Programme Specifications

Work-based learning (where appropriate)

Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences

August 2024

To provide students with subject specific and transferable skills required for research careers in the field of equine science.

To develop an ability to synthesise concepts and ideas across disciplines and to take a holistic view of the area of equine science.

To integrate theory, experimentation, investigation, fieldwork, and the development of principles into practice.

To develop a critical and analytical approach in all aspects of study and problem solving.

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the areas listed in 10.1.

A1 The theory and practical application of scientific research

A2 The planning and conducting of scientific research

A3 The techniques required for data sampling and analysis.

A4 The requirements of successful communication of research to scientific and lay audiences

A5 In-depth knowledge of a chosen area of equine science

Learning and Teaching
Lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios and case studies; laboratory practicals; literature based research; field work; computer-assisted learning; investigative approaches, procedures and methodologies underpinning the scientific research process, leading to a dissertation; work experience.

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Unseen examination, essays and unseen short answer examinations, exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical laboratory reports, seminar presentations and the dissertation project.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

B1 Apply knowledge and comprehension to address familiar and novel problems

B2 Communicate (both in writing and orally) ideas and concepts.

B3 Evaluate research and a variety of types of information and evidence critically.

B4 Critically analyse information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent comprehension of theory and practice, synthesizing and summarizing the outcomes.

B5 Develop and apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

Learning and Teaching
Student development towards these outcomes is primarily promoted through student-led seminars, laboratory & field practical classes and one-to-one tutoring for the dissertation project and the feedback from assessments. In addition, lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; case studies; literature based research; investigative approaches, procedures and methodologies underpinning the scientific research process; structuring and writing of a substantial body of research work (dissertation); computer-assisted learning also support the teaching and learning of these outcomes

Assessment Strategies and Methods
The above skills are assessed by a variety of methods throughout the degree scheme. Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, they 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.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

C1 Design, apply and analyse various research/study techniques

C2 Plan, conduct, and report on investigations, including the use of secondary data.

C3 Collect and record information or data online, in the library, laboratory or field, summarizing it using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.

C4 Conceive, plan and undertake field and/or laboratory investigations in a responsible, ethical and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, legislation concerning experimental animal use, relevant health and safety regulations, other legal requirements and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.

C5 Communicate effectively with individuals and organisations in a range of scenarios and audiences.

Learning and Teaching
The teaching and learning of these skills are promoted with laboratory practical classes, research methodologies and dissertation project, feedback from assessments, lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, problem-based learning scenarios and case studies, literature based research, computer-assisted learning

Assessment Strategies and Methods
Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, the skills listed above are assessed using exercise-based and essay assignments, project work, practical field or laboratory reports, the dissertation project, seminar presentations, and unseen examinations essays.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to:

D1 Apply knowledge and comprehension to address familiar and novel problems.

D2 Communicate (both in writing and orally) ideas and concepts.

D3 Evaluate research and a variety of types of information and evidence critically.

D4 Critically analyse information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent comprehension of theory and practice, synthesizing and summarizing the outcomes.

D5 Develop and apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.

Learning and Teaching
Student development towards these outcomes is primarily promoted through student-led seminars, laboratory & field practical classes and one-to-one tutoring for the dissertation project and the feedback from assessments. In addition, lectures; tutorials; student-led seminars; problem-based learning scenarios; case studies; understanding investigative approaches, procedures and methodologies underpinning the scientific research process; literature based research; computer-assisted learning also support the teaching and learning of these outcomes.

Assessment Strategies and Methods
The above skills are assessed by a variety of methods throughout the degree scheme. Depending upon the module and the nature of the specific assessment, they 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.