UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY Bachelor of Science with Honours

Transcription

1 1 UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY Bachelor of Science with Honours 2005 Calendar, pp Section A 1. Purpose of Proposal To replace the existing four-year Bachelor of Science with Honours, (BSc(Hons)), undergraduate degree with a one year BSc(Hons), postgraduate degree following the completion of a three-year Bachelor s degree. 2. Justification The proposed introduction of a one-year postgraduate BSc(Hons) is for the following reasons: The new 360 point BSc degree structure (to be introduced in 2006) provides a more in-depth academic foundation for Honours because a higher proportion of points at 300 level are required compared with the existing BSc regulations; Most departments within the Faculty of Science already offer a fourth year only Honours programme; The majority of students currently enter the Honours programme at 400 level. They therefore view their programme of study as two distinct degrees; three years BSc plus a fourth year BSc(Hons); One-year postgraduate Honours degrees in Science are already well established at other universities. Students are often confused and resistant to the requirement that they do not graduate BSc, if they wish to graduate BSc(Hons) at Canterbury; The introduction of a one-year BSc(Hons) is consistent with the college of Science strategic planning in Teaching and Learning: to (i) Focus on postgraduate students, increase numbers and diversify provision. (ii) Develop more modularity in degree provision tailor degree provision to student s needs. 3. Acceptability The proposal does not introduce any change to the academic structure and content of the existing 400-level (fourth year) BSc(Hons) programme. Current BSc(Hons) students will be invited to discuss transition arrangements with the Dean of Science. These revisions to the University of Canterbury BSc(Hons) degrees are such as to adhere to the tradition of Honours candidates being high achievers with the ability to complete additional curriculum requirements beyond the MSc Part I, to the required standard within any one academic year. Entry to Honours continues to be by invitation and with both the approval of the Department and the Dean of Science.

2 2 The BSc(Hons) degree was introduced in Entry and continued enrolment in the Honours School was on the basis of student performance and demonstrated ability to complete the Honours curriculum to a high standard as required by the Professorial Board. Depending upon the requirements of the major, final year Honours students were required to complete from 5 to 7 lecture courses plus practical work ( EFTS). Early in the 1980s the curriculum requirements for the BSc(Hons) were, over time, adjusted to four papers plus a research project. The onset of semesterisation in the late 1990s meant that the current curriculum requirements are normally the 8 lecture courses of the MSc Part I (1 EFTS) plus a research project ( EFTS). The proposal has been under development since May Discussion on the proposed regulations has taken place at May, July, August, and September Faculty of Science meetings. The Faculty of Science approved in principle a one-year (12 months) BSc(Hons) programme in September The University of Canterbury Students Association have been part of the discussion through their representative on the Board of Studies: Science, and the Faculty of Science. 4. Goals of the Programme Aims To offer a one-year programme of postgraduate study for high achieving undergraduate students who, upon successful completion of the programme, will have completed an advanced and coherent programme with a course weight equivalent to at least 1.2 EFTS. In addition to course work, students must complete a research project. Academic Rationale To acknowledge a course of study that is advanced beyond Level 7 at high achievement levels. Expected Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in a discipline or coherent course of study. Demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to apply theoretical concepts. Plan and carry out original research, analyse, evaluate and report research findings. Problem solve. Critically evaluate literature in the discipline. Contents The programme of study will have a minimum of 144 points (1.2 EFTS) at 400 level, which includes a research project of at least 30 points. See also the following regulations in point 6 (Proposed Regulations and Prescriptions) below, specifically Regulation 1. BSc(Hons) Programme of study, 2. Subjects in which the degree may be awarded and 4. Course of study requirements.

3 3 5. Graduate Profile A graduate of a BSc(Hons) degree can: Demonstrate advanced knowledge in a specialist subject. Apply knowledge and skills to new situations. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced theoretical concepts within a specialist area of science. Carry out an intellectual analysis and criticism. Plan and carry out a specific programme of scientific research. Analyse, evaluate, and argue in support of conclusions. Work independently. Solve problems through the application of scientific knowledge and experimental skills. Communicate effectively, both in spoken and written English, concepts, results and conclusions related to research findings. Participate in fieldwork and/or work collaboratively on research to a level required by the discipline in which the degree programme was completed. 6. Proposed Regulations and Prescriptions To replace the current regulations (pp , 2005 Calendar) with the following: UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH HONOURS (BSc(Hons) (See also General Course and Examination Regulations.) 1. BSc(Hons) Programme of study The BSc(Hons) at Canterbury, if studied full-time, is an accelerated one-year (12 months) degree course for the very able. It is taken following the completion of a three-year Bachelor s degree with very good grades. Those who complete the BSc(Hons) with high grades are normally eligible to proceed directly to a PhD. Students who have been granted direct entry to 200 level undergraduate courses on the basis of high achievement in university entrance assessments may complete a BSc(Hons) after a total of three years study: two years undergraduate and the one-year (12 months) Honours. Also see regulation 3(1) (c) below. 2. Subjects in which the degree may be awarded The degree of BSc(Hons) may be awarded in the following subjects: Animal Physiology, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Botany, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computational and Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Ecology, Economics, Engineering Geology, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Hazard and Disaster Management, Management Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematical Physics,

