Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
MSc Extreme Medicine 3-yr (PT DL)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Extreme Medicine 3-yr (PT DL) | Programme code | PTS3EMSEMS10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Academic year | 2024/5 | |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The programme is delivered in partnership between the University of Exeter Medical School (UEMS) and World Extreme Medicine, an external organisation that is the world’s leading provider of specialist training courses in extreme medicine. The programme’s hallmarks are the delivery of practical skills, knowledge and understanding across geographical and professional boundaries. A key feature are the residential locations of the courses within the UK as well as in mountain, jungle, desert and polar environments. Participants are drawn from the wider healthcare community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors and military medics. The programme will build the skills needed for working under circumstances of rapid change and uncertainty and demonstrate capabilities that extend beyond clinical competence into areas such as leadership, teamwork, resilience, humanitarian relief and conflict resolution. The programme’s foundations are in the core values of ambition, collaboration, challenge, community, impact and rigour, and is embedded firmly within the University’s mission to make the exceptional happen by challenging traditional thinking and defying conventional boundaries.
Depending on the specific modules taken, students may receive one of the following named awards:
- MSc Extreme Medicine (Cold Environment)
- MSc Extreme Medicine (Hot Environment)
- MSc Extreme Medicine (Humanitarian Relief)
Your eligibility for the particular award will be confirmed by the final Assessment Progression and Awarding Committee (APAC) on the basis of the modules that have been completed. In order to graduate with a particular named award in parentheses, you will need to notify the programme support team accordingly. Otherwise the award name will be MSc in Extreme Medicine.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
As a student of the Masters, you will critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a range of challenging environments. This will focus not only on evaluation of health issues to be expected in the field, but the planning and preparation phase for any remote or wilderness activity. You will also learn to recognise and evaluate the unique ethical, professional and legal challenges of delivering medical care in challenging environments. The programme will develop the skills necessary to evaluate research literature, and manage the challenge of implementing health interventions where evidence may be weak or conflicting. Key elements of the programme are the short residential courses designed to provide the challenge of learning in an unfamiliar environment and relying on collaboration and support of the other participants. Expert tutors will facilitate group discussions and project work and provide support for independent learning. Assessments are designed to provide opportunities for personal reflection, critical appraisal, evaluation and analysis to demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained throughout the programme.
You are able to specialise in particular areas of Extreme Medicine. This specialism will be reflected in your award title provided you have taken the appropriate modules specified below, and completed an independent research project in the relevant field.
The Masters consists of compulsory and optional modules, and one dissertation
- Core Concepts in Extreme Medicine (30 credits)
- Human Factors – Situational Awareness (15 credits)
- Humanitarian & disaster relief (30 credits)
- Special environment modules in jungle, desert, polar, winter alpine, ocean, search & rescue and mountain medicine (15 credits each)
- Wilderness Dentistry (15 credits)
- Dive medicine (30 credits)
- Dissertation
4. Programme Structure
The Masters programme is available as full time study, or 2 or3 year part time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This is a unique distance learning programme. Over the course of the MSc there is no requirement to be based in the Exeter area, or even in the UK. Each module incorporates a short intensive face-to-face teaching component that is hosted in an authentic environment relevant to that specialism. These locations are part in the UK, part overseas. The programme meets the requirements for a full time programme as defined by the Office for Students as it involves 120 credits of taught modules and requires an average of at least 21 hours of study time per week, including guided independent study, for at least 24 weeks per year.
The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
Our PGT programmes are designed as standalone courses but the College also aims to provide flexibility where possible. We recognise that you may sometimes wish to take a module from elsewhere in the College, or the wider University, to fit in with their specific research or professional interests. A taught Masters degree is made up of 180 credits, usually 120 credits of taught modules and 60 credits of dissertation. Normally at least 90 credits of taught modules (but an absolute minimum of 60 credits), plus the dissertation, will need be taken from within the named award in order to graduate with that award. That means that 30 credits could be made up from one or more appropriate modules from another Masters level programme(s) in place of your scheduled ones, depending on the module prerequisites, the contact days of the modules, and your funding source. There may be an additional fee associated with certain postgraduate modules. It is also important to note that the timing of your new module’s contact days and assessments might conflict with your existing programme of studies. If after considering these factors you would like to explore this option further, please discuss this with the MSc’s Programme Director. The CMH PGT Support team can then advise about the application process, which would then go for approval from the Programme Director of your current programme and the Module Lead and Programme Director of the programme(s) in which your new module(s) sits.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The following table describes the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site:
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
Note: The Core Concepts compulsory module HPDM100 provides an important overview to a variety of the specialist areas on the programme. It is mandatory to attend this residential module before any other modules can be taken.
