EECS Student Handbook 2024/25

1. Front Cover

SCHOOL OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE (EECS)

This handbook is for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students in all Electronic Engineering and Computer Science

1.1. How to use

This handbook should be used together with the Academic Regulations and http://arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/. 

This handbook provides information specific to the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science while https://www.qmul.ac.uk/student-handbook/ gives information common to all students at Queen Mary. The Academic Regulations provide detailed information on progression, award and classification requirements.

Nothing in this handbook overrides the Academic Regulations, which always take precedence.

The Academic Regulations are available online at:

1.2. Other formats available

For a large-font version, please use the zoom control in your web browser to zoom in.

For a printed version please use your web browser to print in your desired format. 

If you have other requirements for the Handbook, please also contact the EECS Student Support Officer sso@lists.eecs.qmul.ac.uk

1.3. Disclaimer

The information in this handbook is correct as of September 2024. In the unlikely event of substantial amendments to the material, the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) will inform you of the change via email or newsletter.

Queen Mary cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of information given in third party publications or websites referred to in this handbook.

2. Preliminary information

• 3.1. Welcome message from head of school
• 3.2. EECS Mission Statement
• 3.3. Dates and Deadlines

2.1. Welcome message from head of school

Welcome to the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science at Queen Mary

University of London! You have chosen an exciting yet fast-evolving and demanding discipline, which plays an increasingly central role in our lives. Thank you for choosing us! By doing this, you have selected one of the great places in the UK to study. According to the latest Research Exercise Framework (REF) carried in 2021 (https://www.ref.ac.uk/), EECS is ranked top 8 in the UK for CS and engineering as a whole discipline is ranked 7th in the UK.

While slowly forgetting about the Covid-19 pandemic, we adapted by increasing the required flexibility. Our educational provision is, therefore, primarily in-person but complemented by online activities where appropriate. Studying at University is very different from other learning environments. Indeed, at university, you must find out how you learn best, so a large part of what you do and how you do it is your choice. Let me make a few suggestions to help you maximise your time at University.

First, work consistently from the start. It isn't easy to catch up if you get behind. Therefore, keeping up with the materials and assessments is critical. Being organized is an essential life skill you must learn and master during your time with us. By staying organized, you will feel prepared and in control of your studies, which is key to a successful academic experience.

Take advantage of all activities, in-person and online, e.g., discussions, forums, and keep regular contact with your fellow students, module lecturers and advisor. Engage with the material, by asking questions: teachers are here to help you learn, but you must ask questions if you want answers. This regular contact is not just about enhancing your learning experience, but also about fostering a supportive learning environment.

Another key to success is staying informed. Make it a habit to read the information in this handbook and on the College and School webpages. Keep an eye on your email, especially for messages from your teachers and teaching services. These communications are designed to keep you in the loop and save you time. By not reading them, you're not only wasting your time but also that of the staff. It's a matter of respect, courtesy, and professionalism that we all stay informed.

It's never too early to start planning for life after University. Your time here will equip you with a range of skills, not just technical ones, that will be invaluable in your future career. The University and School are committed to developing these Graduate Attributes, which are highly valued by employers. To learn more, visit the School student intranet or follow this link: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/docs/gacep/38598.pdf

Equality, diversity, and Inclusion are part of our identity within EECS and QMUL. In EECS, you should feel at home regardless of gender, sexuality, gender identity, race, or religious beliefs. We expect and require all students to behave in accordance with these values. We expect students to show respect towards each other and our staff, whether in person or online. A range of disciplinary measures exist and will be applied, if necessary, in cases of misbehaviour.

Most of our students go on to successful careers and have a remarkably satisfying experience studying with us. We hope your studies will go smoothly, but please come and tell us sooner rather than later if you have any problems. We will always try to help.

We believe that Electronic Engineering and Computer Science are enjoyable and rewarding disciplines. We hope that you will share our beliefs. Take an interest in what is happening in the School; for instance, attend some of the regular talks given by visiting experts during teaching

term time. Take time to appreciate other aspects of University life, such as the Students' Union's activities.

Best Wishes,

Professor Uhlig

Head Of School

2.2. EECS Mission Statement

2.3. Key Dates

3. School/Institute information

• 3.1. School or Institute location and contact details - CORE
• 3.2. Contacting Staff In School Office
• 3.3. Communications
• 3.4. Advisor/Student Support mechanisms
• 3.5. Key Staff Contact
• 3.6. Safety/Emergencies
• 3.7. Use of personal data
• 3.8. School or Institute
• 3.9. What to find online

3.1. School or Institute location and contact details

EECS School Office 

Your main point of contact for administrative matters is the Education Services Team located in the Temporary Building (TB105 for Programme Administration; TB204 for Student Support).

