Programme Specifications
Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry)
1 : Awarding Institution / Body
Aberystwyth University
2a : Teaching Institution / University
Aberystwyth University
2b : Work-based learning (where appropriate)
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
With integrated year in industry
3a : Programme accredited by
Aberystwyth University
3b : Programme approved by
Aberystwyth University
4 : Final Award
Bachelor of Science
5 : Programme title
Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry)
6 : UCAS code
C166
7 : QAA Subject Benchmark
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
Biosciences
8 : Date of publication
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
August 2024
9 : Educational aims of the programme
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
Provide opportunities for students to further develop their interest, knowledge, creativity and understanding in the biosciences with a specialisation in marine & freshwater biology.
This programme aims to provide its graduates with the skills and knowledge to meet and exceed the generic statements as outlined in the Biosciences Benchmark Statement with a particular focus on benchmark statements as outlined for students studying programmes focused on Organisms and Ecology and Environmental Biology. Given the focus of the programme there will an emphasis on marine and freshwater systems. Additionally, the aim of the four-year version of this degree will be to develop graduate level skills, related to the industry.
10 : Intended learning outcomes
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
10.1 : Knowledge and understanding
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
A1 Describe, discuss and understand the key biological concepts and phenomena relevant to Marine & Freshwater Biology confidently, accurately and in detail, using appropriate terminology.
A2 Be aware of the full breadth of the Biosciences with particular reference to Marine and Freshwater Biology, from molecular to cellular, and from organism to ecosystem.
A3 Engage with literature in Marine & Freshwater Biology to develop insight into the subject.
A4 Appreciate the contribution of Biosciences to the innovations that characterise the modern world, and the potential of Biosciences graduates from this field to develop sustainable solutions to current and future challenges.
A5 Stay up to date with advances in Marine & Freshwater Biology, including aspects of sustainability, and appreciate the fluid nature of knowledge that evolves as new findings emerge.
Learning and Teaching
Lectures; practical laboratory and field classes, including residential field trips; workshops and seminars; small group tutorials; problem-based learning; self-directed study and research; oral presentation; research projects; peer and collaborative learning; feedback from coursework assignments. During their integrated year in industry students will embed themselves within a working environment, allowing for the development of a range of transferable and life skills commensurate with the above. Furthermore, students on this scheme will have the potential to utilise the knowledge and skills associated with other outcomes developed in years 1 and 2. This will be in part dependent on the nature of the organisation in which their position is based.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Unseen and seen examinations; laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; essays; data interpretation exercises; oral presentation. Students on the integrated industrial year will be required to register for the module BRS0060. During the integrated Year in Industry, students will be required to submit an Introductory Report (worth 30% of the Industrial Year mark) on the organisation that they are working for, its structure, aims and operation; and a Workplace investigation, to investigate a technical aspect of the work that they are doing (worth 40% of the Industrial Year mark). Finally, there will be an AU staff assessment of the final student self-evaluation and employer’s report. These will be marked to assess the student’s achievement of learning outcome 10.1 above as well as the other learning outcomes of their scheme.
10.2 : Skills and other attributes
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
10.2.1 Intellectual Skills
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:
B1 Recognise the relationships and interfaces between Biosciences and other subjects (both scientific and outside of the sciences), such that they are able to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
B2 Apply ethical awareness to working in the Biosciences, appreciate the historical context of the subject and the societal impacts of advances in the Biosciences.
B3 Demonstrate experience of working in a professional environment.
Learning and Teaching
Lectures; workshops and seminars; small group tutorials; self-directed study and research; laboratory and fieldtrips, including a residential field course; research projects; problem-based learning; peer and collaborative learning; oral and poster presentations; feedback from coursework assignments.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Unseen and seen examinations; laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; essays; data interpretation exercises; oral presentation; online activities.
10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:
C1 Apply knowledge and understanding of aquatic biological systems and methodologies to design experiments and to solve theoretical and practical problems, with awareness of appropriate controls, possible bias, ethics and sustainability.
C2 Describe, document and enact safe working practices in terms of managing biological, chemical, laboratory or field-based risk, through knowledge-based risk assessments and practical activities in marine and freshwater biology.
