Clinical and Scientific Computing for the Physical Sciences 1

Module details

Title

Clinical and Scientific Computing for the Physical Sciences 1

Type

Specialist

Module code

SBI121

Credits

20

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module provides the trainee with the knowledge that underpins the specialist module in for the Physical Sciences and gives the trainee the tools to undertake work-based learning. It will provide the trainee with in-depth experience of the project life cycle by implementing a project or range of projects within the context of a formal project management methodology.

Competencies

#	Learning outcome	Competency	Action
# 1	Learning outcome 1	Competency Devise a plan using an appropriate project management methodology to successfully deliver an innovation and development project, controlling the quality, timing and costs of activities.	Action View
# 2	Learning outcome 2,4	Competency Work with users to develop a detailed specification of requirements for an innovation and development project.	Action View
# 3	Learning outcome 3,4	Competency Design a solution to meet the previous point by formulating various options and critically appraising them, taking into account the requirements specification, appropriateness of development tools and sustainability in the proposed operational environment.	Action View
# 4	Learning outcome 5	Competency Develop and critically evaluate the solution, establishing its appropriateness and limitations, including signal processing, decision support, mathematical modelling and choice of development platform.	Action View
# 5	Learning outcome 5	Competency Develop and undertake a validation plan.	Action View
# 6	Learning outcome 5	Competency Develop and undertake a verification plan.	Action View
# 7	Learning outcome 5	Competency Develop user documentation and training.	Action View
# 8	Learning outcome 5	Competency Develop technical documentation.	Action View
# 9	Learning outcome 5	Competency Follow the requirements of an appropriate development methodology.	Action View
# 10	Learning outcome 1,5	Competency Manage a project within the framework of a formal project management methodology.	Action View
# 11	Learning outcome 5	Competency Manage security, safety and business risk throughout the development.	Action View
# 12	Learning outcome 5	Competency Apply risk analysis iteratively to improve and redefine a design.	Action View
# 13	Learning outcome 5	Competency Perform end-stage review.	Action View

Assessments

You must complete:

• 3 case-based discussion(s)
• 4 of the following DOPS/ OCEs:

Participate in an MDT meeting where clinical software requirements are discussed and agreed	OCE
Lead a post implementation review of a completed project, including the benefits realisation	DOPS
Propose the initiation of a project by constructing a Project Initiation Document	DOPS
Present a completed project, describing the life cycle and management methodologies, to a scientific audience who did not take part in its implementation	DOPS
Produce a prototype of a clinical application	DOPS
Observe a clinical service which involves a Clinical Scientist working in Clinical and Scientific Computing for the Physical Sciences and present a benefits assessment to senior management. NB this should include areas where the benefit could be enhanced	DOPS

Learning outcomes

1. Implement an innovation and development project within the context of a formal project management methodology.
2. Agree the clinical need for the project with other scientists, clinicians, patients and/or service users.
3. Evaluate the current state of the art and limitations of existing solutions.
4. Develop a specification of requirements for the project.
5. Develop, critically evaluate and deliver novel (ICT) projects within the Physical Sciences.

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the use of software engineering techniques on projects in the workplace.
2. Explain and critically justify the need to apply engineering design principles to novel clinical measurement and software design solutions.
3. Explain the use of project management methodologies in developing novel clinical measurement and software design projects.
4. Discuss and evaluate the project life cycle, including specification, design, implementation, validation and verification in the context of a novel software design solution.

Indicative content

Software engineering

• The importance of engineering discipline in developing software
• Operating systems
• Overview of process models and their importance
• Comparison of process models
• System design methods
• Structured development methods (e.g. Waterfall, Agile)
• The software development cycle, including:
  • Requirements
  • Specification
  • Design
  • Implementation
  • language selection
  • software coding and coding management
  • procedural, object-oriented and functional programming.
  • real-time system programming
  • embedded system programming
  • Validation and verification

Software development

• Strategies for web development, including:
  • Hosting
    • Programming for the web with reference to current standards and programming tools, including:
  • Web programming
  • Forms and data
  • Limiting access
  • Developing dynamic content
  • Interfacing with a database
    • Security and privacy
      • Public and private key encryption

 Software quality assurance

• Configuration management and change control
• Software tools
• Standards
• Documentation

Safety cases

• The purpose of a safety case
• The structure of a safety case, to include:
• Claims
  • reliability and availability
  • security
  • functional correctness
  • time response
  • maintainability and modifiability
  • useability
  • fail-safety
  • accuracy
• Evidence
  • design
  • development documentation
  • simulation experience
  • previous field experience
• Argument
  • deterministic
  • probabilistic
  • qualitative
• Inference
• Implementation of a safety case
• Design for assessment
• The safety case life cycle
• The contents of a safety case

Activities

• Critically review one or more completed projects within their organisation, including the clinical and scientific background, and the potential benefit to the service and safe patient care; discuss with colleagues the development life cycle and suggest alternatives and/or improvements.
• Critically review one or more ongoing projects within their organisation, including the clinical and scientific background, and the potential benefit to the service and safe patient care; be able to identify the stage in the development life cycle the projects are at and develop proposals to progress each project.
• Undertake a new project or projects, applying the life cycle process from the concept stage through to design, development, validation and verification, relating to a clinical application in the Physical Sciences.
• Work with clinical colleagues to develop a prototype clinical application, pilot the prototype and present the work, including the plan for implementation to clinical colleagues.
• Experience and evaluate all stages of the project life- cycle, including:
  • development of draft project specification;
  • participation in meetings where the project requirements are discussed and agreed;
  • development of user specifications;
  • development of prototypes and evaluation of software;
  • project acceptance;
  • documentation, maintenance and further development;
  • quality management and quality assurance processes.
• Observe the work of a clinical service and evaluate the positive contribution of a Clinical Scientist working in Clinical & Scientific Computing for the Physical Sciences, identifying the strengths and areas where the contribution could be strengthened to enhance service delivery and patient care.
• Attend a local research meeting and present and defend the project you have undertaken, reflecting and responding to feedback from colleagues.