Programme Specification
BSc/MSci Natural Sciences (2019 and 2020 entry)
Academic Year: 2020/21
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our .
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | 天堂视频 |
Teaching institution (if different) | |
Owning school/department | Department of Natural Sciences |
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
Final award | BSc (Hons)/BSc (Hons) + DPS or DIS or DIntS; MSci (Hons)/MSci (Hons) + DPS or DIS or DIntS; |
Programme title | Natural Sciences |
Programme code | CMUB09; CMUM19 |
Length of programme | BSc 3 years; BSc with DPS/DIntS/DIS 4 years; MSci 4 years; MSci with DPS/DIntS/DIS 5 years |
UCAS code | BSc GFC0; BSc with DPS/DIntS/DIS CFG0; MSci CGF0; MSci with DPS/DIntS/DIS FCG0 |
Admissions criteria | |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Tue, 04 Aug 2020 21:16:47 BST |
1. Programme Aims
Natural Sciences is a broad based degree introducing students to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary working to tackle problems in the physical sciences. The programme has option pathways which develop fundamental knowledge and applied skills within Chemistry, Bioscience, Mathematics, Physics, Geography and Materials Science, with increasing specialisation occurring throughout the duration of the programme.
Programme aims are:
- To develop students’ understanding and skills within the natural sciences and their capability to work in a multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary environment.
- To cultivate students’ interest in interdisciplinary science, within a caring and intellectually stimulating environment.
- To develop students’ pathway relevant practical skills, application of these skills to address a problem, and their critical awareness of practical techniques.
- To develop students’ intellectual skills to independently research and synthesise scientific information, to apply their knowledge to develop arguments and to critically evaluate material, in order to equip graduates with the skills necessary to update their knowledge and understanding over a future career.
- To develop students' research skills and facilitate engagement with emerging research to further their depth of understanding of scientific processes and develop their appreciation of the provisional nature of scientific knowledge.
- To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of science in an industrial, economic, environmental, social and ethical context.
Additional Aims in the final year of MSci:
- To foster in students a systematic understanding of knowledge, a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights and a critical thinking capability at the forefront of interdisciplinary research.
- To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
- To develop students’ ability to show originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Society of Natural Sciences Benchmarking (being established and currently under development)
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
K1 Key subject-specific terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units;
K2 The fundamental experimental techniques and theoretical methodologies which inform the discipline;
K3 Interdisciplinary perspectives on world/societal challenges and the role that Natural Scientists play in their resolution;
K4 An awareness of collaborative working across and between Natural Science disciplines;
K5 Safety, risk, hazard and ethics assessment as relevant to the discipline;
K6 The key factors and benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to science;
K7 The key principles of science used to interrogate the world around us;
K8 The methods for assessing the interactions of life on earth within the natural world;
Specific to the Chemistry Pathway
K9 Inorganic and organic molecular species in chemistry;
K10 The origin and characteristic properties of the principal attractive forces that exist between molecules and their dependence on molecular structure;
K11 Periodic trends and irregularities in selected properties of the elements;
Specific to the Bioscience Pathway
K12 The complexity of biological structures, their organization, metabolism and division of cells, and how these can be interrogated to assess function;
K13 The link between cellular and molecular changes and physiological adaptation in health and disease;
Specific to the Mathematics Pathway
K14 Understanding of fundamental mathematical methods;
K15 Logical mathematical arguments and deductive reasoning, including the process of mathematical proof;
K16 A range of algebraic, analytical, geometrical, numerical and statistical techniques in mathematical sciences;
Specific to the Physics Pathway
K17 Basic concepts in classical physics and their application to relevance to physical phenomena;
K18 The importance and mathematical description of basic wave concepts and their role in quantum mechanics;
K19 The basic principles and physical laws governing the behaviour of matter and waves.
