Extended Degrees in Science

About the course

If you want to study for a degree, but do not have the right A Level subjects, or your grades are not as good as you hoped, an Extended Degree in Science could be right for you. This Extended degree involves an extra full-time year of study at North Hertfordshire College, in addition to the normal length of an honours degree. When you successfully complete this initial year, you will transfer to study the subsequent years of your chosen degree on the main campuses of the University of Hertfordshire.

However, progression to a particular programme of study is guaranteed only if you achieve the required level of performance during your extended year. The programme is suitable if you:

• are unable to meet the entry requirements for your intended degree without further study
• have been away from study for some time and want to build your confidence or wish to re-develop those skills necessary for study in higher education.

If you are a recent school leaver, the programme helps you to concentrate on areas of knowledge or skills which need further development.  Your Extended degree enables you to begin your degree studies at university on an equal footing with all other first year students. Many of our Extended degree students go on to graduate with very good Honours degrees leading to successful careers or postgraduate study.

The programme is offered in North Hertfordshire College only and it is split into semesters (A and B). In semester A, you study four core modules. In semester B you study one core module and choose three optional modules depending on the honours degree you want to progress to when you complete your Extended degree.

Why choose this course?

• This programme is an ideal alternative route to higher education
• It prepares you for progression to a science related Honours degree.
• There are a variety of courses that you can choose to progress to when you complete your Extended degree including Astronomy, Astrophysics, Biology, Dietetics, Environmental, Mathematics, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Physics and Sport.

Study routes

• Full Time, 5 Years

Locations

• North Hertfordshire College

Careers

When you complete your chosen degree you may apply for jobs/further training in the industry/service of your choice. Your career options will depend on your chosen degree from subjects including: Applied Biology, Astrophysics, Geography, Pharmaceutical Science, Environmental Studies, Sports Sciences and a wide range of subjects on the Combined Modular Programme. Some examples of eventual careers are: scientific work in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry; environmental science; teaching; management.

Teaching methods

On a weekly basis you will normally spend time in lectures, seminars and practical lab sessions. Practical work is an important element of all science degrees. Throughout you are encouraged to undertake independent study to consolidate your learning and to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Structure

Year 0

Core Modules

• Individual Project

  This module will give students the opportunity to plan and carry out a project approved by the module teaching team. The project must be a practical scientific investigation which will typically allow students to collect data and will usually involve several laboratory sessions. Students will be expected to carry out sufficient research on the investigation to plan an extended piece of practical work. These practicals should be risk assessed by the student who will then carry out the investigation demonstrating safe working within the laboratory environment. Students will present a project report, demonstrating appropriate IT skills, which will summarise their findings both from their research and the practical investigation usually leading to their conclusions and evaluation.

• Introductory Biology

  This module has been designed to provide students with a broad background in biology and will include: Cell theory, describing how cells do the things they do; typically, we will look at the major organelles such as the mitochondria and demonstrate how structure relates to function. Biochemistry, giving a closer look at the molecules of which we are made; We sometimes forget that all we really are is a mixture of chemicals reacting together. We look at the major groups of chemicals usually including proteins and DNA Body systems, demonstrating how the human body is the sum of its parts; this section will typically include the circulatory and respiratory systems and will normally incorporate cell theory and biochemistry. The course will incorporate many types of learning activity, including lectures, practicals and workshops. The whole is supported by the use of blended learning including VLE's, emails, and mobile technology where appropriate.

• Introductory Chemistry

  Atomic structure, mole calculations, bonding in compounds, introduction to organic chemistry. This module will provide the students with an introduction to chemistry. Topics covered include atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding and its relationship to physical properties, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Completion of the module will typically develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of chemistry and how they relate to each other. The development of practical skills such as titration and carrying out experiments safely will be important. This is the foundation knowledge in chemistry will allow students to continue to study chemistry at a higher level.