The office opening hours during term time are Monday to Friday 10:00 to 16:00, except for Welcome Week where the Student Support team will be in the ground floor lab Monday to Thursday 10:00 to 16:00. More limited hours may apply during vacations and students will be notified in advance of any closure dates. 

Education Services Team members are also available via advanced bookable appointments.

The School is located across three buildings; the third and fourth floors of the Peter Landin Building, the east end of the ground, first and second floors of the Engineering building and the temporary building opposite the graduate center.

Maps are available online at: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/about/howtofindus/

3.2. Contacting Staff In School Education Services Team

Students should use the EECS school office shared email inboxes below, these are monitored on a daily basis and it's the quickest way to get a response to your query.

Please avoid sending multiple emails of same query, if you have urgent matter then visit the school office reception in Temporary building. 

3.3. Communications

Queen Mary will communicate with you in a variety of ways. Formal correspondence will be sent to you by electronic letter, and it is important that you keep Queen Mary up to date with your personal details and address. You can do this online via the MySIS record system: http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/mysis-record/index.html

It is most common for the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary and the Students’ Union to contact you by your Queen Mary email. You are assigned a university email address when you enrol, and you are responsible for checking this account on a daily basis. All major notifications and updates will be sent to you by email first.

You can access your email account by logging on to a Queen Mary computer, or, if you are not on campus, at: http://mail.qmul.ac.uk.

3.4. Advisor/Student Support mechanisms

The key staff listed on the previous chapter deal with all general queries and should be your first point of call.  In addition, you will be allocated a personal academic advisor.

All students are allocated a personal advisor for the duration of your studies. Advisors are members of academic staff who provide advice and support to students. They have two main roles: academic and pastoral.

In their academic capacity, advisors advise on, and approve, programmes of study. If you are considering changing your programme of study, or taking a module that does not appear on your recommended programme, you must discuss this with your advisor. Any other academic-related concerns, e.g. general academic progress, should be discussed with your advisor in the first instance. Please note that, in this School, the role of advisor is separate from that of Senior Tutor.

In their pastoral capacity, advisors are the first point of contact in case of personal problems or concerns. Advisors recognise that personal problems can severely affect a student’s academic performance, and they will provide a sympathetic and non-judgmental ear, as well as practical help. They can also direct students to other QM support services, where appropriate. Discussions with students will always be treated in confidence. However, in cases where academic performance is affected by personal problems, the School must be officially informed, and advisors can also guide students through the correct procedures for doing this. 

Advisors can be asked to provide academic references for students for job and other applications after leaving university, and this is another good reason for building and maintaining a good student/advisor relationship. 

If your Advisor, Year Tutor, or Senior Tutor is not available you should contact the Student Support Officer.

How do I know who my Advisor is?

The name of your advisor will be shown on your EECS landing page.  A time will be set for you to meet with your advisor within the first 2 weeks of term. First year students will meet regularly with their advisor throughout the first and second semester. It is your responsibility as a student to attend these meetings.

The Advice and Counselling Service offers a free and confidential service to all Queen Mary students.  This should be the first point of call for international students with visa issues.  Advice and Counselling are located on the ground floor of the Geography Building at Mile End and are open on weekdays throughout the year, including most vacations.  Further information can be found at http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk

We encourage all students to feedback to us and we are keen to hear and act on student voices.

The School has five ways in which feedback can be given:

•  Meeting with your personal advisor

• Student Support page

•  Student Representatives who are a voice for your programme, details can be found at - https://www.qmsu.org/reps/coursereps/ and https://intranet.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/admin/sslc.

• Student Staff Liaison committees (SSLC) which are held twice a semester and your student reps attend these on your behalf to give feedback to the School, the reps will contact you, usually via email, so please do feedback to them.

• Module feedback questionnaire – you will be given an opportunity to give anonymous feedback at module level in each semester.

The above should be seen as the main avenue for giving feedback on your module, programme and experience at university.  We encourage you to make this as constructive as possible, i.e. if you have a problem, suggest a solution

3.5. Key Staff Contact

Contacting Staff

It is usually best to contact academic staff by email. You may also visit academic staff in their offices during their surgery hours. There will be a notice on the academic’s office door stating their surgery hours. This information will also be available on their landing pages on the EECS intranet. It is advisable to email staff and make an appointment to see them before embarking on a long journey to Queen Mary. Staff contact details are available on the School Intranet.

