University Calendar 2015/16
Section IX : Academic Regulations - Faculty Natural and Environmental Sciences


PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2009/10
ARCHIVE 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
ARCHIVE 2013/14
ARCHIVE 2014/15
Academic Unit Ocean and Earth Science
Final Award Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc)
Bachelor of Science (Ordinary) (BSc)
Inegrated Master of Science (MSci)
with exit awards of:
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Ordinary) (BSc)
Certificate of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Programme(s) These regulations apply to all undergraduate programmes in Ocean and Earth Science
Last modified July 2015

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

1. Admissions
 
1.1 In addition to the information given in the University’s General Regulations, specific admissions criteria for each programme are given on the SOES website and Undergraduate Brochure.
1.2 Applications from mature candidates and international candidates are welcome and will be considered on an individual basis.
1.3 All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Enabling Services to assess their needs. Such applicants are therefore encouraged to make contact early and discuss their needs. The Faculty will make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities (eg: hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.
1.4 Applicants are normally required to attend an interview.
1.5 Applicants who have studied elsewhere, and completed modules that are considered to be equivalent to relevant modules in the programme, may be given credit for this prior learning.


2. Structure of Programme(s)
 
2.1 All undergraduate programmes in Ocean and Earth Science are full time degrees.
2.2 Integrated Masters programmes require four years of study and Bachelors require three years of study.
2.3 Transfer from BSc to MSci is normally permitted up to the end of Part II and, in exceptional cases, within Part III. Transfer is conditional on the student having taken any modules that are compulsory for the MSci programme, and their having met the entry requirements and/or progression hurdles.
2.4 Applicants who have studied elsewhere, and completed modules that are considered to be equivalent to relevant modules in the programme, may be given credit for this prior learning.
2.5 The programmes consist of a number of core, compulsory and optional modules. Some modules have pre-requisites and some modules are mutually exclusive. Detailed information can be found in the appendices of the programme specifications and in individual module descriptors. These can be found on the SOES website.
2.6 Students must select their option choices for each semester of study by the deadline notified by the Faculty Student Office.
2.7 It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that the combination of modules they have selected is valid and meets the requirements of their programme of study.
2.8 Students have until the end of week two of the semester in which to change their selections. Students changing their selection after the deadline are responsible for checking that there are no timetable clashes.
2.9 Students must submit their project preferences by the end of the semester before the start of the project on or before the deadline as notified by the project coordinator so that a project supervisor can be allocated.


3. Progression
 
3.1 The Programmes follow the University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results specified in Section IV of the University Calendar. Exceptions to these regulations are detailed below:

MSci Geology (with study abroad); MSci Geophysics (with study abroad); MSci Oceanography (with study abroad)
A candidate enrolled on these programmes must achieve an average part mark of 65% at the end of Part I. The candidate must then achieve an average part mark of 65% for Semester 1 of Part II.

For MSci Geology (with study abroad) and MSci Geophysics (with study abroad) candidates, this mark will include the marks from the Semester 1 sub-modules of SOES2033.

Candidates who have an average part mark of less than 65% at the end of Semester 1 of Part II, will not be allowed to refer in order to stay on their MSci study abroad programme and will be offered an alternative programme.

MSci Marine Biology (with study abroad)
A candidate enrolled on this programme must achieve an average part mark of 65% at the end of Part 1 and also achieve a minimum mark of 40% in SOES1007. The candidate must then achieve an average mark of 65% for Semester 1 of Part II.

Candidates who have an average part mark of less than 65% at the end of Semester 1 of Part II, will not be allowed to refer in order to stay on the MSci study abroad programme and will be offered an alternative programme.

MSci Geology; MSci Geophysics; MSci Oceanography; MSci Ocean Chemistry
A candidate enrolled on these programmes must achieve an average part mark of 55% at the end of Part II and an average part mark of 60% at the end of Part III.

MSci Marine Biology
A candidate enrolled on this programme must achieve an average part mark of 55% at the end of Part II and also achieve a minimum mark of 40% in SOES1007. At the end of Part III, students must achieve an average part mark of 60%.

MSci Oceanography with French
A candidate enrolled on this programme must achieve an average part mark of 55% at the end of Part II and also achieve a minimum mark of 55% in FREN modules totalling 15 ECTS. At the end of Part III, students must achieve an average part mark of 60%.

