Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Chemistry.
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy.
• Departmental teaching and learning policies.
• The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline.
• Recognition and Accreditation documentation from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

c. Key transferable skills:

4. Programme structure

 4.1 Part A

 In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module

4.2 Part B

In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module

4.3 Part I

Candidates may undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies, a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies, or an approved period of study abroad leading to a Diploma in International Studies, which  occurs between Part B and Part C.

4.4 Part C

In the tables below X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module

*Note: Not all of these Part D options will be available in each academic year. Please see Programme Specific Option Restrictions

 4.4.1 Programme Specific Option Restrictions

In order to create a balanced programme of study over the academic year with 60 credits per semester, students choose modules according to the following pattern based on yearly availability and programme requirements:

Chemistry Programme: Choose ONE option from Option A/B in Semester 1 and ONE option from Option C in Semester 2

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Programme: Students must take either CMD213 or CMD214 according to the odd or even year restrictions in Semester 1.  In Semester 2, either CMD401 or CMD402 must be taken.

4.5 Part D

In the tables below X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module. Modules for which credit was accumulated in Part C may not be retaken in Part D.

 *Note: Not all of these Part D options will be available in each academic year. Please see Programme Specific Option Restrictions.

 4.5.1 Programme Specific Option Restrictions

In order to create a balanced programme of study over the academic year with 60 credits per semester, students choose modules according to the following pattern based on yearly availability and programme requirements: 

Chemistry Programme:  TWO options from Groups A & B and ONE option from Group C must be taken in Part D.  An MChem in Chemistry indicates a broad knowledge base across the chemistry sub-disciplines of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Students must therefore take ONE option from EACH of the following pairs over Parts C and D of their MChem programme:  CMD213/214, CMD117/119 and CMD111/112.  

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry programme: An MChem in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry indicates a focus on organic, inorganic and medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry and students must therefore take CMD213, CMD214, CMD401 and CMD402 across Parts C and D of their programme. Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry MChem students must also take a CMD001 project in the medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry area. in addition, they need to choose one option from Option B in Semester 1. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

BSc candidates must accumulate the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX http://www.lboro.ac.uk/governance/regulations/20/current/ in order to progress through the programme and qualify for the award of the degree.

M.Chem candidates entering prior to 2019 must satisfy the following criteria in addition to accumulating 100 credits from the Part:

1. In order to progress from Part B to Part C, M.Chem candidates must achieve an overall average mark of at least 50% across all modules taken in Part B (i.e. over all 120 credits).
2. M.Chem. students in Parts B and C must accumulate 100 credits at 40% to be re-assessed on the M.Chem. programme, otherwise they will be transferred to the B.Sc. programme and may undergo reassessment according to B.Sc. regulations.
3. In order to progress from Part C to Part D, M.Chem candidates must achieve an overall average mark of at least 50% across all modules taken in Part C (i.e. over all 120 credits).
4. Students failing to progress on the M.Chem. programme after re-assessment will be transferred to the B.Sc. programme.
5. M.Chem. resit marks obtained for progression will be capped at 50% according to Regulation XX.
6. If candidates transfer from M.Chem. to B.Sc. for any reason, resit marks will be capped at the B.Sc. level unless the original mark was higher than 40%, when it will be reset to the original mark.

M.Chem. candidates commentcing Part A or joining a cohort commencing Part A (from 2019/20 onwards) must:

• accumulate a minimum of 120 credits from the Part and
• achieve a minimum overall average for the Part of 55%. 

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

(i) B.Sc. candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX http://www.lboro.ac.uk/governance/regulations/20/current/. The scores for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40:Part C 60 to determine the final score.

(ii) M.Chem. candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The scores for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 20: Part C 40: and Part D 40 to determine the final score.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Chemistry.
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy.
• Departmental teaching and learning policies.
• The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline.
• Recognition and Accreditation documentation from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

c. Key transferable skills:

4. Programme structure

Part A

In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module.

Part B

In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module.

