PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title: / MRes Built Environment: Heritage Science
MRes; Postgraduate Certificate
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they
should be detailed here and defined later in
the document)
UCAS code: / N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme / From 2010 intake onwards
specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body: / University College London
University College London
Teaching institution:
Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Faculty:
Parent Department: / Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
(the department responsible for the
administration of the programme)
Departmental web page address: /
(if applicable)
Method of study: / Full-time, Part-time, Flexible
Full-time/Part-time/Other

Criteria for admission to the programme:

  1. UK Second Class Honours 2:1 (or its international equivalent) in a relevant STEM subject (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) required and 3 years’ work experience desireable

Or
2. a minimum of 5 years’ relevant professional experience in lieu
of the above requirement, plus letter of support and subject to
an essay and/or interview. On the basis of professional
experience, and through the essay and the interview, the
candidates will be additionally required to demonstrate the
capability of independent research.
Students are expected to have access to the internet from their
home or place of study or work
12 months full-time, 2 years part-time, 5 years modular.
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from
UCL, such as study abroad or placements
in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher / M
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
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Relevant subject benchmark / Not applicable
statement (SBS)
(see Guidance notes)

Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:

(see guidance notes)

The programme requires 180 credits for the MRes, and 60 credits for the Postgraduate Certificate.

The MRes consists of a core research component (120 credits), consisting of 2 Mini-projects (each 30/120 credits) and a Masters project (60/120 credits), linked through a common research thread. One taught module is entirely focussed on transferrable skills (30 credits) and one provides the fundamental knowledge (30 credits). All are assessed continuously through essays, and additionally through a laboratory logbook and a poster presentation.

The MRes consists additionally of a 60 credit 10-12,000 written Masters Dissertation, and a 45-min oral examination.

The Postgraduate Certificate consists of 2 taught modules, to be agreed with the Course Director.

For module details, please see point 20 of the PIQ document.

Board of Examiners: / i) Name of Board of Examiners:
The Bartlett MRes Board of Examiners
Professional body accreditation / N/A / Date of next scheduled
(if applicable): / accreditation visit:

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:

The programme aims to

(a)develop the students’ interests in and knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary field of heritage science,

(b)enable them to critically assess the key material, environmental and societal issues affecting the access to, interpretation, conservation, research and management of heritage,

(c)provide them with general scientific knowledge and practical and technical skills required to carry out interdisciplinary scientific research projects,

(d)develop students’ transferable skills enabling them to successfully manage, communicate and lead complex research projects.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

A: Knowledge and understanding

Knowledge and understanding of:

  1. Heritage science in its context, i.e. science for access to heritage and for its conservation, interpretation, research and management. Knowledge of key scientific concepts underpinning sustainable heritage interpretation, management and conservation, the values of heritage, its typologies, perception, change and interpretation. Knowledge of the elements of change and their

Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Acquisition of 1 through one-hour or two-hour seminars and classes and through set readings, written coursework, classroom workshops, group discussions, study visits. The critical discussions of key subject areas will evolve around a key current heritage research questions: such as climate change, tourism, changing demographics.

Acquisition of 2 predominantly through field, desktop and laboratory research, but also through set readings,

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evaluation and prioritisation, and understanding of the relationship of change and damage to materials, objects and ensembles

  1. Science of heritage characterisation, analysis, degradation and management, including the heritage environment. Knowledge of experimental set up and key principles of scientific research work, from literature research, experimental design, measurement, data analysis and contextualisation, using a variety of sources in a variety of research environments: laboratory, field and desktop research.
  1. Interdisciplinary and general heritage scientific team-based research: project planning, execution, management and reporting.
  1. Maximising the impact of heritage research through reinforcing transferrable skills and understanding the strategic value of scientific research in heritage preservation, management, conservation, and interpretation, including any relevant legal and policy frameworks, business and entrepreneurial skills, communication and presentation.

classroom lectures, demonstrations and practicals, study visit, classroom workshops, exercises, case-study discussion, problem-definition, traditional (laboratory, desktop and field) and online research and written coursework. The research practice will be focussed on scientific methods, from problem definition, experimental design, measurement, to data collection and interpretation.

Acquisition of 3 through readings, lectures and exercises, case-study discussion, problem-solving, case study site visit, traditional and online research and written coursework. Laboratory- and field-based research will be performed in teams and based on planning, execution, critical analysis, presentation and discussion.

Acquisition of 4 through set readings, classroom workshops, group discussions, study visits, essays and coursework.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed using a variety of methods, including individual and group classroom exercises; individual and group oral presentations (formative assessment).

