Programme Specifications

With Integrated Year in Industry

Biosciences

September 2023

An Equine Science graduate should have a detailed, comprehensive and systematic knowledge and understanding and thus have the opportunity to:

• Develop the technical knowledge and transferable skills required for a leading career in the field of equine or animal science, including for example, lecturing, research and development, and advisory work within the field.

• Develop a detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of equine or animal science at the forefront of student’s academic specialism.

• Develop an holistic view of animal anatomy, physiology and function, and its application to practice.

• Integrate theory, experiment and investigation into practical horse management and care.

• Develop a detailed understanding of animal research, its current practice, applicable techniques, future potential and application to management.

• Develop an awareness of the legal, moral, ethical and social issues associated with the use of animals for work, leisure and research.

• 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 communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences
  
  

Subject specific skills

An Equine Science graduate should be able to:

• Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.

• Assimilate information from a number of sources, including current research and scholarship, in order to gain an understanding of theory and practice.

• Critically evaluate research, evidence and information supplied from a variety of sources and where appropriate propose new hypotheses.

• Apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

• Apply knowledge and understanding to address familiar and novel problems.

• Design an experiment, investigation, survey or other means to test a hypothesis or proposition.

Generic and graduate skills

The following transferable skills will be developed and assessed in the proposed BSc Equine Science degree:

• Problem solving

• Research skills

• Communication

• Improving own learning and performance

• Team work

• Information technology

• Application of number

• Personal development and career planning
  
  

The alternative schemes have specific learning outcomes, and therefore subject knowledge, remain unchanged. However, students will be able to demonstrate additional outcomes as a result of undertaking the year in industry. These additional outcomes provide an enhanced student experience and allow students to develop knowledge of their subject areas in applied contexts and to develop work experience and thus enhance their employability. Specifically, the proposed degree aims to advantage students in the following additional ways:

• To apply approaches, concepts, skills, methods and/or theories in a work-based context relevant to their scheme.

• To develop highly valued transferable and professional skills during a work placement, providing a competitive edge in the graduate job market.

• To enable students to learn about an organization and its area of work, providing an excellent opportunity to evaluate future career paths.

Subject specific skills (with Integrated Year in Industry)

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 a field of employment relating to their subject area in the biological sciences, developing the associated skills and enhancing their employability / networking / establishing industry links.

Generic and graduate skills (with Integrated Year in Industry)

The generic and graduate skills of the schemes will not change. However, the four year version of the schemes ‘with a year in Industry’ will likely develop the skills listed below, though the nature and emphasis will depend on the exact employment; not all of these will be assessed, though most are likely to form part of the employer’s assessment of the student:

• 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

• Identifying appropriate career pathways and developing the capacity to compete

Overall aim of the scheme

The course aims to provide students with a broad in depth knowledge of some of the common aspects of equine and animal science. To produce graduates who are able to work in a range of fields relating to science, who can operate efficiently and safely in field and laboratory, are able to communicate and understand data and concepts, are able to utilise specific applied skills to address diverse biological problems, and are able to direct their own research and learning.

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.

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

• A1 The confident assimilation and integration of animal anatomy, physiology and function.

• A2 The ability to discuss the theoretical and practical application of animal biology to management.

• A3 The ability to critically appraise the factors affecting animal athletic performance, health, welfare, growth and development.

• A4 The ability to design and assess correct nutritional provision for animals in relation to performance, growth and development and well-being.

• A5 An in-depth knowledge of reproductive management, breeding, genetics and the application of reproductive technology

• A6 The ability to make a balanced case and detail methods for integrating and applying scientific techniques and technology to animal science.

• A7 The capacity to reason the theoretical and practical application of scientific research.
  
  

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; 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: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.


The scheme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the additional following areas:

• A8 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.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

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

• B1 That they can apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.

• B2 The assimilation of information from a number of sources, including current research and scholarship, in order to gain an understanding of theory and practice.

• B3 The critical evaluation of research methodologies, and a variety of types of information and evidence. Where appropriate, the formulation of new hypotheses based on these evaluations.

• B4 That they can apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

• B5 That they can apply knowledge and understanding to address familiar and novel problems.

• B6 The ability to design an experiment, investigation, survey or other means to test a hypothesis or proposition.

Learning and Teaching

Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; field excursions, work experience and laboratory practicals; literature based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills (where applicable)

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

• C1 That they can design, apply and evaluate various research/study techniques.

• C2 That they can plan, conduct, and report on investigations.

• C3 The ability to collect & record information / data in the library, laboratory or field, summarizing it appropriately.

• C4 That they can conceive, plan and undertake laboratory investigations in a responsible, ethical and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, animal welfare, relevant health and safety regulations, legislation concerning experimental animal use, legal requirements and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and personnel.

• C5 Effective and appropriate communication skills aimed at individuals and organisations in a range of scenarios.

• C6 That they can write for a range of audiences including academics, practitioners, special interest groups and the wider public.

• C7 The application of appropriate management and experimental techniques to a range of situations.

Learning and Teaching

Professional practical skills are acquired and promoted through practical laboratory classes, field visits, lectures, seminars and other 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 reports, oral presentations and essays. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced critical, interpretative and analytical skills in both their coursework and written examinations. The dissertation should demonstrate student competence in practical and academic skills.

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:

• B7 Demonstrate experience of working in a professional environment

Learning and Teaching

Outcome 10.2.1 will be achieved through completing an 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:

• C8 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.

Learning and Teaching

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.

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

• D1 Problem solving

• D2 Research skills

• D3 Communication

• D4 Improving own learning and performance

• D5 Team work

• D6 Information technology

• D7 Application of number

• D8 Personal development and career planning
  
  

Learning and Teaching

Transferable/key skills are incorporated within modules and related to relevant assessments as appropriate. Students learn and develop skills through student and tutor-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; self-directed learning, oral presentations and experimental dissertation work. Students are also given the opportunity to produce a CV and will gain feedback. Students will be encouraged to undertake work experience, including access to the Year in Employment Scheme. Students will also have access to an optional study exchange programme which will also develop transferable skills of communication, personal development and career planning.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

The skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, unseen examinations essays and unseen short answer examinations.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME:

• 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