1 Programme Title BSc Zoology NQF Level: 6

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1 1 Programme Title BSc Zoology NQF Level: 6 2 Description of the Programme Our BSc Zoology focuses on an understanding of the biology of animals, with an emphasis on whole animal biology, biodiversity, ecology and behaviour, along with the evolution of the whole spectrum of animal life histories. It is delivered by internationally-recognised, research active staff in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on the Cornwall Campus. The Centre hosts a large and thriving group of scientists who work at the cutting edge of research on whole-organism biology and run research projects across the globe, from Uganda to Australia. The programme utilises expertise in the Centre to provide you with the skills, concepts and experience to understand all aspects of modern zoology. The programme encourages an interdisciplinary approach and you will be exposed to a wide range of theoretical and practical techniques used to study the biology of animals of all types. 3 Educational Aims of the Programme The degree programme aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of modern zoology, including: (1) the evolutionary origin and history of animal taxa; (2) how animals interact and function in the wild; (3) how genes and the environment interact to shape the full diversity of animal form and function; (4) the physiological mechanisms that underpin the full spectrum of animal life histories in nature. The main aim of our programme is to show how these different approaches are complementary and together lead to a fuller understanding of the biology of animals. As a zoologist you will gain in depth knowledge of the diversity, evolution and function of animals, with specialised knowledge of some taxonomic groups. Teaching is delivered by leading researchers who provide a thorough grounding in the core concepts and principles of animal biology, and give lectures and seminars on cutting-edge topics in which they are actively engaged in research. We use a combination of traditional teaching methods such as lectures, seminars, and tutorials, together with innovative teaching and learning methods such as video-conferencing, web-casting, blogging and online discussion forums. Together these create a stimulating and effective learning environment. Similarly, our assessment ranges from more conventional examinations and essays to writing research reports and proposals, talks and poster presentations. We have standard assessment criteria for coursework essays, exams, oral presentations, posters, dissertations and lab reports. A strength of the programme is the emphasis on field courses and the opportunity to learn by doing - to carry out independent research projects on animals in the wild and learn principles of scientific enquiry which can be applied to tackle a range of evolutionary, ecological and practical problems in animal biology. 4 Programme Structure The BSc (Hons) Zoology is a three year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level (6) (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into three Stages. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. The programme is also divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of credits. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. 5 Programme Modules Page 1 of 8

2 The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College website: You may take Option Modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College website ( You may take Elective Modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in each stage of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Stage 1: 90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules Code Title Credits Compulsory Non- Condonable BIO1414 Laboratory Techniques in Zoology, Evolution and Behaviour 15 Yes No BIO1415 Introduction to Evolution and Behavioural Ecology 15 Yes No BIO1417 Key Skills in Biological Sciences 15 Yes No BIO1419 Introduction to Vertebrate Zoology 15 Yes No BIO1408 Introduction to Ecology and Conservation 15 Yes No BIO1418 Introduction to Invertebrate Zoology 15 Yes No BIO1420 Physiology 15 No No BIO1411 Genetics 15 No No Stage 2: 90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules Code Title Credits Compulsory Non- Condonable BIO2422 Critical Thinking and Scientific Reasoning 15 Yes No BIO2431 The Biology of Mammals 15 Yes No BIO2426 Analysis of Biological Data 15 Yes No BIO2421 Practical Skills in Ecology III: Cornwall 15 Yes * No BIO2417 Behaviour and Biodiversity I: Scillies 15 Yes * No BIO2418 Behaviour and Biodiversity II: Cyprus 15 Yes * No BIO2419 Practical Skills in Ecology I: Scotland 15 Yes * No BIO2420 Practical Skills in Ecology II: Dorset 15 Yes * No BIO2427 Animal Ecophysiology 15 No No BIO2428 Development of Behaviour 15 No No BIO2430 Behavioural Ecology 15 No No BIO2425 Introduction to Ecological Consultancy 15 No No BIO2429 Workplace Learning 15 No No BIO2406 Biodiversity and Conservation 15 No No BIO2423 Wildlife Disease 15 No No BIO2407 Population and Community Ecology 15 No No BIO2414 Evolutionary Ecology 15 No No BIO2432 Exploitation of the Sea 15 No No BIO2433 Applied Entomology 15 No No BIO2413 Evolutionary Genetics 15 No No * It is compulsory to take a field course in the second year. Students must select one field course from BIO2417, BIO2418, BIO2419, BIO2420 and BIO2421. BIO2421 is the default module and may be substituted with BIO2417, BIO2418, BIO2419 or BIO2420. Page 2 of 8