Summative assessment will be based on written coursework. The fourth taught module is assessed through written coursework and a poster presentation. MRes students submit a 10-12,000-word written Dissertation which is assessed also through an oral examination.

B: Skills and other attributes

Intellectual (thinking) skills:Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

  1. Think analytically and critically and develop a problem-solving approach
  1. Ability to critically analyse and interpret evidence and data
  1. Develop multidisciplinary and general scientific thinking
  1. Develop a strategic overview of the
  1. Through readings, scientific research work, workshops, case-based reviews and discussions, in line with peer review practice.
  1. Through Mini-Projects 1 and 2 and the Masters Dissertation, exercises, practicals and study visits.
  1. Through lectures, discussions, and case-based learning, where a general approach to science will be developed.

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role of science in the context of arts and humanities research questions

  1. Challenge the routine and established views on heritage science and its role

  1. and 5. Through lectures, discussions, readings and analysis of key texts including web tools and through development of a key research question throughout the study year.

Assessment:

Assessment of intellectual skills is based on course work, essays and written evidence, i.e. Masters Dissertation. The ability to argument and critically assess evidence is assessed formatively.

C: Skills and other attributes

Practical skills (able to):

  1. Understand key scientific concepts underpinning heritage science and develop a general approach to science
  1. Improve and build new knowledge and skills of observation and critical assessment
  1. Design and carry out collaborative multidisciplinary research work focussed on valuation and assessment of heritage materials and ensembles and their environment
  1. Use data-bases, textual resources, a range of analytical laboratory instruments, and data analysis programmes
  1. Communicate effectively through academic writing and oral presentations
  1. Reflect on research and work practice
  1. Plan and execute research projects effectively and collaboratively
  1. Discuss and debate broader scientific and societal issues in a heritage context

Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Students develop their practical skills through the coursework and the research component.

  1. Through the coursework, lectures and readings, the students will develop a critical understanding of the heritage science domain and understand the necessity of a general approach to science.
  1. Through laboratory, field and desktop research, particularly Mini-projects and the Masters Project, the students will develop the observation an analytical thinking skills.
  1. Through Mini-projects, the students will develop the understanding of management of the scientific process from development of the research question to maximising the impact.
  1. Effective use of databases and other scientific resources will be taught directly in Module 1 and indirectly in other Modules. The concepts of chemical analysis and material characterisation and use of instrumentation will be taught directly and indirectly, through labwork and projects.
  1. Communication skills are developed throughout the four modules, through frequent discussions, presentations and reports, oral and written.
  1. – 8. Self-reflection and critical examination of work and thinking will be developed through constant debates and presentations, while a collaborative spirit will be developed through joint projects.

Assessment:

Through coursework assignments and the dissertation. The progress of each student is further assessed in relation to their personal development plan.

1. – 4. are assessed through written and research assignments as part of all the modules, through the oral examination and through the coursework, and through the Masters Dissertation.

5. – 8. are assessed through group exercises, project work, presentations, research work and study visits.

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D: Skills and other attributes

Transferable skills (able to):Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

  1. Listen, learn and contribute to seminars, discussions and communicate effectively in a variety of situations and ways (written and oral)
  1. Analyse and understand material heritage, its change and management
  1. Provide leadership but work collaboratively
  1. Plan, manage, develop and report on complex multidisciplinary research projects
  1. Develop an informed and critical decision
  1. Obtain, analyse and interpret data and information

Transferable skills are developed through the student undertaking a personal development plan, through the coursework assignments, seminars and research. More specifically:

  1. Developed throughout the modules through discussions, presentations, assignments, teamwork and presentations following the research assignments.
  1. Understanding heritage, its values and change is a core skill developed in all the modules, and involves coursework, reading, critical evaluation of data and evidence, through research and through field visits and field work.
  1. – 4. Through the group research work and assignments, team working, management and leadership qualities will be developed. Development of critical and independent thinking will be supported throughout all the modules.
  1. – 6. Common and essential in all modules due to the multidisciplinary nature of heritage science. Supported through practical opportunities in the classroom, in the field and on-line. Particularly essential in the Masters Dissertation.

Assessment:

Each student will be assessed in relation to their personal development plan discussed on a regular basis with their personal tutor. The different transferrable skills will be assessed through the coursework assignments, through contributions in the debates and discussions, through the students’ contributions in the classroom, laboratory and in the field, and as part of the Masters Dissertation.

The following reference points were used in designing the course:

•the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (

•the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (

•the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);

•UCL teaching and learning policies;

•staff research.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learningoutcomes 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. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Programme Organiser(s)Dr Matija Strlič

Name(s):

Date of Production:September 2009

Date of Review:

1 Feb 2013

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Date approved by Head of Department:

Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee:

Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee

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