1. Ms Liz Lakin FSB Chair: Accreditation Working Group liz.lakin@cumbria.ac.uk

2. Background Concerns expressed by employers: –practical skill levels in laboratory and fieldwork –STEM skills –Soft skills; technical skills; maths related; Office of Life Sciences –‘Life Sciences Blueprint’ –Supports SB’s ambition to develop accreditation process

3. Statement for Accreditation The Society of Biology will identify and accredit UK Bioscience Integrated Master’s programmes (MSci or MBiol) which provide outcomes to a defined and focused set of criteria. The student learning experience, including practical skills and competencies, is of utmost importance and should be clearly defined and stated in the degree programme learning outcomes. Flexible and inclusive Outcomes based

4. Integrated Masters Sandwich Degrees: –Professional Placement assessed at M level –or, M level for final year Integrated Masters: –Credits (120) must build on previous 360 (480 Scotland) credits –Cannot stand alone Critical: Teaching & Learning at appropriate level for appropriate nos. of credits

5. Degree Accreditation Timeline so far: –July – Dec. 2009: Workshop to discuss accreditation with our member organisations Workshop report published online Open consultation to seek wider input from our individual members and member organisations as well as external partners –Jan - April 2010: Away day to discuss and agreed a shared statement for accreditation March 2010: Statement on Accreditation published online and pilot HEIs sought Expressions of interest from UK HEIs April 2010: BBSRC agreed funding to support the next development phase

6. Next steps We are currently recruiting for a Higher Education Policy Officer Establish ‘external environment’ –Comment on outcomes and framework –Attend pre-pilot meeting A pilot programme will be launched this autumn. Co-ordinate the development process Take working group forward: Accreditation outcomes Operating framework & mechanism Funding policy Identify suitable courses

7. Questions? Competencies and outcomes? ‘Light touch’ ? Should accreditation be linked to Chartered Status?