Learning and Teaching Committee

Note of a meeting to consider requests for exemption from the University credit framework

Thursday 30 April 2009

Present: Morag Bell (Chair), Paul Byrne, John Dickens, Martin Harrison, Robert Bowyer

1. University Credit Framework

ECF09-P1

Noted the framework, together with the relevant circular to departments.

2. Requests for exemption

Considered requests for exemption from the following departments:

2.1 Social Sciences

ECF09-P2

Programmes involved: BSc Social Psychology

In 2009/10, Part B students would have to take 3x20-credit core modules at level 6 in order to meet criteria for British Psychological Society accreditation. The entire programme was being overhauled for 2010/11 and exemption was sought for one year only. Subsequently, students would take 100-120 credits at each level.

[In this instance, under the temporary arrangement, students would exceed rather than fall short of the minimum credits at the level of the qualification.]

It was recommended the request be approved.

2.2 Chemistry

ECF09-P3

Programmes involved: BSc Chemistry and Sports Science

Students would take only 60 credits of level 6 modules in Part C, all of which were Sports Science modules: 30 less than the minimum number of credits normally required for BSc with Honours. Students would study all level 4 and 5 core Chemistry modules across Parts A to C (whereas single honours students would take them all in Parts A and B). This would provide sufficient content to be recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The meeting accepted the case that the linear nature of the subject, combined with the recognition requirements, did not allow students to move on to level 6 in even one strand of Chemistry within the time available on the joint honours programme, and it was recommended that the request be approved.

Part B of the programme contained 50 credits of level 4 modules, so that a DipHE awarded after two years of the programme would also fall short of the minimum credits normally required at the level of the qualification. It was recommended that this be agreed on the same grounds as the exemption for the honours degree award.

2.3 Mathematical Sciences

ECF09-P4

Programmes involved: BSc Maths and Management,

BSc Maths and Accounting and Financial Management,

BSc Maths and Sports Science

It was noted that the Department intended to amend programme regulations for Part C of the programmes to limit module options in such a way that from 2009/10 all students would take at least 90 credits of level 6 modules in their final year. The current request related rather to Part B of the programmes and the minimum credits normally required for the award of DipHE.

There was in fact no problem with Maths and Management where current regulations would not allow students to take less than 90 level 5 credits at Part B.

Students on Maths and Accounting and Financial Management were required to take 40 credits at level 4 in Part B and could choose another 10-credit module at level 4. Students on Maths and Sports Science were required to take 30 credits at level 4 in Part B and could choose another 10 or 20 credits at level 4. Few students would exceed 40 level 4 credits.

The meeting accepted that it was necessary on these joint honours programmes to cover some core subjects in Part B that would be covered by single honours students in Part A. In view of the fact that the shortfall in level 5 credits at Part B would not normally exceed 10 credits and on the understanding that students in Part C of the degree programmes would in future be required to take at least 90 credits at level 6, it was recommended that the request be approved.

2.4 Physics

ECF09-P5

Programmes involved: BSc Physics and Management,

BSc Sports Science and Physics

In the case of Physics and Management, students could fall short by 10 level 6 credits in Part C, all in Physics. The case for this was that using a combination of level 4 and level 5 modules spread over the three years, students could satisfy the core physics requirements of the Institute of Physics to gain (lower level) accreditation, and that it was not possible to study many level 6 Physics modules without already having studied the level 5 prerequisites. This case was accepted and it was recommended that the request be approved.

In the case of Sports Science and Physics, students could fall short by 20 level 6 credits in Part C, though optional choice might reduce the shortfall to 10; and in Part B, there were 40 credits of compulsory modules at level 4 resulting in a shortfall of 10 credits at level 5. It was recommended that optional choice in Part C be restricted such that students would be required to take a minimum of 80 credits at level 6, and that the suggestions from the Department for increasing to 100 the number of level 5 credits in Part B be pursued.

Author – Morag Bell

Date – April 2009