3 Stage 3: 60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules Code Title Credits Compulsory Non- Condonable BIO3134 Preparing to Graduate 5 Yes No BIO3136 Research Project 40 Yes Yes BIO3124 Spain Field Course 15 Yes * No BIO3120 Dissertation in Zoology 15 Yes * No BIO3122 Africa Field Course 30 Yes * No BIO3128 The Behavioural Ecology of Information Use 15 No No BIO3116 Marine Vertebrate Conservation 15 No No BIO3117 Animal Life History, Diversity and Conservation 15 No No BIO3129 Climate Change, Evolution and Public Perception of Science 15 No No BIO3135 Human Behavioural Ecology 15 No No BIO3130 Mating Systems Biology 15 No No BIO3131 Trends in Ecology and Conservation 15 No No BIO3132 Reproductive Biology 15 No No * It is compulsory to take a field course in the final year. BIO3124 is the default module and may be substituted with either BIO3120 or BIO3122. If you select BIO3122 you will select 15 fewer credits of optional modules in the final year because BIO3122 is a 30 credit module. Should students with mobility or health disabilities want to undertake fieldwork, then reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered. This could include replacing a fieldwork module with an alternative in agreement with the Director of Education. 6 Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods: A Specialised Subject skills knowledge & Learning &Teaching activities (in/out of class) experience 1 Describe basic ecology, evolutionary biology and animal behaviour, and aspects of organismal and molecular biology that are relevant to the study of animal populations. 2 Conduct laboratory and field work research and investigations appropriate to the subject of animal biology, ecology, behaviour and evolution. 3 Develop a rigorous scientific approach in synthesising information and concepts, exercising evaluative judgement and rational analysis. Students will be trained in written and verbal communication of scientific information and ideas. 4 Apply logical thinking, problem solving and numeracy skills. Teaching and learning activities are designed to encourage a progressive acquisition of subject knowledge and skills by moving from study methods that have a greater degree of support and assistance towards more independent learning. Teaching and learning activities include: lectures, laboratory classes, research project or dissertation, and a residential field course. Students undertake a range of modules combining explicit subjectbased learning to general training in scientific reasoning, critical thinking and transferable skills. Assessment Methods 1 Year 1 modules provide a broad and solid foundation in relevant biological subject areas and are assessed via examinations, short lab reports, assessed discussion, tutorial, and multiple choice tests. Page 3 of 8

4 2 Lab skills and experience are assessed through laboratory reports and practical tests. Field skills and experience are assessed through in situ discussion groups, individual and group oral presentations, short research projects, formal poster displays, and post-field trip examinations. 3 Assessment via essay assignments and review papers, laboratory reports and examinations, and oral presentations. 4 Assessment via laboratory and field assignments, and an independent research project or dissertation. B Academic Discipline Core skills and Knowledge 5 Demonstrate a broadly based knowledge and understanding of the science of animal biology, with detailed knowledge of essential facts and theory 6 Demonstrate some knowledge and understanding in all levels of biological organisation (molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological) 7 Describe and critically evaluate aspects of current research in biosciences with reference to reviews and research articles 8 With limited guidance, deploy established techniques of practical investigation, data collection, and the analysis and interpretation of these data within the science of animal biology. Learning and Teaching activities (in/out of class) Both vertebrate (1419) and invertebrate (1418) zoology are thoroughly introduced, and expanded through subjectbased learning in 2426, 2431 (Biology of Mammals) and Explored in field trips including specialised training in practical study of animal behaviour and ecology. Assessment Methods 5 Explicitly through module-based assessment in Years 1-3. Assessment of performance in modules takes place through essay examinations, short answer and multiplechoice tests; practical work and reports; quantitative problems; project report or dissertation; oral presentations; and assessed contribution to group work. 6 Year 1 is explicitly broad and covers the key skills necessary for any biological discipline, as well as the fundamental principles governing evolution and behaviour, and principally vertebrate and invertebrate zoology. 7 Assessment will be through essay and review assignments. Students are made aware of the marking criteria for all major pieces of work and receive detailed feedback on their performance. 8 Practical classes in Years 2-3 and field courses will emphasise the development of independent research skills and the writing-up of lab and fieldwork in the form of scientific reports, using published papers as a model. C Personal/ Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge 9 Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means 10 Study autonomously and undertake projects with minimal guidance Learning and Teaching activities (in/out of class) Personal transferable employment skills and knowledge are embedded in all modules. All level 2 and level 3 modules are strongly focused towards developing applied skills for use in the dissertation and in real life situations. Explicitly through directed practical exercises in Years 1 and 2; through the field courses in Years 2 and 3, and through the independent research dissertation. Page 4 of 8

