of your form, and you have not contacted them to inform them of any delay, your application will be refused and no further action will be taken.
Any requests for mitigation will be considered confidentially by a mitigating circumstances panel or sub-panel. Where a request for mitigation is supported, a recommendation will be made to the exam board for them to decide on the best course of action for the student.
You are advised to consult the following guidance, which directs you to seek advice and support before and whilst submitting a request for mitigation.
Guidance for students is available on the web: A Basic Guide to Mitigating Circumstances
For further information about the process and acceptable grounds for mitigation see: Mitigating Circumstances Policy & Procedures: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=4271
Late Submission Penalty (Including Dissertation)
Work submitted after the deadline without prior approval will be subject to a late penalty in accordance with the University Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes. The penalty applied is 10% of available marks deducted per day/24 hours (from the time of the original or extended deadline), until the assignment is submitted or no marks remain.
Penalties for late submission relate to 24 hours/calendar days, so include weekends and weekdays, as well as bank holidays and University closure days.
The mark awarded for the piece of work will be reduced by:
10% of the available marks deducted if up to 24 hours (1 day) late
20% of the available marks deducted if up to 48 hours (2 days) late
30% of the available marks deducted if up to 72 hours (3 days) late
40% of the available marks deducted if up to 96 hours (4 days) late
50% of the available marks deducted if up to 120 hours (5 days) late
60% of the available marks deducted if up to 144 hours (6 days) late
70% of the available marks deducted if up to 168 hours (7 days) late
80% of the available marks deducted if up to 192 hours (8 days) late
90% of the available marks deducted if up to 216 hours (9 days) late
100% of the available marks deducted if up to 240 hours (10 days) late
If the assessment is submitted within 10 days of the deadline the assessment should be marked and feedback to the student provided. If this mark before the penalty is applied reaches the appropriate pass mark but the applied penalty results in a fail of the assessment, the student should not be required to resit the assessment as the original mark can be taken as the resit mark. Further information and examples can be found in the Policy and associated Guidance documents.
For work submitted more than 10 days late, it is regarded as a non-submission and need not be marked. In this case a mark of zero will be awarded and normal resit regulations will apply.
The sliding scale should only be applied to first-sit submissions. For all referred (resit) assessment, any late submission will automatically receive a mark of zero.
For further information:
Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes
Assignment Word Count (Including Dissertation)
In accordance with the University Policy on Marking:
Each written assignment has a word limit which you must state at the top of your first page. It is acceptable, without penalty, for you to submit an assignment within a range that is plus 10% of this limit. If you present an assignment with a word count exceeding the specified limit+10%, the assignment will be marked but 1% will be deducted from this mark for every 100 words over the limit given.
For an original word limit that is 1000 words and an assignment that is marked out of 100. If a submission is made that is 1101 words then it exceeded the 10% leeway, and is more than 100 words over the original limit and should receive a 1 mark deduction.
In accordance with accepted academic practice, when submitting any written assignment for summative assessment, the notion of a word count includes the following without exception:
- All titles or headings that form part of the actual text. This does not include the fly page or reference list
- All words that form the actual essay
- All words forming the titles for figures, tables and boxes, are included but this does not include boxes or tables or figures themselves
- All in-text (that is bracketed) references
- All directly quoted material
Certain assessments may require different penalties for word limits to be applied. For example, if part of the requirement for the assessment is conciseness of presentation of facts and arguments. In such cases it may be that no 10% leeway is allowed and penalties applied may be stricter than described above. In such cases the rules for word count limits and the penalties to be applied will be clearly stated in the assessment brief and in the submission details for that assessment.
Academic Appeals, Complaints, Conduct and Discipline
Academic Appeals
- Students have a right of appeal against a final decision of an Examination Board, or a progress committee, or a graduate committee or equivalent body which affects their academic status or progress in the University.
- Students thinking of appealing should first discuss the matter informally with an appropriate member of staff, in order to better understand the reason for the result or decision and to determine whether the matter can be resolved informally by the School prior to making a formal appeal.
- Should you wish to proceed to a formal appeal, this must be submitted within the timeframe outlined in the Academic Appeals Procedure to the Faculty Appeals and Complaints Team, Room 3.21, Simon Building, University of Manchester, M13 9PL (e-mail: FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk).
