Study 1 and Examination Regulations for the Master of Science in Life Sciences Degree Programme at the Swiss College of Agriculture HAFL (SPR MSCLS) 2

Transcription

1 Study 1 and Examination Regulations for the Master of Science in Life Sciences Degree Programme at the Swiss College of Agriculture HAFL (SPR MSCLS) The Board of Governors of Bern University of Applied Science, pursuant to Article paragraph of the Federal Act of 6 October 199 concerning the universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulgesetz, FHSG), Article paragraph 1 letter n of the Act of 19 June 00 concerning Bern University of Applied Sciences (FaG),, Article 6a and Article 6 of the Ordinance of May 00 concerning Bern University of Applied Sciences (FaV) has decided: 1. Validity Principles Art. 1 1 These Study and Examination Regulations are based on the Framework of Study Regulations RSO for the Master of Science in Life Sciences dated June 008. The Study and Examination Regulations comprise the universityspecific addenda referred to in the Framework of Study Regulations as the Appendix. Specialisations Art. The specialisations offered are set out in the degree programme.. Admission Acceptance onto a Master s Degree Programme Art. 1 To be accepted onto a Master s degree programme, candidates must have a Bachelor s degree from a Swiss university of applied sciences in one of the following degree disciplines with either an ECTS grade A or B or at least a mark : - Agriculture - Forestry - Landscape Architecture - Environmental Engineering - Food Technology - Wood Engineering - Oenology Candidates who have an equivalent previous education and professional experience are also considered for admission on a caseby-case basis ( sur dossier ). The equivalence of the previous 1 This document is an English translation of the Studien- und Prüfungsreglement für den Studiengang Master of Science in Life Sciences der Schweizerischen Hochschule für Landwirtschaft SHL (SPR MSCLS) dated September 011. This translation is for information purposes only and is not legally binding. For legal purposes the German version should be referred to. Appendix to the Framework of Study Regulations RSO for the Master of Science in Life Sciences at Bern University of Applied Sciences dated June 008. SR 1.71 BSG.11 BSG Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page 1

2 education and professional experience is decided by the Head of the Degree Programme and the Head of Teaching. Candidates with a Bachelor s degree from an academic university must provide evidence of at least half a year of professional experience recognised by the Swiss College of Agriculture (HAFL). If this condition is not fulfilled, candidates must complete a work placement recognised by the HAFL before beginning the degree course. In order to be able to follow the taught elements of the degree programme, ability in English at least equivalent to level B of the European Language Portfolio is required. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that this condition is fulfilled. No official English certificate will be requested. The following documents should accompany the completed application form: a statement of personal motivation, b curriculum vitae, c copy of identity card or passport, d copy of academic degree certificate(s), e copy of transcript(s) of records, f references/certifications of practical experience, g copy of upper-secondary education (university entrance) certificate h confirmation of terminated matriculation (if previously matriculated at another university), i certified translation of all documents issued in a language other than German, French, Italian or English. Aptitude Assessment, Elements, Acceptance 1 Art. An aptitude assessment is carried out for candidates a with a final Bachelor s ECTS grade C or lower or a final mark below in one of the degree disciplines listed in Article paragraph 1, or b with partially-recognised previous education and professional experience as set out in Article paragraph. The aptitude assessments generally consist of the following elements: a written and oral examinations, b interviews and c letters of recommendation. The aptitude assessment as a whole is judged by the Head of the Degree Programme, subject to the approval of the Head of Teaching, as a passed, b partially passed or c failed. The assessment criteria for the aptitude assessment are the technical ability and interdisciplinary skills of relevance for the Master s degree programme in the chosen specialisation. Passing an aptitude assessment entitles candidates to enter the Master s degree programme and is valid for three years. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page

