GENERIC AIMS AWARD-SPECIFIC AIMS

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HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY Programme Specification

1 Awarding Institution: Harper Adams University 2 Teaching Institution: Askham Bryan College 3 Course Accredited by:

4 Final Award and Level: BSc/ BSc (Hons) Top Up 5 Interim Award(s) and Level(s): BSc

6 Award Title: Agriculture with Land Management

7 UCAS Code: D4N2

8 QAA Benchmark Statement(s):

QAA FHEQ Honours Degree Qualification Descriptor (2008)

Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009)

General business and management (2007) 9 Language of Study: English

10 Date Approved or Revised:

Agriculture and Countryside Management Validation Event – 14 ^th January 2011

(September 2011 – August 2017)

CONTEXT AND RATIONALE

This degree top up programme in Agriculture with Land Management offers progression from Foundation Degree or HND courses to honours degree level and also gives the opportunity for those working in the sector to re-enter education to update their knowledge with a focus on sustainability, the global market place and the impacts of climate change.

“People who work in agriculture and elsewhere on the land face many challenges as the result of climate change and the need to increase production while having less impact on the environment. So we need to support them and one way we can do that is by ensuring they have the skills they need for sustainable, productive farming.” (Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, 2009).

The need to develop skills within the agriculture industry is further stated within the Lantra AgriSkills strategy, which is encouraging long term continual development for members of the agriculture industry. In addition. Lantra’s Sector Skills Agreement (2007) identifies that current skills gaps within the land-based sector include management and planning, ICT and technical, communications, literacy and numeracy skills, all of which will be developed throughout the generic aims of this programme.

The broad agricultural sector employs 70% of the businesses and close to 60% of the

employment in the environmental and land based sector. Drivers for change within the sector include central policy, funding opportunities and strategies, development programmes and legislation on a local, national and global scale. Students on this programme will develop understanding of the external influences affecting all land-based industries and the impacts of these factors in order to become effective employees and future leaders within the industry.

Possible careers for graduates include farming, technical, advisory and consultancy work in

both the UK and abroad, teaching or further study and research.

Page 2 of 13 GENERIC AIMS

All Honours Degree awards aim to provide the following:

1. To develop in each student subject knowledge and understanding appropriate to individual interests and developing vocational needs

2. To develop each student’s intellectual powers, their understanding and judgement, their ability to see relationships within what they have learned and to examine the field of study within a broader perspective

3. To develop the personal effectiveness and employability of students, in particular their ability to learn, to communicate, to work with others and to solve problems. To develop those skills of professional scholarship required for career management, lifelong learning and innovation

4. To inculcate an awareness of the wider consequences of economic activity and a determination to minimise the effects on the environment and on people

5. To provide a lively, stimulating and challenging educational experience.

AWARD-SPECIFIC AIMS

The BSc/ BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Land Management award aims to provide the following:

1. To develop and practise the academic and vocational competences required to conduct research, analyse data and communicate results within a technical environment

2. To create an awareness of the indicators of sustainability within the rural and wider economy, and be able to assess the impact of existing and new developments on the biological, social and economic environment

3. To foster an awareness of the range of enterprises and associated technologies which may contribute to sustainable, diverse, modern and acceptable land use in a UK and global context

4. To develop the technical, financial and managerial skills necessary to support and promote adaptable and sustainable economic development in the rural economy within the UK and beyond

5. To develop an appreciation of how integrated and sustainable issues can be utilised

in agricultural production systems or the management of land.

Page 3 of 13 GENERIC OUTCOMES

(a) communicate clearly and concisely using an appropriate format;

(b) collect, select and critically evaluate information from a range of sources;

(c) manipulate and interpret complex sets of data, assess their reliability and present them in an appropriate format;

(d) learn independently and display the skills of professional scholarship required for personal development, career management and lifelong learning;

(e) use information technology effectively;

(f) select and apply knowledge and principles to the solution of well defined problems;

(g) demonstrate familiarity with, and understanding of, the important facts and principles in a broad field of study and an awareness of the provisional nature of knowledge and theory;

(h) assess the ethical dimensions and wider consequences of human activities, to optimise economic, community and environmental sustainability;

(i) define criteria and use them to plan, allocate and the evaluate the work of self, individuals and teams;

(j) organise and administer the human and physical resources required to develop and maintain a sustainable enterprise or organisation, after further experience;

(k) display the transferable skills and ability to acquire new competencies required for career progression, including the acquisition of applied workplace skills;

(l) demonstrate the ability to establish effective working relationships with others, defining, sharing and delegating responsibility within a group.