- The Academic Appeals Procedure (Regulation XIX) and associated documents, including the form on which formal appeals should be submitted, can be found at http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/academic/basic-guide-academic-appeals/
Student Complaints
- The University’s Student Complaints Procedure (Regulation XVIII) and associated documents, including a complaints form, can be found at www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/academic
- The University has separate procedures to address complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or victimisation - see https://www.reportandsupport.manchester.ac.uk/
- Students thinking of submitting a formal complaint should, in most instances, attempt informal resolution first (see the procedure). Formal complaints should be submitted on the relevant form to Faculty Appeals and Complaints Team, Room 3.21, Simon Building, University of Manchester, M13 9PL (e-mail: FBMHappealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk).
Conduct and Discipline of Students
- General University information on the conduct and discipline of students can be found at https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/academic-appeals-complaints-and-misconduct/
- Faculty policies for students on communication and dress code, social networking. and drugs and alcohol can be found at:
- http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29038 (Communication and Dress Code)
- http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29039 (Drugs and Alcohol)
- http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=29040 (Social Networking)
- Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it can be found at http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/guidance-to-students-on-plagiarism-and-other-forms-of-academic-malpractice/
- In accordance with the Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes, ‘All typed summative assessment, including dissertations, should be submitted online and subjected to plagiarism detection software, where appropriate’.
The University Library has produced online resources to help students in avoiding plagiarism and academic malpractice at:
4. Student Progression
Please note Students on this programme do not need to sign a weekly register, however your attendance will be monitored by your engagement with course materials on the programme.
Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students
You are required to attend all lectures, seminars, clinics, field trips, tutorials, and other events or meetings concerned with the conduct of the programme, as well as meeting the specified due dates for the submission of work for comment or assessment, and attending examinations, tests, or other forms of assessment.
Absence from compulsory classes and examinations must be authorised by the Programme Director and students are required to provide appropriate certification for absences caused by illness, which must be handed in to your programme administrator. Students are not normally permitted to be absent from their programme of study during term time. Students requesting to take leave in academic term time must complete an “Application for Leave” form, available from your Programme Administrator.
If you experience ongoing problems with attendance, you should discuss these difficulties with your Programme Director. Taking unauthorised leave during term time without first being officially granted permission to do so may result in referral to a Division of Dentistry Progress Committee. Your Programme Director will keep the work and attendance of students under continuous review throughout the academic year.
It is important to note that it is a requirement for you to be in attendance in person to sign a weekly register with your Programme Administrator. If you fail to do this without appropriate reasons and/or without supporting documentation (e.g. medical evidence for cases of sick leave), your case will be referred to the School of Medical Science’s Graduate Education Manager.
If religious observance will affect your attendance at normal teaching and learning activities in ways that will cause problems, you should discuss this issue with your Programme Director. The Division will give sympathetic consideration to any such request and will try to make reasonable adjustments. However, adjustments can only be made provided that the standards of the degree are maintained (e.g. a student would not simply be excused from parts of the course affected by his/her religious observance). You should also understand that adjustments may not always be possible if required to attend clinics that coincide with a religious holiday.
Please read the regulations for work and attendance as outlined in the University’s General Regulation: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=1895
For further information see:
Regulation XX Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students
The University offers a range of advice and support to students experiencing problems with attendance. Further information can be found in the A-Z of Student Services:
You can also speak to your Programme Director and/or Personal Adviser.
Special Permissions
Interruptions to programme and extensions to writing up
‘Special permissions’ are changes to your student registration (usually as a result of a change in your personal circumstances) and they include
- Interruptions-of-study;
- extensions to the final submission deadline of dissertations,
- changes in programme or mode of attendance.
In all of these instances you should first of all discuss any of these matters with your Programme Director. Then, if the outcome of those discussions is that you will proceed to request one of the above changes to your student registration, then you should contact your Programme Administrator who can provide you with the appropriate paperwork on which you will need to make your formal written request. Your written request will then be considered by members of senior academic staff with responsibility for postgraduate matters (one of whom will be the Division’s PGT Tutor).
Your Programme Administrator will be required to advise the Accommodation Office if you are living in University accommodation and require an extended interruption-of-study. If you are in the UK subject to immigration regulations, i.e. you are a non-EU citizen and need permission to enter/remain in the UK, you must consult with the International Advice Team regarding visa implications.
Withdrawal from the Programme
If for any reason you would like to withdraw from your studies, please contact the Programme Administrator for further guidance. You will be asked to give notification of your withdrawal in writing, and may be invited to speak to a member of academic staff before your withdrawal is processed. Please note that you may be liable for part or whole of the tuition fees due and/or an administrative charge if you decide to withdraw once teaching has started.
