The worldwide increase in the aged population raises fundamental issues in terms of healthcare and societal provisions. The promotion of health in the elderly and maintaining of health into old age has attracted much attention internationally, nationally and locally. There is a general recognition that improvements to support healthy ageing are paramount to sustainability.
This course seeks to develop an understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of the ageing process in humans, and how this primary biological information can be applied to the maintenance of health in old age.
Ultimately, we aim to produce postgraduates capable of making a significant contribution to maintaining the health of the elderly population through an understanding of the ageing process and how age associated disease burden can be both mitigated and managed.
Graduates could enter employment in the laboratory and public health research arena, nutrition and longevity schemes in both the public and private sector, exercise and longevity, applied health promotion for the elderly, health management, functional food sciences, geriatric rehabilitation, scientific journalism, pharmaceutical industry, and policy advice on ageing and education. Additionally, the course prepares students for higher level study such PhD level study.
Programme Aims
The aims of the course are to provide a framework in which students can:
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Develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of ageing and age-associated health informed by current scholarship and research.
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Demonstrate critical awareness of current issues and developments in the field.
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Produce a research project in the subject, which will include a critical review of existing contemporary literature as well as data collection and interpretation.
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Develop and demonstrate extensive independent learning skills and the ability to take responsibility for own learning, use of initiative, problem solving, decision making and effective communication using a range of media.
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Trimester 1
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Trimester 2
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Trimester 3
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Molecular and Cellular Basis of Ageing (20 Credits)
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Nutrition for Healthy Ageing (20 Credits)
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Dissertation (60 Credit)
Including
School Research Day
Poster Presentation
Oral Presentation
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Exercise Physiology for Healthy Ageing (20 Credits)
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Independent Study Project (20 credits)
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Research Methods and Funding (20 Credits)
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Future Medicines (20 Credits)
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Programme Structure
Modules will comprise of 200 student learning hours per 20 level 7 credits including 30 taught/contact hours, 5 seminar contact hours and 165 self directed learning hours.
Trimester 1 10 weeks x 3.5 hours per module Oct – Dec
Trimester 2 10 weeks x 3.5 hours per module Jan – April
Trimester 3 10 weeks lab based project May - July
Modules
Molecular and Cellular Basis for Ageing
This module is designed to introduce students to the biological intricacies of ageing, allowing them to develop a sound knowledge of the ageing process at the cellular and molecular level. Current theories of how ageing takes place will be discussed along side evidence derived from the cellular and molecular sciences to develop sound arguments and discussion based upon contemporary scientific literature. A thorough understanding of current knowledge of the molecular basis for ageing is imperative for the advancement of further research and application of technologies available to maintain health in to old age. It is anticipated that knowledge gained in this module can be applied to a range of modules in the programme.
Exercise Physiology for Healthy Ageing
A rapidly ageing population across the world is causing many issues within society. This includes; a burden on the healthcare system; and most importantly, more years of ill-health counteracted by a lower quality of life. An increased life expectancy has led to an increase in the number of older adults in the UK; with those of retirement age (65+) a similar proportion to those under the age of 16, and continually growing. Due to this proportion of the population increasing, it is important to understand how the ageing process influences the physiological systems of the body and the role that regular exercise plays in maintaining those changes. It is also important to understand how the ageing related changes of these physiological systems effect functional ability of older individuals (i.e. ‘the competence of an individual to have the physiological capacity to perform normal everyday activities safely and independently without undue fatigue’, Rikli and Jones, 1999) and whether regular exercise is useful as a preventive measure for the decline in functional ability and therefore, quality of life. The module links well with the molecular and cellular basis for ageing and nutrition for healthy ageing curricula, as well as potentially providing fundamental concepts for the dissertation.
Research Methods and Funding
Part of the role for further development as an effective scientist is the ability to apply for grant funding and communicate science to peers and the public. This module will enable students to develop the skills required in order to write an effective grant funding proposal based on their research project and to peer review a scientific manuscript. Students will also present data to both scientific and non-scientific audiences thus preparing them for public engagement of science.
Nutrition for Healthy Ageing
This module will enable students to develop specialist nutritional expertise associated with the processes of ageing. This module will look at the factors which affect the dietary intakes and nutritional status of older adults. It will provide students with the relationships between specific nutrients and their importance in delaying some conditions/diseases associated with ageing. It will also focus on the important relationship between a balanced nutritional intake, medication and physical activity; thus has clear links with the molecular and cellular basis for ageing, future medicines and exercise physiology based modules.
Independent Study Project
This Masters level module is designed to facilitate independent student engagement in published contemporary research through the production of an extensive critically evaluative report analyzing a specific area relevant to the degree title. The choice of topic will remain with the student, but is to be agreed by the module leader and supervisor. The selection of subject should reflect the student’s own interests, or future career aspirations. In order to ensure appropriate breadth within the degree programme, it must be sufficiently different from the topic that the student chooses to undertake for their dissertation project.
