National University of Ireland, Galway
An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme
2009 - 2010
REVIEW OF
B.Sc EARTH AND OCEAN SCIENCES,
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND,
GALWAY
Final REPORT
(29th March, 2010)
This report arises from a visit by a review team to the B.Sc. in Earth and Ocean
Sciences on 9th February, 2010. The Earth and Ocean Science staff team had
prepared and submitted a 'Self Assessment Report', which, with other documentation,
was made available to the review team in advance of the visit.
The review team consisted of: Professor Dianne Edwards, School of Earth and Ocean
Sciences, Cardiff University (Chair); Professor Patrick M. Shannon, UCD School of
Geological Sciences, University College Dublin; Dr Peadar McArdle, Director of the
Geological Survey of Ireland; Dr Matt Redman, Discipline of Physics and
Astronomy, NUI Galway; and Dr Frances McCormack, of the Discipline of English,
NUI Galway acting as Rapporteur.
The report is structured to cover the following main topics:
1. Aims and Objectives
2. Organization and management
3. Programmes and Instruction
4. Scholarship and Research
5. Community Service
6. The Wider Context
7. Summary and Concluding Remarks
1.
Aims and Objectives
The stated aims of the B.Sc. in Earth and Ocean Sciences are to (a) produce graduates
with the skills, abilities and ambition to meet national and international imperatives
for knowledge of the physical environment both onshore and offshore by exploiting
the unique geographic location of NUI, Galway on the west coast of Ireland, and by
making the most of the unique combination of research and teaching skills in geology,
geophysics and oceanography, and (b) provide undergraduates with a supportive
environment in which they can successfully pursue their studies to degree level and to
develop their academic, vocational, personal and interpersonal skills. The review
group considers these to be very appropriate aims for this course.
The EOS division within the newly-constituted School of Natural Sciences is
uniquely positioned to offer such an innovative science degree encompassing both the
earth and ocean elements of Earth System science. Situated adjacent to the Atlantic
Ocean, a large and important natural scientific laboratory, and in close proximity to
some of the classic geological localities in these islands, NUIG’s location is ideal to
utilize the teaching, learning and research opportunities these present. The location of
the headquarters of the Marine Institute at Galway is also a significant advantage to
the continued development of the degree.
The review group considers that the Earth and Ocean academic, technical and
administrative staff, has been particularly successful in providing and fostering a
friendly and encouraging atmosphere. The increasing student numbers are testament
to this success, as were the comments of the students who met with the review team.
The NUI Galway Strategic Plan 2009-2014 identifies Environment, Marine and
Energy as one of the five thematic priorities of the University. The BSc in Earth and
Ocean Sciences fits clearly into that thematic area, illustrating an integration of the
degree programme within the broader university strategy.
Recommendations:
The review team notes with approval that the Department of Earth and Ocean
Sciences (EOS) had a clearly defined strategic plan (2005-2010), with targets and key
performance indicators. With the reorganization of departments into schools, the
review team recommends that the new school’s strategic plan should reflect the EOS
objectives and aspirations for the development of the degree and research activities.
2.
Organization and management
The review team notes with approval that the EOS Programme Board currently
comprises all members of the teaching staff in Earth and Ocean Sciences. This is
entirely appropriate and desirable given the small size of the unit.
Mechanisms are in place to facilitate feedback from students, both on paper through
anonymous questionnaires, and through staff-student committee meetings. The
review team found the feedback very helpful, and was pleased that both students and
staff are engaged fully with the process of active student feedback assessment.
The review team believes that the visibility and high profile of EOS in the media is a
distinct advantage. We commend the members of EOS for their continued efforts and
success in this area.
The review team shares the concerns of the EOS staff with regard to the recent drop
in staff numbers due to retirements and redeployments. The loss of two senior
academic staff within the past few months, combined with losses of two senior
technical staff within the past few years, is particularly worrying at a time when the
degree programme is undergoing restructuring. However, we are heartened by the
confirmation from senior management in the School, Faculty and University of
agreement to recruit a new chair within the EOS discipline. The review team notes
the concerns of staff members regarding the loss of departmental status of Earth and
Ocean Sciences, but believes the appointment of a new chair who can champion the
discipline should allay those concerns somewhat and offer the potential for new
developments and for strengthening of the existing interests of EOS.