Sharing Information
The University may share appropriate information relating to your health and/or conduct with external organisations such as your professional employer(s) (for example, relevant NHS Trust Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PSRB), placement and training providers and/or regulator (such as [Note – ideally this should be tailored for each programme handbook, with the name of the relevant regulator included]). This may occur where concerns in relation to your health and/or conduct arise and the University considers it necessary for them to be disclosed to one or more of the above organisations. The University’s Privacy Notice for Registered Students (which is accessible via this link: www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/data-collection-notice/) includes further information about how the University may use and process your personal data, including the legal basis and conditions which may be relevant to such processing (see section 6 of the Privacy Notice). The University will only disclose special category data (such as data relating to your health) to a third party organisation where one of the additional conditions are satisfied (see section 9 of the Privacy Notice), including where processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest.
5. Student Support and Guidance
Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS)
The University of Manchester welcomes students with a disability or specific learning difficulties. The University has a Disability Advisory and Support Service, who can supply further information and DASS advisors will be pleased to meet you to discuss you needs. DASS will liaise with your School through the Disability Coordinator to make the necessary arrangements for your support during your time in Manchester.
The DASS office can also provide a copy of the University’s Disability Statement, ‘Opportunities for Students with Additional Support Needs at the University of Manchester’ which sets out the policy and provision for students with a disability.
DASS Contact Details:-
Location: 2nd Floor, University Place
Tel (Disability Service) +44 (0)161 275 7512
Tel (Assessment Centre) +44 (0)161 275 0990
Mobile Number (Text only for d/Deaf students) 07899 658 790
Email (Disability Service) dass@manchester.ac.uk
Email (Assessment Centre) assessments@manchester.ac.uk
School Disability Coordinator Contact Details:-
Email: dc.sms@manchester.ac.uk
Student Support and Guidance
Student support and guidance within the programme
Support and advice is available to all students both formally and informally from the Programme Directors, the Programme Administrator and research project supervisors.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss any issues at all – academic, administrative, technical or personal – please do not hesitate to get in touch. All personal issues will be dealt with confidentially.
If we are unable to help you directly, we can put you in touch with many of the support services that are available to students of the University through our Student Services Centre.
You can approach these services independently, without the involvement of programme staff. Please refer to the Blackboard Space on Student Support and Guidance which is available via https://my.manchester.ac.uk
6. Student Representation and Feedback
A Student Representative is a student leader and works in partnership with the University staff and Students’ Union to represent the views and experiences of student peers.
The programme’s Student Rep is expected to:
- Complete general SU training & specific school or programme training
- Contact your cohort (other students on your course) to introduce yourself & gather feedback
- Work with staff, the SU and other reps to act on feedback and enact change
- Use existing data to suggest improvements to student experience
- Attend regular staff-student meetings to deliver feedback & propose change
- Attend Faculty level feedback meetings (i.e. Faculty Forum)
There is a dedicated team in the Students’ Union available to support reps with each aspect of the role, along with staff contacts in each programme who help to facilitate the staff-student meetings. Further details of training will be provided for reps once elected and information about additional support/activities for student representatives can be found on the Students’ Union website http://manchesterstudentsunion.com/reps .
You can find more information by visiting the SMS PGT Student Support Hub.
Course Unit Evaluations
The quality of teaching on the programme is monitored in part by student feedback. Thus it is very important that you make your views, good and bad, known. At the end of each course unit, and at the end of the programme, you will be asked to complete an anonymous course unit evaluation form. In addition, please let the course unit leader or the programme director know at any time if you feel there is a problem with a particular area of the programme.
7. Programme Management
Programme Management and Committee Structure
Programme Management
The programme is managed and operated in accordance with the policies, principles, regulations and procedures of the University of Manchester.
Programme Directors relate to the School and Faculty Postgraduate Teaching Committees on matters relating to admissions, exams, reviews and approval of new programmes and units, quality assurance etc. and policy issues of broad relevance to the Graduate School.
The Programme Committee will meet each semester and consist of the Programme Director, Programme Administrator, Programme Committee members and the unit co-ordinators.
The remit of the committee will be to:
- Oversee the teaching, assessment and examining arrangements;
- Monitor cohort progression including failure rate, withdrawal rate;
- Evaluate the extent to which the learning outcomes are achieved by students;
- Monitor, maintain and enhance standards of all aspects of the programme;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and of assessment in relation to programme learning outcomes;
- Evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of the teaching and learning methods employed;
- Review and revise the programme in the light of any relevant Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) benchmarks, any other relevant external and/or professional requirements and developing knowledge in the subject area;
- Receive, consider and respond to feedback from students, employers and external examiners;
- Where the need for change is identified, effect the changes quickly and efficiently;
- Produce an annual action plan via annual monitoring;
- Produce reports for periodic review
- Produce relevant information for an Institutional Audit;
- Review programme documentation, e.g., programme handbooks, programme specifications, promotional literature and programme website;
- Ensure suitable and efficient arrangements are in place for recruitment, admission and induction.
