biosciences undergraduate handbook

21
WELCOME TO BIOSCIENCES Centre for Ecology and Conservation Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook 2012/2013 This handbook is a quick reference to information about Biosciences in Cornwall. It is organized to answer frequently asked questions under five main headings: basic survival, the social side to Biosciences, technical details, information about your degree, and exams and tests. CORNWALL CAMPUS

Upload: others

Post on 13-Jan-2022

4 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

WELCOME TO BIOSCIENCES Centre for Ecology and Conservation

Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook 2012/2013 This handbook is a quick reference to information about Biosciences in Cornwall. It is organized to answer frequently asked questions under five main headings: basic survival, the social side to Biosciences, technical details, information about your degree, and exams and tests.

CORNWALL CAMPUS

Page 2: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 2

Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Cornwall Campus Welcome Welcome to Biosciences! Biosciences is based in the Daphne de Maurier and Peter Lanyon buildings at the Cornwall campus in Cornwall, and both the Hatherly Laboratories and the Geoffrey Pope building on the Streatham campus. Some procedures and practices will change during your stay at the University of Exeter, but we will endeavor to keep you informed of these as they occur. This handbook should be your first point of reference for any queries that you may have. Please note that the administrative centre for Biosciences in Cornwall is the CLES admin office, room A070 in the Peter Lanyon Building About this Handbook This handbook is a quick reference to information about Biosciences. It is organised to answer frequently asked questions under five main headings: basic survival, the social stuff, technical details, about the degree, exams and tests. The best way to find out what is in here is to scan the index of FAQs on the following pages. This booklet covers what we think you will need to know in your day-to-day life in Biosciences. There is more detailed information about specific issues that this booklet will refer you to (e.g. the Biosciences web pages or the Guild/FXU and University web pages). On behalf of Biosciences, and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, I wish you every success during your time here at the University of Exeter.

Prof Stuart Bearhop Professor in Animal Ecology and Director of Undergraduate Education

Page 3: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 3

Basic survival Who can help me? Virtually everybody needs advice at some point. In Biosciences, your main point of contact will be your personal tutor. Your personal tutor will be an experienced member of the staff who is used to being asked questions large and small. In addition, many routine matters can often be dealt with by administrators in the CLES admin office - just ask. There is also a Student Help website: http://www.studenthelp.ex.ac.uk/studenthelp. Outside Biosciences, the Student Union FXU represents students of University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter Cornwall Campus. The FXU offers student welfare advice on issues such as housing, finance, legal and academic issues. They also organise events for students, facilitate volunteer experience, and provide sporting opportunities. The FXU office is in the Annex opposite the refectory and is open year round from 9 am to 5 pm. You can contact them by phone at 01326 370447 or by email at [email protected]. See the FXU website http://www.fxu.org.uk for more information.

Source Example topics Your personal tutor

Academic and personal issues.

Senior tutor Serious academic and personal issues affecting academic progress (only after first approaching your personal tutor), change of personal tutor.

Programmes administrator

Change of module, timetables, exams and assessments, project allocation, availability of staff, routine academic matters, amendments to personal records, student absence records, college ambassador queries - Irene Christophers.

Director of Undergraduate Education

Serious academic issues affecting the programme, and complaints against staff (normally after first talking to your personal tutor).

The table below details how to find key people with responsibilities in the College of Life and Environmental Science and Biosciences:

College of Life and Environmental Sciences - Contacts

Role Name Location Telephone* E-mail *

College Dean Professor Mark Goodwin

Contact via the executive PA Amanda Trick a.c.r.trick

Associate Dean Research and Knowledge Transfer

Professor Michelle Ryan

Associate Dean Education Professor Tim Quine

College Manager

Linda Peka Hatherly Streatham

01392 725221

L.A.Peka

Assistant College Manager (Cornwall)

Gail Reeves DDM 3038

Ext: 5822 g.reeves

Programmes Administrator Irene Christophers PL A070 2794 I.Christophers

CLES Admin Office Leigh Kitto PL A070 4229 B.L.Kitto

Assistant College Manager (Education)

Barbara Powell Amory Streatham

01392 724622

b.e.powell

PA to College Dean

Mrs Amanda Trick Hatherly B5 Streatham

01392 725151

a.c.r.trick

Page 4: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 4

Biosciences (Centre for Ecology and Conservation) - Contacts

Head of Centre Professor David Hosken

DDM 3059 1843 d.j.hosken

Director of Education (Tremough)

Prof Stuart Bearhop DDM 3048 1835 s.bearhop

Assistant Director of Education

Dr Andrew Pye DDM 3038 1446 a.j.pye

Senior Tutor Dr Andrew Pye DDM 3038 1446 a.j.pye

Student-Staff Liaison Committee

Dr Andrew Pye DDM 3038 1446 a.j.pye

Special Needs Officer Dr Andrew Pye DDM 3038 1446 a.j.pye

Academic Misconduct and Examinations Officer

Dr Andrew Pye DDM 3038 1446

a.j.pye

Employability Officer Dr Sarah Hodge DDM 3064 1724 s.j.hodge

Employability & Graduate Development

Ian Osborne ASU PL 5815 i.d.osborne

Undergraduate Programme Directors

Conservation Biology & Ecology

Dr Frank van Veen DDM 3049 5974 f.j.f.van-veen

Zoology Dr Sasha Dall DDM 3061 1860 s.r.x. dall

Evolutionary Biology Dr Sasha Dall DDM 3061 1860 s.r.x. dall

Animal Behaviour Dr Mike Cant DDM 3771 M.A.Cant

Study Abroad Dr Nick Royle DDM 1825 N.J.Royle

Joint honours Prof Stuart Bearhop DDM 3048 1835 s.bearhop

MSc Programme Directors

Conservation & Biodiversity Prof Brendan Godley DDM 3060 1861 b.j.godley

Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology

Prof Nina Wedell DDM 3058 1863 n.wedell

Applied Ecology Dr Andy McGowan DDM 3038 4190 a.mcgowan

DDM = Daphne Du Maurier building, Tremough Campus. PL – Peter Lanyon Building, Tremough Campus. All email addresses have the suffix @exeter.ac.uk How can I communicate with the Department? The postal address is: Centre for Ecology and Conservation University of Exeter Cornwall Campus Penryn Cornwall TR10 9EZ Tel: 01326 253794/254229

Page 5: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 5

What can I expect from my Personal Tutor?