Specific to the Materials Pathway
K20 The concepts involved in material development and characterisation with respect to properties and function;
K21 Key principles utilised for the processing of materials;
Specific to the Geography Pathway
K22 The major components of the Earth's physical-geographic systems, including patterns of variation in the global environment and connections between global systems and local landscapes;
K23 Geomorphic processes and products characteristic of particular regional land systems;
K24 The evaluation and monitoring of environmental hazards and an appreciation of how to manage and mitigate these.
On successful completion of Part D, students will be able to demonstrate:
K25 A systematic and comprehensive understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the natural sciences, much of which is at the forefront of scientific research;
K26 Knowledge and awareness of the accepted norms and professional expectations associated with the generation and publication of scientific results;
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
C1 Apply discipline-specific knowledge to other areas within the Natural Sciences to tackle multidisciplinary issues;
C2 Identify the benefits and capitalise on cross-discipline collaboration, making use of other discipline contributions to solve problems in a collaborative manner;
C3 Apply their knowledge and understanding of essential facts, key concepts, principles and theories to solve problems and debate critical issues within the subject area;
C4 Identify and analyse novel scientific problems and plan strategies for their solution, and apply acquired knowledge and understanding to inform individual research;
C5 Solve quantitative and qualitative problems and collate, evaluate and interpret scientific information and data;
C6 Research, evaluate, justify and critically evaluate scientific material and arguments in a coherent and organised way appropriately adapted to the audience;
Additional subject specific cognitive skills at Part D:
C7 Select appropriate research and enquiry strategies to solve complex problems or problems with incomplete data;
C8 Demonstrate advanced analytical thinking skills and be able to handle complex information in a structured and systematic way;
C9 Critically evaluate current research, appropriate to the speciality;
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
P1 Apply a broad range of practical investigative techniques including data collection, data analysis, statistical evaluation, hypotheses formulating and testing, current contextualisation and external referencing and validation;
P2 Record, describe and critically evaluate data sets;
P3 Extract, manipulate and interpret data from scientific databases;
P4 Handle materials safely by taking into account their physical and inherent material properties, e.g. chemical hazards or biological activity;
P5 Conduct standard laboratory (and/ or field) procedures including the operation of standard instrumentation for the analysis of materials and recording of results;
P6 Appropriately, monitor, record and document events and changes by observation and measurement;
P7 Plan, design and execute practical investigations from the problem recognition stage, to the selection of appropriate techniques and procedures, through to the evaluation and appraisal of the results and findings;
P8 Conduct thorough hazard/risk assessments associated with scientific investigations covering the materials, equipment and laboratory/field environment and comply with relevant ethical approval procedures;
Additional subject specific practical skills at Part D
P9 Apply appropriate research techniques to develop new insights and investigate and solve problems;
P10 Explain experimental results in terms of a broad range of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
T1 Communicate effectively across disciplines to disseminate scientific knowledge and collaborate to tackle problems;
T2 Communicate in a variety of formats, both written and oral, to a range of audiences;
T3 Effectively generate ideas and solutions to problems in a collaborative manner across the Natural Science disciplines;
T4 Apply numeracy and computational skills including error analysis, order of magnitude estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation;
T5 Generate, organise, analyse and interpret quantitative, numerical, statistical and other forms of data effectively;
T6 Select and apply appropriate technology from the range available to collate, present and evaluate results and ideas to a professional standard;
T7 Work independently to solve problems, find alternative solutions, reach end goals and evaluate outcomes;
T8 Deploy critical judgements and evaluations to arrive at supported conclusions;
T9 Effectively manage time and effort in the organisation of work to ensure independent and pragmatic learning;
T10 Work effectively in a team by co-operating and negotiating with peers, making decisions and resolving issues, difficulties and conflicts, as applicable;
Additional transferable skills at Part D
T11 Exercise initiative and demonstrate personal responsibility including in the making of decisions;
T12 Demonstrate an advanced ability to handle and interpret complex information in a structured and systematic way;
T13 Develop the independent learning skills required for continued professional development and lifelong learning;
T14 Interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and interpretive positions and be able to weigh up the importance of alternative perspectives.
