MSc Clinical Science

(Clinical Pharmaceutical Science)

PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

2021/22

Division of Pharmacy and Optometry

School of Health Sciences

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Table of Updates

Date of update	Update	Additional information
Jan 2022	Deadlines for Assessed Work, Mitigating Circumstances and Requests for interruptions: links to online application forms added; references to old application forms removed.
	Appendix 1, 2 and 3: deleted – the applications forms contained in the appendices have been replaced by online application forms.
Sep 2021	Online Skills Training Resources: Research Methods (change from 3 units to 2); Introduction to Statistics (title updated); Presentation Skills (additional final sentence)
	MSc Clinical Science (Clinical Pharmaceutical Science): updated names and contact details.
	Programme Learning Outcomes: minor textual change.
	Credit Requirements: minor textual changes, section moved earlier within the Handbook.
	Dissertations: additional heading, updated Consortium Lead details.
	Course Assessments: minor textual change.
	Criteria of Levels of Achievement: minor textual changes.
	Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations for Students: section moved earlier within the Handbook
	Exemptions to the PGT Degree Regulations: section moved earlier within the Handbook
	Criteria for Awards (including Award of Masters Degree): section moved earlier within the Handbook.
	Progression: section moved earlier within the Handbook, and minor textual change.
	Exit Awards: paragraph removed (text not applicable).
	Reassessment: section moved earlier within the Handbook
	Available Degree Classifications: section moved earlier within the Handbook, minor textual changes.
	Deadlines for Assessed Work: Numbering of appendices updated.
	Late Submission Penalty (including the Dissertation): updated heading, addition of hyperlink to the University Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes, minor updates to the text.
	Assignment Word Count (including the Dissertation): updated heading, reference to School procedures on word count penalties added.
	Submitting Work: expanded information on file formats for electronic submissions, reordering of points.
	Feedback for assessments: minor textual changes.
	Return of Marked Work: minor textual change
	Dissertations: sentence added following hyperlink to Guidance for the presentation of Taught Masters dissertations.
	Monitoring Progress – Dissertations: requirements for full-time students removed. Paragraph referring to Progress Forms removed.
	Attendance (and subsequent sections): Postgraduate Consortium Committee updated to Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee.
	Requests for interruption: minor textual changes.
	Academic Appeals: updated advice on initial informal discussions.
	Student Complaints: updated reference to the Student Complaints Procedure.
	Conduct and Discipline of Students: paragraph added relating to the Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes, additional links to resources on Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism, Good Study Skills, and avoiding academic malpractice.
	Sharing Information: updated link to the University’s Privacy Notice.
	Role of the External Examiner: updated heading, additional subheading.
	Role and Responsibilities of Unit Leads: updated heading
	Unit Specification PHAR61720: minor textual updates, updated Teaching and Learning Methods and Assessment details.
	Unit Specification PHAR61730: updated Unit Lead, Teaching and Learning Methods, and Assessment details.
	Unit Specification: PHAR61740: updated Unit Lead, Teaching and Learning Methods, and Assessment details.
	Unit Specification: PHAR 61760: minor textual updates.
	Divisional Administration Contacts: updated names and contact details.
	Student Centre: minor textual changes.
	Working with your own computer: revised text.
	Blackboard, Training in the use of software: updated links to video and addition of explanatory sentence.
	Student Support: extra reference added to the Counselling Service.
	Academic Support Policies: updated links for Data Protection Guidance for the Presentation of Taught Masters Dissertations and accompanying comment, Policy on religious observance for students (for UG/PGT and PGR students), guidance for healthcare students on fasting and caring, IT and eLearning Support, and additional link to Mature Students Guide.
	Appendices: Order and numbering of appendices updated

Introduction to the School of Health Sciences

Welcome from the Director of Post Graduate Taught Education

$\\nask.man.ac.uk\home$\Downloads\thumbnail_Andrew%20Mawdsley.jpg$ I am delighted to welcome you to the School of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. We are extremely pleased you have chosen The University of Manchester to commence or continue your postgraduate study journey; whether you are progressing straight from your undergraduate studies, seeking to develop your knowledge/skills in your chosen career or are, bravely, taking a completely different direction in life.

In the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom and humanity, we will place you at the centre of a transformational learning process to support you to achieve your individual goals and aspirations. Our challenge to you is to embrace all of the opportunities available to you; be bold, think differently and realise your potential. We want your postgraduate journey with us to be intellectually stretching, rewarding and fun.

We are aware that most of you will need to juggle a number of competing priorities during your postgraduate taught studies. Some of you will already be in full time employment, while others will need to secure part time employment to fund your studies. We know that many of you will have family and caring responsibilities that will have to be prioritised before your own learning. We hope the information detailed in this programme handbook will help you in managing these competing commitments. Whether you are joining us on campus, or studying at a distance, you are an integral part of our School and University, and we are here to support you.

We are extremely proud of our postgraduate student community and alumni who are making a difference, both locally and globally. We look forward to working with you, confident that you too will play a role in transforming the lives of people who use health and social care services, whether during your studies or upon graduation.

I wish you every success in your postgraduate studies here at The University of Manchester.

$\\nask.man.ac.uk\home$\Downloads\sig2.jpg$

Mr Andrew Mawdsley
Director of Post Graduate Taught Education
School of Health Sciences

Introductory Courses

All students are automatically enrolled onto an introductory unit (SHSS60001 Introductory Courses) that provides information on health and safety, academic malpractice and academic literacy. Completion instructions for each of these sections are clearly defined within the course.

Completion of the academic malpractice and health and safety sections is mandatory for all students. All assessments must be completed as soon as possible after the programme begins, with the academic malpractice assessment completed before the first piece of coursework is submitted.

All students are also strongly advised to complete the academic literacy section. Completion of these assessments is monitored by the School.

Online Skills Training Resources

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, statistics 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 top 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.
Intellectual Property Awareness Resource	This Intellectual Property (IP) awareness resource has been created in order to improve your understanding of IP. Topics include: Types of intellectual property • Copyright and IP clearance • University policy on IP • IP commercialisation • IP in research or consultancy • IP issues to be aware when dealing with academic materials

* 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.

Welcome to the Programme

MSc Clinical Science (Clinical Pharmaceutical Science)

Welcome to the Clinical Pharmaceutical Science postgraduate programme.

This student handbook provides details of the University of Manchester Programme leading to the MSc in Clinical Science (Clinical Pharmaceutical Science). It includes information about the aims and learning outcomes, structure, content, admissions, assessment and programme management. Please read it thoroughly. It should also be read in conjunction with related University documentation.

In Section A, there is a summary of how the course is structured while, in Section B, each of the course units are described. Section C contains practical information about the School, and Section D the various University Regulations.

Each of you will bring your personal experience and knowledge to the programme. Sharing that knowledge and experience with your tutors and other students in person and through the online discussion boards will significantly enhance the learning experience.

We have made every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information. However, some minor details may change during the course of your studies. All changes and additions will be brought to your attention. If there is something not answered within the handbook please do not hesitate to contact us.

We hope that your time here in Manchester will be enjoyable and successful.

General information about the Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, staff listings and research interests are contained in this handbook, but more information can be obtained from the following web sites:

The Pharmacy home page:
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/pharmacy/
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health home page:
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/
The University of Manchester home page:
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/

Ruth Barnes
MSc Programme Director
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry
Stopford Building
Tel: 0161 306 2343
Email: ruth.barnes@manchester.ac.uk
ptqa.stp_pds@manchester.ac.uk

Sue Renn
Deputy Programme Director
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry
Stopford Building
Tel: 0161 306 2343
Email: sue.renn@manchester.ac.uk
ptqa.stp_pds@manchester.ac.uk

Emma Davies
Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry
Stopford Building
Tel: 0161 306 2343
Email: emma.davies-9@manchester.ac.uk
ptqa.stp_pds@manchester.ac.uk

Emma Sturgess
Postgraduate Programmes Manager
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry
Stopford Building
Email: emma.chaplin@manchester.ac.uk

Postgraduate Programmes Support Team
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry
Stopford Building
Tel: 0161 306 0597 / 0161 275 2371
Email: ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk

Section A: Programme Structure

Rationale and General Description

This three-year taught part-time Master’s programme is suitable for students who wish to improve their knowledge, understanding and research expertise prior to embarking on a research PhD or when considering training for a career in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Master’s level qualification meets the needs of those requiring a higher degree and the programme is designed to provide training, skills and knowledge that would help support subsequent applications to clinical training.