You will be assigned a Personal Tutor for the duration of your studies. Your personal tutor will be an experienced member of the staff who can listen to just about any concern you have, large or small. They will be the obvious person to answer your questions and to help sort out academic and, if necessary, personal problems. Your connection with your personal tutor will continue until you graduate, and you will maintain contact by meeting them several times a term. After graduating, you can ask them to act as a referee when applying for jobs or a further degree. Your personal tutor will normally be prepared to see you to discuss problems at any time during working hours and certainly by appointment within 24 hours. Your personal tutor will tell you if they are going to be absent for a significant period and an arrangement will then be made, via the Senior Tutor, to provide a stand-in tutor for you. If your personal tutor is unable to help you please make an appointment to see the Senior Tutor. Your personal tutor will record your attendance at scheduled meetings, and will report frequent absences to the Senior Tutor. He/she will also help you with your Personal Development Plan (PDP). What is Personal Development Planning? We are committed to supporting your personal, academic and career development during your time at Exeter. Personal Development Planning (PDP) is well established in Biosciences, and is embedded into the personal tutoring system. PDP is defined as: ‘a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect on their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development’ (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2000). Why is it important? If you engage seriously in PDP, you should be better equipped:

To become a more effective, independent and confident learner;

To understand how you are learning and to ‘transfer’ your learning to new situations;

To manage your general skills for study and for career management;

To express your personal goals, and work towards them, and

To demonstrate a proactive approach to learning in a range of different contexts. Learning to identify and evidence skills you’re developing, and setting action plans to build on these through PDP can help to prepare you for job interviews and other professional situations, such as Professional Development Reviews (PDR). How does Biosciences provide opportunities for PDP? An important feature of the ‘structure and support’ we provide for PDP is through the opportunities you have to talk about your progress with tutors/supervisors throughout your programme of study. At appropriate stages of your programme, you will be invited to a meeting or tutorial with your personal tutor to focus on your progress. The aim of these sessions is to provide a supportive environment in which to discuss your development rather than to judge performance, so you should feel free to be completely frank about your progress and achievements. Where appropriate, your tutor/supervisor may refer you to other sources of help and guidance. You will also be introduced to PDP in the BIO1417 Key Skills module when you start your degree. The information given here will link to the personal tutoring system. Employability talks and other events will also be advertised to all students for you to take advantage of as they occur and the student society ECOSOC also put on a large number of events and activities that

Page 6: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 6

can help with your personal development. Many of these activities are officially recognised through the ‘Exeter Award’. What recognition is there for the extracurricular activities or volunteer work that I do? The Exeter Award is a new achievement award for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Exeter. The Award is designed to enhance the employability of University of Exeter graduates by providing official recognition and evidence of extra-curricular activities and achievements. These include:

attendance at Careers and Employment Service and other employability skills sessions

participation in sporting and musical activities

engagement in work experience and voluntary work Find out about registering for the Exeter Award here: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/exeteraward/index.html Can I change my Personal Tutor?

You can ask for a change of personal tutor via the Senior Tutor (or the College Administration Manager if your personal tutor is the senior tutor). However, you will not be able to choose a particular member of staff as tutor groups have to remain balanced. Biosciences view is that occasional incompatibility between a student and personal tutor is inevitable and does not reflect badly on either party - a simple change of tutor can be an effective and mutually beneficial solution. What are my responsibilities as a student in Biosciences?

The standard responsibilities towards the University are listed below, but perhaps the most important responsibility to yourself is never to brood on an unanswered question - if you have a concern, ask. Your personal tutor will listen to just about anything. Also, you can talk to the Senior Tutor or Director of Education. Here is your standard list: 1. Undertake any required study in an appropriate style and quantity to complete your modules

successfully. Enrolment on a module is effectively a contractual agreement to do this. 2. Attend scheduled activities, such as lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes. 3. Check your mail and e-mail regularly for communications from the College. 4. Follow the Biosciences safety regulations. 5. Tell your tutor as soon as possible if anything affects your academic progress and provide the

required documentation to substantiate your circumstances when requested. 6. Familiarise yourself with the policies on plagiarism operated by Biosciences and the University,

and abide by them. Most of these issues (communication, safety, your circumstances, plagiarism) are explored in more detail in other sections of the handbook. What safety rules must I follow?

You must abide by Biosciences’ safety rules, which are listed below.

Page 7: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 7

Safety in Biosciences

Access to the Daphne du Maurier and Peter Lanyon buildings on the Tremough Campus is restricted to authorized members of the campus. To gain entry to the Daphne du Maurier building outside of normal working hours you will need to use your University card. Entry to the Peter Lanyon building will require your University card at all times. Students are not normally expected to require out of hours access, but may do so for occasional project work in their final year. Access to the Biology Research Laboratory is restricted to authorized users. Students requiring access need to gain authorization from the Safety Committee through their project supervisors. Please note that the use of cards in the door entry system is recorded and you must not lend your card to another person. If you do, this will be treated as a serious offence. Don't eat or drink in any of the Bioscience buildings (except in designated areas). Smoking is prohibited within or within 5 metres of all buildings. Any student coming to a class under the influence of drink or drugs will be excluded. Working hours. The buildings are open from 8 am to 5:30pm. Undergraduates are only allowed to remain in, or enter them outside normal working hours when carrying out their final year project work, and only with their supervisor's written permission (see Use of laboratories for final year projects outside "normal working hours” paragraph overleaf). Safety in the Laboratory

1. Follow all guidelines given by the staff. 2. If you have an accident, report it immediately to the member of staff in charge. 3. Make sure you know the location of fire extinguishers and emergency fire exits, and that you know

the fire drill (see Fire regulations, described below). There will be a fire practice during the first few weeks of the first term.

