Programme Specification MSc Audiology

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. Awarding Institution Teaching Institution Accreditation details Final award Name of award UCAS code QAA Subject Benchmark or other external reference Programme Leader Date specification was written University of Southampton University of Southampton British Academy of Audiology/Faculty of Engineering and the Environment MSc, PG Diploma and PG Certificate (Audiology) Audiology N/A N/A Carl Verschuur 03-11-2010

Educational Aims of the Programme

Introductory statement The aims of the programme are: To meet your academic needs for registration as a Clinical or Health Care Scientist (for MSc) in the field of Audiology (clinical pathway only) or to enable your further professional and scientific development in Audiology and related healthcare disciplines (non-clinical pathway) To provide you with theoretical background for clinical work or research in Audiology and related disciplines. To provide you with practical training to underpin the theoretical work and ensure that you have a basic entry level of skill for in-service training To develop your critical faculties, team working and project management skills by undertaking extended group problem-solving activities and conducting a substantial individual original research project The Postgraduate Certificate is suitable for you if you wish to study within the academic discipline without full clinical training, group problem-solving activities or research project. The Diploma is suitable for you if you wish to study within the academic discipline and undertake group problem-solving activities and clinical training but do not wish to carry out a research project.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to demonstrate: A systematic understanding of the physical, physiological and psychophysical bases of hearing and vestibular sciences applicable to audiology and related health care sciences. A basic understanding of general principles of health care sciences, especially in the broad area of clinically applied physiology. Understanding of the main assessment procedures used with adults and children in audiology, their scientific justification and the corresponding evidence base Basic understanding of acoustics and instrumentation relevant to audiology and related health care disciplines. Appreciation of the difficulties experienced by people with problems of hearing or balance, their consequences for everyday living University of Southampton 1 Programme Specification

Detailed understanding of the main methods for rehabilitation of adults and children with problems of hearing or balance including their underlying principles and the evidence base to support efficacy of interventions and therapies. Awareness of common methods of medical and surgical treatment of disorders of hearing and balance, and their effectiveness. Basic understanding of research methods applicable to audiology including statistical design and analysis of experiments involving human subjects. Understanding of the need for a structured scientific approach to patient examination, assessment and management; how this may require modification to match individual patients. Teaching and Learning Methods Lectures Interactive tutorials Self-directed individual study Problem-based learning based around group tasks in relevant scientific and healthcare topics Assessment methods Formative assessment via targeted assignments, on-line quizzes, presentations and computing lab work and via other methods indicated above. Summative assessment via individual assignments Summative assessment via individual reflective writing Summative assessment of formal examination

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to: Approach problem solving by identifying information needs and assembling information from different sources in order to build a clear overall picture of a complex problem and potential solutions, particularly as these related to health care science. Synthesise and analyse information and ideas and to apply creative and original thought in order to propose appropriate new solutions to complex problems. Evaluate different types of information critically in a variety of different formats (including patient history, individual medical reports, research publications, technical manuals, standards, government documents), appreciating uncertainty and evaluating risks. Make use of existing theories and concepts and to be able to apply them independently to new problems and situations. Teaching and Learning Methods Lectures Interactive tutorials Self-directed individual study Problem-based learning based around group tasks in relevant scientific and healthcare topics Computing laboratories Practical teaching sessions Formative teaching clinics Assessment methods Formative assessment via targeted assignments, on-line quizzes, presentations and computing lab work and via other methods indicated above. Summative assessement via individual assignments Summative assessment via individual reflective writing Summative assessment of formal seen and unseen examination Summative assessment of research dissertation and development of project management skills

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this programme you will be able to:

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Programme Specification

Be an independent learner. Be able to solve problems. Develop relevant information processing skills (including IT skills) including literature searching, abstracting documents, and collating information for the purposes of technical writing. Manipulate data (including IT skills), including analysis of data, application of statistical methods and interpretation of results. Communicate information via oral and written presentation, including scientific writing and professional interaction with patients. Develop skills in decision-making, initiative-taking, self-motivation and direction, personal responsibility. Manage your time via safe and effective project planning and execution, time management, group and team working skills. Teaching and Learning Methods Problem-based learning modules, which help to facilitate group working skills. IT and information processing skills will be developed via project work, research methods teaching and computing lab support to taught modules Information processing skills more generally will be developed through research methods and project teaching, and via problem-based learning modules Communication skills will be developed via group tutorials, practical skills teaching and interactive case seminars. Assessment methods Formative assessment of assignments, clinics and project development work

Subject Specific Practical Skills

You will be able to: Conduct assessments, observe behaviour and responses, record and interpret data in forms appropriate to audiological and related healthcare science at a basic level of competence. Make simple informed judgements, give basic practical advice and design practical solutions to problems in the field of audiology. Communicate results, information and ideas in appropriate formats for audiology or related healthcare science. Demonstrate professional and inter-professional team working ability in the context of health care.

Programme Structure
The programme consists of taught modules and a research project. Taught modules are further divided into foundation sciences and advanced modules, with foundation science modules being pre-requisites for advanced modules unless you are exempted through accredited prior learning (see below). The programme can be undertaken full-time or part-time. The minimum time for completion of the programme will be one year; the maximum time will be five years. For students undertaking the Scientist Training Programme, delivery will be over three years. You will undertake foundation sciences modules for the Postgraduate Certificate. The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc require you to complete further taught modules. The MSc also requires students to complete a research project. Foundation science modules are delivered in parallel during semester 1 (October to January), whereas advanced modules are delivered separately in short concentrated blocks. Advanced modules may be taken individually by external students not registered for an award for continuing professional development or by other students within the University of Southampton subject to resources being available. For all students, the following four foundation sciences modules must be completed during semester 1. An option of completing these modules over two consecutive years is also offered, although progression to advanced modules can only be undertaken if these have been completed. For those students who already have an undergraduate degree in Audiology from an accredited university distance delivery will be available for foundation sciences modules. 1. 2. 3. Physiology and psychology of hearing (7.5 ECTS) Pathology and the vestibular system (7.5 ECTS) Clinical assessment in audiology (7.5 ECTS) 3 Programme Specification

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4.

Principles of auditory rehabilitation (7.5 ECTS)

Additional 7.5 ECTS advanced modules comprise the remainder of the MSc programme. You must complete at least four, including module 5, which is mandatory. These have the following common elements: -Modules are open to external students with relevant healthcare backgrounds and marketed accordingly. -Modules are available either via local or distance delivery (distance delivery will be introduced from 2012/13 onwards). -Modules normally run via a combination of individual and group work. 5. 6. 7. 8. Applied research methods (7.5 ECTS) Diagnostic audiology (7.5 ECTS) Paediatric audiology (7.5 ECTS) Tinnitus and its management (7.5 ECTS)

Additionally, the following modules should be available from the academic year 2012/13 onwards, subject to viability as stand-alone modules for external students. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Advanced auditory rehabilitation (7.5 ECTS) Auditory processing disorder (7.5 ECTS) Paediatric habilitation (7.5 ECTS) Management of profound deafness (7.5 ECTS) Signal processing for hearing and hearing devices (7.5 ECTS) Speech science applied to hearing impairment (7.5 ECTS) Relevant clinical physiology modules from other UK accredited HEIs (7.5 ECTS)

In order to obtain the MSc, a research project (worth 60 credits; 30 ECTS) must also be undertaken. For those undertaking the programme part-time, this will normally be undertaken during the final year during which the programme is completed, although commencement of the project may be earlier than the final year, so long as module (5) above has been successfully completed. For those taking the programme fulltime the project must be completed during the summer, with a deadline for completion of the end of September. Successful completion of module 5 (applied research methods) is a pre-requisite for starting the project. For all routes, optional exit points are available in the form of: (i) a postgraduate certificate in Audiology and (ii) a postgraduate diploma in Audiology. The PG certificate is available to students so long as any combination of 60 credit units have been successfully completed; this will normally mean the foundation sciences modules. The PG Diploma can be obtained as described above, but without the research project (a total of 120 credits; 60 ECTS). For those following the Scientist Training Programme route over three years, completion of foundation sciences modules will normally entail full-time attendance in semester 1 of year 1. You will then undertake the remaining modules during the subsequent three semesters (semester 2 of year 1 and both semesters of year 2) according to availability of the modules.