Committee Structure
The Programme Committee acts as a curriculum development team for the Programme. The Programme Committee will report to a School, or Department, or Faculty level committee. The Programme Director is responsible for the management of the programme, and the Programme Committee is established to support the Programme Director in the carrying out of their responsibilities.
External Examiner
External Examiners are individuals from another institution or organisation who monitor the assessment processes of the University to ensure fairness and academic standards. They ensure that assessment and examination procedures have been fairly and properly implemented and that decisions have been made after appropriate deliberation. They also ensure that standards of awards and levels of student performance are at least comparable with those in equivalent higher education institutions.
External Examiners’ reports
External Examiners’ reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives at the Staff Student Liaison Committee and/or Programme Committee where details of any actions carried out by the programme team/School in response to the External Examiners’ comments will be discussed. Students should contact their student representatives if they require any further information about External Examiners’ reports or the process for considering them.
External Examiner Details
The External Examiner for this programme is Dr Timothy Paul Hyde who is Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Leeds.
Please note this is for information purposes only and it is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with External Examiners under any circumstances, in particular with regards to a student’s individual performance in assessments.
Other appropriate mechanisms are available for students, including the university’s appeals or complaints procedures and the UMSU Advice Centre. In cases where a student does contact an External Examiner directly. External Examiners should report the matter to their School contact who will then contact the student to remind them of the other methods available for students. If students have any queries concerning this, they should contact their programme administrator in the first instance.
Examination Board
A progression meeting is held at the end of the taught component, to assess students’ results and advise progression to the research project. Examinations Boards are held on completion of the programme. Each Programme’s Examination Board, including the External Examiners, sits prior to a School Exam Board at which all results are ratified.
8. Learning Resources
Libraries
All registered students may become members of the University of Manchester Library on the main campus.
Up-to-date news about the library is available here.
IT Services Support Centre online
Details of what IT support is available and how to access it can be found on the FBMH eLearning Support page.
Login to the Support Centre online to log a request, book an appointment for an IT visit, or search the Knowledge Base.
Telephone: +44 (0)161 306 5544 (or extension 65544). Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In person: Walk-up help and support is available at the Joule Library, Main Library or Alan Gilbert Learning Commons:
Use Support Centre online for support with eLearning, from where you may make a request, or search the Knowledge Base.
For IT and eLearning support visit:
https://elearning.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/student/technical-support/
Blackboard
Blackboard, the University's 'virtual learning environment', will be used for online teaching.
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a web-based system that complements and builds upon traditional learning methods used at The University of Manchester. By using Blackboard you can
- view course materials and learning resources,
- communicate with lectures and other students,
- collaborate in groups,
- get feedback
- submit assignments
- monitoring your own progress at a time and place of your own convenience.
Training in the use of software
The Faculty eLearning team have produced a short introduction to Blackboard for new students. The recording is hosted in two places: the Video Portal and on YouTube:
The recording is just over seven minutes long and covers most of the commonly used tools in Blackboard.
9. Useful Links
Academic Support Policies
A full list of University Policies and documents
Academic Appeals (Regulation XIX)
Academic Malpractice: Procedure for the Handling of Cases
Basic Guide to Student Complaints
Conduct and Discipline of Students (Regulations XVII)
General University information on the Conduct and Discipline of Students
Faculty policies for students on Communication and Dress Code, Social Networking and Drugs & Alcohol
Information on Academic Malpractice and how to avoid it
Data Protection
Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Masters Dissertations
Guidance to Students on Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Malpractice
Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes
Policy on Mitigating Circumstances
Mitigating Circumstances Guidance for Students
PGT Degree Regulations
Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students
Student Complaints Procedure
Student Charter
Work and Attendance of Students (Regulation XX)
Student Support
A-Z of Student Services
Accommodation
Blackboard via My Manchester
Careers Service
Counselling Service
Disability Advisory and Support Service
University Language Centre – Study English - Tel: 0161 306 3397
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Staff and Students
Health & Fitness
Health & Safety Policy
International Advice Team
IT and eLearning Support
Mature Students Guide
Occupational Health Services for Students
Personal Development Planning
A Personal Safety Guide for International Students
Students Union