9. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmarking Group(s) and/or other external/internal reference points Biosciences

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1 Programme Specification for the 3, 4 and 5-YEAR BSc DEGREES IN BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY and ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY, AND ZOOLOGY, AND JOINT DEGREES FOR BIOLOGY with MANAGEMENT PLEASE NOTE. This 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. This specification provides a source of information for students and prospective students seeking an understanding of the nature of the programme and may be used by the College for review purposes and sent to external examiners. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the course handbook or on-line at accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency. 1. Awarding Institution: Imperial College London 2. Teaching Institution: Imperial College London 3. External Accreditation by Professional / Statutory Body: Not applicable 4. Name of Final Award (BEng / BSc / MEng etc): BSc (Honours) 5. Programme Title (e.g. Biochemistry with Management): Ecology and Environmental with Research Abroad with a Year in Industry/Research with Management (3 year) with Management (4 year) with Management and a Year in Industry/Research (4 year) with Management and a Year in Industry/Research (5 year) with French for Science with German for Science with Spanish for Science 6. Name of Department / Division: Life Sciences 7. Name of Faculty: Natural Sciences 8. UCAS Code (or other coding system if relevant): C100, C1N2, C1NG, C1R1, C1R2, C1R4, C1NF, C1NA, C102, C110, C180, C500, C Relevant QAA Subject Benchmarking Group(s) and/or other external/internal reference points Biosciences 1 BSc Degrees

2 10. Level(s) of programme within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ): Bachelor s (BSc, BEng, MBBS) Level Mode of Study Full-time 12. Language of Study: English 13. Date of production / revision of this programme specification (month/year): October Educational aims/objectives of the programme The programme aims/objectives are to: attract motivated students of high intellectual calibre, both from within the UK and from overseas, and teach them in a way that encourages originality of thought and breadth of vision; provide a supportive learning environment, underpinned by world class research; provide distinctive modules at each level (Years 1-2 & Final Year) within appropriate areas of biology (Years 1-2 for with Management (3yr); with Management and a Year in Industry/Research (4yr)), drawing on the expertise and strengths of our academic staff; produce graduates well equipped to pursue careers both in biological sciences and more broadly, in industry and the public sector; provide a training in laboratory and research skills; foster the ability to work independently and as part of a group, and to develop presentation skills, both written and oral; ensure that all students gain experience in computing, statistics and information technology; provide all students with a broad education in fundamental aspects of biology in their first year and a higher level of knowledge and understanding of subjects chosen in their second and, in particular, final year (choice of options available depends upon degree path); enable, Ecology and Environmental, and students to follow discrete pathways in Year 2 and Year 3; allow degree students to adopt a more flexible approach while not precluding later specialisation; provide students on 4-year placement degrees with a Year in Industry/Research with enhanced investigative, literature review and report writing skills together with work experience in a work setting; provide students on the 4-year with Research Abroad degree with experience of the teaching, language and research in biology at a university of another European country; provide students on the 4-year with a Languages for Science degree with experience of learning and operating in a foreign language at a university of another European country; provide students on the 3 and 4-year with Management degree course and the 4 and 5-year with Management and a Year in Industry/Research degree course with a good grounding in core management subjects, which will give an understanding of the management and operating environment of business organisations. 2 BSc Degrees

3 15. Programme Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding of: 1. Knowledge and Understanding 1. basic biological chemistry; cell biology and genetics; organismal biology; ecology, and evolution (Year 1); 2. applied molecular biology, including bioinformatics; genetics statistics; and chosen subject areas (Year 2); 3. advanced knowledge and understanding of three specialist modules (Final Year, excl. with Management degrees) 4. the economic, financial and organisational framework within which business enterprises operate, and the functional issues that arise in the management of business activities (Final Year, with Management degrees). Teaching/learning methods and strategies: Acquisition of 1-3 is through core courses in Year 1 and 2 together with more advanced options in Year 2, and in the Final Year (excl. with Management degrees). Acquisition of 4 (Management degrees) is through a balanced programme of formal teaching, case studies and individual and group work within the Business School at Imperial. All students gain experience of fieldwork in Year 1 and more specialist fieldwork is available in Year 2, and the Final Year (, Ecology and Environmental, and ). Lectures are integral to all courses, supported by other teaching and learning methods, including tutorials, seminars, laboratory and computer-based work, coursework and visits. All modules are supported by the College VLE. Throughout the course, students are expected to undertake independent reading, to consolidate what is being taught/learnt and to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the subject. Directed learning in the form of group project work is found in all academic years. Major assignments include a Tutored Dissertation in Year 2, placement reports (Year in Industry/Research; Research Abroad degrees), a Final year Research Project, and a Final Year Group Project (Management degrees). Assessment of knowledge is through written examinations, assessed coursework, essays, reports, dissertations and presentations, project reports and vivas. 2. Skills and other Attributes Intellectual Skills (thinking) skills - able to: 1. analyse and solve biology-based problems; 2. integrate and evaluate information; 3. formulate and test hypotheses using appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis of data; 4. plan, conduct and write-up a programme of original research (excl. with Management degrees). Via Teaching/learning methods and strategies 3 BSc Degrees

