Programme Specifications

With Integrated Year in Industry

Biosciences

August 2024

An Equine and Veterinary Bioscience graduate should have a detailed, comprehensive and systematic knowledge and understanding so will be provided with the opportunity to:

Develop the technical knowledge and transferable skills required for a leading career in the field of equine or animal / veterinary science, including for example, lecturing, research and development, and advisory work within the field.

Develop a detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of equine or animal / veterinary science at the forefront of student’s academic specialism.

Develop a holistic view of animal anatomy, physiology and function, and its application to practice.

Integrate theory, experiment and investigation into practical horse management and care.

Develop a detailed understanding of animal research, its current practice, applicable techniques, future potential and application to management.

Develop an awareness of the legal, moral, ethical and social issues associated with the use of animals for work, leisure and research.

Develop a knowledge of some of the biological concepts that underpin veterinary science.

Develop a knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment and control of veterinary diseases.

Develop a critical and analytical approach in all aspects of study and problem solving, including the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Subject specific skills

An Equine Veterinary Bioscience graduate should be able to:

Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry.

Assimilate information from a number of sources, including current research and scholarship, in order to gain an understanding of theory and practice.

Critically evaluate research, evidence and information supplied from a variety of sources and where appropriate propose new hypotheses.

Apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

Apply knowledge and understanding to address familiar and novel problems.

Design an experiment, investigation, survey or other means to test a hypothesis or proposition.

Generic and graduate skills

The following transferable skills will be developed and assessed in the proposed BSc Equine and Veterinary BioScience degree:

Problem solving

Research skills

Communication

Improving own learning and performance

Teamwork

Information technology

Application of number

Personal development and career planning

Additionally, the aim of the four-year version of this degree will be to develop graduate level skills, related to the industry.

Overall aim of the scheme

The course aims to provide students with a broad in-depth knowledge of some of the common aspects of equine and general animal veterinary science. To produce graduates who are able to work in a range of fields relating to veterinary science, who can operate efficiently and safely in field and laboratory, are able to communicate and understand data and concepts, are able to utilise specific applied skills to address diverse biological problems, and are able to direct their own research and learning.

A1 Describe, discuss and understand the key biological concepts and phenomena relevant to the Equine and Veterinary Bioscience programme confidently, accurately and in detail, using appropriate terminology.

A2 Be aware of the full breadth of Equine and Veterinary Bioscience, from molecular to cellular, and from organism to ecosystem.

A3 Engage with literature from the Biosciences to develop insight into the subject.

A4 Appreciate the contribution of Equine and Veterinary Bioscience 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 Equine and Veterinary Bioscience, including aspects of sustainability, and appreciate the fluid nature of knowledge that evolves as new findings emerge.

Learning and Teaching
Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; field excursions and laboratory practicals; literature-based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

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 Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.

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 organization 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 in order to assess the student’s achievement of learning outcome 10.1 above as well as the other learning outcomes of their scheme.

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 Equine and Veterinary Bioscience 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 and Equine and Veterinary Bioscience, 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; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; field excursions, work experience and laboratory practicals; literature-based research; computer-assisted learning; research leading to a dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Written examinations and coursework to include: report writing, essay writing, oral and poster presentations; the submission of a dissertation; assessment based on real life problems.

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 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.

C3 Select and carry out appropriate quantitative and qualitative practical (laboratory, field or computational) techniques to solve problems relevant to the Equine science programme, 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, 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 this 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
Professional practical skills are acquired and promoted through practical laboratory classes, field visits, lectures, seminars and other class activities, case studies undertaken in a range of real-life situations and experimental research for the dissertation.

Assessment Strategies and Methods Coursework to include: the submission of scientific reports, oral presentations and essays. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced critical, interpretative and analytical skills in both their coursework and written examinations. The dissertation should demonstrate student competence in practical and academic skills.

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 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 student and tutor-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; self-directed learning, oral presentations and experimental dissertation work. Students are also given the opportunity to produce a CV and will gain feedback. 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
The skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, unseen examinations essays and unseen short answer examinations.