Tag: Continuing Professional Development

Power Minimization in low-noise analog IC’s, given by Prof. Willy Sansen of the KULeuven, Belgium

This annual course, held 14-17 November 2017 at Imperial College London is an insight in analogue IC design. Insight is developed by the analysis of some of the most important circuits, followed by the use of design plans or algorithms to obtain the best Figures of Merit (FOM).  This is worked out for circuits such as multi-stage amplifiers and class-AB amplifiers. Considerable attention goes to the noise trade-off with power consumption. Both continuous-time and switched-capacitor filters are also discussed and compared, to be used in Sigma-delta Analogue-to-Digital Converters.

This course is thus for expert designers who want to become more competitive in their field. This course is however also for novice designers who are already acquainted with some design aspects but who want to broaden their portfolio in design knowledge.

Low-power Analogue design is a niche design expertise, which has never failed to lead to ever more job opportunities. At the same time it is a life-long learning activity, which perfectly fits the present-day career development goals.

It is at the core of all portable electronics, such as portable phones, medical monitoring systems, etc., but also the coming Internet of Things.

Medical Ethics Intensive One Week Course, 11-15 September 2017

By Professor Raanan Gillon

In 1983 I started a one week CPD course in medical ethics to  introduce doctors to several different  approaches to ethics (currently deontology, consequentialism, virtue ethics, ‘the four principles approach’). The course  considers a variety of problems in medical ethics including end of life issues, double effect, acts and omissions, killing vs allowing to die, paternalism versus respect for autonomy, truth-telling in medical practice, a session on ‘practical aspects of medical ethics’,  fair distribution of resources, the relation of ethics and law,  human rights and medical ethics. A half-day session is aimed at helping participants to understand opposing perspectives by means of an exercise in developing arguments explicitly opposing participants’ own viewpoints concerning cases that they have found troubling. Overall satisfaction of previous participants has always (over the last 33 years!)  been at an average level of 9+ on a ten-point scale so  I am confident that doctors who come on the course do find it very worthwhile. Comments from participants have included “The best post-graduate experience of my career” and “A first class course to put your ethical thinking into perspective and relate [it] to present day healthcare…”.

The course is in English and UK doctors are the main attenders but we usually have some international visitors whose perspectives add value to the experience,  as do the various others who come- among them nurses clinical ethics committee members, medical ethicists, health managers and even the occasional vet.

If you are interested in attending please visit the CPD website www.imperial.ac.uk/cpd

Professor Raanan Gillon
Emeritus Professor of Medical Ethics,
Imperial College London

Post-Tensioning Design and Construction Course Completes 12th Year

This April we completed our 12th annual course on post-tensioning design and construction. Over the years, the course has taken on its own legendary status and has become a highly sought after event by UK and international delegates. Consistently, engineers calling from over 10 countries participate in the course to learn about the basics of post-tensioning and sharpen their design skills. Many of the larger design offices have also made it standard practice to send new hires to the course. As lecturers, we have been very pleased with the logistical support we receive from the Center for Professional Development. Imperial College has proven to be a great venue and creates a collegial atmosphere among the delegates. One of the highlights of the course has become a dinner we invite delegates to between the first and second days of lectures. This social event has turned into a great networking opportunity and forum for practitioners from different parts of the world to share ideas and forge new friendships. Dr. Bijan, the course Director, and I have also had the chance to meet many interesting individuals and maintain ongoing contact with quite a few of them.

Each year we strive to provide up-to-date course content and deliver relevant information to the attendees. The optional hands-on software workshop that is offered on the third day gives delegates the opportunity to learn new structural design software skills. It has been a real pleasure for us to be part of this CPD program and look forward to many more years of giving the course. The next course is in 23- 25 April 2018, so make sure you keep an eye out on the CPD website for details. www.imperial.ac.uk/cpd

Florian Aalami – Course Lecturer

Medical ethics as applied to paediatric practice

Law and Ethics in Paediatrics is a two day course looking at medical law and ethics as applied to paediatric practice. This important course will cover topics such as negligence, confidentiality, child protection, research, end of life care, organ donation, reporting of deaths and the Coronial process; delegates will get the opportunity to visit Westminster Coroner’s Court.

Course aims include enhancing the problem-solving skills necessary to solve practical problems in paediatric practice through debate and discussion and to provide familiarisation with the Coroner’s Court and the Coronial process.

The course is open to doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and students of medicine or law and has recently been added to the modules available on the MSc Paediatrics and Child Health programme offered at Imperial College London.

Delegates who previously attended the course described it as an ‘Excellent overview of major paediatric issues in law and ethics.’ and ‘Extremely thought provoking and interesting!’

 If you would like to know more about the course please visit:
www.imperial.ac.uk/cpd/lawethics/ or contact cpd@imperial.ac.uk

Welcome to the Imperial CPD Blog!

43726_1_thumbnail_868x420_page1_727738The Imperial CPD Blog is a space for staff and prospective delegates to find out what we do, and to keep updated on our latest courses, activities and news.

If you are thinking about attending a CPD course to update your skills, refresh your knowledge or change your career path, then Imperial CPD is the place for you.  Because there are many courses on the market,  it’s hard to know which to attend to get the best value for money.  As a working professional, it can also be hard to fit studying into your busy schedule and this is why short courses from well-regarded institutions are in high demand.

Imperial College London’s ‘Centre for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)’ is well established and runs a diverse portfolio of short courses, within the disciplines of Science, Technology, Medicine and Business. The courses are of high quality,  led by academic excellence and held all year round.  Please feel free to browse our webpage for further information at www.imperial.ac.uk/cpd or follow us on twitter @imperialCPD for fast course updates.

You may work for Imperial College London and aim to hold a short programme within your department.  If you’ve got an idea for a course, then we can help you make it happen. While you will have as much control and choice over how your course is designed and delivered, we will take care of promotion, registrants and the overall logistics.  All you have to do, is contact us at cpd@imperial.ac.uk.