3.6. Safety/Emergencies

You should familiarise yourself with emergency procedures for all areas in which you work, noting the location of emergency exits, assembly points and equipment. On hearing a fire alarm in a QM building, you should immediately leave through the nearest emergency exit, unless redirected by a Fire Marshal. Do not go to any other part of the building for any reason. Proceed to the designated emergency assembly area and report to the Fire Marshal. Do not leave the assembly area or re-enter the building until instructed to do so. Failure to follow these procedures may lead to disciplinary action.

Tampering with fire alarms or fire-fighting equipment is a serious offence, and disciplinary action may be taken against any student responsible for this.

In an emergency, dial 3333 from any internal phone and clearly state the nature and location of the problem, your name, and the number you are calling from (if known). If there is no internal phone available, call 999 and follow the normal procedure. You should ensure that corridors and doorways are not obstructed and that fire fighting equipment is not removed from its station.

First aid assistance for minor accidents can be obtained by dialling 3333 from an internal phone, or 020 7882 3333 from any other telephone.

3.7. Use of personal data

During application and at (re-)enrolment you provide us with personal information about yourself such as relevant contact details and information about your background, which is held in systems such as MySIS. It’s important that you ensure this information is accurate and kept up to date. Throughout your studies (or after you graduate) you may also provide, or we may collect, other personal information and you should be aware that this also includes any work you submit for assessment in the course of your studies. Tutors may occasionally use anonymised student essays (or portions from them) as part of the teaching process. We hope you will be willing to support your fellow students by allowing this, but you may opt out by contacting your School/Institute office. Other markers of engagement are monitored to help support students. If you engage with your Advisor or other support services, notes may be kept and shared with appropriate individuals. You may make use of Queen Mary’s Report and Support Tool, or another user may identify you in doing so, which could result in personal data, including special category personal data or data relating to criminal offences being processed. Please refer to the privacy notice for more information.

We ensure that all personal data is held securely and will not be disclosed to third parties without your consent, unless we are obliged to do so by law – for example the annual student record that we submit to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) - or other conditions allow. HESA requires us to collect details of our students’ ethnicities and disabilities as a means of monitoring the success of equal opportunities policies at a national level. This information is kept confidential and helps us to provide you with support and information on facilities and services that may be useful.

When you enrol or re-enrol online you will be asked to read a privacy notice about the purposes for which we use your personal data and to whom we may disclose it when required. You must read this carefully. All personal data is maintained in accordance with data protection legislation. For more information, visit: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/privacy/ and/or contact Queen Mary’s Data Protection Officer via data-protection@qmul.ac.uk

4. School/Institute Procedures

*Web Based Content*

4.1. In-course assessment (submission)

How to submit coursework  -QMPlus

Most of EECS submissions will be via QMPlus module pages and you should follow the module organisers instructions.

Pay close attention to the instructions given.  Check the file format requested, any word length required, file sizes, if group submission or individual submission is required.

Where the submission permits a draft submission uploaded prior to final submission you must make sure you formally submit . The submission may include  a submit button for the final submission to be formally accepted. If you do not formally submit and the file shows as Draft (not submitted) the assessment may not be marked by the module organiser, zero fail will be obtained.  

QMPlus group submissions.

You may be required to join a group prior to submission, it is your responsibility to ensure you are in the correct group prior to submission. Not joining a group may result in not receiving marks for an assessment.  It is good practice to ensure all group members names are listed on a group submission unless you are specifically asked to not include names.

If you have issues with group members contribution you should inform the module organiser or demonstrators.

4.2. Penalties

Penalties

If an assignment is submitted after the specified deadline it shall be recorded as late and a penalty shall be applied, as detailed below. If  there are valid extenuating circumstances then a penalty may be fully or partially waived.

              i.        For every period of 24 hours, or part thereof, that an assignment is overdue there shall be a deduction of five per cent of the total marks available (i.e. five marks for an assessment marked out of 100). After seven calendar days (168 hours or more late) the mark shall be reduced to zero, and recorded as 0FL (zero, fail, late).

            ii.       A student may submit work of passing standard but fail the module because of the late submission penalty. Where the student is eligible for a resit attempt in such a case, the student shall not be required to resubmit the assessment; instead, the pre-deduction mark from the first attempt shall be entered for the resit. Where a student is not eligible for a resit, this provision does not apply.

