Therapeutics (MSc/Diploma) – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Some of the subjects covered are: principles of therapeutics; management of asthma / epilepsy /chronic pain/ thrombotic disorders /common bone disorders; medical problems in the elderly; wound healing; adverse drug reactions and interactions; hypnotics and tranquilisers; drug development and clinical trials; management of hypertension/diabetes / common skin disorders.

Most of the education process is problem-orientated and is specifically designed to be of direct relevance to general practice. There are several different integrated components to the course structure. There is weekly reading with copies of, or links to, key articles and there are interviews with experts. There are also regular clinical exercises to be completed which provide the basis of in-course assessment. These are reviewed by the course supervisors and feedback is given during the course.

Assessment

Assessment is partly by continual assessment of regular written work and partly by the final examination which is held in Cardiff. Each week a different aspect of therapeutics is studied and ‘study aims’ to guide your work for the week are given. Relevant articles are provided or links provided for access via the Internet, an audio interview is available to download covering that week's topic and there is a written task concerning the subject area. A short case-study on the topic is also sent for candidates’ comment and an analysis of the group's responses, with comments on the results, is returned to the candidates.

A short intensive study weekend (Friday pm - Saturday pm) is held during the first module which all students are expected to attend. The cost of this course (excluding travel) is included in the course fee.

The Diploma in Therapeutics is only awarded to candidates who have demonstrated regular detailed study throughout the course and who reach a high standard of knowledge, understanding, and practical and clinical expertise. A commitment to regular daily study at home is required, with an estimated 8 hours of study weekly for each module considered to be the minimum necessary.

MSc in Thereapeutics

The MSc is available to a selected number of candidates who obtain acceptable marks on the Diploma and submit an MSc project which accords with the skills and expertise within the Department. All candidates must undertake the Diploma in the first year. In the second year MSc candidates complete four 2,500-word assignments. MSc candidates also have to complete a 15,000-word dissertation. There is also a biostatistics module which is not assessed.