The full range of intended learning outcomes that will be achieved by students taking the Natural Sciences programme will be dependent upon which combination of routes they choose to study; in Parts B-D students have a wide selection of module choice enabling them to tailor their course around core subjects. (Individual module specifications should be consulted for details on specific knowledge and understanding and skills obtained from optional modules within the programme.)
4. Programme structure
BSc(Hons) and MSci Natural Sciences
- Each year must equate to 120 credits.
- In Part A all students undertake 40 credits of core modules. In addition to the core modules, students choose two of the six pathways. Students may not choose the Mathematics pathway together with the Materials pathway or the Bioscience pathway together with the Geography pathway.
- In Part B all students undertake the Interdisciplinary Science module (20 credits). In addition, students choose which of the two pathways will be their Major pathway (60 credits) and which will be their Minor pathway (40 credits)
- In Part C students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (40 credits). Students may choose to either take only their Major Pathway or may choose to continue studying two pathways (80 credits in Major if specialising in one pathway or 40 credits in two pathways).
- In Part D students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (60 credit), plus 60 credits of modules from one pathway only (which must have been the Major Pathway in Part B).
Part A
In Part A all students* undertake 40 credits of core modules. In addition to the core modules, students choose two of the six pathways. Students may not choose the Mathematics pathway together with the Materials pathway or the Bioscience pathway together with the Geography pathway.
Core Modules for all students (*if taking Physics pathway, NTA301 Mathematics for Problem Solving is not a core module)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
NTA301 |
Mathematics for Problem Solving |
20 |
1+2 |
NTA101 |
Science Communication |
10 |
1 |
NTA201 |
Statistics and Data Analysis |
10 |
2 |
Mathematics Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Materials pathway)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
MAA150 |
Mathematical Methods 1 |
10 |
1 |
MAA250 |
Mathematical Methods 2 |
10 |
2 |
MAA142 |
Linear Algebra 1 |
10 |
1 |
MAA241 |
Linear Algebra 2 |
10 |
2 |
Physics Pathway (if taking this pathway, students do not take core module NTA301 Mathematics for Problem Solving)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
PHA901 |
Core Physics I: Foundations of Physics |
20 |
1 |
PHA902 |
Core Physics II: Classical Physics of Particles, Fields and Devices |
20 |
2 |
MAA901 |
Maths for Physics I |
20 |
1+2 |
Chemistry Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
CMA102 |
Fundamental Chemistry |
20 |
1 |
CMA106 |
Structure and Reactivity 1 |
20 |
2 |
Bioscience Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Geography pathway)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
PSA603 |
Genetics and Molecular Biology |
20 |
2 |
PSA602 |
Biochemistry and Cell Biology |
20 |
1 |
Materials Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Mathematics pathway)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
MPA201 |
Introductory Materials Science |
10 |
1 |
MPA205 |
Thermodynamics and Phase Equilbria |
10 |
1 |
MPA321 |
Introduction to Materials Processing |
10 |
2 |
MPA207 |
Mechanics of Materials |
10 |
2 |
Geography Pathway (if taking this pathway, students may not choose the Biosciences pathway)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
GYA101 |
Earth System Science |
10 |
1 |
GYA008 |
Global Environmental Change at a Local Scale |
10 |
1 |
GYA112 |
Environmental Hazards: Mitigation and Management |
20 |
2 |
Part B
In Part B all students undertake the Interdisciplinary Science module (20 credits). In addition, students choose which of the two pathways will be their Major pathway (60 credits) and which will be their Minor pathway (40 credits).
