University of Southampton Calendar 2006/7

	University Calendar : Section VII Academic Regulations 2006-7 Faculty of Engineering, Science & Mathematics	SEARCH

General Regulations for the Degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering

Regulations for Engineering Programmes for Candidates entering before September 2004

Entry Requirements

All candidates must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations and the following programme requirements.
For entry to Part I, all degree programmes require passes in three subjects at GCE Advanced level, one of which is an approved Mathematics subject. The other two subjects will be specified by the School Board for each individual programme, but normally one of them will be Physics or Physical Science or Engineering Science. If not held at Advanced level, a pass at AS or GCSE level is required in Physics or Physical Science or Engineering Science. An appropriate approved combination of AS levels may be accepted as an alternative to A-levels.
As an alternative to any or all of the above, other equivalent qualifications, including overseas qualifications, may be accepted. (Note: Candidates with BTEC National Awards will be considered for entry to Part I, but will be expected to have a very strong profile, particularly in Mathematics.)
For all programmes it is preferred that a candidate should hold a pass in Chemistry or Integrated Science at least at GCSE level or equivalent. A candidate who is accepted without this may be required to undertake additional work in Chemistry during the first year.
Candidates passing the Foundation Year progress to Part I and are not subject to the above entry requirements.
Candidates for programmes involving a period of study abroad must show proficiency in the appropriate foreign language(s). This may be evidenced by an A-level or AS pass or a GCSE pass with good grades, or other evidence of proficiency. In all cases this must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Language Centre and the School Board.
The School Board may, subject to Faculty approval, grant exemption from Part I to a candidate who, in accordance with Ordinance 7.2, has successfully pursued a course of study deemed by the Board to be equivalent to Part I.

Programmes of Study

All students admitted will be in candidature for an honours degree.
Programmes of study available are those programmes which are listed in the current prospectus, and those additional programmes which have since been approved by the University.
Notwithstanding the above, the School Board may close any advertised programme of study to new entrants for good reason (including viability and ability to deliver).
The subjects to be taken are prescribed from time to time by the School Board. The subjects at present prescribed are set out in the programme specifications (which form an integral part of these regulations) and under the individual programme regulations. It is not possible to guarantee that every subject will be available every year or that a place will be available for every student wishing to take a particular subject.

Regulations for the Degrees of Master of Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science

The programme of study for the degree of Master of Engineering (MEng) is in four parts, Parts I, II, III and IV, except for the MEng with the Tripartite Diploma which has an additional fifth part, Part V, each extending over one academic year. Parts I, II and III are each rated at 120 credit points at Certificate, Intermediate and Honours level respectively. Part IV is rated at 150 credit points at Masters level. Part V is not credit rated. The BSc in Acoustics and Music will only be offered in three parts.
The successive parts (including the Foundation Year) are normally taken in successive academic years. However, the Faculty encourages students to obtain industrial training or other relevant experience during their courses. A student may request (through the Head of School) suspension of course for one or more academic years in order to obtain such experience. Suspension for part of a year is not allowed. It is the student's responsibility to check with the department whether there have been any changes of course structure or syllabus during the suspended period, and take such action as may be necessary in consequence.
Candidates on programmes incorporating a period of study abroad may be required to undertake additional study in an appropriate foreign language prior to the period spent abroad.
A candidate satisfying the examiners at the end of Part I or Part II of any programme may apply for the award of the Certificate of Higher Education or the Diploma of Higher Education, respectively. His or her candidature on a degree programme is then terminated.
A candidate failing to satisfy the examiners at the end of Part II or Part III at the level required for MEng, but satisfying the examiners at the Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) level, may proceed as a candidate for BEng or BSc (according to programme) as an alternative to resitting the examinations.
A candidate satisfying the examiners at the end of Part III may elect to graduate with a BEng or BSc (according to programme).
A candidate awarded the degree of BEng or BSc may not remain in candidature for MEng.
The award of the degree of BEng or BSc will depend upon a candidate's performance in the Part II and Part III examinations and a report on an individual project. A candidate's performance in the project, and the preparation of the report, will be a significant factor in the determination of the candidate's degree classification and divisions: First Class, Second Class (upper division), Second Class (lower division), and Third Class.
The award of the degree of MEng will depend upon a candidate's performance in Parts II, III and IV and reports on projects. A candidate's performance in projects, and in the preparation of reports, will be significant factors in assessing a candidate's degree classification and divisions: First Class, Second Class (upper division), Second Class (lower division), and Third Class.
A candidate on the appropriate programme successfully completing Part V will be awarded the MEng with the Tripartite Diploma of the University of Southampton, the Ecole Superieure d'Ingenieurs and the Universität Karlsruhe. The class of MEng degree awarded will depend on the candidate's performance up to Part IV, as described above.

Progression

Candidates are required to satisfy the academic and attendance requirements of their courses, as specified in individual programme handbooks. Those failing to do so may have their courses terminated [see Regulations for Students (Section IV), General Regulation 12].
To qualify to proceed from one year to the next a candidate must reach a standard in the examinations satisfactory to the School Board. The examinations may include the formal examination papers, coursework, practical work, project work and other work appropriate to a candidate's course of study.
A candidate not achieving this standard, but achieving an overall aggregate of 50% and/or failing in up to 3 subjects, is referred in up to 3 subjects. The referral subject pass marks are as above. A candidate achieving less than 50% or failing more than 3 subjects, or failing at referral, may take a full resit examination.
In order to progress from Part I to Part II, or from Part II to Part III, a candidate must achieve a minimum aggregate pass mark over all subjects of 40%, weighted according to the credit points of each subject, and a minimum mark in each individual subject of 40%.

