MSc Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine / Course details

For students to obtain specialist knowledge of tissue engineering/regenerative medicine, they require a sufficient understanding of the general methodology and philosophy of research within these disciplines and its relationship to clinical therapy. To this end, the Masterclass unit will provide students with the principles of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine through a series of combined seminars and discussion sessions with experts in the field. This unique teaching method aims to generate a multidisciplinary training environment and transfer knowledge in specialist areas.  

The unit is delivered by academic and clinical-academic staff from across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, and Faculty of Science and Engineering to ensure a truly multidisciplinary approach. As seminars are delivered by staff members who are internationally recognised experts in their field, you will receive a state-of-the-art overview  of new developments and emerging concepts and technologies in this rapidly developing  field. Furthermore you have the opportunity to learn about research being carried out in the various Faculties and thereby apply a broad overview of different disciplines to your  research. Students should participate in group discussion and will be encouraged to ask  questions at the end of each seminar. Students are required to complete an on-line MCQ  assessment and participate in a group oral presentation.  

The course will be run from September to December and usually involves four, one hour  masterclasses per week.  

• provide the student with a detailed understanding of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine through a broad range of multidisciplinary topics,
• develop in the student the ability to learn key facts and concepts after attending a verbal and/or audio-visual presentation and to assess the relevance of the work,
• prepare students for a future career in tissue engineering by acquiring the knowledge and the skills to understand concepts, formulate ideas and translate these to clinical situations.

• have a broader understanding of the principles of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and the methodology used,
• have acquired the skills to learn new facts and concepts from an oral presentation, workshop, whilst at the same time discussing the specific topic in the broader context of tissue engineering,
• merge, inter-relate and apply several research disciplines and technologies to address specific research problems leading to clear clinical outcomes.

In most cases, students will receive two 1-hour lectures on the same subject area. The  first will provide an overview of the subject area, while the second will give specific  examples of on-going research in the field. Students will be encouraged to discuss  different aspects of the area covered and relate knowledge acquired with that from other modules to encourage multidisciplinary learning.  

The course is split into four modules:  

1.  Foundations of Biomaterials Design, Fabrication and Testing  

2.  Tissue Structure, Repair and Regeneration  

3.  Cell sourcing and characterisation  

4.  From concept to clinic  

Slides and podcast recordings from each masterclass will be made available to students. 

Multiple choice on-line assessment based on the information provided in masterclasses  from Modules 1, 2 and 3 (50% Assessment weighting). The assessment will be scheduled in mid-November.  Students should complete the assessment in one sitting and will not be able to view other  sites or return to the assessment at a later date. The team challenge consists of a 15 minute  group presentation (50% Assessment weighting) based on information provided in  Modules 1 - 4. Each group (3 -5 students) is required to present an innovative solution to a  major clinical problem using a tissue engineering/regenerative medicine approach. The  assessment will be scheduled in December. Students will be  provided with a challenge and should arrange to meet beforehand to brainstorm ideas and  practice showcasing their unique concept. Each group will deliver a PowerPoint  presentation to the assessors and should be prepared to answer questions and discuss  ideas. Each team should prepare a maximum of 15 PowerPoint slides with each team  member producing and presenting a maximum of 3-4 slides each.  

 A questionnaire used to collect student opinion on the course unit. Formal summative assessments with feedback.