MNatSc, BSc Natural Sciences(For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

Develop core knowledge in three of the seven disciplines available within the Natural Sciences programme to provide a foundation for advanced specialist knowledge within those disciplines and an awareness of the interdisciplinarity between those disciplines.
Develop practical skills to carry out a range of experiments in interdisciplinary contexts.
Use laboratory instrumentation to collect and record precise and accurate data.
Describe, document and enact safe working practices.
Interpret and follow risk assessments relating to practical activities, enacting safe working practices and waste disposal.
Use software to plot graphs and to perform calculations and statistical analyses.
Communicate results of experimental work through lab book entries, lab reports, and presentations.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of scientific ethics and critical thinking by application to relevant scientific problems.
Deploy mathematical concepts, processes and tools, such as the manipulation of equations, calculus, graphical and statistical analysis, to solve problems.
Demonstrate competence in unit conversions and appropriate use of significant figures.
Choose, evaluate and deploy methods for data analysis and manipulation for presentation, communication, and problem-solving purposes.
Select appropriate statistical tests to analyse numerical data.
Select appropriate graphical representations of data.
Demonstrate an awareness of experimental limitations and uncertainties and perform calculations to propagate experimental uncertainties.

Skills Learning Outcomes
Develop technical digital skills in the use of software packages such as Microsoft Excel.
Develop interdisciplinary team working skills through group aspects of laboratory work.
Plan and manage independent and group work effectively.
Develop written and verbal communication skills through presentation of results gained through practical work.
Act professionally and with integrity, with due regard for legal, ethical and societal responsibilities, modelling good practice that promotes positive perceptions of the Natural Sciences and Natural Scientists.
Communicate effectively using appropriate presentation skills such as written, oral and other presentation methods, selecting appropriate content, media and methods for the audience, purpose and subject.

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 may include written examinations, in-class and online tests, problem sheets, assignments, and coursework in the form of projects, reports, presentations and posters.
Practical work will be assessed via a combination of bench notes, data, and write-ups via lab reports or pro formas. Full details about the assessment rules are available in the version of the Code of Practice on Assessment (CoPA) applicable to the year of study.