[Academic] Physics Years 3 to 5, MPhys and BSc degree programmes: details of assessment requirements
Paul McKenna
paul.mckenna at strath.ac.uk
Thu Apr 2 14:01:06 BST 2020
_Copy of the message to Physics students with important updates
regarding alternative assessments:_
Dear Physics student in Years 3 to 5,
This email contains an important update regarding examinations and
assessments. Please take the time to read it carefully.
Throughout the unprecedented and evolving situation relating to
Covid-19, staff in the Department and across the University are working
hard to ensure that, in the most difficult of circumstances, you can
continue your studies and your academic achievements can be suitably
recognised.
We know that many of you are understandably worried about your
assessments and, following the communication from the Principal on 30^th
March that time bound examinations would not take place during the
Formal Assessment Period (20 April – 22 May), we have been working on
plans for alternative assessments. These plans are outlined below.
**
*_Year 3:_*
Following University guidance, the assessment arrangements for Year 3
modules vary depending on the percentage of planned assessment available.
PH359/PH379 and PH355 - The assessment for these modules will be based
on the existing marks from the December diet of exams (PH359/PH379) or
already submitted continuous assessment elements (PH355).
PH352 and PH358 – There is insufficient planned assessment for these two
modules and therefore, in line with University guidance, we will set an
alternative open book assessment for each, using Myplace. Further
details are provided in the notes regarding open book assessments
further below. Both modules will be marked on a Pass/Fail basis, and the
already completed assessment for PH358 will be included in determining
the result for this module.
PH350 - Your marks for up to three experiments will count towards the
assessment (scaled in cases where only two experiments have been marked
due to the impact of the Industrial Action). We are aware of your
concerns about possible variations in marking and will moderate
accordingly. Details of the moderation process will be made available at
a later date.
PH351 - Any student who failed module PH351 based on their December
module test mark being less than 40% will have this attempt discounted
and allowed to take the examination at the next available exam diet as a
first attempt. This is in line with the University’s ‘no detriment’
policy, as outlined below.
*__*
*_Year 4_*
Year 4 of the BSc Physics, MPhys Physics and MPhys Physics with Advanced
Research follow the regulations outlined below:
·12424.UG.7: All full-time students shall undertake module PH 499
amounting to 120 credits
·12424.UG.70: All full-time students shall undertake module PH 498
amounting to 120 credits
Consistent with previous years, we will use these modules to form the
basis for the degree award.
**
*Year 4 BSc Physics Degree Assessment*
As in previous years, the level of award will be determined by use of
the Faculty Algorithm, see Appendix 3 in the Student Handbook
<https://www.strath.ac.uk/media/1newwebsite/departmentsubject/physics/currentstudents/PhysicsUGHandbook2019_2020.pdf>.The
component modules used to make up the required number of credits will be
those for which full assessments have already been completed. We will
use the marks for the semester 1 modules PH453, PH454, PH455, PH462,
together with the marks for module PH450. We will use the first attempt
marks for Year 3 modules already on the system. Modules that are marked
on a Pass/Fail basis are for credit only and are not included in the
Faculty Algorithm.
Semester 2 modules:
PH457 – There is insufficient planned assessment for this semester 2
module and therefore, in line with University guidance, we will set an
alternative open book assessment, using Myplace. Further details are
provided in the notes regarding open book assessments further below.
This module will be marked on a Pass/Fail basis.
PH452, PH456 and PH459 – These modules will be assessed on a Pass/Fail
basis, based on your performance in the continuous assessment elements.
*It is important to note that all continuous assessment elements of your
modules will need to be completed and submitted*. Given the significant
challenges of the ongoing situation and the impact this is having at a
personal level in homes across the community, please let us know if you
require an extension to a deadline for any outstanding continuous
assessment elements still due for submission.
**
*Year 4 BSc Physics with Teaching Degree Assessment*
We will follow the approach developed by the School of Education for the
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
*Year 4 Mathematics and Physics Degree Assessment*
This degree is administered by the Department of Mathematics and
Statistics. We will follow their policy on the award for this degree.
*Year 4 MPhys Physics and MPhys Physics with Advanced Research progression *
Progression will be determined by using the marks from the component
modules for which full assessments have already been completed. We will
use the marks for the semester 1 modules PH453, PH454, PH455, PH462,
together with the marks for module PH450. We will use the first attempt
marks for Year 3 modules already on the system. The Department will be
flexible with respect to the progression criteria boundaries. Should any
student request a transfer to BSc (Hons) Physics during 5^th year, the
level of award would be determined as above for the BSc Physics students.
**
*For all Year 4 students*
PH450 – The project report*must be submitted 12 Noon by 10^th April
2020*. If there are reasons that you cannot make this deadline please
discuss this with your supervisor and arrange an extension with Dr Oi.
The project will be assessed solely on the report and the supervisors’
marks.
We will allow any student that wishes to transfer to the MPhys the
opportunity to do so. If a student does transfer and then during 5^th
year decides to withdraw the level of award would be determined as above.
**
*_Year 5_*
Year 5 of the BSc Physics, MPhys Physics and MPhys Physics with Advanced
Research degrees follow the regulations outlined below:
·12424.UG.9: All full-time students shall undertake module PH 599
amounting to 120 credits
·12424.UG.72: All full-time students shall undertake module PH 598
amounting to 160 credits
Consistent with previous years, we will use these modules to form the
basis for the degree award.
