An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2006-2007
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
Department of Microbiology
Self-Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
September 2006 to January 2007
20th and 21st March, 2007
11th July 2007
This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its
committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above
review, its context and its outcomes.
Quality Office, Januay 2008
2
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Microbiology 2006–2007
1. Overview of Department
1.1 Aims and Objectives
I. To provide a Departmental ethos, which encourages critical thinking, ethical responsibility
and an enjoyment of learning in both its staff and students.
II. The Department recognises that the primary source of creativity lies in its individual
members. It is, therefore, committed to providing an environment that respects diversity in
all its forms, encourages individual responsibility and actively protects the academic
freedom of its members.
III. To establish high standards of teaching and to engage in a continual process of selfreappraisal and innovation in order to maintain those standards.
IV. To provide undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas in Microbiology to
students of the Faculty of Science. To contribute courses in Microbiology and in relevant
aspects of Microbiology to undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes offered by
the Science, Engineering and Medical faculties.
V. To facilitate its members in performing research of national and international significance
and to provide them with the infrastructure and the technical and intellectual support they
require to achieve these goals.
VI. To operate efficiently within the University Management structures.
VII. To be responsive to the changing requirements of society and industry within the region,
and nationally and internationally.
VIII. To ensure high standards of safety in all aspects of the Department’s function.
1.2 Background
The Department was founded in the mid 1960s and has grown steadily to become the largest
teaching department on the Faculty of Science and is responsible for about 30% of students
graduating with a Level 8 science degree from the Faculty. Many of the staff have significant
international profiles and research income has been at a healthy level of about €6 million per
annum in recent years. Departmental staff have very substantial and close links with the new
research institutes, including the Environmental Change Institute, the Martin Ryan Institute and
the National Diagnostic Centre.
1.3 Progress to date
The Department has developed considerably since it was first reviewed in 2001.
recommendations on issues within the Department’s control have been implemented.
All the
1.4 Student Numbers
The total number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) students in the Unit was 566 in the year
2004/2005, representing an increase of 2% in the three years since 2001-2002.
1.5 Student to Staff Ratios
In 2004-2005, the number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) academic staff was 13.8, giving a
student:staff ratio of 21.6 for that year (this ratio was 21.2 in 2001-02). For the same academic
year, across the Faculty of Science the average student:staff ratio was 20.6.
1.6 Accommodation and Facilities
The core facilities of the Department are located in the Arts–Science Building in the section
constructed in the 1980’s. An extension was added in the 1990s. In general space provision
limits future development and further opportunities for extensions are extremely limited by the
physical surroundings.
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2. Review Group Report Overview and Recommendations
This report arises from a visit by a review team to the Microbiology department on 20 th and 21st March
2007. The Department prepared and submitted a ‘Self Assessment Report’ and a Strategic Plan, which
with other documentation was made available to the Review Group.
The Review Group consisted of: Professor Fergal O’Gara, Head of Microbiology Dept,
Director- Biomerit Research Centre, UCC (Chair); Professor Nuala Booth, Chair in Mol. Haemostasis &
Thrombosis, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen; Ms Evelyn O’Toole, Managing
Director, Complete Laboratory Solutions, Ros Muc, County Galway; Dr John Kelly, Department of
Pharmacology, NUI Galway; Mr Murray Scott, Department of Accountancy and Finance, NUI Galway
(Rapporteur)
Overview
This review of the Microbiology Department has been undertaken at a time of imminent change
in structure within the University and the creation of new schools. Therefore, the report should
be read as reflecting our impressions of the discipline of Microbiology and its future, whatever
the details of future structures. We found the staff in Microbiology to be enthusiastic about
engaging fully in the emergence of a new school and confident in their ability to contribute to its
success.
The Review Group has visited the Microbiology Department at a time of unprecedented
challenges, not only with the imminent retirement of several members of staff, but also with the
changes in administrative structure and the formation of schools. We are confident that the staff
in Microbiology are prepared and, with the implementation of an appropriate planning strategy,
will be able to further develop and thrive in their mission. To further this process, the Review
Group has made the following:
Recommendations:

A reformulation of the strategic plan involving the participation of all staff. Particular
emphasis should be placed on the current strengths of Microbiology, the key research-driven
themes to be developed, and how Microbiology will interface with the new and existing
institutes/centres, and be closely aligned to University strategy.

Included in the strategic plan should be a leadership strategy, indicating how the expertise of
senior staff members will be passed on to the new leaders of Microbiology in order to
develop the discipline and to secure its position in the new School.

The case for displaying research excellence would be enhanced by the use of metric analysis
in order to strengthen the presentation of their research profile when applying to and
communicating with research funding agencies and the University Authorities.

Consideration should be given to increasing the number of research scientists in order to
sustain and develop the research and postgraduate programmes of the Department.

Ensure the links with existing institutes continue, as the staff will play a central role in
sustaining the success of these institutes whilst helping to promote the discipline of
microbiology at NUI Galway.

Consideration should be given to implementing more systematic administrative structures,
mindful of the imminent changes in academic structure and staffing composition. More
formality in the staff-student liaison mechanism and more formalised meetings of student
and staff representatives.