The programme is part-time and delivered over a 3-year period. The taught elements are delivered in discrete blocks and are integrated around work-based practice.

During the first year of the course, students attend a number of course units covering a wide range of topics on:

Professional practice; public health, the psychosocial aspects of health and disease, clinical pharmacology, therapeutics and bioinformatics.
Regulation and quality assurance
Radiopharmacy
Formulation sciences
Aseptics

During the second year of the course, students attend course units covering:

Research methods
Quality control
Production
Students will also put forward and commence a research proposal.

During the third year of the course, students attend course units covering:

Radiopharmacy Advanced
Aseptics Advanced
Students will complete their research dissertation.

This taught element of the course comprises seminars, workshops and several forms of independent learning. Throughout the second and third years, students will also be working on a dissertation, which involves a substantial piece of empirical work. Dissertation topics are chosen and developed by students in consultation with their supervisor and the programme team.

Programme Aims

Students will become members of a School that leads research and development in areas of clinical pharmaceutical science. The ethos fosters excellence in pure and applied research and in developing treatment approaches. The educational aims of the programme are to provide students with an understanding of core principles and features of clinical pharmaceutical science or professional training. The course will produce students who:

have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of key theoretical, clinical and methodological issues in the application of clinical and health psychology.
understand the role of psychological processes and states in disease and illness and understand the inter-relationships between emotion, behaviour, cognition, personality and well-being.
have experience and training in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
have knowledge of core principles and features of interventions within clinical pharmaceutical science
have an understanding of the ways in which clinical scientists work within healthcare and related services at the level of individuals, groups and populations.
meet regional and national demand for highly qualified clinical scientists with an understanding of theoretical and methodological applications of clinical pharmaceutical science

Programme Learning Outcomes

Students, on successful completion of the programme, will:

Develop professional practice. Students should be able to demonstrate personal qualities that encompass communication skills, self-management, self-awareness, acting with integrity, taking responsibility for self-directed learning, critical reflection and action planning to maintain and improve performance. Students will have the ability to work, where appropriate, in partnership with other professionals, often as part of a multidisciplinary team, with the public, service users, patients and their carers as partners in their care, embracing and valuing diversity.
Impart basic, core scientific knowledge, skills and experience in their specialism, enabling them to critically evaluate and critique current research and innovation methodologies. In the healthcare setting, the patient and the public are at the centre of care and students prioritise patient safety. Students will be equipped to deal with complex scientific and clinical issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and to communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences including patients and the public.
Develop a conceptual understanding and advanced scholarship in and, where appropriate, propose new research questions and hypotheses.
Develop scientific and clinical leadership skill based on the continual advancement of their knowledge, skills and understanding through the independent learning required for continuing professional development. They will develop the ability to critique, analyse and solve problems, define and choose investigative and scientific and/or clinical options, and make key judgements about complex facts in a range of situations.

A copy of the programme specification can be found on the STP Virtual Common Room on Blackboard.

Details of the aims and learning outcomes associated with specific course units are found under the appropriate headings in Section B.

Credit Requirements

To be awarded a degree, you have to accumulate the requisite credits by passing the assessments for course units and thus gaining the credits associated with them. Students must accrue 180 postgraduate credits to qualify for the degree of MSc. Further details on Credit Requirements can be found in the Postgraduate Taught Regulations Document.

Supervisory Arrangements

Each student will be allocated an academic advisor at the start of the programme. The University defines the role of academic advisor as follows:

To assist students with the process of induction and orientation into academic life and the University community and respond promptly to any communication from him/her;
To work with students to build personal academic relationships;
To retain an interest in their students’ personal and general academic and professional development throughout their academic careers while at the University, providing information and guidance on academic choice;
To monitor both academic performance and student engagement in a proactive manner and advise on constructive strategies to enable improvement, for example through the use of a personal portfolio or personal development plan;
To offer general academic advice to their allocated students on their general progress and development towards the fulfilment of the Purposes of a Manchester Education, and to signpost relevant careers and skills development provision to enhance employability;
To listen and offer students help and advice about pastoral/non-academic matters and to signpost students to other student services for further assistance if necessary;
To ensure that a note is kept of discussions at each meeting (with the student) and any follow-up actions agreed with the student;
To provide references.

Dissertations

At the beginning of Year 2, all students are required to submit a research proposal for the research project, which must provide details of a work-based supervisor. The research proposal will be reviewed by a team of academic staff who will allocate an appropriate academic supervisor.

The University defines the role of supervisor as follows:

Giving guidance about the nature of research and the standard expected, the planning of the research programme, literature and sources, attendance at taught classes where appropriate and about requisite techniques (including arranging for instruction where necessary);
Maintaining contact through regular meetings (the frequency of meetings being appropriate to the research being undertaken and agreed in advance);
Being accessible to the student at other appropriate times for advice and responding to difficulties raised by the student;
Giving detailed advice on the necessary completion dates of successive stages of the work so that the thesis may be submitted within the agreed timescale;
Requesting written work or reports as appropriate and returning written material with constructive criticism and in reasonable time;
Ensuring that for degrees where an oral examination is required the student is adequately prepared by arranging for the student to present his or her work to staff and graduate seminars.
Ensuring that the student is made aware when progress is not satisfactory and facilitating improvement with advice and guidance;
Establishing at an early stage the Supervisor’s responsibilities in relation to the student’s written work, including the nature of the guidance and comments to be offered as the work proceeds and on the draft of the thesis before it is submitted. It must be made clear to the student that research for a higher degree is undertaken within the general principle that a thesis must be the student’s own work;
Making students aware of other researchers and research work in the department;
Providing pastoral support and advising students, where appropriate, of University support services;
Bringing to the attention of the students the health and safety regulations and academic rules, regulations and codes of practice of the University.

The relationship between the Student and his/her Supervisor is of central importance. Both the Student and the Supervisor have a responsibility to ensure that the dissertation is completed within the prescribed period of the programme. Supervisors and students should establish at their initial meeting clear and explicit expectations of each other in order to minimise the risks and problems of misunderstanding, personality clashes, inadequate supervision and unsatisfactory work. Timetables for Progress Monitoring meetings must be closely observed.

If you have any queries or concerns at any time during your period of study, there is a range of people you can approach:

Your Student Representatives
The Programme Administrator
Your Supervisor
Your Adviser
The Programme Director
The Consortium Lead (Dr Alain Pluen)
The Head of Division (Prof. Jayne Lawrence)

Course Assessments

Full details of modes of assessment for each Course Unit are provided in Section B.

The programmes contain a range of both formative and summative assessment tasks which have been designed to establish student’s knowledge and understanding of the stated learning outcomes for the course unit.

Formative assessments

These are developmental assessments which assess your learning as you work through the unit and whenever possible form part of the preparatory work for, and link to the summative assessments.
Formative assessments do not contribute towards the final mark but are an important part of your assessment in that feedback from these assessments will enable you to develop and improve before moving on to the summative assessment.
Formative assessments are marked as a pass or fail, feedback will be offered to guide your learning.
You must attempt all formative assessments within a course unit and if you do not pass you should discuss your learning needs with the course unit lead.

Summative assessments

Each unit includes at least one summative assessment. These have been designed to assess your learning and the practice-based application of it.
Each assessment task is allocated a percentage weighting towards the final mark.
The minimum weighting of any individual summative assessment will be 10%.

Criteria of Levels of Achievement

You must achieve a mark of at least 50% in all summative assessment components within a course unit to achieve a pass.

You will be eligible for the award of a distinction at Masters level if you achieve an average mark of 70% or more, based on the weighted programme as a whole. If credit has been awarded as a result of referral, you will not be eligible for the award of distinction.

You will be eligible for the award of a merit at Masters level if you achieve an average mark of 60% or more, based on the weighted programme as a whole. If credit has been awarded as a result of referral, you may still be eligible for the award of merit.

Postgraduate Taught Degree Regulations for Students

Postgraduate Taught degrees at the University of Manchester are based on the National Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This framework requires students to achieve credit at Masters level in order to get an award. For a standard postgraduate taught Masters programme this will normally mean passing 180 credits. A standard Postgraduate Diploma will normally have 120 credits and a Postgraduate Certificate 60 credits. The way in which you study these credits will be defined later in the programme handbook and the programme specification.

