The MSc in Reproductive Medicine: Science and Ethics (along with four other Kent MSc programmes) has become the first to be awarded accreditation from the country’s leading professional association for biology, the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

Top Reproductive Medicine Master’s student, Abeo McCollin (right) along with Dr Mark Shepherd, lecturer in Microbial Biochemistry (centre) in the University’s School of Biosciences and Dr Jill Shepherd, honorary lecturer in Biosciences (left) collected the award at a ceremony at the Pavilion Terrace at the Houses of Parliament in London in April 2017.

The RSB accreditation scheme promotes excellence in the biosciences and identifies courses of particular quality that provide the knowledge and skills required by employers in the life sciences sector.  The other Kent Master’s courses accredited were in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, Drug Design and Infectious Diseases.

The RSB awarding panel scrutinised the courses, met with staff and students and inspected the teaching and research facilities. The panel noted several areas of good practice, including the interactive style of teaching, the development of research skills, the academic advice and pastoral care available and the ability of students to use cutting-edge research equipment as part of their course.

Kent’s undergraduate provision in Biosciences has already been awarded RSB accreditation and the University now becomes the only UK institution with all its BSc and MSc taught programmes accredited by the professional association.

Accredited for its for its outstanding provision, the MSc Reproductive Medicine: Science and Ethics had its first intake in 2011 and was, from the outset, a collaboration between the Schools of Biosciences and Law. It was one of the inspirations for the formation of CISoR.

https://www.kent.ac.uk/news/science/13420/kent-accredited-by-royal-society-of-biology