Programme Specifications
Ecology (with integrated year in industry)
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
With Integrated Year in Industry
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
Based primarily on QAA Biosciences but with consideration of QAA Earth Science, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
September 2023
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
The course aims to provide students with a core and breadth of in-depth knowledge in Ecology. A detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the subject is provided to develop a holistic view of Ecology and its components ranging from micro-scale systems and processes to global scale issues, resources and energy. Through optional modules students can gain more specialist knowledge and experiences on understanding novel habitats, education and in-depth zoological knowledge leading to threats to wildlife and biodiversity conservation. Subject specific skills
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To provide students with the knowledge that helps them understand how ecosystems work, processes and interactions, energy / nutrient flow and biogeochemistry.
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To understand what dictates the abundance and distribution of specific organisms and systems including geology, climate and human influences (direct and indirect impacts).
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To place the above against the context of global challenges and threats including human impacts, pollution, global climate change, habitat loss and biodiversity loss.
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To acquire relevant and up to date field and ID skills for surveying of species, populations, communities and ecosystems.
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To develop an awareness of the legal, moral, ethical and social elements of Ecology alongside other human activities including leisure and agriculture.
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To develop a critical and analytical approach in all aspects of study and problem solving, including the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and be able to communicate their understanding.
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To enable and develop effective teamwork and communication skills, particularly via field and laboratory activities.
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To engender a confidence to learn by responding positively and proactively to feedback provided.
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To develop strong communication skills both orally and in writing.
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To show awareness of associated industries, stakeholders needs and impacts.
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To apply approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories in a work-based context relevant to their scheme.
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To develop highly valued transferable and professional skills during a work placement, providing a competitive edge in the graduate job market.
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To enable students to learn about an organization and its area of work, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate future career paths.
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Working independently
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Working as part of a team
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Respecting the views, beliefs, opinions and values of others
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Listening to, and engaging with, other speakers
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Effective verbal communication in a range of settings, including group discussions and debates and formal presentations
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Effective written communication in a variety of forms
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Use of information technologies to process, store, present and communicate information, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, e-mail and the world-wide web
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Identifying, retrieving, sorting and handling information from conventional and electronic sources, including libraries, CD-ROMs, on-line computer resources and the world-wide web
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Time management and self-regulation of work regimes
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Research issues and solve problems
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Adapting to change
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Reading comprehension and interpretation of a range of written material
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Observational skills
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Collating, processing, interpreting and presenting numerical data
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Identifying appropriate career pathways and developing the capacity to compete
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
Overall aim of the scheme To provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical (field) and transferable skills required for a career in ecological sciences including nature conservation, teaching, research and development, and advisory work within the field. Overall aim of the scheme The overall aims of the schemes will not change. Additionally, the aim of the four year versions of the schemes will aim to develop graduate level skills, as described in the Generic and Graduate level skills section above.
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
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A1 Ecosystems, biogeochemical cycling and pathways.
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A2 Nutrient flows through individuals, populations and communities.
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A3 The biogeography and diversity of ecosystems as determined by climate, geology and evolutionary factors.
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A4 The patterns of distribution of organisms in relation to biotic and abiotic factors.
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A5 Population processes, dynamics and associated theoretical models.
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A6 Community structure, development of biodiversity and associated theoretical knowledge.
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A7 The significance of the wider relevance of the subject to more applied sciences in terms of the significance of species, resources, human impacts and environmental damage, remediation and mitigation (practical and legislative)
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A8 Ecological methods and data analysis for the surveying of species, populations, communities and ecosystems.
Lectures; tutorials; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; field excursions and laboratory practicals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Written examinations and coursework to include: survey assessment and report writing, short-answer questions, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation. The scheme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the additional following areas: Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including initiative, independence and commercial awareness.
Learning and Teaching (with Integrated Year in Industry)
During their integrated year in industry students will embed themselves within a working environment, allowing for the development of a range of transferable and life skills commensurate with the above. Furthermore, students on this scheme will have the potential to utilise the knowledge and skills associated with other outcomes developed in years 1 and 2. This will be in part dependent on the nature of the organization their position is based with.