4 Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning methods outlined above. Information sifting and sorting, analysis and problem solving skills are promoted through the use of group exercises. Experimental design and statistical skills are developed in lectures and computer-based practical work in the core course and subsequently in project work. Individual, formative and summative feedback is given to students on all work produced including oral presentations. Assessment is through coursework, written examinations and project work. Practical Skills Practical skills able to: 1. plan and execute safely a series of experiments; 2. use laboratory and field based methods to generate data; 3. analyse experimental results and determine their strength and validity; 4. prepare technical reports; 5. give technical presentations; 6. use the scientific literature effectively; 7. use computational tools and packages. Via Teaching/learning methods and strategies Practical skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above (and in section 17). Practical experimental skills (1-3) are developed through laboratory, computer-based and project work. 4 and 5 are taught and developed through feedback on reports written and presentations made as part of coursework assignments. 6 is developed through lectures, coursework reports and essays, group project exercises and the individual supervised research project. 7 is taught and developed through coursework exercises and project work. Practical skills are assessed through laboratory experiment write-ups, coursework reports and the research project dissertation. Transferable Skills (initiative, groupwork, independent thought etc): Transferable skills able to: 1. communicate effectively through oral presentations, computer processing and presentations, written reports; 2. apply statistical skills; 3. work independently and as part of a team; 4. integrate and evaluate information from a variety of sources; 5. use Information and Communications Technology; 6. manage resources and time; 7. learn independently with open-mindedness and critical enquiry; 8. learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development. Via Teaching/learning methods and strategies Transferable skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above and section is taught through coursework and developed through feedback on reports, essays, oral presentations; second language skills are developed in humanities course options (Year 2, all three years for Language for Science students), and on placement for Research Abroad and Language for Science students; 2 is taught through lectures and practical work and developed, as appropriate, during individual research projects; 3 is developed through coursework, including group project work; 4 is developed through the Tutored Dissertation (Year 2), Placement Reports (Year in Industry/Research and Research Abroad degrees) and the Final Year Research Project (excl. Management degrees); 5 is developed through computer-based exercises, projects and other coursework activities and individual learning; 6 is developed throughout the degree courses within a framework of staged coursework deadlines and examination system; although not explicitly taught, 7 and 8 are encouraged and developed throughout the course, which is structured and delivered in such a way as to promote this. 1 is assessed through coursework, presentations and written 4 BSc Degrees

5 examinations. to 5 are assessed through coursework, including project work. 4 is also assessed through written examinations. The other skills are not assessed formally. 16. The following reference points were used in creating this programme specification (please see Subject benchmarking information for Biosciences (QAA)) Student handbook for course approved by Senate of Imperial College 17. Programme structure and features, curriculum units (modules), ECTS assignment and award requirements Each degree programme is offered as a full-time, 3-4-year (Year in Industry/Research, Research Abroad, with Management (4 year)) or ( with Management and a Year in Industry/Research (5 year)) course and leads to the BSc Honours Degree. All students take the same four Year 1 course modules. Two examinations are held in January and two in June. In Year 2, students take core modules and elective modules according to their interests and degree requirements. Year 2 exams are held in January, March (Humanities) and June. In the Final year, students take elective modules in the Autumn and Spring terms. In the final year, students take elective modules in the Autumn and Spring terms, one of which is a field-course. Two final year modules are examined at the start of the Spring Term and the third at the beginning of March. They are followed by a full-time 10-week independent research project, or a three week Science Communication course and a 7 week literature project. Subject to approval, students may switch between the different degrees offered; changing degrees to the Placement Year is subject to satisfactory academic progress. Year One: All students take the same four (15 ECTS) credit modules, each comprising around 40 lectures, plus associated laboratory classes and tutorials. Biological Chemistry and (BCM): chemistry of biomolecules; monomers & polymers; enzymology and thermodynamics; central metabolism; membranes; bacteriology Cell and Genetics (CBG): replication, transcription & translation; cell architecture, traffic and communication; genetics; virology & immunity of Organisms (OB): tree of life; zoology; plant physiology & photosynthesis; mycology Ecology and Evolution (EE): evolutionary biology; ecology; population dynamics; conservation & biodiversity Students must pass 60 ECTS credits to proceed to the second year. Students who fail course modules may resit the examination component the next two times it is offered. For first-year and second-year students this will be before the start of the next academic year. Year Two: All students take 60 ECTS credits including Applied Molecular (10 ECTS), Genetics (10 ECTS and an elective module from a wide range of language and other courses offered by the Humanities Department or the Business School (6 ECTS). Students also take three (8.5 ECTS) elective modules from the 2 nd year grid below (one from each row) and an individual Tutored Dissertation (8.5 ECTS). Specified courses for "individual" degrees are also indicated in the grid. degree students can choose from any of the options in each row. Students must pass all 60 ECTS credits to proceed to the next year. 5 BSc Degrees

