Proposal for a New Programme
This form is available for
downloading from admin/ar/templates/new_prog - spaces can be expanded as
required.
This
proposal is in Strategic Phase
Operational Phase
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1. Name of Department and Departmental
contact School of Sport and Exercise
Sciences: Professor Ron Maughan |
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2. Award and Title of proposed new programme Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc
in Sports Nutrition by Distance Learning |
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3. Month and Year of first intake to the
programme October 2003 Will
the programme be offered as: √ part-time |
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4. If the proposed new programme is a
revised version of an existing programme, state how this will be phased in, i.e.
- year(s) that Parts B, C, D will commence; pathway for students currently on
placement/leave of absence and resit students This
program was initiated and taught by Prof Maughan and Dr Susan Shirreffs while
they were at Aberdeen University and was taught under the auspices of a
Government-level Memorandum of Agreement between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Ten
(10) students have reached the point of being ready to be examined for Core
Course 1 (see section 5 below), and these students are planning to complete
either the Diploma or MSc option, but Aberdeen University has discontinued
this course. We understand from our Saudia Arabian contacts that a further 20 students are ready to be interviewed with a view
to starting the course in the New Year. |
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5. List any new modules proposed. Introductory course 1 (20 credits), 4
months Introductory course 2 (20 credits), 4
months Core Course 1 (40 credits), 8 months Core Course 2 (40 credits), 8 months Project (60 credits), 12 months
I
have searched the database and in my opinion: √
Existing alternative modules are unsuitable (Please explain in Section 7 below) Signature: _____________________________ |
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6. Is it intended that any modules will be
available by full/partial Distance Learning? √
Yes Is
it intended that the programme will be fully Distance Learning? √
Yes Guidelines on full/partial DL
provision are available on the intranet at: https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/admin/registry/uniwide/ |
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7. Reasons for the proposal: its purpose and
relevance; how it will enhance calibre of teaching and learning; implications
for existing programmes and modules in the department Background
Sport and Exercise nutrition
has been taught at Loughborough for about 15 years as part of Undergraduate
and Postgraduate degrees in sport and exercise sciences. Loughborough has led
the way in research in sport and exercise nutrition for the last two decades
and so teaching has been informed by our extensive research on this topic.
The existing MSc programs in Sports Science and in Exercise Physiology
include a module on sport and exercise nutrition. The majority of the
postgraduate students taking the MSc in Exercise Physiology undertake their
research projects on topics with sport and exercise nutrition, often working
alongside PhD students and research assistants pursuing research themes in
sport and exercise nutrition. A new MSc program in Sports
and Exercise Nutrition is beginning in September 2003 with full-time and
part-time options. Whilst in Aberdeen Professor Maughan and Dr Shirreffs also
developed a distance learning version of the MSc Program that was run in
Saudi Arabia as part of the UK-Saudi Memorandum of Understanding. The
intention is to transfer this program to Loughborough University to complement
the MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition that starts in Loughborough this
September. Purpose and Relevance The introduction of the MSc
degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition by Distance Learning will build on our
research and teaching excellence in this subject. It will capitalise on the
increasing demands for postgraduate training in this field. The arrival of
internationally known scientists from Aberdeen University will provide the
critical mass that will allow Loughborough to establish a centre of excellence
in sport and exercise nutrition. It is planned that the Distance Learning
programme in sport and exercise nutrition that has been developed for Saudi
Arabian postgraduates will be developed for other international clients. Enhancement
of Teaching and Learning The
existing modules in the area of Sports Nutrition which form part of the MSc
in Sports Nutrition taught at Loughborough University are unsuitable because
the proposed course has no teaching element that will take place in the UK.