• Introductory Physics

  This module will typically enable students to gain an understanding of physics to support other sciences and prepare for the Physics module through a combination of lectures, practical workshops and directed study. Topics covered typically include: reflection and refraction of light; diffraction and interference of waves; the properties of the waves across the electromagnetic spectrum; the relationship between heat and temperature; electrical power and energy; speed, distance, acceleration and force. Presentation skills will typically be developed though presentation of researched information to groups of learners. Topics may be chosen to provide supporting knowledge and understanding for use of apparatus and equipment in biology, chemistry and physics.

• Maths for Science

  This module gives students the opportunity to develop mathematical skills that are needed for the continued study of science. The module majors on the use of number skills, algebra and basic trigonometry. Graph work typically includes the drawing of graphs, the recognition of different forms of graphs and the role which linear graphs have frequently played in scientific research. Data is portrayed with summary statistics and graphs, usually involving both manual work and the use of appropriate IT.

Optional

• Applied & Environmental Biology

  In this module students will usually study the principles of genetics and gene technology; they will relate these to the ways in which they are applied commercially; and they will typically examine the impact of agriculture on plant cultivation and basic ecology. There may be opportunities to explore current topics through public or professional lectures by leading scientists in this field. This module will provide students with the opportunity for further study in biology, and is particularly suitable for students wishing to study a degree in biology or environmental science.

• Chemistry

  This module will provide students with an opportunity for further study in chemistry building on the concepts studied in Introductory Chemistry. It is particularly suitable for students wishing to study a course in biological sciences. This module provides candidates with a quantitative study of physical chemistry including rates of reaction, equilibrium and acids and bases. Organic chemistry is further developed in the context of aromatic chemistry, isomerism and the reactions of several functional groups. Students will typically carry out experimental and investigative activities integrated with the theory to develop their practical skills.

• Mammalian Physiology

  A required module for dietetics and offering a good base in human/mammalian biology, you will begin to understand how our bodies communicate needs and desires necessary for survival in a hostile world. Mammalian Physiology will typically include the control of reproduction, integration of nervous and hormonal control of bodily functions, the role of various healthy body systems and what happens under disease conditions. It is an ideal course for those wishing to pursue further study in Biomedical science and physiology.

• Maths

  The module majors in the differential calculus, typically enabling students to differentiate polynomials and a selection of other simple functions. Appended to this is an exploration of the initial steps in the integral calculus, typically enabling students to reverse the differentiation of the most basic functions. The course may include an exploration of logarithmic and exponential functions with some experience of their applications. There may be some further treatment of algebra and an initial exploration of both vectors and matrices. Two dimensional geometry may also be treated using the techniques of trigonometry and Cartesian coordinate geometry.

• Physics

  This module is to develop students understanding of physics as a preparation for physics based courses at the university through a combination of lectures, practical workshops and directed study. Students will typically develop an understanding of electricity and magnetism including the principles of electromagnetism; electric circuits; forces and momentum and the basic concepts of nuclear physics and radioactive decay. Students may develop their skills of selection and use of appropriate formulae for calculations and recording and analysis of data from practical work.

• Psychology

  The module is divided into three main topics: biological psychology, psychopathology and social influence. Biological psychology looks at stress as a bodily response including the pituitary-adrenal system and the sympathomedullary pathway in outline. Also included is how stress occurs in everyday life and the interplay between the immune system, personality and stress related illness. Psychopathology includes definitions of abnormality, including deviation from social norms, and key features of the biological, psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive understanding to mental illness. In the context of treating abnormality, biological therapies including drugs and ECT together with psychological therapies are studied. Social influence is concerned with the effects of groups on individual behaviour, specifically the processes of conformity and obedience as applied to everyday life through research findings.

• Statistics

  The module will include some basic treatment of descriptive statistics, probability theory and some statistical inference. Descriptive statistics will typically include study of averages (such as the mode, median and mean) and of measures of dispersion (such as the standard deviation) and may also consider the use of statistical graphs. The study of probability theory will usually include the use of formal set theory notation, tree diagrams, conditional probability and the evaluation of simple normal probabilities. The study of statistical inference may cover the use of rank correlation and at least one of the non-parametric sign tests.

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,000 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

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Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

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Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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How to apply