(m) marshal evidence, by reference where appropriate to primary sources and knowledge at the forefront of the discipline, and apply it in a balanced way in an argument;

(n) select and apply appropriate scientific, economic or business principles and techniques to the diagnosis, analysis and solution of complex and unpredictable problems;

On successful completion of an Honours Degree students will, in addition to the outcomes demonstrated by Ordinary Degree holders (a – o) above, be able to:

(o) formulate hypotheses or research questions, plan and execute research or

development work, evaluate the outcomes and draw valid conclusions.

Page 4 of 13 AWARD-SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Land Management award, students will be able to:

(p) Apply aspects of animal and crop production, economics, marketing and management in the context of individual enterprises, agricultural systems and farm businesses to meet business objectives;

(q) Apply business management techniques to land-based businesses and use them in different approaches to problem solving;

(r) Appreciate and employ the main methods of enquiry relating to how global, environmental, economic, social, ethical and political issues influence past present and future developments within the land based industries;

(s) Identify, analyse and solve a range of problems relating to the management of natural resources relating to food production;

(t) Discuss the inter-relationship between agriculture and other activities in the rural environment, the reasons for conflict and possible solutions and alternative forms of land use in the context of sustainable agricultural change;

(u) Demonstrate a level of understanding and knowledge in Agriculture and Land Management to work as subject specialists and lead developments within a range of employment situations.

RELATIONSHIP WITH EXTERNAL REFERENCE POINT(S)

The aims and outcomes of this Honours Degree programme reflect the level descriptors for Honours Degree Awards (2008), part of the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

The award is reflected in the benchmark statements for Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009). The statement for General business and management (2007) is also reflected, specifically in relation to finance, management and development of people, business policy, finance, strategy and communication. In addition, the themes of sustainability and globalisation are embedded.

LANTRA represents the interests of around 1.5 million people and 340,000 businesses in the UK and encompasses all these land-based industries. The recruitment of highly skilled and competent individuals is essential to the ongoing management and development of the environmental and land-based industries included in this proposal for the Honours and Ordinary Degree.

The college holds a regular Agriculture Section Technical Advisory Group and feedback from

employers help to shape the curriculum.

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PROGRESSION, TRANSFER, ADVANCED STANDING AND INTERIM AWARDS

Progression For progression from BSc to Honours Degree level a student must have a minimum of 90 credits after re-assessment at Level 6.

Transfer Unless otherwise indicated in the programme specification students can transfer all common module credits between programmes. Students may transfer from BSc to BSc (Hons) at the examination board prior to an award of BSc being made and continue to study a further 30 credits at level 6 (Dissertation) to achieve full honours, subject to a minimum of 55% being achieved at level 6 during the BSc award. This will be subject to approval of the examination board and will require the support of their Course Manager.

Entry with Advanced Standing

Entry with Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)/ Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) will be accepted in accordance with the Askham Bryan College procedure and Harper Adams University regulations. No more than ⅔ credit for the award may be derived from APL. Within this limit, no more than half of the total credit value of the award may be derived from APEL.

Holders of Foundation Degree awards will typically already have 120 credits at Level 4 plus 120 credits at Level 5.

Holders of a matching HND/Foundation Degree with a Merit Profile (mean mark of 55% or greater) may be admitted to an honours degree programme. Those who achieve a Pass profile (less than 55%) may be admitted to the BSc degree programme.

Interim Awards The requirements for interim awards associated with final awards are as follows:

The requirements for the interim award associated with final awards are:

BSc – The outcomes required for this award are:

a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,n and o. Students will have obtained a minimum of 90 credits at level 6 and 30 work based learning credits at level 5. This will normally include a pass in the following 15 credit modules:

Research Methods

Applied Sustainable Practices

Business Leadership and Development Advanced Land Management

Environmental and Natural Resource Management in Agriculture External Influences on Land Based Industries

Students will have obtained a minimum of 30 credits at level 5

associated with work based learning plus 90 credits at level 6 and

achieved a pass in all modules.

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COURSE STRUCTURE, LEVELS & CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERIM & FINAL AWARDS

Askham Bryan College’s undergraduate programmes are based on a credit-accumulation system where 1 credit represents 10 notional hours of student study time. Modules are normally 15 credits or multiples thereof. Modules are at different levels from Level 3-6 according to their intellectual challenge. The minimum credit requirements needed to progress to interim and final awards (final awards asterisked) are listed below. The final column indicates the maximum general credit contribution that an Askham Bryan College interim award may make to a higher level award.