Part I

Candidates may undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies,a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies, or an approved period of study abroad leading to a Diploma in International Studies, which occurs between Part B and Part C

Part C

In the tables below X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

Candidates must accumulate the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX http://www.lboro.ac.uk/governance/regulations/20/current/ in order to progress through the programme and qualify for the award of the degree.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

B.Sc. candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX http://www.lboro.ac.uk/governance/regulations/20/current/ The scores for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final score.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Chemistry.
• The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy.
• Departmental teaching and learning policies.
• The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline.
• Recognition and Accreditation documentation from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

c. Key transferable skills:

4. Programme structure

 4.1 Part A

 In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module

4.2 Part B

In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module

4.3 Part I

Candidates may undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies, a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies, or an approved period of study abroad leading to a Diploma in International Studies, which occurs between Part B and Part C.

4.4 Part C

In the tables below X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module

*Note: Not all of these Part D options will be available in each academic year. See Programme Specific Option Restrictions below.

 4.4.1 Programme Specific Option Restrictions

In order to create a balanced programme of study over the academic year with 60 credits per semester, students choose modules according to the following pattern based on yearly availability and programme requirements:

Chemistry with Analytical Sciences Programme: Students must take either CMD302 or CMD303 according to the odd or even year restrictions in Semester 1 (Option A). In Semester 2, one option from Option C, and one of either CMC007 or CMC010.

4.5 Part D

In the tables below X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module. Modules for which credit was accumulated in Part C may not be retaken in Part D.

 *Note: Not all of these Part D options will be available in each academic year. See Programme Specific Option Restrictions below.

 4.5.1 Programme Specific Option restrictions

In order to create a balanced programme of study over the academic year with 60 credits per semester students choose modules according to the following pattern based on yearly availability and programme requirements:

Chemistry with Analytical Science programme: An MChem in Chemistry with Analytical Science indicates a focus on Analytical chemistry and students must therefore take CMD302, and CMD303 across Part C and Part D in their programme. Chemistry with Analytical Science MChem students must also take a CMD001 project in the Analytical chemistry area.  In addition, they need to choose one option from Option B in Semester 1, and one option from Option C in Semester 2.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

Candidates must accumulate the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/governance/regulations/20/current/ in order to progress through the programme and qualify for the award of the degree.

In addition, in order to accumulate credit for a Chemistry module which contains a coursework/laboratory component, candidates must obtain at least 40% in he coursework/laboratory component of that module.

M.Chem candidates must, in addition, satisfy the following criteria:

1. In order to progress from Part B to Part C, M.Chem candidates must achieve an overall average mark of at least 50% across all modules taken in Part B (i.e. over all 120 credits).
2. M.Chem. students in Parts B and C must accumulate 100 credits at 40% to be re-assessed on the M.Chem. programme, otherwise they will be transferred to the B.Sc. programme and may undergo reassessment according to B.Sc. regulations.
3. In order to progress from Part C to Part D, M.Chem candidates must achieve an overall average mark of at least 50% across all modules taken in Part C (i.e. over all 120 credits).
4. Students failing to progress on the M.Chem. programme after re-assessment will be transferred to the B.Sc. programme.
5. M.Chem. resit marks obtained for progression will be capped at 50% according to Regulation XX.
6. If candidates transfer from M.Chem. to B.Sc. for any reason, resit marks will be capped at the B.Sc. level unless the original mark was higher than 40%, when it will be reset to the original mark.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

(i) B.Sc. candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX http://www.lboro.ac.uk/governance/regulations/20/current/. The scores for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40:Part C 60 to determine the final score.

(ii) M.Chem. candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The scores for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 20: Part C 40: and Part D 40 to determine the final score.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

 Natural Sciences is a broad based degree introducing students to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary working to tackle problems in the physical sciences. The programme has option pathways which develop fundamental knowledge and applied skills within Chemistry, Bioscience, Mathematics, Physics and Materials Science, with increasing specialisation occurring throughout the duration of the programme.

Programme aims are:

• To develop students’ understanding of natural sciences and their capability to work in a multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary environment. 

• Provide students with a core knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a range of physical and theoretical sciences. 

• To provide students with the necessary educational tools to work across the physical sciences in an interdisciplinary/ multidisciplinary manner. 

