Programme Specification for the 2020/1 academic year
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Study Abroad
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Study Abroad | Programme code | UFS4BIOBIOCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Campus(es) | Cornwall Campus |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
The BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Study Abroad programme focuses on understanding the biology of marine organisms and their ecosystems. We place special emphasis on whole animal biology, biodiversity, ecology and behaviour. The programme is delivered by internationally recognised research active staff in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) and the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) both based at our Penryn Campus. Staff from these research institutes work at the cutting edge of applied and pure research on whole-organism biology, with particular focus on large marine vertebrates, including fish (bony fish and sharks), marine turtles, seabirds and cetaceans. The programme utilises expertise from across the institutes to provide you with the skills, concepts and experience to understand all aspects of marine ecosystems and the pressures they face, ranging from overexploitation to climate change. The programme encourages an interdisciplinary approach to learning and research will expose you to a wide range of theoretical and practical techniques used to study marine ecosystems, from rocky shores to open-oceans and from shallow surface seas to deep-water habitats. This interface between research and learning provides critical skills for career opportunities across a wide range of scientific disciplines beyond education.
Studying abroad offers you a fantastic opportunity to expand your educational and cultural experiences. Moreover, research indicates that 64% of employers consider an international experience important for recruitment and report that graduates with an international background are given greater responsibility more frequently. 92% of employers involved in a study conducted in 2014* indicated that they look for skills such as openness to and curiosity about new challenges, problem-solving and decision-making skills, confidence, and tolerance towards other personal values and behaviours. The study revealed that studying abroad had a positive impact on the development of these skills and concluded that the employability and competences of students greatly benefit from mobility.
When participating in field courses, you will be required to cover any visa costs and, if necessary, purchase anti-malarial medication and relevant immunisations. You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, eg. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen. Details of specialist equipment, vaccinations and visas that you must supply at your own expense are provided at http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6569.
*European Commission (2014) The Erasmus Impact Study, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The degree programme aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of modern marine biology, including:
- the evolutionary origin and history of marine taxa;
- how marine organisms interact and function in the wild;
- how genes and the environment interact to shape the full diversity of marine life form and function;
- the physiological mechanisms that underpin the full spectrum of life histories in the sea;
- understanding issues in policy and development relevant to marine biology;
- socio-economic importance of marine biology and role of marine biologists in addressing key issues.
The main aim of our programme is to show how these different approaches are complementary and together lead to a fuller understanding of marine biology. As a marine biologist you will gain in depth knowledge of the diversity, evolution and function of marine life, 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 marine biology, and give lectures and seminars on cutting-edge topics in which they are actively engaged in research. Moreover, core staff have extensive experience of synthesising and applying their research to solving marine biological issues, demonstrating wider significance of this work.
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 boat-work 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 marine biology.
The Study Abroad option will provide you with the opportunity to study some aspects of Biosciences in a university abroad and to give you an insight into the culture of the host country.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
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.
http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/current/
You may take optional 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.
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in the first, second and final stages 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.
If you have mobility or health disabilities that prevent you from undertaking intensive fieldwork, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered in agreement with the Director of Education.
You are also permitted to take the 5-credit module LES3910 Professional Development Experience in any year. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.
Stage 1
90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO1411 | Genetics | 15 | No |
| BIO1427 | Zoology | 30 | No |
| BIO1428 | Marine Biology | 15 | No |
| BIO1429 | Evolution | 15 | No |
| BIO1430 | Skills and Careers | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP S1 BSc-MSci MB opt 2020-1 | |||
| BIO1425 | Microbes | 15 | No |
| BIO1420 | Physiology | 15 | No |
| BIO1426 | Ecology and Conservation | 15 | No |
Stage 2
75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules.
a It is compulsory to take a field course in the second year. You must select at least one field course module from BIO2436, BIO2442, BIO2443, BIO2444, BIO2448 and BIO2449. BIO2442 is the default free module and may be substituted with BIO2436, BIO2443, BIO2444, BIO2448 or BIO2449. If you are unable to go on a field course, you will be required to take BIO2450 Biosciences Penryn Virtual Field Course instead; BIO2450 is only available if you are not going on the field course.
b You may take either GEO2449 or LES2002 (you cannot choose more than one module from this group).
