Endocrinology and Diabetes Online PgDip

Queen Mary University of London

The popular online programme in Endocrinology and Diabetes is designed both as a complete curriculum in Endocrinology and Diabetes for new entrants into these fields and as an update and extension for those already in it. The course provides physicians, especially those training in endocrinology and related specialties, with a foundation in the theoretical and clinically-applied aspects of this discipline.

The unique aspects of this programme include:

• World-class specialty faculty engaged in teaching and supervision

• History of excellence of the centre for endocrinology at Barts and the London Medical School

• Breadth of syllabus

• Distance learning and novel teaching methods

• Part time alongside clinical work

The programme covers a comprehensive curriculum in clinical endocrinology. It is taught entirely by distance learning.

The Postgraduate Diploma comprises a taught course of 8 modules, delivered over 4 semesters. This will comprise 16 months of total study.

All of the modules are core to the Diploma and are studied in order of presentation, commencing with a 'generic skills and core knowledge' module which provides a foundation on which the subsequent modules build.

The MSc course comprises the taught course described above, with in addition during the second year of study involving an independent research project over a further two semesters. This project may be either laboratory or clinically-based, or in certain circumstances, library-based. The hypothesis and study design are proposed by the student and are carried out in the student’s home institution.

All students will initially register for the Postgraduate Diploma. Progression to MSc will be determined by student preference and successful completion of the taught course.

This programme aims:

• To enhance awareness of the basic sciences and research techniques underpinning endocrinology and diabetes including literature searches, reviewing evidence, critical appraisal of scientific literature, use of databases, writing papers and articles and correct application of statistics.

• To develop understanding of the clinical sciences relevant to specialist clinical practice in endocrinology and diabetes.

• To develop knowledge of common and important disorders in endocrinology and diabetes at a level appropriate to underpin clinical experience and support independent practice.

• To develop the problem-solving skills which will enable independent practice as a specialist.

• To develop professional competencies of medical graduates in allied areas to understand the pathophysiology, investigation and management of endocrine disorders

• To develop related transferable skills such as correct use of statistics, use of databases, literature searches, reviewing evidence, critical appraisal of scientific literature, writing papers and articles.

• For students completing the independent research module also to focus on a piece of original research – this may be prospective and involve basic science or clinical skills and techniques or may focus on a detailed review of an area within the curriculum.