Core Module for all students
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
NTB101 |
Interdisciplinary Science |
20 |
1+2 |
Mathematics Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
MAA270 |
Introduction to Probability and Statistics |
10 |
1 |
Major+ Minor |
MAB151 |
Mathematical Methods III |
10 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
MAB250 |
ODEs & Calculus of Variations |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
MAB270 |
Statistical Modelling |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
MAB143 |
Rings and Polynomials |
10 |
1 |
Major Only |
MAB241 |
Complex Analysis |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
Physics Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
PHB901 |
Core Physics III: Quantum and Condensed Matter Physics |
20 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
PHB902 |
Core Physics IV: Condensed Matter, Materials and Statistical Physics |
20 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
PHB913 |
Physics Laboratory I for Natural Sciences |
20 |
1+2 |
Major Only |
Chemistry Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
CMB112 |
Laboratory Skills for Natural Sciences |
20 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
CMB106 |
Structure and Reactivity 2 |
20 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
CMB104 |
Spectroscopy and Analysis 2 |
20 |
1 |
Major Only |
Bioscience Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
PSB613 |
Cellular signalling and transport |
20 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
PSA606 |
Anatomy and Physiology |
20 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
PSB612 |
Functional Genomics |
20 |
1 |
Major Only |
Materials Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
MPB312 |
Materials Processing |
30 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
MPB313 |
Materials in Service |
10 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
MPB209 |
Materials Characterisation |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
MPB231 |
Biomaterials 1 (Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering) |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
Geography Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
GYB230 |
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms |
20 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
GYB240 |
Environmental Systems and Resource Management |
20 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
GYB201 |
Remote Sensing and GIS |
20 |
1+2 |
Major Only |
Part I
Students on degree programmes with professional training take a placement between Parts B and C or alternatively for MSci students with permission of the Programme Director, between Parts C and D. This year leads to the award of a Diploma of Industrial Studies, Professional Studies or International Studies dependent on the nature of the placement.
Part C
In Part C students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (40 credits). Students may choose to either take only their Major Pathway or may choose to continue studying two pathways (80 credits in Major if specialising in one pathway or 40 credits in two pathways).
Core Module
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
NTC001 |
Interdisciplinary Research Project |
40 |
1+2 |
Mathematics Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
MAB170 |
Probability Theory |
10 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
MAC176 |
Graph Theory |
10 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
MAC249 |
Advanced Differential Equations |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
MAC251 |
Vibrations and Waves |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
MAC175 |
Operational Research |
10 |
1 |
Major Only |
MAC147 |
Number Theory |
10 |
1 |
Major Only |
MAC241 |
Advanced Complex Analysis |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
MAC297 |
Mathematical Biology |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
Physics Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
PHC901 |
Core Physics V: Advanced topics |
20 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
PHC011 |
General Relativity and Cosmology |
20 |
1+2 |
Major + Minor |
PHB903 |
Physics Lab II |
20 |
1+2 |
Major Only |
PHC108 |
Modern Optics |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
PHC013 |
Statistical Physics |
10 |
1 |
Major Only |
Chemistry Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
CMC001 |
Modern Aspects of Organic Chemistry |
20 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
CMC002 |
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry |
20 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
CMC004 |
Pharmaceutical Biomedical Analysis |
20 |
1 |
Major Only |
CMC007 |
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism |
20 |
1 |
Major Only |
Bioscience Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
PSC621 |
Cell Adaption and Degeneration |
20 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
PSC623 |
Regenerative Medicine |
20 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
PSC505 |
Forensic Genomics |
20 |
1 |
Major Only |
PSC624 |
Virology and Oncology |
20 |
2 |
Major Only |
Materials Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
MPC213 |
Nano Materials |
10 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
MPC311 |
Advanced Materials Processing |
10 |
1 |
Major + Minor |
MPC231 |
Biomaterials 2 |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
MPC114 |
Composite Materials |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
MPC108 |
Surface Engineering |
10 |
1 |
Major Only |
MPC111 |
Advanced Principles of Materials |
10 |
1 |
Major Only |
MPC321 |
Functional Materials |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
MPC103 |
Industrial Case Studies |
10 |
2 |
Major Only |
Geography Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
Major/Minor |
GYC211 |
Snow, Ice and Society |
10 |
1 |
see note below |
GYC315 |
Environmental Change and Ecological Response |
10 |
1 |
see note below |
GYC207 |
Aeolian Processes and Landforms |
10 |
1 |
see note below |
GYC909 |
Dryland Environment Fieldcourse (at additional cost) |
20 |
1 |
see note below |
GYC110 |
GIS, Modelling and Flood Risk Management |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
GYC300 |
River Dynamics and the Environment |
10 |
2 |
Major + Minor |
GYC108 |
Climate and Society |
20 |
2 |
Major Only |
Semester 1 Modules: If studying Geography as a Minor Pathway please choose 20 credits of modules from the list above If studying Geography as a Major Pathway please choose 40 credits of modules from the list above Please note that option combinations may be timetable dependant and that the module GYC909 Dryland Environment Fieldcourse will incur additional costs. |
Part D (CMUM19 MSci only)
In Part D students undertake an Interdisciplinary Research Project (60 credit), plus 60 credits of modules from one pathway only (which must be the Major Pathway in Part B).