The University sets standards relating to your performance on every unit but also on your progression through the programme. Your programme and course unit specifications will set out the requirements for passing the credit on individual units.

The full PGT Degree Regulations can be accessed at:
http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate-degree-regulations/.

The following guidance should be read in conjunction with the Introduction to the Postgraduate Degree Regulations for Students:
http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/degree-regulations/

Exemptions to the PGT Degree Regulations:

Please be aware that the Clinical Pharmaceutical Science programme has some higher requirements to the University degree regulations and details of these are outlined below.

The course unit pass mark is 50%.
The programme will operate a 50% pass rate across all assessments
The programme will not apply any compensation rules
An average mark of 50% must be achieved for each course unit with no individual component mark below 50%
In accordance with the University’s PGT Degree Regulations, the resit pass mark is 50% but this mark will be capped at 40% (unless the previous mark was within the compensation zone (40-49%) in which case the original mark will stand) and it is this mark that will be used to calculate the programme GPA.
As a requirement of the professional body, a resit pass mark will be recorded as 50R on the University transcript but the programme GPA will be calculated as described under the above point (ie as 40% or between 40% and 49% if the original mark was in the compensation zone).

Criteria for Awards

Award of Masters Degree

The award of Master degree is based upon credit accumulation using a pass mark of 50%.

Distinction

Exceptional achievements over the course of the Programme according to the taught masters marking scheme will be rewarded with the degree of Masters with Distinction.

To obtain a Distinction, students must have:

accrued 180 credits;
have passed all units with no referrals;
have achieved an overall weighted average of 70% or more across the programme;

Students who have compensated or have been referred in any course units are not eligible for the award of Distinction. In addition, the dissertation must be submitted by the end of the period of programme, unless there are significant mitigating circumstances, approved in advance for missing the end of programme deadline.

Merit

To obtain a Merit, students must have accrued 180 credits AND have achieved an overall weighted average of 60% or more across the programme, including any provision made for referred units.

Pass

To obtain a pass, students must have accrued 180 credits including any provision made for referred units.

Progression

You must achieve a mark of at least 50% in all summative assessment components within a course unit to achieve a pass.

Reassessment

Reassessment as a result of a fail is known as a “Referral”. Reassessment as a result of approved and verified mitigating circumstances is known as “Deferral” and may be permitted where students are reassessed as a first attempt, for which no penalty applies.

Students may be referred in up to half of the total taught credits. The combined total number of credits referred on Clinical Pharmaceutical Science cannot exceed half the taught credits. Decisions with regard to which components should be reassessed are made by the Examination Board. When a student is referred they will normally be permitted to retake the assessment/exam on one further occasion.

At the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, students will normally be allowed one resubmission of a failed dissertation or project and this will normally be within four months of the date of the publication of the result.

The pass mark for a reassessment is the same as the first attempt (i.e. 50% for masters). When a reassessment is passed, the mark is capped at the lowest compensable fail mark (i.e. 40R), unless the previous mark was within the compensation zone, in which case the original mark will stand with a suffix ‘R’. This mark is used in the weighted average/total mark for the final award. The capped mark is applied to the whole unit and not the failed component.

Please refer to the ‘Programme Exemptions to PGT Degree Regulations’ section of the handbook where specific exemptions applicable to the programme will be listed.

Available Degree Classifications

Overall programme mean average of between 50.0%-59.9% MSc Pass
with 180 credits successfully completed

Overall programme mean average of between 60.0%-69.9% MSc with Merit
with 180 credits successfully completed

NB If either the Taught Average or Dissertation mark fails within the buffer zone of 58.0-59.9 the student may be considered for the award of Merit. Further information please see the Postgraduate Taught Regulations.

Overall programme mean average of ≥ 70% MSc with Distinction
with 180 credits successfully completed
and no mark < 50% on any Course Unit at first attempt

NB If either the Taught Average or Dissertation mark falls within the buffer zone of 68.0-69.9 the student may be considered for the award of Distinction. For further information please see the Postgraduate Taught Regulations.

Deadlines for Assessed Work

All assessed work must be handed in at the prescribed time. Submission deadlines are published on Blackboard. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU TRANSFER THESE DATES TO YOUR DIARIES AS SOON AS THEY ARE PUBLISHED.

If there is a problem which prevents you submitting the assessment on time you must bring it to the attention of the Programme Support Team (ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk) promptly, before the assessment submission date. Depending on the length of time you require to complete the assessment you will then need to apply for an extension of up to a maximum of two weeks for circumstances such as acute illness. If you need to request an extension you must complete the online Extension Application Form and send your supporting evidence to dpo.pgt@manchester.ac.uk. Make sure you provide your name, University ID number and programme in the message. Please provide as much detail as possible when completing the form and please be assured that all information will be treated confidentially.

Extensions will be granted at the discretion of the Programme Director (course unit leads do not accept extension requests). For all assignments other than practice journals, you are permitted a maximum extension of two weeks. Two week extensions are only granted for acute illness around assignment submission time and any unforeseen life events that affect your ability to work in the short-term. For practice journals ONLY, extensions of over two weeks will be granted at the discretion of the Programme Director.

The process for requesting an extension is:

Complete the online Extension Application Form
Send supporting evidence to dpo.pgt@manchester.ac.uk (with your name, ID number and programme)
Extension request is sent to unit lead for review
Final decision is communicated by the Programme Support Team.
Submit your work by the agreed extension date via the original submission method

Late Submission Penalty (including the 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 calendar 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 re-sit the assessment as the original mark can be taken in lieu of a re-sit/referral and normal re-sit/referral procedures will apply. Further information and examples can be found in the Policy and associated Guidance documents below.

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 procedures 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:

Guidance on Late Submission

Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment on Taught Programmes

Mitigating Circumstances

If you are experiencing longer term problems you should follow the mitigating circumstances route. If during the course of the year you experience any mitigating circumstances which you think may have an adverse effect on your academic performance (for example prolonged illness or bereavements) you must complete the online Mitigating Circumstances Form. You must also forward your supporting evidence to dpo.pgt@manchester.ac.uk before the assessment submission deadline. Make sure you include your name, University ID number and programme in the message.

The process for submitting mitigating circumstances is:

Complete the online mitigating circumstances form
Send your supporting evidence to dpo.pgt@manchester.ac.uk (with your name, ID number and programme)
Programme support team confirm receipt and the date of the next mitigating circumstances panel meeting
Mitigating circumstances panel meet and agree on outcomes of application
Programme support team communicates the panel’s decision by email

The Policy on Mitigating Circumstances can be accessed here:
http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/map/teachinglearningassessment/assessment/sectionc-reachingdecisionsfromassessment/policyonmitigatingcircumstances/

Guidance for students on mitigating circumstances can be found here:
http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/map/teachinglearningassessment/assessment/sectionc-reachingdecisionsfromassessment/mitigatingcircumstancesguidanceforstudents/

A basic guide to mitigating circumstances can be accessed here:
http://www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/basic-guide-mitigating-circumstances/

Assignment Word Count (including the Dissertation)

In accordance with the University Policy on Marking, Schools must have procedures in place to apply a penalty if the word count exceeds the word limit by more than 10%.

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 exceeds 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 cover 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.

Where these mark reductions result in a fail, the unit will be treated as a failed unit in accordance with the University’s Degree Regulations.

Submitting work

The filename MUST contain your ID number then your assignment title,

e.g. 7123456 Assignment 1.

DO NOT save the work as ‘Essay’ or as the title of the work.

All assignments must include a cover page with the unit title, assignment question and your student number. Do not include your name as assignments are marked anonymously. Please see below for an example:

The University of Manchester

PHAR71010 – Basic Principles

(Assignment title)

(Submission date)

(Final word count)

(Student ID)

DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS DOCUMENT.

When creating your document please ensure your ID number is on each page (in the header or footer) and your name does not appear on the document.

All assignments must be submitted electronically via SafeAssign. The published deadlines for assessments all relate to the electronic submission which is done via Blackboard and the SafeAssign system. You must submit by the deadline published.

