SHAPING OUR FUTURE in Science Presentation April 17, 2009 Dr Gerry Morgan Dean of Science

2 College of Science  4 Schools  3 Research Institutes  Adjunct Membership by 3 Pre- clinical Disciplines  119 Academic Staff  16 Administrative Staff  49 Technical Staff  4 Vice-Deans

3 College of Science  School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics  Depts of Maths and Maths Physics  School of Natural Sciences  Depts of Biochemistry, Botany, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Microbiology and Zoology  Division of Physical Sciences  School of Chemistry  School of Physics

4 College of Science  Institutes with Primary Affiliation in Science  ECI  MRI  NCBES  Affiliated Pre-clinical Depts  Anatomy  Pharmacology  Physiology

5 Undergrad Programmes  1 Undenominated BSc + 12 Denominated BSc Programmes  1630 Students (2007/08)  All students can progress to Year 4 (2008/09) – not forced out with BSc (Gen)  ? Passing exams now tougher?  Vertically structured programmes  Demonstrate competence  Hold passes in modules

6 Goals/Challenges (Undergrad)  Attract the Best Students to Undergraduate Science  Identity of Science/Science Promotion  Identify New/Terminate Weak programmes  Teaching & Learning Strategy : Bologna/Lisbon  Retention & Completion Rates  Non-traditional Learners: Mature/Access/Distance Learning/CPD  Interdisciplinary Initiatives  Not an avenue for “Easy Access” to Science  Science & Society

7 Taught Postgrad Programmes  12 MSc  5 HDip (Level 8)  Full time, Part time, Distance Learning Delivery  131 Students (2007/08)

8 Goals/Challenges (Taught Postgraduate)  Review existing programmes, esp. those with low numbers  Set Realistic Numbers  Work with Institutes  Thematic Offerings  Skill/Employment Specific/CPD  Structure of Taught MSc  Project over-intensive, traditional?  Learning Outcomes  HDip (Level 8) -> PGD (Level 9): Microbiology

9 Graduate Research  PhD & MSc  Full time mainly (few Part time)  297 Students (+ 63 no income to NUIG)  College has  Largest no. of Research Students  Greatest Completion Rate (70%)  Shortest Average Completion Time (4.98 Yrs)

10 Goals/Challenges (Graduate Research)  Increase Research Student Numbers  50% Increase in 5 Years (Internat. & Irish)  Average of 4 Students/Academic Staff Member  Space (New BRB – a bus ride away)  Equipment  Funding (Where? How? Success Rate?)  Increase Completion Rates to 85 – 90%  Completion Time: 4 Years for 70% of Students  Structured Grad Programmes

11 College of Science  Institutes?

12 Staff  Staff Development  Mentoring New Staff  Work-Load Model/Recognising Engagement- Achievement  Protecting Time  Outputs  Academic/Institutional Restructuring  Ownership/Collegiality

13 College of Science

14 Staff  Staff Development  Mentoring New Staff  Work-Load Model/Recognising Engagement- Achievement  Protecting Time  Outputs  Academic/Institutional Restructuring  Leap into the unknown  Ownership/Collegiality  Responsibility/Make Decisons Locally

15 College of Science

16 College of Science

17 College of Science

18 Staff  Staff Development  Mentoring New Staff  Work-Load Model/Recognising Engagement- Achievement  Protecting Time  Outputs  Academic/Institutional Restructuring  Leap into the unknown  Ownership/Collegiality  Responsibility/Make Decisions Locally

19 Strategic Plans Fixed in Stone?  University:5 Year-Glossy-Fixed  College:3 Year Interim Review  School: Annual Update  Benchmark of Progress  Justify Future Requests