BSc/MSci Natural Sciences specialising in Chemistry (BCP pathway) Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			BSc/MSci Natural Sciences specialising in Chemistry.
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2023		Award type			BSc/MSci
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10	What level is this qualification?			6/7		Length of programme			3/4 years
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full-time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Natural Sciences
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18	Lead department			Natural Sciences		Other contributing departments			Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
26	N/A
27	N/A
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	All programmes and pathways for Natural Sciences have been designed according to the University’s Framework for Programme design for undergraduates. The Academic Quality team have been consulted about any queries that have arisen. The modules are taken from contributing departments and therefore the programmes and pathways will consist of modules that conform to specific benchmark statements. All Natural Sciences programmes and pathways are accredited by the Society for Natural Sciences. The Society has been consulted about the proposed changes and will reassess the programmes once they are finalised. Key to accreditation is the ethos within the programmes of interdisciplinarity and this has been maintained.
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	No
37	No
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	N/A
42	N/A
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	No			Transfers out:	Yes
48			No				Yes
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	All Natural Science programmes at the University of York aim to produce leaders in science, technology and industry who will have the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to succeed in complex research and business environments. You will learn how science is conducted in different disciplines, how to operate within different methodological communities, and how to apply techniques and ideas across multiple disciplines. As a Natural Science student specialising in Chemistry you will spend the vast majority of your time studying in the Department of Chemistry where you will be trained to become a highly skilled chemist. Your degree programme has been constructed to take students on a journey of exploration deep into the subject and up to the forefront of cutting-edge chemical research whilst building an awareness of the links that exist between Chemistry and other scientific disciplines. This will give you a perspective beyond the boundaries of a more traditional degree in Chemistry. You will be provided with practical training in a state-of-the-art facility and develop a range of skills, from communication and team-working to scientific literacy and problem solving, in a clear chemistry context. The course is delivered with a strong focus on small group teaching to further facilitate your understanding of subject matter. A four-year M.Sci degree will take you to the research frontier of modern, interdisciplinary chemistry, which is ideally suited for those who are interested in pursuing an academic or commercial career related to Chemistry. Alternatively, the three-year BSc degree, offers a more even balance of Chemistry-specific content and general training in transferable skills. Either way, you will experience a first class education in Chemistry, taught in modern facilities, all underpinned by your early exposure to different scientific disciplines.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	BSc(Hons)			No	N/A			360 credits
66	MSci(Hons)			No	N/A			480 credits
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68	Programme Learning Outcomes
69	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
70	1 - BSc	Demonstrate learning and problem solving skills through the acquisition and application of a broad range of fundamental chemical principles and knowledge as appropriate to the interdisciplinary ethos of a Natural Scientist.
71	2- BSc	Apply fundamental chemical principles and knowledge as appropriate to the interdisciplinary ethos of a Natural Scientist, to the in-depth study of chemical science specialisms and the solution of problems therein.
72	3- BSc	Design and safely conduct experiments. Accurately document and record experiments including analysis of physical measurements, of both a quantitative and qualitative nature.
73	4- BSc	Interpret experimental data by using mathematical skills, discipline based knowledge, information technology and scientific conventions.
74	5- BSc	Effectively articulate scientific principles, experimental results and research findings in a way that is accessible to a variety of audiences through written, oral and other formats.
75	6- BSc	Independently, or as part of a group, plan, design and conduct an open-ended investigative research project to consolidate and extend knowledge and understanding of science with particular emphasis on chemistry.
76	7- BSc	Demonstrate employability skills such as team working, commercial awareness, self-management and creativity and be equipped to work in a professional manner in their future careers in a range of areas.
77	8 - BSc	Use chemistry principles, themes, concepts and methodologies as appropriate to a Natural Scientist with a view to exploit the synergies between chemistry and other science based disciplines underpinned by experience and exposure to different scientific disciplines.
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79	1 - MSci	Demonstrate learning and problem solving skills through the acquisition and application of a broad range of fundamental and advanced chemical principles and knowledge as appropriate to the interdisciplinary ethos of a Natural Scientist
80	2 - MSci	Apply fundamental and advanced chemical scientific principles and knowledge with a strong emphasis on chemistry to the in-depth study of chemical science specialisms and the solution of problems at the forefront of the science and chemistry in particular.
81	3 - MSci	Design and safely conduct chemical experiments. Accurately document and record experiments to enable the effective synthesis of complex chemical compounds and advanced analysis of physical measurements, of both a quantitative and qualitative nature.
82	4 - MSci	Interpret experimental data by using mathematical skills, advanced scientific knowledge, information technology and scientific conventions.
83	5 - MSci	Effectively articulate scientific principles, experimental results and research findings in a way that is accessible to a variety of audiences through written, oral and other formats.
84	6 - MSci	Independently plan, design and conduct an extended, open-ended investigative research project to extend knowledge and understanding at the forefront of the chemical sciences.
85	7 - MSci	Demonstrate employability skills such as team working, commercial awareness, self-management and creativity and be equipped to work in a professional manner in their future careers consistent with the expectations of a research chemist in academic, governmental or commercial positions.
86	8 - MSci	Use advanced chemistry based principles, themes, concepts and methodologies as appropriate to a Natural Scientist with a view to exploit the synergies between expert level chemistry skill sets and other science based disciplines all underpinned by experience and exposure to different scientific disciplines.
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89	Diverse entry routes
90	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
91	All our students are welcomed by a dedicated induction session that sets out overall expectations, but importantly also signposts the various ways in which help is available to students. Given the interdisciplinary nature of our programmes, the support is layered on three levels. First port of call for each student is their pastoral supervisor. We ensure that students from non-typical entry routes are assigned an experienced supervisor. Secondly, the chair of BoS and student support team can field more generic questions about learning support and advise on accessing the Academic Skills Community that is essential for our students to fill gaps of skills knowledge. Finally, our set of dedicated subject facilitators and pathway leaders can help students with deeper discipline specific issues. Importantly, we dedicate 30 min of direct face-to-face time between students and subject facilitators in the first week, to make sure the lines of communication are open from the get-go and no student is left behind.
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100	Inclusion