Submitting an electronic copy of the work

Log onto Blackboard via the MyManchester : https://login.manchester.ac.uk/cas/login
Click on the relevant course unit
Click on ‘Course Tools’ in the column on the left of the page
A dropdown menu will appear, go to ‘SafeAssign’ then ‘SafeAssign items’
All assessments for that unit will appear – click on the relevant once and follow the submission process
An on-screen receipt for your assignment will be shown once submitted
For a how-to video on submitting via Blackboard, please follow this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_913066741&feature=iv&src_vid=7ZuZW9-KAjY&v=oI3X0XW-xkI
If you have any problems accessing the student portal contact http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/contacts

Please remember you can only upload one document so you cannot save your references as a separate document.

The electronic copy is your official record of submission.

Blackboard Assignment – SafeAssign

The University uses electronic systems for the purposes of detecting plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice and for marking. Such systems include SafeAssign, 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 SafeAssign 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 SafeAssign 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.

Feedback for assessments

The purpose of feedback is to provide constructive criticism and encouragement so that you can improve your standards as time goes on. Thus in addition to marks we will give you written feedback on most of your assessed coursework and give it back to you.

All summative assessments will be double marked. Marks awarded for your assessments (i.e. everything which contributes to your final degree classification) are subject to moderation by the examination board and the external examiner. Consequently all marks given to students before the final examiners’ meeting has taken place must be regarded as provisional. Shortly after the examinations meetings we will publish final results to the Student System.

When you have graduated you may obtain a detailed official written account of all your examination results (called a transcript) from the Student Services Centre on payment of a small fee. This carries the University stamp and is recognised for such purposes as admission to a further course of study at another institution (in the UK or abroad), membership of professional bodies, exemption from sections of professional examinations and so on. If you need a transcript, contact the SSC on 0161 275 5000.

Return of Marked Work

Understandably students are keen to know their results and to receive back written work with comments. However, there must inevitably be a trade-off between the diligence of the marking process and the speed at which it takes place. Marks from assessed work must also be entered into our records, and this process is slowed by the need for painstaking checking to ensure accuracy. Students will be notified by email once the work has been marked and grades are available. We will endeavour to mark work and give feedback to students 15 working days after the hand-in date.

However, occasionally there may be delays as a result of staff illness or other unforeseeable factors.

The Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students can be accessed at the following link:

http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=6518

How to find your marks

Once work has been marked, you will receive an email from the programme administrator to tell you that the marks have been released. Work submitted via Blackboard will usually show a mark along with feedback on the Blackboard system, through GradeMark.

You can also access marks by logging into your MyManchester account at https://www.portal.manchester.ac.uk/uPortal/render.userLayoutRootNode.uP and going to My Services/Self Service and Student Centre. You can choose ‘Assignments’ from the drop-down box and choose the relevant module. Your final mark for the module doesn’t appear until the module is fully completed and marks have been through an exam board.

Examinations

Examinations run in the standard University exam period. The University publishes the dates of each examination period two years in advance, please refer to:

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/key-dates/

Please be aware that you may be tested on any topic from within a module. Do not presume that because a piece of coursework has covered one area of a module that it will not also appear in the exam. Past papers for some modules (where appropriate) will be published on Blackboard. Do not assume that exams will take the same format as previous years. Academic staff should not indicate what will/will not feature in an exam as this may not be accurate. Staff may have submitted questions that may not, necessarily, appear on the final exam paper. You should presume that anything can appear on the exam paper unless informed officially by the Programme Administrator or Programme Directors.

Recording Lectures

Please do not assume you can record lectures with a voice recorder or other device. Please do not record lectures or other teaching sessions without obtaining the prior permission of the teacher. This does not apply to DASS registered students.

Dissertations

The dissertation involves a student working closely with their supervisor to develop and implement an empirical research project. Details of what is involved, and of how and when to submit the dissertation are provided on the Blackboard spaces for PHAR61750 Research Project 1 and PHAR61770 Research Project 2.

The University has produced a document that gives guidance on the presentation of UG and PGT dissertations. A link to this document is provided below:

Guidance for the presentation of Taught Masters 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.

Monitoring Progress – Dissertations

In order to monitor their progress, students will have regular, scheduled meetings with their dissertation supervisor. Progress forms should be completed at these meetings. These meetings are in addition to the normal dissertation supervisory meetings between the student and supervisor, of which there should be a minimum of 6 per academic year for part-time students.

In addition, students may request meetings with the Programme Director at any point throughout their studies if there are additional matters they wish to discuss.

Attendance

Attendance at taught classes and supervision tutorials is compulsory and registers are taken. If your attendance is unsatisfactory then you will be reported to the MSc Programme Committee and, ultimately, to the Pharmacy and Vision Sciences Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the register if one is circulated at a teaching session. Of course we realise that students will sometimes be absent for very good reasons due to personal or family circumstances, or illness; if this happens to you we will only know if you tell us, and we ask that you account for any period of absence which involves missing lectures or any other working session. In case of illness you should supply a doctor’s certificate or, if the illness is brief, a self-certification form. If you are absent for other reasons then you should write a letter to the Programme Director, submitted via the Programmes Administrator, explaining the circumstances. Medical certificates or letters should be given in person or sent to ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk. Whatever your reason for being away, tell your supervisor about it and make any necessary arrangements to catch up with work you have missed. If you have failed to hand in a piece of assessed work as a result of your absence, be sure you have complied with the rules outlined above for late submission.

The Programme Directors and the Programme Support Team monitor all cases of absence, and students who do not attend satisfactorily will be asked to give good reason for their lack of attendance or engagement. Students are reminded that in order to maintain adequate academic support from staff, they are required to attend all lectures.

The University Policy on Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students can be found at Regulation XX: Monitoring Attendance and Wellbeing of Students.

Requests for interruption

Students normally study for their degree over a period of three years. However, the University recognises that it is sometimes necessary, in unfortunate circumstances, for people to interrupt their attendance. The regulations refer to this as “interruption”. An interruption allows students the chance to recover from such things as ill health. It is NOT a device to allow students to take time off because they fancy a break.

If approved, interruption would normally be granted for a period of 12 months. Thus a student would leave the University on a certain date and resume their studies on the anniversary of that date. Shorter periods of interruption are possible, but since they inevitably involve repeating some of the programme it is unusual for the University to allow them.

If you wish to interrupt you must complete the online Interruption Form and send supporting evidence to dpo.pgt@manchester.ac.uk, including your name, University ID number and programme.

The process for submitting a request for interruption is:

Complete the online interruption form
Send your supporting evidence to dpo.pgt@manchester.ac.uk (with your name, ID number and programme)
The Programme Support Team confirm receipt and the date of the next interruptions panel meeting
Interruptions panel meet and agree on outcome of application and any further action
The Programme Support Team confirms the panel’s decision by email

Withdrawal from studies

If for any reason you would like to withdraw from your studies, please contact the Programme Support Team ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk) for further guidance. We will ask you to give notification of your withdrawal in writing, and you 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.

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.

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 www.regulations.manchester.ac.uk/academic

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 Student Complaints 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 www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/appeals-complaints/conductanddisciplineofstudents/.

Faculty policies for students on Communication and Dress Code, Social Networking and Drugs & 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 & 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:

https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/using-the-library/students/training-and-skills-support/my-learning-essentials/online-resources/

An Introduction to Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism is provided by the Student Guidance Service at:
An Introduction to Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism (Student Guidance Service)

The Student Support website provides guidance on Good Study Skills at:
https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/study-support/goodstudyskills/

The Student Support website also provides guidance on avoiding academic malpractice:
https://www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/study-support/academic-support/accessing-online-teaching-and-learning/assessments-and-exams/avoiding-academic-malpractice/

Sharing Information

The University may share appropriate information relating to your health and/or conduct with external organisations such as your professional employer (for example, relevant NHS Trust Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PSRB), placement and training providers and/or regulator). 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.

Understanding Academic Malpractice

The University does not permit plagiarism or other forms of academic malpractice under any circumstances, and individuals found to have committed such an incident can expect a harsh penalty, which in some cases results in exclusion from the University. To ensure that you are fully informed about University expectations and understand your responsibilities with regard to academic malpractice please ensure you complete mandatory academic malpractice training in the Blackboard unit SHSS60001.

A copy of the University’s Academic Malpractice Procedure can be found at the following link: http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=639

You can also access an online e-learning package on avoiding plagiarism via the University Library’s award-winning skills programme, My Learning Essentials.

