ID195 MSc in 21st Century Natural Sciences

The Idea

A novel programme in FNS: MSc in 21st Century Natural Sciences 

Target: bright, curious students (interviewed) from all walks of natural sciences. 

Could be a follow-up to the GCP currently at UG level, but at course level (MSc), not modular level. 

Delivery across campus, with FNS hosting the course over 18months in total. This is to make the project element of the MSc relevant to industrialists / employers, and with 6 months of taught modules, 1 year for the project seems like a good duration to drive outcome and impact, meaningful to the workplace. 

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

1. A horizontal MSc with a view to help with broadening and shaping the broader scientist role in our 21st century societies. 
2. Boost employment at L7 in any scientific sector. 
3. Boost partnerships with externals, across Keele teams, creating other opportunities (research?) 
4. Follows on from the GCP idea, but at programme level this time, not modular level. I mean here using the same philosophy to some extent as the one used for the GCPs, which is to work on real problem scenarios, from different angles. So, nothing to do with whether the students have already taken GCPs or not, just justifying this from a vison approach, that it would follow a not too dissimilar idea than the one already developed in GCPs. 
5. Mixing of learners: traditional students with learners in full time jobs? 
6. Very few L7 degrees like this exist, in the UK or elsewhere. Blazing a trail? 

This type of work is not being done elsewhere I believe within the University, and will offer a new way of thinking about programme development, away from the silos of Faculties, and also in very strong partnerships with employers; therefore boosting employability and collaborations with externals, possibly even leading to research activities in the longer term. It is much more than a programme, it is a new way of thinking Masters, where specialised subject knowledge is no longer driving the programme design itself, but instead problem solving is. Employers would come to us, to work with our students, in order to solve problems. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

Six 15-credits taught modules in the first 6 months: 

• Communication (checking facts / audiences / formats)  
• Business of Science (Regulations / Funding / Processes)  
• Science & Society (Philosophy of Science / Ethics / Responsibilities / Policy)  
• Data Analysis (Stats & Logic)  
• Mentoring (Responsibilities / Outreach)  
• Arts & Science (Creativity & Innovation). 

Next 12 months devoted to helping with a scientific societal problem, as given by our external partners / employers / industries: 

• Teams & Problem Solving (Defining a societal problem from different angles; 30 credits)  
• Societal Project (Individual Work / Project is led by employers; 60 credits). 

Work across faculties required to successfully deliver this programme. 

What Success Would Look Like

• Healthy recruitment (It would hopefully recruit very good students who are willing to be exposed to the world of employers, are willing to be agile, think differently, work differently). 
• Engagement from externals 
• Strong employment at the end