5 11 Select and properly manage information drawn from books, journals and the internet 12 Develop experience and awareness of IT skills as appropriate to the discipline 13 Evaluate the wider social and environmental implications of relevant ecological and evolutionary processes, and debate issues in relation to specific biological, environmental, social and ethical perspectives. 14 Interact effectively in a group. Assessment Methods 9 Laboratory and field reports, independent research project dissertation, oral presentations, and essay examination. 10 Independent research project in Year 3, and short field projects during field trips in Years 2 and Laboratory write-ups, field reports, independent research dissertation; paper discussion groups. 12 Module-specific training in relevant IT skills, University provision for personal development in IT and other transferable skills. 13 Discussion seminars, practical classes, field course assessed discussions, class debates. 14 Field and practical class group tasks, field course assessment of individual interaction and teamwork. 7 Programme Regulations Credit The programme consists of 360 credits with 120 credits taken at each stage. In total, students normally take no more than 120 credits at level 4, and must take at least 90 credits at level 6. Condonement is the process that allows you to pass a stage should you fail to achieve the required number of credits in any stage. Progression You are required to achieve 120 credits in each stage of the programme. You can progress to the next stage (or in the final year, proceed to the award of an honours degree) once at least 120 credits have been passed in a stage, and provided that an average of at least 40% has been achieved over the 120 credits of assessment for that stage, including the marks for any failed and condoned modules. You will not be allowed reassessment in the condoned credit. Up to 30 credits of failure can be condoned in a stage. However, you must pass the modules marked with a 'Yes' in the 'non-condonable' column in the tables above. The pass mark for these modules is 40%. Assessment and Awards Assessment at stage 1 does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. The award will normally be based on the degree mark formed from the credit weighted average marks for stages 2 and 3 combined in the ratio 1:2 respectively. Classification The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following percentage marks: Undergraduate Degrees Class I 70% + Class II Division I 60-69% Class II Division II 50-59% Class III 40-49% Full details of assessment regulations for UG programmes can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website. Generic marking criteria are also published here. Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance. 8 College Support for Students and Students Learning Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support Page 5 of 8