              iii.        Certain assessments may cease to be a valid measure of a module’s learning outcomes prior to the seven working day cut-off. For example, where feedback has been provided to the class, any submission made after that point would not be an accurate measure of attainment. In such cases, the late submission policy shall apply as normal up to the day on which feedback is given; at that point, a mark of zero (0FL) shall be applied, even if this is within seven calendar days of the deadline. Schools and Institutes must make clear to students in advance where this variant policy applies, or else the general policy shall be applied.

            iv.       A late work penalty may be removed where a student provides good reason for the late submission under the extenuating circumstances policy. A student must submit a formal claim with supporting evidence in line with that policy in order for the circumstances to be considered.

          v.        Schools and Institutes may award extensions to submission deadlines. This is at the discretion of the School/Institute. Where a School/Institute does consider the award of an extension, a student must apply before the submission date with an extenuating circumstances claim and supporting evidence. In no circumstances shall an extension set a new deadline beyond the next meeting of the relevant Subject Examination Board (though a first sit may be awarded).

4.3. Project/Dissertations

Project modules are usually assessed by means of a project report and an oral examination (viva), including a demonstration of system software where appropriate. Students should refer to the module web pages or ask the module organiser for details of the way in which different coursework elements in a module contribute to the final module assessment.

The project module is a core module for all EECS programmes. Core modules must be passed as a requirement of the academic regulations.

Late submission of projects will be penalised in the same way as for other coursework. Please note that submission deadline for final project reports will be stated on QMplus assessment submission.

A detailed project handbook is available on the project QMplus page.

UG students in their penultimate year (second year for three year programmes, third year for four year programmes) will have a pre project lecture to help prepare for the final project module.

4.4. Student Engagement

Introduction

The purpose of this Student Engagement Policy is to foster a supportive learning environment by actively monitoring student engagement. We aim to identify and address potential issues early, ensuring students receive timely support throughout their academic journey. Engagement is a key indicator of student success, and this policy is designed to help you stay on track and succeed in your studies.

Engagement Monitoring

Your engagement in learning activities is essential, and we use a range of tools to monitor your involvement. Engagement is measured by several markers, including:

• Attendance: Participation in scheduled classes, both online and in-person.
• Submission of Assessments: Formative and summative assessment submissions.
• Use of Learning Platforms: Engagement with platforms like QMplus for watching videos, accessing reading materials, and completing quizzes.

Each programme will have specific engagement markers tailored to its learning activities, so it is important that you are aware of these expectations.

Engagement Thresholds

A threshold for student engagement is set to ensure consistent participation. If no evidence of engagement (e.g., no class attendance, no online activity, or missed submissions) is recorded for 10 consecutive days, you will be flagged for support interventions. However, some programmes may set higher thresholds.

Support and Interventions

If your engagement drops below the required threshold, the following steps will be taken to support you:

1. Initial Contact: You will receive an email to discuss any difficulties you may be experiencing and provide advice on how to re-engage with your studies.
2. Follow-Up Communication: If there is no response to the initial contact, additional attempts will be made via email, phone, or other communication methods.
3. Escalation: If you continue to be disengaged without valid reasons, further actions may include referral to your advisor or a meeting with senior academic staff, such as the Student Support Officer (SSO) or Wellbeing Director.

At any point, if you are facing personal, health, or wellbeing challenges, you are encouraged to inform the university so appropriate support can be provided.

Consequences of Continued Non-Engagement

If your engagement continues to be a concern despite the support offered:

• Meetings with Support Staff: You may be invited to meet with the Student Support Officer or Wellbeing Director to explore any barriers to your engagement.
• Final Steps: If these efforts are not productive and there is no improvement in your engagement, non-engagement may ultimately lead to deregistration, particularly if you fail to meet the progression or award requirements of your programme.

Responsibilities of Students

To meet the expectations of this policy, you are responsible for:

• Attending all required classes and actively participating in your modules.
• Submitting assessments on time and engaging with learning materials provided online.
• Regularly checking university communication channels (e.g., emails, learning platforms) for updates on your engagement status.

Further Support

If you need help understanding the engagement expectations, or if you encounter any difficulties in meeting them, several resources are available to support you:

• Advisors: Contact your academic advisor for guidance.
• Student Support Officers: Reach out for advice on how to re-engage with your studies.
• Wellbeing Services: If personal issues are affecting your engagement, the university's wellbeing services are available to help.

Conclusion

Your engagement is crucial to your success. This policy ensures that support is in place to help you stay engaged and overcome any challenges you may encounter during your studies. By maintaining consistent participation, you will maximise your potential for academic achievement.