3 6 An aptitude assessment is considered to have been passed when evidence of ability with a minimum mark of is shown. 7 An aptitude assessment is considered to have been partially passed when evidence of ability with a sufficient mark below is shown. 8 In the case of partially-passed aptitude assessments, requirements will be set which, depending on the individual study agreement, must be fulfilled before completing the Master s degree programme at the latest. 9 A failed aptitude assessment may be re-taken once. Candidates who fail at this second attempt are definitively rejected. 10 The Management Board has, at the request of the Head of Teaching, issued Guidelines for Assessing Aptitude, which regulates further aspects.. Degree Programme Module Categories and the ECTS System 1 Art. ECTS credits are allocated to various module categories as follows: Entrepreneurial basics modules: ECTS credits Extended theoretical basics modules: ECTS credits Modules of specialisation: ECTS credits Master s thesis: 0 ECTS credits ECTS credits which have been obtained at the HAFL or have been recognised by the HAFL are, in principle, valid in perpetuity. The Head of the Degree Programme can, subject to the approval of the Head of Teaching, declare previously obtained or recognised ECTS credits invalid if the competences evidenced by these ECTS credits are no longer of relevance to the degree programme. For each module there is a description which, as a minimum, gives information about the following: a prerequisites to entrance, b competences to be achieved, c content of the module, d teaching and learning methods, e forms and modalities of assessments of ability, f ECTS credits assigned to the module. Progression of the Degree Programme Art. 6 1 The standard degree programme is constructed as follows: General basics ( modules) 1 ECTS credits Extended theoretical basics (6 modules) 18 ECTS credits Modules of specialisation (6 modules) 0 ECTS credits Master s thesis (1 module) 0 ECTS credits Full-time study lasts three semesters (including Master s thesis). If the degree is undertaken part-time, the length of study is extended accordingly. Each semester, modules adding up to a minimum of 1 ECTS credits should be taken. In accordance with Article 1 paragraph, fewer ECTS credits may be taken under serious circumstances. The Head of the Degree Programme decides, subject to the approval of the Head of Teaching, about such exceptions. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page

4 If a student takes a module, he/she is also registered for the assessments of ability. The assessments of ability must be taken at the specified time. Students are obliged to attend individual teaching events if attendance is necessary in order to attain the competences required. This relates in particular to the following events: a practicals lasting one or more lessons, b teaching events in which the student performs a teaching function, c teaching events involving external specialists (guest lecturers), d assessments of ability. Further details are set out in the absence rules issued by the Management Board at the request of the Head of Teaching. 6 The dates and deadlines of these regulations relate to full-time study of three semesters. They are amended accordingly for parttime study. Degree Programme Art. 7 1 The compulsory core modules and the optional core modules of each specialisation are set out in the degree programme. In individual cases, in consultation with the Master s thesis supervisor, the compulsory core modules specified can be deviated from. Such deviations are agreed in writing at the beginning of the Master s programme between the student and supervisor and also a member of the board of studies. If there is no agreement, the compulsory core modules must be taken as specified in the degree programme. Optional core modules and optional modules are selected from the degree programme at the beginning of the Master s programme after consultation with the Master s thesis supervisor. The selection is documented in writing and is binding. If the supervisor and the student cannot come to an agreement about which modules the student should take, the board of studies decides. Completion of the Master s Degree Programme Art. 8 1 The Master s degree is awarded to students who have a obtained at least 90 ECTS credits, b received at least a mark for all required compulsory core modules and optional core modules of the specialisation, c obtained 0 ECTS credits for a Master s thesis assessed with at least a mark, d written their Master s thesis in their study specialisation. On successful completion of the degree programme, the academic degree Master of Science (MSc) is awarded. The title is supplemented with the description of the degree discipline and the chosen study specialisation as follows: MSc BFH in Life Sciences with specialisation in Recognition of Student Achievement from Other Universities, Work Experience and Continuing Education Art. 9 1 Equivalent student achievement carried out at another university is recognised by the Head of the Degree Programme, subject to the approval of the Head of Teaching, by means of an assessment of equivalency. The recognition, together with instructions on the right to appeal, is given in writing. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page