• To cultivate students’ interest in interdisciplinary science, within a caring and intellectually stimulating environment. 

• To develop students’ scientific knowledge and understanding of scientific processes. 

• To develop students’ pathway relevant practical skills, application of these skills to address a problem, and their critical awareness of practical techniques. 

• To develop students’ intellectual skills to research and synthesise scientific information, to apply their knowledge to develop arguments and to critically evaluate material, to equip graduates with the skills necessary to update their knowledge and understanding over a future career. 

• To develop research skills to enable students to design and test hypotheses and to interpret and present data. 

• To provide students with the opportunity to apply intellectual, research, and practical skills to design and conduct an independent piece of research. 

• To facilitate students’ engagement with emerging research in selected specialised areas to further their depth of understanding of scientific processes and develop their appreciation of the provisional nature of scientific knowledge. 

• To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of science in an industrial, economic, environmental, social and ethical context. 

• To equip students with transferable and independent learning skills for relevant employment. 

• Through providing the above skills, to advance students’ understanding of the breadth of Natural Sciences to support a variety of potential careers in both academia and industry through study, research and the opportunity to specialise via a dedicated research project in a chosen scientific area. 

• To provide students with support for knowledge and skills acquisition in relevant areas of Chemistry, Bioscience, Mathematics, Physics and/or Materials Science. 

Additional Aims in the final year of MSci: 

• To foster in students a systematic understanding of knowledge, a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights and a critical thinking capability at the forefront of interdisciplinary research. 

• To enable students to be independently creative in an interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary manner to tackle problems within the natural sciences. 

• To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship. 

• To develop students’ ability to show originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge. 

• To provide students with an understanding and ability to work between disciplines, including an awareness of techniques, methods and protocols used across the scope of the Natural Sciences.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

University Learning and Teaching Strategy

The research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline

School and/or Departmental teaching and learning policies, as applicable (with a focus on AACME, Science and Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences)

Society of Natural Sciences Benchmarking (being established and currently under development)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

K1        Key subject-specific terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units;

K2        The fundamental experimental techniques and theoretical methodologies which inform the discipline;

K3        Interdisciplinary perspectives on world/societal issues and the role that Natural Scientists play in the resolution of these challenges;

K4        An awareness of collaborative working across and between Natural Science disciplines;

K5        Safety, risk, hazard and ethics assessment as relevant to the discipline;

K6        The key factors and benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to science;

K7        The key principles of science used to interrogate the world around us;

K8        The methods for assessing the interactions of life on earth within the natural world;

Specific to the Chemistry Pathway

K9        Inorganic and organic molecular species in chemistry;

K10      The origin and characteristic properties of the principal attractive forces that exist between molecules and their dependence on molecular structure;

K11      Periodic trends and irregularities in selected properties of the elements;

Specific to the Bioscience Pathway

K12      The complexity of biological structures, their organization, metabolism and division of cells, and how these can be interrogated to assess function;

K13     The link between cellular and molecular changes and physiological adaptation in health and disease;

Specific to the Mathematics Pathway

K14     Sets and functions, real and complex numbers, factorisation and divisibility, modular arithmetic and vector and matrix algebra; 

K15     Logical mathematical arguments and deductive reasoning, including the process of mathematical proof; 

K16     Mathematical methods and techniques in calculus and algebra, ordinary differential equations, vector calculus and complex variable; 

Specific to the Physics Pathway

K17      Basic concepts in classical physics and their application to relevance to physical phenomena;

K18     The importance and mathematical description of basic wave concepts and their role in quantum mechanics; 

K19     The basic principles and laws governing the classical behaviour of electromagnetic fields. 