4. Always wear a clean laboratory coat; put it on as soon as you enter the lab. You may be asked to leave a practical if you do not have a lab coat.

5. Do not eat or drink in the laboratories, and do not pipette anything by mouth. 6. Wear safety glasses - essential when handling acids, alkalis, corrosive solutions and microbiological

suspensions. 7. Check that all apparatus is turned off before leaving the lab. 8. You are strongly advised to have yourself immunised against tetanus in case of accidents in the

laboratory and in the field.

Safety in the Field

1. Follow all guidelines given by the staff. 2. If you have an accident, report it immediately to the member of staff in charge. 3. Make sure that your clothing and footwear are adequate for the weather and terrain likely to be

encountered, and that you have enough food and drink for the trip. 4. See point 8 above about immunisations.

Use of laboratories for final year projects outside "normal working hours"

Students may ask their supervisors for permission to have access to laboratories outside working hours, on the following conditions:

1. The supervisor must be satisfied that access is essential, and that the activity proposed is safe. 2. You must not work alone. 3. Permission is granted only for named individuals on a specific occasion. A student permitted to

work in the laboratory outside normal working hours must not allow others to enter the building. 4. The building must be vacated by 10.00pm.

Page 8: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 8

Fire regulations

If you find a fire

1. Sound the alarm bell by smashing the glass on a fire bell switch. 2. Evacuate building by a safe route.

When you hear the fire alarm/When the alarm (a continuously sounding siren or bell) sounds.

1. Leave the building by the nearest route, avoiding wooden staircases and lifts. (The most senior person present will take charge of the evacuation of laboratories and lecture rooms).

2. Assemble outside for checking, keeping the forecourt clear for fire-fighting appliances. Assembly point Adjacent to the Daphne du Maurier building: on the grass area next to the car park. Do not re-enter the building until given permission. (A practice fire drill will be held at the beginning of each year). What happens if I miss a class?

Sometimes, you will miss a class for some unavoidable reason (e.g. illness). If you know in advance that you will miss a practical class or tutorial, then you should let the Undergraduate Office or module coordinator know by email. If you are absent from classes for between four and six consecutive days you must complete and submit a certificate of illness/absence (we call this self certification of absence). You must give the certificate to the undergraduate office. You can get blank copies of the certificate from the undergraduate office. If you are absent for more than six days you must get a doctor's certificate if your condition is medical - the doctors at the Penryn Medical Practice, Saracen Way (01326 372502) can provide free medical certificates for students that are registered with them, or your own GP if necessary. We call this a medical certification of absence. If your absence arises for another, non-medical reason, then contact your personal tutor, who will advise you. Certifying your absence can be very important. You will definitely need to have a certified absence if you miss a test, assessment, or exam (see what happens if I get too ill to take a test or exam? Under Technical Details) or you will be given a zero mark. If you think your absence has affected your performance in a test or exam even if you didn't miss it, then you will need certification to help substantiate this claim. This is something you should discuss with your personal tutor. The University’s rules on certifying absence may be found at: http://www.admin.ex.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/stuillness.htm Biosciences monitors your attendance at practicals and tutorials and will identify persistent absentees. Persistent absenteeism will lead initially to a student being interviewed, and may eventually lead to disciplinary action if the absences are unjustifiable. In the worst possible case, disciplinary action can involve a student being withdrawn from the programme. How can I improve my basic study skills?

If you feel you are struggling to achieve your best and need advice on any aspect of studying (writing, reading, organising your time, etc.) then you should see your personal tutor. Also, you may want to see someone at ASK the on campus study support centre - Academic Skills [email protected]. What is ELE (Exeter Learning Environment)? ELE is the university's virtual learning environment which enables students to access course materials and use tools such as discussion forums and learning logs to interact online.

Page 9: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 9

How do I access the ELE? There is a link to ELE on the Bioscience homepage or you can access it at http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/. You login with your university email user name and password. What information can I expect to find on ELE? When you login you should see a list of all the modules for which you are registered. You will not be able to see any modules until you have completed your module selection with your personal tutor and, in the first instance, it may take a few days for the system to update your access. When you go to the site for a module you will find varying amounts of information, dependent on the module and the way in which it is taught. As a minimum you should find: the module description, a list of teaching staff and their contact details, a module timetable, a laboratory schedule, details of the methods of assessment applied to the module and a copy of the annual module review. In most cases you can also find copies of lecture notes and a list of additional resources. Who do I contact if there is a problem with ELE? This depends on the problem:

1. If you cannot see one module which you believe you are registered for, or you cannot see any modules listed. This is most likely to occur if there is a problem with your registration status on SITS for one, or all, of the modules. In the first instance you should contact the undergraduate office.

2. My registration status is correct but I still cannot see certain modules. If your registration status has recently changed it may take 24 hours before you are able to see the correct modules. If there is still a problem, contact the Biosciences ELE coordinator Andy McGowan through the undergraduate office.

3. Material on ELE will not download correctly on to my computer. You need to check your security settings as these may be prohibiting file downloads. Follow the 'troubleshooting' link from ELE login page to show you the correct settings. If you are still experiencing problems contact IT support.

4. The material on ELE is out of date or key information is missing. In this case please contact one of the teaching staff on the module, preferably the module coordinator.

Will I be penalised if I hand work in late?

Yes. Late work will be marked for a maximum of a pass (40%) if submitted up to 2 weeks late, and 0% if submitted after 2 weeks unless an extension has previously been given. To apply for an extension see page 17 of this handbook. Deadlines will be publicised in advance and can be seen via your BART pages. Please note two important points:

CA tests will not be re-arranged

Work submitted more than 14 days late, may not be marked What is plagiarism?