6 Applied Molecular Genetics Cell & Developmental Virology Bacterial Physiology Behavioural Ecology /Ecology Resource Management Ecology Immunology Parasitology Ecology Ecology Courses taken by students should normally include at least two of the following: Cell and Developmental Behavioural Ecology Parasitology Courses taken by students should normally include: Bacterial Physiology Virology Courses taken by Ecology and Environmental students should normally include: Resource Management Behavioural Ecology Ecology Placement Year (Year 3 for Year in Industry/Research & Research Abroad degrees) Students on the Year in Industry/Research degree carry out a one year placement in an Industrial setting (e.g. Glaxo SmithKline) or a research institute (e.g. Cancer Research) in the UK or overseas. Students on the Research Abroad and Language for Science degrees spend an academic year at a partner university selected from France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands or Sweden, where they take selected courses and conduct a research project. Students are visited on site by a member of the degrees teaching staff. Students are required to submit to Imperial an extended assessed report on their work/research, and in the case of Research Abroad students, an additional Cultural Report (in the foreign language in the case of Language for Science students). This assessment does not count towards the final degree but must be passed for students to proceed to the final year. Year Three (Year 4 for Year In Industry/Research & Research Abroad Degrees) Students take three (13 ECTS) elective modules in the Autumn and Spring terms according to their interests and degree requirements (one module from each row in the grid below). degrees students (excluding Ecology,, and ) have a free choice of these modules. The final examinations are at the start of the Spring Term for the Autumn courses and the beginning of March for the 6 BSc Degrees

7 Spring Course, followed by a 10-week, full-time research project (21 ECTS) or 3-week Science Communications course (8 ECTS) and 7-week dissertation (13 ECTS). Term one: Damage & Repair in Biol. Systems Macromolecules in 3-D Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing Medical Neuroscience Research: From Molecules to Mind Plant Biotechnology and Development Tropical Field Course Ecology, Population & Community Ecology Ecology, Cancer Mechanisms of Gene Expression Integrative Systems Metabolic and Network Engineering Adv Topics in Parasitology & Vector Symbiosis, Plant Immunity and Disease, Ecology Adv Topics in Infection & Immunity, Biodiversity & Conservation Ecology, Evolutionary Term Two: Medical Glycobiology Biotech Applications of Proteins Mol Basis of Bacterial Infection Bioinformatics Systems Neuroscience Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease Synthetic Biodiversity Genomics Ecology, Epidemiology Ecology, Global Change Ecology Term Three: Research project continues 18. Support provided to students to assist learning (including collaborative students, where appropriate). On induction programme (Year 1) for orientation, introduction to library and information technology, and study skills. Student-run buddy scheme for new students. Details of each module, methods and criteria for assessment published electronically on the College virtual learning environment, Blackboard, with full access from outside College. Module Handbooks for Second and Final Year Courses provide more detailed information (published electronically). Staff:student ratios for teaching of 1:8. Extensive library (7-day, 24h opening in term time) and other learning resources and facilities at South Kensington campus. Dedicated computing, printing and copying/scanning facilities with extended daily access, and providing , on-line journals, journal databases (e.g. Web of Science, Medline). Modern teaching laboratories and access where appropriate to adjacent research facilities. A staff - student committee, which meets five times per year. Research Seminar Series, which run weekly in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building during term time. 7 BSc Degrees

8 In addition to the Senior Tutor, who has overall responsibility for student welfare and guidance, all students are allocated personal tutors whose role is both pastoral and academic. The Undergraduate Administrators, who are normally available Monday to Friday during normal office hours. Student and open personal access to tutorial staff including the Senior Tutor, and the Director of Teaching. Access to student counsellors on the South Kensington site. Access to Teaching and Learning Support Services, which provide assistance and guidance, e.g. on careers. Opportunities for students to conduct their Final Year Research Projects in other Departments/Centres within Imperial College or at selected research laboratories outside College. 19. Criteria for admission: Students are assessed on whether they are within 2 grades (40 UCAS Tariff points) of potentially obtaining our AAA (or equivalent) entry requirements. Then, their overall potential is evaluated from their personal statement, teacher's reference and school environment. A conditional offer is made taking into account measures to widen participation where appropriate. 8 BSc Degrees

