Academic Partnerships Template
Plymouth University
Academic Partnerships
Cornwall College
Falmouth Marine School
Programme Quality
Handbook for
FdSc Marine Science
2014 – 15
Academic Partnerships Teaching, Learning and Assessment Handbook 2014-15
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Academic Partnerships Template
Contents
1.
Welcome and Introduction to Marine Science .......................................................................................... 3
2.
Programme Specification ........................................................................................................................... 3
3.
Module Records ....................................................................................................................................... 11
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1. Welcome and Introduction to Marine Science.
Welcome to the Foundation Degree in Marine Science. The College is delighted that you have chosen to
study with us. We are sure you are going to have a great time here and will get a great deal from the
programme.
This programme has been designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge base required to work in
your chosen specialism or other graduate opportunities. It is also a platform from which you can undertake
additional vocational and academic qualifications.
This Programme Quality handbook contains important information including:
 The approved programme specification
 Module records
Note: the information in this handbook should be read in conjunction with the current edition of the
College / University Student handbook available at (college to add link) which contains student support
based information on issues such as finance and studying at HE along with the University’s Student
Handbook - https://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/studenthandbook and your Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Handbook available on your programme virtual learning environment.
2. Programme Specification
On the following pages you will find the specification for your programme; this provides a detailed formal
overview of the programme as a whole. It explains what you will learn and how you will be assessed
throughout the two stages of your Foundation Degree. The Programme Learning Outcomes Map specifies
the knowledge and skills you will develop at each stage of your Foundation Degree.
COURSE SPECIFICATION FOR FOUNDATION DEGREES
Awarding Institution:
Teaching Institution:
Accrediting Body:
Final Award:
Intermediate Awards:
Course Title:
UCAS Code:
University of Plymouth
Falmouth Marine School, Cornwall College,
N/A
FdSc Marine Science
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
As per Final Award Title
F710 Marine Science
QAA Benchmarks:
ES3 – Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies
(only relevant areas have been consulted).
QAA Foundation Degree Benchmark
Date Produced:
2004
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Academic Partnerships Template
Admissions Criteria:
Awards Required for Entry to the FdA or
FdSc
Key Skills requirement
GCSEs required at Grade C or above
A Levels required: AS/A2/UCAS Points
Tariff
BTEC National / Extended Diploma
HNC/D
VDA: AGNVQ, AVCE, AVS
Access to HE
International Baccalaureate
Irish/Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher
Work Experience
Other non-standard awards or
experiences
APEL/APCL possibilities
Interview/portfolio requirements
Comments
Max 40 points
Minimum of Maths and English
120 to include a relevant subject
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
60-120 to include Scottish Higher or Advanced higher
Normally assessed on interview
As above
http://www.holly.plymouth.ac.uk/studenthandbook/common
/documents.asp
Mature students, over 21, with relevant experience, may be
considered after interview.
Programme Aims:
1. To meet the College’s and University of Plymouth’s mission statements and core values
2. To provide an innovative and broad-based programme of education focusing on all aspects of the
marine industry including environmental issues
3. To produce students who can demonstrate a range of academic and study skills to a level that will
enable them to be able to participate in further programmes of study
4. To develop students who can demonstrate a wide range of personal and
practical/vocational/transferable skills, which will enable them to be effective in seeking
employment with the marine industry
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes:




Recognise the interdisciplinary of Marine Studies and demonstrate an appreciation of the contribution
made by the natural and social sciences.
Demonstrate literacy in the terminology, classification and nomenclature practiced in the maritime
field.
Describe the changing relationship between the systems of the marine environment and human
development.
Fully understand the underlying scientific basis of marine ecosystems
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Academic Partnerships Template
Distinctive Features of the Foundation Degree:
 Work-based learning opportunities and employers contributing to these
 Embedded professional qualifications
 Progression to Honours programmes at the University of Plymouth
 Learn a range of subject-specific but transferable skills and acquire industrial qualifications to suit your
interests
 Opportunities to work individually and on collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects
The programme offered is inspirational, innovative and memorable, and will encourage creative thinking
and the development of new ideas. You will be working in an expanding field where opportunities to
develop new perspectives and challenge convention, in our relationship with the environment, will be
encouraged.
Teaching Methods and Assessments
A: Development of Knowledge and Understanding
Learning and Teaching Strategy/Method
Marine Science
1. Identify the natural processes at work at sea and on
coastal regions
2. Understand the international dimension in marine
science
3. Determine appropriate and practical survey strategies
for coastal zones
4. Apply practical techniques to sampling as part of
fieldwork based research
NB: Benchmark References
ES3-ref. 3.2
Foundation degree ref. 27.1-4
B: Cognitive and Intellectual Skills
Assessment
Key knowledge and understanding is
assessed via a combination of multiple
choice tests, examinations, essays,
presentations and seminar performances.
Learning and Teaching Strategy/Method
Primary
1. Integrate theory and practice
2. Synthesise information /data from a variety of
sources
3. Critically analyse and evaluate information
4. Apply knowledge and understanding to solve
problems



Class exercises
Tutorial/seminar discussions
Feedback via coursework assessment
process (essays etc)
Secondary
For example:
 Policy and practice analysis in surgeries
 Computer-based practicals on data and
measurement problems
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Academic Partnerships Template
NB: Benchmark References
Assessment
ES3-ref. 3.3.4, 3.3.5, 3.3.8
Foundation degree ref 27.5, 27.6




C: Key Transferable Skills
Learning and Teaching Strategy/ Method
1.
2.
3.
4.
Literary and information processing
Self-management
Communication (oral, written, CIT)
Numeracy/quantitative skills (reflection etc)
Assessed discussions
Essays/projects/dissertations
Examinations/tests
Coursework/groupwork on practical
application questions
Primary
Library and other research exercises
Group work awareness and practice
Computer-based learning and assessment
Secondary
Class and seminar interactions and
feedback
NB: Benchmark References
ES3-ref. 3.3.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.9
Foundation degree ref. 27.6, 27.8
Assessment




