Modular Programmes

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Modular Programmes
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Reasons for change

• International movement towards
• student learning
• Development of European Framework for
  Qualifications and credit systems
• Flexibility in curricular design and programme
  offerings
• Better quality assurance of the learning
  experience

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Key benefits

• More choice in degrees new offerings
• More flexibility credit accumulation
• Follow the established CAO degree routes
• Exciting new opportunities
• Varying rates of progression
• Individualisation
• Mobility

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Modularisation

• Modules are building blocks of learning
• Learning activity is credit-rated
• Outcomes focussed
• Modularisation allows new combinations of
  subjects to be put together
• Design of programmes
• Student choice through electives

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Semesterisation

• Academic year Semesters
• 2 semester system
• 15 weeks in each semester
• 12 - teaching, learning in-course assessment
• 1 - revision for examinations
• 2 - examination assessments

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Programme structure

• 12 modules per year
• - Core
• - Options (within the subject area)
• - 2 Electives (within or outside the subject
  area)
• Uniform module size 5 credits
• 1 ECTS 20-25 hours student learning time
• 5 ECTS 100-125 hours
• 10, 15 or 20 ECTS modules later in a degree

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Programme Design

• Programme designed in terms of single majors,
  joint majors, majors and minors
• 3 year honours undergraduate programme 180
  credits, NQF level 8
• 4 year honours undergraduate programme 240
  credits, NQF level 8
• 30 elective credits in most programmes
• Progression much more flexible based on grading
  and Grade Point Average

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Electives

• Normally 2 electives per year
• Choose modules in degree area to deepen knowledge
• Choice of modules outside degree area to broaden
  knowledge
• complementary modules
• interest modules

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First year elective choicesSeptember 2006

• 47 - chose electives within their own college
  which complemented their degree
• Economics and finance students took Business
  Studies
• Medicine Foundation students took Health Care
  Informatics, Anatomy and Psychology
• 53 - chose electives outside of their College
  which were outside of their core area of study
• Veterinary medicine students chose History,
  Welsh, Irish Folklore and Linguistics
• Civil Law students took Archaeology and Irish

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First year top elective choices
2006
2005
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Whats different about the learning experience?

• Semesterisation means that student workload is
  distributed across the year
• Modules have more than one assessment, all
  assessments contribute to the final grade of the
  module
• Assessment strategies will vary across modules
• Students have free choice for part of their
  programme, but also have to exercise
  responsibility in their choice of modules
• Information on modules and programmes for new
  students available at http//www.ucd.ie/newstude
  nts/