A candidate not achieving this standard may be allowed compensation against failed non-core subjects totalling up to 30 credit points as follows:

Aggregate Mark	Compensation
Aggregate Mark	Part I	Part II
40% to 44%	none	10 credit points
45% to 49%	10 credit points	20 credit points
50% to 54%	20 credit points	30 credit points
55% and above	30 credit points	30 credit points

A candidate may be referred in up to 5 further failed subjects. The referred subjects are those failed subjects with the lowest marks. At referral, a candidate must achieve a minimum mark in each individual subject of 40% in Part I or 35% in Part II.
A candidate who fails more than 5 subjects (after compensation) or who fails on aggregate or who fails at referral fails the examination but may have a resit right (see below).
A Part II candidate wishing to proceed eventually to Part IV (Level M) is required to obtain an aggregate of 55% in Part II. A candidate achieving 51% or more may take referral papers as follows, to raise the aggregate:

Aggregate Mark 51% 52% 53% 54%

Number of Referral Papers 4 3 2 1
These papers will be those with the lowest marks, except that:
1. all subjects failed at the subject pass mark must be retaken;
2. no subject in which the aggregate pass mark (55%) was achieved will be retaken.
For these candidates, referral marks replace the original marks in the marks profile and the same rules are then applied again, except that no further referral is available. A candidate still failing to achieve the required aggregate at this stage may have a resit right, or may continue as a BEng/BSc candidate.
Candidates following a programme involving a period of study abroad may also be required to demonstrate their ability in a foreign language at the end of Part I and/or Part II.
In order to pass Part III, whether or not proceeding to progress to Part IV, a candidate must achieve a minimum aggregate pass mark over all subjects of 40% weighted according to the credit points of each subject, and a minimum mark in each individual subject of 40%, and also an individual project mark of at least 40%. A candidate failing to do so may have a referral right (according to School Procedures) or a resit right (see below).
A candidate passing Part III, and whose course terminates for any reason before the successful completion of Part IV, is eligible for the award of BEng or BSc, depending on the programme concerned.

The class of BEng or BSc awarded depends on the final aggregate mark generated as follows:

Part II	Half weighted	(60 credit points)
Part III (including project)	Full weighted	(120 credit points)
Final Aggregate		(180 credit points)

and the individual project mark, as follows:

Class	Final Aggregate	Project
First Class	≥ 70%	≥60%
Second Class (Upper Division)	≥60%	≥50%
Second Class (Lower Division)	≥50%	≥40%
Third Class	≥40%	≥40%

A candidate wishing to continue to Part IV (Level M) must have:
1. achieved at least 55% in Part II;
2. passed Part III, achieving at least 52% final overall aggregate mark (including the project).
In order to pass Part IV, a candidate must achieve a mark of at least 40% in the group project(s) (according to individual programme regulations). A candidate failing at Part IV may have a resit right (see below).

The class of MEng awarded depends on the final aggregate mark generated as follows:

Part II	Half weighted	60 credit points
Part III [including individual project]	Full weighted	120 credit points
Part IV [including group project(s)]	Full weighted	150 credit points
Final Aggregate		330 credit points

and the Group Design Project mark, as follows:

Class	Final Aggregate	Group Design Project
First Class	≥70%	≥60%
Second Class (Upper Division)	≥60%	≥50%
Second Class (Lower Division)	≥50%	≥40%
Third Class	≥40%	≥40%

Candidates studying and taking examinations abroad will have their marks or grades translated into a form comparable to those of the University of Southampton, using a method agreed between the host institution and the University of Southampton, and notified to the candidates. The detailed regulations above will then be applied.

Examinations

The formal examination papers are normally taken at times decided by the School Board, usually in January/February and/or June. Candidates studying abroad as an integral part of their course will take examinations at the times prescribed by the host institutions
A candidate who marginally fails to satisfy the examiners may have a right of referral, as detailed in the preceding regulations. Referral examinations are normally taken in the August/September period. A candidate may not progress to the following year of the programme or graduate until referral examinations have been passed.
A candidate who fails at referral, or who has no referral right under the regulations, has the right to resit one formal examination during the undergraduate course. A resit consists of taking all examinations again, including any which have already been passed at first attempt or referral. In exceptional circumstances the School Board may permit subsequent resitting.
Candidates will normally be permitted to resit only at the normal time or times for the examination in the next academic year. A resit is normally taken externally, but a candidate may request an internal resit which will be allowed if it is considered to be in the candidate's best interests. In this case normal fees will be payable and the right to any further resit is lost. A candidate may not progress to the following year of the programme or graduate until resit examinations have been passed.
The progression rules for resit examinations are the same as for first attempt examinations, except that referrals are not available. The course of a candidate failing at resit will be terminated.
A candidate permitted to resit or refer will normally be required to take the papers set for that occasion regardless of any change of syllabus. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ascertain from his or her School in good time whether any such changes have been made.
The calculation method for carrying forward marks from one year to another for those candidates who have referred or resat is detailed in individual programme handbooks.
Candidates may bring to the attention of the Head of School any circumstances that they consider to have affected their performance in any examination.

(17 August 2005)

Assessment	Assessment Regulations : Faculty of Engineering, Science & Maths
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Chemistry	School of Chemistry
Civil Engineering	School of Civil Engineering and the Environment
ECS	School of Electronics and Computer Science
Engineering Sciences	School of Engineering Sciences
Geography	School of Geography
Maths	School of Mathematics
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