Diploma in Dermatological Science 2004-2005, Prospectus

Diploma Information

The Diploma in Dermatological Sciences course is designed for medical practitioners who wish to specialise in dermatology, after completing at least two years general medical experience. The course is a full time taught programme lasting one academic year. The course is suitable for foreign medical graduates in particular but is also appropriate as an additional course to contribute to any dermatology specialist training programme.

The Course

The course is designed to give a firm grounding in the fundamentals of modern British dermatology. It gives priority to clinical instruction, but also emphasises the scientific content of dermatology. It therefore gives prominence to the following topics:

a) Skin histopathology.
b) Clinical immunology as applied to dermatology.
c) Microbiology of the skin.
d) Photobiology.
e) Skin surgical techniques.
f) Newer diagnostic techniques.
g) Research methods in dermatology.
h) Cosmetic dermatology.

Other major topics covered include:

a) The relationships between the skin and internal disorders.
b) Socio-economic and psychological consequences of skin disease.
c) Pharmacology and the skin, and principles of treatment of skin disease.
d) Tropical dermatology.
e) Cutaneous aspects of sexually transmitted disease.
f) Contact dermatitis.

1. Clinical Instruction:

   a) Regular dermatology clinics. Attendance at general outpatient dermatology clinics with teaching.

   b) Regular out patient clinical tutorials. These are detailed clinical teaching sessions related to patients with specific interesting conditions.

   c) Regular ward teaching. These are ward tutorials, teaching on current inpatients.

   d) Regular clinical lectures and clinical slide tutorials. A very wide range of clinical topics are lectured on. Lecture titles include:
   
   Acne, benign skin tumours, bullous diseases, collagen-vascular disease, cosmetics and the skin, dermatitis herpetiformis, diseases of the oral mucosa, disorders of keratinisation, disorders of pigmentation, ectoparasites and the skin, eczema, erythema multiforme, genetics and the skin, hair disorders, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen planus, melanoma clinical aspects and epidemiology, mycosis fungoides, nail disorders, nursing treatment in dermatology, paediatric dermatology, panniculitis and amyloidosis, porphyrias, pregnancy rashes, primary care dermatology, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, rosacea, sarcoidosis, skin disease in the newborn, toxic epidermal necrolysis, tuberose sclerosis, urticaria.

   e) Ward attachment. Each student is personally allocated to the dermatology ward for two weeks for practical clinical tuition and experience.

2. Pathology of the Skin:

   Regular weekly pathology seminars are held. In addition there is a course of dermatopathology lectures. Teaching on this part of the course includes:

   Biopsy techniques, histological techniques, interpretation of appearances, artefacts, principles of pathological diagnosis, inflammatory changes in the skin, the range of epidermal reactions, benign tumours, malignant tumours, reticuloses, metabolic and degenerative disorders, bullous disorders.

3. Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry of the Skin:

   This is based on a course of lectures which cover the following topics:

   Epidermis and stratum corneum, dermis, blood supply to the skin, nerve supply to the skin, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, apocrine and eccrine sweat glands, keratinization, epidermopoiesis, sweat secretion, hair cycle, pigmentation, collagen synthesis, cells of the dermis, wound healing, regional anatomy, ageing of the skin.

4. Clinical Immunology and the Skin:

   This course is based on attendances at the patch test clinic, laboratory demonstrations of immunofluorescence techniques and electron microscopy and a course of lectures covering the following topics:

   Immunological principles, allergy, manifestations of immune reactions in the skin, investigation of immune status, testing for delayed hypersensitivity, testing for immediate hypersensitivity, immunofluorescence diagnosis, skin signs of the immunocompromised patient.

5. Microbiology of the Skin:

   This course consists of a series of lectures which cover the following topics:

   Normal skin flora, microbiological techniques, mycological principles, bacterial disease of the skin, viral disease of the skin, fungal disease of the skin, chemotherapeutic agents.

6. Photobiology:

   This course includes demonstrations of the determination of minimal erythema dose and use of PUVA apparatus, and a series of lectures which include the following topics:

   Principles, skin disorders caused by or aggravated by light exposure, investigation of patients with photodermatoses, photochemotherapy and phototherapy, protection from sun.

7. Principles of Treatment of Skin Disease & Pharmacology of the Skin:

   This course consists of a series of lectures including the following topics:

   Mediators of inflammation, anti-inflammatory agents, antimitotic agents, immunomodulators, modulators of keratinization, symptomatic treatments, principles of treatment with topical and systemic applications, radiotherapy.