In the next three years you will be submitting a good deal of written work, some of which will contribute to your eventual results. Do not plagiarise. Plagiarism is defined as representing as your own the words or ideas of other people, whether published or not. In the university context it may take the form of, for example, copying chunks of a textbook, web page, lecture handout or whatever into an essay without acknowledging where they come from, or copying another student’s work and passing it off as your own. Always acknowledge direct quotes by naming the source - you often will receive credit for showing evidence of background reading - and never use other people’s results or copy their work without full attribution. Do not permit

Page 10: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 10

your work to be copied by others. Internet plagiarism is dealt with in the same way as plagiarism from printed sources and search engines make it fairly easy to detect. The use of essay bank material for assessment purposes is not permitted under any circumstances. Any case of cheating and or plagiarism is liable to be given zero marks, and may be treated as a disciplinary offence by the University (see http://www.ex.ac.uk/admin/academic/tls/tqa/plag1.htm). Plagiarism is not permitted and will be severely punished. PLEASE NOTE Biosciences uses online plagiarism detection software, called Turnitin, which automatically compares your work with published work and internet sources. You are required to submit all suitable coursework electronically via Turnitin. You will be told ahead of time which coursework has to be handed in electronically in addition to hard copy format. Additionally, you are not allowed to take any books, notes or electronic devices into examinations unless they have been authorised. You will have to get an authorisation sticker put on your calculator before you are allowed to take it into an exam - contact the CLES admin office about this. The Social Side

Ecosoc

The Centre for Ecology and Conservation has a very active society, Ecosoc, run for the students of Biosciences, by the students of Biosciences. They organise all the social stuff, like trips, nights out, and barbecues, and make contact during Welcome Week. Biosciences’ Ambassadors

We encourage all students to apply to become a Biosciences Ambassador. If selected you will receive training both from the University and Biosciences and be employed to work during all our main UCAS Open Days and other occasions when required. UCAS Offer Holder Visit Days are held during February and March and ambassadors are responsible for talking to prospective students and their families and conducting tours of Biosciences and the Camous. It’s a great way to become involved with the college, to get to know students from other programmes and year groups, earn some money and to add to your CV. You will be given details of how to apply later in the term, however if you have any questions contact http://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/ambassadors/index.shtml. What can I expect from Biosciences - is there a Student's Charter?

You have every right to expect fair and reasonable treatment from Biosciences. Like most institutions, we write these things down so that you will know what to expect, but we don't call them a Student's Charter. Still, you will find the nearest thing to this in our Code of Teaching Practice. You are well advised to know your rights, so find this on the UG admin office ELE pages. Does Biosciences have an equal ops policy?

Yes; Biosciences is committed to treating all students equitably, irrespective of gender, race, physical capabilities, religion, and sexual orientation. What do I do if I have special needs?

If you have a long-term condition that affects your academic work, you should contact the University's Accessibility Service, part of Accommodation and Welfare, which is now located above the FXU, opposite the Stannary. http://www.exeter.ac.uk/cornwall/campus_facilities_services/accessibility_service/accessibility_service.shtml),

You should also notify the undergraduate office and your tutor.

Page 11: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 11

What do I do if I am dyslexic?

You should contact the Accessibility Service (see information above) If you have the necessary certificate, you have the opportunity to register with Biosciences so as to receive advice and support and also extra time in assessments and exams. The special needs officer can also advise you on what to do if you suspect you might have dyslexia. It is your responsibility to ensure that the module co-ordinators are aware of any additional time that you may be entitled to for course assessments etc. What happens if I am ethically opposed to work on animals?

Some modules, including some of the compulsory year 1 Biological Sciences modules, will involve studying live animals, and dissection of dead ones. Relevant information is given in the synopses to these modules. Staff are sensitive to animal welfare, and are active in national movements to maintain the highest standards of husbandry and the responsible use of living material for teaching and research. We reduce the killing of organisms to the minimum level which we believe appropriate for teaching our subject. If you are ethically opposed to scientific work involving animals, you are able to abstain from year 1 practicals in compulsory (core) modules that involve dissections. However, you must arrange for this abstention early in the year by notifying the Director of Education in writing. After year 1, no modules with work on animals are compulsory, and there is no provision for ethical abstention. How can I help change and develop the way Biosciences operates?

You might like to help Biosciences change for the better. You might like to learn about how an educational institution works, and you might want to improve your CV - all good reasons to get involved. The main way to do this is to become a year representative on the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC). Your job will be to listen to student opinions and concerns, to communicate these at Committee meetings, and to relay progress back to students. You can find out more about this, and volunteer to serve, by talking to the Senior Tutor. Biosciences also seeks your opinion on each of the modules which you take, and also your views about the programme as a whole at the end of the academic year. This is done on-line using MACE – module and course evaluations. You will be prompted by e-mail when the evaluation forms are open, and we would ask that you make every effort to complete the evaluations because without your input we cannot consider changes. The summaries of the evaluations are discussed at the Biosciences Learning and Teaching Committee and are also available on Biosciences/local under undergraduate information. These evaluations also feed into the Biosciences annual module review process. Students are also encouraged to take part in the National Student Survey (NSS) and Biosciences will take into consideration the outcome and make plans and action them accordingly to improve the student experience. What do I do if a member of staff fails to turn up? In the unlikely event that a lecture has to be cancelled, every effort will be taken to let you know via your timetable, email, ELE or telephone. Please note that you are only expected to wait for 15 minutes after the start time before leaving the room if no lecturer arrives to take the session. Please inform the Student Office should this happen. What do I do if I want to complain? In the first instance please register your complaint with the undergraduate office who will then direct you to the correct course of action. General issues can be dealt with through your Year Representatives on the Student-Staff Liaison Committee. For issues which are special to yourself or more serious contact the student office or the Senior Tutor.

Page 12: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 12

The University has standard procedures to receive and resolve your problems (see http://www.admin.ex.ac.uk/calendar/live/progdev/complaints.htm) but we would hope to resolve them informally if at all possible. If you want advice from outside the School, go to the Student Advice Centre run by the FXU Student Union. Technical details

How can I find the room I'm supposed to be in?

Don't panic. Most of your teaching will be in DDM (Daphne du Maurier building). All members of staff have offices in the Biosciences wing of the DDM building, just down from the Gem Museum.

How can I get access to teaching staff in person?

