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

Year 3

(Award available for year: Bachelor of Science)

Learning outcomes

Develop advanced knowledge in two of the seven disciplines available within the Natural Sciences programme and an awareness of the interdisciplinarity between those disciplines.
Critically evaluate methods used to analyse and report data in the literature and a wide range of other sources. Demonstrate abilities to understand experimental procedures, assess uncertainties, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets.
Select, examine and critique a significant body of research literature and other sources of information, citing and referencing the sources used. Use the literature to maintain currency of knowledge, extend learning and support the development of solutions to specified problems.
Engage with relevant literature, reports etc. in a systematic and selective way to extract relevant scientific information, appraise, synthesise and summarise key topics and communicate these effectively to an interdisciplinary audience.
Complete independent open-ended investigative work through a project relevant to the Natural Sciences, involving data collection and analysis and interpret the information within the context of current knowledge. This should involve an initial report and project plan, and a final project report.

Skills Learning Outcomes
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.
Work co-operatively with others as part of a significant project across disciplines.
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.