Specific to the Materials Pathway

K23      The concepts involved in material development and characterisation with respect to properties and function;

K24      Key principles utilised for the processing of materials; 

Additional knowledge and understanding at Part D:

K25      A systematic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at the forefront of scientific research;

K26      Knowledge and awareness of the accepted norms and professional expectations associated with the generation and publication of scientific results;

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

C1      Apply discipline-specific knowledge to other areas within the Natural Sciences to tackle multidisciplinary issues;

C2      Identify the benefits and capitalise on cross-discipline collaboration, making use of other discipline contributions to solve problems in a collaborative manner;

C3      Apply their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, key concepts, principles and theories to solve problems and debate critical issues within the subject area;

C4      Identify and analyse novel scientific problems and plan strategies for their solution, and apply acquired knowledge and understanding to inform individual research;

C5      Solve quantitative and qualitative problems and collate, evaluate and interpret scientific information and data;

C6      Research, evaluate, justify and critically evaluate scientific material and arguments in a coherent and organised way appropriately adapted to the audience;

Additional subject specific cognitive skills at Part D:

C7       Select appropriate research and enquiry strategies to solve complex problems or problems with incomplete data;

C8       Demonstrate advanced analytical thinking skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way;

C9       Critically evaluate current research, appropriate to the speciality;

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

P1        Apply a broad range of practical investigative techniques including data collection, data analysis, statistical evaluation, hypotheses formulating and testing, current contextualisation and external referencing and validation;

P2        Record, describe and critically evaluate data sets;

P3        Extract, manipulate and interpret data from scientific databases;

P4        Handle materials safely by taking into account their physical and inherent material properties, e.g. chemical hazards or biological activity;

P5        Conduct standard laboratory (and/ or field) procedures including the operation of standard instrumentation for the analysis of materials and recording of results;

P6        Appropriately, monitor, record and document events and changes by observation and measurement;

P7        Plan, design and execute practical investigations from the problem recognition stage, to the selection of appropriate techniques and procedures, through to the evaluation and appraisal of the results and findings;

P8        Conduct thorough hazard/risk assessments associated with scientific investigations covering the materials, equipment and laboratory/field environment and comply with relevant ethical approval procedures;

Additional subject specific practical skills at Part D

P9        Apply appropriate research techniques to develop new insights and investigate and solve problems;

P10      Explain experimental results in terms of a broad range of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

T1        Communicate effectively across disciplines to disseminate scientific knowledge and collaborate to tackle problems;

T2        Communicate in a variety of formats, both written and oral, to a range of audiences;

T3        Effectively generate ideas and solutions to problems in a collaborative manner across the Natural Science disciplines; 

T4        Apply numeracy and computational skills including error analysis, order of magnitude estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation;

T5        Generate, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative, numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively;

T6        Select and apply appropriate technology from the range available to collate, present and evaluate results and ideas to a professional standard;

T7        Work independently to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals and evaluate outcomes;

T8        Deploy critical judgements and evaluations to arrive at supported conclusions;

T9       Effectively manage time and effort in the organisation of work to ensure independent and pragmatic learning;

T10      Work effectively in a team by co-operating and negotiating with peers, making decisions and resolving issues, difficulties and conflicts, as applicable;

Additional transferable skills at Part D

T11      Exercise initiative and demonstrate personal responsibility including in the making of decisions;

T12      Demonstrate an advanced ability to handle and interpret complex information in a structured and systematic way;

T13      Develop the independent learning skills required for continued professional development and lifelong learning;

T14      Interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh up the importance of alternative perspectives.

The full range of intended learning outcomes that will be achieved by students taking the Natural Sciences programme will be highly dependent upon which combination of routes they choose to study; in Parts B-D students have a wide selection of module choice enabling them to tailor their course around core subjects. Individual module specifications should be consulted for details on specific knowledge and understanding and skills obtained from optional modules within the programme.

4. Programme structure

Each year must equate to 120 credit weighting. From Part A all modules are core; students choose 3 of the 6 pathways.  Students wishing to choose the Physics pathway must also choose the Mathematics pathway. From Part B students undertake the Interdisciplinary Science module (20 credits) along with the core modules from 2 pathways (60 credits from Major pathway + 40 credits from Minor pathway). From Part B onwards there are excluded pathway combinations, students may not choose both Mathematics and Materials, however students choosing the Physics pathway may do so without choosing Mathematics. From Part C students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (40 credits) along with the core modules from either 1 pathway or remain with 2 main pathways of study (80 credits in Major if specialising in 1 pathway or 40 credits in two pathways). Part D has a 60 credit interdisciplinary research project, with 60 credits of optional modules from 1 pathway. Options should be chosen such that there is a balanced weighting of study across the two semesters. Students' optional module choices will be approved by the Programme Director.