9 20. Processes used to select students: Offers are made to applicants on the basis of information in the UCAS form. Applicants are invited to visit the department at which point they can discuss any unusual aspects of their application (e.g. subjects being offered at A-level) with the admissions tutor. Mature students, or those offering unusual combinations of subjects may be interviewed by the admissions tutor and one other member of staff. 21. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning a) Methods for review and evaluation of teaching, learning, assessment, the curriculum and outcome standards: The external examiner system and Boards of Examiners are central to the process by which the College monitors the reliability and validity of its assessment procedures and academic standards. Boards of Examiners comment on the assessment procedures within the College and may suggest improvements for action by relevant departmental teaching Committees. The Faculty Studies Committees and the Graduate School s Master s Quality Committees review and consider the reports of external examiners and accrediting bodies and conduct periodic (normally quinquennial) and internal reviews of teaching provision. Regular reviews ensure that there is opportunity to highlight examples of good practice and ensure that recommendations for improvement can be made. At programme level, the Head of Department has overall responsibility for academic standards and the quality of the educational experience delivered within the department. Most of the College s undergraduate programmes are accredited by professional engineering and science bodies or by the General Medical Council. Accreditation provides the College with additional assurance that its programmes are of an appropriate standard and relevant to the requirement of industry and the professions. Some postgraduate taught courses are also accredited. b) Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards: The Senate oversees the quality assurance and regulation of degrees offered by the College. It is charged with promoting the academic work of the College, both in teaching and research, and with regulating and supervising the education and discipline of the students of the College. It has responsibility for approval of changes to the Academic Regulations, major changes to degree programmes and approval of new programmes. The Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee (QAEC) is the main forum for discussion of QA policy and the regulation of degree programmes at College level. QAEC develops and advises the Senate on the implementation of codes of practice and procedures relating to quality assurance and audit of quality and arrangements necessary to ensure compliance with national and international standards. QAEC also considers amendments to the Academic Regulations before making recommendations for change to the Senate. It also maintains an overview of the statistics on completion rates, withdrawals, examination irregularities (including cases of plagiarism), student appeals and disciplinaries. The Faculty Studies Committees and Graduate School s Masters Quality Committees are the major vehicle for the quality assurance of undergraduate / postgraduate courses respectively. Their remit includes: setting the standards and framework, and overseeing the processes of quality assurance, for the areas within their remit; monitoring the provision and quality of e-learning; undertaking reviews of new and existing courses; noting minor changes in existing programme curricula approved by Departments; approving new modules, changes in module titles, major changes in examination structure and programme specifications for existing programmes; and reviewing proposals for new programmes, and the discontinuation of existing programmes, and making recommendations to Senate as appropriate. 9 BSc Degrees

10 The Faculty Teaching Committees maintain and develop teaching strategies and promote interdepartmental and inter-faculty teaching activities to enhance the efficiency of teaching within Faculties. They also identify and disseminate examples of good practice in teaching. Departmental Teaching Committees have responsibility for the approval of minor changes to course curricula and examination structures and approve arrangements for course work. They also consider the details of entrance requirements and determine departmental student numbers. The Faculty Studies Committees and the Graduate School s Master s Quality Committees receive regular reports from the Departmental Teaching Committees. c) Mechanisms for providing prompt feedback to students on their performance in course work and examinations and processes for monitoring that these named processes are effective: Coursework feedback is provided by a feedback form attached to items of coursework. Feedback is also provided via Blackboard on automatically-assessed pieces of coursework and on formative MCQ quizzes. Personal tutors hold timetabled tutorials at the start of the academic year to give feedback on examination performance and can be approached by their tutees at any point in the year for further guidance. The undergraduate teaching office repeatedly informs individual staff via when coursework is due back at the appropriate time. The Director of Undergraduate Studies routinely monitors the quality and quantity of feedback provided on marked coursework. In some instances, generic class feedback is returned to all students via or a Blackboard announcement once coursework is marked. d) Mechanisms for gaining student feedback on the quality of teaching and their learning experience and how students are provided with feedback as to actions taken as a result of their comments: Staff Student Committee. Teaching Committee (student representative is a member). Course questionnaires. SOLE Undergraduate Teaching Office, Personal Tutors, Senior Tutor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Course Convenors. Vivas with External Examiners. NSS Feedback to students on actions taken as a result of their comments is provided via the student representative on the Teaching Committee, via the staff-student committee, by , by announcements on Blackboard and via Personal Tutors. e) Mechanisms for monitoring the effectiveness of the personal tutoring system: All staff are personal tutors. When new staff are appointed, they are given written guidelines on the duties of personal tutors. The Senior Tutor advises new staff on how to be an effective personal tutor and the limits of his / her responsibility. Students contact the Senior Tutor if they have difficulties accessing their personal tutor and / or obtaining appropriate advice. This results either in the appropriate contact being made, or else the Senior Tutor deputises for the personal tutor to assist students in need. Staff are contacted by to ensure personal tutorials have taken place. Records of personal tutorials are kept in the undergraduate teaching office. Students are provided with guidelines for what can take place in personal tutorials and they choose content relevant to their needs. f) Mechanisms for recognising and rewarding excellence in teaching and in pastoral care: Staff are encouraged to reflect on their teaching, in order to introduce enhancements and develop innovative teaching methods. Each year College awards are presented to academic staff for outstanding contributions to teaching, pastoral care or research supervision. A special award for Teaching Innovation, available each year, is presented to a member of staff who has demonstrated 10 BSc Degrees

