The Royal Society of Chemistry

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Undergraduate Postgraduate PDP frameworks in
the Chemical Sciences
Dr Kristy MacDonald CChem MRSC Development
Officer, Professional Education
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RSCs PDP for students

• CPD in context

• Provision of PDP frameworks

• Importance of skills recording

• RSCs PDP for Postgraduate students

• PDP for Undergraduate students

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CPD in context
"... the responsibility of individuals for the
systematic maintenance, improvement and
broadening of knowledge and skills to ensure
continuing competence as a professional
throughout their career".
continuing professional development is learning,
by whatever means, which helps the individual
realise and develop their potential.
recording frameworks based on the outcomes of
learning and development
skills development opportunities are prevalent
within the course of study, research and
employment
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RSCs CPD frameworks

• RSC strongly encourage all members to engage in
  CPD a comprehensive framework is available for
  professional members

• Since April 2000, Postgraduate students have had
  access to the PSR

• Since September 2002, Undergraduate students have
  had access to the USR

• PDP frameworks tailored to the development needs
  of those individuals studying the chemical
  sciences

• The frameworks were designed after extensive
  consultation with industry, academic supervisors
  and students

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Importance of Skills Recording

• National Committee of Inquiry into Higher
  Education

employers want graduates with a range of skills
those leaving higher education need to
understand how to learn and how to manage their
own learning, recognising the process continues
throughout life
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Importance of Skills Recording

• Chemistry in the UK, will it survive?

Communication, team working capabilities, problem
solving and organisation are becoming
increasingly important in order to succeed in the
rapidly changing and increasingly competitive
world of industry
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What is the PSR?

• Six categories of skills self-assessed
  throughout
• the PhD

• Planning Organisation

• Handling Information

• Communication Skills

• Working with Others

• Scientific Practical

• Improving Learning Performance

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What is the PSR?

• Self-assessment of skills acquired during
  postgraduate study

• The recording, assessment development of
  scientific, interpersonal transferable skills

• Records level of scientific and non-scientific
• attainment at three phases of postgraduate
• study

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Why is it important?

• Provides a framework for self-assessment of
  scientific and non-scientific skills

• This framework enables students to

Identify areas which require development
Identify skills gaps and actively seek
development opportunities
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USR Project Rationale

• Skills recording

Secondary school Undergraduate Postgraduate Employ
ment
NRAs
?
PSR
CPD
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USR Project Rationale

• Postgraduate Skills Record

Successfully launched in 2000
87 of UK Ireland members of HECC requested
copies
Over 5000 copies distributed
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USR Project Rationale

• Postgraduate Skills Record Adaptation

Directors of Study
HE Networks

• Progress Files

USR to meet requirements of Progress Files PDP
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Undergraduate Skills Record

• Sections

• Induction

• Personal Information

• Skills Audit

• Project Work

• Skills Profile

• Career Planning

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Undergraduate Skills Record

• Skills Audit

Series of statements associated with each
specific skill
Rate yourself against each statement according to
the scale given
Provide evidence to support your rating, and
identify development targets for each skill
Repeat for each phase, reflecting on past
achievements and development targets/plans
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Example Skills Audit
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Undergraduate Skills Record

• Skills Profile

A summary of skills achievements and
development throughout your undergraduate course
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The Undergraduate Skills Record

• Specific Skills

• Planning Organisation

• Handling Information

• Communication Skills

• Working with Others

• Scientific Practical

• Problem Solving

• ICT Skills

• Improving Learning Performance

• Study Skills

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USR PSR

• What are the benefits?

• Method to critically assess skills

• Permanent record of performance development

• Preparation of CVs and job interviews

• Serves as a launch pad into Continuing
  Professional Development

• Could increase employability

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What the employers say..
Quintiles Core Competencies

• Communication skills - oral and written
• Team/Leadership skills
• Problem solving
• Project Planning/Management
• Resource/Time Management

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What the employers say..
In the pharmaceutical industry it is not enough
to understand the theory and practice of
chemistry, it is essential to be able to use this
knowledge to solve problems creatively and
efficiently Good teamwork and effective
communication skills underpin all RD endeavor.
Students who have developed these skills can look
forward to a stimulating, rewarding RD career.
I strongly recommend every undergraduate in the
chemical sciences, irrespective of their proposed
career path, to complete the USR honestly and
diligently, providing a framework to identify
skills gaps and address these effectively. Dr D
Alker, Manager Academic Liaison and Recruitment,
Pfizer
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Distribution

• The documents are free!
• USR available to all undergraduate students of
  the chemical sciences
• Interactive on-line version Autumn 2003
• www.rsc.org/ugskills
• PSR available to all students (print format RSC
  members)
• Interactive on-line version available for RSC
  members
• www.rsc.org/pgskills