Programme Specifications

N/A

Biosciences 2015

September 2017

Students will develop their interest and knowledge in the biological sciences with specialisation in Zoology.

Subject specific skills

Develop the intellectual and practical skills of the student in preparation for employment in the zoological sciences and the wider range of disciplines open to the graduate biologist.

Generic and graduate skills

Provide the skills necessary to allow students to adapt and respond to change, and to engage in life-long learning.

Develop in students an appreciation of the social responsibilities of graduates in biological sciences in general, and in the zoological sciences in particular.

The MBiol schemes have specific learning outcomes for years 1-3 and basic subject knowledge remains unchanged. However, students will be able to demonstrate additional outcomes as a result of undertaking the M year. These additional outcomes provide an enhanced student experience and allow students to develop their knowledge of their subject areas in an extended research context better preparing them for postgraduate study but also giving them an edge in terms of employability. Specifically, the proposed degree aims to advantage students in the following additional ways:

• To apply approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories in an extended research context.


• To develop independent research skills, advanced data handling and a higher-level qualification giving them a competitive edge in the graduate job market or in applying for postgraduate research positions. 


• To enable students to develop an understanding of global challenges relevant to biology and understand their research and study in the context of this.

Subject Specific Skills (Masters Level Year)

The Subject specific skills of the schemes will not change. Nevertheless, on the completion of their degree, students on these four year versions of the schemes will have gained a valuable insight in to how these skills can be applied in a research context as well as how the skills can be used to address global challenges in biology

Generic and Graduate Skills (Masters Level Year)

The generic and graduate skills of the schemes will not change. However, the four year integrated masters version of the schemes will additionally develop the skills listed below, though the nature and emphasis will depend on the exact research project:

• Working independently

• Working as part of a team

• Respecting the views, beliefs, opinions and values of others

• Listening to, and engaging with, other speakers

• Effective verbal communication in a range of settings, including group discussions and debates and formal presentations

• Effective written communication in a variety of forms

• Use of information technologies to process, store, present and communicate information, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, e-mail and the world-wide web

• Identifying, retrieving, sorting and handling information from conventional and electronic sources, including libraries, CD-ROMs, on-line computer resources and the world-wide web

• Time management and self-regulation of work regimes

• Research issues and solve problems

• Adapting to change

• Reading comprehension and interpretation of a range of written material

• Observational skills

• Collating, processing, interpreting and presenting numerical data

Overall aim of the scheme

The aim of the scheme is to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to meet and exceed the generic standards given in the QAA Biosciences Benchmark Statement, with a particular focus on the subject specific statements relating primarily to organisms but also including statements from ecology and environmental biology.

Overall aim of the scheme

The overall aims of the schemes will not change relative to the three year versions. 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.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to explain biological phenomena at a variety of levels (from molecular to ecological systems) and the importance of evolutionary theory in driving pattern and interactions in the natural world.

• How organisms are classified and have an appreciation of both morphometric and molecular approaches to organismal identification.

• Knowledge of the diversity of organisms in the natural world as well as their form and function.

• Knowledge of physiology and how it enables organisms to reside within their respective environment.

• An appreciation of metabolism at the cellular and organism level.

• Knowledge of the basic genetic principles relating to, and the evolution of, a variety of study organisms.

• Knowledge of the structure, distribution, and diversity of natural populations and communities in relation to biotic and abiotic factors.

• Awareness of human interactions with natural populations, communities and ecosystems as well as the significance of species both as resources and potential harmful organisms.

• Knowledge of ‘behaviour’, its importance, and the processes responsible for the evolution, and the molecular basis of behavioural patterns.

• An appreciation of the ethical issues related to biosciences as well as the impact that the biosciences have on society including recent advances in understanding.

Learning and Teaching

Elements of these skills are embedded in all modules and are taught/learned through a variety of methods including: lectures; laboratory/field practicals; workshops; seminars; tutorials; problem based learning scenarios and case studies; self-directed study and research; oral and poster presentations; research projects; peer and collaborative learning; feedback from coursework assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Unseen and seen examinations; laboratory and field reports; dissertation thesis; essays; data interpretation exercises; oral and poster presentations.

