The Chemistry Eurobachelor

An Introduction

June 2005

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.

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; further

member institutions, chemical societies or other

chemistry-interested organisations are welcome to join

us!

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

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• 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.

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

LENGTH OF THE FIRST CYCLE

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.

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

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.

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

Modularisation

• We recommend 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!)

OUTCOMES

• Subject knowledge

• Abilities and Skills

(a) Chemistry-related cognitive abilities and skills

(b) Chemistry-related practical skills

(c) Generic/Transferable skills

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.

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.

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

c) 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.– 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

Assessment procedures and performance criteria (1)

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

Assessment (2)

• 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".

Assessment (3)

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

Quality Assurance:the “Eurobachelor

Label”

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 (at least in the pilot phase)

• 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

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

The Site Visit

• 2 international experts

• 1 national expert

• One-day visit

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

• Tour of facilities

• Applications so far: 11, from 8 institutions

• Countries so far: Finland, Ireland, Italy• First award: University of Helsinki

The Costs

• No cost to students (but they benefit!)• During pilot project (probably 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)