University Calendar 2013/14
Section IX : Academic Regulations - Faculty of 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 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
ARCHIVE 2010/11
ARCHIVE 2011/12
ARCHIVE 2012/13
Academic Unit Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Final Award Bachelor of Natural Sciences (BNatSci)
Bachelor Science (Ordinary) (BSc)
Master of Natural Sciences (MNatSci)
with exit awards of:
Bachelor of Natural Sciences (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Ordinary)
Certificate of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Programme(s) These regulations apply to all undergraduate programmes in Natural Sciences
Last modified July 2013

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 Natural Sciences 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 usually 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 Natural Sciences are full time degrees.
2.2 Masters programmes require four years of study and Bachelors require three years of study.
2.3 Transfer from the BNatSci to the MNatSci is normally permitted up to the end of Part 2. It is also possible to switch onto other degree programmes within the academic units up to the end of Year 1.
2.4 Transfer is conditional on the student having taken any modules that are compulsory for the new programme and their having met the relevant entry requirements and/or progression hurdles.
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 Appendix 1 of the programme specification and in individual module descriptors. These can be found on the Natural Sciences 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 independent research project preferences by the end of the semester before the start of the project on or before the deadline as notified by the project module 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.
3.2 You must declare which subject is your major by the end of semester 1 of your second year and you will not be allowed to change this after this date without the permission of the Natural Sciences Programme Coordinator. This is to allow sufficient time for planning of staffing levels for your project(s) in year 3.
3.3 MNatSci programmes: A candidate enrolled on these programmes must achieve an aggregate mark of 55% at the end of Part 2.


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 will 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 descriptors held on the websites of the academic unit which “owns” the module.
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.
4.4 Regulations for a BSc Ordinary Degree:
  1. Students who fail to achieve the aggregate pass part mark in Part II (NQF level 5) in order to progress to Part III (NQF 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 aggregate part pass mark of 35% at the end of Part II and achieved the required pass mark in modules equivalent to 30 ECTS (60 CP).

  2. The aggregate part pass 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 (NQF 6):

    1. are not permitted to take level 3 modules equivalent to more than 30 ECTS (60 CP);
    2. are not permitted to take level 1 modules equivalent to more than 15 ECTS (30 CP);
    3. may be required to repeat failed level 2 modules equivalent to no more than 15 ECTS (30 CP);
    4. are normally required to take four 7.5 ECTS (15 CP) modules in each semester in year 3.

  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 'Biological Science'/'Chemistry'/'Ocean and Earth Science' is specified when an Ordinary degree is awarded.

  5. Students who progressed to Part III (NQF 6) of an Honours degree, but have failed to meet the requirements for the award of an Honours degree (Part III NQF 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 (NQF Level 5) a minimum aggregate part pass mark of 35% and achieved the required pass mark in modules equivalent to 30 ECTS (60 CP);

    2. at the end of Part III (NQF Level 6) a minimum aggregate part pass mark of 35% and achieved the required pass mark in modules equivalent to 30 ECTS (60 CP).


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 BNatSci or MNatSci 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.


6. Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork
 
6.1 Subject combinations involving Ocean and Earth Science may involve fieldwork. Details are available from module coordinators, the Faculty Student Office and in the student handbook.


7. Other
 
7.1 Any other specific requirements for this programme are included in programme regulations.
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 bemonitored. Persistent absentees will receive a written warning from the Faculty.
7.4 These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.



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Last reviewed: 29-Jul-2013
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