4.5. Absence and De-registration

For the timely and effective administration of support, the School wishes to use the following markers of student engagement. This is to ensure that students are well supported and given every opportunity to progress with their studies and to achieve to their fullest potential whilst here.

1.                  MARKERS OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

 1.1               Attendance: 

In our experience we have seen that there is a positive relationship between regular attendance and engagement and academic success. The school monitors attendance and engagement for the student's benefit. Consistent absenteeism indicates that a student is not engaging with the programme which for the School of EECS is the point at which support is made available in order to help the individual get back on track. 

For the reasons mentioned above you should attend all lectures and labs and any other events that are part of your modules. If you are absent from College for more than a day or two you will need to inform the Student Support Officer at the earliest opportunity, similarly if something serious such as an illness prevents you from attending. One of the ways your attendance and engagement is monitored during your lab sessions, is by looking at log in data from the computers in the ITL. If you use your own lap top during your lab sessions, you will not be marked as present in your assigned lab for this reason you should log into one of the machines in the lab during your session then return to using your own lap top (if necessary).

Poor attendance will result in the Senior Tutor/Student Support Officer sending a notice to your Queen Mary email address. It will also have a significantly negative effect on your studies. 

 1.2               Coursework Submission: 

You are expected to submit reports, exercises, essays, and other pieces of coursework associated with each module for which you are registered as part of your programme of study, by the individually advertised deadlines and method of submission. This is also another way in which your attendance and engagement is monitored. 

 1.3               Participation in Formative Assessments: 

You are expected to participate in a range of activities (with or without the allocation of marks) that help to inform teaching and learning during the learning process. Examples of such activities are subject related quizzes, or exercises linked to module materials on QM+.

  1.4               Marks from Summative Assessments: 

You are expected to participate in a range of activities assessing the outcomes of a learning process. Provisional and/or confirmed marks allocated from such summative assessments e.g weekly tests, coursework, and Examinations, often contribute to the overall module grade and programme degree classification.

 1.5               Other Student Engagement Activities: You are expected to participate in a range of formal or informal activities that signify continued engagement with their programme of study. Examples of such activities are scheduled meetings with Personal Tutors/Academic Advisers, tutorials and group work.

2                    ACTION FOLLOWING IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENTS WHO MAY REQUIRE SUPPORT

2.1               Actions by Schools are designed to support students to engage or re-engage with their study programme. The underpinning principles are that the School, once it has admitted a student to a programme of study, has a duty of care to that student, whilst in turn the student has a responsibility to engage with the available support. In such cases, support will be designed by the School around the needs of the individual student.

 2.2               A student identified as approaching or falling below the minimum requirements of engagement set by their School will be contacted alerting them to this, outlining support mechanisms to deal with the issues that may be contributing to this.

 2.3               Once a student is identified as in need of support in order to re-engage with their studies, they will be invited to a meeting with their Personal Tutor/Academic Adviser to discuss issues that might be affecting  their  studies, and  for  the provision  of encouragement/advice (with possible referral to QM support services if necessary). The first port of call is the Personal Tutor/Academic Adviser, who in turn may liaise with the Senior Tutor and the School’s Student Support Officer. In exceptional circumstances, a senior member of the School team, such as the Director of Taught Programmes or the Head of School, may be involved in this process.

 2.4               The School will always try to help students who are experiencing problems, but we cannot do so if we are not kept informed of them. If there are factors making a student’s engagement with their programme difficult, it is essential that the student discusses these with their Academic Adviser, or the Student Support Officer at an early stage. This will give us the opportunity to intervene and provide the necessary support.

 Attendance and Deregistration

Attendance is important and failing to attend usually leads to failure in assessment and examination.  If you need to be absent for any reason you will be expected to contact the SSO in the first instance.  In cases of persistent absence or failure to submit assignments we may deregister you from the College. You will be given warnings before deregistration occurs and you will have the right to represent your case to the School.  The Student Administration Office will send you a letter to inform you of your deregistration and we will keep a copy on your file.

Absence Notification

If you are going to be absent during term time please inform the Student Support Officer in the first instance and then request approval from the Senior Tutor.  Provided that you have been given permission for your absence it is your responsibility to catch up on any missed work.

4.6. Interruption & Withdrawal of Studies

Permission to interrupt from your studies on the grounds of illness or another good cause may be granted by the school. You may only interrupt for a maximum of two years in total; longer interruptions will be granted only in highly exceptional circumstances with the express permission of the Academic Registrar. 

