Microbiology
Education Series ( MES )
Scheme For Continuing Professional Development ( CPD )
An Explanation
The Cosmos Biomedical CPD Scheme has been specifically designed to assist Biomedical Scientists, Trainees and Consultants working in Pathology with their continuing professional development in a convenient and enjoyable way.
The IBMS accredited Scheme covers bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology within the area of Microbiology and is entirely Web-Based. Comprehensive Web-text focusing on a specific organism from one of these four categories is uploaded periodically to our CPD Menu, including helpful and interesting diagrams and pictures, categorised sub headings covering a wide range of relevant and up to date material. The web text is peer-reviewed, referenced and designed to be especially relevant to persons working in pathology. Integrated into the web-text is a 'question card' focused on the specific organism offering 4-6 questions. These questions are designed to be probing, relevant and interesting. All answers can be found within the web-text and references. The questions are designed to be answered in one word, short sentences or small paragraphs. There is currently a large library of full web-texts and question cards. These are updated regularly with the latest information and new cards are released periodically.
In addition to the question cards we supply web-text organism related crosswords. These crosswords are designed to be both enjoyable and useful as a learning tool and compliment the web-text and question cards. There are currently a large selection of crosswords in our library and new crosswords are relesed regularly.
Once answered, the card questions or crossword can be submitted to be marked. This can be done in several ways, depending on which you find most convenient. Answers may be emailed to info@cosmosbiomedical.com, submitted via our 'Contact Us' page, faxed or posted to our contact address. Marking is rapid and extra credit is given for particularly outstanding answers, for example; Pass, Merit, Distinction. Book vouchers are given as an additional incentive for the first registrant to submit correct answers for a new activity.
Marks will be emailed to you along with an IBMS accredited CPD certificate for 3 CPD points for each individual activity completed (card or crossword). There is no deadline for submissions and the activities may be submitted in any sequence allowing you to take the learning at your own pace. Registrants will be informed of incorrect answers which may be reviewed and resubmitted at any time. If you require assistance with any of the activities, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to provide helpful tips and suggestions to assist you in their completion.
Although designed to be purely a web-based scheme, MES Folders and Postcard Question cards may be purchased as additional accessories (see pricing below).
To register for the MES scheme, please complete a Cosmos Biomedical registration form or contact us and send us registration details. Once registered, a unique registration number will be allocated which must be used in all correspondence and online access will be given to the registrant for the MES training scheme. After 15 months the registrant will need to re-register but at considerably lower cost. Relevant payment can be made by cash, cheque or postal order, payable to, Cosmos Biomedical Ltd or BACS electronic bank transfer, etc. Credit cards are also accepted with a £2.50 processing fee.
The MES scheme is authorised by the CPD department of the IBMS. In line with the IBMS policy, individuals should register all points awarded directly to the IBMS themselves by specifying the organiser’s code which will be printed on CPD certificates. The scheme is now also being registered for e-learning to give it additional academic and professional status. In addition, a virtual microbiology lab to test basic laboratory skills that will be marked automatically on-line is in development. Both credits and CPD points can be awarded and counted towards University degree modules in Biological Science subjects.
The MES scheme strictly adheres to HPC guidelines and policy for CPD but follows the IBMS incentive of CPD points for activities. Memebers of The Royal College of Pathologists can claim relevant study points against the MES Scheme.
The Microbiology Education Series, (MES) scheme is available to everyone working in routine Microbiology NHS labs whether IBMS members or not after paying the initial registration fee. Cosmos Biomedical emphasize that this CPD scheme is not a replacement for recognised biomedical degree courses but is intended to be a sound adjunct to other educational courses in Microbiology, bolstering cross discipline knowledge and confidence in the subject.
The Microbiology Education Series is available in the UK and worldwide. All prices in British Pound Stirling.
UK Pricing Information 2011-2012 MES Product (15 month registration)
Product Code
Price*
MES Registration (1 to 14 persons) CB/MES100
£40.00 each
MES Registration (15 and more persons) CB/MES101
£37.00 each
Re registration (1 to 14 persons) CB/MES102
£26.00 each
Re registration (15 and more persons) CB/MES103
£24.00 each
MES Accessories**
Product Code
Price*
MES A4 Ring Binder Folder and inserts CB/MES104
£15.00 each
MES Question postcards CB/MES105
£1.50 per card
MES Question postcard holders CB/MES106
£1.50 per sheet
MES Crossword Sheet CB/MES107
£1.50 per sheet
International Pricing Information 2011-2012
MES Product (15 month registration)
Product Code
Price*
MES Registration (1 to 14 persons) CB/MES100
£49.99 GBP each
MES Registration (15 and more persons) CB/MES101
£44.99 GBP each
Re registration, 1 to 14 persons CB/MES102
£34.99 GBP each
Re registration, 15 and more persons CB/MES103
£29.99 GBP each
MES Accessories***
Product Code
Price*
MES A4 Ring Binder Folder and inserts CB/MES104
£19.99 GBP each
MES Question postcards CB/MES105
£1.50 per GBP card
MES Question postcard holders CB/MES106
£1.50 per GBP sheet
MES Crossword Sheet CB/MES107
£1.50 per GBP sheet
Virtual Microbiology Lab Pricing UK 2011-2012
MES Product (15 month registration)
Product Code
Price*
VML Registration (1 to 14 persons) CB/VML100
£25.00 GBP each
MES Registration (15 and more persons) CB/VML101
£20.00 GBP each
Virtual Microbiology Lab Pricing International 2011-2012
MES Product (15 month registration)
Product Code
Price*
VML Registration (1 to 14 persons) CB/VML100
£50.00 GBP each
MES Registration (15 and more persons) CB/VML101
£40.00 GBP each
* Price is fully inclusive, for 15 months registration.
** Excluding P&P. (Folder P&P = £3.99, Bulk purchases will be quoted seperately)
*** Carriage (P&P) will vary depending on country.
Pricing Information January 2011 to January 2012
Please note that this scheme is Copyrighted and has been Trademarked, not only Microbiology, but for all other Pathology disciplines including blood sciences and histology