Demonstrate a range of transferable skills including initiative, independence and the ability to see their work in the context of global challenges.

Learning and Teaching (Masters Level Year)

During the M year students will develop their knowledge in the specific area of their research project. They will develop communication skills through working with their supervisor and other departmental staff / postgraduate students. They will additionally pursue taught modules to enhance their skills in research design, data analysis, research skills beyond their own project and placing their own contribution in the context of wider issues.

Assessment Strategies and Methods (Masters Level Year)

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M smaller group size in the taught modules will enable team work and the use of individual presentations to assess students’ knowledge and understanding.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Experience and competence in a broad range of practical skills and techniques used in the biosciences.

• The application of scientific method including the development of hypotheses, appropriate practical experimental design, data collection, data analysis and presentation and the ability to critically evaluate the results in the light of current scientific understanding.

• The ability to record data accurately and to carry out basic data manipulation, including statistical analysis.

• The ability to plan, execute a body of work within a framework in which qualities such as time management, problem solving and independence are evident.

• The ability to synthesise and critically evaluate biosciences literature (particularly that related to zoology) from a variety of sources and communicate the principles through written and oral means using appropriate citations, ensuring the academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism whether intentional or not.

Learning and Teaching

Elements of these skills are embedded in all modules and are taught/learned through a variety of methods including: lectures; laboratory/field practicals; workshops; seminars; tutorials; problem based learning scenarios and case studies; self-directed study and research; oral and poster presentations; research projects; peer and collaborative learning; feedback from coursework assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Unseen and seen examinations; laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; essays; data interpretation exercises; oral and poster presentations; online activities.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable)

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Safe, ethical working practices, including the completion of risk assessments and a consideration of animal welfare, in the laboratory and field.

• A wide variety of laboratory of field skills and techniques used by professionals working within the field of zoology.

• An ability to identify organisms, either via own knowledge, dichotomous keys and/or molecular techniques.

Learning and Teaching

Elements of these skills are embedded in all modules and are taught/learned through a variety of methods including: laboratory/field practicals; oral and poster presentations; research projects and dissertation; feedback from coursework assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; oral and poster presentations.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills (Masters Level Year)

• Demonstrate experience of working in a mixed research team

Learning and Teaching

Planning and logical development of research based on initial findings will be developed through the dissertation project.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M intellectual skills will be developed and assessed via the dissertation which is an extended piece of work in which students will be guided through the process of conducting research and writing it in a form relevant to publication.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable) (Masters Level Year)

• Applying principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories appropriate to the relevant biological sciences scheme in a research context, as well as understanding the challenges of working with other

Learning and Teaching

These will be developed mainly through the dissertation project. Group work is also embedded in the taught modules.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M professional and practical skills are developed and assessed in the field and lab skills module as well as the dissertation.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• The skills for independent life-long working e.g. time management, independent and group working, critical analysis, problem solving, good written and spoken communication skills, organization and knowledge transfer/exchange skills.

• The ability to identify and work towards targets for personal and professional career development.

• The use of the internet and other electronic sources to identify, critically evaluate and communicate source of information.

Learning and Teaching

Elements of these skills are embedded in all modules and are taught/learned through a variety of methods including: unseen and seen examinations; laboratory/field reports; data interpretation exercises; oral and poster presentations; research dissertation; essays; self-directed study and research.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Unseen and seen examinations; laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; essays; data interpretation exercises; oral and poster presentations; online activities.

• Professionalism and an understanding of time management through independent planning

Learning and Teaching (Masters Level Year)

Developed through the research project.

Assessment Strategies and Methods (Masters Level Year)

Students will be developed and assessed in the same way as the three year schemes for years 1-3. In year M the dissertation will develop these further through guided, independent work