1

Dr Ray WallaceSchool of Biomedical and Natural SciencesNottingham Trent University, UK

2

The Eurobachelor Cometh

Raymond G WallaceThe Nottingham Trent University

& The European Chemistry Thematic Network

At UK Variety 2004………

3

The Eurobachelor® has arrived

4

Eurobachelor®

Trademark registered by the European

Chemistry Thematic Network Association

5

The beginnings ……………

TUNING

6

The ‘Tuning Project’ is the HE institutions answer to the political decisions underlying the Bologna process

It involves almost 150 HE institutions in 9 subject area groups; apart from chemistry, these are: physics, mathematics, history, earth sciences, business, education sciences, nursing, European studies

The chemistry Eurobachelor® is a product of Tuning

7

The developers …………..

ECTN Association

8

ECTN is a network with over 120 members from 33 countries; apart from universities these include nine national chemical societies (DE, FR, GB, IT, NL, CS, SK, LT, SI)

ECTN also exists in the form of an Association under Belgian law

Both the Network and the Association are open to the chemical community; further member institutions, chemical societies or other chemistry-interested organisations are always welcome to join the organisation

9

• 2001-2002: developed by Tuning Chemistry Subject Area Group

• May 2002: presented at Closing Meeting of Tuning Phase One in Brussels

• April 2003: adopted by ECTN Association Assembly in Prague

• October 2003: adopted by FECS (now EuCheMS) General Assembly (…from Cork to Vladivostok)

• April 2004: ECTN Association decides to offer ‘Eurobachelor Label’ to interested institutions

• September 2004: application to EU Commission for funding of pilot project for accreditation of the ‘Chemistry Eurobachelor Label’ accepted

The Eurobachelor Story So Far

10

• The Eurobachelor is about quality: defining reference points on an international basis

• The Eurobachelor is about quality assurance: evaluation and accreditation

• The Eurobachelor is about autonomy: not a straitjacket but a framework to be applied as the institution wishes

• The Eurobachelor is about flexibility: it can readily be adapted as the needs of the subject change

11

• The Eurobachelor is about transparency: together with the Diploma Supplement it is an easily understood qualification

• The Eurobachelor is based on ECTS and its correct application

• The Eurobachelor is about mobility: it makes it possible for the graduate to move easily within Europe, but also almost certainly throughout the world

• The Eurobachelor is about recognition: even if the Lisbon convention is in force, institutions need to apply it

12

February 2005DS UNDER DISCUSSION

February 2005DS UNDER DISCUSSION

DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT

13

Planned or realised (as of Feb. 2005): Ba = 180 ECTS Ba = 240 ECTS VARIABLE ONE TIER

Planned or realised (as of Feb. 2005): Ba = 180 ECTS Ba = 240 ECTS VARIABLE ONE TIER

LENGTH OF THE FIRST CYCLE

14

The Chemistry Eurobachelor - A framework for a European first-cycle

degree in chemistry

OutcomesDefine which competences a programme seeks to

develop, or what its graduates should be able to know, to understand, and to do

• Aid to transparency• Aid to the development of better-defined degrees• Aid to the development of systems of recognition• Aid to employability

Chemistry Eurobachelor – defined as a programme of 180 credits based on outcomes, but also applicable to institutions using 240 credits

15

Aspects considered in the Chemistry Eurobachelor

• Learning outcomes (adapted from QAA benchmarks–UK)

• Modularisation

• Credit distribution

• ECTS and student workload

• Mobility

• Methods of Teaching and Learning

• Assessment, Grading

• Quality Assurance

16

Credit distribution:

• At least 150 of the 180 credits should deal with chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics

• The course should include EITHER a bachelor thesis of 15 ECTS credits OR an equivalent industry placement

17

Credit distribution:

Compulsory modules (total of at least 90 credits): Organic chemistry Inorganic chemistry Physical chemistry Analytical chemistry Biological chemistry Physics, MathematicsSemi-optional modules (a minimum of 3 modules -

15 credits) from: Biology Computational chemistry Chemical technology Macromolecular chemistry ….and others, depending on the institution

18

Modularisation

• It is recommended that the chemistry Eurobachelor programme should be modular, with EITHER 5, 10, 15 OR 6, 9, 12, 15 credits per module

• The learning outcomes for each module should be identified

• The modules should be of three types:compulsorysemi-optionaland elective (freedom for the student is

important!)

