Programme Title

MSci Zoology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Master in Science

Programme Code

ZOO-MSCI-S

UCAS Code

C302

HECoS Code

100356

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Undergraduate Master

Length of Programme

4 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

480

Exit Awards available

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Biological Sciences

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Biosciences (2007)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations.

Transfers to and from the programme
Students enrolled on BSc in Zoology may transfer into this programme at any stage provided that they have a weighted mean mark of at least 60%.
Students enrolled on this pathway may transfer to BSc in Zoology up until the end of Stage 3.

Progression
To progress from Stage 3 to Stage 4, students must obtain a weighted mean mark across Stage 1, 2 and 3 of at least 60% and attain a minimum mark of 60% in the Honours project module. Students who do not meet these requirements will be required to transfer to the BSc in Zoology

Degree Classification
The following module weightings should be used when calculating the honours classification: Stage 1 5%, Stage 2 15%, Stage 3 30%, Stage 4 50%.

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Display critical reasoning utilising the theory and major concepts learnt during their course of study.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, field trips and associated group projects, seminars, independent reading and study.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment of course practicals, write-ups, essays, seminars, poster presentations, class tests and formal examinations.

Demonstrate laboratory based skills and the ability to: design and execute an experiment including accurate recording, processing and critical analysis of the experimental data obtained.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, interactive group sessions, field trips and associated group assignments and projects, additional reading material both directed and independently sought.

Methods of Assessment

Critical assessment of practical reports and project assignments with annotated feedback provided to the student.
Assessment of Honours and MSci project write up.
Work placement assessment.

Undertake quantitative analysis demonstrating numerical problem solving, employing both computer packages and non-computer based methodologies for data management, interpretation and presentation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, field trips, individual and group projects, work placement.

Methods of Assessment

Class tests, practical reports, project write-ups, course essays, seminar presentations and exams. Work placement assessment.

Designn and management of a significant sized novel research project

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Critical analysis of research articles, laboratory methodologies associated with their MSci research project’

Methods of Assessment

Project proposal, research diary, interim reports and dissertation.

Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate, problem solve culminating in making decisions based on scientific literature or data which is either self-generated or from others.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Critical analysis and review of own and others work, through literature and practice.

Methods of Assessment

MSc project proposal, interim reports and presentation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Show knowledge and understanding of the major concepts, theories and processes pertaining to zoology and the study of animals ranging from the molecular to the community level.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Knowledge is disseminated through lectures, essays, tutorials, directed reading, field-work, projects and computer-based learning practicals and materials. Both Hons and MSci students are directed towards carrying out independent research of primary scientific literature.

Methods of Assessment

Written examinations, practical reports, class tests, oral presentations and seminars, essays, projects, including a final Honours year thesis and MSci thesis. Course work may be assessed either personally, by peers or by staff. Understanding and critical analysis of scientific literature is assessed by a staff marked literature review at both Hons and MSci level.

Demonstrate the theoretical basis of Zoology including an understanding of the similarities and diversity of living organisms and their wider impact on the environment, human health, agriculture and ecology.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, practicals, tutorials, field work, projects and computer based learning practicals, work placement, Hons and MSci projects

Methods of Assessment

Written examinations, practical reports, class tests, oral presentations and seminars, essays, projects, including a final Honours year thesis and MSci thesis. Course work may be assessed either personally, by peers or by staff. Understanding and critical analysis of scientific literature is assessed by a staff marked literature review at both Hons and MSci level.

Exhibit practical zoology laboratory skills including the competent manipulation of biological material, data recording and evaluation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, field work, field course projects, work placement.

Methods of Assessment

Practical assessment, projects and final year Honours and MSci projects, work placement visits.

Develop cognitive and interpersonal skills within a working environment.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Work placement.

Methods of Assessment

Work placement, work placement notebooks, reports and seminar presentation. Laboratory notebooks at both Hons and MSci level.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Display the ability to interrogate and comprehend scientific literature relating to Zoology and integrate information there from.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Analysis and interpretation of zoological data are developed in practical class exercises at Stages 1 and 2 and the research projects at Stages 3 and 4. Laboratory competence and skills develop incrementally through set practicals and the final year research project.

Methods of Assessment

Written reports. Particularly at Stage 3 and MSci students are referred to the primary literature in support of taught modules, and prepare a project-oriented review.

Design and execute routine investigative work in a zoological laboratory.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Mandatory practical classes held at Stages 1 and 2 develop skills such as dissection, anatomical, physiological knowledge, analysis and interpretation of data, field course projects, Final Year Honours and MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

Practical assignments, field work and associated projects, Honours and MSci projects.

Comply with laboratory health and safety regulations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students receive instruction in safety protocols pertaining to practical work and preparation of risk assessments which they complete as part of their Honours and MSci research projects.

Methods of Assessment

Completion of COSSH forms.

Interrogate and evaluate scientific, bioinformatics and bibliographic databases.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars.

Methods of Assessment

Essay assignments, reports, projects, exams.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Communicate effectively and efficiently in both a verbal and written format to a diverse range of audiences.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, poster and seminar assignments, work placement, Honours project, MSci project

Methods of Assessment

Seminar presentations, project write-ups, interview assessment techniques, site visits for work placements, poster presentations. Project proposal, interim reports and presentation

Demonstrate Effective time management and project/study planning.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Completion of Honours and MSci projects, field-work projects and assignments.
Through the MSci project.

Methods of Assessment

Timely completion of practical write-up, essay assignments etc.
Final year Honours and MSci write-up assessed in written format by both supervisor and independent marker and reviewed by external examiner. Project seminar assessed by two independent academics. Completion of work placement.

Demonstrate good interpersonal skills facilitating the ability to work as part of an effective team.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Group assignments, field course projects, Honours project and MSci work in laboratory setting, work placement.

Methods of Assessment

Honours project and MSci laboratory work, work placement reports.

Demonstrate capacity for independent study.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Honours and MSci projects, practicals, essay assignments, optional work placement.

Methods of Assessment

Practical write-ups, seminar and poster presentations, project write-ups, including final year Honours project and MSci project.

Demonstrate self-reliance, critical analysis and ability to work alone and problem solve.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, project work including module assignment and final year Honours and MSci projects, seminars, optional work placement.

Methods of Assessment

Practical write-ups, seminar and poster presentations, project write-ups, including final year Honours and MSci projects, work placement evaluation visits.

Demonstrate numeracy skills including the proficient use of computer based packages for data analysis and interpretation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Computer based practicals, statistics workshops.

Methods of Assessment

Practical write up and interactive sessions, exams, class tests.

Demonstrate proficiency in collating, processing and evaluating data from a diverse range of information sources comprising verbal, textual, electronic sources, electronic data bases or graphical sources.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, group study and projects.

Methods of Assessment

Exams, practical reports, project write up (Hons and MSci), work placement evaluation