Course Structure 

Course details are accurate at the time of printing but may be altered as necessary. 

For full time MSc students the course lasts for one calendar year (end of September to early September the following year). For Graduate Diploma students the course lasts one academic year (end of September to early June). 

Part time students can complete the course over two or three years and will take examinations on appropriate sections of the course at the end of the year in which they study them. More information on part-time study is given below.

The course will be organised as a series of modules, each of which earns credits. Modules earning a total of 180 credits must be passed to gain an MSc. For the UCL Graduate Diploma, 120 credits are needed. Some modules will be shared with other programmes in the MSc School whilst some are only for the Neurophysiotherapy course.

Where modules are based on existing Bobath courses, students may be exempted from equivalent modules, or may only be required to undertake elements of assessment specific to the MSc programme. Possible exemptions need to be discussed with the Programme Co-ordinator, Dr Margaret Mayston.

The following modules will be offered:
 

Title	Credits	Core or Option
Control of Movement	7.5	Core
Development of Motor Control	7.5	Core
Pathophysiology of Motor Control	7.5	Core
Neuroscience	15	Option
Muscle and Exercise Physiology	7.5	Option
Fundamentals of Pain	7.5	Option
Sport for the Disabled	7.5	Option
Biomechanics	7.5	Option
Interprofessional Practice	15	Core
Research Methods	7.5	Core
Becoming an Effective Practitioner	7.5	Option
Neurophysiotherapy Skills	15	Core
*Clinical Education in Neurophysiotherapy	2 x 15	Core
Project	6 0	Core

*See module outlines below for further information regarding this module.
 

Timetabling

The year will be divided into 6 parts as follows: 
 

	Term	Start date	End date	Duration (weeks)	Content	Total credits
Introductory week	1	Sept 26	Sept 30	1
Zone 1	1	Oct 3	Nov 25	8	Taught modules	45
Zone 2	1-2	Nov 23	Feb 10	8	Taught modules	37.5-45
Zone 3	2-3	Feb 163	May 5	10	Clinical education, Project preparation, revision	30-37.5
Exams	3	May 3	June 3	4.5	Exams and revision
Project		June 4	Sept 17	15		60

 

Module outlines

Control of Movement, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organiser Dr Margaret Mayston (Physiology Dept, UCL) 
Proprioception; integration at spinal cord level; Motor centres in the brain; posture and locomotion; motor learning. WebCT

Development of Motor Control, 7.5 credits, Option 
Organiser Dr Margaret Mayston (Bobath Centre/Physiology Dept, UCL) 
Basic physiological changes underlying development of motor control up to adulthood with a focus of the first 12 post-natal months. Introduction to the ideas of neurodevelopmental therapy (Bobath). WebCT

Pathophysiology of Motor Control, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organiser, Dr Margaret Mayston (Bobath Centre/Physiology Dept, UCL) 
This will be a self-directed reading module with regular tutorials covering major topics such as stroke and cerebral palsy. 

Muscle and Exercise Physiology, 7.5 credits, Option 
Organisers Prof R C Woledge, Prof Steve Harridge (Kings College London) 
Key topics: Energy supply to muscle; regulation of muscle phenotype; effects of training on muscle function; fatigue; cardiorespiratory responses to exercise. 

Biochemistry and Nutrition in Relation to Sport and Exercise, 7.5 credits, Option 
Organisers Prof R C Woledge, Prof Steve Harridge (Kings College London)
Key aspects of nutrition in relation to health and performance; ergogenic aids; special nutritional requirements for sport; thermoregulation and electrolyte balance; physical performance and ageing.. 

Fundamentals of Pain, 7.5 credits, Option 
Organiser Prof Bruce Lynn (Physiology Dept) 
Basic pain mechanisms; pain signalling from muscle and joint; pain and inflammation; neuropathic pain; back pain; problem upper limb pain; psychological approaches to pain management.

Neuroscience, 15 credits, Option
Organiser Prof Bruce Lynn (Physiology Dept)
The course will cover major topics in cellular and systems neuroscience, including: axoplasmic transport, functions of glia, action potentials, neurotransmitter and their release, synaptic potentials, visual and auditory systems, autonomic nervous system, neural basis of learning and memory. Neuroanatomy will be revised in 3 workshops using brain models and 3-D computer packages. Motor control issues will be covered only in outline, as a detailed core module on motor control is available.

Biomechanics, 7.5 credits, Option 
Organiser Prof D Grieve (Institute of Human Performance) 
Key principles of mechanics; biomechanics of the limbs and the spine; walking and running; jumping; lifting. This course will also include a brief introduction to ergonomics and a small number of prosection sessions covering the anatomy of the limbs and of the trunk and spine. 

Research Methods, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organisers Prof Bruce Lynn, Dr P Tatham (Physiology Dept) 
The scientific method; what we mean by "evidence based"; principles of experimental design; introduction to statistics; how to use spreadsheets; use of web-based bibliographic databases (e.g. Medline). This module uses a web-based, problem centred, approach and can be taken largely by distance learning.

