FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES · 2018-11-26 · Divisional Office Room Cottrell Building 4B112 Office...

FACULTYOFNATURALSCIENCES

COMPUTINGSCIENCE&MATHEMATICS

UNDERGRADUATE

STUDENTHANDBOOK

2018-2019

DivisionalOfficeRoom CottrellBuilding4B112OfficeHours Mon–Fri,9.00am–12.30pm,1.30pm–5.00pmTelephoneNo. 01786467421,01786467436,01786467429&01786467420FaxNo. 01786464551EmailAddress [email protected] http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/

SessionDates2018/19Monday 10thSeptember2018 AutumnSemesterbegins

Monday 10thSeptember2018 Teachingbegins

Monday-Friday 22nd-26thOctober2018Inclusive Mid-SemesterBreak

Monday 29thOctober2018 Teachingresumes

Friday 23rdNovember2018 CeremoniesforConfermentofDegrees

Friday 30thNovember2018 Teachingends

Wednesday 5thDecember2018 AutumnExaminationsbegin

Friday 14thDecember2018 AutumnExamsend

Monday 17thDecember2018 Semesterends

Monday 14thJanuary2019 SpringSemesterbegins

Monday 14thJanuary2019 Teachingbegins

Monday-Friday 18th–22ndFebruary2019 Mid-Semesterbreak

Monday 25thFebruary2019 Teachingresumes

Friday&Monday 19th&22ndApril2019 EasterBreak

Friday 5thApril2019 Teachingends

Tuesday 23rdApril2019 SpringExaminationsbegin

Friday 10thMay2019 SpringExamsend

Monday 13thMay2019 AutumnResit/DeferredExamsbegin

Friday 17thMay2019 AutumnResit/DeferredExamsend

Thursday 20thJune2019 SpringResit/DeferredExamsbegin

Tuesday 25thJune2019 SpringResit/DeferredExamsend

Wednesday-Thursday 26th&27thJune2018 CeremoniesforConfermentofDegrees

Notethatmidsemesterbreakisonlyabreakfromscheduledclasses.Youareexpectedtousethistimetoconsolidateassignmentsandtoreadaroundthemodulematerial.DisclaimerofLiabilityTheUniversity'scoursesaresubjecttoacontinuousprocessofreview.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofmaterialinthishandbookatthetimeofgoingtopress,theUniversitywillnotbeliableforanyerrorsoromissions.TheUniversityreservestherightineverycaseatitsdiscretiontovarythecontentsofcoursesorpartsofcourses,tooffernewcourses,todiscontinueexistingcoursesandtocancelcoursesintheeventoflowenrolments.

CONTENTSPAGEOVERVIEWOFHANDBOOK...............................................................................................................................1

1.1 WelcomefromtheHeadofDivision...................................................................................................2

1.2 AboutUs..............................................................................................................................................3

1.2.1 Staff.............................................................................................................................................4

1.2.2 DivisionalOffice&DedicatedLabFacilities................................................................................4

1.2.3 FeedbacktotheDivision.............................................................................................................5

1.2.4 Health&Safety...........................................................................................................................6

1.2.5 DivisionalModuleRegistration&Enrolment..............................................................................6

1.2.6 OurRankingandReputation.......................................................................................................7

1.3 ResearchwithRealWorldImpact.......................................................................................................8

1.4 OurGlobalConnections......................................................................................................................8

SECTION2–UNDERGRADUATEREGULATIONS................................................................................................9

SECTION3–THEACADEMICQUALITYANDSTANDARDSHANDBOOK...........................................................10

SECTION4–PROGRAMME&MODULEINFORMATION.................................................................................11

4.1ProgrammeStructuresandAims..........................................................................................................11

4.2Modules................................................................................................................................................13

4.3IntendedLearningOutcomes...............................................................................................................15

4.4Progression&EntrytoHonours...........................................................................................................15

4.5DivisionalPrizes....................................................................................................................................17

4.6PersonalDevelopment..........................................................................................................................17

SECTION5–STUDYSKILLS..............................................................................................................................19

5.1 OrganisingYourStudy.......................................................................................................................19

5.1.1 AttendanceRequirements/CompulsoryClasses/NotificationofAbsence................................19

5.1.2 ClassAttendance.......................................................................................................................20

5.2 UnderstandingandLearning.............................................................................................................20

5.3 MakingtheMostofLectures............................................................................................................23

5.4 MakingtheMostofSeminars/Tutorials............................................................................................23

5.5 Reading..............................................................................................................................................24

5.6 WritingCourseworkAnswers............................................................................................................25

5.7 ExaminationsandClassTests...........................................................................................................27

5.8 WritingAssignmentReports,Dissertations&Referencing...............................................................28

5.8.1 AssignmentReports...................................................................................................................28

5.8.2 ReferencingYourWork..............................................................................................................29

5.8.3 IEEEReferencingStyle................................................................................................................30

