MSc Student Handbook 2016/17

This section explains some of the main terms that you are likely to encounter in this handbook and in your studies.

 

Academic credit refers to an indicator of the amount and level of learning. Academic credits are awarded in multiples of 15.

Academic level refers to the relative complexity, depth of study, and learner autonomy required in relation to a module in the context of its discipline. Each module shall be assigned a level from the following scale:

• Level 3: Foundation or pre-degree level
• Level 4: Introductory
• Level 5: Intermediate
• Level 6: Final
• Level 7: Masters

Academic year refers to a period running from  September  to  August. The developmental years of most programmes follow academic years, and policies and regulations are always written by academic year. See also developmental year, and calendar year.

Advanced standing refers to a prior certificated study from another institution that is deemed equivalent to Queen Mary modules from which exemption is sought.

Assessed coursework refers to coursework that students are required to complete and submit, and which contributes in whole or in part to module marks and awards.

Award  refers  to  undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate certificates, diplomas, bachelors degrees (with and without honours),  undergraduate masters degrees and postgraduate masters degrees. The awards offered by Queen Mary are detailed in the Ordinances and the Academic Regulations.

Calendar year refers to a twelve month period which may cross two academic years. See also academic year and developmental year.

College Mark refers to the weighted average of a student’s performance, calculated in accordance with the regulations for the award, on which the classification of the award is based.

Compulsory module refers to a module that must be taken in order to meet requirements for progression or award.

Core module refers to a module that must be taken and passed in order to meet requirements for progression or award.

Co-requisite module refers to a module that must be taken at the same time as another, specified, module.

Developmental year refers to a year of a programme. Normally one academic year of full time study, during which MSc students are normally required to be registered for 180 credits of modules. Developmental years for part time students normally last two calendar years. See also academic year and calendar year.

Dissertation,  project,  research  project refers to an extended piece of independent study assessed by an output report or extended essay. The dissertation or project comprises a significant part of most masters programmes.

Element of assessment refers to an individual item of assessment. The assessment for a module may comprise several elements of assessment.

Enrolment refers to a process by which individuals with offers of places to study become students of Queen Mary. New students must pre-enrol before enrolment, and returning students must re-enrol each year.

Extenuating circumstances refers to circumstances that are outside a student’s control which may have a negative impact on a student’s ability to undertake or complete any assessment so as to cast doubt on the likely validity of the assessment as a measure of the student’s achievement.

First sit refers to the repeat of all or part of a module’s assessment following a certified  absence at the first attempt due to extenuating circumstances acceptable to the examination board. A first sit replaces the first attempt and does not count towards the value of academic credit for which a student must normally be registered in an academic or developmental year. First sit module marks are not pegged.

Invigilated   examination refers to a timetabled summative examination that contributes in whole or in part to the module mark.

Level See Academic level.

Module assessment refers to assessment of the  performance  of  a  student  on a module. This may include a variety of elements and forms, including coursework, dissertations, and practical assignments.

Module refers to an approved block of teaching and learning leading to the award of  academic  credit  and forming part of a programme of study.

Module mark refers to the overall module result. This may be an aggregate of marks from several elements of assessment, which may be weighted.

Prerequisite module refers to a specified module  that  should  be  taken  before a second specified module can be taken. The School of Mathematical Sciences distinguishes essential prerequisites  that   you   must   take and helpful prerequisites that we recommend you take.

Programme regulations refers to the regulations for an  individual programme of study, approved by Senate, or its delegated authority.

Programme of study (programme) refers to a package of modules approved by Senate, or its delegated authority, and leading to an award of Queen Mary or the University of London.

Progression refers to the process of moving from one  developmental  year to the next, or from the taught element to the project element of a programme.

Project See dissertation

QMACF refers to the Queen Mary Academic Credit Framework. The structure  of  academic  credits and levels applied to all modules and programmes leading to awards of Queen Mary or the University of London (introduced in 2008).

Qualifying mark refers to a specified minimum mark that must be obtained in one or more elements of assessment in order to pass a module. This is in addition to, and distinct from, the requirement to achieve a pass in the module mark to  pass the module. For example: “Students  must obtain a minimum aggregated and weighted average of 30.0 in addition to a module mark of 40.0 in order to pass the module.” The School of Mathematical Sciences does not currently use qualifying marks.

Registration refers to a process by which students sign  up  for modules of a programme of study.

Required assessment refers to assessment that students  are required to complete to a prescribed standard and to submit, but which does not contribute to the module mark.

Research project See dissertation

Research students refers to students registered for a programme of study specifically designated as a research programme.

Resit refers to the repeat of all or part of a  module’s assessments, following failure at a previous attempt. Resits do not involve the repeat of attendance for the module. They do not count towards the value of academic credit for which students must normally be registered in an academic or developmental year.

Retake refers to the repeat of a module following failure at a previous attempt. Retakes involve attendance and completion of all elements of the module, and the submission of all assessments (summative and formative). They count towards the value of academic credit for which students must normally be registered in an academic or developmental year. Module marks for retakes are not pegged. Retakes  incur pro rata tuition fees.

Special regulations refers to programme regulations that diverge from the general Academic Regulations for exceptionally good reason, and which are approved by Senate, or its delegated authority. The special regulations are detailed in sections  7  and 8 of the Academic  Regulations.

Students refers to students of Queen Mary. Ordinance  C1 describes “those persons who are students of Queen Mary and associate students  of Queen Mary”. The Academic Regulations apply to all students undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate study at Queen Mary, and to any persons whom Senate declares to be students of Queen Mary.

Taught component refers to the parts of a programme that are delivered as taught modules, as opposed to dissertations and projects. The term is generally used in relation to postgraduate programmes.

Total credit value refers to the total amount of academic credit required for an award.

University refers to the University of London, unless otherwise specified.

Assessment Type Definitions

 

Invigilated  examination (short code EXM):

A formal, timed and invigilated assessment that takes place under the regulations for invigilated examinations. To include but not limited to: seen and unseen examinations (including on-line examinations) that take place in Queen Mary’s formal examination periods.

Coursework   (short   code   CWK): An assessment that takes place during the module. To include but not limited to: essays, reports, presentations, poster presentations, seminar/tutorial work, in-class or in-semester tests,mid-sessional examinations, project proposals, exercises and homework sheets.

Practical (short code PRA): An assessment that requires the application or demonstration of knowledge and/or skills/competencies in a practical context. To include: laboratory work, computer work, performances, fieldwork and oral assessments in languages.

Dissertation/project (short code DIS): An extended piece of independent study that is assessed by the output report or long essay. To include but not limited to: dissertations, research projects and project reports.