An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2002-2003
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
B.Sc. in Marine Science
A SECOND REVIEW
Self Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
Sept 2003 to Jan 2004
1st March, 2004
21st June 2004
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.
Professor Jim Gosling, Director of Quality, April 2005
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Report to Údarás – Review of Marine Science B Sc. Programme 2002–03
1. Overview of Programme
1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Programme
1. To produce graduates with a comprehensive training and education in Marine Science
including biological, physical and chemical aspects.
2. To provide undergraduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to undertake
post-graduate research leading to masters and doctoral degrees.
Note: This programme is under review for the second time as part of the University’s second
cycle of academic reviews. The Departments of Botany, Chemistry, Earth and Ocean Sciences,
Experimental Physics, Mathematics, Microbiology, and Zoology contribute to this degree.
1.2 Recent Changes
The appointment of a full-time Director of the MRI in 2003 has facilitated more efficient use of
space and equipment resources within the MRI buildings. The part funding by the University of
a degree co-coordinator is also now in place .
1.3 Student numbers
In the academic year 2002-2003, the first year student’s intake was 30 which is a 50% increase
since the last review (1998-1999). For the year 2002-2003, the total number of FTE students for
the Science Faculty Departments was 2367.3 and the number of FTE staff was 112.8, giving a
student:staff ratio for the Faculty of 21.0.
1.4 Costs
There are no inclusive costs available for individual academic programmes.
1.5 Accommodation and facilities
Much of the teaching for this Programme is in the Martin Ryan Institute. The Programme
Committee is chaired by Prof. M.D. Guiry and the secretary to the Committee was Dr. Dagmar
Stengal at the time of the Review. Both of these are also located in the Martin Ryan Institute.
2. Review Group Visit and Report
The Review Group consisted of: Professor Martin Steer (Chair), Department of Botany,
University College Dublin; Professor Georgy Shapiro, School of Earth Ocean and
Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth; Ms Yvonne Shields, Marine Institute,
Galway; Dr Gerry Morgan, Department of Experimental Physics, NUI Galway; Dr Diarmuid
O’Donovan (Rapporteur), Department of Health Promotion, NUI Galway
2.1 Summary, and Main Recommendations from Report
The Review Group summarized their findings into the main following points:
1. NUI Galway Marine Science Degree is an excellent concept, in an ideal geographical
location, meeting a national requirement
2. The Degree programme has achieved a national identity, which attracts students from
many parts of the country.
3. The course structure and design have been limited by the availability of dedicated
marine science teaching resources. Upcoming staff replacements in the Science Faculty
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Report to Údarás – Review of Marine Science B Sc. Programme 2002–03
will provide an opportunity to address this problem. Detailed recommendations have
been made to improve the management and delivery of the Degree programme.
4. The students would benefit greatly from an improved laboratory and field marine
science experience.
5. The Review Panel was greatly encouraged by the positive view of the Marine Science
Degree expressed in the strategic plans of the University and the Faculty. Senior
University officers reinforced this at our meetings with them. We believe that with their
support, the recommendations made here will be implemented.
3. Follow up Meeting
Monday, 21st June, 2004
Martin Ryan Institute
Present: Professor Jim Browne – The Registrar, Dr Pat Morgan – Dean of Science, Dr Maura Hiney – Office of the Dean of
Research, Professor Michael Guiry, Dr Robin Raine, Dr John Patching, Dr Martin White, Ms Siobhan Cunningham, Professor
Gerry Jennings, Dr Rachel Cave, Dr Gerry Morgan – Review Group Cognate, Professor Martin Steer – Review Group Chair,
Professor Jim Gosling - Director of Quality (Chair), Ms M Linnane (in attendance) Apologies: Dr Dagmar Stengel, Professor
Wallace Arthur, Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, Dr Diarmuid O’Donovan – Review Group Rapporteur
3.1 Action Plan for the Programme Board:
1. In accordance with ‘Option 2’ as described in the Review Report, a high-level
Management Committee, comprised of the Director of the MRI and of the Marine
Science Programme, the Heads of lead departments, the Dean of Science and the
Programme Co-ordinator is currently being set up and will have its first meeting in early
September 2004. Regular meetings of the Committee will consider reports from the
Programme Coordinator on the level of success achieved in meeting defined objectives
and deadlines.
2. The Management Committee and Programme Director will, with a view to
implementation in 2005-06 and within existing and anticipated new resources, ensure:
¾
¾
The development of a revised overall vision, aims and a strategic plan for the programme
A fundamental revision of the Programme curriculum and its constituent courses in line with the
recommendations for years 1 to 4 in the Review Report, giving greater integration of related areas and
a greater focus on core marine biological subjects,
¾ The establishment of a framework for the delivery of the Programme, including the definition of
¾
learning objectives and the use of varied teaching and assessment methods.
The expansion and development of activities including seminars and fieldwork, from early in first
year, to help incoming students bond and identify as a group.
¾ The further acquisition and use of modern teaching facilities, increased laboratory work and field
¾
work, small projects and teamwork, and the use of computers in a greater number of courses.
That recommendations of the External Examiner with respect to uniformity in marking and the
standard of supervision of final year projects will be addressed.
3. The Management Committee and Programme Director will consider ways of developing
cooperation with the Marine Institute to the benefit of the Marine Science Programme
and it students.
4. Regular meetings of the Teaching Committee comprised of the staff contributing to the
Programme will continue be organised by the Course Co-ordinator. The Teaching
Committee and the Course Co-ordinator will have substantial delegated authority to
make decisions about the delivery of courses.
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Report to Údarás – Review of Marine Science B Sc. Programme 2002–03
5. Employability is a primary objective and every effort will be made within the resources
available to provide students with the requisite transferable skills.
6. Feedback surveys covering programme administration and teaching for each of the
courses attended by Marine Science students will be carried each year, and emerging
issues will be addressed by the Management Committee and the Teaching Committee.
7. Meetings of the class representatives from each year, the Programme Coordinator and
one to two other members of contributing staff should be held each mid-semester to
provide opportunities for student feedback and discussion of issues related to
administration and teaching. Minutes should be kept that describe actions and results
related to previous issues raised.
8. The Course co-ordinator will establish an Marine Science Alumni Society, members of
which could be invited back to share their experiences with the undergraduates and help
in other ways.
9. The Management Committee will make proposals to the Director of Quality for funding
to enable elements of the above activities and to promote field teaching; and to the
Director of CELT for support related to curriculum, teaching methods and student
assessment.
3.2 Action Plan for University Management:
1. The Registrar recognises the strategic importance of this Programme to the University
and will ensure that a determined effort is made to act on the recommendations in the
review Report. Where cooperation is needed, the Registrar will welcome proposals
related to the implementation of the above actions and of the recommendations in
general.
2. The Registrar recognises also that adequate staffing in the lead departments contributing
to the Marine Science Programme is essential to the development of the Programme and
will work with those departments to ensure that the range of expertise necessary is
available.
3. The Dean of Science recognises the strategic importance of this Programme to the
Faculty and, where cooperation is needed, will welcome proposals related to the
implementation of the Review recommendations and the above actions.
Approved by: Course Director, Professor Michael Guiry, 1st July 2004
Approved by: Dean of Science, Dr P Morgan, 11th August 2004
Approved by: Acting Dean of Research, Professor Gerard Hurley, 7th July 2004
Approved by: Registrar, Professor James Browne, 6th July 2004
Finalised: 24th August 2004 Jim Gosling, Director of Quality
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