5 For professional qualifications or continuing education qualifications to be taken into account on the Master s degree programme, the recommendations of the Rectors of Universities of Applied Sciences Conference of 11 March 008 are applied. The Head of the Degree Programme, subject to the approval of the Head of Teaching, decides.. Performance Monitoring Assessments of Ability Art Assessments of ability are a means of performance monitoring which serve to test the competences acquired in a module. Assessments of ability may take the form of written or oral examinations, written papers, practicals, case studies and reports, project work or presentations, or combinations of these forms or other forms of performance monitoring. Monitoring attendance during the taught elements of the programme alone is not a sufficient form of performance monitoring. The form and type of performance evaluation to be used in a module is stated in the degree programme. Where the evaluation of competences in a module is measured by several assessments of ability, the instructor will stipulate the weighting of each assessment of ability. The instructor will inform the students at the beginning of the module when the assessments of ability are to be performed and how these assessments are weighted. Master s Thesis Art The working title of the Master s thesis is determined at the beginning of the Master s programme. The module description of the Master s thesis defines the content and timing requirements for the students performance. Students choose a subject from a selection given for their study specialisation. They may also propose their own subjects. Students are supervised during the writing of their Master s thesis by a lecturer, an experienced scientific collaborator or, exceptionally, an external lecturer. The subject and conceptual formulation of the Master s thesis are documented by the supervisor; the submission of the Master s thesis is documented by the Head of Teaching. The supervisor is responsible for correcting and assessing the thesis. On completion of the Master s thesis, students are examined orally on the subject of their thesis and its related field of knowledge. 6 The oral examination is conducted by the thesis supervisor with the participation of a specialist. The specialists are selected by the Head of Teaching at the request of the board of studies and act in an advisory capacity. 7 The evaluation of the oral examination is integrated into the evaluation of the Master s thesis. The evaluation modalities are set out in the Guidelines for Master Theses. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page

6 8 If a Master s thesis is evaluated with a mark or lower, the whole thesis is additionally evaluated by the specialist. In such cases, the definitive evaluation consists of the rounded average of the evaluations of the supervisor and the specialist. 9 The Management Board has, at the request of the Head of Teaching, issued Guidelines for Master s Theses, which regulates further aspects. Preparation of, Execution of and Responsibility for the Evaluation of Performance in Taught Modules Art. 1 1 The people who teach the module are responsible for the preparation, execution, correction and evaluation of the assessments of ability. They may contract other colleagues to fulfil these tasks but they alone are responsible for the final evaluation. In certain cases the Head of the Degree Programme may appoint other competent people for the evaluation of performance. The examining instructors are responsible for the execution of the examinations in accordance with the rules. If third parties are contracted to invigilate, they must be informed at length and in good time of the applicable examination conditions. The examining instructors thereby ensure that the invigilation is correctly carried out. In oral examinations, a second person must be present in addition to the examining instructor to take the minutes. For this task, a second instructor or a graduate assistant with relevant specialist competence may be appointed. Public Art. 1 1 Assessments of ability are generally not public. The oral examination for the thesis (Article 11, paragraph ) is public. Languages Art. 1 1 Assessments of ability must be taken in the teaching language of that module, which is usually English. On condition that no translation costs are incurred by the HAFL and with the agreement of the instructor responsible and the student concerned, an assessment of ability or Master s thesis may be written in German, French, Italian or Spanish. Examination tasks are given only in English. Deferral of Assessments of Ability Art. 1 1 If a student is unable to take an assessment of ability due to serious circumstances, it is possible on application to take this assessment at a later date. Serious circumstances are, namely, military service, civilian service, pregnancy, illness, accident, unavoidable obligations to care for a close family member or the death of a loved one. In the case of illness or accident, a doctor s certificate must be submitted without delay. The Head of Teaching reserves the right to reject a doctor s certificate as a result of a medical examiner s judgement. The instructor responsible for the module concerned is responsible for the re-scheduling of dates. The Head of Teaching, in consultation with the supervisor, decides on requests concerning the deadline for Master s theses. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page 6