19

OUTCOMES

• Subject knowledge

• Abilities and Skills(a) Chemistry-related cognitive abilities and skills(b) Chemistry-related practical skills(c) Generic/Transferable skills

20

  OUTCOMES – SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE (1)

• Major aspects of chemical terminology, nomenclature, conventions and units

• The major types of chemical reaction and the main characteristics associated with them

• The principles and procedures used in chemical analysis and the characterisation of chemical compounds

• The characteristics of the different states of matter and the theories used to describe them

• The principles of quantum mechanics and their application to the description of the structure and properties of atoms and molecules

• The principles of thermodynamics and their applications to chemistry• The kinetics of chemical change, including catalysis; the mechanistic

interpretation of chemical reactions

21

OUTCOMES – SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE (2)

• The characteristic properties of elements and their compounds, including group relationships and trends within the Periodic Table

• The structural features of chemical elements and their compounds, including stereochemistry

• The properties of aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic and organometallic compounds

• The nature and behaviour of functional groups in organic molecules

• Major synthetic pathways in organic chemistry, involving functional group interconversions and carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formation

• The relation between bulk properties and the properties of individual atoms and molecules, including macromolecules (both natural and man-made), polymers and other related materials

• The structure and reactivity of important classes of biomolecules and the chemistry of important biological processes

22

Abilities and skills(a) Chemistry-related cognitive abilities and skills

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relating to the defined subject knowledge

• Ability to apply such knowledge and understanding to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems of a familiar nature

• Skills in the evaluation, interpretation, and synthesis of chemical information and data

• Ability to recognise and implement good measurement science and practice

• Skills in presenting scientific material and arguments in writing and orally, to an informed audience

• Computational and data processing skills, relating to chemical information and data

23

Abilities and skills(b) Chemistry-related practical skills

• Skills in the safe handling of chemical materials, taking into account their physical and chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use

• Skills required for the conduct of standard laboratory procedures involved and use of instrumentation in synthetic and analytical work, in relation to both organic and inorganic systems

• Skills in the monitoring, by observation and measurement, of chemical properties, events or changes, and the systematic and reliable recording and documentation thereof

• Ability to interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements in terms of their significance and relate them to appropriate theory

• Ability to conduct risk assessments concerning the use of chemical substances and laboratory procedures.

24

Abilities and skillsc) Generic Skills: These are the Key to Employability of the Bachelor!

• The capacity to apply knowledge in practice, in particular problem-solving competences, relating to both qualitative and quantitative information

• Numeracy and calculation skills, including such aspects as error analysis, order-of-magnitude estimations, and correct use of units

• Information-management competences, in relation to primary and secondary information sources, including information retrieval through on-line computer searches

• Ability to analyse material and synthesise concepts• The capacity to adapt to new situations and to make decisions• Information-technology skills such as word-processing and

spreadsheet use, data-logging and storage, subject-related use of the Internet

25

Abilities and skillsc) Generic Skills: These are the Key to Employability of the Bachelor!

• Skills in planning and time management• Interpersonal skills, relating to the ability to interact with other

people and to engage in team-working• Communication competences, covering both written and oral

communication, in one of the major European languages (English, German, Italian, French, Spanish) as well as in the language of the home country

• Study competences needed for continuing professional development. These will include in particular the ability to work autonomously

• Ethical commitment

26

Assessment procedures and performance criteria

The assessment of student performance will be based on a combination of the following:

Written examinationsOral examinationsLaboratory reportsProblem-solving exercisesOral presentationsThe Bachelor Thesis

Additional factors which may be taken into account when assessing student performance may be derived from:

Literature surveys and evaluationsCollaborative workPreparation and displays of posters reporting thesis or other work

27

Assessment (1)

• This should involve examinations at the end of each term or semester

• ‘Comprehensive examinations’ are possible, but must be given credits

• Written examinations will probably predominate over oral examinations

• Examinations should not be overlong; 2-3 hour examinations will probably be the norm

• Examination papers should if possible be marked anonymously and the student should be provided with maximum feedback, for example in the form of ‘model answers’

28

Assessment (2)

Examination questions should be problem-based as far as possible; though essay-type questions may be appropriate in some cases, questions involving the reproduction of material simply learned by heart learning should be avoided as far as possible

Questions should be designed to cover the following aspects:

The knowledge baseConceptual understandingProblem-solving abilityExperimental and related skillsTransferable skills

29

Quality Assurance:

the ‘Eurobachelor® Label’

30

The Label Committee

• Terry Mitchell, Dortmund (chair)• Raffaella Pagani, Madrid (vice-chair)• David Barr, Cambridge (secretary)• Pavel Drasar, Prague• Peter Gärtner, Vienna• Pascal Mimero, Lyon• Gino Paolucci, Venice• Arne van der Gen, Leiden • Evangelia Varella, Thessaloniki• Richard Whewell, Glasgow

31

Now to practicalities…….What is involved?