4 4 Microbiology, Physics, Plant Biotechnology, Psychology, Statistics, Zoology. Please refer to Regulation 9 for Combined Honours. 3. Qualifications required to enrol in the degree Every candidate for the Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours shall have: (1) either (a) qualified for the award of a Bachelor s degree; or (b) been admitted under the regulations for admission ad eundem statum as entitled to enrol for the Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours; or (c) gained direct entry into 200 level courses and have completed a minimum of 240 points, including 84 points at 300 level; Note: Students who enter at 200 level under this regulation transfer from an incomplete BSc and graduate BSc(Hons) only. (2) either (i) satisfied the prerequisites for the subject to be undertaken in the BSc(Hons) as specified in the Schedule to these regulations; or (ii) completed a qualifying course prescribed by the Head of Department/School and approved by the Dean of Science of a standard equivalent to the pre-requisite courses; (3) demonstrated a high standard of achievement in previous course work, normally entailing having achieved at least a B+ average in the relevant courses for their undergraduate degree subject major. (4) been approved as a candidate for the degree in that subject by the Head of Department/School and the Dean of Science. 4. Course of study requirements A candidate shall be assessed on the basis of such written examination, oral examinations, research project, and other work as prescribed for the subject offered. Candidates shall not concurrently enrol in additional undergraduate courses except with the permission of the Head of Department/School and Dean of Science. The programme of study shall satisfy the following conditions. (a) (b) (c) Approval of programme of study (i) Every programme of study for the degree shall contain the 400 level requirements specified by the Department in the Prescriptions section of the Calendar. The programme of study must have a minimum of 144 points (1.2 EFTS), which includes a research project of at least 30 points. With the approval of the Head of Department/School, a candidate may replace courses up to 60 points with 400 level honours courses prescribed for other subjects. (ii) In special cases a personal programme of study may be approved which does not conform to the course of study requirements. Applications for a special course of study shall be submitted in writing to the appropriate Head of Department/School and forwarded to the Dean of Science for approval. The application will be considered on its merits and in the light of special circumstances. Courses not to be repeated or failed All courses must normally be passed at the first attempt. Where a candidate s performance or ability to study in one or more Honours courses has been impaired by illness or other circumstances, and an aegrotat consideration is not available, the Dean of Science may permit the candidate to repeat course work and/or undergo assessment one further time. Subjects passed elsewhere at 400 level A candidate shall not present a subject for a BSc(Hons) degree which he or she has already passed at an equivalent level for another degree or diploma.

5 5 5. Full-time and part-time study and the normal time limits (i) When a candidate is enrolled full-time, the 400-level Honours courses must be completed within 12 months, except as permitted under regulation 4(b). (ii) (a) With the approval of the Head of Department/School and the Dean of Science, a candidate may be enrolled in Honours courses part- time. (b) 6. Class of Honours A part-time candidate is one who, because of employment, health, family, or other reasons, is unable to study full time. Part-time enrolment requires completion within 2 years (24 months), except as permitted under regulation 4(b). The Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours may be awarded with First Class Honours, with Second Class Honours, or with Third Class Honours; the list of candidates obtaining Second Class Honours shall be listed in two divisions (Division I and Division II). The class of honours awarded shall be determined on the performance of the candidate. (Please refer to the General Course and Examination Regulations, C Work and Assessment, for further information.) 7. Candidates who fail to obtain Honours When a candidate fails to obtain BSc(Hons), the Dean of Science, depending upon the level of achievement and on the advice of the Head of Department/School, may recommend the award of (i) a Postgraduate Diploma in Science, (ii) a Masters of Science Part I, (iii) in the case of students who gained entry to BSc(Hons) under direct entry regulation 3 (1) (c), a BSc, or (iv) course credit, Certificate of Proficiency (COP). 8. Withdrawal from the BSc(Hons) programme A candidate who has commenced study for the degree and withdraws from all or part of the programme without completing course assessment requirements may not re-enrol without the permission of the Dean of Science. 9. Combined Honours Degree A candidate may complete the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours in two subjects (Combined Honours). Except in the case of the specific Combined Honours degrees whose requirements are stated in Schedule 2 of the BSc(Hons) regulations and in the Prescriptions section of the Calendar, a student wishing to complete a Combined BSc(Hons) degree must satisfy the course requirements for entry to 400 level honours in each subject, take 400 level courses totalling at least 60 points in each subject, complete one research project (worth at least 30 points) that normally reflects the combined nature of the degree, and take such additional courses as required by the Dean of Science. 10. Subjects and their prerequisites for the degree The subjects for the degree and their prerequisites are given in the Schedule to these Regulations. 11. Retain existing schedules to the Regulations. 7. Proposed Teaching/Delivery Methods The mode of delivery will be a combination of lectures, laboratory work, fieldwork, seminars and supervised research. 8. Prescriptions for Papers Not applicable

6 6 9. Assessment Procedures Assessment will include assignments, written tests, examinations, presentations, a research project report, and oral examinations as appropriate to the subject offered. External assessors or examiners will be involved in the examination process. 10. Resources Not applicable 11. Plans for Monitoring Programme Quality The programme will be subject to the usual University of Canterbury processes of Graduating Year Reviews and Survey Testing Unit course evaluations. The involvement of external assessors and examiners provides continuous monitoring. 12. Statement Regarding Section B Given that there are no changes to the content of the Degree Section B does not appear to apply. However, information related to specific questions can be supplied upon request. Progression of Proposal Date College PVC (strategic) Faculty Standing Committee/Planning Committee / Foundation Board 22 October 2004 Faculty 3 November 2004 Academic Programmes Committee 7 March 2005 Academic Board 16 March 2005 Council 30 March 2005 CUAP 1 May 2005