Although it is still early in the history of the degree to measure the success or impact
of graduates from the BSc in Earth and Ocean Sciences, the review team understands
that many of the graduates from the first two years have gone on to undertake Masters
degrees in other Irish and British universities, while a few have taken up employment
in consultancy companies. This is a reflection of the international quality of the
degree and of its graduates.
Recommendations:
In broad terms, the review team considers that the BSc degree is well organised and
well managed. However, we have the following recommendations to strengthen it:
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We believe that the degree would benefit from an external advisory board of
stakeholders, which would meet from time to time to discuss aims and
objectives. This would now be an appropriate development following the
reorganisation of departments into schools, and with the degree programme
now having matured and entered into its third year of graduating classes.
The management system involves the participation of all sections of its staff,
and ensures efficient communication with all staff. There is an effective
network of meetings. However, we recommend that the composition of
membership at these meetings be reviewed periodically for maximum
efficiency.
We recognise that the physical infrastructure housing EOS is not fit for
purpose. The review team is pleased and relieved to hear that EOS is
scheduled to move to a new building. We recommend that the EOS engage in
discussions with the Building Office immediately to identify infrastructural
and technical needs and to begin planning for the move.
We recommend that current issues relating to health and safety and fitness for
purpose of the current Quadrangle EOS accommodation be addressed by both
university management and staff of the EOS as a matter of urgency. There
are significant safety concerns, and we recommend that an immediate safety
audit be carried out in the unit, and that action be taken on any issues arising.
The review team is pleased that EOS retained its administrative support
following the recent restructuring within the new school. We believe that this
is essential for the identity of the discipline and for the administrative support
provided to the head of the unit. It is therefore essential that the existing
administrator remain closely connected with the discipline. It is important that
she is there not only to support the administrative structure, but also a key
conduit between staff and students.
The review team recommends that the Programme Board or its nominee
should track the graduates of the degree in order to be informed of their career
progress and of the career opportunities available for future graduates. A
survey of graduates in the year following their graduation, and again 3+ years
following graduation, should provide valuable information on the value of the
course in providing a suitable career foundation. Consideration should also be
given to inviting past graduates to give a career seminar to current BSc
students.
3.
Programmes and Instruction
The EOS is to be congratulated on the design and delivery of this successful new
degree programme, which has now had two graduating classes and an increasing
student intake.
Following the maturing of this degree programme, recent staffing retirements and
redeployments, and academic restructuring, the review team believes that it is timely
to reflect on the structure of the degree programme. We believe that, not
withstanding the forthcoming appointment of a new chair within the discipline, the
academic and technical staff will continue to be overstretched in delivering this
degree and maintaining internationally high academic standards across all modules.
We believe that too many modules are offered for the number of academic staff.
While the current range of modules may appear attractive to prospective students, it
can lead to patchy coverage of the core areas of the discipline. The review team
welcomes the recent redesign of the second year course to cover core skills, and
believes that this process should go further.
Recommendations:
 The number of optional courses should be reduced to a level commensurate to
the number of staff and their expertise. The review team also felt that the
workload expected from students was uneven across modules; some courses
were perceived by the students to be significantly less demanding than others.
This was particularly the case when comparing the workload between the
early and final years of the degree. This could be addressed to some extent by
additional report- and essay-writing assignments in first and second year.
 The fostering of writing skills from the earliest stages of the degree is essential
to meet the aims of the degree, and the setting of additional written tasks could
help to develop these skills.
 The weakness of mathematical skills of students is a national problem, but the
review team is concerned that it seems possible to graduate from the BSc
degree having taken no mathematical courses whatsoever. Individual advice
and guidance in the choice of courses in the early weeks at university could, in
later years, avoid students finding that certain options have been closed to
them.
 The review team recommends that clear guidelines be given for each module
regarding the contact hours (lectures, practical classes, field work etc.), the
number of hours specified for particular tasks (e.g. report writing) as well as
student autonomous learning hours. These should be comparable with the
norms in other comparable international institutions.
 Consideration should be given to the optimisation of the use of external
experts (e.g. from the Marine Institute) in supplementing the delivery of the
degree programme.
 The review team noted that certain staff members were providing additional
non-timetabled teaching, in order to cope with the student demand for extra
fieldwork training. We recommend, for efficiency, that staff investigate
alliances with other institutions in carrying out fieldwork and mapping
projects.
 Teaching quality assessments should continue on a regular basis. These should
review both individual modules and also the entire programme. The latter is
particularly important in the light of changes proposed to the programme and
to the diversity of the programme that are controlled by the different
combinations of modules building towards the degree.