If you have any doubts or further questions please contact the Programme Director.

Fitness to Practise

Information on Fitness to Practise related matters can be found at www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/appeals-complaints/fitnesstopractise.

Programme Management

The Programme Committee will be primarily responsible for monitoring the programme and will report directly to the Pharmacy and Vision Sciences Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee. This committee in turn reports to the School of Health Sciences PGT Committee. Special responsibility for the programme will be taken by the Programme Directors, the Consortium Lead for Postgraduate Taught Programmes and the Head of Division. The Programme Committee will, in liaison with the Pharmacy and Vision Sciences Teaching and Learning Committee, take responsibility for programme structure, development and delivery. The Programme Director will be responsible for admissions to the programme.

The Programme Director, in liaison with the Consortium Lead and the Postgraduate Programmes Manager, will be responsible for Quality Assurance for the programme.

Election of a Student Representative

Your representation plays a vital and important part in helping us to maintain and improve the quality of the programme we deliver. Early in Semester 1, students will be asked to select one individual to represent their interests to the MSc Programme Board. The student representative will be required to attend some compulsory training and attend one Programme committee per year. The reps will also organise group feedback sessions at the end of each semester for all students to voice opinions on the programme.

Student Evaluation

We will ask you to complete an evaluation form at the end of each teaching block. These questionnaires are reviewed by the unit leads and the Programme Director. The responses to these evaluations will be considered when reviewing the structure and content of the programme. Your feedback is extremely important, not only for programme quality assurance but also to the University in meeting the requirements of external quality assessment.

Role of the 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 Examiner’s reports

External Examiner’s reports relating to this programme will be shared with student representatives at the programme board, where details of any actions carried out by the programme team/School in response to the External Examiner’s comments will be discussed. Students should contact their student representatives if they require any further information about External Examiner’s reports or the process for considering them.

The External Examiner for this programme is: TBC
Name of Institution: TBC
Position at current Institution: TBC

Please note that 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 have been requested not to respond to direct queries. Instead, 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.

Role and Responsibilities of Unit Leads

To develop and update the unit specification in consultation with lecturers and programme directors, ensuring a coherent selection of teaching material and assessments to fit with the overall aim of the programme and its specifications
To liaise with programme administrators and the lecturers on their unit to ensure that the information on their unit in the programme handbook is accurate
To liaise with programme administrators and lecturers to organise examining, marking and student feedback
To develop and monitor the Blackboard E-Learning site for their unit, in liaison with lecturers for the sessions in their unit
To liaise with students concerning queries relating to teaching and assessments for the unit that are not specific to an individual teaching session
To attend programme meetings and the programme exam board in order to liaise with programme directors and student representatives
To consider and act upon student feedback, staff feedback, and external examiner feedback, in order to modify the structure, content and processes within their unit, in discussion with the programme team

Responsibilities of the Student

Pursuing the programme with a positive commitment, taking full advantage of the resources and facilities offered by the academic environment and, in particular, contact with the Supervisor, other staff and research students;
Discussing with the Supervisor the type of guidance and comment believed to be most helpful, and agreeing a schedule of meetings;
Ensuring that he/she is aware of the health and safety regulations and academic rules and regulations and codes of practice of the University;
Successfully completing any training programme arranged within the prescribed time period;
Taking the initiative in raising problems or difficulties, however elementary they may seem, bearing in mind that prompt discussion and resolution of problems can prevent difficulties and disagreements at a later stage;
Maintaining the progress of the work in accordance with the stages agreed with the Supervisor, including in particular the presentation of written material as required, in sufficient time to allow for comments and discussion before proceeding to the next stage. Where possible, students will be given details of the work programme for the academic year at the beginning of the year;
Agreeing with the Supervisor the amount of time to be devoted to the research and the timing and duration of holiday periods;
Checking the completeness and accuracy of the text of the thesis submitted; failure to check the thesis carefully may result in the thesis being failed or cause a delay in the award of a degree.

Section B: Syllabus, Course Units and Route through the Programme

Syllabus

Year One

Compulsory Components

PHAR61710 Professional Practice (15 credits)

PHAR61720 Introduction to Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences 1 (15 credits)

PHAR61730 Introduction to Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences 2 (30 credits)

Year Two

Compulsory Components

PHAR61740 Applied Pharmaceutical Science (30 credits)

PHAR61750 Research Project 1 (30 credits)

Year Three

Compulsory Components

PHAR61760 Advanced Pharmaceutical Science (30 credits)

PHAR61770 Research Project 2 (30 credits)

Course Unit Specifications

PHAR61710 Professional Practice

Academic Course Unit Co-ordinator: Dr Phil MacDonald (UoM)

Credit Rating: 15 credits

Course Unit Aims

This unit will provide students with an introduction to professional practice within a health service setting. The unit will introduce and critically review the frameworks and academic literature underpinning professional practice and enable trainees to gain the knowledge, skills, experience and tools to develop, improve and maintain high standards of professional practice at all times. It will also provide an overview of key areas such as public health, the psychosocial aspects of health and disease, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and bioinformatics.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Understand the ethical foundations of professionalism, including critical reflection, and how these relate to the clinical scientist, the patient, the practice of healthcare science and the wider healthcare environment.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structures, processes and methodologies that underpin the quality of the service provided by the NHS and quality improvement initiatives to promote high-quality patient care and enhance patient safety, and discuss the quality mechanisms relevant to their division/specialism.
Explain the principles of effective written and verbal communication and feedback, considering the needs and dignity of patients, the public, health professionals and scientists.
Describe the basic principles and structures underpinning history taking, clinical examination and clinical decision making and discuss their role in your division.
Have a knowledge and understanding of a range of leadership models, including those that underpin current NHS Leadership and Competency Frameworks, and identify and critically evaluate how your personal values, principles and assumptions affect your personal leadership style.
Explain the current structure and management of health and social care systems and services at a national (UK-wide) and local level and the way in which the voice of patients and the public is embedded in all aspects of healthcare and healthcare education.
Understand the main principles and core concepts of the sociology of health and illness.
Have knowledge and understanding of the basis of epidemiology, public health and health protection and discuss in relation to patients and the safety of patients referred to services provided by your division/specialism.
An understanding of the basic principles of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics and discuss in relation to patients and the safety of patients referred to services provided by your division/specialism.
Explain the basic principles of physics that underpin healthcare science and discuss in relation to patients and the safety of patients referred to services provided by your division/specialism.
Understand how bioinformatics, including large biological datasets, contributes to patient safety, patient care and the practice of healthcare science and defend the governance and ethical frameworks within which bioinformatics can be used.

Course Unit Content

The unit provides generic knowledge and transferable skills. It has been designed to equip students with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of human physiology. In addition, it will provide students with an introduction to public health (principles and practice), the basics of health protection including health surveillance and basic principles of quality assurance including quality control, assurance and quality improvement. The unit will equip students with key communication skills and dissertation skills, and provide an introduction to the structure and leadership framework within the NHS and history taking and clinical examination.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course will be delivered over 2 weeks of seminars/workshops. There will also be eLearning: evidence-based learning supported by course notes, audio lectures, and discussion boards.

Assessment

A 2,500-word written assignment. This comprises 50% of the unit mark.
A MCQ/SAQ 90 minute exam. This comprises 50% of the unit mark.

PHAR61720 Introduction to Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences 1

Academic Course Unit Co-ordinator: Ruth Barnes (UoM)

Practice-based Course Unit Co-ordinator: Mark Oldcorne (All Wales Quality Assurance Pharmacist)

Credit Rating: 15 credits

Course Unit Aims

The unit aims to provide the background knowledge required by the students undertaking the STP programme in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences. Students following different career paths will all require the core knowledge provided by this unit.

The unit provides the students with an essential grounding in pharmaceutical quality assurance which underpins all GMP activities. Students will engage with lecturers and reading material to gain a full understanding of the regulatory framework governing pharmaceutical preparation and manufacture within the NHS.