BSc(Hons) and MSci Natural Sciences

Key:

C - Module is Compulsory for all students on the pathway

O - Module is Optional for all students on the pathway

M - Module is Compulsory for students taking the pathway as their Major and is not available if pathway taken as Minor

+ - (Materials Part D) Paired Modules, students should select 1 maximum.  Students should choose either MPP555 or MPP503.

Part A - All students must select three pathways.

Part B

Students must take the interdisciplinary science module, plus modules selected from two pathways studied at Part A (60 credits from the major discipline and 40 credits from the minor subject). 

Part I

Students on degree programmes with professional training take a placement between Parts B and C or alternatively for MSci students with permission of the Programme Director, between Parts C and D.  This year leads to the award of a Diploma of Industrial Studies, Professional Studies or International Studies dependent on the nature of the placement.

Part C

Students must take the interdisciplinary research project in addition to 80 credits of optional modules from either one or two pathways studied at part B.

Part D (CMUM19 MSci only)

Students must take the interdisciplinary research project in addition to 60 credits of optional modules from one pathway studied in Part C. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D (if applicable) and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS, DIntS or DIS (if applicable).

5.1 MSci Only

In order to progress from Part C to Part D, and to be eligible for the award of an MSci degree in Natural Sciences, candidates must achieve a Part C average mark of 50% or greater. Candidates who, after reassessment, fail to achieve this mark at Part C will not progress to Part D, but may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be eligible for consideration for the award of BSc with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C and determined on the basis of the Part weightings for the BSc programme (40:60).

Candidates who, having successfully completed Part C, are unable to commence or complete Part D or fail to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of MSci degree in Part D may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded a BSc with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C and determined on the basis of the Part weightings for the BSc programme (40:60).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C (and D if applicable). For BSc degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part C 60%: Part B 40% to determine the final percentage mark. For MSci degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part D 40%: Part C 40%: Part B 20% to determine the final percentage mark.

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

 Natural Sciences is a broad based degree introducing students to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary working to tackle problems in the physical sciences. The programme has option pathways which develop fundamental knowledge and applied skills within Chemistry, Bioscience, Mathematics, Physics, Geography and Materials Science, with increasing specialisation occurring throughout the duration of the programme.

Programme aims are:

• To develop students’ understanding and skills within the natural sciences and their capability to work in a multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary environment. 
• To cultivate students’ interest in interdisciplinary science, within a caring and intellectually stimulating environment. 
• To develop students’ pathway relevant practical skills, application of these skills to address a problem, and their critical awareness of practical techniques. 
• To develop students’ intellectual skills to independently research and synthesise scientific information, to apply their knowledge to develop arguments and to critically evaluate material, in order to equip graduates with the skills necessary to update their knowledge and understanding over a future career. 
• To develop students' research skills and facilitate engagement with emerging research to further their depth of understanding of scientific processes and develop their appreciation of the provisional nature of scientific knowledge. 
• To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of science in an industrial, economic, environmental, social and ethical context. 

Additional Aims in the final year of MSci: 

• To foster in students a systematic understanding of knowledge, a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights and a critical thinking capability at the forefront of interdisciplinary research. 
• To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship. 
• To develop students’ ability to show originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

Society of Natural Sciences Benchmarking (being established and currently under development)

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

K1        Key subject-specific terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units;

K2        The fundamental experimental techniques and theoretical methodologies which inform the discipline;

K3        Interdisciplinary perspectives on world/societal challenges and the role that Natural Scientists play in their resolution;

K4        An awareness of collaborative working across and between Natural Science disciplines;

K5        Safety, risk, hazard and ethics assessment as relevant to the discipline;

K6        The key factors and benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to science;

K7        The key principles of science used to interrogate the world around us;

K8        The methods for assessing the interactions of life on earth within the natural world;

Specific to the Chemistry Pathway

K9        Inorganic and organic molecular species in chemistry;

