University of Southampton Calendar 2015/16


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

Academic Unit	Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Final Award	Bachelor of Natural Sciences (BNatSci) Master of Natural Sciences (MNatSci) Integrated Masters (MSci) with exit awards of: 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 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.

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.

Structure of Programme(s)

2.1	All undergraduate programmes in Natural Sciences are full time degrees.
2.2	The normal length of study for the BSc programme is 3 years and for the Masters programmes it is 4 years.
2.3	It is possible to transfer to other degree programmes up to the end of Year I.
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 a semester in which to change their selections.
2.9	Students must submit their project preferences on or before the deadline as notified by the project coordinator so that a project supervisor can be allocated.

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	A candidate enrolled on the Master of Natural Sciences and Integrated Masters programmes must achieve an average part mark of 55% at the end of Part 2 in order to stay on that programme.

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	Modules are assessed by both coursework and/or formal examination, and submission dates for coursework are advertised in the module booklets or on Blackboard. All coursework must be submitted in a legible and timely manner. If a student is required to take a supplementary examination then his or her original practical marks will likely be included in the overall mark for the module where it is not normally possible to repeat practical classes.

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 or an 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

Further details on progression, including the weighting given to each year in determining the final mark and the criteria for deciding the degree classifications of candidates with borderline marks are given in Section IV of the University Calendar.

5.4

On the recommendation of the Faculty, the final award is awarded by Senate to candidates who have satisfactorily completed and approved course of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements. The results are published by number and classification on the specified date as stated in the University Calendar.

5.5

Any appeals should follow the University guidelines available in Section IV of the University Calendar.

5.6

Exit Awards are available in accordance with University Regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results specified in Section IV of the University Calendar.

5.7

Regulations for a BSc Ordinary Degree:

(a)	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.
(b)	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%.
(c)	Students following an Ordinary degree programme in Part III (FHEQ Level 6):
	i.	are not permitted to take FHEQ Level 6 modules equivalent to more than 30 ECTS;
	ii.	are not permitted to take FHEQ Level 4 modules equivalent to more than 15 ECTS;
	iii.	may be required to repeat failed FHEQ Level 5 modules equivalent to no more than 15 ECTS;
	iv.	are normally required to take four 7.5 ECTS modules in each semester in Part III.
(d)	The Academic Unit Board of Examiners will approve the scheme of study to be taken by an Ordinary degree student. No subject other than ‘Natural Sciences’ is specified when an Ordinary degree is awarded.
(e)	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 6) may, on the recommendation of the Academic Unit Board of Examiners, be recommended for the award of an Ordinary degree.
(f)	In order to qualify for the award of an Ordinary Degree, students must obtain the following:
	i.	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 (60 CP);
	ii.	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 (60 CP).

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

6.1	Subject subject combinations may involve fieldwork. 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.

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 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.