6 and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. Your academic tutor can also make referrals to Student Support Services where required. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff. Students will be located in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (Cornwall Campus), where close working relationships are fostered. Each student can expect reasonable access to all teaching staff through appointments and will in addition receive formative feedback from various discussion groups/in-lecture exercises throughout the delivery of each module and therefore receive essentially continuous feedback during the taught component of the programme. Project supervisors provide academic and tutorial support once students move on to the research component of the course. In addition, the Programme Director will offer every student a meeting each term with an academic who provides guidance and feedback on assessment performance. Student progress will be monitored and students can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage. ELE: All modules will have ELE pages. ELE is the University of Exeter's online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It provides an online set of integrated tools to support e-learning activities and enables students to access course materials and use tools such as Discussion Forums and Quizzes to interact online. Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision. 9 University Support for Students and Students Learning Learning Resources On the Cornwall campus, the Learning Resource Centre contains a library of 70,000 volumes and some specialist collections. On-line access to journals is very extensive. The library facilities on the Cornwall Campus and on-line provide students with access to a broad range of relevant literature and on-going purchases of texts relevant to the programme ensure up-to-date information is available for student loan. IT services are also provided on-site, as are a range of FXU services. In addition, the University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a library on the Cornwall Campus and a number of specialist collections in certain Colleges. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions. IT Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Network access is available from all rooms in the hall of residence on site. Additional student support services include: Student Counselling Service (Cornwall Campus) - available free of charge (on both Tremough and Woodlane Campuses) to provide confidential help and support (see Student Health (Cornwall campus). The Tremough campus is served by NHS Health Centres in nearby Penryn and Falmouth. In addition, a nurse is available on campus on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 am to 1 pm. Academic Skills Service (ASK at Tremough campus) provide one-to-one guidance and information on all aspects of academic study and skills, including essay writing, presentations, time management and dyslexia support. Specialist Academic Skills (SAS at Tremough campus) provide study skills support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties who are in receipt of Disabled Student Allowance. Screening for potential learning difficulties can be arranged. The Nursery (Cornwall Campus at Woodlane) provides high quality care and education for early-years children of students and staff. Welfare-benefits advice (Cornwall Campus) is provided via the Students Union (FXU); FXU is the Students Union run jointly between the University of Exeter and the University of Falmouth at the Cornwall Campus. The Students Guild is the Students' Union of the University of Exeter. Free professional welfare-benefits advice and guidance is available to students at either campus A Student complaints procedure is available for students, wherever they study. Multi-faith Chaplaincy (across all campuses) is here to support and encourage students from Christian and non- Christian faiths. Page 6 of 8

7 The International Student Support Office supports non UK students across all University of Exeter campuses. While there is not a full-time International Student Officer based at the Cornwall Campus, you will be able to speak with an advisor who can support you in finding the appropriate person to speak with. INTO University of Exeter (Streatham campus) partnership provides English Language and other preparatory courses for international students. Academic Skills (ASK) provide support for second language English speakers at the Cornwall campus (Tremough). Accessibility Service (Tremough campus). The University is committed to supporting disabled students, staff and visitors on all its campuses. The Accessibility Service aims to provide advice and guidance, signposting to other services and ensure that support is in place for eligible students. This support is offered across the breadth of the student journey: pre-entry, student at University, work placements and postgraduate, where support is required in order to enter and sustain employment. For distance or work placement students who are unable to attend appointments in person, Skype, and telephonic advice and guidance are provided. Students are encouraged to declare their disabilities prior to commencing their course of study, so as to ensure that support is in place. The Living Support Officer can provide one-to-one support for distressed students and students with difficult circumstances which fall beyond other areas of support. Employability and Graduate Development (across both Tremough and Streatham campuses) help improve students chances of getting a great job after graduation. Dedicated staff provide expert advice to enable students to plan for the future, through guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation. 10 Admission Criteria All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Exeter. Entry requirements can be found on the following webpage: 11 Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures. The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details. Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures. 12 Indicators of Quality and Standards This programme is recognised by the Society of Biology which guarantees to students that it meets the educational requirements for Associate Membership of the Society of Biology upon graduation (AMSB) and provide a route to full Membership (MSB) following appropriate professional experience. 13 Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle: Admissions, progression and completion data In Year Analysis data Previous monitoring report Monitoring of core (and optional) modules Page 7 of 8

8 External examiners reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC) Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports Consultation with employers and former students Staff evaluation Student evaluation Programme aims Subject areas are reviewed every five years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. 14 Awarding Institution University of Exeter 15 Lead College/Teaching Institution College of Life and Environmental Sciences/ Department of Biosciences Cornwall Campus 16 Partner College(s)/ institution Not applicable 17 Programme accredited/validated by Not applicable 18 Final Award(s) Bachelor of Science (Honours)/BSc (Hons) 19 UCAS Code (UG programmes) C NQF Level of Final Award(s): 6 21 Credit (CATS and ECTS) 360 CATS (180 ECTS) 22 QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes) Biosciences 23 Origin Date: 16 April 2010 Last Date of Revision: 14 September 2012 Page 8 of 8