D: Practical Skills
1.
2.
3.
4.
Computer and information technology skills
Presentation and oral communication skills
Written communication
Vocational specifics
NB: Benchmark References
ES3-ref. 3.3.5, 3.3.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.8
Foundation degree ref 27.7
Coursework of all types
Examination preparation and
completion
Assessed discussions
Group work assessments
Learning and Teaching Strategy/ Method
 Laboratory work
 Projects
 Designated tasks
 Lectures and tutorials
 Learning from work
Assessment


Project work
Competence in a range of businessrelated communication techniques
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Foundation Degree Intended Learning Outcomes Map
Certificate Level
Foundation Degree Intended Learning Outcomes Map
1
Graduate Attributes and Skills
Core Course Intended Learning Outcomes
(as worded in the Course Specification)
The FHEQ requirements are already given here in italics
2
Aim
NB refer to
relevant aim(s)
3
4
Subject
Benchmark
Related Core Modules
NB refer to relevant NB refer to relevant core
benchmark(s)
modules
Knowledge and Understanding
 Knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated
with the study of the marine environment:Marine Science
1. Identify the natural processes at work at sea and on coastal regions
2. Understand the international dimension in marine environmental
protection
3. Determine appropriate and practical management strategies for
coastal zones
1,2,3,4
(covering all
outcomes)
ES3 – Ref 3.2
Fd Ref 27.1 – 4
(covering all
outcomes)
4. Apply practical techniques to sampling as part of fieldwork based
research
5. Carry out environmental impact assessments
Academic Partnerships Teaching, Learning and Assessment Handbook 2014-15
FDMS131, FDMS218
FDMS134, FDMS251
FDMS118, FDMS234
FDMS143
FDMS134
FDMS231
FDMS211, FDMS218
FDMS234
FDMS218
FDMS118
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Academic Partnerships Template
Cognitive / Intellectual Skills (generic)
1. Integrate theory and practice
2. Synthesise information /data from a variety of sources
3. Critically analyse and evaluate information
4. Apply knowledge and understanding to solve problems
Key / Transferable Skills (generic)
1. Literary and information processing
2. Self-management
3. Communication (oral, written, CIT)
4. Numeracy/quantitative skills (reflection etc)
Practical Skills (subject specific)
1. Computer and information technology skills
2. Presentation and oral communication skills
3. Written communication
4. Vocational specifics
Employment-related skills
1. undertake further training and develop new skills within a
structured and managed environment
2. qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment
requiring the exercise of personal responsibility
3, 4 (covering
all)
ES3 – ref 3.3.4,
3.3.5, 3.3.8
Fd – Ref 27.5, 27.6
(covering all)
FDMS118, FDMS111,
FDMS234, FDMS219,
FDMS234, FDMS231
(covering all)
ES3 ref – 3.3.6,
3.3.7, 3.3.9
Fd ref – 27.6, 27.8
(covering all)
FDMS111, FDMS118,
FDMS134, FDMS212,
FDMS211
1,2,3,4
(covering all)
ES3 ref – 3.3.5,
3.3.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.8
Fd ref – 27.7
(covering all)
FDMS111, FDMS118
FDMS211, FDMS234,
FDMS241
3,4 (covering
all)
Fd ref – 27.8
FDMS110, FDMS111
2,3,4 (covering
all)
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Programme Structure Diagrams
College: Cornwall College
Year: 2014/2015
Course Code: 2784
Programme: FdSc Marine Science
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Total Credits: 240
Stage 1
Module
Code
CORC1013C
CORF107
CORF108
CORF112
CORF113
CORF122
CORF123
Module Title
Personal and Employability Skills
Development
Practical Skills and Research
Methods
Coastal and Ocean Processes
Introduction to Marine Science
Marine Resource Management
Benthic Biology A
Pelagic Biology A
No. of
Credits
20
Core /
Optional
Core
20
Core
20
10
10
20
20
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
No. of
Credits
20
20
20
20
Core /
Optional
Core
Core
Core
Core
20
20
Core
Core
Stage 2
Module
Code
CORF200
CORF218
CORF219
CORF203
CORF204
CORF216
Module Title
Benthic Biology B
Pelagic Biology B
Marine Spatial Planning
Biology and Culture of Aquatic
Species
Oceanography and Meteorology
Project
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Academic Partnerships Template
College: Cornwall College
Year: 2014/2015
Course Code: 2784
Programme: FdSc Marine Science
Full/Part Time: Part Time
Total Credits: 240
Year One
Module
Code
CORC1013C
CORF107
CORF112
CORF113
Module Title
Personal and Employability Skills
Development
Practical Skills and Research
Methods
Introduction to Marine Science
Marine Resource Management
No. of
Credits
20
Core /
Optional
Core
20
Core
10
10
Core
Core
No. of
Credits
20
20
20
Core /
Optional
Core
Core
Core
No. of
Credits
20
20
20
Core /
Optional
Core
Core
Core
No. of
Credits
20
20
Core /
Optional
Core
Core
20
Core
Year Two
Module
Code
CORF108
CORF122
CORF123
Module Title
Coastal and Ocean Processes
Benthic Biology A
Pelagic Biology A
Year Three
Module
Code
CORF200
CORF218
CORF204
Module Title
Benthic Biology B
Pelagic Biology B
Oceanography and Meteorology
Year Four
Module
Code
CORF219
CORF203
CORF216
Module Title
Marine Spatial Planning
Biology and Culture of Aquatic
Species
Project
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3. Module Records
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