K10      The origin and characteristic properties of the principal attractive forces that exist between molecules and their dependence on molecular structure;

K11      Periodic trends and irregularities in selected properties of the elements;

Specific to the Bioscience Pathway

K12     The complexity of biological structures, their organization, metabolism and division of cells, and how these can be interrogated to assess function;

K13     The link between cellular and molecular changes and physiological adaptation in health and disease;

Specific to the Mathematics Pathway

K14     Understanding of fundamental mathematical methods; 

K15     Logical mathematical arguments and deductive reasoning, including the process of mathematical proof; 

K16     A range of algebraic, analytical, geometrical, numerical and statistical techniques in mathematical sciences; 

Specific to the Physics Pathway

K17      Basic concepts in classical physics and their application to relevance to physical phenomena;

K18     The importance and mathematical description of basic wave concepts and their role in quantum mechanics; 

K19     The basic principles and physical laws governing the behaviour of matter and waves. 

Specific to the Materials Pathway

K20      The concepts involved in material development and characterisation with respect to properties and function;

K21      Key principles utilised for the processing of materials; 

Specific to the Geography Pathway

K22      The major components of the Earth's physical-geographic systems, including patterns of variation in the global environment and connections between global systems and local landscapes;

K23      Geomorphic processes and products characteristic of particular regional land systems;

K24      The evaluation and monitoring of environmental hazards and an appreciation of how to manage and mitigate these.

On successful completion of Part D, students will be able to demonstrate:

K25      A systematic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the natural sciences, much of which is at the forefront of scientific research;

K26      Knowledge and awareness of the accepted norms and professional expectations associated with the generation and publication of scientific results;

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

C1      Apply discipline-specific knowledge to other areas within the Natural Sciences to tackle multidisciplinary issues;

C2      Identify the benefits and capitalise on cross-discipline collaboration, making use of other discipline contributions to solve problems in a collaborative manner;

C3      Apply their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, key concepts, principles and theories to solve problems and debate critical issues within the subject area;

C4      Identify and analyse novel scientific problems and plan strategies for their solution, and apply acquired knowledge and understanding to inform individual research;

C5      Solve quantitative and qualitative problems and collate, evaluate and interpret scientific information and data;

C6      Research, evaluate, justify and critically evaluate scientific material and arguments in a coherent and organised way appropriately adapted to the audience;

Additional subject specific cognitive skills at Part D:

C7       Select appropriate research and enquiry strategies to solve complex problems or problems with incomplete data;

C8       Demonstrate advanced analytical thinking skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way;

C9       Critically evaluate current research, appropriate to the speciality;

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

P1        Apply a broad range of practical investigative techniques including data collection, data analysis, statistical evaluation, hypotheses formulating and testing, current contextualisation and external referencing and validation;

P2        Record, describe and critically evaluate data sets;

P3        Extract, manipulate and interpret data from scientific databases;

P4        Handle materials safely by taking into account their physical and inherent material properties, e.g. chemical hazards or biological activity;

P5        Conduct standard laboratory (and/ or field) procedures including the operation of standard instrumentation for the analysis of materials and recording of results;

P6        Appropriately, monitor, record and document events and changes by observation and measurement;

P7        Plan, design and execute practical investigations from the problem recognition stage, to the selection of appropriate techniques and procedures, through to the evaluation and appraisal of the results and findings;

P8        Conduct thorough hazard/risk assessments associated with scientific investigations covering the materials, equipment and laboratory/field environment and comply with relevant ethical approval procedures;

Additional subject specific practical skills at Part D

P9        Apply appropriate research techniques to develop new insights and investigate and solve problems;

P10      Explain experimental results in terms of a broad range of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:

T1        Communicate effectively across disciplines to disseminate scientific knowledge and collaborate to tackle problems;

T2        Communicate in a variety of formats, both written and oral, to a range of audiences;

T3        Effectively generate ideas and solutions to problems in a collaborative manner across the Natural Science disciplines; 

T4        Apply numeracy and computational skills including error analysis, order of magnitude estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation;

T5        Generate, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative, numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively;