However, as both this course and the MSc program starting in October 2003 are
based on Courses that ran from Aberdeen University, there is some overlap of
material. This proposed Distance Learning program and the MSc in Sport and
Exercise Nutrition taught at Loughborough are not identical and we understand
that Members of the Sub-Committee expressed surprise that the proposed DL
programme appeared totally disengaged from the recently approved MSc in Sport
and Exercise Nutrition and would have expected the proposed programme to
include DL versions of modules on the existing MSc. We understand that the
Sub-Committee requested that the Department compare and contrast the content
and ILOs of the two programmes, with a commentary as to the intention whether
or not to bring the programmes closer together in due course. However we can say that there are good reasons for the difference
in course content and these have been rehearsed at some length within the
Department. The first module of the MSc program that is taught at Loughborough
on a full-time basis has to be available to students who are pursuing other
degree programs, including Exercise Physiology, Sports Science and Physical
Activity and Health. Because of this, it is not possible to provide a
broadly-based introduction to human nutrition. This means that we can admit
only students with a background that includes some human nutrition (in
practice it means that many people complete the course with only the vaguest
of ideas about the wider aspects of human nutrition and metabolism). The two
introductory courses offered in the Saudi program mean that students with a
limited background in either human nutrition or in exercise physiology can be
admitted onto the course. The content of the two modules in the Saudi program
identified as core course modules is not substantially different from the two
courses on offer to students at Loughborough. The Introductory Course in
Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry in the Saudi program is not
substantially different to the first semester course in Exercise Physiology
in the Loughborough-based MSc. The 60 credit project course is identical in
the two courses. The Research Methods component of the MSc is embedded within
the other courses in the Saudi-based program. This ensures that the
material is relevant to the subject matter being taught. We understand that
this material is taught as a stand alone course in the Loughborough-based
course because the same course is taken by almost all MSc, MPhil and 1st year
PhD students in the School. Therefore, although the courses may
appear to be different because of the course names, the content is
substantially the same, with the exception of the absence of Human Nutrition
teaching on the course offered to the Loughborough-based students. It is unlikely
that there will be an opportunity to substantially modify the
Loughborough-based program, for the reasons outlined above. We are reluctant
to modify the distance-learning option as we believe the program to be more
appropriate to the needs of potential students and indeed would be the
preferred option for the Loughborough full-time course if the restraints
mentioned above did not exist. |
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8. Expected
student numbers 10-15 per year up
to the Diploma completion with up to 5 continuing to complete the MSc. |
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9. Staffing
implications - adequacy of existing departmental resources; net
increase/reduction in staff teaching effort or demands on support staff It is envisaged the course will be largely taught by
Professor Ron Maughan and Dr Susan Shirreffs with occasional contributions by
other Loughborough University staff and PhD students and visiting staff from
other institutions. For the research project, in addition to supervision by
Loughborough University staff a member of academic staff from a Saudi Arabian
University will be appointed as a second day-to-day supervisor. |
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10. Additional Library requirements None. |
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11. Additional Computing Support required None |
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12. Other
resource implications, e.g. lecture room, lab and other space requirements;
equipment, materials; timetabling constraints (block-teaching for example);
any special residential requirements. Students
will at no time visit Loughborough for their course. Tutorial workshops will
be held approximately every 4 months in the Sports Medicine Hospital, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia. Course material will be a combination of paper handouts and
audiovisual aids provided on a CD for use on a personal computer. |
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13. Implications for other departments both
providing and receiving. N/A |
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14. Evidence of demand and suitability; views of
lecturers; current/prospective students; external examiners/ assessors,
professional/industrial bodies etc. Prof Maughan and Dr Shirreffs have offered full-time Diploma and
Master of Science (MSc) degree programs in Sports Nutrition and in Human
Nutrition and Metabolism for a number of years at Aberdeen University.
Recognising the need to offer the opportunity to study for a Higher Degree in
Sports Nutrition on a part-time basis, Aberdeen University entered into an
agreement with the General Presidency of Youth Welfare to offer such a course
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as part of the UK/Saudi Government
Memorandum of Understanding for the teaching of Sports Medicine in the
Kingdom. Loughborough University started
teaching an MSc degree in Sports and Exercise Nutrition in October 2003 and
in addition to this we are now looking to run the Saudi Arabia distance
learning MSc from Loughborough University to complement the newly established
program. The new Distance Learning degree program will take advantage of new
technology to deliver an innovative program, using resources that are beyond
the scope of a single Institution. In the first instance this Degree program
will operate only in KSA but clearly has the potential to be expanded to
include other areas. |
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15. Implications for employability It
is envisaged that all the students will remain in their home country of Saudi
Arabia on completion of the course and be employed there. The course will be
accredited by the Saudi Council of Health Specialities and Graduates will
therefore have a recognised qualification from Loughborough University that
has been officially recognised by their own countrys authorities. |
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16. Any other relevant information In addition to the matters
relating to course content discuss in section 7 above we understand a number
of other points have been raised. We have addressed these here. 1. We understand a clearer
description of assessment procedures and an explanation of where and how
examinations would be undertaken is required. The assessment process is
not different from that for students at Loughborough. It consists of a
combination of continuous assessment based on assignments completed by
students and on formal examinations. The examinations are held during the 2. We understand that the
committee would like to hear the views of the External Examiner for the
existing MSc, who ideally be approached as the External Examiner for the DL
version. Dr Andrew Prentice has
agreed to act in this capacity for both degree programs. He currently has the
paperwork for both programs. 3. We understand that the
committee wanted assurances that more than one person was responsible for the
programme. We can confirm that Dr
Shirreffs and Professor Maughan would act as Internal Examiners. Dr Shirreffs
currently has a research appointment and Professor Maughan's position in the
University is an honorary one. 4. We understand that the
Committee would like assurance that Aberdeen University was willing to
release the programme and a statement of who owned the DL material. This has been discussed at
length with Jo Derbyshire. Aberdeen University have clearly indicated, in an
email message from the Dean of the Medical faculty, that they have no
intention of continuing to offer this program. An initial version of this
DL material was developed by Professor Maughan while he was based at Aberdeen
University, but this was developed without any input from the University.
