Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 23/10/2024
College College Arts and Law
School Phil, Theology and Religion
Department Phil, Theol & Religion
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.A./B.Sc. Liberal Arts and Sciences Full-time
Programme Code 9779
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations Society for Natural Sciences (SNS)
Aims of the Programme The Natural Sciences degree programmes have been developed to ensure our graduates possess a wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of issues across a range of disciplines in the Natural Sciences, as well the option of developing in-depth expertise via major subject pathways. Following discussions with your Natural Sciences Tutor, a bespoke academic programme is constructed which reflects your skills and interests. This will enable Natural Sciences students to develop their skills in interdisciplinary sciences – including experimental design, data analysis, synthesis and interpretation, scientific research and writing.

Students have the opportunity to undertake an intercalated Year Abroad or other ‘Year in…’ option between their second and third years.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
1) Students are expected to have a broad knowledge and understanding across a variety of disciplines in the Sciences
2) Students are expected to have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their subject major (where this option is chosen)
1) Personal Tutorials and through lectures and seminars in: the Core Breadth Modules in years 1 & 2; a selection of modules from across the BSc/MSci Natural Sciences both during their studies at Birmingham and during BSc/MSci Natural Sciences interdisciplinary project work with other students.

2) By taking at least the subject content modules associated with the relevant Joint Honours or Natural Sciences pathway in the major subject

3) (MSci only) By the final year of study students will have developed a depth of specialised knowledge within and across the sciences, and a greater understanding of advanced research methods and processes interdisciplinary science ideation
1) Exams, Essays, Position Papers, Blogs, project work and presentations.

2) As outlined in the relevant JH/Natural Science pathway for that subject
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
1) Ability to think critically and independently

2) Write, reason and communicate clearly

3) An understanding of the theory and practice of leadership

4) The ability to undertake systematic investigation of key issues from a variety of academic disciplines, either alone or with others, drawing on the work of established experts in the field, and demonstrating the ability to acquire a broad and coherent knowledge of the topics, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects across a range of disciplines

5) Where relevant, a systematic understanding of key aspects of their major field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline

6) An appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity, and limits of knowledge, including its cultural, social, and historical contexts

7) An appreciation of the established techniques of analysis and enquiry across a range of disciplines and an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry in at least one or more disciplines

8) Conceptual understanding that enables the student: a) to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of interdisciplinary studies and, if chosen, their major discipline b) to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, across disciplines and, if chosen, their major discipline

9) The ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to a variety of disciplines.
10) (MSci only) By the final M-level year students will be able to critically apply advanced research skills and research methods in the analysis and synthesis of scientific ideas and the framing of interdisciplinary scientific research problems.
1) and 2) Reflective discussion and analysis with your Liberal Arts & Natural Sciences peers and related faculty in the core modules and through your personal tutorials

3) Mentoring, reflective diary, work placements, and participation in programmes extra-curricular activities

4), 6), 7) and 8) Personal Tutorials and through lectures and seminars in: the Core Modules in years 1 & 2, and the final-year independent research project; and through, the judicious selection of modules from across the University, and (if chosen) through the pursuit of your subject major

5) (if chosen) through the pursuit of your subject major

10) By an Advanced independent research project and the selection of appropriate M- level modules
1, 2, 4, 6-9) Essays, blogs, presentations and final-year independent research project dissertation and as outlined in the relevant JH/Natural Science pathway for that subject

3) Reflective diary.

5) As outlined in the relevant JH/Natural Science pathway for that subject.

10) Advanced M-level research project