Download THE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION 1. Programme title and designation Clinical Dermatology

Programme approval 2006/07
THE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
1. Programme title and designation
Clinical Dermatology
2. Final award
Award
Title
Credit value
MSc
180
Clinical
Dermatology
ECTS
equivalent
90
Any special criteria
ECTS
equivalent
N/A
Any special criteria
Any special criteria
4 core modules. Students who
take and pass the Practical
Diagnostic Dermatopathology
module will be awarded the
MSc Clinical Dermatology
(Dermatopathology)
3. Nested award
Award
Title
Credit value
N/A
N/A
N/A
4. Exit award
Award
Title
Credit value
PGDip
Clinical
Dermatology
120
ECTS
equivalent
60
PG Dip
Health Sciences
120
60
2 core modules taken in 1
year (Theoretical,
Clinical).
n/a
PG Cert
Health Sciences
60
30
n/a
5. Level in the qualifications framework
N/A
M
6. Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Mode of attendance
Yes
No
Minimum length of programme
1 year
Maximum length of programme
2 years*
Distance
learning
No
* Excluding approved periods of interruption
7. Awarding institution/body
8. Teaching institution
9. Proposing department
10. Programme organiser and contact
details
11. UCAS code (if appropriate)
12. Relevant QAA subject benchmark/
professional and statutory body guidelines
King’s College London
King’s College London
St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Division of
Genetics & Molecular Medicine
Professor John McGrath [email protected]
or Dr Susan Howell Tel 020 7188 6400
[email protected]
N/A
N/A
PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 8 June 2007
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2008/9: 19th February 2009
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2009/10: 24 th August 2009
PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 23 April 2010
PAF finalised for 2010/11: February 2011
PAF finalised for 2011/12: 23 August 2011
PAF finalised for 2012/13: 20 September 2012
PAF finalised for 2013/14: 4 December 2013
Programme approval 2006/07
13. Date of production of specification
14. Date of programme review
Original 2003/04
Updated for CF - 2006
2018
16. Educational aims of the programme
 To provide a thorough background knowledge of the full range of diseases that can affect the skin
and it’s appendages
 To become familiar with methods of clinical recording and measurement in dermatology
 To develop approaches to the management of dermatological disease
 To enhance understanding of dermatological research
 To develop a structured approach to critical appraisal of dermatological literature
 To enhance self directed learning
 To enable the students to produce a literature based research thesis on a topic relevant to their
experience/interest/country of origin
17. Educational objectives of the programme/programme outcomes
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and
understanding and skills in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
The programme provides a knowledge and
These are achieved through the following
understanding of the following:
teaching/learning methods and
1. In depth understanding of the structure
strategies:
and function of the skin and its
Knowledge and understanding are
appendages and:
facilitated through lectures, seminars,
tutorials, demonstrations, special study
 how these alter with manifestations of
modules, small group teaching in clinics
disease
and on wards, private study, and directed
 what genetic and environmental factors
reading.
influence manifestations of
dermatological disease
 how skin manifestations can be indicators
of other diseases
Assessment:
 the techniques used for clinical
Formative assessment involves students
dermatological investigation and research
completing two essays and the production
underpinning developments in
of a clinical portfolio. In addition there are
dermatology.
two mock exam sessions which include
2. Ethical considerations concerning
MCQ, short answer, and dermatopathology.
treatment and management of patients and
how these should be managed.
Summative assessment involves written,
3. Approaches to treatment and management
clinical (OSCE – Observed Simulated
in both in-patient and out-patient settings
Clinical Examination), practical
4. The role of allied medical specialties in
(dermatopathology), and oral examinations,
diagnosis and treatment of dermatological
and a research project and its oral
disease
examination.
5. Critical assessment and discussion of
dermatological literature
6. (Dermatopathology pathway only) To
understand the value of clinical
pathological correlation, the use of
PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 8 June 2007
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2008/9: 19th February 2009
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2009/10: 24 th August 2009
PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 23 April 2010
PAF finalised for 2010/11: February 2011
PAF finalised for 2011/12: 23 August 2011
PAF finalised for 2012/13: 20 September 2012
PAF finalised for 2013/14: 4 December 2013
Programme approval 2006/07
ancillary studies, so that students can
reach a final diagnosis
Skills and other attributes
These are achieved through the following
Intellectual skills:
1. Evaluation of patient needs and available
teaching/learning methods and
resources and to consider these in the
strategies:
development of patient management
Intellectual skills are developed using
strategies.
seminars, tutorials, clinics, small group
2. Development of differential diagnoses
work, and research project supervision
and analysis of test results to formulate
treatment and management plans.
Assessment:
3. Empathy with the psychological effects of
Participation in discussions during tutorials
dermatological disorders
and teaching clinics, and the production of
4. Critical evaluation of dermatological
a research thesis are used formatively to
literature.
assess intellectual skills.
5. Production of a literature-based thesis,
using critical evaluation of research data
The research project is assessed
to synthesize ideas for recommendations
summatively and is also orally examined.
and improvements in aspects of
management of dermatological disease.
Practical skills:
1. Use of good clinical practice when
selecting and conducting clinical
examinations relevant to dermatology and
when taking specimens
2. Appropriate and accurate application of
dermatological medicaments and
treatments
3. Effective and accurate examination and
interpretation of dermatopathology
sections and mycological specimens
4. Conducting literature searches
5. (Dermatopathology pathway only) To
read skin slides and interpret and report
neoplastic and non neo-plastic skin
disorders.