It will also provide a fundamental understanding of Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) and the operational benefits and challenges of a robust system. The key documents of a PQS will be defined.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Professional Practice (5 credits)

Describe the cellular, tissue and systems responses to disease and discuss those body systems and processes relative to your division/specialism.
Explain the main principles and core concepts of clinical genetics and geonomics and discuss in the context of patients referred to services provided by your division/specialism.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control 1 (10 credits)

Discuss and critically evaluate the application of regulatory controls to pharmaceutical technology and Quality Assurance.
Discuss and critically evaluate the principles of Quality Assurance (QA) and EU Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Management Systems.
Design and construct manufacturing Quality Assurance and Quality Control documentation.
Discuss in detail the health and safety aspects of Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance.
Describe and critically evaluate the classification of controlled areas, the monitoring of controlled areas for viable and non-viable particles, the limits to be applied to viable and non-viable particles and the cleaning of controlled areas.
Describe and critically evaluate the gowning required for working in controlled areas and be able to demonstrate putting the gowning on in a controlled and appropriate manner.
Describe and critically evaluate the operation, monitoring, cleaning and sterilisation of clean room equipment, e.g. isolators, biological safety cabinet (BSC) and laminar flow hoods.
Describe and critically evaluate the process to be following when recalling a product from the market.
Describe and critically evaluate the three routes to obtaining a Manufacturing Authorisation including the associated timelines.
Describe the contents of an electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) for a licensed product, with the Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) section being described in detail.

This unit contains 5 credits of generic material plus 10 credits of divisional content.

Students will gain fundamental knowledge and understanding of molecular basis of disease (nominal 5 credits of generic content).

In addition the unit will provide students with an essential grounding in pharmaceutical quality assurance which underpins Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). It will provide students with a fundamental understanding of Pharmaceutical Quality Systems, the operational challenges and the benefits of a robust system (nominal 10 credits of divisional material).

Teaching and Learning Methods

The professional practice element of the unit will be taught via e-learning

Regulation and QA will be taught in two online and one residential teaching blocks, including lectures, workshops and discussion groups

E-Learning: evidence-based learning supported by course notes, audio lectures and discussion boards.

Assessment

A 1,000 word formative written assignment.
A 3,000 word group written assignment plus 1,000 word individual reflection. This comprises 50% of the unit mark.
20 minute group presentation plus 5 minutes of questions. This comprises 50% of the unit mark.

PHAR61730 Introduction to Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences 2

Unit leads:

ASEPTICS: Charlotte Ollerenshaw-Ward (Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust) and Sue Renn (UoM)

RADIOPHARMACY: Bev Ellis (Consultant Radiopharmacist, CMFT), Victoria Gibson (Chief Radiopharmaceutical Scientist, Guys and St. Thomas’s)

FORMULATION SCIENCES: Helen Callaby (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust), Elizabeth Orr (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust) and Ruth Barnres (UoM)

Credit Rating: 30 credits

Course Unit Aims

The unit aims to provide students with a background knowledge of radiopharmacy, aseptic preparation and product formulation. The unit provides a good proportion of practical study enabling students to appreciate how the theory applies in practice.

The radiopharmacy element allows students to appreciate the unique needs of the department in ensuring radiation protection.

The aseptic element provides students with an in-depth working knowledge of pharmaceutical microbiological aspects of aseptic manufacture and preparation. Students will also develop an ability to evaluate the use of cleanrooms and clean air devices in order to maintain patient safety.

The formulation sciences element will define the principles of pharmaceutical science and formulation. Students will understand the process of designing a new product and building the analytical specifications and stability studies in order to bring a new product to market.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course unit, students will be able to:

Radiopharmacy (10 credits)

Discuss the UK regulatory requirements which apply to the design and operation of radiopharmacies and the different possible solutions to these requirements.
Recognise the different types of radiopharmaceuticals in routine clinical practice together with any particular problems arising from their use
Describe the types of activities normally undertaken in a hospital radiopharmacy.
Describe the ways in which radiopharmaceuticals are prepared.
Discuss the general principles of QA in everyday life and in hospital pharmacy in particular including the most important means of control of aseptic preparation.
Describe how the principles of Quality Assurance are routinely applied in a radiopharmaceutical production system.
Explain the nomenclature, principles, and mechanisms of atomic reactions
Describe the design and principles of particle accelerators and nuclear reactors and their relevance for production of radionuclides used in Nuclear Medicine.
Describe in both qualitative and quantitative terms the interactions of radiation with biological systems and discuss the relative risks of nuclear medicine procedures compared to other potentially hazardous life events.
Describe the principles of the most important types of radiation detectors used in Nuclear Medicine together with the way in which they are normally employed.
Describe the structure of the atom, the most important means of radioactive decay of unstable nuclei and the types of radiation emitted.
Recognise the radionuclides used in nuclear medicine and discuss the relationships between their physical properties, their clinical applications, and their strengths and weaknesses.
Describe the radiopharmaceutical chemistry of these radionuclides and discuss the influence of these chemical properties on the biodistribution of their radiopharmaceuticals.
List the different formulations used in nuclear medicine; describe their properties and the way in which these formulations are prepared; discuss the significance of the development of radiopharmaceutical kits and describe the function of the various reagents used therein.

Aseptics (10 credits)

Explain the principles of aseptic manipulation
Describe the principles of basic pharmaceutical microbiology
Explain the key chemical and physical reactions affecting the stability of medicinal products.
Resolve drug formulation and administration problems, particularly where they relate to the modification and optimisation.

Formulation Sciences (10 credits)

Describe the principles of pharmaceutical formulation and processing
Describe the properties of excipients and ingredients in pharmaceutical products.
Explain the factors affecting formulation, stability and preservation of pharmaceutical product
Perform mathematical calculations relevant to pharmaceutical formulation.
Describe the principles of sterilisation
Understand the criticality of final packaging

Course Unit Content

The aim of this unit is to provide students with the knowledge to underpin the divisional hospital-based professional rotations they undertake during the first twelve months of the MSC STP curriculum. The unit contains three self-contained modules that are designed to provide students with an introduction to the theory and practice of each of the three main disciplines (Radiopharmacy, Aseptic and Formulation Sciences) within the clinical pharmaceutical sciences division of the healthcare sciences.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching will be delivered as follows:

Radiopharmacy: 1 x 1-week block which may be either online or face to face

Formulation sciences: 1 x 4-day online block

Aseptics: 1 x 3 day online block

Plus 1 x 5 day residential block.

These will include lectures, small group discussions, workshops, role-plays and experiential tasks. There will be e-learning material available.

Assessment

A 3,000 word integrated assignment covering Radiopharmacy, Aseptics and Formulation Science. This comprises 100% of the unit mark.

PHAR61740 Applied Pharmaceutical Science

Unit Leads:

RESEARCH METHODS: Dr Phil MacDonald (UoM) / Dr Lynda Harris (UoM)

QUALITY CONTROL Ruth Barnes (UoM)

PRODUCTION Helen Callaby (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust), Elizabeth Orr (Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust) and Ruth Barnes (UoM)

Credit Rating: 30 credits

Course Unit Aims

The unit is split into three 10 credit modules; research methods, production and quality control.

The research methods module will deliver the learning to enable students to undertake an evidence-based literature review, critically appraise the output, draw appropriate conclusions and report the findings, and where appropriate, use the findings to inform a research project.

The production module aims to prepare students to evaluate and develop services in the production of pharmaceuticals. The unit covers production of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals in varying pharmaceutical forms and the unique considerations of each.

The quality control module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the techniques used for analysis of starting materials, packaging components and finished pharmaceutical products. Students will also be given the knowledge to decide on appropriate analytical methods for specific application and tools to critically evaluate data.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course unit, students will be able to:

Research methods (10 credits)

Discuss and critically evaluate the context within which research, development, innovation and audit are undertaken to improve patient care, promote innovation and improve service delivery.
Describe, compare and contrast a range of research methods/approaches, including cohort studies, qualitative, quantitative, systematic review, sampling techniques and clinical trials.
Explain and justify current UK ethical and governance frameworks and processes spanning the conduct of human and animal research, innovation and audit.
Critically evaluate the literature/evidence base to identify a research question and create a new approach or technique to improve patient care or service delivery.
Discuss and justify the research, audit and innovation process from idea generation to dissemination/implementation, including patient/user involvement and intellectual property.
Describe and evaluate a range of data analysis techniques to ensure the validity, reliability and appropriateness to the research aim, design and conclusion.
Describe how clinical guidelines are produced and the concept of evidence-based practice, including the role of current statutory and advisory regulatory bodies.
Identify potential sources of research and innovation funding for healthcare science/Clinical Scientists.