Becoming an Effective Practitioner, 7.5 credits, Option  
Organiser Ralph Hammond
This module examines the purpose and the processes involved in the evaluation of the outcome of health care interventions. Key steps in the evaluation process will be covered including: the choice of outcomes, the selection and appraisal of appropriate measurement instruments, different methods of outcome evaluation, and the interpretation of results. WebCT

Interprofessional Practice, 15 credits, Core 
Organiser, Dr Margaret Mayston (Bobath Centre/Physiology Dept, UCL) 
This module will cover specific aspects of everyday management of patients with neurological problems.  Particular emphasis will be given to the sharing of skills of the Physiotherapist, Occupational, and Speech and Language therapists in the management team.  Specialist sessions dealing with interprofessional issues related to either children or adults will be set up to suit the interests of  students.
Note: If you have already completed the Bobath Course you will not have to do this element of the course although those doing the adult option will need to sit the exam.

Sport for the Disabled, 7.5 credits, Option
Organiser Prof M Ferguson-Pell (RNOH)
Progressing from a historical perspective of restriction to prescription, this module covers many aspects of sport for the disabled, such as issues of inclusion, elite disability sport, specialised equipment, and principles of adapted physical activity.

Neurophysiotherapy Skills, 15 credits, Core 
Organiser Dr Margaret Mayston (Bobath Centre/Physiology Dept, UCL) 
This module comprises principally theory and practise of handling skills and will be built around teaching at the Bobath Centre (Paediatric) and at other centres (Adult). 

Clinical Education in Neurophysiotherapy, 30 credits, Core 
Organiser Dr Margaret Mayston (Bobath Centre/Physiology Dept, UCL) 
This key module will be run as a series of 10 credit modules, with students taking 2 out of total of 5. The 5 modules will be:

A. Clinical and theoretical aspects of paediatric neurophysiotherapy
B. Clinical problem solving in paediatric neurophysiotherapy
C. Clinical management of stroke
D. Clinical aspects of rehabilitation in the neurologically impaired adult
E. Evidence-based practice in neurophysiotherapy

Most combinations of modules would be possible, but (B) could only be taken after (A). Paediatric modules will involve the Bobath Centre while much of the adult teaching will involve the National Hospital. During these modules students would have the opportunity to undertake clinical placements. There will be an emphasis on integrating academic studies with clinical practice. Students will be required to write reports on patients and to make informal presentations to other students.

Research Project, 60 credits, Core  An initial literature survey will lead to the formulation of a research plan. The project will then be carried out and written up as a detailed research report. The results will also be presented orally at the end of the course. Each project will have a 1st Supervisor who provides the main support, and a 2nd supervisor who acts as a further source of advice and helps with the assessment.

Subject undergoing muscle function testing as part of a project on muscle strength training in children with cerebral palsy.

Past project titles have included:

• The effect of a muscle strength training programme on stiffness in children with cerebral palsy.
• Effect of ankle splinting on reflex activation sequence of postural balance muscles.
• Investigation of the feasibility of using an elliptical training apparatus with adult neurological patients during rehabilitation.
• Kinematic & biomechanical analysis of the upper limb in persons with spinal cord injury during manual wheelchair propulsion.
• Cutaneomuscular reflexes of the upper limb during development and in children with cerebral palsy.
• The effect of exercise training on the effort of walking in patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Relation of Graduate Diploma to the M Sc. 

The taught elements of the course, totalling 120 credits, are sufficient in themselves to gain a UCL Graduate Diploma. If a student wishes, they may subsequently re-enrol to do a research project, and if successful will be awarded an M Sc. Fees for the Graduate Diploma are 2/3 those of the MSc, i.e. pro rata in terms of credit value. 
 
 

Part-time study 

The modular nature of the course allows part-time study, taking up to 5 years (although most part-time students take only 2 or 3 years). Over a 2 year programme, students only attend UCL for an average of 1 day per week. However, the attendance is not spread uniformly. The project is the easiest component to organise as the timetable can suit the individual student and it can sometimes be carried out at the student's place of employment. For other parts of the course it is necessary to attend for short blocks (1-3 weeks) or for 1-2 days per week through "zones" lasting 8 weeks. The teaching in zones falls within the academic teaching year (End Sept to Easter).

As the present the part-time students would confirm, the key for part-time study is flexibility! Students interested in part-time study should discuss the options with the Course Tutor, Dr M Mayston.
 
 

Assessment

Assessment of taught modules
These will be assessed by course work and written exams. The exams will be mostly at the end of the academic year, but some may be at the end of the module. 

Assessment of clinical education 
In the various sub-modules a variety of methods will be used to assess clinical skills. Structured observation of students assessing and treating patients will be one component, and, particularly for work with children, this may be done from video. Quality of written reports will also form part of the assessment of some modules.

Assessment of the project 

The following elements will be assessed: 

1. The research report (limit 10,000 words), which must include a full literature review.
2. The oral presentation 

Selected students have a viva with external examiner(s) and the course tutor(s). This further explores the research results and method, essay topic and any other aspect of the course that the examiners have identified as a strength or weakness in the student.

Biodex will give an award to the student with the highest overall mark.

Top of page