Program Overview
The MSc Trauma Science program provides a comprehensive foundation in trauma science, focusing on practical skills development for professions such as medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, engineering, and military personnel. Through evidence-based learning, problem-solving, and research-based dissertations, graduates are equipped to specialize in various aspects of trauma care, including critical care, neurotrauma, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and conflict trauma. This unique program combines civilian and military expertise from Birmingham's major trauma treatment center, resulting in a high demand for graduates in the field of trauma management.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Trauma Science program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical basis of trauma science, with a focus on developing specialized skills for various professions. The program caters to the needs of physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, engineers, scientists, and military personnel, offering tailored learning experiences to meet their individual and professional requirements. The program emphasizes the application of scientific reasoning to address key issues in trauma science, including communication skills, management approaches, decision-making, treatment options, and best practices. It also provides opportunities for leadership development in a multidisciplinary setting focused on trauma patient care. The program incorporates evidence-based learning through problem-based learning and journal clubs, fostering a culture of inquiry and critical analysis. Students engage in a substantive research project, developing research skills, project management, and presentation abilities. Research projects can be conducted in academic laboratories or clinical settings.
Outline:
The program is delivered over one year full-time or two years part-time. It consists of the following modules:
- Introduction to Trauma Science (20 credits): This module provides a foundational understanding of trauma science, covering its history, principles, and key concepts.
- Research Methods (20 credits): This module equips students with the necessary research skills, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Critical care, Torso Trauma and Burns Management (20 credits): This module focuses on the management of critical care, torso trauma, and burns, covering assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Neurotrauma (20 credits): This module delves into the complexities of neurotrauma, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and their management.
- Conflict Trauma (20 credits): This module explores the unique challenges of trauma in conflict settings, including the impact of war, terrorism, and other forms of violence.
- Musculoskeletal Trauma and Rehabilitation (20 credits): This module covers the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal trauma, including fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries.
- Research Dissertation (60 credits): This module culminates in the completion of a substantial research project, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills to a specific area of trauma science.
Assessment:
The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Extended Matching Set Questions: Multiple-choice questions that require students to match concepts, definitions, or scenarios.
- Multiple Choice Questions: Questions with a single correct answer, testing students' knowledge and comprehension.
- Short Answer Questions: Questions that require students to provide concise and accurate answers.
- Viva: Oral examinations that assess students' understanding of their research project and their ability to communicate their findings effectively.
- Dissertation: A substantial research project that demonstrates students' ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, and present their findings in a written report.
Teaching:
The program is delivered by experts in the field, including those from civilian and military backgrounds at the forefront of trauma care. The teaching methods are interactive, equipping students with the medical and scientific skills necessary to become specialists in trauma science and its management.
Careers:
The MSc Trauma Science program prepares graduates for a variety of career paths in the field of trauma care, including:
- Trauma Surgeon: Surgeons specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic injuries.
- Trauma Nurse: Nurses specializing in the care of trauma patients, providing critical care and support.
- Trauma Physiotherapist: Physiotherapists specializing in the rehabilitation of trauma patients, restoring function and mobility.
- Trauma Researcher: Researchers investigating the causes, mechanisms, and treatment of trauma, contributing to advancements in the field.
- Trauma Educator: Educators training healthcare professionals in the principles and practices of trauma care.
Other:
The program is delivered in partnership with frontline experts based in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham, Centre for Defence Medicine, and the University of Birmingham, creating a major trauma treatment center that offers the full range of required trauma specialists. This joint civilian and military clinical trauma center shares a campus with the University of Birmingham, where researchers from biomedical, engineering, and physical sciences are working together with the clinical teams on a range of trauma-related research programs. The program is the only full-time MSc Trauma Science course in the UK. Graduates have the ability to publish research conducted as part of their dissertation.
2024/25 UK: £16,290 full-time, £8,145 part-time International: 31,410 full-time Intercalation option: UK: £16,290