You can find a staff member by dropping by at their office, but you may find them busy. It is usually most convenient to arrange an appointment in advance by contacting them by e-mail. You can look up staff e-mail addresses on the University's email directory. Where can I find my mail and e-mail?

Biosciences uses email for routine communications, but other material arrives via noticeboards. You will sign up for an email account at the beginning of each academic year. Check your email at any campus computer. Returned work will also usually be put in the cabinet outside the College Office in the Peter Lanyon Building Please note that only exeter.ac.uk email addresses will be used for correspondence. Students who opt for other email addresses are warned that they may not receive important information, and that Biosciences will not take responsibility for this. There are noticeboards in the Biology wing of the DDM. These notice boards have lots of important information on them, and you should check them regularly. Where can I get on to a computer?

You can use the PCs in the large IT Suite. There are also facilities for using a laptop and wireless hotspots in the main body of the library. PCs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, except periodically when reserved for teaching classes. Where can I get training in IT? There is an IT support office in the LRC open access suite that is staffed during the day. See the IT suite webpage for more information. Where can I do my photocopying?

Photocopiers are operated using your student ID card. There's a machine in the library next to the copiers for topping up copy and print credit (or you can do it online from: https://secure.falmouth.ac.uk/5/it-services/category.aspx. Minimum payment £5) Charges for both printing and photocopying are:

Black & White A4 = 5p Black & White A3 = 10p Colour A4 = 30p Colour A3 = 60p

Where can I get a lab coat and safety glasses? Lab coats will be made available during Freshers Week.

Page 13: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 13

About the degree What does a degree programme involve?

We offer the following biosciences undergraduate degrees programmes in Cornwall • BSc Conservation Biology and Ecology • BSc Conservation Biology and Ecology with Study Abroad (4 years) • BSc Evolutionary Biology • BSc Evolutionary Biology with Study Abroad (4 years) • BSc Zoology • BSc Zoology with Study Abroad (4 years) • BSc Animal Behaviour You will need to accumulate 360 credits to graduate with an honours degree (480 credits for 4-year programmes). An ordinary degree can be awarded if 300 or more credits are obtained. Each course that you take, which is called a module, is worth a number of credits. When you pass the assessments for the module, you get the credits. The more credits that a module is worth; the more study time is going to be required. By convention, you take 120 credits of modules each year. Many modules are options, but there is a core of required modules, particularly at Level 1. Normally, students take virtually all of their credits in Biosciences, but there is room for some flexibility if you want it, but you must normally take at least 270 credits in Biosciences and, for an honours degree, at least 90 of those credits must be obtained at Level 3. Please refer to the programme specifications on the Biosciences webpages for any restrictions that may apply to individual programmes. Effectively this means that you must take at least four optional Biosciences modules in Level 3, and the prerequisites for these will dictate certain modules in Level 2. Your personal tutor can advise you. To view the module portfolio table, please see the Module summary page. How do I choose modules? Your personal tutor will always advise you in choosing modules. You will have to discuss your choice with them as part of the registration process, but the choice is ultimately up to you provided that you meet the necessary requirements. Note that Level 3 modules do have limits on student numbers, as do the Level 2 field courses. You should note that there are additional charges for the fieldcourses, to cover accommodation and flights etc. How do I change my choice of modules? You can change from one module option to another. This is normally only allowed no later than the first 2 weeks of the module, and needs the formal permission of the Director of Education. You must apply to change modules through the Programmes Administrator, Irene Christophers: [email protected]. Failure to follow the proper procedure causes chaos, and can lead to disaster. You must follow this procedure otherwise you could end up with no marks and sitting the wrong paper in the exams. Please note that under no circumstances can you change from a module once you have taken an assessment in it. NOTE: Because of booking deadlines etc, you are only able to change level 2 field courses selections during the first two weeks of TERM 1 (if want to change after this, without any evidence of mitigating circumstances you will still be charged the cost of taking the field course). There is even less flexibility for L3 field courses as these have to be booked many months in advance (L3 field course coordinators will advise you on deadlines etc). Can I leave my Biosciences programme? Yes, but the decision is a serious one. If you wish to change your programme entirely, or even to withdraw from the University, talk to your personal tutor in the first instance. They will discuss the implications, and if appropriate advise you on the proper procedure. In some circumstances, you can

Page 14: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 14

suspend (interrupt) your studies for a year. When are my classes and exams? We have three terms: Winter, Spring and Summer. The three years are referred to as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (and Level 4 for programmes with study abroad). Although Biosciences has designated some weeks as Opportunities Week for Level 1 students and revision weeks for Level 2 & 3, you are still expected to be in attendance at the University. Indeed Biosciences reserves the right to use these weeks for teaching and assessments, but these events will be kept to a minimum. Modules normally last 11 weeks and there are exams in January and June. See the Academic Calendar (http://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/policies/calendar/part2/calendar/). Exams and tests

What exams and tests will I be taking?

Modules typically are assessed by exam and coursework but also can be assessed by exam only. You should always check the module description http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/current/modules/ugcornwall/one: for information on how a module is assessed. CAs (course assessments) vary among modules, but the lecturers will always tell you what is to happen at the start of the module; in the first year these are often multiple choice tests. The exam for a module takes place in the nearest exam time (i.e the modules in the first semester are tested in the inter-semester break). The questions often require an essay, but some will be short answer or problem-based. Students are advised to refer to the module coordinators and module synopses for further details. Examples of the rubrics (instructions) for each format of examination paper will be displayed on the notice boards in advance of the examination period. You can also find the marking criteria at the end of this booklet.

