Plymouth University Programme Specification BSc (Hons ..., Exams of Environmental science

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Plymouth University

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation

Year - 5475

September 2021

1.0 BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year

Final award title; the final award title is that of the programme to which the student progresses for Levels 4 to 6.

For students entering the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year, normally this will be

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability

UCAS code F JACS code F

2.0 Awarding Institution Plymouth University

Teaching Institutions Plymouth University

3.0 Accrediting body None

4.0 Distinctive features of the Programme and the Student Experience This is a four-year BSc (Hons) degree programme starting at Year Zero. It is one of a suite of such programmes, designed for students who are not appropriately qualified, in subject knowledge, attainment or recent experience, for entry to Level 4 of undergraduate programmes in Science. On successful completion of Year Zero, students progress to Level 4 of an undergraduate degree in Science. Students completing the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year programme will normally progress to BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Distinctive features of this programme are that it:

• is suitable for non-standard entrants, including mature returners to study, those without Science qualifications or with Science qualifications below the standard required for entry to Level 4
• assumes no prior knowledge of science and welcomes applications from those who have studied other disciplines.
• is recognised nationally as excellent, allowing more than 2500 students to enter Higher Education in its 25 years of operation
• provides a choice of specialisms, in chemistry, biology and mathematics, as preparation for progression to undergraduate programmes in Environmental Science

• provides a high proportion of experiential work in field or lab, and intensive and early assessment, with rapid feedback designed to support learning
• provides personal support for learning through regular meetings with your personal tutor and input from specialist staff in Environmental Science
• provides English language support for overseas students in core modules
• is underpinned by research activity of staff, in Environmental Sciences and particularly in the pedagogy of science disciplines

5.0 Relevant QAA Benchmark Groups The programme is devised with reference to the subject benchmarks of the discipline to which students will progress to complete their degree. For the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year the relevant benchmark is: Earth Science, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies

6.0 Programme structure The programme structure is described diagrammatically below.

In Semester 1, students take the compulsory module GEES001 Study and mathematical skills for science , and two science modules, one in Chemistry, and one in Biology.

In Semester 2, students take the core module ENVS001 Environmental Science. Students also select two disciplines from Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. To continue studying Biology or Chemistry students must have taken the corresponding module in Semester 1.

Semester 1 (all modules are 20 credits)

Compulsory modules

*GEES Study and mathematical skills for science

BIO

Biology 1

CHM

Chemistry 1

*GEES001 is not compensatable in this programme

Semester 2 (all modules are 20 credits)

Compulsory modules

Students select two modules from:

GLY

Fundamentals of Geoscience

BIO

Biology 2

Prerequisite BIO

CHM

Chemistry

Prerequisite CHM

MATH

Mathematics and statistics for science

7.0 Programme Aims The aims shown below are those for the Level Zero element of this programme. They should be read in conjunction with the aims of the BSc (Hons) programmes available to you in Environmental Science to show the full scope of our ambitions for you.

The aims of the Level Zero programme are to: 7.1 produce students who have a broad yet comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of science that are necessary for successful progression to and in an honours degree programme in Environmental Science 7.2 develop in students the ability to apply scientific knowledge and skills appropriately and successfully in undergraduate studies 7.3 equip students with the study skills necessary to successfully progress to and in an honours degree programme in Environmental Science 7.4 enable students to become confident, critically self-aware independent learners. 7.5 begin to develop in students a range of key and transferable skills of value in the world of employment, including skills in the areas of communication, problem-solving, team-working, information-handling and processing.

7.6 prepare students for and initiate students into the culture of University- level study, both in terms of the academic standards and the study patterns required.

8. Intended programme learning outcomes (ILOs) The intended learning outcomes shown below are those for the Level Zero element of this programme. They should be read in conjunction with the Intended Learning Outcomes of the BSc (Hons) programmes available to you in Environmental Science, to show the full scope of our ambitions for you.

8.1 Knowledge and understanding On successful completion, graduates should be able to a Demonstrate a broad understanding of the fundamental knowledge base and the terminology of at least two major STEM disciplines, b Demonstrate an awareness of current areas of debate and discovery in Environmental Science and how scientific knowledge and methods can be applied to investigate them.

8.2 Cognitive and intellectual skills On successful completion, graduates should be able to a Identify correctly the concepts and principles underlying theoretical frameworks in at least two STEM disciplines, and begin to identify strengths and limitations of such models b Judge the reliability of data, results and information using well defined techniques and/or criteria c Operate in a range of varied but predictable contexts relevant to Environmental Science, requiring the use and application of specified scientific techniques and information sources.