Specific training should be provided to post-graduate students in order to ensure fair and
comparable assessments of undergraduate students’ work.
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
Marking schemes and guidelines should be introduced for the assessment methods, to ensure
consistency and accountability.

The role of the Curriculum Review Committee should be extended and linked with an
assessment of graduate employment data and other related trends.

The placement component of the Higher Diploma in Microbiology should be re-evaluated.

The ongoing programme of laboratory refurbishment should be urgently completed to the
appropriate standards for the categories of micro-organisms used.

A space audit should be completed at the first available opportunity following formation of
the new School.

Provision of writing up space for postgraduate students and research staff should be provided
separate from laboratory space, possibly in the form of writing stations.
3. Action Plans
The Follow Up Meeting was held on Wednesday 11th July, 2007 in the Environmental Science
Seminar Room, Arts/Science Building.
Present: Professor J Browne – Registrar, Professor J Gosling –Director of Quality (chair), Mr
Murray Scott– review group member, Dr John Kelly– review group member, Ms Evelyn
O’Toole – review group member, Professor Peter Smith – Head of Department, Dr G Morgan –
Dean of Science Faculty, Dr Sharon Flynn – CELT, Ms A Smyth, Dr A Boyd, Dr C Carroll, Dr
G Fleming, Ms C O’Connell, Dr V O’Flaherty, Mr M Martyn, Ms G Lyons (in attendance).
Apologies: Prof F O’Gara – review group member, Mr P De Búrca – Research Office, Dr T
Barry, Dr M Gormally, Professor J Patching, Professor J Houghton, Professor A Moran.
3.1 Action Plan for the Department:
1. The Department has started the process of revising its strategic plan, while keeping it short
and flexible:
o To promote the development of the discipline of Microbiology within the context of the
developing new School.
o To take account the imminent appointment of a new established professor.
2. The Department is working within its discipline, with its new partner disciplines in the new
School and with the Research Office etc., to implement more systematic and better resourced
administrative structures to reduce administrative burdens for all academic and research
staff.
3. Although recognised as already effective, the Department is rationalising, systematising and
(where appropriate) formalising its student feedback mechanisms in the context of other
administrative reforms.
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4. For all study programmes and courses, standards for the formulation of examination
questions and papers are being revised to take account of current international good practice.
5. Requirements for training and guidelines related to the assessment of undergraduate practical
work by post-graduate students are being addressed and will be implemented for the 2007–
08 academic year.
6. Programme coordinators are working with the Careers’ Office to integrate all available data
on patterns of graduate employment.
7. The ‘Higher Diploma in applied Science – Microbiology’ is currently being evaluated with
emphases on its rank within the NFQ and the nature and role of the placement component.
8. Development of the Department’s research programmes is a key objective in the new
Strategic Plan. Other specific measures will include:
o A quantitative analysis of the research activities of the Department.
o Having a ratio of about 1 post doctoral : 2 postgraduate students as a research target.
o Representation of postdoctoral researchers at Departmental staff meetings.
o Development of existing and new links with the research institutes.
9. Lack of space is the most serious issue facing the Department and its future development,
particularly in its research programmes:
o An internal space audit of current facilities has been undertaken to facilitate optimisation
of space utilisation and estimation of immediate and longer term space needs.
o The Department will continue to be proactive in seeking extra space in the buildings
contiguous to it.
10. The refurbishment of the laboratories within the department is continuing with a further two
laboratories being brought up to the required standard this summer. There is just one
laboratory remaining to be refurbished. The provision of writing stations available for
postgraduate students and research staff is also being pursued.
3.2 Action Plan for University Management:
1. The Registrar gives the filling of the Established Professorship of Microbiology a very high
priority and will work to ensure that the new appointment will enhance the Department and
the University.
2. In relation to the new School, the Registrar and Dean will work with the Department to
ensure that the new schools are dynamic, efficient units:
o Interim Heads of Schools have been appointed.
o Heads have been requested to establish development committees within the new school
to cover areas such as administration, teaching and research, and will include all
categories of staff.
o An away-event is being organised for all School staff with support from the Quality
Office.
3. The Registrar feels that many current academic administrative systems are inefficient. The
administrative structures in the new schools need to be used in such a way as to:
o Facilitate decisions being made closer to ‘the action’
o Facilitate dialogue and innovation across disciplines
o Minimise paper work and eliminate repetitive or unnecessary tasks
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4. Two ways in which the Department’s space difficulties may be addressed are relevant:
o Indexes for disciplines and schools, including ‘space per student ratio’ and ‘space
per staff ratio’, will be developed by the Buildings’ Office. These will lead to
transparency, highlight opportunities for redeployment and identify units requiring
prioritisation.
o In any case, postgraduate Biology is seen as deserving capital development.
5. The Dean will initiate a study of timetabling systems elsewhere with a view to developing an
alternative timetable structure in the College of Science in order to make more efficient use
of laboratory space and equipment for teaching.
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Head of Department, Professor Pete Smith, 6th December 2007
Registrar, Professor Jim Browne, 4th December 2007
Dean of Science, Dr Gerry Morgan, 14th January 2008
Vice President for Research, Professor Nicholas Canny, 10th December 2007
Director of CELT, Dr. Iain MacLabhrainn, 24th January 2008
Finalised: 24th January 2008, Jim Gosling, Director of Quality
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