EECS Student Handbook 2023/24

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.