Semester of Science Studies Abroad
| Module title | Semester of Science Studies Abroad |
|---|---|
| Module code | NSC3004 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 60 |
| Module staff | Professor Geoff Nash (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides a full semester of studies in Natural Sciences at an agreed partner University in a foreign country, normally where the language of instruction is English; this may be in Europe, North America, Australia or elsewhere. It provides the opportunity to gain knowledge of material that is not covered at Exeter, or that is studied from a new perspective. In addition it allows you to experience how other cultures learn, perceive and use the sciences. Study at other agreed partner Universities where the language of instruction is not English may be approved subject to the requirement that the student can prove fluency in that language to A level equivalence. The module is open to MSci students only and you must have achieved an average of 60% in each of your first and second years to be considered. Note that in exceptional circumstances the semester abroad may take place in term 2 rather than term 1, with this module scheduled accordingly.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with a unique opportunity to study Natural Sciences abroad for a full semester. You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge of material that is not covered at Exeter, or that is studied from a new perspective. If offers you the chance to experience the exciting challenge of settling in a new environment both socially and academically. It also gives you chance to discover different teaching methods, strengthening your own academic skills. On a personal level, it will teach you how to independently overcome the difficulties of settling in a different country with different habits, rules and culture. This alone is a highly valuable gain of the module.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe in detail science material that is not covered at Exeter, or that is studied from a new perspective
- 2. Discuss how other cultures learn, perceive and use natural sciences
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Account for different approaches to teaching and learning, and log and summarise these experiences in a report
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Work independently over an extended timescale
- 5. Reflect on your own personal and cultural background by comparison and contrast to living and working in a different country and culture
Syllabus plan
This is specific to the host University concerned. The semester abroad will be taken in the first semester of the third year only (in exceptional circumstances the semester abroad may take place in term 2 rather than term 1. The programme of modules studied overseas will be chosen to be roughly equivalent to the workload of 60 Exeter credits.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 600 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Placement/study abroad | 600 | As required by the host University |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| As required by the host University |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A transcript of marks will be provided by the host university (following the guidelines of the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS) where appropriate). These marks will be translated into Exeter equivalents where necessary and will contribute 100% towards module assessment. Exceptional circumstances (e.g. consequences of COVID 19) may be taken into account when determining what work undertaken at the host university will be used to generate an Exeter mark. | 100 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transcript | Semester of Science Studies Abroad report | All | August referral/deferral |
Re-assessment notes
If you fail the Semester of Science Studies Abroad (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%), you will be required to submit a Semester of Science Studies Abroad report of 3000 words. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the module), you will be failed in the module and as a consequence you will be failed in the programme and your registration as a student of the University will be terminated.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4873
- Web of Science
- Scopus
| Credit value | 60 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 30 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 11/02/2013 |
| Last revision date | 11/08/2020 |
