Antimicrobial Resistance MSc/PGCert

You will seek to develop a critical awareness and systematic understanding of key global pathogens, antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistance, infection prevention and control policies and procedures, antimicrobial stewardship, and apply knowledge to problem-based scenarios, in a global context. You will also look to develop a wide range of conventional and molecular microbiology laboratory techniques. The course will culminate in an independent research project where you can demonstrate your independence, critical evaluation, data analysis skills and communicate your findings effectively to a fellow professional audience.  

Modules

• Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare PGCert
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: Past, Present, and Future - 20 credits
    This module will introduce you to the global and historical importance of antimicrobial resistance. You will learn about the key reports both globally and in the UK that have publicised this growing problem. The module then aims to give you a thorough grounding in the modes of action of current antimicrobial agents, the mechanisms by which microbes can resist these agents, how they can share that resistance with one another, and the discovery and development of new antimicrobial agents. The module also aims to help you to understand the concept of One Health in relation to antimicrobials in human health, veterinary health and environmental health.
    
    A wide-ranging programme of lectures, workshops, tutorials and discussions will be used to explore these issues. Finally, the module will help you to develop the skills and expertise to communicate the problem of antimicrobial resistance, and some of the steps being taken to overcome it, to a wide-ranging audience and thus influence both public and professional practice in antibiotic use. You will be introduced to the subject of science communication and will learn how to use a selection of media to help network with, and influence, stakeholders.
  • Infection Prevention and Control - 20 credits 
    This module aims to give you an in-depth specialist knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices, and outbreak management policies and procedures (national and global). This module is also designed to enhance your ability to critically evaluate and discuss outbreak data and to apply the appropriate management policies and procedures to control outbreaks. In addition, the module will look to develop your communication and team-working skills to give you the confidence to effectively communicate the necessary outbreak responses to healthcare professionals of all levels.
    
    You will apply existing and enhanced knowledge and skills to provide informed results and support to IPC teams, Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, and other healthcare professionals in managing patient care and in preventing and/or containing outbreaks. Furthermore, you will be introduced to a range of hospital environmental testing methods used in, and the relevant standards aligned with, prevention of infections in healthcare settings to better equip them to evaluate outbreak data.
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship - 20 credits
    The aim of this module is to develop in you a detailed understanding of local, national and global policies and procedures relating to Antimicrobial Stewardship, which is a system-wide approach to using antimicrobials responsibly. Although the challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance is multi-factorial in nature, with many different interventions necessary to tackle successfully the issue, effective Antimicrobial Stewardship plays a vital part in this. A further aim of the module is to introduce you to the surveillance systems, used both locally and nationally in the UK, and globally, to monitor the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance, and the use of these systems to evaluate the impact of antimicrobial resistance in selected microbial species.
    
    In addition, the module aims to give you an understanding of the processes driving prescribing decisions by healthcare practitioners both in the UK and globally. Finally, the module aims to develop effective communication skills to influence public understanding of the risks of antimicrobials resistance and the principles of antimicrobial stewardship, and so drive positive change in our use of antimicrobial agents. 

  Compulsory

• Antimicrobial Resistance MSc

  All of the above modules plus:

  • Practical Techniques for Antimicrobial Resistance Investigation - 20 credits 
    The aim of this module is to enable you to become competent independent laboratory researchers and so enhance your employability after graduation. To facilitate this, the module will introduce you to the health and safety concerns of a microbiology laboratory. It then aims to afford you a range of both conventional and molecular microbiology laboratory skills that are core to the detection and analysis of antimicrobial resistance in individual species and in microbial populations. In addition, the module aims to provide you with a range of bioinformatics skills that are applied to the study of Antimicrobial Resistance.
    
    Furthermore, the module aims to give you skills in data analysis and presentation. The content includes a comprehensive laboratory programme including the culture and molecular analysis of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts. The content also includes an extensive series of workshops that consider both modern bioinformatics techniques and the appropriate statistical analysis of data.
  • Antimicrobial Resistance Impact Project - 20 credits 
    This module aims to meet the needs of a diverse range of students and makes accessible a wide range of topic areas bespoke to your interests and career goals. You will identify and define a key issue and need in the Antimicrobial Resistance landscape that is of relevance to your career development, workplace or the global scenario. You will pitch your study proposal to an approval panel. Here you will be assessed on the presentation and defence of your proposal with regards to the importance and impact of your study in the local, national or global Antimicrobial Resistance arena.
    
