Program Overview

Collaboration between leading HE distance learning providers in Ireland and UK to provide an Institute of Biomedical Science accredited degree. Fully online, offering flexible learning and study pace. Essential practical skills developed through intensive, annual lab work sessions at Sligo in Years 1 (2 days), 2 (2 days) and 3 (1 day) where attendance is manadatory. Specialist practical skills developed in Year 3 ( 2 days) and Year 4 ( 2 days and 2 days) either at Coleraine or in the work place for those students with work-based access to appropriate laboratory faciltiies. Employers benefit through your enhanced research, professional practice and key skills, and knowledge of biomedical sciences.

Attendance

Normally 4 years, over 9 semesters. This programme is fully online. However, students must attend laboratory practicals at Sligo in Years 1 (2 days), 2 (2 days) and 3 (1 day), and in Year 3 ( 2 days) and Year 4 ( 2 days and 2 days) either at Coleraine or in the work place for those students with work-based access to appropriate laboratory facilties.

Start dates

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Students will participate in an induction on how to be an effective online learner and how to use the Moodle and Blackboard Learn virtual learning environment. This will include an optional induction day at IT Sligo, prior to commencement of the course, and continue with online support over the first two weeks of teaching. Subject specific tutors support students to engage in a range of teaching and learning methods. Student participate in Moodle and Blackboard Learn posted online lectures, many of which are inclusive of problem based interactive tasks. Through the Institute’s and University’s online libraries, students gain access to their directed reading, in the form of e-books and journal articles. Students participate in tutor supported online activities and discussions, and in online self-assessment quizzes. Students studying the Science Lab Skills 1, Biomedical Science Lab Skills 1 and 2, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Medical Microbiology, Haematology & Transfusion Science, Cellular Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry modules are required to carry out a number of laboratory practical sessions. This will mean attendance by students at the state-of-art-facilities at IT Sligo in Years 1 (2 days), 2 (2 days) and 3 (1 day). In addition, attendance at Coleraine in Year 3 ( 2 days) and Year 4 ( 2 days and 2 days) will be required if the work place of the student can not offer access to appropriate laboratory faciltiies for the Molecular Biology and Genetics, Medical Microbiology, Haematology & Transfusion Science, Cellular Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry practical sessions.

Students will be assessed by a combination of Coursework and Examinations. Students undertake traditional written examinations, either at the campuses of IT Sligo or Coleraine or in their locality through the "Proctoring system" for IT Sligo delivered modules and the “Guarantor system” for Ulster University delivered modules. If a student opts to take his or her IT Sligo examinations via the "Proctoring system", which enables online examination administration within the home environment, then there is a small fee per exam. If a student opts to take his or her Ulster University examinations via the “Guarantor system” then he or she must nominate a line manager or professional to administer his or her exams under Ulster University specified conditions. Coursework includes essays, tests, critical reviews, plans, reflective statements, practical reports, journal based learning, case study reports, problem solving/data interpretation, and research papers.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.