University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2015/16 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School of Education > Science and Education (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9EDUC078T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Jocelyn Wishart
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School of Education |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme is aimed at professionals in science education at all levels including teachers both from the UK and overseas. It aims to extend and deepen their professional knowledge, to enable them to develop as reflective practioners and to develop their intellectual, practical and transferable skills. In particular it aims to update students' scientific knowledge and to further their interest in science education. This includes knowledge of recent scientific and educational research and of new scientific discoveries. This unique blend of science and science education differentiates the programme from the more usual provision in Science Education at Masters level.The programme aims to enable students to improve their professional practice in educational contexts resulting in enhanced pupil learning in science. It will do this through developing students' knowledge and understanding of pedagogical theory underlying education in general and science education in particular. Students will engage in research in science and science education to enable them to apply the knowledge gained within their own professional practice. The programme also aims to provide a supportive, collaborative working environment where students from different educational contexts can work together and share their experiences for their mutual benefit.Finally, it aims to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to further research, implement and evaluate new educational and professional practices.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Presentations, small group work, seminars or workshops, action research, individual tutorials and supported self study. Individualised and supervised studies to include on-line discussion and supervision and directed reading |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written assignments, presentations (online and face to face), personal reflective portfolios, small scale research tasks and a written dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, on-line discussions, supervision and peer mentoring. Also presentations and written tasks and assignments (including a dissertation). There will be opportunities for demonstration of these attributes and skills, for example unassessed presentations to peers. In addition, specific units focus on other intellectual skills, including design and evaluation of classroom research projects. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written assignments, presentations (online and face to face), personal reflective portfolios, small scale research tasks and a written dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Workshops, lectures and small group activities are offered which explicitly focus on the development of these skills and understandings. These skills and understandings are an integrated aspect of all the teaching, learning and assessment activities |
Methods of Assessment | |
Written assignments, presentations (online and face to face), personal reflective portfolios, small scale research tasks and a written dissertation. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
The initial four units introduce a range of theoretical perspectives relevant to teaching and learning in science, to recent research in the student's chosen field and to use of new technologies in science educations. This part of the course supports students in applying these theoretical ideas to their own professional experience. These units provide the theoretical basis for the second phase of the programme. There is a focus on intellectual skills 1 to 5, and ensuring confidence in other skills as listed above. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
The second four units apply and develop the ideas developed in the first four units, both through extending and deepening previous foci, as well as through considering new areas. These units provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding and to further develop skills of application and communication. Strong guidance is provided on the skill development associated with applications of theories and principles to practice. Research skills are introduced and practised, providing a basis for the completion of a dissertation study. Students must complete either the unit Research Methods in Science Education or the unit Research in Science. Greater emphasis is placed on intellectual skills 6 and 7 in addition to those in the first phase, and more stringent demands made on flexibility and accuracy in communication. By the end of this stage students are expected to have developed both considerable individual self-sufficiency and strong collaborative skills. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Intellectual development continues through the production of the dissertation, a major piece of original empirical or design and development work undertaken individually with the guidance of a supervisor. All students working towards a Masters must attain the equivalent of eight grade Cs or above in order toproceed to the dissertation. The eight assessed pieces of work should show: - clear understanding of the chosen subject area - capacity for critical reading and the discussion of such reading - ability to write well and for the audience and purpose for which it was intended - capacity to sustain a coherent argument and engage in reflective practiceThe dissertation demonstrates the student's ability and capacity to identify a research area, to develop aresearchable question and to engage in the methodologies appropriate for such research investigations. The dissertation should have the capacity for sustained development of an argument and exploration of an area. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Units for this programme may be taught at the Science Learning Centre South West within the at-Bristol complex on the Bristol harbourside. The unit Professional Development through Reflective Practice is specifically designed to integrate with and provide opportunity for M level accreditation for Professional Development courses hosted there.
MSc SURE Office, Graduate School of Education, 35 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1JA Email: msc-sure@bris.ac.uk WWW: http://www.bris.ac.uk/education/programmes/masters/msure
The following units in this programme are must pass: EDUCM4100, EDUCM4004, EDUCM4003, EDUCM4000, EDUCM4002, EDUCM40001, EDUCM4005, EDUCM4006, EDUCM4008. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/annex/glossary.html
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation (MSc Science Understanding, Research and Education) | EDUCM4100 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Students must choose one of the following: | ||||
5 units to be taken from the list below or any other M level unit in the School: | ||||
Science Update | EDUCM4002 | 20 | Optional | AYEAR |
MSc Science and Education | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: 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 he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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