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO2426 | Analysis of Biological Data | 15 | No |
| BIO2432 | Exploitation of the Sea | 15 | No |
| BIO2437 | Biology of Aquatic Vertebrates | 15 | No |
| BIO2438 | Marine Ecology | 15 | No |
| BioP S2 field courses 2020-1 [See note a above] | |||
| BIO2442 | Scillies Field Course | 15 | No |
| BIO2443 | Cyprus Field Course | 15 | No |
| BIO2444 | Scotland Field Course | 15 | No |
| BIO2448 | Switzerland Field Course | 15 | No |
| BIO2449 | Pyrenees Field Course | 15 | No |
| BIO2450 | Biosciences Penryn Virtual Field Course | 15 | No |
| BIO2436 | Pembrokeshire Field Course | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP S2 BSc-MSci MB opt 2020-1 | |||
| BIO2406 | Biodiversity and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIO2414 | Evolutionary Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO2423 | Wildlife Disease | 15 | No |
| BIO2427 | Animal Ecophysiology | 15 | No |
| BIO2428 | Development of Behaviour | 15 | No |
| BIO2430 | Behavioural Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO2439 | Biology of Birds | 15 | No |
| BIO2446 | Molecular Ecology | 15 | No |
| CSC2010M | Oceans and Human Health | 15 | No |
| GEO2428B | Atmosphere and Ocean Systems | 15 | No |
| GEO2441 | Remote Sensing for Environmental Management | 15 | No |
| GEO2451 | Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans | 15 | No |
| BIO2453 | Spatial Ecology | 15 | No |
| BioP Employability opt [See note b above] | |||
| LES2002 | Workplace Learning | 15 | No |
| GEO2449 | Green Consultants | 15 | No |
Stage 3
120 credits of compulsory modules.
For your year abroad you will agree a suite of modules in your host institution with the College Study Abroad Coordinator. Details of individual modules that may be taken whilst abroad can be found by accessing the partner institution’s website via http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studyabroad/outbound/research/where/.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO3137 | One Year Study Abroad | 120 | Yes |
Stage 4
75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules.
c It is compulsory to take a field course in the third year. BIO3429 is the default free module and may be substituted with either BIO3404, BIO3430, BIO3418, BIO3419, BIO3423 or BIO3425. If you are unable to take a field course, you will be required to take BIO3407 Literature Review in Evolution and Ecology and 15 other credits. BIO3407 is only available if you are not going on the field course.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO3136 | Research Project | 40 | Yes |
| LES3001 | Preparing to Graduate | 5 | No |
| BioP SF BSc-S3 MSci field courses 2020-1 [See note c above] | |||
| BIO3435 | Skills for Ecology | 30 | No |
| BIO3436 | Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioP SF BSc-MSci MB opt 2020-1 | |||
| BIO3116 | Marine Vertebrate Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIO3131 | Trends in Ecology and Evolution | 15 | No |
| BIO3135 | Human Behavioural Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO3400 | Living in Groups | 15 | No |
| BIO3401 | Coevolutionary Interactions | 15 | No |
| BIO3409 | Symbiosis in Marine Systems | 15 | No |
| BIO3410 | Sensory Ecology | 15 | No |
| BIO3411 | Science in Society | 15 | No |
| BIO3413 | Animal Life Histories | 15 | No |
| BIO3415 | Ecological Responses to Climate Change | 15 | No |
| BIO3420 | Evolutionary Biology of Health and Disease | 15 | No |
| BIO3421 | Animal Migration | 15 | No |
| BIO3422 | Animal Cognition | 15 | No |
| CSC4011M | Living with Environmental Change | 15 | No |
| CSC4013M | Frontiers of Global Health | 15 | No |
| GEO3455 | Marine Climate and Environmental Change | 15 | No |
| GEO3458 | Marine and Coastal Sustainability | 15 | No |
| BIO3433 | Ocean Management and Conservation | 15 | No |
| BIO3132 | Reproductive Biology | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Describe basic ecology, evolutionary biology and animal behaviour, and aspects of organismal and molecular biology that are relevant to the study of marine biology. | 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 and the world beyond education. Teaching and learning activities include: lectures, laboratory classes, research project or dissertation, boat-work, problem solving and a residential field course. You will undertake a range of modules combining explicit subject-based learning to general training in scientific reasoning, critical thinking and transferable skills, as well as optional work place learning. In the study abroad year, the teaching and learning activities will be those used by the host university. | ILO1 – First and second year 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. ILO2 – 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. ILO3 – Assessment via essay assignments and review papers, laboratory reports and examinations, and oral presentations. ILO4 – Assessment via laboratory and field assignments, and an independent research project or dissertation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Demonstrate a broadly based knowledge and understanding of the science of marine biology, with detailed knowledge of essential facts and