(a) - for modules labelled a: you must take two of these modules for the MSc Extreme Medicine (Cold Environment) specialism
(b) - for modules labelled b :you must take these modules for the MSc Extreme Medicine (Hot Environment) specialism
(c) – for modules labelled c: you must take this module for the MSc Extreme Medicine (Humanitarian Relief)
(d) – for module labelled d : your research project must be in the relevant field for any of the named awards
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM100 | Core Concepts | 30 | No |
| HPDM102 | Human Factors - Situational Awareness | 15 | No |
| HPDM148 | Independent Research (d) | 60 | Yes |
Optional Modules
* Module HPDM075 does not run every year. Please check with the programme team when it is running next.
** You can take either HPDM077 or HPDM078
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPDM167 | Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (c) | 30 | No |
| HPDM073 | Special Environment - Mountain (a) | 15 | No |
| HPDM072 | Special Environment - Jungle (b) | 15 | No |
| HPDM074 | Special Environment - Polar (a) | 15 | No |
| HPDM077 | Special Environment - Winter Alpine **(a) | 15 | No |
| HPDM085 | Special Environment - Ocean | 15 | No |
| HPDM086 | Special Environment - Desert (b) | 15 | No |
| HPDM137 | Wilderness Expedition Dentistry | 15 | No |
| HPDM159 | Dive Medicine | 15 | No |
| HPDM075 | Medicine at the Final Frontier * | 15 | No |
| HPDM078 | Special Environment - Advanced Alpine ** | 15 | No |
| HPDM161 | Search and Rescue Course | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Critically evaluate the ethical and professional challenges and framework of providing healthcare in remote and/or extreme environments. | Residential course, including specialist tutorials, group discussion and project work, collaborative exercises, formative feedback from facilitators and peers, independent learning, in-depth reading and analysis in preparation of assignments. | 1 Written assignment evaluating planning and implementation of expedition support in specified remote and extreme environments (ILOs 1,2,4). 2 Written assignment appraising the strategies and key interventions of mass casualty scenarios (ILOs 1,3,4). 3 Reflective writing in the context of personality and teamwork (ILO 5). 4 Formative feedback in scenario management in context of trauma workshop (ILO 3,4,5). |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Formulate focused research questions in the context of out-of-hospital healthcare delivery. | Residential course, including specialist tutorials, group discussion and project work, collaborative exercises, formative feedback from facilitators and peers, independent learning, in-depth reading and analysis in preparation of assignments. | 5 Written assignments focusing on systematic review of evidence and recommendations for intervention (ILOs 5,6,7). |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Develop honest and self-reflection of own personality and leadership style. | Residential course, including specialist tutorials, group discussion and project work, collaborative exercises, formative feedback from facilitators and peers, independent learning, in-depth reading and analysis in preparation of assignments. | 6 Reflective writing in the context of personality and teamwork (ILOs 9,10,12). 7 Formative feedback, facilitator led but including peer feedback throughout residential course workshops and activities (ILOs 9,11). |
7. Programme Regulations
Each module includes both formative and summative assessments. Formative assessment will involve opportunities for discussion and feedback from peers and tutors. The summative assessments provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the intended learning outcomes.
You can graduate with a specialist named award:. MSc in Extreme Medicine (Cold Environment), MSc in Extreme Medicine (Hot Environment) and MSc in Extreme Medicine (Humanitarian Relief). The conditions for graduating with a named award are as follows:
MSc in Extreme Medicine (Cold Environment)
The award comprises compulsory programme modules, 30 credits of the cold environment specialist modules, a research project in the relevant field, plus optional modules for the remainder of the programme credits.
MSc in Extreme Medicine (Hot Environment)
The award comprises compulsory programme modules, 30 credits of the hot environment specialist modules, a research project relating to Extreme Medicine in the relevant field, plus optional modules for the remainder of the programme credits.
MSc in Extreme Medicine (Humanitarian Relief)
The award comprises compulsory programme modules, 30 credits of the humanitarian relief specialist modules, a research project in the relevant field, plus optional modules for the remainder of the programme credits.
Students who do not request or do not meet the conditions for the named award will graduate with the MSc in Extreme Medicine.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
The University of Exeter Medical School, UEMS, follows the University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on your studies and each module lead will be the first point of contact in terms of advice and guidance; the programme lead will have oversight of the types of support needed as you progress through the programme; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with academic advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on issues such as personal difficulties. You can also make an appointment to see other staff members.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MSc Extreme Medicine 3-yr (PT DL)
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/12/2016 |
Date of last revision | 17/05/2024 |
|---|
