Programme Specifications

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution	Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department	Department of Chemistry
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award	BSc (Hons)/BSc (Hons) + DPS or DIS or DIntS; MSci (Hons)/MSci (Hons) + DPS or DIS or DIntS;
Programme title	Natural Sciences
Programme code	CMUB09; CMUM19
Length of programme	BSc 3 years; BSc with DPS/DIntS/DIS 4 years; MSci 4 years; MSci with DPS/DIntS/DIS 5 years
UCAS code	BSc GFC0; BSc with DPS/DIntS/DIS CFG0; MSci CGF0; MSci with DPS/DIntS/DIS FCG0
Admissions criteria	http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/natural-sciences/
Date at which the programme specification was published	Mon, 23 Dec 2019 14:31:19 GMT

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 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).

 

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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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
MAA370	Mathematics for Problem Solving	20	1+2
CMA113	Science Communication	10	1
MAA271	Statistics and Data Analysis	10	2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
MAA150	Mathematical Methods 1	10	1
MAA250	Mathematical Methods 2	10	2
MAA142	Linear Algebra 1	10	1
MAA241	Linear Algebra 2	10	2

Physics Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
PHA901	Core Physics I: Foundations of Physics	20	1
PHA902	Core Physics II: Classical Physics of Particles, Fields and Devices	20	2

Chemistry Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
CMA112	Fundamental Chemistry	20	1
CMA106	Structure and Reactivity 1	20	2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
PSA603	Genetics and Molecular Biology	20	2
PSA602	Biochemistry and Cell Biology	20	1

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
MPA201	Introductory Materials Science	10	1
MPA205	Thermodynamics and Phase Equilbria	10	1
MPA321	Introduction to Materials Processing	10	2
MPA207	Mechanics of Materials	10	2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
GYA101	Earth System Science	10	1
GYA008	Global Environmental Change at a Local Scale	10	1
GYA112	Environmental Hazards: Mitigation and Management	20	2

 

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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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
CMB111	Interdisciplinary Science	20	1+2

Mathematics Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
MAA270	Introduction to Probability and Statistics	10	1	Major+ Minor
MAB151	Mathematical Methods III	10	1	Major + Minor
MAB250	ODEs & Calculus of Variations	10	2	Major + Minor
MAB270	Statistical Modelling	10	2	Major + Minor
MABxxx	Rings and Polynomials	10	1	Major Only
MAB241	Complex Variables	10	2	Major Only

Physics Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
PHB901	Core Physics III: Quantum and Condensed Matter Physics	20	1	Major + Minor
PHB902	Core Physics IV: Condensed Matter, Materials and Statistical Physics	20	2	Major + Minor
PHB90x	Physics Laboratory I for Natural Sciences	20	1+2	Major Only

Chemistry Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
CMB112	Laboratory Skills for Natural Sciences	20	1+2	Major + Minor
CMB106	Structure and Reactivity 2	20	1	Major + Minor
CMB104	Spectroscopy and Analysis 2	20	1	Major Only

Bioscience Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
PSB613	Cellular signalling and transport	20	2	Major + Minor
PSA606	Anatomy and Physiology	20	1+2	Major + Minor
PSB612	Functional Genomics	20	1	Major Only

Materials Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
MPB312	Materials Processing	30	1+2	Major + Minor
MPB313	Materials in Service	10	1	Major + Minor
MPB209	Materials Characterisation	10	2	Major Only
MPB231	Biomaterials 1 (Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering)	10	2	Major Only

Geography Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
GYB230	Earth Surface Processes and Landforms	20	1+2	Major + Minor
GYB240	Environmental Systems and Resource Management	20	1+2	Major + Minor
GYB201	Remote Sensing and GIS	20	1+2	Major Only

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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.