The advanced entry programmes for holders of Foundation Degrees and HNDs to Honours Degrees is also, therefore, based on an additional minimum credit requirement of 150 credits (typically 30 credits at Level 5 and 120 credits at Level 6). Students who have already studied and achieved a Foundation Degree in a related subject area, which included work experience modules, may be eligible to apply for APL for some or all of the 30 Level 5 credits. The remainder of the programme would typically be studied over 1 academic year. Successful candidates qualify for conferment at the end of the year.

Award Min

total credits

Range of Levels

Max lowest level credit

Min highest level credit

Max general credits to advance

BSc Degree* 300 3, 4, 5, 6 (FE3, C, I,

H)

30 at Level 3 (FE3) and 105

at Level 4 (C)

60 at Level 6 (H)

Total 300 60 at Level 6 (H)

Honours Degree *

360 3, 4, 5, 6 (FE3, C, I,

H)

30 at Level 3 (FE3) and 105

at Level 4 (C)

90 at Level 6 (H)

n/a

In addition to meeting the minimum credit requirements as specified in the table above,

students must also achieve the learning outcomes associated with each award title.

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2015 ENTRY COHORT Course Structure: BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Land Management top up programme UCAS Code: D4N2

FdSc Award

210 c red its to ad v an ce to B Sc H o n o u rs

Top up Programme

Part One Part Two Part Three

Year 1

All at Level 4 unless indicated

Year 2

All at Level 5 unless indicated

Year 3

All at Level 6 unless indicated

Year 4

CORE CORE CORE CORE

Academic Skills

ABR4000 15

Personal Research Project

ABR5001 15 Dissertation

ABR6000 30

Vocational Placement 1

ABR4001 15

Academic Development

ABR5000 15

Introduction to Business

ABB4000 15

Vocational Placement 2

ABR5002 15

Vocational Placement 2 (Level 5)

ABR5002 15

Practical Land Based Skills 1 (Agriculture)

ABG4008 15

Agri-Business Management

ABG5000 15

Agri-Business Management (Level 5)

ABG5000 15

Plant, Soil and Environmental Science

ABG4006 15

Environmental Management

ABG5004 15

Research Methods

ABR6001 15

Crop Production Systems

ABG4002 15

Crop Management Systems

ABG5002 15

External Influences on Land Based Industries

ABG6004 15

Farmed Animal Science

ABG4003 15

Livestock Production Systems

ABG5005 15

Applied Sustainable Practices

ABG6005 15

Business Leadership and Development

ABB6000 15

OPTIONS

(students choose one) OPTIONS Advanced Land Management

ABG6000 15

Land, Use Issues and Policies

ABG4005 15

Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition ABG5001

15

Environmental and Natural Resource Management in Agriculture

ABG6003 15

Agricultural Mechanised Technology

ABG4000 15

Tree and Woodland Management

ABH5008 15

For BSc Honours advanced entry programmes, students will typically study 150 credits.

The Honours Research Project is typically studied over one to two academic years, with an individually negotiated submission date.

Key: The number in the left-hand corner denotes the module identifier. The number in the right-hand corner denotes the credit value.

Validation Date: 14 ^th January 2011

Date of Approval following Response to Validation Report: July 2011

Period of Approval: September 2011 – August 2017

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2015 ENTRY COHORT Course Structure: BSc Agriculture with Land Management top up programme UCAS Code: D4N2

FdSc Award

210 c red its to ad v an ce to B Sc H o n o u rs

Top up Programme

Part One Part Two Part Three

Year 1

All at Level 4 unless indicated

Year 2

All at Level 5 unless indicated

Year 3

All at Level 6 unless indicated

CORE CORE CORE

Academic Skills

ABR4000 15

Personal Research Project

ABR5001 15

Applied Sustainable Practices

ABG6005 15

Vocational Placement 1

ABR4001 15

Academic Development

ABR5000 15

Vocational Placement 2 (Level 5)

ABR5002 15

Introduction to Business

ABB4000 15

Vocational Placement 2

ABR5002 15

Agri-Business Management (Level 5)

ABG5000 15

Practical Land Based Skills 1 (Agriculture)

