Degree Charter Life Sciences Bachelor Degree Programme Academic year 2014 2015 Part 1 Education at the HAN University of Applied Sciences 1
Contents Contents Introduction... 3 General Guidelines... 3 Study periods and holidays, academic calendar 2014 2015... 5 Study Choice Check... 6 Educational principles of the HAN... 7 The structure of the degrees... 9 Interim and final exams... 11 Quality control... 12 Structural organisation of the HAN... 13 2
Introduction Introduction This education charter describes the protocols and procedures pertaining to your study at the HAN University of Applied Sciences (HAN). You will find information about the academic planning, principles of our educational concept, course structure, facilities, exam procedures and protocols relating to your student rights. According to the law on the higher professional education and scientific research (Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), article 7.59) every Higher Vocational Education institution should establish a student charter and make it known to all students. This student charter comprises two parts: the institutional-specific part (i.e. the HAN) and the educational-specific part (i.e. the degree). The institution-specific part - we call it the student charter - contains a description of your rights and duties, such as that arise from the law, and an overview of the regulations that protect your rights: a description of the procedures for objection and appeal within the institution, a description of the appeal rights that are derived from the WHW and other legal regulations, and a description of additional procedures have been made by the HAN for the protection of your rights. You can find this institution-specific part on www.han.nl. The course-specific part referred to hereafter as the Degree Charter (DC) consists of four parts: 1. Education at the HAN In this component you will find the status of this Degree Charter and the target group the year timetable, holidays, exams and resit periods. The principles of education at the HAN. 2. Education and exam regulations In this part, the rules relating to the execution of the education and the exams are described. 3. Study guide In this part, the general description of part 1 is expanded upon for each degree. The curriculum, the professional tasks, the competences and study coaching described in detail. 4. Internal organisation This part describes the internal organisation of the faculty, the institute and the degree. All the facilities at university, faculty and departmental level are also documented. The names and addresses of relevant contact persons can be found in the appendix. General Guidelines This Education Charter is the educational-specific part of the Student Charter written in accordance with article 7.59 par. 4 of the WHW. This Degree Statute is applicable to the courses chemistry, biology and medical laboratory research and bioinformatics, hereinafter referred to as the courses, in the academic year 2014-2015. In this Education Charter, the rights and obligations of both the student and the HAN are documented as clearly as possible. This charter includes a description of the structure of the degree, the support facilities available, the established education and exam regulations and the procedures that protect your rights in addition to those of the institution. 3
Introduction This Education Charter was drawn up by the Faculty management on July 9, 2014. The Faculty board approved the document on July 7, 2014. Amendments to the charter can be established after specific approval by the management committee. Changes occurring during the study year may only occur if absolutely necessary, and if they are in the best interests of the student. Changes to the Education Charter or a regulation contained within it may be made only before the commencement of the study year, if not to the detriment to the student. The management committee will ensure that the Education Charter, the regulations and any changes are fittingly disclosed. An interested party may consult the Degree Statute on HAN Insite and the parts thereof on the HAN website. See the overview below to where the various parts may be found. Part Description Location Part 1 education at the HAN website and Insite/Scholar Part 2 education and exam regulations website and Insite/Scholar Part 3 Study guide website and Insite/Scholar Part 4 internal organisation Insite/Scholar Appendix 1 relevant names and addresses Insite/Scholar Appendix 2 Glossary website and Insite/Scholar Appendix 3 Floor plan website and Insite/Scholar 4
Study periods and holidays, academic calendar 2014 2015 Study periods and holidays, academic calendar 2014 2015 Wk Date Study week Remarks 34 18-Aug-14 1 35 25-Aug-14 2 36 1-Sep-14 3 Start 1st second semester, start term 1 37 8-Sep-14 4 38 15-Sep-14 5 39 22-Sep-14 6 40 29-Sep-14 7 41 6-Oct-14 8 42 13-Oct-14 9 43 20-Oct-14 Autumn holiday 18-26 October Autumn holiday 44 27-Oct-14 10 45 3-Nov-14 11 46 10-Nov-14 12 Start Term 2 47 17-Nov-14 13 48 24-Nov-14 14 49 1-Dec-14 15 50 8-Dec-14 16 51 15-Dec-14 17 52 22-Dec-14 Christmas holiday Christmas, Thursday 25 December-Friday 26 December 2014 1 29-Dec-14 Christmas holiday New year s day, Thursday 1 January, 2015 2 5-Jan-15 18 3 12-Jan-15 19 4 19-Jan-15 20 5 26-Jan-15 21 6 2-Feb-15 22 Start 2nd second semester, start term 3 7 9-Feb-15 23 8 16-Feb-15 Spring holiday Carnival 15-18 Feb 2015 9 23-Feb-15 24 10 2 Mar 2015 25 11 9 Mar 2015 26 12 16 Mar 2015 27 13 23 Mar 2015 28 14 30 Mar 2015 29 Good Friday, Friday 3 April 2015 15 6 Apr 2015 30 Easter Monday, 6 Apr 2015 16 13 Apr 2015 31 Start term 4 17 20 Apr 2015 32 18 27 Apr 2015 33 Kings Day Monday 27 April 19 4 May 2015 May Holiday Liberation day, Tuesday 5 May 20 11 May 2015 34 Ascension Day, Thursday 14 May 2015; Friday 15 May closure 21 18 May 2015 35 22 25 May 2015 36 Pentecost Monday 25 May 23 1 Jun 2015 37 24 8 Jun 2015 38 25 15 Jun 2015 39 26 22 Jun 2015 40 27 29 Jun 2015 41 28 6 Jul 2015 42 Year end Summer Holiday 5