 In refining the degree programme, the review team recommends that the staff
be mindful of core learning outcomes, essential skills and techniques as
benchmarked by accreditation bodies such as the Geological Society of
London. This would not only be strategically sensible but would also furnish
students with a comparable skill set to competitors in the international job
market. The EOS could take advice from the Centre for Excellence on
Learning and Teaching on this matter.
4. Scholarship and Research
All students in their final year are involved in a research project. This provides
valuable practical experience in data gathering, analysis and scientific report writing.
A broad and interesting range of research projects were noted across the spectrum of
Earth and Ocean sciences.
The review team is satisfied that the members of academic staff contributing to the
BSc degree have research interests fully consistent with the programme, and conduct
active research and supervise PhD research in their areas of expertise. Their teaching
is therefore informed by their research.
5. Community Service
In addition to the BSc degree, EOS academic staff run two successful part-time
diploma courses. This is admirable given the already-high workload of staff.
EOS also makes significant contributions to other programmes within the university.
Many of the EOS staff are involved in service teaching, and while this is
commendable, it reduces time available for core teaching and research. This again
highlights the issue of small academic staff numbers to deliver expertise in the
diversity of Earth and Ocean sciences.
6. The Wider Context
The unique geographic location on the west coast of Ireland affords a wonderful
opportunity to EOS. Their unique strategic combination of skills in geology,
geophysics and oceanography is being utilised to the full to meet national and
international imperatives for knowledge on the physical environment both onshore
and offshore.
The EOS therefore makes a valuable contribution to the world outside the university,
by providing scientific analysis and advice through the media, school visits, and, of
course, research. It is clear that the BSc plays an important role in this endeavour, by
training students in the skills and knowledge that enables this contribution to
continue.
7.
Summary and Concluding Remarks
The BSc in Earth and Ocean Sciences has created a supportive and warm environment
in which students can explore the skills and knowledge associated with their subjectarea.
The programme is supported by a significant research output, skilled technical staff,
and an adept and experienced administrative structure.
Student numbers on the programme are high and increasing. This is due to effective
self-promotion, important geographical location, and the interdisciplinary focus of the
programme.
The review team makes the following recommendations:
 The review team recommends that the new School’s strategic plan reflect the
EOS objectives and aspirations for the development of the degree and its
research activities.
 The degree programme should be monitored by an external body of
stakeholders who would input into the aims, objectives, and delivery of the
programme.
 The review team recommends that the composition of membership at the
meetings of the unit be reviewed periodically for maximum efficiency.
 The EOS staff should be proactive in planning its new accommodation with
the Buildings Office, ensuring that its needs will be met.
 A safety audit should be carried out (in accordance with arrangements
specified in the Safety Statement) in the EOS accommodation within the
Quadrangle building as a matter of urgency, and that action be taken on issues
arising.
 The current administrative support structure should remain in place as EOS
moves into the new School structure.
 The review team recommends that the Programme Board or its nominee
should track the graduates of the degree in order to be informed of their
career progress and of the career opportunities available for future graduates
 The number of optional courses should be reduced to a level commensurate to
the number of staff and their expertise.
 Additional report- and essay-writing assignments in first and second year be
put in place.
 Clear instructions should be provided for each module regarding the contact
hours and time for both specified tasks and student autonomous learning.
These should be comparable with the norms in other comparable international
institutions.
 The expected student workload across modules be assessed and standardised.
 Individual advice and guidance in the choice of courses should be provided
for students in the early weeks of university.
 Regular teaching quality assessments, at both module and programme level,
should continue and be enhanced.
 Alliances with other institutions in carrying out fieldwork and mapping
projects should be investigated.
 Consideration should be given to the optimisation of the use of external
experts in supplementing the delivery of the degree programme.
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In refining the degree programme, EOS should benchmark its outcomes and
techniques against those proscribed by accreditation bodies such as the
Geological Society of London.
Comments on the Methodology of the Review Process
1. The review team commends the EOS for the self-assessment report, and for the
appendices.
2. Additional documentation required by the review team (projects, fieldwork safety
statements, and exam scripts) was supplied promptly.
3. The review team thanks all members of EOS (staff and students) for their
helpfulness and openness during our visit. Their warmth counteracted the arctic
temperatures that prevailed within the building on the day of the visit.
Professor Dianne Edwards (Chair)
Professor Patrick M. Shannon
Dr Peadar McArdle
Dr Matt Redman
Dr Frances McCormack (Rapporteur)