University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 60

ECTS credits : 30

Level : SCQF level 8

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Available only to students enrolled in the BSc Honours Medicine programme.

Planned timetable: To be arranged.

The medical course takes the form of an integrated spiral curriculum, where teaching in all relevant subjects is delivered grouped holistically or by systems and revisited with increasing complexity throughout the course. Foundations of Medicine 1 and 2 form the initial turn of the spiral in which fundamentally important knowledge is reviewed. During subsequent turns of the spiral, the topics covered in these two modules will be revisited at a more advanced level and with increasing clinical application. A series of core, introductory clinical cases illustrates the clinical context throughout Foundations of Medicine 1 and 2. Foundations of Medicine 1 provides a general overview of the structure and functions of the body systems from the microscopic to the macroscopic level: reviews molecular and cellular medicine; gives a preliminary introduction to medical ethics and communication skills relevant to medicine; uses clinical problems to develop an understanding of the levels of consciousness and the assessment of health status. The module also includes an anatomical overview of the major body systems and the dissection of the back.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: On average 10 lectures and 6 hours of seminars/tutorials/practicals each week. Clinical case studies, clinical and communication skills on a 2-week cycle including 1 x 2 hours session with volunteer patients. Up to 6 hours per week of directed self-learning

Scheduled learning hours: 200

Guided independent study hours: 400

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Module Examinations will comprise 2 written examinations totaling 75% of the module grade. Coursework will comprise a written examination totaling 25% of the module grade.

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 75%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 25%

Re-assessment: 2 x 1.5-hour Written Examinations = 100%