Study Choice Check Study Choice Check Prospective students applying for one or more bachelor degree programme or associate degree programmes before 1 May (prior to the start of the academic year) are entitled to the study choice check (studiekeuzecheck). Prospective students applying after 1 May prior to the start of the intended study year are required to take the study choice check (studiekeuzecheck). The rights and requirements relating to the study choice check and the valid reasons for exemption from this requirement are documented in article 2.10 of the Education and Examination Regulations. The study choice check may be requested after the prospective student applies for the degree programme. De course selection check is a digital questionnaire with questions regarding the personal development, study and profession. The report is posted to the applicant. If the result raises questions, the applicant may request an appointment via the HAN Information Centre. The prospective student may also be invited for an interview. 6
Educational principles of the HAN Educational principles of the HAN Every degree at the HAN teaches and develops the skills befitting to an entry level professional, but you learn much more than that. Not only do you gain knowledge, but you also use that knowledge to actively work with others. In that way you learn to make choices and to form an opinion on your specialisation. That gives you the possibility to apply specialised knowledge and professional skill in new, unknown and partly unanticipated situations. Our society is in continual need of people who are able to solve problems. We instill in you the knowledge and skills that enable you to continually develop in your professional capacity. Good higher professional education is attuned to the developments in society and the professional environment. We are in close communication with potential employers to monitor what they demand and desire in a graduate; with that goal in mind, the content and structure of our curriculum is constantly undergoing changes to best prepare you for the job market. Learning via professional tasks A important core value within the HAN is the central role of professional practice in the education. It is our task to train graduates to become entry level professionals. Learning through performing professional tasks is a key principle of our curriculum. Professional tasks are meaningful and complete tasks, as complex as those that are performed in the real' working environment by a professional (expert). Complete tasks' means that you will work on projects in their entirety, not on parts thereof. Most professional tasks will rely on multiple competencies. Independence With our education we want to teach you to carry out professional tasks independently, to improve your occupational action and independently to develop your career. The ultimate goal is not just to complete your degree, but also to possess the ability to keep functioning successfully in the professional practice. This will be evident during the course of your degree by the gradual increase of your functional independence and the decreasing need for guidance from lecturers. Flexibility enhancement Flexibility enhancement is a significant principle. You have 30 ECTs with which you have the freedom to broaden or further specialise your degree. This will form the degree `elective'. The elective gives you the chance to focus on specific needs of the job market and to develop your unique skills profile. Examination and assessment You are assessed on professional tasks and competences. We aim to maximise the validity and reliability. With validity, we question whether the exam measures what it aims to measure. With reliability, we examine the comparability of the results. Educational units Educational units are based on professional tasks. A single course comprises 7.6 ECTs or a multiple thereof. They are scheduled to take place within the four terms of the HAN study year. In the interests of the quality of education, an educational unit may have a study load of 2.5 study credits or a multiple thereof. Study coaching The HAN is committed to supporting and guiding you in your study and study choices. Study coaching is therefore an important aspect of the HAN education system. The study coach guides 7
