The process aims to highlight degrees that educate the research & development leaders and innovators of the future.
The independent and rigorous assessment required evidence that graduates meet defined criteria, including a substantial period of research experience. This recognises the solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and the preparation graduates receive to address the needs of employers offered by Edinburgh Napier Biological Sciences degrees.
Dr Claire Garden, who led the project, said: “The accreditation follows a curriculum review to consolidate changes that have been taking place over the past few years to place employability at the heart of the degrees, including the incorporation of elements of the successful labs skills course run by Edinburgh Napier University on behalf of Skills Development Scotland.
“The Royal Society of Biology recognised this excellent work, highlighting these areas of good practice;
Recognition of the needs of employers in the design and delivery of the programme;
The Skills Evidence and Evaluation Record and Skills Passport, and their contribution to the students’ recognition and acquisition of key technical and transferable skills;
The early introduction and consistent application of the principles of formal Good Laboratory Practice;
The culture of self-assessment and reflection, and its incorporation into the programmes;
The Student Futures programme of workshops and its incorporation into modules.
The School of Applied Sciences wishes to thank the Scottish Lifesciences Association and Skills Development Scotland for continued collaboration on curriculum development and the Skills Passport.”
Ronnie Palin, Life Sciences Key Sector Manager at Skills Development Scotland said: “The Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Life Sciences Sector identified the work readiness of graduates as a key issue for employers, and the lab skills course run by Edinburgh Napier University and funded by SDS is designed to address this by improving both the technical and soft skills of those coming out of University.
“This course fed directly into the Royal Society of Biology accreditation and has been a way of showcasing the advantages of the accreditation route to both universities and employers.”
Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology will reassure applicants and employers that Edinburgh Napier courses meet the needs of industry, and will be of great benefit to students graduating from these programmes as they will have the opportunity to apply for Member (MRSB) status following two additional years of practice rather than the usual three years and will receive one year’s free membership of the Society upon graduation.
Accreditation takes immediate effect, and relates to the following BSc (Hons) courses:
Graduating up to 2019/20:
BSc (Hons) Animal Biology
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology
BSc (Hons) Marine and Freshwater Biology
BSc (Hons) Microbiology and Biotechnology
Refreshed courses in from 2017/18 (graduating in 2020/21):
BSc (Hons) Animal and Conservation Biology
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
BSc (Hons) Marine and Freshwater Biology
BSc (Hons) Applied Microbiology
The programmes will be presented with a Certificate of Accreditation by Royal Society of Biology in the New Year.