If this applies to you, you should contact the Student Support Officer and/or the Senior Tutor to discuss your circumstances and allow the school to provide you with the appropriate support. You will need to complete the withdrawal form which you can obtain from the Teaching Services office in the ITL. The form will need to be signed off by a member of the Teaching Services Team.Prior to your return, the school will contact you to support you with transitioning back into University. You should also contact Advice and Welfare for further support https://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/. ;

Interrupting your studies means that although you remain registered you cease to be an enrolled student of Queen Mary University of London; this has consequences for your student status, funding, (and right to remain in the UK if you are an international student):

• You will not be entitled to attend lectures

• Students are not normally allowed to live in College residences during periods of interruption

• Your Transport for London discount may be revoked

• Students holding a Tier 4 visa where Queen Mary University of London issued a CAS cannot interrupt to gain work experience or to earn money to pay for their studies. Tier 4 students who interrupt their studies may be required to leave the UK, even if they are interrupting because of personal or medical reasons. The college is required to notify the Home Office of interruptions of study for students sponsored under Tier 4 of the Points Based Immigration System where QMUL issued a CAS

If you do interrupt your studies the Academic Regulations in place at the time of your initial registration remain in effect. You are advised to contact your tutor and read the relevant Advice and Counselling Service advice guides before interrupting. 

ASSESSMENTS

If you choose to interrupt from your degree programme and you have completed the teaching for your first semester modules and have summer exams, you can chose to sit those exams whilst you have interrupted.  Please note that the Academic Regulations state that you must elect to either attempt all of the assessments for the modules you have completed the teaching for or attempt none of them. If you are uncertain of your options please discuss them with your academic department. 

TUITION FEE LIABILITY

Until you have formally interrupted from your studies you will officially remain a student of Queen Mary and you will be responsible for payment of part of or the full year's tuition fee and where appropriate, residence fees. As funding regulations change frequently it is important that you understand how your decision might affect your entitlements in the future. If you have any concerns regarding this, the Advice and Counselling Service have some useful guides to help you and their Welfare Advisors can provide you with up to date advice on your eligibility for student finance.

The deadline for the submission of an interruption form is the day before the start of the revision week in April. 

If you are thinking of withdrawing from your studies, you should contact the Student Support Officer and/or the Senior Tutor to discuss your circumstances and allow the school to provide you with the appropriate support. You will need to complete the withdrawal form which you can obtain from the Teaching Services office in the ITL. The form will need to be signed off by a member of the Teaching Services Team. You should also contact Advice and Welfare for further support https://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/. ;

Withdrawal from the College means that you are leaving the College with no intention of returning, the implications of this are:

• It is extremely difficult to return to College once you have withdrawn as your record will have been terminated and your funding body, the Home Office and Transport for London will be advised accordingly
• Your entitlement to financial support from your funding body may be affected in the long term - you are strongly advised to seek advice from your tutor and read the relevant Advice and Counselling Service advice guide before making your decision.

Until you have formally withdrawn from your studies you will officially remain a student of Queen Mary and you will be responsible for payment of part of or the full year's tuition fee and where appropriate, residence fees. As funding regulations change frequently it is important that you understand how your decision might affect your entitlements in the future. If you have any concerns regarding this, the Advice and Counselling Service have some useful guides to help you and their Welfare Advisors can provide you with up to date advice on your eligibility for student finance in the future.

Please note that the Registry deadlines for both forms to be signed off by students registered on the majority of programmes are 4 January 2023 and 3 May 2023 (students who sign forms after these dates will remain registered for examinations in either the January or May examination periods and failure to attend may result in marks of 0 being entered and being used towards progression and award outcomes). 

Information on interruption & withdrawal of studies, including links to the relevant forms, found here:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/student-handbook/during-your-studies/changes-to-your-registration/

4.7. Extenuating circumstances

4.8. Teaching methods - OPTIONAL

Lectures

The principal method of communicating material in most modules is by 2 - 3 hours of lectures per week. During lectures, the lecturer presents material to the whole class, usually using teaching aids such as data projectors, white-boards, videos and computer demonstrations. Lecturers have individual styles of teaching: some may offer lecture slides or notes (handed out in the lecture, downloadable from the module website or available from reception for a small fee to cover printing costs), while others will expect students to take all their own notes, or to supplement supplied notes with their own additions. 

Students should re-read their lecture notes, where possible, before the next lecture, so that they can ask any questions or clarification before the next set of material is handed out. It is worth remembering that notes will be the basis of revision for exams, so it is wise to put some effort into making them as good as possible.