ABG4008 15

Agri-Business Management

ABG5000 15

Research Methods

ABR6001 15

Plant, Soil and Environmental Science

ABG4006 15

Environmental Management

ABG5004 15

External Influences on Land Based Industries

ABG6004 15

Crop Production Systems

ABG4002 15

Crop Management Systems

ABG5002 15

Business Leadership and Development

ABB6000 15

Farmed Animal Science

ABG4003 15

Livestock Production Systems

ABG5005 15

Advanced Land Management

ABG6000 15

Environmental and Natural Resource Management in Agriculture

ABG6003 15

OPTIONS

(students choose one) OPTIONS

Land, Use Issues and Policies

ABG4005 15

Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition

ABG5001 15

Agricultural Mechanised Technology

ABG4000 15

Tree and Woodland Management

ABH5008 15

For BSc advanced entry programmes, students will study at least 90 credits** The module named Applied Sustainable Practices is an extended piece of student work (5,500 words) which will be carried out with tutor support in the form of workshops and guidance on a 1:1 basis. Assessment mirrors the module BSc Degree Review Project.

Validation Date: 14 ^th January 2011

Date of Approval following Response to Validation Report: July 2011

Period of Approval: September 2011 – August 2017

Page 9 of 13 Course Structure for full and part time study options

Di s s ertati on Res ea rc h Me th od s A pp lied S us ta ina bl e P rac ti c es A dv an c e d L an d Ma na ge me nt B us in es s Le ad ers hi p an d Dev el o pm en t E x terna l Inf lue nc es o n La nd B as ed Ind us tr ies E nv ir o nm e nta l an d N atu ra l Res ou rc e Ma na ge me nt i n A gric u lture V oc P lac e me n t 2 A gri B us ine s s Ma na ge me nt

BSc (Hons) Degree Full time

12 months        APL APL

BSc (Hons) Degree Part-time

24 months YR2 YR1 YR1 YR1 YR1 YR2 YR2 APL APL

BSc Degree Full time

12 months       APL APL

BSc Degree Part time

24 months YR1 YR1 YR1 YR2 YR2 YR2 APL APL

Entry to full time BSc without Vocational Placement 2 and Agri

Business APL (18 months)

June – Dec YR2      

Infill into FDg YR 2

Infill into FDg YR

2

Entry to Part time BSc without Vocational Placement 2 and Agri

Business APL (30 months)

June- Dec

YR 3 YR1 YR1 YR1 YR2 YR2 YR2

Infill into FDg YR 2

Infill into FDg YR 2

Conversion from BSc Degree to Honours Degree 6 months

June – Dec either YR 2 or YR 3

NB: Course will normally be delivered over two days. Part time students will attend for

one day.

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COURSE DESIGN, LEARNING, TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS Curriculum design

Because of the vocational nature of the courses offered, the Askham Bryan College curriculum is broadly based on the sequence Practice – Principles – Application.

The early stages of each course involve study of current principles which not only provide the tools for critical analysis of existing practices but also ensure that students have an appropriate background for the Dissertation or the Applied Sustainable Practices Project if on an Ordinary Degree project. The project is considered to be a key element of the Askham Bryan College curriculum as the principles learned in the early stages of the course and the experience acquired in the project period are applied to the solution of real and complex problems in the final stages in a workplace situation.

The curriculum has been designed to be relevant and stimulating to meet the needs of both students and employers in the industry. Technical Advisory groups, student focus groups and course team reports have been consulted in review and revision of the existing curriculum. Efficiency of delivery is a key HEFCE funding priority for the future and increased shared delivery of cross-programme modules is planned on this programme.

Learning & teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods used to deliver this curriculum are designed to provide experience, and, through reflection upon it, develop concepts which can then be explored through testing and experimentation. Methods vary according to the nature of each module’s subject matter but include a wide diversity from more formal lectures to student centred activities including assignments, seminars, field trips, guest lectures and case studies. Students will be supported with their study via the college’s VLE, Moodle, which will prepare them for the autonomy expected of HE students and for Continuing Professional Development studies, post-graduation.

Transferable skills

The programme has been developed to enable students to plan and execute research and development work. It encourages independent learning, professional and personal development, and the ability to present skills, exams and behaviour appropriate to a management career. The programme includes activities to develop core skills of communication, numeracy, IT and personal development planning as well as modules designed to develop teamwork (Business Leadership and Development) and independent learning, problem solving and research (Dissertation, Research Methods and Applied Sustainable Practices). Practical work experience during directed study time is also recommended so that students can apply information and skills to real life situations.

Assessment

Assessment is considered an important part of the learning process. Typically,

modules are assessed by two pieces of assessment, although this may vary. The first

will provide formative in-course feedback and the second provides a summative end-of

module assessment; each contributing 50% to the weighted mean module work. The

exact details are specified in each module descriptor. Unless otherwise specified in

module descriptors the overall mark is derived from a weighted mean, with no threshold

requirement in any assessment component. Formative assessment methods are

diverse and include literature review-based essays, problem based assignments, oral

presentations and business written reports, individual and team scenario exercises,

experimental work and placement assignments. Time constrained assessment

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includes closed and open book assessment, with both seen and unseen questions and tasks set.

