Foundation Degree Science Ecology and Conservation
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UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE Programme Specification This Programme 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 he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17 1. Awarding Institution / Body University of Central Lancashire 2. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery Myerscough College 3. University School/Centre Forensic and Applied Sciences 4. External Accreditation N/A 5. Title of Final Award Foundation Degree Science Ecology and Conservation Management 6. Modes of Attendance offered Full-time 7. UCAS Code CD14 8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s) Foundation Degrees Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies Technical Advisory Board Meetings, Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management DEFRA 9. Other external influences 10. Date of production/revision of this form 20 June 2013 11. Aims of the Programme Provide students with the knowledge and skills required for a career in ecological survey and countryside management. To equip students with a wide range of critical, analytical and problem-based learning skills involving creativity and innovation in countryside management. Develop the individual student’s personal and employability skills so they can work effectively in a professional environment. Academic Quality and Standards Unit Document1 1 12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods A. A1. A2. A3. Knowledge and Understanding Demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of current countryside management practice Describe a range of farming systems in the UK and evaluate their impact on biodiversity Explain and apply scientific principles and legislation to the sustainable management of the countryside. Teaching and Learning Methods A combination of lectures, demonstrations, practical sessions, group and individual work, case studies, interactive workshops, tutorials. These methods will have a particular emphasis on practical and work-based training in practice and will be tailored to facilitate the learning styles of foundation degree students. Assessment methods These will include group and individual presentations, group and individual projects, portfolios, assignments, written and practical assessments. B. Subject-specific skills B1. Identify common flora and fauna and collect and evaluate data on their distribution and abundance B2. Communicate issues relating to biodiversity and countryside management to specialist and nonspecialist audiences B3. Prepare technical reports and presentations in relation to countryside management B4. Produce management plans for the conservation of biodiversity. Teaching and Learning Methods Subject specific skills will be developed through the delivery of specialist subject material identified in the module descriptions and using teaching and learning programme as identified above such as lectures, practical work and tutorials. Subject specific skills are further developed by the use of case studies and coursework assignments that reflect current practice within the countryside management industry. Information technology and computational skills are also developed through project work, presentations and coursework. Assessment methods These will include group and individual presentations, group and individual projects, assignments, written and practical assessments. C. Thinking Skills C1. Identify and evaluate information from a range of sources C2. Apply theory and knowledge to new situations C3. Evaluate problems, analyse alternatives and think creatively to develop practical solutions with particular reference to the environmental, social and economic perspective Teaching and Learning Methods A combination of tutorials, seminars, lectures, case studies, projects, group work and practice experience. These methods will have a particular emphasis on practical and work-based training and will be tailored to facilitate the learning styles of foundation degree students. Assessment methods These will include group and individual presentations, group and individual projects, assignments, written and practical assessments. D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development D1. Communicate professionally in reports and presentations D2. Work independently and work as a member of a team D3. Apply problem solving skills in various settings D4. Use appropriate information technology skills in various situations D5. Reflect on personal development and seek appropriate, individual development needs. D6. Apply mathematical formulae to solving problems Teaching and Learning Methods A combination of tutorials, seminars, lectures, case studies, projects, group work and practice experience. These methods will have a particular emphasis on practical and work-based training and will be tailored to facilitate the learning styles of foundation degree students Assessment methods These will include group and individual presentations, group and individual projects, assignments, written and practical assessments. Academic Quality and Standards Unit Document1 2 13. Programme Structures* Level Level 5 Module Code MR2105 MR2125 MR2130 MR2131 MR2200 MR2212 MR2302 MR2313 Level 4 MR1051 MR1105 MR1109 MR1146 MR1200 MR1206 MR1207 MR1210 Module Title Tree and Woodland Management Research Methods Ecological Survey Techniques Farmland Ecology Work Project Grassland Ecology Business and Entrepreneurism Geographical Information Systems UK Agriculture Behaviour of British Wild Mammals Principles of Ecology Wetland Management Work Skills Development Essential Plant Biology Essential Soil Science Plant and Animal Identification 14. Awards and Credits* Credit rating 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 10 20 20 10 10 20 10 10 20 FdSc Ecology and Conservation Management Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 5. Foundation Certificate Ecology and Conservation Management Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or above. 15. Personal Development Planning Personal Development Planning is an essential component of the course. The course will help students recognise the importance of being proactive within their own personal development. The course will help develop key personal and transferable skills which promote employability, entrepreneurship, academic excellence, professional development and global citizenship. Each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor with whom students will be encouraged to develop skills for independent learning and reflection on student’s academic, personal and professional development. Students will meet with their personal tutor at least twice per semester to develop short and long-term goals, review and plan their progress on the course and discuss their future career path. Each student group has a weekly timetabled and structured course tutorial which will be used to develop generic personal, employability and academic skills with student groups. An on-line scheme of work, together with web based and other support materials, is available to staff and students alike in the delivery of these tutorial sessions. Students have access to a wide range of personal development advisory services through the ‘Core’ including careers, financial advice, pastoral support and help with study skills. Students have access to the student support services at the University through the ‘I’, ‘Futures’ and ‘WISER’ study skills. Students on Foundation Degrees are also encouraged to reflect on their personal and professional development within a professional setting through the Work Skills Development module and subsequently the Work Project module. These modules will further help students plan realistically for career progression and manage their own career development. All students will also have access to the College ‘Learn2Work’ programme and activities that contribute to ensuring employability of our students can also count towards the ‘Learn2Work’ awards. Academic Quality and Standards Unit Document1 3 16. Admissions criteria Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information. Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter. 120 UCAS Tariff points from one of the following: 2 A-levels (at least one at C) BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at PPP BTEC Level 3 Diploma at MP 2 Scottish Highers at minimum C or above 3 Irish Highers at minimum C or above NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points AS levels and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively. Consideration will be given to non-traditional qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants are encouraged to produce evidence of their potential to benefit from the course. Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants who do not hold a Level 3 qualification but have extensive relevant experience may be offered opportunity to undertake a pre-entry assignment to demonstrate ability to study at the required level. Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent. All offers may be subject to successful interview. 17. Key sources of information about the programme UCAS: http://www.ucas.ac.uk Myerscough College web site: www.myerscough.ac.uk Myerscough College higher education prospectus: http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=Prospectuses Course fact sheet: http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=higher-education-subjects Course Tutor: Jeff Simpkin Academic Quality and Standards Unit Document1 4 18. Curriculum Skills Map Ticks indicate where individual Programme Learning Outcomes will be assessed Programme Learning outcomes Module Level Code Module Title Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) Knowledge and Understanding 4 5 A1 A3 B1 C1 C2 COMP COMP COMP O COMP COMP O COMP MR1051 UK Agriculture MR1105 Behaviour of British Wild Mammals MR1109 Principles of Ecology MR1146 Wetland Management MR1200 Work Skills Development MR1206 Essential Plant Biology MR1207 Essential Soil Science MR1210 Plant and Animal Identification COMP COMP Note: COMP COMP COMP COMP COMP COMP B2 B3 Other skills relevant to employability and personal development Thinking Skills B4 MR2105 Tree and Woodland Management MR2125 Research Methods MR2130 Ecological Survey Techniques MR2131 Farmland Ecology MR2200 Work Project MR2212 Grassland Ecology MR2302 Business and Entrepreneurism MR2313 Geographical Information Systems A2 Subject-specific skills C3 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks Academic Quality and Standards Unit Document1 5