This has been substantially revised and upgraded in the last year, during
which time Professor Maughan has not been employed. 5. Finally we were asked to
consider the removal of the prefix 'Introductory Course/Core Course' from the
module titles. We would prefer to retain
these descriptors, unless there is a good reason to remove them. Lastly, we understand that
the Sub-Committee required reassurances that some of the administrative
issues had been resolved, such as the transfer of students from Aberdeen
University. None of the existing
students have yet officially transferred to Loughborough University. We will
meet these students in December 2003 and will collect the completed paperwork
for their transfer to be processed. |
STRATEGIC PHASE
Financial Statement attached
Head of Department Signature: .
Date: ..
This proposal has been discussed with the Department and is approved for submission to the Faculty Directorate and Operations Sub-Committee.
Associate Dean (Teaching) Signature: ..
Date:
Forms not including both the Head of
Department's and Associate Dean (Teaching)'s signature will not be accepted.
OPERATIONAL PHASE
√
Programme Regulations attached (with any Distance Learning Modules identified)
√
Programme Specification attached
√
New Module Specifications (CIS versions) attached
√
Evidence of External Support attached
Consultation forms attached and considered:
The students registered
on this course will complete the entire programme by Distance Learning.
This means that they will spend no time in Loughborough at any stage in
their course. It is not envisaged, therefore, that these students will
require the use of any other departments or University services at any time
during their programme.
........... Other Academic Departments
........... (Please list)
........... Library
........... Careers Service
........... Computing
Services
...........
........... Media Services
√
........... Learning and
Teaching Development (where appropriate for the development,
........... support and
provision of distance learning)
........... Prof Ron Maughan and Dr Susan Shirreffs have met with Carol Newbold.
N/A
Quality Assurance Statement attached (for collaborative proposal only)
Head of Department Signature: .
Date: ..
This proposal is approved for submission to Curriculum Sub-Committee
Associate Dean (Teaching) Signature: ..
Date:
Forms not including both the Head of
Department's and Associate Dean (Teaching)'s signature will not be accepted.
(October 2002)
WHEN SUBMITTING
OPERATIONAL PROPOSALS please forward an electronic copy of the proposal form
and the programme regulations/specification as an email attachment to
J.E.Elliott
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
REGULATIONS FOR FULL-TIME/PART-TIME
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN
SPORTS NUTRITION BY DISTANCE LEARNING
These Regulations refer to
the conduct of the course in the session 2003-2004 but are subject to change
from time to time. Notice of change
will be given in subsequent editions of these Regulations. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date
position when they need to know this.
The Regulations are to be
read in conjunction with the General Regulations for Modular Postgraduate
Awards (GRMPA) and Assessment Regulations for Modular Postgraduate Awards
(ARMPA).
1. STRUCTURE
1.1 The Programme is the responsibility of the School of Sport
and Exercise Sciences.
1.2 The Programme leads to the award of MSc, MSc with
Distinction, Loughborough University Postgraduate Diploma (LPD), LPD with
Distinction, and Loughborough University Postgraduate Certificate (LPC) as
specified in GRMPA.
1.3 Entrance requirements are those referred to in GRMPA.
1.4
The minimum
period of study for the award of MSc is thirty-six calendar months part-time by
Distance Learning.
2. CONTENT
2.1 To be eligible for consideration of the awards for this
programme students must have accumulated the necessary credits from the
following modules:
code subject title MODULAR
WEIGHT
PEP610 Introductory Course 1 (4 months) 20
PEP611 Introductory Course 2 (4 months) 20
PEP612 Core Course 1 (8 months) 40
PEP613 Core Course 2 (8 months) 40
PEP614 Project (12 months) 60
All the above modules are
taught as Distance Learning modules.
2.1.1 For details of when the modules are
taught and the specific assessment procedures see Module Specifications.
2.2 Students may not study more than 60 credits in any one
academic term without the approval of the Head of School.
2.3 The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
reserves the right to regulate the numbers of students studying a particular
module.
2.4 Students cannot be considered for a module after two weeks
from the start of the module.
2.5 Students cannot normally start Module PEP614 (Project)
until modules have been studied with a total rating of 120 credits, and a
formal written project proposal has been submitted to, and approved by, a
School supervisor and the Programme Leader.
2.6.1 Two copies of the Report from Module
PEP614 (Project), which will be no more than 50 pages long (which is in the
order of 16,000-20,000 words), must be handed in not later than 12 months after
the start of that Module. The candidates may be required to submit themselves
to an oral examination on the subject of their Project.
2.6.2 The contents of the Project Report may
only be disclosed to persons outside the University with the written permission
of the Supervisor and/or Head of School.
3. ASSESSMENT
AND AWARDS
3.1 Each module in the programme will be assessed and credits
awarded in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in GRMPA.
3.2 In accordance with ARMPA, candidates who have a right of
re-assessment in a module may choose to be re-assessed during a subsequent
residential workshop held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3.3
The normal
eligibility of candidates on the programme for the award of the Degree of
Master, Masters with Distinction, and for the award of LPD, LPD with
Distinction, and Loughborough University Postgraduate Certificate (LPC) will be
in accordance with GRMPA.
1st Edition, September 2003