This is a two year, blended learning programme leading to a University Degree in Paramedic Studies. This programme is delivered predominately online. Students on campus hours [circa, 68 hours] will be scheduled after registration to the programme.

Programme Schedule
Orientation and Registration Thursday 30 August 2018
Year I w/c 03-09-18 – w/c 08-07-19
Year II w/c 02-09-19 – w/c 13-07-20

Medical School Student Declaration
All students are required to sign an annual Student Declaration as well as confirming their acceptance of the University Student rules. The Student Declaration clearly outlines student rights and student responsibilities as registered students of the UCC School of Medicine. Copies of the Declaration are available from the Medical School Office on request.

Mentoring
Mentoring is available from the Programme Co-ordinators overseeing the programme as part of a strategy for maintaining active awareness of issues relating to student welfare, well-being and optimal learning.

Student Welfare/Complaints
The Student Board wishes to offer students in the School of Medicine assistance, backup and pastoral care with the choice of anonymity. Please contact the Medical School Office for further information.

This programme does not lead to a PHECC (Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council) registrable qualification.

Candidates must:

• Hold a Diploma in Emergency Medical Science (NFQ Level 7) or Emergency Medical Technology (NFQ Level 7) or equivalent.
• Be a registered practitioner, have and maintain employment with a CPG (Clinical Practice Guidelines) compliant organisation for the duration of the programme.

Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement indicating on their application form their reasons for wishing to enter this programme. Candidates whose first language is not English must have a minimum IELTS of 6.5 with scores in no individual sections less than 6.0.

This programme will be delivered predominantly online. As such there are specific technical requirements that you need to meet.

You will need access to a laptop or desktop (either MacOS or Windows) running a relatively recent operating system (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 or Mac OSX 10.8, 10.9, 10.10). Tablets and smartphones are not officially supported by UCC.

You will need access to a reliable broadband connection with at least 2MB download speeds. You can test your broadband or 4G speeds by visiting http://www.speedtest.net.

You must have a modern web browser installed. The most reliable options for use with UCC online learning are Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Download and installation instructions will be provided.

You must have Java and Flash Runtimes installed. Download and installation instructions will be provided.

You will require an Office suite of software (Microsoft Office 2003 or later or equivalent) and a PDF reader (preferably Adobe Acrobat Reader XI or later). Please note that registered UCC students have access to discounted software from Microsoft and Adobe.

You will be required to attend the University for several practical workshops and clinical days to complete some components in person such at the Anatomy FLAME lab, remote care element and clinical placement in an Emergency Department. You will be informed by your coordinator of the dates after you have been awarded a place on the course. You will be expected to spend 68 hours on campus across the duration of the programme.

To be admitted to the Degree Examination in Paramedic Studies, each student must have attended prescribed modules amounting to 120 credits:

Year I
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits:
MD3010 Academic Writing, Information Technology and Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
MD3011 Health Protection I (5 credits)
MD3012 Principles of Human Structure for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
MD3013 Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Paramedics (10 credits)
MD3015 Topographical Anatomy for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
MD3017 Personal Development (5 credits)
MD3019 Paramedico-Legal Studies (5 credits)
MD4010 Research in Paramedic Practice I (10 credits)
MD4011 Remote Emergency Care for Paramedics (10 credits)

Year II
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits:
MD3014 Professional Development (5 credits)
MD3016 Human Physiology for Practitioner Paramedics (10 credits)
MD3018 Pharmacology for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
MD4012 Understanding Clinical Practice (10 credits)
MD4013 Health Protection II (5 credits)
MD4014 Research in Paramedic Practice II (25 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

Two Year Rule
Students must pass within two academic years of first registration for each year of the programme, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme. After failing a resit examination, students may be allowed to repeat the year. Any individual year can be repeated only once, however, a maximum of two failed years may be repeated during a student's programme of studies.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of paramedical science from a multidisciplinary perspective including anatomy, epidemiology and public health, medico-legal, nursing, pharmacology, physiology and psychology;
• Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary issues in the field of paramedic practice and sciences, displaying understanding on the importance of continuous professional development and lifelong learning;
• Perform paramedic skills and techniques in a safe, efficient and effective way;
• Apply a holistic and integrated approach to paramedic practice;
• Be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and prepare to respond effectively to such issues during paramedic practice;
• Examine current research and developments in paramedics and evaluate your implications in the paramedic profession;
• Carry out a focused piece of scholarly research in the area of paramedical science.