Cardiff Course Structure

**Welsh medic to be!** · 13-10-2005, 03:40 PM

Ye thanks! It's really great! How much exactly would they expect you to know about in the interview? They say that you should know something about it, and I'm just wondering how much, and in what context?

**welshmed** · 13-10-2005, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Welsh medic to be!

Ye thanks! It's really great! How much exactly would they expect you to know about in the interview? They say that you should know something about it, and I'm just wondering how much, and in what context?

They won't be looking for an in-depth discussion of the undergraduate curriculum - as long as you give the impression that you know roughly what medicine in Cardiff involves and some salient points (full body dissection, family case study, placements around Wales etc. etc.) you won't go far wrong.

Good luck with the application.

**dave_shucks2004** · 28-02-2006, 02:56 AM

Could anyone tell me the difference between PBL and SSC? Thanks

**pilly84** · 28-02-2006, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by dave_shucks2004

Could anyone tell me the difference between PBL and SSC? Thanks

PBL is problem based learning. It is a method of learning employed in several of the medical schools in the UK. You are given a clinical problem in groups and have to work through it. Cardiff does very little of this (which I think is a good thing).

SSC is student selected component. It is the bit of the course which is non-core, where you can choose what you like to study e.g. at the end of the 3rd year in Cardiff you do a 9 week SSC and hopefully I'll be doing mine with a community child and adolescent psychiatric team.

Hope that helps

Kim

**dave_shucks2004** · 28-02-2006, 03:06 AM

Thankyou, life saver (I was stupidly thinking they were the same thing)

May I ask why you don't like PBL? Or what you'd say the disadvantages were....

**pilly84** · 28-02-2006, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by dave_shucks2004

Thankyou, life saver (I was stupidly thinking they were the same thing)

May I ask why you don't like PBL? Or what you'd say the disadvantages were....

Its just personal preference. I'm sure there are people who would disagree with me but how could you possibly ensure everyone learnt the core material if you learnt it by pbl? There are quite a few threads on here discussing it. Also, it can get a bit dull trying to arrange meetings for people to work together. I prefer to just go to lectures, tutorials etc and be able to trust that if I don't know the work, it is my fault.

Good luck for 2moro

**Cobra36** · 30-07-2006, 06:15 PM

Thanks for all the information, very useful. Do Cardiff offer the chance to do a BSc at then of year 2? And if so, what in? Thanks

**pilly84** · 30-07-2006, 06:28 PM

Cardiff does indeed offer the chance to study for an Intercalated BSc (I'm starting one in September) but for most people this will be after the 3rd year. You do have the option to apply for the BSc after your 4th year but I don't think many do it this way.

Here is what's available:

Cardiff University, School of Biosciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Neuroscience

Cardiff University, School of Medicine: Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Medical Genetics, Pharmacology, Psychology and Medicine, Public Health

University of Wales, Bangor (North Wales): Neuropsychology, Exercise Science

You can also apply to any other universities in Britain who will take you e.g. I know of someone in my year who is going to King's College, London to study Medical Law and Ethics.

**Cobra36** · 30-07-2006, 06:35 PM

That's great, thank you!

**Cymro** · 30-07-2006, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Cobra36

Thanks for all the information, very useful. Do Cardiff offer the chance to do a BSc at then of year 2? And if so, what in? Thanks

Technically, you may take the year out after the second year to pursue the BSc at Cardiff, although it is unheard of. There is a natural split in the course between the third and fourth year and is the most sensible time to intercalate.

Cymro.