8.3 Key, transferable and employment-related skills On successful completion, graduates should be able to demonstrate a Written and oral communication skills and be able to use these in a variety of contexts b Problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information. c Numeracy and computational skills appropriate to the study of undergraduate science at university d Information-retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources e Demonstrate an awareness of their own capabilities in key areas and engage in development activity through guided self-direction 8.4 Practical skills On successful completion, graduates should be able to

a Demonstrate skills in the safe handling of materials in experimental settings, taking into account their chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use. b Demonstrate the skills required to conduct standard laboratory procedures in at least two STEM disciplines c Demonstrate skills in the monitoring, by observation and/or measurement, of a variety of chemical or biological properties, events or changes, of both a quantitative and qualitative nature, together with their systematic and reliable recording and documentation, in the laboratory or the field.

9.0 Admissions Criteria, including APCL, APEL and DAS requirements

Qualifications Required

Level Required

For all applicants GCSE Mathematics C GCSE English C International students

IELTS IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each element Applicants with formal qualifications in Science

At least 140 UCAS points from Level 3 qualifications such as those shown below, typically with passes in science subjects A Levels normally including at least one pass in a science subject. AS Level At least two passes in science subjects Baccalaureate Passes, to include science Scottish and Irish Highers

Passes, to include science

Post GCSE quals such as NVQ

Level 3 usually required

GNVQ and AGNVQ Passes in the science subjects Applicants without formal qualifications in Science

Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without Science qualifications at Level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This programme is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (ie the equivalent of a Grade C at GCSE level).

In accordance with the University’s Academic Regulations, Accreditation for Prior Learning (APEL) may be applied where a student can demonstrate appropriate recent learning or experience which fully satisfies the learning outcomes of the module(s) concerned.

In accordance with the University’s policies, Level Zero programmes welcome applications from disabled students who are appropriately qualified, academically, for the programme. Information interviews are conducted with applicants to determine the nature of adjustments required.

10.0 Progression routes for final and intermediate awards The University guarantees progression to BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, providing a student has achieved:

• 120 credits in the programme described in this specification and
• an overall mean of at least 50% in the programme described in this specification, averaged across all 120 credits

The University does not guarantee progression to programmes outside those shown in Section 1. Students intending to progress to other programmes at Plymouth University should contact the admissions teams of the programme to which they wish to progress. You should be aware that some programmes may ask you to apply through UCAS so please make these enquiries in good time.

11.0 Exceptions to Regulations None

12.0 Transitional arrangements

Module taken in 2018-19 or earlier Corresponding module to be taken in 2019-20 onwards PHY009 Either BIO12 or CHM PHY010 Either BIO12, CHM010 or MATH

The transitional arrangements described above are indicative; the availability of new modules at Level Zero and new pathways for progression means that students affected by the transitional arrangements will be counselled individually, so that their programme best supports both completion of the Level Zero programme and successful progression to Level 4.

13. Mapping

13.1 Indicative Learning Outcomes ( ILOs) against modules

Knowledge and understanding On successful completion, students should be able to: a Demonstrate a broad understanding of the fundamental knowledge base and the terminology of at least two major STEM disciplines

optional modules

b Demonstrate an awareness of current areas of debate and discovery in Environmental Science and how scientific knowledge and methods can be applied to investigate them.

ENVS

optional modules

Cognitive and intellectual skills

On successful completion, students should be able to: a Identify correctly the concepts and principles underlying theoretical frameworks in at least two STEM disciplines, and begin to identify strengths and limitations of such models

optional modules

b Judge the reliability of data, results and information using well defined techniques and/or criteria

optional modules

c Operate in a range of varied but predictable contexts relevant to Environmental Science, requiring the use and application of specified scientific techniques and information sources

ENVS

optional modules

Practical Skills On successful completion, graduates should be able to: a Demonstrate skills in the safe handling of materials in experimental settings, taking into account their physical and chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use.

optional modules except MATH

b Demonstrate the skills required to conduct standard laboratory procedures in at least two STEM disciplines

optional modules except MATH c Demonstrate skills in the monitoring, by observation and/or measurement, of a variety of physical, chemical or biological properties, events or changes, of both a quantitative and qualitative nature, together with their systematic and reliable recording and documentation, in the laboratory or the field.

optional modules

Key, transferable and employment-related skills On successful completion, graduates should be able to demonstrate

a Written and oral communication skills and be able to use these in a variety of contexts

GEES

ENVS

Optional modules b problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information.

ENVS

GEES

Optional modules c numeracy and computational skills appropriate to the study of undergraduate science at university

GEES001,

ENVS

MATH019 if selected

13.2 Assessment in modules

Module % Coursework

%

Test

%

Examination

%

Practical Core modules GEES001 50 50 ENVS001 50 50 Optional modules CHM009 50 50 CHM010 70 30 BIO012 60 40 BIO013 60 40 MATH019 50 50

d Information-retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources, to include information retrieval through on-line computer searches.

GEES

ENVS