C3 Select and carry out appropriate quantitative and qualitative practical (laboratory, field or computational) techniques to solve problems relevant to the course, including consideration of the theoretical basis and limitations of various techniques.
C4 Complete independent open-ended investigative work through a project/research-based assignment relevant to the course. This could be a laboratory or field-based project or an evidenced-based review, and/or collecting and evaluating data from a variety of sources.
C5 Collect qualitative and quantitative data from investigations relevant to the course and analyse and interpret these data to allow testing of hypotheses, contextualising of findings, presentation of findings, and suggestions for further lines of investigation.
C6 Applying principles, methods, approaches, concepts, skills and/or theories appropriate to the relevant biological sciences scheme in a professional context, as well as understanding the challenges of working in a professional environment.
Learning and Teaching
Field and laboratory practicals; residential field courses; peer and collaborative learning; research project; oral presentation; feedback from coursework assignments.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; oral presentation.
10.3 : Transferable/Key skills
Information provided by Department of Life Sciences:
By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:
D1 Acquire skills in research and data analysis.
D2 Deploy mathematical and statistical concepts, processes and tools, such as the manipulation of equations and graphical and statistical analysis, to solve problems or evaluate data.
D3 Develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills.
D4 Develop a thorough grounding in information technology skills and use appropriate databases, computational techniques and tools to aid further understanding of and insight into biological processes.
D5 Demonstrate the ability to work independently.
D6 Demonstrate time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines.
D7 Develop the ability to express ideas and communicate effectively, in both written and oral forms, selecting appropriate content, media and methods for the audience, purpose and subject.
D8 Demonstrate self-motivation and self-reliance.
D9 Collaborate and work successfully and inclusively in a group environment, contributing positively and flexibly to team outputs.
D10 Act professionally, with due regard for legal, ethical and societal responsibilities, modelling good practice that promotes positive, sustainable and inclusive perceptions of the Biosciences and of Bioscientists.
D11 Demonstrate professionalism and an understanding of commercial pressures.
Learning and Teaching
Transferable/key skills are incorporated within modules and related to relevant assessments as appropriate. Students learn and develop skills through tutor-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; self-directed learning, oral presentation, and experimental work. Students will be encouraged to undertake work experience, including access to the Year in Employment Scheme. Students will also have access to an optional study exchange programme which will also develop transferable skills of communication, personal development and career planning.
Assessment Strategies and Methods
Unseen and seen examinations; laboratory and fieldwork reports; dissertation thesis; essays; data interpretation exercises; oral presentation; online activities.
11 : Program Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
BSC Marine and Freshwater Biology (with integrated year in industry) [C166]
Academic Year: 2024/2025Single Honours scheme - available from 2017/2018
Duration (studying Full-Time): 4 years12 : Support for students and their learning
Every student is allocated a Personal Tutor. Personal Tutors have an
important role within the overall framework for supporting students and
their personal development at the University. The role is crucial in
helping students to identify where they might find support, how and where
to seek advice and how to approach support to maximise their student
experience. Further support for students and their learning is provided by
Information Services and Student Support and Careers Services.
13 : Entry Requirements
Details of entry requirements for the scheme can be found at http://courses.aber.ac.uk
14 : Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
All taught study schemes are subject to annual monitoring and periodic
review, which provide the University with assurance that schemes are
meeting their aims, and also identify areas of good practice and
disseminate this information in order to enhance the provision.
15 : Regulation of Assessment
Academic Regulations are published as Appendix 2 of the Academic Quality
Handbook: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aqro/handbook/app-2/.
15.1 : External Examiners
External Examiners fulfill an essential part of the University’s Quality
Assurance. Annual reports by External Examiners are considered by
Faculties and Academic Board at university level.
16 : Indicators of quality and standards
The Department Quality Audit questionnaire serves as a checklist about the
current requirements of the University’s Academic Quality Handbook. The
periodic Department Reviews provide an opportunity to evaluate the
effectiveness of quality assurance processes and for the University to
assure itself that management of quality and standards which are the
responsibility of the University as a whole are being delivered
successfully.