8. Socio-Economic Psychological Consequences of Skin Disease:

   Lectures on this course cover:

   Epidemiology of skin disease, the social and psychological consequences to the individual of persistent skin disease, the manifestations in the skin of psychiatric disease, economic cost to the community of skin disease.

9. Surgical Principles and the Skin:

   A short practical course on general surgical procedures has been organised. This course includes practical demonstrations with hands-on sessions in relevant surgical techniques.

10. Cosmetic Dermatology:

    This is a new addition to the programme and includes lectures on cosmetic formulations, lasers in dermatology, facial peels and procedures such as sclerotherapy for small veins and collagen injections. Practical demonstrations are included wherever possible.

11. Special Research Techniques:

    This is based on laboratory demonstrations and a course of lectures to include:

    Histochemical techniques, cell kinetic techniques, measurement of sebum secretion, measurement of sweat secretion, use of ultrastructural techniques, photographic techniques, use of ultrasound and other methods of measuring the physical properties of skin.

12. Tropical Dermatology:

    A series of lectures from visiting lecturers provide a basic grounding in tropical dermatology. Subjects covered include:

    Leprosy, leishmaniasis, tropical fungal infections, tropical ulcer, onchoceriasis, schistosomiasis.

13. Genito-Urinary Dermatology:

    A clinical attachment to a genito-urinary clinic is arranged, and there are seven lectures on the course. All aspects of genito-urinary medicine related to dermatology, including AIDS, are introduced.

14. Contact Dermatitis:

    A programme of lectures are given by local and visiting lecturers. In addition there is a clinical attachment to the contact dermatitis clinic.

15. Journal Criticism:

    A series of journal criticism sessions are held. All students contribute journal article presentations to this in order to gain expertise in critical evaluation of published work. In addition, students each give a short presentation at a "Dermatology in my Country" forum.

16. Departmental Meetings:

    Students attend all regular major departmental meetings for further clinical instruction.

17. General Medical Meetings:

    Students are encouraged to attend the weekly grand rounds of the University Hospital of Wales.

18. Visits to Other Centres:

    Day visits to other dermatology centres are arranged. In recent years Oxford, Swansea, Newport, Bath, Birmingham, Gloucester, Swindon and Bridgend have been visited for clinical instruction and lectures from local experts.

The Lecturer Facility

Over 35 visiting lecturers, including many very eminent and internationally known British dermatologists, come to the department as visiting lecturers on the course. There are more than 75 different lecturers who teach on the course.

Selection Committee

This course is popular and we receive more applications than we have places to offer. There is a limit on the total number of students accepted each year in order to maintain high standards of personal teaching. It is therefore essential to apply well in advance, as time is needed for receiving referee reports and for the selection process. Applicants are required to produce evidence of their qualifications and general suitability. All applications are carefully considered by the selection committee. It is in your interests to reply promptly to any communication received concerning your application.

General Arrangements and Examination 2004-2005

The Diploma Course is based on a programme of one academic year starting at the end of September. This full time programme of study consists of three academic terms with the University vacations of 3 - 4 weeks during December/January and during March/April. The examinations and end of course are in June. The last week of the course is devoted to four days of examinations. The examination consists of clinical, written and oral examinations and is conducted by both internal and external examiners.

If the Examining Board are satisfied with a candidate's performance during the course and at the examination, the Diploma in Dermatological Sciences is awarded at the formal presentation ceremony on the last day of the course.

If a candidate has not satisfied the Board in the examination but has satisfied them in the course, the candidate may offer himself/herself for re-examination the following year upon payment of a fee to be agreed.

The current 2004-2005 fee for the Diploma in Dermatological Sciences course is £12,750 (UK pounds sterling subject to ratification). Candidates will be required to pay a non-returnable deposit (subject to the discretion of the College Authorities) of £1,500 (UK pounds sterling), payable immediately on acceptance of a place offered; the balance being payable on 27th September 2004. Places on the course cannot be secured until deposits are received. The same fees are payable by all students, whatever their nationality. The Diploma can only be awarded if all fees relating to the course and examination have been paid in full, prior to the examination.

Provisional Dates for 2004-2005 are as Follows:

Autumn Term : Monday 27th September 2004 - Friday 10th December 2004.
Spring Term : Monday 3rd January 2004 - Friday 18th March 2005.
Summer Term : Monday 4th April 2005 - Wednesday 1st June 2005.
Exams: Monday 30th May 2005, Tuesday 31st May 2005 and Wednesday 1st June 2005.

Making an Application

If you would like to make an application for the DDSc course and are happy that you fulfil the requirements, there are a number of ways you can proceed. Please look at the options for making an application for the DDSc/MSc course.