11 an original and innovative approach to teaching. Nominations for these awards come from across the College and students are invited both to nominate staff and to sit on the deciding panels. g) Staff development priorities for this programme include: active research programme in Life Sciences; staff appraisal scheme and institutional staff development courses; ICCED and HEA accreditation for academic and research staff; HEA participation through Departmental Contact; updating professional and IT/computing developments. 22. Regulation of Assessment a) Assessment Rules and Degree Classification: The pass mark is 40%. Students must additionally obtain a minimum of 35% for both the examination and coursework components of a course to pass. For course modules that include a written examination, coursework typically contributes 25% of the total marks available. Assessment details are provided on the VLE. The final degree mark is calculated from the mean mark achieved in Year 1, Year 2 and Final Year. For students admitted in or after October 2013 year weightings are 11.1 : 33.3 : 55.6, respectively. For Students Admitted before October 2013: 5:35:60. To qualify for the award of BSc Honours, students must pass all courses A student who is unable to complete their Final Year exams because of illness, or the death of a near relative, may be considered for a degree under the aegrotat provisions. Summary of grades, marks and their interpretation for BSc degree classification CLASS MARK RANGE GRADE First class % Upper second class (2A or 2:1) 60-69% Lower second class (2B or 2.:2) 50-59% Third class 40-49% Fail 0-39% b) Marking Schemes for undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes: The Pass Mark for all undergraduate modules is 40%. All undergraduates are required to pass all their ECTS to progress to the next year. c) Processes for dealing with mitigating circumstances: For undergraduate programmes: Candidates with mitigating circumstances are not subject to the borderline restrictions but should be considered individually. However, as a general principle, candidates whose marks are more than 5% below the borderline should not normally be raised to the next higher classification. Where the Board of Examiners determines that a higher classification should be awarded extra marks should be applied to bring the final marks into the higher range. Applications, which must be accompanied by a medical certificate or other statement of the grounds on which the application is made, shall be submitted to the Academic Registrar who will submit them to the Board of Examiners. d) Processes for determining degree classification for borderline candidates: 11 BSc Degrees

12 Candidates who fall no more than 2.5% below the minimum mark for a higher honours classification shall be eligible for review of their final classification; this review is algorithmic and based on performance in aspects of the final year. Candidates whose marks are below the 2.5% borderline may be considered for a higher honours classification where certain provisions apply. Where the Board of Examiners determines that a candidate should be awarded a higher honours classification extra marks should be applied to bring their final marks into the higher range. Detailed records of all decisions should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Board. e) Role of external examiners: External Examiners (from other UK universities) are nominated by the Board of Examiners and approved by the Science Studies Committee. Visiting examiners normally serve for 3 years. The role of the visiting examiner is that of moderator. In order to do this they: approve examination papers; review coursework; see all examination scripts and research project reports; meet selected students; attend the Board of Examiners; complete a report to the College. 23. Indicators of Quality and Standards Favourable comments by External Examiners. High proportion of students achieving a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Degree. First destination data for BSc graduates, showing a high proportion find employment or further postgraduate research training in and related areas. Independent review of the quality of the educational provision of the Degrees at the last QAA subject review process, achieving an excellent grading of 22 out of a maximum 24 points. 24. Key sources of information about the programme can be found in BSc Degrees