Labs

Many modules use weekly laboratory classes (labs) in order to give students practical experience of applying or testing concepts discussed during lectures. Practical skills, e.g. programming, are best developed in this type of environment. Teaching Assistants (typically members of staff or postgraduate research students) will be on hand to answer questions and help with practical problems. The support staff will not solve the problem on the student’s behalf, but will try to guide them towards finding a solution themselves. Set tasks are usually assigned in advance, and students should look at them before the class, if possible, and identify any problems, so that they can ask about these during the lab. 

A module will often have several time-slots set aside for labs, and each student will be assigned to a lab group, which has an individual time-slot. Labs are usually run in a particular section of the Temporary uilding, depending on the level of the module and the number of students. Lab groups and time-slots for individual modules are usually available on your EECS landing page under quick links. If a student wishes to change lab groups or time-slots, s/he must have good reason, e.g. a timetable clash. Changes cannot be made for other, more minor reasons; it is the student’s responsibility to be available during timetabled hours in term-time.

Modules that involve hardware also usually have several laboratory sessions as part of the module. The schedule for your laboratory sessions will be available on your EECS landing page. It is important that you prepare for the laboratory sessions in advance of the session. 

Tutorial Exercise classes

Like labs, some modules use exercise classes in order to give students practical experience of applying concepts discussed during lectures. Classes are usually held in a seminar room, and are often based on pen-and-paper tasks. Teaching Assistants (typically members of staff or postgraduate research students) will be on hand to answer questions and check solutions. The Teaching Assistants will not solve the problem on the student’s behalf, but will try to guide them towards finding a solution themselves. Set tasks are usually assigned in advance, and students should look at them before the class, if possible, and identify any problems, so that they can ask about these during the exercise class. Students should attempt to complete the tasks while help is at hand; if the work cannot be finished in the timetabled exercise class slot, students may finish it in their own time (but without the help of teaching Assistants).

A module will often have several time-slots set aside for exercise classes, and each student will be assigned to a group, which has an individual time-slot. Exercise classes are often run in the Temporary building, or in small seminar or lecture rooms elsewhere in the College. Groups and time-slots for individual modules are usually posted on your landing page or QM Plus. If a student wishes to change groups or time-slots, s/he must have good reason, e.g. a timetable clash. Changes cannot be made for other, more minor reasons; it is the student’s responsibility to be available during timetabled hours in term-time.

Project meetings (second, third and final year, and Masters students)

Some second, third, final year and Masters modules are project-based (e.g. group projects and the final year project). Support for these modules is often in the form of weekly project meetings, either in groups or individually. During these meetings, the student, or group of students, meets with a project supervisor or consultant, who is usually a member of academic staff. This provides the student(s) with an opportunity to summarise progress since the previous project meeting, discuss any problems and possible solutions, and plan the work to be carried out before the next project meeting. The project supervisor or consultant has two main roles: academic, ensuring that the intellectual content of the work is rigorous and well considered, and project management, ensuring that a satisfactory time-plan is formed and followed.

Independent study

In addition to the timetabled classes, students should plan to spend at least 5 hours per week on private study for each module they are studying. The division of this time between study tasks may vary with the nature of individual modules, e.g. a substantial part of the additional study time on a programming module may be spent in the lab, while other modules may demand more time spent on reading background material or solving exercise sheets. A variety of sources of material may be recommended: lecture slides and/or notes (for information tailored towards the individual module concerned), text-books (for basic, factual information), journals (for in-depth exploration of recent research trends), and conference proceedings (for cutting-edge research in progress). Some of this scientific material may be authored by the module teaching staff.

5. Programmes and modules of study

*Web based content* 

5.1. Module registration

To register for your modules you will log-in to MySIS (your personal area of SIS) with your usual computer log-in, and make preliminary choices from a list using the descriptions to tell you what the modules are about. Any core or compulsory modules will be preselected and you cannot change these.

Once you are happy with your choices, these will automatically be sent to your department or school for approval (e.g. they will make sure there aren’t any timetable clashes and you have a balance of modules in each semester) – you can send comments to them with the selection if you wish. All of your selections must be confirmed and approved by the specified deadline. The final outcome of your choices will be confirmed to you by email. Module registration has to be completed by the specified deadline (normally early-October within the first two weeks of teaching).

All modules have a limited number of places, and priority is given to students who are required to take them for their programmes. Therefore it is important that you choose your electives and complete module registration as soon as possible.

