Study Overseas

Modular science degrees afford students the opportunity to combine a range of science subjects, or indeed science and non-science subjects, into flexible, bespoke undergraduate programmes to support their educational needs and career aspirations.

Many UK universities now offer modular science degree programmes, which operate by a system of 'credit accumulation', in which students work towards their degrees by accumulating credits on the successful completion of each module. A typical programme might require students to pass eight modules in each year, and involve 120 hours of 'learning time' - including private study - for each module. In principle, these schemes enable students to study for a single honours degree with a wide choice of modules, or to combine up to three subjects, including non-science subjects if required, for a combined honours degree.

Flexibility is a feature of many programmes; for example a student may initially opt to study three subjects in their first year, such as biology, environmental studies and law. On the successful completion of this year, the student may opt to continue the minor programme in all three subjects, or choose to change to a joint programme in environmental studies and law only. Similarly, in many institutions students may study two sciences in the first year, and then make an informed decision as to continue with the joint or major programme (depending on the weighting of the two subjects), or move to single honours in one of the sciences studied.

This is particularly attractive to students who wish to keep their options open at the start of their university experience. Universities provide academic councillors to advise students on subject and module choice at all stages of their degree programme.

For those searching for a particular cluster of subjects, the modular approach may prove ideal. Some popular combinations include:

• Biology and Chemistry
• Chemistry and Heritage Conservation
• Biology and Environmental Studies
• Environmental Studies and Heritage Conservation
• Geography and Geology
• Geography, Tourism and a Modern Language
• Geology and Chemistry

Of course, a very 16 number of combinations can be found across UK universities, and programme lists can be found in each institution's prospectus.

Not only do students choose their own subjects, but also have considerable choice in the individual modules which constitute them. Clearly, there will be some constraints on the selection of modules within a given subject to ensure academic coherence and progression. A typical approach taken by institutions is to categorise module type; for example, an institution may use the following descriptors:

Core Module

A core module is designed to serve a fundamental role in the delivery of a programme. The credits attached to core modules must be earned in order to proceed to the next stage of the programme, or to gain the degree award.

Prescribed Module

A prescribed module develops a significant area of the curriculum, and student participation is obligatory. However, credits for prescribed modules are not needed for progression to the next year of the course or the degree award, provided the overall credit requirements have been satisfied from the successful completion of other modules.

Optional Module

An optional module is designed to provide an element of choice, and will complement core and prescribed modules. Credit for an optional module is not needed for progression to the next year of the course or the degree award, provided the overall credit requirements have been satisfied from the successful completion of other modules.

Pre-requisite Module

A pre-requisite module must be taken prior to taking the named module which it underpins. Credit for a pre-requisite module is not needed for progression to the next year of the course or the degree award, provided the overall credit requirements have been satisfied from the successful completion of other modules.

Another feature of modular courses is that you are likely to be assessed after completing each module. For semester-based institutions, the assessment is like to take place in December/January for modules taught in the autumn, and in May/June for modules taught in the spring. The assessment of module performance may be by examination, coursework or a combination of both. In order to pass a module, a student is normally required to satisfy the clearly specified learning outcomes for that module.

Because modular degree schemes and the use of semesters have developed on an international basis, it is possible to accumulate credits for your degree at other institutions in other countries. For example, you might like to study at a university in France or the USA for a semester in your second or third year. Credits towards degrees may also be awarded for Prior Learning. This may take the form of a certificate for a course which has some overlap with the proposed degree programme, or may be granted on the basis of authenticated experience from working in the relevant area of a scientific discipline.

Many institutions may run a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Sciences as a parallel to their BSc provision. Admission to these HND programmes normally requires one GCE 'A' level pass (or the equivalent) in a science subject, and students obtain their HND after two years of full-time study. Admission to BSc programmes required two 'A' level passes or the equivalent. There is often some commonality in the modules studies for HND with those of parallel BSc programmes, and transfer from HND to BSc may be possible at particular stages, depending on the strength of a students' performance.

For students with two 'A' level passes (or the equivalent) in non-science subjects who wish to study for a science degree, one year modular courses are available to give students the appropriate background to proceed on to the three year BSc programmes.

The principles of modularisation also underpin a range of postgraduate taught courses which run in a similar way to the undergraduate schemes. Credit can be accumulated for postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and MSc qualifications.

Examples of science-based courses running in this way include:

• MSc Environmental Management
• MSc Applied Acoustics
• Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control
• Certificate in Research Methods

Author:

Dr. Trevor Brown
School of Environmental & Applied Sciences
University of Derby