Future Medicine
This module is designed to introduce students to the recent and future directions and breakthroughs in medical science and treatment. These technologies will play an important part of our future allowing people to live longer more active lives. Groundbreaking technology and issues facing the medical field will be presented and discussed. Students with knowledge of emerging technologies will have an advantage in employment in these areas of medical science. The curriculum builds on that already developed in the cellular and molecular basis for ageing module as well as some aspects of nutrition and exercise. It also utilises research skills developed in the research methods and funding module.
Dissertation
The Masters level dissertation will provide an opportunity for individuals to conduct a research project within the discipline of the science of healthy ageing. The focus of the dissertation will be a research-based study that will link with the research interests of staff as appropriate. This will give students the opportunity to participate in and develop a current research area. The skills developed on this module will include: critical evaluation of knowledge, methodologies and data; practical data collection and interpretation skills; data analysis and presentation; critical consideration of data, interpretation and drawing of conclusions; as well as project management and autonomous learning. Students will have to demonstrate their understanding via a poster presentation and give 10 minute talk to the School of Science Technology and Health during a Research Day which will include a panel of assessors. The module is expected to draw on knowledge and skills developed throughout the modules on the programme to facilitate the demonstration of an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the project.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
A diverse range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies are used on the course. A balanced mix of traditional and contemporary learning approaches. Examples include interactive lectures and seminars; laboratory work; group discussions; problem based learning; group activities; case study analysis and the use of the online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Through the VLE students have access to module content, including additional reading material, power point presentations, and links to relevant websites. Discussion boards are used to encourage students to engage in academic discussions with their peers and staff.
Assessment is used to demonstrate that the learning outcomes have been achieved, and is critical to learning. A range of summative assessment types are employed within the programmes to enable students to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment methods include; A grant application; discussion papers; critical essays; examinations; presentations, including peer-assessed presentations; poster presentations; literature reviews; brief communications of a detailed scientific topic to a layperson and scientist, and a research dissertation.
Timetabling
The course is modular, consisting of modules worth 20 credits. Full time students will therefore take 180 credits in any one academic year and will expect to complete the course in one year. Teaching of the modules begins at the end of September and finishes at the end of April, with breaks for Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Reading weeks mid-term allow for consolidation of course material. The Summer Trimester between April and July is the period in which students undertake their research projects known as a dissertation. All students will be expected to undertake approximately three hours of independent study for every hour of contact time. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Course Delivery
The course is delivered at the Ipswich Campus, taking advantage of the teaching rooms and learning resource centre of the waterfront buildings which include the new James Hehir building (JHB). The James Hehir Building is home to specialist teaching and research facilities including stem cell research laboratories, clinical skills laboratories, physiology and exercise science laboratories, and an iLab, as well as general teaching laboratories and study space.
Tutorial and Study Support
Each student will be assigned a personal tutor with whom they will have a meeting at least once a term to discuss progress on the course and assist in areas of difficulty. The teaching team are dedicated to ensuring students have the best possible experience, so are keen to help and support wherever possible. There are also excellent central services in areas such study skills, learning development, library support, counselling and financial support.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
Graduates will be well placed to secure jobs as researchers working in universities, pharmaceutical and bioscience companies and institutes. Some graduates may progress into laboratory-based careers in clinical or technical roles which do not involve research. The transferable skills developed during the course will equip graduates for a wide range of careers outside the laboratory for example within scientific publication.
While this course provides students with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and knowledge base for employment in a wide range of biologically based careers and research. It is also an excellent foundation for further study in the fields of teaching and the professions allied to medicine.
The delivery of the course comprises a mixture of structured “taught” modules and self directed study and literature reviews. The programme culminates with a research project dissertation aligned to the ongoing research at UCS in cell therapies, regenerative medicine and healthy ageing within the new Biotechnology Research Unit. This provides students with the opportunity to fully engage with contemporary research in the field.
The curriculum covers a range of important topics from the biology of the ageing cell through to key practical applications of nutrition and activity (exercise) for maintenance of health in old age. Students will also get to explore the field of future medicines where a range of innovative technologies are set to revolutionise the treatments of diseases associated with old age.
Modules studied include:
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Molecular and Cellular Basis of Ageing
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Exercise Physiology for Healthy Ageing
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Nutrition for Healthy Ageing
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Future Medicines
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Research Methods and Funding
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Research Project Dissertation
Further Information
The course includes a range of assessments designed to test a broad range of skills and development of knowledge. Assessment includes literature reviews, funding applications, poster presentations, examinations and science communications. As would be expected with postgraduate study, assessments are designed to stimulate thought, discussion and debate.
Please contact course leaders:
Robert Ellis (robert.ellis@ucs.ac.uk) or Dr Val Mann (v.mann@ucs.ac.uk)