Educational principles of the HAN the development of your independence and pro-active behavior that are essential characteristics to complete your study with success. In addition, it is your first point of contact in special situations, for example if the study does not take place as you had planned or in the case of longterm illness or handicap. The study career coach can help you look for ways to improve your results in the study progress. An additional role of the study coach is to support you in choosing an elective during the main phase of the degree. What is asked of the student Whether you achieve your aims, is significantly dependent on your dedication. We expect that you will carefully consider the available choices in your learning process; that you actively participate in the curriculum; that you are present when required and that you make the time for self-study. Only then can you complete your study successfully. It will be, at times, hectic. However, the rewards are high: mastery of a wonderful profession which can give you a lifetime of enjoyment. 8
Degree Charter of the Institute of Applied Sciences Part 1 Structure of the courses The structure of the degrees The first year of the study is called the foundation year and comprises 60 ECTs. (The study load is expressed in study credits. One credit is equal to 28 hours study.) The foundation year has three important roles: to orientate, to guide and to select. These three functions are closely related to each other. The foundation year should give you a good impression of the entire study. In this first year, you will be given the opportunity to explore whether the chosen degree suits your capabilities and interests. This is the orientation function of the foundation year. In the course of this year you can decide whether you will continue to follow this course or choose another course inside or outside HAN University of Applied Sciences. Study advice given in the middle and at the end of the foundation year help you to make this decision. This is the guiding role of the foundation year. Finally the foundation year has a selective function. That function is two-fold: Firstly, you assess whether you are suitable for the study or not. Secondly, on the other hand you are also assessed on the basis of your study results, that are examined always in the light of motivation, study attitude and personal circumstances. Study recommendation By the end of the foundation year you obtain a written study recommendation, based on the number of obtained study credits. That advice determines whether you are able to continue your course or not. The advice is not binding, however, you will be responsible for the choice you make, unless it is a binding negative recommendation. In this last case you are immediately unenrolled. The basic structure of each degree comprises one major and one minor. The major is the main specialisation in which you develop the professional competencies. This part consists of a maximum of 210 study points. In addition to this, there are 30 study points to assign to a minor. This gives you the opportunity to specialise or broaden your interests and capacities. In the following table, the size of the divisions of the course has been shown in study load expressed in study credits. Layout of the course Major Minor Total Foundation year 60 60 Main phase 150 30 180 Total 210 30 240 You choose a minor as broadening or deepening of your study. You can find our total offering of minors in the HAN-course catalogue (HAN-SIS and HAN Insite). All bachelor degrees in higher professional education have a study load of 240 ECTs. The exceptions are bachelor degrees with an accelerated programme for student with pre-university education. These programmes have a study load of 180 ECTs. The major has a study load of 120 study credits There are also free minors, that you can follow at another educational institution or that you compose yourself from components of education of different institutes of the HAN or another (educational) institution. Look for the total minor course offerings on www.han.nl or on www.kiesopmaat.nl.kies Op Maat (in Dutch) is an online platform where all students enrolled in 9
Structure of the courses higher education in the Netherlands can choose from electives and courses from participating institutions. Kies Op Maat aims to increase the mobility of students in higher education. Before you may follow a minor the Board of Examiners must approve your choice. If you want to take a minor from the minor course offerings of the HAN, then in most cases, the authorisation of your study coach is sufficient. The rules for following an open elective can be found on https://www.han.nl/han-insite/minoren 10
Interim and final exams Interim and final exams examinations During the course of the study, students are regularly assessed on their knowledge, skills and attitude. A student's progress is assessed in each course by interim exams (sometimes split into parts). If a unit of study comprises more than a preliminary exam, call then we these modular exams. If all modular exams of a unit of study have been passed, then the exam of the unit of study is considered to be passed. Modular examinations are test moments where students show that they master the studied course material. There are various written and oral forms of assessment. Examinable material can be in the form of a thesis, project, simulations or presentations. You also can demonstrate without having followed the units of study, only via preliminary examinations that you have the required competences of the relevant units of