Revision tip!! You can find all of the old Bioscience exam papers on ELE. IMPORTANT: Marks from stage 1 may be used to allocate places on field courses or in the allocation of projects. Therefore you should aim higher than to merely pass the year! Referred/Deferred Examinations These are taken during the refer/defer examination period in August. Note that these exams may differ from the format of the original January or June exam. You are again advised to refer to http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/current/modules/ugcornwall/one: In your final year you will also undertake your project or double dissertation (45 credits), which involves you completing your own piece of science. Both the project and dissertations are written up as a scientific paper, which gives you most of the marks, but you also produce a mini review. In case of failure it is not permitted to repeat either projects or dissertations, but they may be re-submitted for a maximum mark of 40%. Viva Voce Some final year students may be asked to attend a viva voce (oral) examination with one of the External Examiners. These do not contribute to your marks and you cannot lose marks. Written policy on viva voce examinations is in the undergraduate degree assessment procedures which may be found on the UG admin office ELE pages. The Director of Education will give a briefing session to students selected for a viva voce (see also details below). What happens if I get too ill to take a test or exam (Deferred Examinations)?

Don't worry; if you miss a CA test, you will need to register your medical circumstances using a mitigation form to the undergraduate office. To find out how to do this, see What if I must miss a class

Page 15: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 15

(Under Basic Survival)? If your documentation is in order, Biosciences will simply calculate your overall module mark based on the other tests and exams for the module. If you miss an exam, you will get another chance to take it, which is called being deferred. You may need to sit the deferred exam in the summer vacation, however. You will need to submit a doctor's certificate or other evidence to show why you couldn't take the exam the first time (with the official mitigation form). Warning – if you are absent from formal examinations and do not provide a satisfactory written explanation about your absence you may be deemed withdrawn, and required to leave the University.

Prizes

Students who perform well during the year may be rewarded by receiving a prize, which may be either in the form of book tokens or cash. Recommendations for prizes are made at the Exam Boards at the end of the academic year, and for final year students are awarded on degree day. There are also Dean’s and Biosciences Commendations available which look good on your CV but unfortunately do not carry any financial reward! Procedures for coursework and assignments

Coursework, comprising laboratory reports, problem-based exercises, essays, assignments, project reports etc account for a significant proportion of the assessment in all programmes. In accordance with University guidelines, Biosciences has a policy of anonymous marking for most coursework that contributes to the assessment of a module (work is submitted using BART, a barcoded system). Exceptions to anonymous submission include larger coursework elements which are double-marked or moderated (such as projects) and pieces of coursework (usually small) where anonymity would be difficult or impractical given the circumstances under which the assessment has to be conducted (e.g. posters and some forms of workshop/laboratory reports and electronic submissions). As a result of the above, we operate strict procedures for the hand-in of coursework contributing to assessment. It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the procedures below and to ensure that all coursework contributing to assessment is submitted in the correct way and within the specified deadline. Failure to observe these procedures may result in a zero mark being recorded for the coursework element concerned. What are the rules for handing in work? All work submitted for a mark by students will be collected centrally by the CLES Admin Office in the Peter Lanyon Building. All work will be marked anonymously whenever practicable. A record will be made of all submitted work before distribution to the markers. All work must be submitted on time. The dates and times for submission will be announced in advance. No extension to published deadlines may be given by individual members of staff. Instead you must apply for an extension using the Extension Form available by email from I.Christophers or [email protected]. Work will only be marked for a maximum of a pass (40% for undergraduates) if submitted up to 2 weeks late, and a mark of 0% after this time unless an extension has previously been given. Assessed work that is associated with a practical session will not be accepted unless you have attended the practical and signed the register. Students missing such practical sessions will be subject to standard mitigation procedures, see What if I must miss a class (Under Basic Survival). NB Work submitted more than 14 days after the published deadline will receive a mark of 0%, unless an extension has previously been given. Submitting Assessed Coursework through BART and Turnitin

Page 16: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 16

Assessed coursework must NOT be handed in by any other method than that specified below unless alternative arrangements are clearly specified by the member of staff setting the work (e.g. class tests, work exempted from anonymity or electronic submissions). Two copies of work are to be submitted – one in paper form through the BART system and one electronically through Turnitin. BOTH need to be submitted before the deadline, otherwise the work will be deemed as late and capped at 40%. BART In accordance with University guidelines, we have a policy of anonymously marking coursework that contributes to the assessment of a module. To facilitate this process, we use BART, a web-based system that provides each student with an electronic list of their assessments, bar-coded cover sheets for each assessment and receipts when work is handed in. Please keep receipts in case there is a dispute with your hand-in. For each piece of coursework that is submitted you will need to print a cover sheet, which contains your student number and the module assessment code encoded in bar-code format. The cover sheets for all relevant coursework assessments and their respective hand-in times are available through the BART website, accessible via ELE and MyExeter. This cover sheet must be attached to your work and handed in at the CLES Admin Office, PL Building. Your work will be scanned into the system and you will be given a receipt confirming the time and date of submission. It is suggested that you visit the BART system regularly and print off coversheets as they are needed. Coursework deadlines can change throughout the year, and these will be immediately updated on the system. If, however, you print all coversheets at the beginning of the term, and changes are made, you may have an incorrect version. It is advised that you print off coversheets a week before the deadline. It is not possible for work to be submitted without a BART cover sheet. Turn-it-in As well as submitting a hard copy of each assignment, students must also submit an electronic copy via Turn-it-in – which also acts as a plagiarism detection system. To submit electronically students must log into ELE and find the module that the piece of work being submitted refers to. Within the ELE pages for this module will be a section called ‘Assessment Submission’ or ‘Hand-ins’, which allows documents to be attached and uploaded to Turn-it-in. Assignments written using Microsoft word are accepted by the system. However assignments completed using Microsoft Works, PowerPoint and other specialist software cannot be submitted via Turn-it-in. Students are asked to convert these documents into PDF files and then upload their work. Free PDF software is available using PrimoPDF (http://www.primopdf.com/). Work can be submitted via Turn-it-in at any time. However, work submitted after 12 noon on the last date for submission will be deemed late. The assignment cover sheet includes a statement indicating that in submitting the work the student is declaring that the work is his or her own. Students are reminded of the serious view that is taken of instances of plagiarism, cheating or obtaining unfair advantage in coursework contributing to the assessment of a module and that such cases will be dealt with firmly as set out in the relevant University procedures as given in the University TQA manual. Repeated non-submission or late submission of coursework will be noted and personal tutors and programme co-ordinators will be informed. They will take appropriate action, which may result in a formal warning.