These are achieved through the following
teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
Practical skills are developed using
lectures, seminars, clinics, demonstrations,
practical experience, completing
questionnaires, tutorials, use of IT
equipment and computer programmes.
Assessment:
In most instances assessment is formative
and part of the personal learning
experience. 1-2 are assessed during clinics
and tutorials. 3 is assessed in practical and
demonstration classes. 4 is assessed during
the programme by personal learning and
production of the research project with
supervision.
Practical skills are assessed summatively
by the use of OSCE and the practical
dermatopathology exam.
Generic/transferable skills:
1. Critical evaluation of literature/data with
minimal guidance
2. Use of IT equipment, computer
programmes and other learning resources.
3. Development and evaluation of personal
learning strategies.
PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 8 June 2007
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2008/9: 19th February 2009
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2009/10: 24 th August 2009
PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 23 April 2010
PAF finalised for 2010/11: February 2011
PAF finalised for 2011/12: 23 August 2011
PAF finalised for 2012/13: 20 September 2012
PAF finalised for 2013/14: 4 December 2013
These are achieved through the following
teaching/learning methods and
strategies:
Transferable skills are developed during
small group teaching (tutorials, seminars,
and clinics) and by personal experience
Programme approval 2006/07
4. To work and learn as part of a group
5. To give and receive feedback on learning
6. Development of effective communication
and interviewing skills both spoken and
written.
during dissertation preparation and
tutorials.
Assessment:
Formative assessment of 1-3 takes place
informally during tutorials and dissertation
preparation, and 4-6 during clinic clerking,
tutorials, and by feedback to the module
team.
These skills are assessed summatively by
the clinical oral examination, production of
the research project and its oral
examination.
18. Statement of how the programme has been informed by the relevant subject benchmark
statement(s)/professional and statutory body guidelines
N/A
19. Programme structure and award requirements (where relevant the information should also
differentiate the particular requirements of pathways within a programme or linked/exit awards)
(a) numbers of core, compulsory and optional modules to be taken in each year of the
programme
MSc: 4 core modules taken in 1 year:
Theoretical Dermatology (60 credits); Clinical Dermatology (60 credits); Dermatopathology (15
credits); Research Project (45 credits). Students awarded the MSc Clinical Dermatology
(Dermatopathology) will take Practical Diagnostic Dermatopathology (60 credits)
(b) range of credit levels permitted within the programme
Level 7 only
(c) maximum number of credits permitted at the lowest level
180
(d) minimum number of credits required at the highest level
180
(e) progression and award requirements (if different from the standard)
Students must pass all four modules with an overall mark of 50% in each in order to be awarded the
MSc. Compensation is not permitted between individual modules.
Compensation will be permitted within the “Theoretical” and “Clinical” modules provided that the
mark of an individual element of assessment does not fall below 45% and the overall module mark is
at least 53%. A student failing an element of the “Theoretical” and “Clinical” modules between 45%
and 49% who does not obtain 53% overall will have to re-sit that module in its entirety. Students must
pass all elements of the Dermatopathology and Research Project modules at 50%.
A student failing any element of assessment in any module below 45% must re-sit the entire module
to which the assessment belongs.
PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 8 June 2007
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2008/9: 19th February 2009
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2009/10: 24 th August 2009
PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 23 April 2010
PAF finalised for 2010/11: February 2011
PAF finalised for 2011/12: 23 August 2011
PAF finalised for 2012/13: 20 September 2012
PAF finalised for 2013/14: 4 December 2013
Programme approval 2006/07
The percentage weighting for the calculation of merit and distinction will directly reflect the
proportion of credits allocated to each module in relation to the overall credit taken within each
programme/award, with classification thresholds set according to the core scheme as set out in the
“Credit Framework Regulations” of King’s College London.
(f) maximum number of credits permitted with a condoned fail (core modules excluded)
N/A all modules are core
(g) are students permitted to take a substitute module, as per regulation A3, 20.7?
N/A all modules are core
(h) other relevant information to explain the programme structure
Compulsory components
Attendance
As attendance at clinics and tutorials is deemed crucial to the development of clinical dermatological
skills, students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of clinics and tutorials. Attendance records
will be kept, and repeated absence would result in a written warning and failure to attend 75% of
tutorials and clinics would prevent examination entry. Students are also required to complete a clinical
portfolio as part of the “Clinical” module.
Mock examinations
There are two formative mock examinations: at the end of December and at the end of the spring
term. Unless the Module Leader has granted special dispensation to an individual, failure to attend
the examinations would result in disqualification from the final exams.
PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 8 June 2007
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2008/9: 19th February 2009
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2009/10: 24 th August 2009
PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 23 April 2010
PAF finalised for 2010/11: February 2011
PAF finalised for 2011/12: 23 August 2011
PAF finalised for 2012/13: 20 September 2012
PAF finalised for 2013/14: 4 December 2013
Programme approval 2006/07
Programme Structure
See Programme Handbook for modules to be taken.
20. Marking criteria
Assessment criteria are in line with marking criteria produced by the School Board of Examiners and agreed by KCL.
PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 8 June 2007
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2008/9: 19th February 2009
PAF Approved by QA&AA for 2009/10: 24th August 2009
PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 23 April 2010
PAF finalised for 2010/11: February 2011
PAF finalised for 2011/12: 23 August 2011
PAF finalised for 2012/13: 20 September 2012
PAF finalised for 2013/14: 4 December 2013