MSc in Endocrinology
Team: Endocrinology Team
The MSc in Endocrinology course is accredited by the RCGP and provides a progression route for graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma. Course Code: QMSP064
Course Information
Diploma MSc is a collaborative partner of the University of South Wales. On successful completion of this course, you will receive a University of South Wales Masters award.
The MSc course provides a progression route for the Postgraduate Diploma in Endocrinology course offered by the University.
The Endocrinology Masters of Science runs over 1 calendar year. Students undertake an initial 12 week online module to develop their skills in critical appraisal and knowledge of research methodologies. Thereafter they are able to select a 1,500 word proposal and 10,500 word professional project.
Course Structure
Aims of the module:
- To help students recognise, understand, interpret and apply methods used in healthcare research.
- Understand, interpret and apply basic statistics and epidemiological terms.
- Understand and critically appraise the various methodologies specific to endocrine research.
- Understand and critically appraise the various studies used in clinical and scientific research such as single blind studies, double blind placebo controlled studies and meta-analyses.
Synopsis of the module content:
- Basic terminology used in epidemiology and research studies such as prevalence, incidence, sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negatives.
- Interpreting graphical representation of epidemiological and statistical data such as Kaplan-Meier Curves, Forrest Plots and Meta-analyses.
- Calculations used in the assessment of research data such as relative risk, absolute risk, number needed to treat.
- Basic statistical tests and their applications including T-Tests, ANOVA, Chi-Squared Tests.
- Methodologies used in endocrine research such as insulin tolerance testing, short synacthen testing, OGTT, measures of insulin resistance and GH testing.
- Research on issues such as health outcomes and quality of life using bespoke questionnaires such as the SF-36 as well as other modes of assessment.
- Fundamentals of evidence based practice and its application into the clinical setting.
- Establishing patient registers and the value of disease specific registers.
- Research into educational principles for both doctor and patient. Understanding what may work for the patient as well as the educator.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Interpret research and critically appraise research methods used in endocrinology.
- Display a critical understanding of the clinical implications of research and its impact upon healthcare delivery and service development.
- Implement evidence based medicine in clinical practice.
This module is designed to enable students to study a clinically related issue in greater depth relating to endocrinology.
Aims of the module:
- Develop an ability to critically appraise areas of healthcare practice and delivery.
- Critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research, clinical governance and organisational practice.
- Display skills in independent research and study.
- Display skills relevant to independent production of scientific publications.
The professional project must be endocrinology-related and relevant to the person's practice.
This project may comprise of:
- Literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
- Audit of practice including organisational or clinical.
- Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
- Qualitative or quantitative research (formal research involving human subjects is not anticipated).
- Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
- Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
- Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate research in clinical practice and implement improvements.
- Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
- Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.
Teaching Methods
Module 1 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal
MSc teaching methods for this module are similar to the PG Diploma course modules however it is run over 12 weeks.
Module 2 - Professional Project
To produce the professional project, students continue to use the online course; however much of the work is self-directed.
Students are expected in the first 8 weeks to interact with their tutor on a weekly basis. Students select a specific project and submit a project summary/proposal (approximately 1500 words).
Once the proposal has been approved, the professional project (10,500 words) itself is then completed through online guidance and supervision offered by the tutor. The student and tutor will interact regularly (weekly) on the dedicated students/tutor discussion area or through any other means of communication deemed appropriate by both parties (telephone/SKYPE/email). Note of any verbal communication with the tutor is recorded in the student's journal by the student.
Entry Requirements
Entry to the 1 year MSc Endocrinology programme will require the successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Endocrinology (120 credits) either from the University of South Wales or from another UK University.
Students may apply for the Masters in Endocrinology as a two-year course consisting of 8 modules (180 credits), the first 120 credits of which being the Postgraduate Diploma.
Applicants should submit copies of the following with their application:
- Qualification certificates
- One written reference
Student Stories
based on 1 reviews
I often find myself reading an article or completing a module assignment that directly relates to my clinical practice
"University of South Wales was an excellent choice as a destination for my postgraduate degree, because it delivered good value in short time for less money and is internationally renowned for their research efforts. Read full story..."
Dr Abdel Hameed PGDip MSc