Core Module
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
NTDXXX |
Interdisciplinary Research Project |
60 |
1+2 |
Mathematics Pathway - Choose 30 credits from each Semester from the list below
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
MAD102 |
Regular and Chaotic Dynamics |
15 |
1 |
MAP111 |
Mathematical Modelling I |
15 |
1 |
MADxxx |
Advanced Differential Geometry |
15 |
1 |
MAD103 |
Lie Groups and Lie Algebra |
15 |
1 |
MAP211 |
Mathematical Modelling II |
15 |
2 |
MAP201 |
Elements of PDEs |
15 |
2 |
MAD203 |
Functional Analysis |
15 |
2 |
Physics Pathway - Choose 30 credits from each Semester from the list below
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
PHP100 |
Mathematical Methods for Interdisciplinary Sciences |
15 |
1 |
PHD130 |
Quantum Information |
15 |
1 |
PHD109 |
Characterisation Techniques in Solid State Physics |
15 |
1 |
MAD102 |
Regular and Chaotic Dynamics |
15 |
1 |
MAP111 |
Mathematical Modelling I |
15 |
1 |
PHD201 |
Physic of Complex Systems |
15 |
2 |
PHD230 |
Quantum Computing |
15 |
2 |
PHD202 |
Superconductivity and Nanoscience |
15 |
2 |
MAP211 |
Mathematical Modelling II |
15 |
2 |
MAP213 |
Fluid Mechanics |
15 |
2 |
Chemistry Pathway - Choose 60 credits from the list below (up to 40 credits per Semester)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
CMD213 |
Biological Organic Chemistry |
20 |
1 |
CMD302 |
Advanced Analytical Chemistry Option |
20 |
1 |
CMD402 |
Drugs: Synthesis and Properties |
20 |
2 |
Bioscience Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
PSD632 |
Advanced Laboratory and Research Methods in Biology |
20 |
1+2 |
PSD631 |
Contemporary Health Issues |
20 |
1+2 |
PSDxxx |
To be confirmed |
20 |
1+2 |
Materials Pathway
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
MPP551 |
Advanced Characterisation Techniques |
15 |
1 |
MPP552 |
Design with Engineering Materials |
15 |
1 |
MPP509 |
Advances in Biomaterials |
15 |
2 |
Plus one of the two following modules: |
|||
MPP555 |
Metals Processing and Properties |
15 |
2 |
MPP503 |
Polymerisation and Polymer Blends |
15 |
2 |
Geography Pathway - Choose 60 credits from the list below (up to 40 credits per Semester)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Module Weight |
Semester |
GYD044 |
Tools for River Management |
15 |
1 |
GYD041 |
Lake Research and Management |
15 |
1 |
GYD042 |
GIS for Environment Management |
15 |
2 |
GYD047 |
Environmental Monitoring of Wind |
15 |
2 |
GYD045 |
Research-Informed Environmental Management |
15 |
2 |
GYD043 |
Hydroclimatological Monitoring and Modelling |
15 |
2 |
GYD046 |
Geospatial Risk Modelling for Management |
15 |
2 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D (if applicable) and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX and Regulation XI for programmes with DPS, DIntS or DIS (if applicable).
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C (and D if applicable). For BSc degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part C 60%: Part B 40% to determine the final percentage mark. For MSci degrees, the percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part D 40%: Part C 40%: Part B 20% to determine the final percentage mark.