study. We refer to this as a learning pathway independent exam. The Exam Committee determines if there is sufficient evidence to qualify for the competency-based assessment route. Evidence can be in the form of experience reports, testimonials, reflection reports, video recordings of professional activities, projects or certificates. The Exam committee determines if you follow the regular assessment programme, or an adapted examination. A learning pathway independent exam can be taken at the start of the course or during the course. Additionally, you can request exemption from the Examination committee based on previously passed (part) exams in higher education and / or other proof of competence acquisition that demonstrate that the relevant competencies of the respective educational units. The grounds for the decision to provide exemption may be based on earlier taken preliminary examinations or examinations in the higher professional education, acquired Competencies in official reports recognition (EVC) and in other acquired knowledge and skills inside and outside the course. You do not have to take an exam. During the course it is integrally assessed in every case at 3 levels whether the professional tasks are mastered. In this it is assessed whether the student is competent for the following phase: the student is ready for the main phase (main phase capable), For the graduation phase (capable of graduation) and for the labor market (professionally competent)? Exams In the course the following examinations are taken: the foundation year exam and the bachelor/graduation exam. You complete the course successfully if you can produce evidence that you have passed both the preliminary examinations and integral exams of the major and the minor(s). You then receive a legally recognised certificate (diploma) and a legal degree : Bachelor with an internationally recognised diploma supplement in English. There is the possibility to store your graduation report and show it online via www.hbo-kennisbank.nl The HAN selects the theses which are eligible for this. Quality and confidentiality are some of the factors which are considered in the decision. 11
Quality assurance Quality control The HAN continually strives to ensure the quality of, and also to improve our degrees. To this end, we employ an integral quality assurance system. Through systematic evaluation, information about the quality of all educational aspects is collected: objective and profile of the course; program with educational provision, exam program and study career coaching; deployment of personnel; facilities; internal quality care; results. We involve all parties with a vested interest in our quality assurance system: staff, students, professionals and graduates. The involvement of professionals who are active in the workforce is a highly valued tool in our goal to strive for excellence in our degrees. Key partners from the professional environment regularly attend meetings throughout the year. In addition to this internal quality control, all HAN degree programmes are subject to external audit from the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This accreditation is a national quality verification mark and is a condition for legal recognition on national and international level of the certificate of the course. 12
Structural organisation of the HAN Structural organisation of the HAN Internal organisation The HAN is composed of the faculties Economy and Management; Education; Health & Social Sciences; and lastly, Engineering and Life Sciences. Domains, institutes and degrees Each faculty comprises institutes. An institute is in turn, comprised of groups of degree programmes (domains). The competencies that students develop within a degree from a single institute or domain are comparable, sometimes even partially the same. Each domain is characterised by a number of common competencies. Students are enrolled into a degree. The degree is known by the following names: Each faculty has a Contracted activities department for the pursuance of commercial activities such as post-graduate training, short courses, trainings and advisory services. Furthermore, every faculty hosts a number of lectureships and research centres that are contracted by businesses and institutions. The support services such as Student affairs, ICT, Marketing and Communication are provided by the Facilities Management Department. Bachelor-master The HAN works with the Bachelor-Master model. The Bachelor-Master model has been arranged at European level to be able to compare courses in Europe with each other. Both `bachelor' and `master' are titles awarded to those who have successfully completed a degree in higher education. The bachelor's title is awarded with the completion of the four year bachelor degree. The bachelor's title is awarded with the completion of the four year bachelor degree. The masters title is awarded after one or two years of (subsequent) further study. All bachelor degrees in higher professional education have a study load of 240 ECTs. Except for the accelerated programme for students who have already completed pre-university schooling, all bachelor degrees in higher professional education have a study load of 180 ECTs. For masters degrees, this is individually determined for each programme. 13