• Step 1: contact the Chairman of the Label Committee, Prof. T. N. Mitchell, to inform him that an application can be expected.

• Step 2: download the Eurobachelor 2005, the Guidelines for Applicants and the Bologna glossary documents.

• Step 3: submit the self-assessment prepared according to the Guidelines to Prof. Mitchell at the address given in the Guidelines.

• Step 4: prepare for and receive site visit.

32

Now to practicalities…….Self–evaluation report

• Not of great length (about 12 pages)• Contains basic information about the department

and courses seeking approval• Is accompanied by

– Outline of study programme– Module/course unit descriptions– Information on the numbers of academic staff

involved– Official institutional regulations– An example of the Diploma Supplement issued by the

institution

33

The Site Visit

• 2 international experts

• 1 national expert

• one-day visit

• discussions with institution leaders, programme coordinators, teachers, students

• tour of facilities

34

Institutions approved so far

Country Institution Bachelor in ECTS Credit Awarded

Valid for graduate

entry

Czech Rep.

Institute of Chemical Technology of Prague

- Chemistry, "Bakalář chemie"

180 14.01.2006 2006-2010

University of Helsinki

- Chemistry, "Luonnontieteiden kandidaatin tutkinto, pääaineena kemia"

180 05.05.2005 2005-2009

University of Oulu

- Chemistry, "Luonnontieteen kandidaatti kemiassa (LuK kemiassa)"

180 08.10.2005 2005-2009 Finland

University of Turku

- Chemistry, "Luonnontieteen kandidaatin tutkinto kemiassa"

180 08.10.2005 2005-2009

Hungary University of Szeged

- Chemistry, "Kemia BSc" 180 18.04.2006 2006-2010

- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

240 08.10.2005 2005-2009 Ireland

Dublin City University

- Analytical Sciences 240 08.10.2005 2005-2009

- Chemistry, "Laurea Triennale in Chimica"

180 08.10.2005 2005-2009

University of Bologna - Materials Chemistry,

"Laurea Triennale in Chimica dei Materiali"

180 08.10.2005 2005-2009

- Chemistry, "Laurea in Chimica"

180 18.04.2006 2005-2009

University of Napoli - Industrial Chemistry,

"Laurea in Chimica Industriale"

180 18.04.2006 2005-2009

University of Perugia

- Chemistry, "Laurea Triennale in Chimica"

180 12.12.2005 2005-2009

University of Trieste

- Chemistry, "Laurea Triennale in Chimica"

180 08.10.2005 2005-2009

- Chemistry, "Laurea in Chimica"

180 12.12.2005 2005-2009

Italy

University Ca' Foscari of Venice - Industrial Chemistry,

"Laurea in Chimica Industriale"

180 12.12.2005 2005-2009

- (Hons) Chemistry 180 18.04.2006 2006-2010 United- Kingdom

Nottingham Trent University - (Hons) Chemistry with

Professional Practice 180 18.04.2006 2006-2010

35

The Costs

• No cost to students (but they benefit!)• During pilot project (until June 2006)

total cost to the institution € 2000• After pilot project the institution will

have to bear costs for the site visit (an equal flat rate for all institutions)

• Possible fee reduction for members of ECTN Association (after pilot project)

36

Visit the website for more information:

www.eurobachelor.net

37

Supported by the European Commission (pilot project)

Run by an international ‘Label Committee’

• First: ‘Slimline’ self-assessment procedure

• Second: One-day site visit by 1 national and 2 international experts

• Third: Award recommendation made by Label Committee

• Final decision taken by Administrative Council of ECTN Association

• National chemical societies and EuCheMS will play a vital role

• Valid for 5 years with simple renewal procedure

In summary then……. The Eurobachelor® is

Involves

38

39

Some afterthoughts………

• Updates

• Euromaster