Late submission of coursework and mitigation

Late work must be handed into the CLES Admin Office using the BART system. It will be accepted and receipted as normal, but marked as late with the actual hand-in time and date. The default late penalty will apply unless a mitigation form is submitted with the late work and the mitigation committee subsequently accepts the case for mitigation. Late work will attract penalties that will be applied automatically by staff marking assignments unless mitigation applies.

Page 17: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 17

The penalty for late submission is that for any assignment handed in up to 2 weeks late, the marks awarded are capped to 40%. That is, if your actual (non-late) mark for the work is (for example) 36%, this will stay at 36%. If your actual (non-late) mark would be 41%, or higher, right up to 100%, the mark awarded will be 40%. Any assignment handed in more than 2 weeks after the deadline will receive no marks. Appeals In exceptional circumstances, students may appeal against a penalty imposed for late submission of work. In such cases the appeal must be lodged with the Admin Office within ten working days of the original submission date on the appropriate form available from the UG admin office ELE pages. In making an appeal you must note the points and exclusions above. Appeals will not be accepted if you had an adequate opportunity beforehand to submit a request for an extension. How do I apply for an extension to the deadline?

Occasionally, under exceptional circumstances, students require an extension to the published deadline. These must be requested in advance of the deadline. Note that deadlines set for work are taken to include allowances for minor illnesses or other minor difficulties that students may experience in completing set work and these will not be considered sufficient grounds to grant a dispensation.

1. Students requiring an extension must submit an Extension form to the Admin Office at least 1 day BEFORE the deadline;

2. A member/s of the mitigation committee will be contacted by email/telephone for a decision. Normally a decision will be obtained within 24 hours;

3. If the extension is approved you will be informed of your new deadline. 4. If application is made after the deadline no extension can be given.

NB: None of the staff in the Admin Office are permitted to grant extensions. Rules

1. Extensions to the published deadlines may ONLY be given by members of the mitigation committee – NOT by module co-ordinators. Work handed directly to a member of staff will be deemed late.

2. For extensions of up to 1 week, the committee quorum will be 1 member of the committee. 3. For longer extensions the quorum will be 2 members of the committee, one of which must be

either the Head of Discipline or Director of Education. 4. No member of the mitigation committee must be the tutor of the student, or the marker of the

piece of work being submitted. 5. For project extensions, extensions may be granted by the DoE (or HoS if the student is tutee).

Extensions guidance: The following is a guide only. All cases will be considered individually. In most cases medical evidence or equivalent will be requested by the mitigation committee.

1. Illness: - Self-certificated illness within 7 days of deadline: extension of up to 4 days. - Illness (with medical certificate) of one week or more within 3 weeks of deadline: extension

granted as appropriate to problem. - Students who regularly have health problems around deadlines will be referred to the health

centre. 2. Absence from University:

- Unplanned absence within 4 days of deadline (e.g. sick relative, funeral): extension as appropriate, normally up to 4 days. - Planned absence (e.g. wedding, prize giving, sports event): No extension.

Page 18: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 18

3. Computer and printing problems: - No extension - good IT practice means that you keep back-ups as electronic and hard copies. 4. Transport Problems: - Breakdown/failure of public transport: No extension – students may apply through mitigation to

have the removal of their 40% cap considered. 5. Other: - As may arise; to be considered by the committee.

Mitigation Committee The guidelines for the application of mitigation can be found in the following document: http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%208/8C(2010)MitigationCttees.pdf Please note that application for mitigation on the grounds of performance in an examination can be submitted AFTER the examination. The evidence (medical or other) should be submitted with the mitigation and normally within five days of the date of the examination. How do I apply for mitigating circumstances? Very occasionally students can request consideration of extraordinary circumstances, including medical or personal, that may negatively impacted their performance on a piece of assessment or their performance overall sometime during the term. An application for consideration of mitigating circumstances, explaining the nature of the problem and which modules it has had a negative impact on can be submitted to the CLES Admin Office. Medical notes or equivalent evidence should support applications for mitigation. Student Counselling Service may be able to provide mitigating evidence and students are encouraged to make contact with the Counselling Services. Biosciences recognises that the circumstances involved in mitigation are often highly personal. As such, a very small committee considers the applications, so that personal information is kept as private as possible. How do I pass a module?

You need to get 40% or more overall to pass a module and accumulate the credits towards your degree. You do not need to pass each test and exam separately, but you need to average 40% or more across the whole module. Lots of marks of 40% will bring you a lower classification for your degree, however. What happens if I fail a module? (Referred Examinations)

If you fail a module by getting less than the pass mark of 40%, you may still pass the module via condonement, which may be given if your average mark for the stage is 40% or over. You can only get up to a maximum of 30 credits of condonement in one year, and some modules may be excluded from condonement. Your original mark will stand but you will be allowed to progress to the next year. If your average mark for the year is below 40% or you fail more than 30 credits you will have to resit some exams. You will only resit the exams for any modules that cannot be condoned via condonement. You must pass these modules to be allowed to continue to the next year. These exams will normally take place in August. How will I find out how I have done in a test or an exam?

It is the University's aim that all Course Assessment tests will be marked and returned within three term-weeks of you taking them. If the test was a written test, you will get your paper back with written

Page 19: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 19

feedback and you will be able to view your marks using the SRS system. You are welcome to contact the lecturer to find out more about your marks. We aim to publish the exam marks within 4 weeks after the examinations. Level 1 exam scripts are returned to you via your tutor with written comments at the start of the next academic year. For students in Stages 2 and 3, you will be invited to meet with your Personal tutor at a convenient time to discuss your scripts and the feedback sheets. Please note that these meetings will not be immediately after the exams as there are a lot of scripts to sort! Exam scripts for levels 2 and 3 are retained by the University and may not be copied. Essay exams are marked against a set of marking criteria and you should look at these carefully before taking any exams, as they will tell you what your markers are looking for. After you get your marks, match them against the criteria so that you can see where you need to improve. Discuss your performance with your Personal Tutor. Marking criteria are on Biosciences UG ELE page. What kind of degree will I get, and how is it calculated?