Production (10 credits)

Discuss the role of the Clinical Scientist in Production in ensuring the safety of the patient, particularly related to the manufacture of licensed and unlicensed products and Investigational Medicinal Products including cytotoxic drugs for the treatment of cancer.
Apply management principles to the detailed structure of the production process.
Describe the principles of Quality Assurance in relation to pharmaceutical production.
Show the relevance of pharmaceutical law and regulations.
Explain the process of product design.
Explain and critically evaluate the theory and practice of pharmaceutical manufacturing, assembly, preparation and dispensing.
Apply the principles of processing in regard to pharmaceutical production.
Explain the principles of sterilisation by irradiation, filtration, gas, moist and dry heat.

Quality Control (10 credits)

Discuss the role of the Clinical Scientist in Pharmaceutical Sciences in ensuring the safety of the patient, particularly related to the manufacture of licensed and unlicensed products and Investigational Medicinal Products, with reference to key patient pathways such as cancer.
Explain the theory and use of all pharmaceutical microbiological and analytical techniques and instruments in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory.
Discuss the quality of medicinal products, including raw materials, licensed and unlicensed products, “specials”, Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs), medical and surgical devices and medical gases.
Discuss the responsibilities required for managing a Quality Assurance system.
Discuss the role of quality audits and quality system reviews.
Justify the choice of, and apply statistical methods to sampling and testing.

Course Unit Content

This unit contains 10 credits of generic material (research methods) which will provide all students with a broad knowledge and understanding of science and scientific knowledge, contextualised to the practice of healthcare science and the services provided by their healthcare science division/specialism. Central to this is the contribution of healthcare science to patient care, patient safety, service delivery, research and innovation often at the cutting edge of science. All members of the healthcare science workforce must understand the impact of their work on patients and patient care and remember that their work has a direct or indirect impact on patient care. Students skill in performing literature searching and proposing and undertaking a research proposal will be developed.

The unit also contains 20 credits of specialist training delivered over 2 modules; production and quality control. Students will be provided with the knowledge to explain and critically evaluate the theory and practice of pharmaceutical manufacturing, assembly, preparation and dispensing in ensuring the safety of the patient, particularly related to the manufacture of licensed and unlicensed products and Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs), with reference to key patient pathways such as cancer. This unit will equip students with the knowledge to explain and use appropriately all pharmaceutical microbiological and analytical techniques and instruments in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory. Students will be able to evaluate the quality of medical products, including raw materials, licensed and unlicensed products, “specials”, Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs), medical and surgical devices and medical gases.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Research methods: Teaching will be delivered via live and online content.

Quality Control: 1 x 4 day online block plus two face-to-face days

Production: 1 x 3 day online block plus one face-to-face day

Assessment

A 5,000 word integrated assignment. This comprises 100% of the unit mark..

For non-chemists

Letts GCSE Questions and Answers: Chemistry. London: Letts Educational Ltd. ISBN 1-85805-647-0

PHAR61750 Research Project 1

Academic Course Unit Coordinator: Dr. Lynda Harris (UoM)

Practice-based Course Unit Coordinator: Each student will be supervised by their own supervisors (NHS and UoM)

Credit Rating: 30 credits

Course Unit Aims

The unit aims to provide students with a unique experience of designing and proposing an original research project. It will develop the students’ ability to critically appraise published research, formulate and work with a relevant research question, understand and apply appropriate research and data-analytic methodologies. Students will refine scientific writing and presentation skills and will demonstrate independent learning skill.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

Having attended the course, students will be able to:

Discuss the stages of the research and innovation process from conceptualisation to dissemination and if appropriate translation into practice
Describe the purpose and importance of different kinds of research including scientific or clinical research; translational research; operational and policy research; clinical education research; innovation; service development; and supporting professional service users and relate these to the roles undertaken by Clinical Scientists in the trainee’s specialism.
Discuss and evaluate the use of reference manager systems.
Justify the rationale for research governance and ethical frameworks when undertaking research or innovation in the NHS.
Describe the process and requirements for publication in a peer reviewed journal and the current system of grading research publications.

Course Unit Content

The overall aim of this module, building on the Research Methods module (generic content of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences) is for the trainee to develop and refine core research and transferable skills in addition to expanding their knowledge and understanding. They will undertake a research project that shows originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in a specialism of healthcare science. The research project may span scientific or clinical research, translational research, operational and policy research, clinical education research, innovation, service development or supporting professional service users. Students will propose and commence a research project in an area of clinical pharmaceutical science which will benefit the service and ultimately the patient. The research project will be started during the summer of year 2. It will run through the summer and be completed in semester 1 of year 3.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Regular individual meetings with a nominated project supervisor, guided reading and focused skills support. Progress will be monitored and regular feedback provided.

Assessment

Written assignment of 3,500 words on the research proposal. This assignment is not weighted, but must be a PASS
Presentation of 15 minutes on research proposal. This assignment is not weighted, but must be a PASS.

PHAR61760 Advanced Pharmaceutical Science

Aseptics: Sue Renn (UoM) / Oonagh McGrath (Aseptic Services Manager, Bristol)

Radiopharmacy: Victoria Gibson (King’s College, London) / Dr Beverley Ellis (Consultant Radiopharmacist, Central Manchester University Hospitals)

Credit Rating: 30 credits

Course Unit Aims

This unit is split into two 15 credit modules; Radiopharmacy Advanced and Aseptic Advanced

The aim of the Radiopharmacy Advanced module is to build on the background knowledge provided in the Radiopharmacy module (Introduction to Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences 2). Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of how to operate at a much higher level within a radiopharmacy dealing with complex issues that may arise. They will also learn of novel drug development and imaging modalities.

The Aseptic Advanced module builds on the background knowledge provided in the Aseptics module (Introduction to Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences 2). Students will be able to explain the function and operation of equipment and clean rooms. They will know and understand commissioning procedures and be in a position to critically evaluate monitoring data and diagnose problems.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

Radiopharmacy Advanced

Discuss the role of the Clinical Scientist in Radiopharmacy in the diagnosis and treatment of disease using radiopharmaceuticals, including the contribution to patient management and patient centred care
Discuss the regulations controlling transport of radioactive materials in the UK and describe the means taken to comply with these regulations.
Explain the mechanisms by which commonly used radiopharmaceuticals localise in their target tissues.
Describe those problems which might arise during the preparation and clinical use of radiopharmaceuticals and know how to identify and solve them where appropriate.
Describe the possibilities for interactions both desired and undesirable between radiopharmaceuticals and other medications.
Access and evaluate sources of reference information on all aspects of radiopharmaceuticals.
Describe the general principles of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and the organisation of a PET radiopharmacy and list the products most commonly used therein together with their clinical indications.
Describe the types of procedures routinely employed in hospital radiopharmacy management.
Explain the Quality Control parameters which determine the quality of radiopharmaceuticals.
Describe the analytical methods by which these parameters are measured.
Discuss the significance of the development of radionuclide generators for Nuclear Medicine, and the principles of their design and operation, describe the Molybdenum-99/Technetium-99m generator system and give examples of other generators in routine use.
Discuss the importance of radiation hygiene and safe working in radiopharmaceutical preparation.
Discuss the need for automation in radiopharmaceutical preparation and the possible ways in which this might be achieved.
Discuss the physical and chemical properties required of a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical and list the products approved for general use in Nuclear Medicine together with their clinical applications.
Describe the functions of the different cell types routinely labelled in nuclear medicine, outline the most significant points in the labelling procedures used and list the most common clinical indications for these radiopharmaceuticals.

Aseptic Advanced

Discuss and justify all standards, practices and quality assurance arrangements relating to aseptic preparation and dispensing of medicines and their application to patient safety and patient centred care.
Explain pharmaceutical microbiological aspects of aseptic manufacture and preparation and their application in the workplace.
Evaluate the use of clean rooms/clean air devices to the best of their design potential.
Discuss the correct commissioning procedures for a clean room environment.
Critically evaluate process and operator validations.
Explain the function and operation of monitoring equipment and the maintenance of operational records.
Interpret monitoring data and diagnose problems.

Course Unit Content

This unit contains 30 credits of specialist training delivered over 2 modules; radiopharmacy advanced and aseptic advanced. This unit provides the trainee with the knowledge that underpins the specialist modules in the practice of Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences and provides trainees with the knowledge and understanding that underpins and is applied to work based learning.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching will be delivered in 2 x 1-week blocks and will include lectures, small group discussions, role-plays and experiential tasks. There will be e-learning material available.

