MNatSc, BSc Natural Sciences

Year 3

(Award available for year: Bachelor of Science)

Learning outcomes

In addition to the outcomes achieved in Years 1 & 2, on completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:

- understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and professional competencies in two disciplines, some of which will be informed by recent research/scholarship in the natural sciences;
- deploy accurately standard techniques of analysis and enquiry appropriate within the disciplines studied in the natural sciences;
- demonstrate a conceptual understanding which enables the development and sustaining of an argument;
- show an ability to tackle unseen and open-ended problems in the two disciplines studies, applying a range of approaches, including interdisciplinary approaches that apply concepts across the two disciplines.
- describe and comment on particular aspects of recent research and/or scholarship;
- appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations of knowledge in the natural sciences;
- make appropriate use of scholarly reviews and primary sources;
- demonstrate independent critical thinking in assessing information and creativity in tackling problems in the natural sciences;
- communicate complex ideas in the natural sciences using a variety of mediums, including oral and written formats.
- apply their knowledge and understanding in order to initiate and carry out an extended piece of work or project or develop advanced practical skills in their natural sciences disciplines with appropriate health and safety and ethical considerations;
- conform to professional boundaries and norms where applicable.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- the transferable/key/generic skills necessary for employment related to the area(s) studied;
- the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
- the deployment of decision making skills in complex and unpredictable situations;
- the communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences;
- the ability to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:

- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects of the natural sciences;
- work that draws on a wide variety of material;
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- evidence of an ability to conduct independent, in depth enquiry within the natural sciences;
- work that is typically both evaluative and creative.