Please note
This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract
Awarding Institution
University of Huddersfield
Final Award
BSc(Hons) Bachelor of Science with Honours
School
School of Applied Sciences
Department
Department of Chemical Sciences
Subject Benchmark Statement
Characteristic Statement - Foundation Degree
Date of Programme Specification Approval
2023-10-17
Version Number
2023.02
Educational Aims of the Course
The aim of the course is to equip students from non-traditional backgrounds with the theoretical knowledge, the practical skills and the confidence and determination to enable them to succeed on the degree courses. In order for this course to function as the ‘zero’ year of a wide range of science … For more content click the Read More button below.
Course Aims
To make the student aware of the variety of careers open to Scientists, and to provide guidance in relation to the different Science courses of which this year is part.
To equip the student with the necessary concepts, principles and techniques relevant to the BSc courses which the pathway feeds.
To teach the student practical skills and acquaint him or her with the facilities of the School's laboratories.
To teach a systematic approach to practical work.
To recognise, encourage and take advantage of any relevant skills which the student may already have by virtue of his or her previous education and experience.
To make the student aware of their responsibilities for the Health and Safety of themselves, and of their colleagues, and to teach them safe working practices.
Course Offering(s)
Full Time
Full Time - September
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion you will be able to:
1.
possess a wide factual knowledge of the basic elements of science
2.
know the fundamental principles of organic, physical and inorganic chemistry
3.
know the fundamental principles of physics
4.
know the fundamental principles of biology
5.
know the fundamental principles of mathematics and computing
6.
know of the contributions of Scientists in various fields of industry and to society in general.
7.
know the career opportunities for scientists
8.
be skilled in the basic practical techniques associated with experimental science
9.
be able to implement normal safety procedures
10.
be aware of the importance of safety in a scientific laboratory
11.
be able to identify, assemble and confidently use the apparatus required for scientific experimentation
12.
be able to summarise and interpret data by hypotheses testing
13.
thinking and the scientific method
14.
developing thoughts and ideas through to experimental investigation - interpreting results and reaching conclusions
15.
using experiments to test hypotheses
16.
retrieving and handling information
17.
using library resources and locating literature
18.
reading effectively by choosing the appropriate reading material and abstracting key points
19.
recalling important items of frequently used factual knowledge and knowing the sources of less commonly used material
20.
recording experimentally determined measurements
21.
communicating orally and in writing
22.
compiling written reports of practical work
23.
writing essays and answering examination questions
24.
selecting, integrating and preparing material from a variety of sources
25.
developing and expressing personal opinions
26.
preparing adequately short presentations to a peer group, by choosing the correct quantity of relevant material in the proper order and at the appropriate level
27.
using audio and visual aids in presentations.
28.
listening and responding
29.
concentrating on what is being said and developing attentiveness
30.
taking appropriate notes
31.
thinking constructively while listening
32.
asking questions at the appropriate time
33.
following up lecture material
34.
co-operating with others in group tasks
35.
learning to work as part of a team by taking a fair share of the burden
36.
making compromises when appropriate
37.
obtaining assistance from others when solving complex problems.
38.
developing independence
39.
managing time efficiently
40.
prioritising work
41.
meeting set deadlines for the submission of coursework
42.
developing confidence in their own ideas
43.
developing from a passive to an active learner
44.
accepting criticism and responding positively
45.
working independently
46.
developing self-motivation
Course Structure
Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
Sandwich Year Out
Honours Level
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
A variety of teaching and learning strategies are adopted throughout the courses. These range from traditional lectures and practicals to more independent modes of learning.
The modules utilise a range of approaches to student assessment consistent with the diversity of learning styles encouraged. There is a tariff for assignments so … For more content click the Read More button below.
Support for Students and their Learning
- The Personal Academic Tutor role is seen as an important one, offering students a clearly identified and accessible ‘contact person’ for academic and pastoral concerns. The Personal Academic Tutor is responsible for providing students with advice and guidance concerning academic performance and progress as well as supporting and advising students with personal difficulties (or directing them to the appropriate School/University support services). Respecting student confidentiality, they report to the Course Leader about any student whose progress is a cause for concern. Tutors advise students to make use of all of the University support services for T&L and pastoral support as well as the Students’ Union.
- Students attend an Induction week at the start of their course, during which they are given information about the rules, regulations, practices and procedures of the University and their first meeting with their Personal Academic Tutor, when they are given a Course handbook along with advice about relevant topics such as time management.
- Student attendance is monitored in accordance with the University regulations
- The School of Applied Sciences possesses modern purpose-built suites of chemistry and biology laboratories with technical support for students. These labs provide an ideal facility in which to analyse environmental samples.
- The School has networked PC laboratories which host specialist software.
- The University Library provides students with full access to a wide range of books, journals, electronic information, IT facilities and staff support (available evenings and weekends). Services can be accessed electronically from home or workplace and orders/requests can be made by e-mail, fax or telephone. In some instances, orders can be delivered for a nominal charge.
- The School makes full use of the e-learning environment with a range of study support material for each module.
- Fully-staffed Careers Centre in Student Central provides guidance on future opportunities
- All students in the School have access to Academic Skills Tutors who can give one to one support to students requiring help with academic study skills.
- All students in the School have access to a Student Guidance Support Officer who works with the University Student Support systems to provide pastoral support as required.
- For general enquiries the School administrative office is open all day during term time on a drop in basis.
- Student Services provide specialist advice in the areas of careers advice, pastoral care and chaplaincy, counselling, accommodation and welfare, financial support, disability support and sports facilities etc.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
- There is a comprehensive framework for the monitoring and improvement in quality and standards.
- The School of Applied Sciences Board monitors quality and standards, with a devolved responsibility being taken by the School Teaching and Learning Committee (STLC). The Science Extended Degree Course Committee, which is a sub-committee of STLC manages the course. The Course Committee considers all feedback and evaluation.
- Student Feedback is an integral part of course evaluation and improvement. Students provide feedback through a variety of means including formal module and course evaluation questionnaires, the Student Panel and membership of the Course Committee.
- All forms of feedback, including a review of progression and completion rates are included in the annual course monitoring report. This is considered by the School’s Annual Evaluation Committee which comprises senior academics and course leaders from across the School plus an independent representative from another School and a student representative. The review process enables areas of weakness to be identified and clear action plans to be determined and monitored. The School has introduced a rigorous module review process that is undertaken by Course Leaders prior to annual evaluation to ensure necessary changes to modules can be implemented more rapidly in response to student feedback. In addition to the annual monitoring processes the University organises a quinquennial review at school level.
Please note
University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.
Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.
Indicators of Quality and Standards
Key sources of information are:
- Reports of validation panels
- Annual Course Reviews
- External Examiner’s reports
- Definitive Course Validation Documents
- Current University Student Handbook of Regulations.
- Current University Prospectus.
Indicators of Quality within the courses:
- Qualifications and experience of staff
- Students progressing onto degree programmes and successful completion of degrees.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the Programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if they take full advantages of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the module specifications, module handbooks and course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Key sources of information about the course can be found in: -
- Student Courses Handbook
- Module handbooks
- University of Huddersfield Student Handbook of Regulations
- University of Huddersfield Handbook of Undergraduate Regulations.