Assessment

Radiopharmacy: A 3,000 word written assignment. This comprises 50% of the unit mark.
Aseptics: A 3,000 word written assignment. This comprises 50% of the unit mark.

PHAR61770 Research Project 2

Academic Course Unit Co-ordinator: Dr. Lynda Harris (UoM)

Practice-based Course Unit Coordinator: Each student will be supervised by their own supervisors.

Credit Rating: 30 credits

Course Unit Aims

The unit aims to provide students with a unique experience of designing, conducting and reporting an independent, original research project.

The students will conduct a piece of empirical research that either addresses a specific research question in the field of clinical pharmaceutical sciences or involves the development and evaluation of new or existing technologies.

The students will be required to undertake a thorough systematic review of the scientific literature relevant to the project, which will be written up and form the introduction to the dissertation. The dissertation will also contain a clear and informed description of the methodologies employed and presentation and analysis of the data generated and a logical, scientifically valid and robust discussion of the findings.

Students will be equipped with the skills to design and develop research proposals to constantly improve and develop clinical pharmaceutical sciences.

Course Unit Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Discuss the stages of the research and innovation process from conceptualisation to dissemination and if appropriate translation into practice
Describe the purpose and importance of different kinds of research including scientific or clinical research; translational research; operational and policy research; clinical education research; innovation; service development; and supporting professional service users and relate these to the roles undertaken by Clinical Scientists in the trainee’s specialism.
Discuss and evaluate the use of reference manager systems.
Justify the rationale for research governance and ethical frameworks when undertaking research or innovation in the NHS.
Describe the process and requirements for publication in a peer reviewed journal and the current system of grading research publications

Course Unit Content

On completion of this module students will have completed a research project, commenced in Research project 1, comprising of a literature review and practical work conducted on an appropriate topic which is relevant to the Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences programme. This will be presented in both written and oral form.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Regular individual meetings with a nominated project supervisor, guided reading and focused skills support. Progress will be monitored and regular feedback provided.

Assessment

Dissertation of 10,000 – 15,000 words. This comprises 100% of the unit mark.

Section C: Information about the Division and University

Divisional Administration Contacts

Head of Division: Prof. Jayne Lawrence

Head of Student Operations: Gabrielle Brennan

The School address is:	Contact details:
Division of Pharmacy and Optometry The University of Manchester Stopford Building Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PT	Telephone number: 0161 306 0259 General enquiries: 0161 275 7943 Switchboard: 0161 275 2000 ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk

* To access Stopford Building you will need a University of Manchester ID card

Administrative contacts:

Emma Sturgess, Postgraduate Teaching Learning & Student Experience Coordinator
(email: emma.sturgess@manchester.ac.uk)
Postgraduate Programmes Support Team
(Tel: 0161 306 0597 email: ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk)

Academic staff:

Ruth Barnes, Programme Director (ruth.barnes@manchester.ac.uk)
Sue Renn, Deputy Programme Director (sue.renn@manchester.ac.uk)
Emma Davies, Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science (emma.davies-9@manchester.ac.uk)

Student Centre

The online student support system, MyManchester enables students to register online and have access to their personal and academic details.

This means that you will be able to use the system to check and update your address and contact details, view your supervisor and advisor details and check the course units you are enrolled on. To access MyManchester, you will use the same log-in you were provided with at registration and log in to the system from the following page:

www.manchester.ac.uk/selfservice

You should use MyManchester to check we have the correct details for you and that you are on the correct programme. You should also ensure that as soon as your contact details change that you update them on the system as well as informing the Programmes Support Team.

Progress Committee

The MSc Programme Board, and ultimately the Pharmacy and Vision Sciences Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee, considers issues of poor student progress, student dissatisfaction with academic supervision and other mitigating circumstances that may be influencing progress.

Failure to submit progress forms or assessments on time will result in investigation.

Communication with Students

Please note that only Blackboard, the University e-learning platform 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.

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, accessed via the MyManchester portal. 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.

Working with your own computer

Most students have their own computers, and should check that your system is compatible with the University’s. This will help avoid problems when you try to transfer documents from your machine to ours.

If you are thinking of buying a computer check the Purchasing page on the IT Services website: http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/ourservices/popular/purchasing/personal/

IT Services Support Centre online

Details can be found at: http://bmh-elearning.org/technical-support/

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, report a fault, or search the Knowledge Base.The email address is: elearning@manchester.ac.uk

Blackboard

Blackboard (the University’s virtual learning environment) is available to students, and is accessed via https://my.manchester.ac.uk/.

All course-related materials will be placed on Blackboard so it is essential that you familiarise yourself with the system as soon as possible. Blackboard also offers Discussion forums which you may find a useful resource to share information about assignments and other course-related queries.

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 VLS and on YouTube:

https://video.manchester.ac.uk/faculties/52f9b4cd447aa2fbeb47d1926186f80b/46971601-1356-43e2-8e78-e9f8997821f0/
https://youtu.be/47pA877MKJg

The recording is just over seven minutes long and covers most of the commonly used tools in Blackboard.

Library facilities

The University of Manchester Library provides resources and support for your Division of Pharmacy and Optometry PGT programme. The Library has an extensive collection of eBooks, databases and journals online, in addition to the print holdings in The Main Library. The Alan Gilbert Learning Commons provides a 24/7 learning environment in addition to study skills workshops.

Off-campus, many resources are available by logging in with your University username and password (this includes individual book chapters digitised as part of a unit’s directed reading); where this option is not available, the material can still be accessed through the University’s VPN service, and this is clearly indicated in the Electronic Journals A-Z list and on the information page for each of the Databases . A small number of titles require a Special username and password . For further details, see Accessing e-journals, e-books and databases.

Training materials to help you make the most of the Library’s resources will be available via the following links:

https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/using-the-library/students/training-and-skills-support/my-learning-essentials/online-resources/

The My Library tab in My Manchester has quick links to get you started:

A-Z of subjects includes a library guide for Pharmacy
Library search enables you to search the Library’s electronic and physical resources – books, journals, articles, images, manuscripts, video – using a single search box
training sessions listed in the My Learning Essentials Calendar
online enquiry form
your Library Account, including PIN
Document Supply for the DELIVER postal loans service (£5 per item)

Using other libraries has information on both regional (NOWAL) and national (SCONUL) schemes which may be helpful.

Student Support

There are several options for support. The Programme Support Team is likely to be able to direct you to the most suitable support. Contact ptqa.stp@manchester.ac.uk

You can talk through with you issues such as interrupting your studies and progression, financial issues, the submission of details of mitigating circumstances, work and attendance problems and any personal concerns that are affecting your ability to study and engage fully with your course. It is important to point out that this is not a counselling service; it is a practical problem-solving service (a confidential Counselling Service is available to all students – see the following sections for details).

Further details about student support are available on the following website:

www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk

Disability Advisory and Support Service

The University of Manchester welcomes students with a disability or specific learning difficulties. The University has a Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS), who can supply further information, and staff will be pleased to meet you, by prior arrangement, to discuss your needs. Staff will liaise with your School to make the necessary arrangements for your support during your time in Manchester. DASS 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 is located on the 2nd Floor of University Place, Block 2.

Contact

E-mail: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Phone 0161 275 7512/8518; Text 07899 658 790; Minicom 0161 275 2794;

Fax: 0161 275 7018; Website: http://www.dass.manchester.ac.uk/

In addition, the School has a Disability Support Officer: Sandra Humphries.

Counselling Service

The counselling service is available for all students. It is free and consists of a team of professional counsellors. The service provides confidential counselling for anyone who wants help with personal problems affecting their work or well-being.

The service is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday all year round except public holidays.

http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/counselling/

Occupational Health

Occupational Health is a specialised area of medicine concerned with the way in which an individual’s health can affect his or her ability to do a job and to study and conversely how the work environment can affect an individual’s health. Their aim is to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of students and to reduce the incidence of ill-health arising from exposure to work place hazards.

http://www.occhealth.manchester.ac.uk/

Students Union Advice Service

The Students Union has advisers who can help with any matter ranging from finances to housing and beyond. To contact the UMSU Advice Service please email advice.umsu@manchester.ac.uk