Speech and Language Therapy BMedSci

Core modules:

Professional Practice 1

This module aims to introduce the student to the professional practice of the speech and language therapist (SLT). The module combines students' learning of theoretical knowledge of clinical methods, people with communication and eating, drinking and swallowing impairments and inter-personal and professional skills with clinical placements with children and adults with communication (and in some cases eating, drinking and swallowing) impairments. The module introduces the student to their first clinical placements with children and adult clients across placements in the Philippa Cottam Communication Clinic (PCCC) (the clinic in HCS), plus external placements in the NHS and independent sectors.

30 credits

Biomedical Science

This module will explore components of anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience that are relevant to the understanding of human communication throughout the lifespan. This will include the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems, the development, structure and function of head, and neck, and the auditory system.

20 credits

Introduction to Practical Linguistics

This module will introduce students to the scientific study of the structure and function of language. Students will learn basic linguistic concepts and theoretical constructs with special application to how these ideas help us understand speech in both typically and atypically developing populations.

20 credits

Participation and Society

This module aims to introduce students to issues related to understanding persons as individuals, and as members of society. Content includes: theoretical models of disability; psychosocial impact of disability across the lifespan; concepts of self and identity; concepts of attitudes and their measurement; health beliefs and behaviours and the role of gender, socioeconomic and cultural factors in healthcare and education. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, attitudes and interpersonal skills in the context of their impact on interactions with clients, their families and other professionals.

20 credits

Speech, language, communication and literacy development in children

This module will cover children's development of speech, language, communication and literacy. It addresses the following topics: speech sound / phonological development, language production and comprehension, development of pragmatics abilities, early literacy development, the associations between speech, language and literacy, theoretical models of literacy development, understanding drivers and competing theories of how children learn language, bilingualism and the impact on language learning. The lectures will cover developmental norms and trajectories. It will also cover factors which influence typical development. The theoretical basis of the topic will be considered from a multidisciplinary perspective, covering psychology, education, sociolinguistics, and linguistics.

20 credits

Language cognition and communication in adults 1

This module introduces students to theoretical accounts of language, cognition and communication in adults. It provides conceptual frameworks and a detailed elementary coverage of the following areas: the communication chain, verbal and non-verbal communication, conversation analysis, grammar, vocabulary, multilingualism, attention, memory and executive function. It also introduces students to the impact of ageing on the above domains, and the impact of stroke, traumatic brain injury and progressive degenerative conditions on language and cognition.
Professional note: BMedSci Speech and Language Therapy; Royal Colledge of Speech and Language Therapists; HCPC

10 credits

Core modules:

Developmental differences in speech, language and communication

This module aims to give a detailed overview of the developmental differences in children's speech, language and communication (including literacy) abilities. The module profiles these developmental differences in children and adolescents, and including learning difficulties, autism spectrum conditions and other neurodevelopmental differences. The module examines these developmental differences in the context of the diverse environments children grow up in. The impact of these developmental differences on children's lives as they grow older (eg. educational experiences, learning and well-being) are highlighted. Other perspectives are explored such as those of the parent/carers.

20 credits

Key Clinical Topics 1

This module aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge of a range of specific clinical topics in speech and language therapy. These topics include dysphagia, motor speech disorders, voice and neurology across child and adult populations. The themes of assessment, intervention, evidence based practice, standards of practice and clinical ethics and inter-disciplinary working will underpin these topics and enable integration across the topics.

20 credits

Language cognition and communication in adults 2

This module builds on material covered in Language cognition and communication in adults 1 at Level 1. The module covers assessment and diagnosis of language and cognitive deficits affecting communication, which arise due to stroke, traumatic brain injury and progressive neurological conditions including dementia.

20 credits

Professional Practice 2

This module builds on the unit Professional Practice 1. The student completes a series of NHS clinical placements across semesters 1 and 2 including a week block placement in the student summer vacation. The placements includes: (1) the schools placement working with school-age children; (2) the conversational partners placement working with adults in the community; (3) the special needs placement working with children with severe developmental communication impairments; and (4) the adult neurological placement working with adults in acute settings. 5) one session of audiology placement. Students will complete supervised clinical work during placements and self-study activities to support their learning and clinical skills. Placements will be supported by workshops and tutorials and specific NHS induction/preparation and support.

20 credits

Speech and Hearing Science

This module covers key concepts related to the scientific study of speech and hearing. There will be three broad areas covered within the module: articulatory phonetics, acoustic phonetics, and hearing science. The module will teach concepts relevant to the study of speech and hearing in both healthy and clinical populations. The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures and problem solving classes and will be assessed via two 1500 word assignments.

20 credits

Language Analysis: Sound and Structure

This module builds on the linguistic knowledge gained in Introduction to Practical Linguistics. Teaching will focus on developing students' abilities to apply phonetic observation skills to clinical data, to use advanced transcription techniques, and to use appropriate diagrams to describe the physical attributes of articulation and the role of timing in achieving articulatory targets.

The module covers:

- Physical attributes of articulation- Using ExtIPA and diacritics- Using midsagittal diagrams- Articulatory targets and timing- Voicing and voice quality

10 credits

Research Methods and Statistics

This module is designed to introduce students to research methods and data analysis techniques through a series of lectures and small-group workshops. The aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about and employ statistical techniques through the use of practical examples and data collection exercises. Topics covered will include (1) an introduction to research methods and the research process (2) formulating research questions and hypotheses (3) descriptive statistics and presenting data (4) samples and population distributions and (5) statistical tests (e.g., parametric and nonparametric tests; correlational analyses) (6) qualitative methods (7) principles of psychometrics (8) reliability, validity and effect sizes.

10 credits

Core modules:

Evaluating the evidence base in speech and language therapy II. Clinical dissertation

Evidence-based practice is the integration of high quality research evidence with clinical expertise and service user experience in making decisions about the care of patients in speech and language therapy. Building on the skills and knowledge acquired in Evaluating the evidence base in speech and language therapy I: Principles and Methods, this module will enable students to further develop and apply their knowledge of research methodology appropriate to the study of language and communication. Students will also gain an enhanced understanding of appropriate approaches to research design for evidence based practice.

30 credits

Key Clinical Topics 2

This module aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge of a range of specific clinical topics in speech and language therapy. These topics include a range of client groups and communication difficulties across child and adult populations. The themes of assessment, intervention, evidence based practice, standards of practice and clinical ethics and multi-disciplinary working will underpin these topics and enable integration across the topics.

30 credits

Professional Practice 3

This module aims to consolidate the student's clinical skills and prepare the student for independent practice on graduation at the end of this third and final year. Students complete two placements as follows: a paediatric placement, and an adult placement. University workshops and tutorials will prepare and support students with their learning on placement. Assessment includes a client based presentation, written client based assignment, a video-based exam with viva assessment and two Practice Educator Reports (PER) assess their ability work independently as newly qualified practitioners. All assessments must be passed.

30 credits

Evaluating the evidence base in speech and language therapy :. Principles and Methods

Evidence-based practice is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient experience in making decisions about the care of individual patients in speech and language therapy. This module introduces the principles and methods of evidence-based clinical practice. Students will (1) critically evaluate the methodological quality of the research using evidence-based practice and (2) apply these conclusions to clinical practice.

20 credits

Transition to Professional Autonomy

This module will address issues relevant to work in modern healthcare and education contexts. It addresses the following issues: Employment (job hunting, CV writing and interview skills, support mechanisms, first posts, independent practice); The healthcare context (Ethics in clinical practice, Caseload management, Clinical governance, professional competencies and professional guidelines).

10 credits