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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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
CMCXXX	Interdisciplinary Research Project	40	1+2

 Mathematics Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
MAB170	Probability Theory	10	1	Major + Minor
MAC176	Graph Theory	10	1	Major + Minor
MAC249	Advanced Differential Equations	10	2	Major + Minor
MAC251	Vibrations and Waves	10	2	Major + Minor
MAC175	Operational Research	10	1	Major Only
MAC147	Number Theory	10	1	Major Only
MAC265	Game Theory	10	2	Major Only
MAC297	Mathematical Biology	10	2	Major Only

Physics Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
PHC901	Core Physics V: Advanced topics	20	1+2	Major + Minor
PHC011	General Relativity and Cosmology	20	1+2	Major + Minor
PHB903	Physics Lab II	20	1+2	Major Only
PHC108	Modern Optics	10	2	Major Only
PHC013	Statistical Physics	10	1	Major Only

Chemistry Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
CMC001	Modern Aspects of Organic Chemistry	20	1	Major + Minor
CMC002	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry	20	2	Major + Minor
CMC004	Pharmaceutical Biomedical Analysis	20	1	Major Only
CMC007	Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism	20	1	Major Only

Bioscience Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
PSC621	Cell Adaption and Degeneration	20	1	Major + Minor
PSCxxx	Regenerative Medicine	20	2	Major + Minor
PSC622	Advanced Genetics of Health	20	1	Major Only
PSCxxx	Virology and Oncology	20	2	Major Only

Materials Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
MPC213	Nano Materials	10	1	Major + Minor
MPC311	Advanced Materials Processing	10	1	Major + Minor
MPC231	Biomaterials 2	10	2	Major + Minor
MPC114	Composite Materials	10	2	Major + Minor
MPC108	Surface Engineering	10	1	Major Only
MPC111	Advanced Principles of Materials	10	1	Major Only
MPC321	Functional Materials	10	2	Major Only
MPC103	Industrial Case Studies	10	2	Major Only

Geography Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester	Major/Minor
GYC211	Snow, Ice and Society	10	1	see note below
GYC315	Environmental Change and Ecological Response	10	1	see note below
GYC207	Aeolian Processes and Landforms	10	1	see note below
GYC909	Dryland Environment Fieldcourse (at additional cost)	20	1	see note below
GYC110	GIS, Modelling and Flood Risk Management	10	2	Major + Minor
GYC300	River Dynamics and the Environment	10	2	Major + Minor
GYC108	Climate and Society	20	2	Major Only
Semester 1 Modules: If studying Geography as a Minor Pathway please choose 20 credits of modules from the list above If studying Geography as a Major Pathway please choose 40 credits of modules from the list above Please note that option combinations may be timetable dependant and that the module GYC909 Dryland Environment Fieldcourse will incur additional costs.

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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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
CMDXXX	Interdisciplinary Research Project	60	1+2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
MAD102	Regular and Chaotic Dynamics	15	1
MAP111	Mathematical Modelling I	15	1
MADxxx	Advanced Differential Geometry	15	1
MAD103	Lie Groups and Lie Algebra	15	1
MAP211	Mathematical Modelling II	15	2
MAP201	Elements of PDEs	15	2
MAD203	Functional Analysis	15	2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
PHP100	Mathematical Methods for Interdisciplinary Sciences	15	1
PHD130	Quantum Information	15	1
PHD109	Characterisation Techniques in Solid State Physics	15	1
MAD102	Regular and Chaotic Dynamics	15	1
MAP111	Mathematical Modelling I	15	1
PHD201	Physic of Complex Systems	15	2
PHD230	Quantum Computing	15	2
PHD202	Superconductivity and Nanoscience	15	2
MAP211	Mathematical Modelling II	15	2
MAP213	Fluid Mechanics	15	2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
CMD213	Biological Organic Chemistry	20	1
CMD302	Advanced Analytical Chemistry Option	20	1
CMD402	Drugs: Synthesis and Properties	20	2

Bioscience Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
PSD632	Advanced Laboratory and Research Methods in Biology	20	1+2
PSD631	Contemporary Health Issues	20	1+2
PSDxxx	To be confirmed	20	1+2

Materials Pathway

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
MPP551	Advanced Characterisation Techniques	15	1
MPP552	Design with Engineering Materials	15	1
MPP509	Advances in Biomaterials	15	2
Plus one of the two following modules:
MPP555	Metals Processing and Properties	15	2
MPP503	Polymerisation and Polymer Blends	15	2

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

Module Code	Module Title	Module Weight	Semester
GYD021	Tools for River Management	20	1
GYD023	Lake Monitoring and Management	20	1
GYD029	Applied Environmental GIS	10	2
GYD033	Wind Erosion Measurement and Mitigation	10	2
GYD034	Evidence-based Environmental Management	10	2
GYD035	Hydroclimatological Monitoring and Modelling	10	2
GYD036	Natural Hazard and Catastrophe Modelling for Environment	10	2

 

 

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.