Comments from Students

The Core Module

‘It is very busy but I can’t name anything I’d want to leave out’

‘It illuminated aspects of medicine I did not know existed’

‘Especially enjoyed the day at Hammersmith –the speakers were fantastic and really allowed us to get involved and be interactive. The day will not be forgotten and I certainly feel privileged to have been given such an opportunity’

‘I wasn't too keen on complementary medicine before the session, but it had a big impact’

‘I did not really want to give full marks for everything but I really couldn't find fault this week. I really enjoyed the variety and quality of teaching’

‘This week has been fascinating’

‘Overall, gutted it is finished, but feel a lot more confident about my project and medicine in general’

‘I REALLY enjoyed the core module. It challenged me, but I feel that the talks have bettered my ability to understand the logic needed for the scientific method, and its use in answering research questions. It has been a privilege to meet the speakers, and hear their advice regarding academia and careers. I think that the incredible variety in topics has actually highlighted the potential for the intellectual linkage of seemingly unrelated fields of medicine.’

‘I especially enjoyed Prof X’s session- he told a story of how an unusual clinical presentation led to a 15 year investigation into 1 gene. His enthusiasm and charisma were inspirational, and was a fine example of why looking at very small things for many years doesn’t necessarily turn you into a boring nerd!’

‘Having to design a study in Dr Y’s session was thought provoking, and highlighted the difficulties that one must confront when you are forced to design a realistic study that addresses a research question.’

‘For me, I find the introduction of these techniques important. Crucial to their success seems to be visiting the labs after the lecture, as this contextualises the content of the talk, and the techniques can be visualised and remembered.’

‘There is no doubt that the questions that were raised by this week’s sessions [on errors in medicine and fraud] are entirely relevant as we will be working within a system that is based on scientific assumptions, has evolved within social and religious contexts, and is constantly moulded by the current political milieu. Those who are practised in looking beneath the surface for the cause of change are bound to do better.’

Comments from External Examiners

‘I think that this course provides very valuable exposure to clinically-based problems and clinical research. I think this programme should serve as a very useful template for other BSc projects both in UCL and at other Universities’

‘I was impressed with the study programmes followed by the students. A variety of different modules were undertaken which gave well rounded exposure to the subject. Module CLCS3009 (the clinical research project) was particularly commendable – all the students produced very well worthwhile pieces of work, some of which are eminently publishable’

‘I was impressed by the creativity and technical sophistication shown by medical students presented with this type of challenge’

‘Thank you for the opportunity to meet these enthusiastic students’