T6        Select and apply appropriate technology from the range available to collate, present and evaluate results and ideas to a professional standard;

T7        Work independently to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals and evaluate outcomes;

T8        Deploy critical judgements and evaluations to arrive at supported conclusions;

T9       Effectively manage time and effort in the organisation of work to ensure independent and pragmatic learning;

T10      Work effectively in a team by co-operating and negotiating with peers, making decisions and resolving issues, difficulties and conflicts, as applicable;

Additional transferable skills at Part D

T11      Exercise initiative and demonstrate personal responsibility including in the making of decisions;

T12      Demonstrate an advanced ability to handle and interpret complex information in a structured and systematic way;

T13      Develop the independent learning skills required for continued professional development and lifelong learning;

T14      Interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh up the importance of alternative perspectives.

The full range of intended learning outcomes that will be achieved by students taking the Natural Sciences programme will be dependent upon which combination of routes they choose to study; in Parts B-D students have a wide selection of module choice enabling them to tailor their course around core subjects. (Individual module specifications should be consulted for details on specific knowledge and understanding and skills obtained from optional modules within the programme.)

4. Programme structure

BSc(Hons) and MSci Natural Sciences

• Each year must equate to 120 credits.
• In Part A all students undertake 40 credits of core modules.  In addition to the core modules, students choose two of the six pathways. Students may not choose the Mathematics pathway together with the Materials pathway or the Bioscience pathway together with the Geography pathway.
  
• In Part B all students undertake the Interdisciplinary Science module (20 credits).  In addition, students choose which of the two pathways will be their Major pathway (60 credits) and which will be their Minor pathway (40 credits)
• In Part C students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (40 credits).  Students may choose to either take only their Major Pathway or may choose to continue studying two pathways (80 credits in Major if specialising in one pathway or 40 credits in two pathways).
• In Part D students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (60 credit), plus 60 credits of modules from one pathway only (which must have been the Major Pathway in Part B).

Part A

In Part A all students undertake 40 credits of core modules.  In addition to the core modules, students choose two of the six pathways. Students may not choose the Mathematics pathway together with the Materials pathway or the Bioscience pathway together with the Geography pathway. 

Core Modules for all students

Mathematics Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Materials pathway)

Physics Pathway

Chemistry Pathway

Bioscience Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Geography pathway)

Materials Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Mathematics pathway)

Geography Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Biosciences pathway)

Part B

In Part B all students undertake the Interdisciplinary Science module (20 credits).  In addition, students choose which of the two pathways will be their Major pathway (60 credits) and which will be their Minor pathway (40 credits).

Core Module for all students

Mathematics Pathway

Physics Pathway

Chemistry Pathway

Bioscience Pathway

Materials Pathway

Geography Pathway

Part I

Students on degree programmes with professional training take a placement between Parts B and C or alternatively for MSci students with permission of the Programme Director, between Parts C and D.  This year leads to the award of a Diploma of Industrial Studies, Professional Studies or International Studies dependent on the nature of the placement.

Part C

In Part C students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (40 credits).  Students may choose to either take only their Major Pathway or may choose to continue studying two pathways (80 credits in Major if specialising in one pathway or 40 credits in two pathways).

 Core Module

 Mathematics Pathway

Physics Pathway

Chemistry Pathway

Bioscience Pathway

Materials Pathway

Geography Pathway

Part D (CMUM19 MSci only)

In Part D students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (60 credit), plus 60 credits of modules from one pathway only (which must be the Major Pathway in Part B).

 Core Module

 Mathematics Pathway - Choose 30 credits from each Semester from the list below

Physics Pathway - Choose 30 credits from each Semester from the list below

Chemistry Pathway - Choose 60 credits from the list below (up to 40 credits per Semester)

Bioscience Pathway

Materials Pathway

Geography Pathway  - Choose 60 credits from the list below (up to 40 credits per Semester)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D (if applicable) and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS, DIntS or DIS (if applicable).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C (and D if applicable). For BSc degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part C 60%: Part B 40% to determine the final percentage mark. For MSci degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part D 40%: Part C 40%: Part B 20% to determine the final percentage mark.