theory related to marine biology. | Explicitly introduced as a concept in first year Key Skills module, and expanded through subject-based learning in second year modules core to the Marine Biology Degree. Explored in field trips including specialised training in practical study of marine biology. Further explored in final year research projects. In the study abroad year, the teaching and learning activities will be those used by the host university. | ILO5 – Explicitly through module-based assessment in all years. Assessment of performance in modules takes place through essay examinations, short answer and multiple-choice tests; practical work and reports; quantitative problems; project report or dissertation; oral presentations; and assessed contribution to group work. ILO6 – First year is explicitly broad and covers the fundamental genetic, physiological, and ecological principles governing biological organisation in general and marine biology in particular. ILO7 – 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. ILO8 – Practical classes in second and final years 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. In the study abroad year, the assessment methods will be those used by the host university. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means. | Personal transferable employment skills and knowledge are embedded in all modules. All first and second modules are strongly focused towards developing applied skills for use in the dissertation and in real life situations. Practical skills are taught during directed practical exercises in first and second years, through the field courses in second and final years, and developed during independent and collaborative research projects in the final year. In the study abroad year, the teaching and learning activities will be those used by the host university. | ILO9 – Laboratory and field reports, independent research project dissertation, oral presentations, and essay examination. ILO10 – Independent research project in the final year and short field projects during field trips in second and final years and throughout the final year. Independent research project in Year 3 and short field projects during field trips in Years 2 and 3 and throughout the final year. ILO11 – Laboratory write-ups, field reports, independent research dissertation; paper discussion groups. ILO12 – Module-specific training in relevant IT skills, University provision for personal development in IT and other transferable skills. ILO13 – Discussion seminars, practical classes, field course assessed discussions, class debates. ILO14 – Field and practical class group tasks, field course assessment of individual interaction and teamwork. In the study abroad year, the assessment methods will be those used by the host university. |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Progression Rules
To progress to Stage 2 you must achieve an average mark of at least 60% in Stage 1, otherwise you will be required to transfer to the three year programme. This is to ensure that only those students who are likely to succeed in their Year Abroad are selected.
The Year Abroad counts as a single 120 credit module and is not condonable; you must pass this module to graduate with the degree title of BSc Marine Biology with Study Abroad. If you fail the Year Abroad module your degree title will be commuted to BSc Marine Biology. You will be assessed by your host university during your academic year abroad with their grades converted back to Exeter grades to contribute towards your degree classification. The rules governing failure and referral will be determined by the host institution.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
You will be located in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) (Penryn Campus), where close working relationships are fostered. You 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 you move on to the research component of the programme. In addition, the Programme Director will offeryou a meeting each term with an academic who provides guidance and feedback on assessment performance. Your progress will be monitored and you can receive up-to-date records of the assessment, achievements and progress at any stage.
The College complies with the University’s Code of Practice on Study and Work Experience Abroad. The name of the member of staff acting as the programme’s Co-ordinator for study abroad is made known to you before you leave Exeter, and this person is responsible for liaison and oversight of your progress during the year abroad. Contact will be maintained with you during your year abroad by regular email communication.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
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.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
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
- External examiner's 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 four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology with Study Abroad
19. UCAS Code
CF19
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Biosciences
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 22/10/2013 |
Date of last revision | 11/11/2020 |
|---|
