University Calendar 2008/9
Section VII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics


MAIN INDEX
PREFACE
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
ARCHIVE 2002/3
ARCHIVE 2003/4
ARCHIVE 2004/5
ARCHIVE 2005/6
ARCHIVE 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
School All Schools in the Faculty of Engineering, Science & Mathematics
Final Award Master of Science (MSc), Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Research (MRes), including exit awards of Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma.
Programme(s) All relevant taught postgraduate programmes in the schools (including research degrees with taught components), as listed in individual school regulations.
Last modified 4 June 2008

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where the School has been granted an opt-out by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

1. Admissions
 
Admissions requirements will be as stated in General Regulations and in the individual programme regulations listed under each school.

2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
The MA/MSc and MRes degrees consist of two parts: the taught element and the project.

For the MA/MSc, the taught element is normally weighted at 120 credit points and the project at 60 credit points. For the MRes, the taught element is weighted at 60 credit points and the project at 120 credit points. An MSc/MA may also have this weighting, and the programme title in this case will normally include the words “by research”.

Details for individual programmes are given in school regulations.

3. Progression

3.1 Definitions: The following terms, which appear in the regulations below, have the meanings given in General Regulations, Section IV, Part 5a, Paragraph 2: ‘Average Mark’, ‘Core Module’, ‘Module’, ‘Pass Mark’, ‘Referral’, ‘Repeat’.
3.2 Candidates are required to achieve the module pass mark (normally 40% or as specified in programme specifications) or more on each module (including the project), except as specified in 3.3 below, and a minimum average mark over all taught modules, as defined in section 5 below.
3.3 Candidates achieving the required average pass mark and showing strong performance, but failing to achieve the pass mark in non-core modules totalling not more than 30 credit points, may be allowed to progress. The definition of ‘strong performance’ differs from one programme to another, and is detailed in individual programme specifications.
3.4 Referral procedures will be available to candidates who fail to achieve the required average by 3% or less, or who achieve the average pass mark but fail to achieve the pass mark in core modules, or who fail non-core modules and do not qualify to progress under 3.3 above. The procedures differ from one programme to another, and are detailed in individual programme specifications.
3.5 Repeat procedures will be available to candidates not achieving the average pass mark or failing at referral and who have not previously repeated. The procedures differ from one programme to another and are detailed in individual programme specifications. An average mark of 50% for the taught element will be recorded for candidates progressing following a repeat.

4. Assessment
 
Details of assessment processes are given in individual programme regulations.

5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
5.1 A candidate who successfully completes the taught element and achieves 50% or more on average, and passes the project at the appropriate level as defined below, is eligible for the MA/MSc/MRes degree.
5.2 A candidate who successfully completes 60 credit points and achieves 40% or more on average, and who does not proceed for any reason to qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma, MA/MSc or MRes as relevant, is eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.
5.3 A candidate who successfully completes 120 credit points and achieves 40% or more on average, and who does not proceed for any reason to qualify for the MA/MSc/MRes, is eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
5.4 Only one award may be made under 5.1 to 5.3 above.
5.5 The project dissertation for the MRes or the MA/MSc “by research” is assessed according to the criteria appropriate to research degrees. These degrees are not awarded with any classification or with Distinction.
5.6 The MA/MSc project dissertation shall be marked on a percentage scale or an equivalent letter grade scale. The pass mark for the dissertation shall be 50% or Grade C. A candidate failing to achieve this may submit a revised dissertation on one occasion only. Such a candidate will not be eligible for Distinction.
5.7 A candidate on an MA/MSc programme, which is not "by research", achieving 70% or more average on the taught element, and 70% or more (Grade A) on the dissertation, is awarded the MA/MSc with Distinction. The Board of Examiners may also recommend the award of Distinction to a candidate achieving 68% on the taught element and at least 80% on the dissertation, or 69% on the taught element and at least 75% on the dissertation.
5.8 The final award is awarded by Senate on the recommendation of the relevant School Board to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements.

6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
Details are given in individual programme regulations and programme specifications.

7. Other
 
Any other specific requirements for individual programmes are included in programme regulations.

These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.

NB: Academic regulations for research degree programmes (without taught elements) are written and maintained by the University and can be found in Section V of the University Calendar.

Assessment Regulations : Faculty of Engineering, Science & Mathematics
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
School of Chemistry
School of Civil Engineering and the Environment
School of Electronics and Computer Science
School of Engineering Sciences
School of Geography
School of Mathematics
School of Ocean and Earth Science
School of Physics and Astronomy


Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 05-Jun-2008
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