**
*Year 5 MPhys Physics and MPhys Physics with Advanced Research Degree
Assessment*
As in previous years, the level of award will be determined by use of
the Faculty Algorithm, see Appendix 3 in the Student Handbook
<https://www.strath.ac.uk/media/1newwebsite/departmentsubject/physics/currentstudents/PhysicsUGHandbook2019_2020.pdf>.The
component modules used to make up the required number of credits will be
those for which full assessments have already been completed. This means
that we will use the marks for the semester 1 modules PH 550, PH 570 and
PH 551. We will also use the first attempt marks for Level 4 modules
already on the system. Modules that are marked on a Pass/Fail basis are
for credit only and are not included in the Faculty Algorithm.
Semester 2 modules:
PH552, PH557, PH553, PH554 and PH560 – These modules will be assessed
based on your performance in the continuous assessment elements, on a
Pass/Fail basis.
PH558 and PH562 – These modules will be assessed based on your
performance in the continuous assessment elements. As this amounts to
100% of the assessment, a mark will be returned.
*It is important to note that all continuous assessment elements of your
modules will need to be completed and submitted*. Given the significant
challenges of the ongoing situation and the impact this is having at a
personal level in homes across the community, please let us know if you
require an extension to a deadline for any outstanding continuous
assessment elements still due for submission.
*_Important note regarding modules also taken by PGT students:_*
Some of our modules are also taken by PGT students. *The information in
this email applies to Years 3, 4 and 5 only. Alternative assessment
arrangements will apply to PGT students.* The University Executive Team
will meet next week to decide on the arrangements for the assessment of
PGT students and following that we will put an alternative assessment
plan in place for Physics PGT students. We will provide further details
as soon we can.
*__*
*_Notes for all years regarding open-book assessments_*:
We will provide more details on how the open book assessments (for
PH352, PH358 and PH457), will proceed in due course. The following is a
guide and is subject to change.
·The assessment questions will be uploaded to Myplace as a pdf to allow
viewing on screen or printing, enabling you to work offline.
·The assessments will be designed to be completed within a fixed period
(e.g. 1 or 2 hours). The assessment page will remain open for a period
of 24 hours for you to upload your solutions. This will ensure that you
are not disadvantaged if you live in a different time zone or have
reasonable adjustment requirements.
·The assessment page will be opened at a time to be defined and
communicated to you.
·We reserve the right to hold an oral exam in any case where we suspect,
or are made aware of, any academic dishonesty.
*__*
*_‘No detriment’ policy_*
Your success in your studies is our success, and we are keen to mitigate
as much as possible the negative impact of Covid-19 on your
attainment.While we must maintain academic standards in order to protect
the value of your degree, we have taken steps to manage the impact on
your academic record and attainment through a ‘no detriment’
policy.Further detail on this policy can be found here
<https://www.strath.ac.uk/coronavirus/students/>, in the Covid-19
FAQs.Although this policy is applied in practice after you have finished
your classes, please be assured that staff and boards of examiners are
very aware of the difficult circumstances you are experiencing and are
keeping our university values at the heart of how we proceed.
*_Personal/Individual circumstances_*
We recognise that some of you will have individual circumstances or
difficulties that mean that you may not be able to undertake all of your
assessments as scheduled. You or those close to you could become unwell,
for example. Please keep your Year Advisor informed and record your
circumstances on Pegasus.
*_Degree awards_:*
We will assess the level of award for each student on a case-by-case
basis, as has been the practice in previous years. This will be done
prior to the relevant Board of Examiners meeting and ratified by the Board.
We will consider the personal/individual circumstances of each student
and make appropriate recommendations to the Final Year Exam Board, which
will take place on 8^th June 2020. Details of the Personal Circumstances
Procedure can be found here
<https://www.strath.ac.uk/sees/studentpolicies/policies/appealscomplaintsdiscipline/personalcircumstancesprocedure/>.
The Department will make every effort to work in the best interest of
each student when making a decision.
__
*_Online Q&A sessions_*
As outlined in my email communication yesterday, we will hold two Zoom
meetings this afternoon to answer any questions you have.
Please email any questions that you would like to raise at the zoom
meeting to the Year 5 class reps, Meg Clapperton
(megan.clapperton.2015 at uni.strath.ac.uk) and Stewart Wallace
(stewart.wallace.2015 at uni.strath.ac.uk) and Year 3 reps Kirsty Morrison
(kirsty.morrison.2017 at uni.strath.ac.uk), Steven McGinty
(steven.mcginty.2017 at uni.strath.ac.uk) and Mollie Brown
(mollie.brown.2017 at uni.strath.ac.uk).In order to manage the meeting and
the potentially large number of students joining it, the class reps will
pose these questions on your behalf.
Please note that individual queries relating to personal circumstances
should not be raised in these meetings. Please refer to the FAQs and the
personal circumstances policy.
Thank you again for your patience and cooperation in these challenging
times. We hope that you stay safe and well, and wish you all the best
for the upcoming assessments.
Regards,
Paul McKenna
Head of Department, Physics
--
----------------------------------------------
Prof. Paul McKenna
Head of Department
Department of Physics, SUPA,
University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow G4 0NG
U.K.
Tel: 0141-548-3132 (secretary) / 5712 (direct)
Email: paul.mckenna at strath.ac.uk
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