MSci Biology and Marine Biology
A candidate enrolled on this programme must achieve an average part mark of 55% at the end of Part II.

BSc Marine Biology with Oceanography
A candidate enrolled on this programme must achieve a minimum mark of 40% in SOES1007.
 
3.2 All programmes where SOES2033 is compulsory:
This module has three components; Candidates must achieve a core pass mark (i.e. 40%) in 2 out of the 3 components and at least the qualifying mark (i.e. 25%) in the 3rd. Following referral or repeat assessments, the marks for any passed component will be retained and used in the determination of the overall module mark. Marks for each failed assessment will be subject to capping at the module pass mark. Further details are available in module course information.


4. Assessment
 
4.1 The Programmes follow the University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results specified in Section IV of the University Calendar.
4.2 The performance of candidates shall be assessed by the Board of Examiners in accordance with the University’s regulations governing examinations for the relevant programme(s) of study. Details of the assessment for individual modules are given in module specifications (synopses) held on the SOES website.
4.3 Students who do not achieve the appropriate level of performance will be required to successfully undertake additional study and/or re-examination during either the summer vacation or the following academic year before proceeding.


5. Award of Qualification(s)
 
5.1 The class of Honours awarded is determined by the weighted final average mark in accordance with University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results specified in Section IV of the University Calendar.
5.2 To qualify for the award of a BSc or MSci Honours degree students must normally take 60 ECTS per level and achieve a minimum of 320 marks out of a maximum of 800, the module pass mark in a minimum total of 45 ECTS and the module pass mark in all core modules specified for the relevant programme of study. Students must attain the minimum qualifying mark in all optional modules.
5.3 Exit Awards: Are available in accordance with University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results specified in Section IV of the University Calendar.
5.4 Regulations for a BSc Ordinary Degree:
  1. Students who fail to achieve the average part mark in Part II (FHEQ Level 5) in order to progress to Part III (FHEQ Level 6) of an Honours degree, may be permitted to progress to a restricted programme for an Ordinary Degree, provided they have achieved a minimum average part mark of 35% at the end of Part II and achieved the required pass mark in modules equivalent to 30 ECTS.

  2. The average part mark used from Part II will be the higher of (a) the original mark or (b) the mark obtained following a referral examination, up to a maximum of 40%.

  3. Students following an Ordinary degree programme in Part III (FHEQ Level 6):

    1. are not permitted to take FHEQ Level 6 modules equivalent to more than 30 ECTS;
    2. are not permitted to take FHEQ Level 4 modules equivalent to more than 15 ECTS;
    3. may be required to repeat failed FHEQ Level 5 modules equivalent to no more than 15 ECTS;
    4. are normally required to take four 7.5 ECTS modules in each semester in Part III.

  4. The Academic Unit Board of Examiners will approve the scheme of study to be taken by an Ordinary degree student. No subject other than 'Ocean and Earth Science' is specified when an Ordinary degree is awarded.

  5. Students who progressed to Part III (FHEQ Level 6) of an Honours degree, but have failed to meet the requirements for the award of an Honours degree (Part III FHEQ Level 6) may, on the recommendation of the Academic Unit Board of Examiners, be recommended for the award of an Ordinary degree.

  6. In order to qualify for the award of an Ordinary Degree, students must obtain the following:

    1. at the end of Part II (FHEQ Level 5) a minimum average part mark of 35% and achieved the required pass mark in modules equivalent to 30 ECTS.
    2. at the end of Part III (FHEQ Level 6) a minimum average part mark of 35% and achieved the required pass mark in modules equivalent to 30 ECTS.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
6.1 All programmes have a fieldwork component. Students must ensure they are available to attend, and where fieldwork is overseas, must ensure they have a valid passport/visa. Details are available from module coordinators, the Faculty Student Office and in the student handbook.
6.2 Students may be required to complete a risk assessment before undertaking as part of their studies any activity that is judged to involve health and safety risks.


7. Other
 
7.1 Any other specific requirements for individual programmes are included in programme specifications.
7.2 Candidates are required to satisfy the academic and attendance requirements of the programme as laid out in the Programme Specification and the Student Handbook for the programme. Those failing to do so may have their course terminated.
7.3 Attendance at tutorials, lectures and practical classes is essential and may be monitored. Persistent absentees will receive a written warning from the Faculty.
7.4 As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, these regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.



Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 29-Jul-2015
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