1. From EMA assignments to published articles
14th April 2016
Yao Xu and Simone Pitman,
Life, Health and Chemical Sciences

2. Key points Develops employability skills for all students.
Offers opportunity for students to turn their EMA assignments into published articles.
Creates lifelong extra benefit from their OU studies.
Masters students are part of our academic community. Such publications benefits both students and the University.

3. S807 Background 60pt core taught module for MSc in Medicinal Chemistry
Running since 2002
( ) Exam component comprised 6000 word review. 5+ publications
(2011) Moved to 3hr exam paper, as part of Global online initiative (GOLD)
(2014) External Examiner Prof David Thurston encouraged return to EMA review, with a twist!

4. Why publish EMA assignments?
Motivate all students to produce better EMAs
S807 produces a higher percentage (30%) of Distinctions
Creates opportunity to gain publication experience
Go through an independent peer review process
Work with a Journal’s Commissioning Editor
Opportunity to stretch and reward the most able students
Previous EMA reviews were not really utilised.
Provides tangible evidence of their ability to employers.

5. S807 TMAs, preparing for EMA
S807 has 4 TMAs
TMA01: 600 word general essay question to develop appropriate scientific writing style.
TMA02: 750 word essay question, including more detailed scientific content and up to date information.
TMA03: 750 word structured essay.
TMA04: Scientific poster includes critical review of selection of recent scientific papers.

6. TMA03 Structured essay … a distinct introduction and conclusion;
clearly marked abstract of no more than 100 words and three selected key terms;
four or more references in the format used by Future Medicinal Chemistry;
illustrated with drug structures in the case studies and at least one other diagram.

7. S807 EMA resources
Links to journal website and access to FMC review papers
Includes FMC Authors Guide as well as S807 generated resources.

8. From Web of Science (for 2014)
Academic Journal

9. S B EMA
Initial conversation with the Journal’s Editor indicated they would be interested in publishing the best reviews.
March 2014 MSc Medicinal Chemistry News feature in FMC published.
October 2014 Examination Board identified 8 reviews for publication.
6 month delay to re-establish links with a new Editor at the Journal and have editorial board agreement in place.
July 2015 review publication activity underway.

10. 2014B Outcomes… Of the 8 reviews…
2 required significant reworking (to incorporate key 2015 publications)
1 deemed not suitable
5 reviews approved for publication
Of these, 4 have been published so far.

11. Published so far…
Feb 2016
March 2016
April 2016 (2 papers)

12. Published articles OU as the Inst. affiliation Module S807
acknowledged
4 Papers listed
in the ORO

13. 2015B in progress
9 EMA reviews identified in the Award Meeting
All students expressed their willingness to revise the EMA for submission to FMC.
Forum created and an OULive session held to offer practical advice.
One 2014 student author was invited to share her experience and tips.
So far…..

14. Good for students and OU
Enhance students’ employability
motivates all students and
stretches top students and enables them to demonstrate their ability to potential employers.
Raise OU’s academic standing in the field.
Increase UK and global exposure for OU and this qualification.

15. Next steps? Increase the number of top EMA reviews
Expand into other med. Chem. Journals
Compile series of ebooks for top quality reviews
Organise a conference for networking current and past MSc Med. Chem. students (Over 1250 past and current students)

16. Summary: By offering an opportunity to publish students’ EMAs,
Encourages students to work hard,
thus enhancing their employability
and career progression.
Helps raise OU profile in the field
and extend OU’s global reach.
Our (masters) students are a rich,
but under-explored asset!

17. Thank you for your attention! Any questions?