Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Sciences

Differences from 2015/16 to 2021/22

General Regulations

  • 1. The Medical Sciences Board shall have the power to grant Postgraduate Diplomas in Musculoskeletal Sciences to candidates who have satisfied the conditions prescribed in this Section.

  • 2. The Examination shall be under the supervision of the Medical Sciences Board.

Special Regulations

  • 1. The Medical Sciences Board shall elect for the supervision of the course an Organising Committee, which shall have the power to arrange teaching, assessments, and other instruction.

  • 2. The Organising Committee shall appoint for each candidate an academic supervisor.

  • 3. Candidates will hold a first degree in medicine, or exceptionally a biomedical science degree.

  • 4. Candidates shall follow a course of study in Musculoskeletal Sciences on a part-time basis for at least six terms, and including vacations, as determined by the course timetable. The course commences every two years in January and runs until December of the following year.

  • 5. Candidates shall be examined in all of the following ways:

    • (i)    Year 1 (January to December)

      • (a) Each candidate shall submit a literature review of no more than 4,000 words on a topic selected by the candidate and approved by the Organising Committee. The review must be submitted during Week 2 of Michaelmas Term on a date to be specified in the course handbook.

      • (b) Each candidate must pass an examination in Michaelmas Term. The examination will comprise two elements: the first of these will consist of a one-hour computer-based assessment comprising multiple-choice questions; the second of these will constitute a two-hour written paper. The dates of the examination will be specified in the course handbook.

    • (ii) Year 2 (January to December)

      • (a) Each candidate must submit, for assessment of their progress, an outline research proposal. The outline must be submitted in Hilary Term on a date to be specified in the course handbook.

      • (b) Each candidate will be assessed on their presentation skills by means of a public oral presentation on his or her research topic. The presentation must take place in Trinity Term on a date to be specified in the course handbook.

      • (c) Each candidate must pass an examination in Michaelmas Term. The examination will comprise two elements: the first of these will consist of a one-hour computer-based assessment comprising multiple-choice questions; the second of these will constitute a two-hour written paper. The dates of the examination will be specified in the course handbook.

  • 6. Candidates may be examined viva voce on their research proposal. The viva voce examination will normally be conducted at the end of the course.

  • 7. Candidates must pass each examination or written assignment in order to pass overall.

  • 8. Candidates will be allowed one opportunity to retake or resubmit each of the required elements, normally within six months of the original failure, should they fail to reach the necessary standard. Candidates failing to pass any element at the second attempt will normally be judged to have failed to reach the necessary standard for the award and will not be permitted to continue.

  • 9. The required written submissions must be sentuploaded to the ChairUniversity ofapproved Examiners,online MScassessment in Musculoskeletal Sciences, c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxfordplatform. Submissions must be accompanied by a declaration of authorship and originality.

  • 10. The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in part of or in the whole examination.

Schedule

The syllabus for study will include the following components:

Core Subjects

  • Candidates are required to complete all of the following modules:

    • 1. Principles of Musculoskeletal Diseases

    • 2. Research, Statistics and Epidemiology

    • 3. Scientific Aspects of Common Musculoskeletal Diseases

Specialist Subjects

  • Candidates are required to complete one of the following modules:

    • 1. Advanced Rheumatology

    • 2. Advanced Orthopaedics