7 Absence and Withdrawal Art If a student has no serious reason (Article 1 paragraph ) for missing or withdrawing from an assessment of ability, he/she receives a mark 1. The Head of Teaching immediately decides on the permissibility of the absence or withdrawal. If necessary, the instructors responsible for the assessment of ability will take provisional measures. They will record the incident in writing. Dishonesty and Disturbance Art Assessments of ability are to be carried out independently, without the illicit help of third parties and only with the aids allowed by the responsible instructor. In written work, all citations must be indicated. In cases of contravention of the clauses in paragraph 1 (Dishonesty), the Head of Teaching imposes, at the request of the instructor, the mark 1 for the assessment of ability. Should the dishonest behaviour be discovered only after an evaluation of the assessment of ability has been carried out, the Head of Teaching can retroactively evaluate the assessment of ability with the mark 1. Serious disruption of an assessment of ability (for example, noise, distracting behaviour, other interruptions) will result in expulsion and the mark 1. The reasons will be documented. Exclusion Art Students who can no longer fulfil the requirements needed to graduate because they have exhausted the re-take possibilities will be excluded from the programme. The Vice-Chancellor decides on exclusion from the programme for disciplinary reasons or due to gravely dishonest behaviour. Documentation Art The instructors are responsible for documenting the results of assessments of ability. Documentation relating to assessments of ability are to be kept until the expiry of the appeal period or, in the case of an appeal, until the end of the process. After the disclosure of results, Master s theses are to be kept for ten years. Justification and Inspection of Records Art. 0 1 An overall evaluation of insufficient competences attained in a module must be justified. Candidates have the right to inspect their examinations and other written work as well as the corrections thereto. The inspection involves a compilation of copies for which a cash payment must be made. In cases of objection or appeal, evaluations of insufficiency must be justified in writing by the instructor to the objection or appeal authority. Evaluation Art. 1 1 The overall evaluation of competences acquired during a module is given in the form of a numerical mark on the scale 1 to 6. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page 7

8 The individual marks have the following significance: 6.0 excellent. very good.0 good. satisfactory.0 sufficient Marks between 1 and. are insufficient. The instructor responsible for awarding the mark can rate mark. as subsequent improvement possible. This rating is provisory. The student is given the chance to improve this rating by means of additional performance. The subsequent improvement must be achieved within 0 days of the mark being disclosed; the instructor defines the method. If subsequent improvement is achieved and the results are sufficient, the provisory mark. is replaced by the mark. If the opportunity for subsequent improvement is not taken or the results are insufficient, the mark. is definitive. Sufficient ECTS grades are converted into numerical marks as follows: A = 6.0 excellent B =. very good C =.0 good D =. satisfactory E =.0 sufficient 6 The insufficient ECTS grade F is not converted into a numerical mark. Pass Grade for Modules, Allocation of ECTS Credits Art. 1 A module is considered to have been passed when at least mark has been achieved. A passed module is awarded the full number of ECTS credits allocated to the module. A failed module is awarded no ECTS credits. Repetition of Modules Art. 1 Failed modules may be re-taken once, as long as none of the reasons for exclusion listed in Article 18 exist. Repetition should generally occur at the soonest possible date. If the Master s thesis is evaluated as a fail (marks 1 to.), it can only be re-submitted with a new project definition. The student will then be supervised by an instructor other than the supervisor of the first, failed thesis. Repetition of passed modules for the purpose of improving grades is not permitted. Disclosure of Results Art. 1 Students are informed in writing of the overall evaluation of each module by the Director. This information is communicated at least once per semester. The Head of Teaching stipulates the dates and ensures their observance. Evaluations of performance given before the official disclosure of results are not binding. Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page 8

9 Final Evaluation Art. 1 The final evaluation appears on the degree certificate in the form of a numerical average mark. The average mark is calculated on the basis of the weighted overall evaluations of the compulsory core modules and optional core modules taken. The weighting reflects the number of ECTS credits allocated to the modules concerned.. Judicature Art. 6 1 Judicature complies with the legislation concerning Bern University of Applied Sciences and the law of May 1989 concerning the administration of justice. Written objections to admissions decisions taken under Article and Article and decisions taken under Article 18 and Article paragraph 1 may be submitted within thirty days. Written complaints about the decisions taken by the Vice-Chancellor on objections mentioned in paragraph may be submitted within 0 days to the Department of Education of the Canton of Berne. Written complaints about all other decisions taken on objections mentioned in paragraph may be submitted to the Appeals Committee of Bern University of Applied Sciences. If complaining about results of assessments of ability, the accusation of unsuitability will not be accepted. 6. Final Clause Art. 7 These regulations come into effect on 1 September 011 and supersede those of June 008. Agreed by the Supervisory Board of the HAFL Agreed by the Board of Governors of Bern University of Applied Sciences Approved by the Department of Education of the Canton of Berne Zollikofen, 7 September 011 Berne, September 011 Berne, President: President: Education Director: Pascal Corminboeuf, Member of the Executive Council of the Canton of Fribourg Dr. Georges Bindschedler Bernhard Pulver, Member of the Executive Council of the Canton of Berne Berner Fachhochschule Haute école spécialisée bernoise Bern University of Applied Sciences Page 9