Group assessment includes group collection of both quantitative and qualitative data and information to facilitate decision-making. Practical assessment will include the design and set-up of laboratory or field experiments, with analysis and presentation of collected data. Further assessment is facilitated by case studies and links with industry, including product evaluation.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

For admission onto the Honours Degree programme, students must have achieved a minimum of a merit grade (55%) on their Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma award.

For admission onto the BSc programme, students will have successfully completed their Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma award.

In addition, places are dependant on a reference from the student’s Foundation Degree/ HND Course Manager reflecting their suitability for Level 6 study and a successful interview for the course.

Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

Applications will be welcomed via one of the formalised pathways outlined in signed

progression accords with other institutions.

Page 12 of 13 Curriculum Map for BSc/BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Land Management

This map provides a design aid to help identify where the generic and award specific outcomes are being developed and assessed within the course, by specified modules. It also provides a check list for quality assurance purposes and could be used in validation, accreditation and external examining processes by making the learning outcomes transparent. In this way, it also helps students monitor their own learning, personal and professional development as the course progresses. The map shows only the main broadly defined measurable learning outcomes.

O

Award Outcomes

M od ules

C/O a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u

L 5 Vocational Placement 2 C X X X X X X X

Agri Business Management C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

L E V E L 6

Dissertation C X X X X X X X X X

Research Methods C ^{X X X X X X X X X X}

Applied Sustainable Practices C ^{X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X}

Business Leadership & Development C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

External Influences on Land Based Ind C X X X X X X X X X X X X

Advanced Land Management C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Environmental and Natural Resource Management in Agriculture

C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

The module named Applied Sustainable Practices is an extended piece of student work (5,500 words) which will be carried out with tutor support in the form of workshops and

guidance on a 1:1 basis. Assessment mirrors the module BSc Degree Review Project.

Page 13 of 13 Generic Award Outcomes:

(a) communicate clearly and concisely using an appropriate format; (m) marshal evidence, by reference where appropriate to primary sources and knowledge at the forefront of the discipline, and apply it in a balanced way in an argument;

(b) collect, select and critically evaluate information from a range of sources; (n) select and apply appropriate scientific, economic or business principles and techniques to the diagnosis, analysis and solution of complex and unpredictable problems;

(c) manipulate and interpret complex sets of data, assess their reliability and

present them in an appropriate format; On successful completion of an Honours Degree students will, in addition to the outcomes demonstrated by Ordinary Degree holders (a – o) above, be able to:

(d)

(e)

learn independently and display the skills of professional scholarship required for personal development, career management and lifelong learning;

use information technology effectively;

(o) formulate hypotheses or research questions, plan and execute research or development work, evaluate the outcomes and draw valid conclusions.

(f) select and apply knowledge and principles to the solution of well defined

problems; Award Specific Outcomes:

(g) demonstrate familiarity with, and understanding of, the important facts and principles in a broad field of study and an awareness of the provisional nature of knowledge and theory;

(p) Apply aspects of animal and crop production, economics, marketing and management in the context of individual enterprises, agricultural systems and farm businesses to meet business objectives;

(h) assess the ethical dimensions and wider consequences of human activities,

to optimise economic, community and environmental sustainability; (q) Apply business management techniques to land-based businesses and use them in different approaches to problem solving;

(i) define criteria and use them to plan, allocate and the evaluate the work of

self, individuals and teams; (r) Appreciate and employ the main methods of enquiry relating to how global, environmental, economic, social, ethical and political issues influence past present and future developments within the land based industries;

(j) organise and administer the human and physical resources required to develop and maintain a sustainable enterprise or organisation, after further experience;

(s) Identify, analyse and solve a range of problems relating to the management of natural resources relating to food production;

(k) display the transferable skills and ability to acquire new competencies required for career progression, including the acquisition of applied workplace skills;

(t) Discuss the inter-relationship between agriculture and other activities in the rural environment, the reasons for conflict and possible solutions and alternative forms of land use in the context of sustainable agricultural change;

(l) demonstrate the ability to establish effective working relationships with

others, defining, sharing and delegating responsibility within a group. (u) Demonstrate a level of understanding and knowledge in Agriculture and Land

Management to work as subject specialists and lead developments within a range

of employment situations.