Please note, new students register for modules in September whereas some continuing students will register for modules before they come back to university in September.

5.2. Examinations feedback- CORE

You should include details on how students can get information on their examinations results.  Senate approved the introduction of results surgeries or similar mechanisms in June 2015 which allows students to receive feedback on their examinations. The Assessment Handbook outlines students right to request access to marks and comments, and potentially view script under supervision. 

Things to include are:

• When a results surgery will be held, i.e. within how many weeks of examinations;
• Statement on mechanisms in place for discussing results and getting feedback on performance in exams (i.e. in addition to results surgeries).

6. Writing and Assessment (web)

*Web Based Content* 

6.1. Assessment types

Most modules are assessed by a mixture of examination and coursework. Some modules include a small-scale project or in-term tests as part of the coursework. The weighting of examination and coursework is different for individual modules and is decided by the module organiser. Students are usually required to perform to a satisfactory standard in both examination and coursework components in order to obtain an overall pass for the module, but each module has its own specific assessment requirement.

Project modules are usually assessed by means of a project report and an oral examination (viva), including a demonstration of system software where appropriate. Students should refer to the module web pages or ask the module organiser for details of the way in which different coursework elements in a module contribute to the final module assessment.

There are some modules, which have a specific assessment requirement, which is normally a condition to achieve an overall mark of at least 40%. If a module has a coursework or exam hurdle requirement the module descriptor will show the specific condition.

Example displayed on the EECS Module descriptors:

A minimum total mark of 40% is required to pass this module.
A minimum examination mark of 40% is required to pass this module.

Undergraduate overall module pass mark is 40%

Postgraduate, MSc, MEng /MSci level 7  overall module pass mark is 50%

If you think that a particular piece of coursework has not been marked correctly then you should bring it to the attention of the Module Organiser for that particular module. However, you need to be certain that your complaint is justified because it is possible that your mark could be reduced on review. Requests to review coursework marks should be made within two weeks of the mark being made available to you (i.e. no later than two weeks after the published cut-off date). If it appears that a mark has not been recorded correctly, then please contact the coursework administrator.

6.2. Plagiarism and referencing

Queen Mary defines plagiarism as: “Presenting someone else’s work as your own, irrespective of intention. Close paraphrasing, copying from the work of another person, including another student, using the ideas of another person without proper acknowledgement or repeating work you have previously submitted – at Queen Mary or at another institution - without properly referencing yourself (known as ‘self plagiarism’) also constitutes plagiarism.”

It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand plagiarism and how to avoid it. The recommendations below can help you in avoiding plagiarism.

• Be sure to record your sources when taking notes, and to cite these if you use ideas or, especially, quotations from the original source. Be particularly careful if you are cutting and pasting information between two documents, and ensure that references are not lost in the process.

• Be sensible in referencing ideas – commonly held views that are generally accepted do not always require acknowledgment to particular sources. However, it is best to be safe to avoid plagiarism.

• Be particularly careful with quotations and paraphrasing. Quotations need to be recorded accurately, and references are required when paraphrasing someone else’s ideas.

• Be aware that technology, such as Turnitin, is now available at Queen Mary and elsewhere that can automatically identify possible plagiarism.

• Ensure that all works used are referenced appropriately in the text of your work and fully credited in your bibliography.

• If in doubt, ask for further guidance from your Advisor or module tutor.

6.3. Turnitin Statement

Turnitin Statement for School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science 

Introduction

Turnitin is a web-based system used by most universities in the UK to identify possible instances of plagiarism. This statement describes how Turnitin is used within the school and the data it creates about your work.

1. How Turnitin works

1.1  A Turnitin assignment is set up by a member of staff, either on QMplus.  You then access this assignment online and upload your work before the due date. Turnitin will analyse the submitted work to identify text matches with other sources and will compare the work against:

1.2  For each piece of submitted work Turnitin provides two things:

2.5.1 Turnitin stores a copy of most work submitted to it in its repository. This does not affect the ownership of or any copyright in the original work.

2.5.2 Staff may configure a Turnitin assignment such that copies of submissions are not stored in its database. This will be done for all test-runs or any ‘dummy’ assignments used for training or demonstration purposes.

2.5.3 Staff on your course will ensure that no commercially or otherwise sensitive documents are stored in Turnitin’s repository.

7. Student services

At the meeting of SEAG on 23 March 2017 it was suggested that information on student facing services be provided in Student Handbooks. 

7.1. The online Student Handbook

Here is link to the online Student Handbook.