BSc Science (with a Foundation Year)

The Foundation Year has been designed to specifically meet the requirements of students looking to embark on an undergraduate science degree, but who lack the typical academic qualifications. The course provides a strong platform from which to progress into various areas of science.

Students presenting with three A2 levels (or equivalent) of which two or more are science subjects (Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology) at Grade C (predicted or obtained) will not normally be considered for this course.

Applicants presenting with a foreign language A2 level will be considered on a case by case basis.

All applicants should have GCSE English language and Mathematics (or equivalent) at a minimum of Grade C.

After successfully completing the Foundation Year you may, depending on the standard of achievement, progress onto a UEA Honours science degree in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Computing Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences or Pharmacy. You may also choose to continue on the BSc Science degree.

Courses available at UEA include:

Actuarial Science
Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and Ecology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental Science, Environmental Earth Science, Environmental Geophysics, Environmental Geography, Climate Science and Meteorology and Oceanography
Mathematics
Natural Science (incl. Physics)
Pharmacy

The Science Foundation Year offered at UEA is a full-time course taken over one year. A part-time version is also available and can be taken over two years. For more information and advice, please contact our staff in the Admissions, Marketing & Recruitment Office at sci.ug.admiss@uea.ac.uk

For details on the Medicine Foundation Year offered at UEA, please contact the Medicine Admissions at med.ug.admiss@uea.ac.uk

Foundation Year Programme

The first year of the programme consists of foundation studies in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Computing, building from a level that does not require AS level or A2 level studies in any of these topics, and progressing within the year to a standard where you can enrol on first year Honours degree units taught by the Faculty of Science at UEA after completion of the programme. All of our degree programmes have a credit-based learning structure and, for each of our Honours degree courses, students must study 120 credits.

In the first year of the foundation course (Year 0), you will study 120 credits overall. These are obtained by passing the annual course assessments, enabling you to gain enough to continue onto the degree programme of your choice. Course units are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination to produce an overall percentage grade and specific unit marks. It is these marks, combined with the 120 credits that are taken into consideration when progressing onto an Honours course.

BSc (Hons) Science Programme

The BSc Science programme consists of a number of core units drawn from the main undergraduate degree programmes in the Faculty of Science at UEA.

You will have a wide selection of science units to choose from, including Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematics and Computing Science, allowing you to tailor the course to meet your personal requirements. Guidance in your choice of path will be provided by your academic adviser and the course director.

During Year 1 students must take at least 120 credits from the units on offer, of which a minimum of 60 credits must be in one main discipline and a minimum of 20 credits in a subsidiary discipline.

The final two years allow you flexibility in your choice of units. Students may carry out a research project in their final year or continue to broaden their knowledge, by studying units selected from a wide range of science disciplines, supported as appropriate by additional laboratory classes. You are allowed free choice from a variety of science-based topics, although some restrictions may apply.

Teaching and Assessment

The interdisciplinary research carried out in the Faculty of Science, enables us to teach a wide spectrum of topics, in the form of individual course units.
A typical teaching week consists of around 20-25 hours of timetabled study.

This is taught with a combination of lectures, practical laboratory sessions and small-group tutorials and workshops, where you can discuss, in an informal setting, any points which were raised in lectures and find solutions to problem sheets distributed by tutors. You are also encouraged to discuss academic matters with tutors on a one-to-one basis.

In the laboratory, you will carry out experiments, based on the subject matter of your lecture programme. These sessions are supervised by your tutors and by postgraduate student demonstrators, who will ensure the safe execution of the experiments and discuss the theory behind them.

Units are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. Marks from the Foundation Year do not count towards your final degree classification, but are important for transfers to other degree programmes.

Help and Advice

On arrival at UEA, you will be introduced to a faculty member who will act as your adviser throughout your time with us. You will have regular discussions about the progress of your studies with your adviser, and he or she will also help with your selection of units and discuss any worries you may have about university life.

The bond between the advisor and student is often very strong and many graduates keep in touch with their advisers long after leaving UEA.

Course Organiser:Dr. G.Richard Stephenson

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Entry Requirements A Level: CCC from three A2 levels International Baccalaureate: Baccalaureate 28 points overall Scottish Highers: 240 UCAS points Scottish Advanced Highers: 240 UCAS points Irish Leaving Certificate: Please contact institution for further information Access Course: Please contact institution for further information HND: Please contact institution for further information European Baccalaureate: 60% overall Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6. overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 78 overall (minimum 20 in Speaking component, 17 in Writing and Listening components and 18 in Reading components.
• PTE: 55 overall (minimum 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you are studying the BTEC National Diploma please contact us for further information.

We encourage you to apply if you have alternative qualifications equivalent to our stated entry requirements. Please contact us for further information.

GCSE Offer

All applicants are required to have GCSE English language and Mathematics (or equivalent) at a minimum of Grade C.

During your first week at UEA, our staff will welcome you and provide a full induction programme; we aim to help our students settle in as quickly as possible. At the School of Chemistry we believe in offering each student individual care and guidance.

On your arrival at UEA you will be assigned to an adviser who will provide both academic and pastoral guidance. You will normally have the same adviser throughout your degree. We maintain an ‘open door policy’ so that students can see their adviser (or other members of staff) at any mutually convenient time. Your adviser will guide you through your academic career and provide a sympathetic ear during difficult times. If you study abroad for a year you will also be assigned an adviser at your host institution.

The University has excellent provision of specialist support services. Whatever the issue, be it financial, personal, academic or administrative - the University’s Dean of Students Office and the Union of UEA Students’ support services have experienced and sympathetic people, support groups and advice centres to help you.

Top-rated research

Research is a key activity in any major academic institution. It offers scope for advanced thinking, helps attract the keenest minds, and ensures that the institution’s work is at the cutting edge of the discipline. Most importantly, the creativity, resourcefulness and authority fostered by first class research feeds directly into the quality of teaching at the University. UEA’s School of Chemistry has an enviable reputation for its long and distinguished tradition of high quality research. In the latest RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) the School was ranked among the top 20 Chemistry departments. Our research work is currently financed by a grant holding of over £11 million won competitively from sources including the National Research Councils, charitable trusts (including the Wellcome and Wolfson Trusts), industrial companies (especially from the pharmaceutical industry) and the European Union. We have over 70 postgraduate research students, many of whom completed their undergraduate studies at UEA.

Key research in the School includes Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Biological and Biophysical Chemistry, Nanoscience, Biomedicinal Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry.

Many of our core MChem degrees are accredited, and all other Chemistry programmes are recognised, by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the professional body for career chemists, or the Institute of Physics (IoP).

Reasons to choose us:

• A top 20 research school (RAE 2008)
• Research led, up-to-date teaching
• The University has consistently been voted top five of English mainstream Universities for Student Satisfaction
• Enthusiastic and friendly staff
• Superb laboratory and IT facilities
• Excellent academic and student support services
• Varied and comprehensive range of degree programmes
• A warm, welcoming campus environment
• Active student social scene within the school
• At the forefront of interdisciplinary research

UniStats Information Fees and Funding University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here

International Students

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study.

Please click here to access further information about scholarships available to international students.