Pre-Masters in Health and Medical Sciences

Semester 1 - Inspire and Explore

• Journal Club
  • In the Journal Club module you will build the skills and confidence you need in preparation for scholarly study and research at postgraduate level with a focus on the principles of critical reading to support self-critical writing. You will undertake a literature review in the subject area of your Major and develop the skills to handle evidence, claims, reasoning, arguments, sources, citations, evaluation, synthesis and summary. You will develop your understanding of the structure and staging of a research process including refining the research topic and writing effective objectives; creating an effective literature search; using online sources and catalogues; and using data and illustrations; discussion of findings and linking findings to the literature.
    
• The Modern Scientist
  
  • In the The Modern Scientist module you will be equipped with analytical skills embedded in research design. You will develop a strong understanding of core values of scholarly conduct and scientific practices. In this module, you will have a chance to re-establish maths and science fundamentals. Your tutor will be ready to adapt to your unique needs and circumstances. Indicative module content includes maths of statistical distributions, data management and protection, health and safety, communication, sampling, hypothesis testing, scholarly misconduct, collaboration.
    
• Biochemistry and Physiology OR Psychology
  • In the Biochemistry and Physiology module you will build a robust, flexible understanding of fundamental biochemical principles, such as the structure & function of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, and the regulation of biochemical processes. You will develop the skills to reflect, evaluate and draw conclusions based on data, evidence and their critical interpretation and analyse quantitative and qualitative information to make reasoned judgements and identify solutions in a HMS Masters Programme. Indicative module content includes living organisms as open systems, equilibrium as a driver of biological processes, osmolality, bioelectricity and action potentials, ventilation and perfusion coupling.
  • In the Psychology module you will learn to compare and contrast theoretical perspectives in cognitive psychology. You will develop the skills to critically evaluate relevant psychology research literature and analyse the quantity and quality of evidence in psychology. You will prepare for success on your University of Surrey Masters degree by applying statistical and analytical skills and evaluating the practical impact of research and scholarship. Indicative module content includes foundations of social psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology theories and research, individual differences, and biological bases.
    
• Research Skills for Masters
  • In the Research Skills for Masters module you will develop your ability to critically analyse theories related to health and medical sciences through extended reading and writing. You will have the chance to write a dissertation, produce a poster presentation and write up a research proposal. You will develop the skills to prepare for success when submitting a research proposal and a research enquiry within the framework of a health and medical Sciences postgraduate degree. Indicative module content includes methodologies in nutrition like HPLC, gel electrophoresis, and BMI; and research process elements like aims, quantitative and qualitative techniques, primary and secondary data, discussion, results and limitations.

All students also take the Academic English Skills module, the Student Leadership Programme and are eligible to enter the Sustainable Enterprise Competition.

Semester 1 - Inspire and Explore

• Skills for Enterprise and Innovation
  • In the Skills for Enterprise and Innovation module you will learn the skills needed in engineering industries to produce value and drive sustainable economic, social, technological and organisational development. You will identify your own potential capabilities, and learn to manage engineering projects and business start-ups including financial considerations. The module offers you the opportunity to work in or lead a team, and develop self-management, organisational awareness, creativity, communication, prioritising, problem-solving, influencing, self-reflection, numeracy and research skills.
    
• Journal Club
  • In the Journal Club module you will build the skills and confidence you need in preparation for scholarly study and research at postgraduate level with a focus on the principles of critical reading to support self-critical writing. You will undertake a literature review in the subject area of your Major and develop the skills to handle evidence, claims, reasoning, arguments, sources, citations, evaluation, synthesis and summary. You will develop your understanding of the structure and staging of a research process including refining the research topic and writing effective objectives; creating an effective literature search; using online sources and catalogues; and using data and illustrations; discussion of findings and linking findings to the literature.
    
• The Modern Scientist
  • In the The Modern Scientist module you will be equipped with analytical skills embedded in research design. You will develop a strong understanding of core values of scholarly conduct and scientific practices. In this module, you will have a chance to re-establish maths and science fundamentals. Your tutor will be ready to adapt to your unique needs and circumstances. Indicative module content includes maths of statistical distributions, data management and protection, health and safety, communication, sampling, hypothesis testing, scholarly misconduct, collaboration.
    
• Biochemistry and Physiology OR Psychology
  • In the Biochemistry and Physiology module you will build a robust, flexible understanding of fundamental biochemical principles, such as the structure & function of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, and the regulation of biochemical processes. You will develop the skills to reflect, evaluate and draw conclusions based on data, evidence and their critical interpretation and analyse quantitative and qualitative information to make reasoned judgements and identify solutions in a HMS Masters Programme. Indicative module content includes living organisms as open systems, equilibrium as a driver of biological processes, osmolality, bioelectricity and action potentials, ventilation and perfusion coupling.
  • In the Psychology module you will learn to compare and contrast theoretical perspectives in cognitive psychology. You will develop the skills to critically evaluate relevant psychology research literature and analyse the quantity and quality of evidence in psychology. You will prepare for success on your University of Surrey Masters degree by applying statistical and analytical skills and evaluating the practical impact of research and scholarship. Indicative module content includes foundations of social psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology theories and research, individual differences, and biological bases.
    

Semester 2 - Learn to Innovate

• Skills for Enterprise and Innovation
  • In the Skills for Enterprise and Innovation module you will learn the skills needed in engineering industries to produce value and drive sustainable economic, social, technological and organisational development. You will identify your own potential capabilities, and learn to manage engineering projects and business start-ups including financial considerations. The module offers you the opportunity to work in or lead a team, and develop self-management, organisational awareness, creativity, communication, prioritising, problem-solving, influencing, self-reflection, numeracy and research skills.
    
• The Future Scientist
  • In the The Future Scientist module you will learn to deploy methodologies as a tool to critically analyse topics with great societal impact. You will develop the confidence to explore the responsibilities of the scientific practitioner and reflect on the interaction between science and society You will have opportunities to choose and explore topics with a relevance to our society and our emerging futures, and use data analysis and scientific thinking to see structure into complexity. Indicative module content includes SPSS software, t-test, ANOVA test, time management, research misuse, dissemination, non-parametric tests, Bayesian methods, science and media, science and society, grants.
    
• Research Skills for Masters
  • In the Research Skills for Masters module you will develop your ability to critically analyse theories related to health and medical sciences through extended reading and writing. You will have the chance to write a dissertation, produce a poster presentation and write up a research proposal. You will develop the skills to prepare for success when submitting a research proposal and a research enquiry within the framework of a health and medical sciences postgraduate degree. Indicative module content includes methodologies in nutrition like HPLC, gel electrophoresis, and BMI; and research process elements like aims, quantitative and qualitative techniques, primary and secondary data, discussion, results and limitations.

All students also take the Academic English Skills module, the Student Leadership Programme and are eligible to enter the Sustainable Enterprise Competition.

Students progressing onto MSc Environment Psychology require degrees related in the fields of Architecture, Psychology or Environmental Engineering.

Students progressing onto MSc Human Nutrition require degrees related in the fields of either Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Nutrition and Veterinary.

Students progressing onto MSc Psychology (Conversion) require degrees related in the field of Human or Natural Sciences, Human Resources, Medicine, Social Sciences, or Social Work and GCSE equivalent Maths and English grade C.