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Programme Specification

Support for student learning

There are systems for the support of student learning in the Faculty as well as available from central University facilities. In the ISVR you will be able to access: An induction programme for orientation, introduction of the programme and staff, dissemination of materials. A programme Handbook including guidance on where to identify relevant information on course structure, examination and progression rules and other salient information Online delivery of support materials, lecture notes, discussion boards and quizzes via the Blackboard learning environment. A personal tutor to assist you with organisational and personal matters. This role is taken over by project supervisor when research project preparation starts. Personal e-mail account and e-mail access to staff. ISVR library and study resources. Access to specialist online resources. Access to Hearing and Balance Centre Clinics for practical and project work. Access to School during evenings and at weekends. Access to university Learning and Teaching Support Services. Formal progress monitoring during research project. The University provides: Library support Access to School cluster of computers with relevant specialist software Computer workstations, including clusters within the Hearing and Balance Centre with specialist software relating to Audiology and related disciplines. Study skills support provided via the UoS Centre for Learning and Teaching.

Methods for evaluating the quality of teaching and learning

You will have the opportunity to have your say on the quality of the programme in the following ways: Student evaluation questionnaires for each module of the programme. Acting as a student representative on the School staff-student liaison committee OR providing feedback to student reps to be reported to the committee. Accreditation at least every 5 years by the British Academy of Audiology Personal tutorial system for students with immediate access by meeting or e-mail Results of anonymous questionnaires from students with formal ratings of each module and lecturer Student representation on School Education Committee and School Board Staff-Student Liaison Committee University Training and Development Programme for staff support The ways in which the quality of your programme is checked, both inside and outside the University, are: Internal Module Reviews and Programme Review annually External Programme Review every 5 years Programme Committee meetings and Module Review meetings. External Examiner reports Annual quality reporting via the Faculty to the University Academic Quality and Standards Committee. Peer observation of teaching (internal and external staff) Annual staff appraisal (internal staff) Mentoring of less experienced clinical tutors and project supervisors Professional body accreditation/inspection visits Periodic programme review undertaken by the University

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Programme Specification

Criteria for admission

The normal criterion for entry is at least a 2i in a relevant science or engineering subject. Applications are individually assessed. If you do not match the standard profile, but have appropriate academic qualifications and clinical experience, you are encouraged to apply. You may be interviewed before a place is offered. Interviews normally entail visiting the ISVR. Interviews may be by telephone, for example for overseas applicants. In accordance with the Universitys Equal Opportunities Policy, the programme is open to anyone regardless of age, class, creed, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, nationality, sexual orientation or caring responsibilities. Please note: this programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide) or via Blackboard.

Assessment and Progression

The examination and assessment procedures are available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionIV and www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionVIII Referral examinations are held in late August/early September, after the decision reached by the Board of Examiners following the second semesters examinations. Research project The research project accounts for 30 ECTS credit. The project is independently assessed by at least two individuals, the supervisor and an internal examiner. Potential distinction candidates are allocated by an additional internal examiner. Students who obtain less than 50% have one opportunity to revise and resubmit the dissertation; the deadline for resubmission is set by the Examiners in accordance with the amount of work required to bring the dissertation up to the required standard.

Revision History
1 2 3 Created 20 April 2010 Revised 16 December 2010 Checked 7 August 2012 C A Verschuur

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Carl Verschuur MSc Programme Co-ordinator Tel: +44(0)23 8059 7601 Fax:+44(0)23 8059 4981 E-mail:C.A.Verschuur@soton.ac.uk

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Programme Specification