    Feedback will be received to help refine, formulate and implement a robust independent study design, culminating in a proposed service improvement, research output or provision and dissemination of knowledge to target groups, demonstrating impact in either research, public education, professional training, international collaborative learning, infection control, monitoring and auditing or the regulatory landscape.
  • Leading Strategic Change through Creativity and Innovation - 10 credits
    This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to manage change using creativity and innovation whatever the master’s degree of specialisation you elect to follow, in different types of organisational scenarios.  You will critically assess strategies for change and change management and explore the leadership skills required to lead successfully. You will explore, for example, the complexity of innovative strategic plans, implementation plans and how to apply analytical techniques, theories, models and creative problem-solving to manage change with confidence. Ultimately, you will be given the opportunity to develop an innovative framework to deliver a change management strategy in a changing organisational context. Finally, the module requires you to reflect critically on your personal learning and development needs and how you work with others, from an ethical and professional standpoint, to encourage your continuing professional development.
  • Research Principles and Preparation - 10 credits
    This module provides a detailed consideration of the complex processes necessary to formulate, develop and test a scientific/clinical hypothesis. You will apply these principles to the design of an individual research question in a chosen area pertinent to your degree title, including the consideration of appropriate controls and replicates and suitable data analysis approaches. The module will enhance skills in selecting and applying appropriate statistical methods and will encompass guidance on health and safety and ethical considerations. You will be required to submit your proposal for ethical and health and safety approval, and to consider key aspects of project management and logistics. You will be supported through the module by regular project planning meetings with your designated supervisor.
  • Research Project - 60 credits
    In this module you will carry out a series of investigative, analytical or experimental studies in your selected discipline area, analyse and present your findings in a scientific report. Normally, the project undertaken in this module reflects the proposal generated in the Research Principles and Preparation module. You are required to demonstrate critical analysis of the literature, authentic data collection and recording, appropriate data analysis and data presentation and critical evaluation with reference to published literature. You are supported and guided by your supervisor, but are expected to work independently with limited supervision, be able to deal with complexity and uncertainty, and identify and troubleshoot problems. 

  Compulsory

• Antimicrobial Resistance with Professional Experience MSc

  All of the above modules plus:

  • Professional Experience Preparation 1 - 0 credits
    The module, together with Professional Experience Preparation 2, aims to support you to prepare for your professional experience placement. This placement² requires you to undertake an approved professional experience placement for a minimum of 20 hours per week for 20 weeks, over two semesters.  Within this module, you will be encouraged to discuss your own aspirations and expectations of the professional experience placement and consider the value for your own development and career goals. The challenges of undertaking a professional experience placement and concerns and anxieties will be explored. The expectations of placement providers, understanding of professional behaviours and attributes and enhancement of workplace communication skills will be discussed. 
    
    You will be supported by the Talent Team which has a strong track record, working closely with academic colleagues and employers, research organisations and professional bodies, to enable students to benefit from relevant professional experience and career development opportunities. The Talent Team also has specialist international student advisory services, supporting international students to undertake a valuable UK-based professional experience as part of their programme of study. Academic staff work closely with the Talent Team to develop students’ professional skills and support them through the application processes e.g. CV/cover letter writing, effective communications, interview techniques and self-presentation, and networking. 
    
    Although this module does not contribute to the credits for the degree award, a pass in this module and in Professional Experience Preparation 2 are mandatory requirements for enrolment on the Professional Experience in Life Sciences 1 module. You are required to establish a portfolio to demonstrate your active engagement with the professional experience preparation and application process. The module must be passed at first attempt - resit opportunities are not permitted for zero credit rated modules.
  • Professional Experience Preparation 2 - 0 credits
    The module is a continuation of Professional Experience Preparation 1 and aims to continue to support you to prepare for your forthcoming professional experience². This requires you to undertake a placement for a minimum of 20 hours per week for 20 weeks, over two semesters. This module explores the application and selection processes more fully including interview skills development and practice. You will be supported to continue to make applications if necessary and to secure suitable professional experience opportunities. You will continue to be supported by the Talent Team and will identify a nominated academic tutor for ongoing support throughout the placement period. Once a placement has been secured (whether that be a professional experience with a host organisation, or a campus-based professional experience), you will explore in more detail the particular requirements of your placement and the expectations and skills needed, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the start of the placement.  
    
    Although this module does not contribute to the credits for the degree award, a pass in this module and in Professional Experience Preparation 1 are mandatory requirements for enrolment on the Professional Experience Placement 1 module. You are required to complete your Professional Experience planning portfolio with self-reflection on interview or other selection performance, Learning Contract agreement with a placement provider and forward planning for the placement itself in Semester 3. The module must be passed at first attempt - resit opportunities are not permitted for zero credit rated modules.
  • Professional Experience Placement 1² - 0 credits
    This module, together with Professional Experience Placement 2, provides a substantive professional experience for students who are registered on the Extended Master’s programmes. This may take the form of a professional experience with a host organisation, or a campus-based professional experience. The module will support the development of your personal and professional skills, including team working, time management, professional behaviours, communication, self-management and critical reflection, to enhance future employability. The module aims to encourage you to integrate theory and practice in an area relevant to your course discipline. The Professional Experience placement requires you to undertake an approved placement for a minimum of 20 hours per week for 20 weeks, spread over 2 semesters. 
    
    Although this module does not contribute to the credits for the degree award, a pass in this module and in Professional Experience Placement 2 are mandatory requirements for the award of MSc with Professional Experience. The module must be passed at first attempt - resit opportunities are not permitted for zero credit rated modules.
  • Professional Experience Placement 2² - 0 credits
    This module is a continuation of Professional Experience Placement 1. You continue your professional experience into this semester. You are required to evidence a minimum of 20 hours per week for 20 weeks over two semesters in professional experience placement.  Students registered on MSc degrees with Professional Experience are required to demonstrate ongoing engagement with the Professional Experience placement throughout the semester through regular reporting of attendance, activities and achievements. Although this module does not contribute to the credits for the degree award, a pass in this module and in Professional Experience Placement 1 are mandatory requirements for award of MSc with Professional Experience. The module must be passed at first attempt - resit opportunities are not permitted for zero credit rated modules. 

  Compulsory