Honours degrees require 360 credits (480 for 4-year programmes) and are awarded at various standards:

first class (70%)

upper second class ( 60%)

lower second class (50%)

third class (40%). An ordinary degree can be awarded for 300 passed credits. Stage 1 modules don't count in determining your degree class - you just need the credits. The University has standardised the weightings used to calculate final degree classifications, so for students on 3 year programmes theses are weighted 2:1 in favour of stage 3. Students on programmes with either study abroad or industrial placement will be weighted 2:1:4 (stages 2, 3 and 4). How will I find out my exam results?

Students at Stages 1 and 2 will get a full breakdown of exam results from either their Personal Tutor or via their SRS portal. Students at Stage 3 will be able to find out their degree classes after the meeting of the examination board (the date will be well publicised). Biosciences will endeavour to make marks available via the SRS system as soon as possible after the Exam Boards. After graduation, the University will provide students with complete transcripts, including marks for all modules at all levels. Subsequent copies of transcripts may be obtained from the University Examinations Office on payment of a fee. Please note that Biosciences will not post results to individual students except in exceptional circumstances. Where are the full rules about exams, credits and degree classes?

Biosciences treatment of assessments, exams, the award of credit and the determination of degree classes is described in our Exam Conventions. Here you can find everything you will possibly need to know about University examination process http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/taught/graduation/examination/ .

What do I do if I am unhappy with my marks?

If you cannot understand the marks you have received in a particular module or feel that the marks that you got are unfair, then you should go and see the lecturer in charge of that module, i.e. the Module Coordinator. You can also discuss the matter with your Personal Tutor. If you are unhappy with the class of degree that you are awarded at the end of your programme, then you must act fairly quickly. You will probably want to discuss the matter with your Personal Tutor, who

Page 20: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 20

will normally be available in their office after the results are released. If you feel there are special circumstances that have not already been considered by Biosciences in awarding your degree, then you will need to follow the formal appeals procedures. All such appeals must be lodged within fourteen days of the release of results in the Undergraduate Office. Procedures concerning academic appeals are covered in the University Teaching Quality Assurance Manual http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/calendar/live/taught/appeals.htm. Other Information

Details of examination procedures and dates of the Exam Boards are displayed on noticeboards well in advance of the examination period. If you have any circumstances which may have affected your academic performance during the year you must inform the Director of Education before the Mitigation Committee meets which is normally one week before the final Board of Examiners. The University will not accept appeals against degree classifications if previously known evidence is presented after the Examination Board. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM BIOSCIENCES OF SUCH EVIDENCE AND TO CHECK THAT IT IS ON FILE. Viva voce examinations The external examiners may choose to offer selected candidates an oral examination before final classification is made at the Board of Examiners. The relevant sections from the Assessment Procedures document is shown below:

8.7 A viva voce examination will be held if requested by the External Examiner or requested by the Board of Examiners and agreed to by the External Examiner. For consideration for viva examination and promotion to a higher class (in absence of medical evidence) candidates must normally be within 2% of the formal borderline (no rounding-up applies; e.g. 58.0 to 59.4 for the 2ii/2i border). Students will be notified as early as possible the day prior to the viva. Students will be briefed before the viva by the Chair of the Board of Examiners or a member of staff nominated by the Chair. An internal examiner will be present during the viva. The viva should not normally exceed 45 minutes. No student will receive a worse outcome as a result of a viva. Students have the right not to attend a viva without prejudicing their position. Notes will be kept of the purpose of the viva, the questions asked and, where appropriate, any assessment criteria used. The recommendation from the viva must be minuted by the Board of Examiners. This written policy on viva voce examinations will be drawn to the attention of students.

8.8 In cases where the mark profile suggests a different class from the mean mark, the Board of Examiners may consider whether a higher class should be awarded without recourse to viva voce examination. Consideration for promotion to a higher class of degree will usually only be given if the average mark is within 2% of the classification borderline. Furthermore, promotion will usually only be recommended if at least half of the candidate’s credits are in classes higher than that suggested by the average mark. The minutes of the Board of Examiners must clearly identify all such cases and provide a brief justification for the decision

A student may request a viva voce examination by contacting the Examinations Officer at least ten days prior to the notified date of the viva voce examinations. It is suggested that you discuss the matter with your personal tutor first. Please note that requesting such an examination does not guarantee that the External Examiners will carry out the examination; they have total discretion.

Page 21: Biosciences Undergraduate Handbook

Page 21

Employability, Personal Development, and your career after your degree.

Where are you going after your degree and how will you get there? Getting a good degree should be enough to secure a good career in the future, but employers are looking for more. Many will look favourably at the subject-specific knowledge gained from your degree but employers are also looking for so-called ‘soft’ skills, which demonstrate you will be effective in graduate level roles. These skills can be demonstrated by teamwork, taking the lead in certain circumstances, finding yourself in situations which develop communication skills. Extra-curricular activities and work experience, both paid and unpaid, as well as your academic programme provide excellent evidence for such skills. The Exeter Award rewards these activities http://www.exeter.ac.uk/exeteraward/index.html. All Biosciences students are encouraged to register on the award. Within core modules employability will be discussed and your skills development enhancing your employability will be discussed.

For information about work experience, voluntary work, training courses and skills sessions, and how to make the most of them see the employability website on ELE. The Biosciences employability coordinator, Dr Sarah Hodge, organises talks by prospective employers and alumni in employment and training during term 3. In term 2 information will be made available to second level students about potential summer vacation studentships within Biosciences and how to apply for these. Careers and Employment service

The Careers and Emplyment service http://careers.falmouth.ac.uk/ puts your employability at the top of its agenda. That does not just mean securing a job after graduation, employability can be defined as preparing people for change and helping them plan for the future, which might include time out for travelling, further study, undertaking training for a particular role or moving from one job to another. The Careers and Employment Service runs Careers Fairs, employer-run skills sessions, career talks from employers and much, much more! Why not pop in to the Careers Service and pick up free copies of employer directories and useful leaflets.