Assessment Strategies and Methods (with Integrated Year in Industry)
Students on the integrated industrial year will be required to register for the modules BRS0000, BRS0060, BRS0100, and BRS0160. During the integrated Year in Industry, students will be required to submit an Introductory Report (worth 30% of the Industrial Year mark) on the organization that they are working for, its structure, aims and operation; and a Workplace investigation, to investigate a technical aspect of the work that they are doing (worth 40% of the Industrial Year mark). Finally, there will be an AU staff assessment of the final student self-evaluation and employer’s report. These will be marked in order to assess the student’s achievement of learning outcome 10.1 above as well as the other learning outcomes of their scheme.
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
10.2.1 Intellectual Skills By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
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B1 Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.
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B2 Critically evaluate research methodologies and a variety of types of information and evidence and where appropriate propose new hypotheses.
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B3 Critically analyse information from a number of sources, including current research and scholarship, in order to gain an understanding of theory and practice.
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B4 Apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.
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B5 Apply knowledge and understanding to address familiar and novel problems.
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B6 Design an experiment, investigation, survey or other means to test a hypothesis or proposition.
Lectures; tutorials; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; field excursions and laboratory prac ticals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Written examinations and coursework to include: survey assessment and report writing, short-answer questions, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation.
10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable)
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
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C1 Design, apply and analyse various research/study techniques.
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C2 Plan, conduct, and report on field and laboratory investigations.
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C3 Collect and record information or data in the library, laboratory or field, synthesizing it appropriately.
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C4 Conceive, plan and undertake field and laboratory investigations in a responsible, ethical and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, habitats and associated flora and fauna, relevant health and safety regulations, legislation concerning access to field location and activities, the impact of investigations on the environment and personnel.
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C5 Write for a range of audiences including academics, practitioners, special interest groups and the wider public
Practical skills are acquired and promoted through practical laboratory classes, field visits, class activities, case studies undertaken in a range of real-life situations and experimental research for the dissertation.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Coursework to include: the submission of scientific / practical reports, oral presentations, research posters and essays. Students are expected to demonstrate critical, interpretative and analytical skills in both their course work and written.
10.2.1 Intellectual Skills (with Integrated Year in Industry)
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:
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B7 Demonstrate experience of working in a professional environment
Outcome 10.2.1 will be achieved through completingan extended integrated Year in Industry position at a suitable workplace.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Evidence of outcome 10.2.1 will be secured through the completion of the assessment strategy described in 10.1 above.
10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable) (with Integrated Year in Industry)
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:
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C6 Applying principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories appropriate to the relevant biological sciences scheme in a professional context, as well as understanding the challenges of working in a professional environment.
The professional skills identified in 10.2.2 will be primarily developed through spending a year in industry
Assessment Strategies and Methods
10.2.2 will be evidenced by the completion of the assessment strategy described in 10.1 above, detailing experiences of a year in industry, as well as reports on associated technical information.
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:
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D1 Problem solving (using a scientific approach)
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D2 Research skills
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D3 Communication
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D4 Improving own learning and performance
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D5 Team work
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D6 Information technology
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D7 Application of number
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D8 Personal development and career planning
Transferable/key skills are incorporated within modules and related to relevant assessments as appropriate. Students further learn and develop skills through tutorials / seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; self-directed learning, oral presentations and experimental dissertation work.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Transferable / key skills are embedded throughout the various assessments Generic skills include note taking, researching, problem solving, report writing, oral presentation, interview and communication skills.
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:
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D9 Professionalism and an understanding of commercial pressures
Learning and Teaching
Skill 10.3 will be developed through undertaking the year in industry component. In addition, and dependent upon the nature of the position undertaken, the year in industry has the potential to further enhance the other generic skills detailed in Section 9 above.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
10.3 will be evidenced by the completion of the assessment strategy described in 10.1 above, but primarily through the AU staff assessment of the final student self-evaluation and employer’s report
BSC Ecology (with integrated year in industry) [C181]
Academic Year: 2023/2024Single Honours scheme - available from 2017/2018
Duration (studying Full-Time): 4 years