Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 3 Modules

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers

Global Health challenges, Research Project and Bench to Bedside will all contain opportunities for graduates, employers, businesses and healthcare professionals to discuss Biomedical Science in the real world.

The Biology Speakers Series has been part of our Biological Sciences courses since 2015. These extra-curricular lectures showcase professionals working in the biological sciences.

Volunteering

Volunteering is not embedded within the course but relevant opportunities are frequently posted to the course page.

Work Placements

Not currently actively available through formal university module to students – though every potential opportunity is signposted to students through the course page and reference letters/letters of support are completed if requested. Currently liaising with Michael Saleh about increasing the opportunity for students to participate in these during the academic year and summer breaks – placements being considered include schools, NHS laboratories and potential employers such as Welsh Water.

Future incorporation of GEPU201 Professional Practice and Placement as part of their second year. This module will normally take place after the second year of study. It enables students in the School of Applied Sciences the opportunity to work with a commercial/industrial employer, undertake a simulated placement, or study abroad at a partner university. Simulated placements will usually be with an employer and involve a desk-based live brief. Placements will either be offered by the University or arranged by individual students.

Sandwich Years

Students in future will have the option to take GEPU201 Professional Practice and Placement as part of their second year, though no current university partners have been identified. This module will normally take place after the second year of study. It enables students in the School of Applied Sciences the opportunity to work with a commercial/industrial employer, undertake a simulated placement, or study abroad at a partner university. Simulated placements will usually be with an employer and involve a desk-based live brief. Placements will either be offered by the University or arranged by individual students.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

The course leader will provide students with a bespoke induction session where the philosophy of the course will be?explained?and a course handbook provided.

Personal Academic Coach

Meetings with the Personal Academic Coach will take place three times during the year.

Learner Analytics

Employed as part of Personal?Academic?Coaching

Office hours

Due to the office space layout in Glyntaff, it is impossible to offer office hours to students. They are, however, able to book staff time using the Personal Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).

Tutorials

Tutorials are offered in several modules through the degree

Seminars

Seminars are offered in several modules through the degree.

Formative Assessment

Where students have practical tests or single best answer (SBA) examinations, formative assessment will be available to the students in line with USW’s assessment for learning strategy.

Progress meetings

Meetings with the personal academic coach will take place three times during the year.

Research Supervision

Students are assigned a personal research supervisor for final year research projects.

Online Resources

Where appropriate, students will be directed to online resources for learning. All taught material will be made available through the online virtual learning environment?Unilearn.

Advice Zone

Students have dedicated advice zones open to them. They operate with an online booking system and are available through all USW campuses.

Disability

Students with disabilities and learning difficulties are able to access initial assessment and appropriate support to meet their needs by the Disability and Dyslexia service (DDS). This includes one to one in class support, note takers and specialist equipment. Support may also take the form of one to one meetings for study skills and organisational skills support which is allocated on an individual learner basis in order to ensure closest fit of support to enable their engagement with learning. Students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia have access to additional sessions via DDS to support them with their studies. DDS also coordinates student access to assistive technology and also liaises with the Examinations Department over concessions.

IT/Library

Library Services provides a wide range of high quality library and information services to USW students. Services are delivered by library staff within libraries and also provided online.

There is a library on each of the Treforest, Glyntaff, Cardiff and Newport City campuses.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

MRes in Applied Sciences

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Entry to the BSc course is as published on the University web-site and individual course pages - Presently

Typical A level offer: CCC (96 points) to include Biology but to exclude General Studies

Typical Welsh Baccalaureate Offer: Grade C in the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and BC at A Level to include Biology but excluding General Studies

Typical BTEC offer: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules

Typical I IB Offer: 29 points to include 16 points at Higher Level. And Higher Level Biology grade 5

Typical Access to Higher Education Diploma Offer: Science/Maths Diploma with 45 level 3 credits equating to 12 Distinctions from science units, a further 27 Merits (3 from Science) and 6 Passes. Other combinations equating to 102 UCAS tariff points are acceptable.

Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grade(s).

5 GCSE at Grade C or above, including Mathematics and English/Welsh Language. For those taking GCSE's in England Grade 4 is considered equivalent to a C.

Entry to the Foundation Year of the BSc course is as published on the University web-site and individual course pages - Presently  - DD (48 points)

Typical A level offer: EE to include one in a relevant science subject but excluding General studies

Typical BTEC offer: BTEC Extended Diploma Pass Pass Pass or BTEC Diploma Pass Pass in a relevant subject

Typical I IB Offer: 24 points or two IB Certificates at Higher level to include Science or Maths.

Typical Access to Higher Education Diploma Offer:Pass Science/Maths Diploma with 45 level 3 credits - all Passes.

Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable.

Those without such qualifications are considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account.

The University’s English Language Requirements must also be met.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A