Liberal Democrat Lord Taverne, chairman of the organisation Sense About Science, criticised universities offering bachelor of science degree courses in alternative medicines during questions on 21 December 2010.

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More of them were therefore likely to take the two sciences normally required for entry onto STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degree courses at university.

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These included post-degree teaching courses in Mathematics, Science and English, leadership training for school heads and teachers, and other courses under the Malaysian Technical Co-operation Programme, he said during a debate in conjunction with the 184th Unesco executive board session.

UNESCO: Malaysia trust fund

Instead, it incorporates elements of physics and chemistry into several new degree courses such as toxicology, drug design and sports science.

ECONOMIST: Education

There are several institutions offering surf-related courses - including a three-year surf science and technology degree at the University of Plymouth and a three-year course in surf and beach management at Swansea Institute of Higher Education.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Teachers attack 'hobby degrees'