5.8.4 WhatistheDifferencebetweenaReferenceListandaBibliography?.....................................31

5.8.5 RefWorks....................................................................................................................................31

5.9 Extrahelp..........................................................................................................................................31

SECTION6-ASSESSMENT(INCLUDINGACADEMICMISCONDUCT)................................................................32

6.1 Assignments......................................................................................................................................32

6.1.1 Turnitin.......................................................................................................................................32

6.2 Assessment........................................................................................................................................32

6.2.1 SubmissionofAssessment........................................................................................................32

6.2.2 ControlofAssignments.............................................................................................................33

6.2.3 AcademicMisconduct................................................................................................................33

6.3 BoardsofExaminers.........................................................................................................................34

6.4 ExternalExaminers...........................................................................................................................34

6.5 CommonMarkingScheme&AssessmentProcedure.......................................................................35

6.5.1 UndergraduateCommonMarkingScheme...............................................................................35

6.5.2 GettingaGrade..........................................................................................................................36

6.5.3 Marking......................................................................................................................................36

6.5.4 AssignmentExtensions/LateSubmission.................................................................................36

6.6 ExaminationProcedure.....................................................................................................................36

6.6.1 ExaminationTimetable..............................................................................................................37

6.6.2 ExaminationDisasters................................................................................................................37

6.6.3 UseofDictionaries.....................................................................................................................37

6.6.4 Resit/DeferredExams................................................................................................................37

6.6.5 UniversityPolicyonDeferredExaminations..............................................................................38

6.7 AcademicMisconduct.......................................................................................................................38

6.7.1 Plagiarism:DivisionalGuidelines...............................................................................................39

6.7.2 Complaints/Appeals...................................................................................................................40

6.8 EthicsProcedure................................................................................................................................40

6.9 GuidanceonGroupPresentations....................................................................................................40

6.10 Feedback.........................................................................................................................................41

SECTION7–PROGRESSION&ENTRYTOHONOURS......................................................................................41

7.1 ProgressionbetweenSemesters.......................................................................................................42

7.2 DeterminationofHonoursDegreeClassification..............................................................................42

SECTION8–ADMINISTRATIVEPROCESSES.....................................................................................................43

8.1 UndergraduateRegulations..............................................................................................................43

8.2 UniversityofStirling’sCalendar........................................................................................................43

8.3 AttendanceRequirements/CompulsoryClasses/NotificationofAbsence....................................43

8.4 Staff/StudentCommunications.......................................................................................................43

8.4.1 StudentPortal............................................................................................................................43

8.4.2 Studente-mail............................................................................................................................43

8.4.3 Communications........................................................................................................................44

8.5 CANVAS.............................................................................................................................................44

8.6 DivisionalModuleRegistration&Enrolment....................................................................................44

8.7 LeaveofAbsence...............................................................................................................................44

8.8 RepeatofFirstYear...........................................................................................................................44

8.9 TransferbetweenFull-Time&Part-Time..........................................................................................45

8.10 WithdrawalfromModules..............................................................................................................45

8.11 WithdrawalfromUniversity............................................................................................................45

8.12 SummerAcademicProgramme......................................................................................................45

8.13 StudyAbroadOpportunities...........................................................................................................45

8.14 HealthandSafety............................................................................................................................46

SECTION9–STUDENTPARTICIPATIONANDFEEDBACK.................................................................................47

9.1 StudentQuestionnaires.....................................................................................................................47

9.2 Student/StaffFeedbackCommittee..................................................................................................47

9.3 LearningandTeachingReview..........................................................................................................47

9.4 TheNationalStudentSurvey(NSS)...................................................................................................48

9.5 GraduateOutcomes..........................................................................................................................48

SECTION10–SOURCESOFACADEMICANDTECHNICALSUPPORT................................................................49

10.1 PersonalTutors...............................................................................................................................49

10.2 AdviserofStudiesScheme..............................................................................................................49

10.3 DealingwithProblems....................................................................................................................50

10.4 StudentServicesHub......................................................................................................................51

10.5 StudentProgrammes......................................................................................................................51

10.6 Complaints/Appeals......................................................................................................................51

10.7 InformationServices(LibraryandStudySpaces)............................................................................52

10.7.1 UsingtheUniversityLibrary.....................................................................................................52

10.7.2 UsingtheLibraryCatalogue.....................................................................................................52

10.7.3 MyLibraryRecord....................................................................................................................52

10.7.4 AcademicSubjectResearchGuides.........................................................................................52

10.7.5 A-ZOnlineResources...............................................................................................................52

10.7.6 e-JournalGateway...................................................................................................................52

10.7.7 Stirgate.....................................................................................................................................52

10.7.8 STORRE....................................................................................................................................52

10.7.9 Howtofind…...........................................................................................................................52

10.7.10 DocumentDeliveryService....................................................................................................53

10.7.11 ArchivesandSpecialCollections............................................................................................53

10.7.12 StudySpace...........................................................................................................................53

10.7.13 Gettinghelp...........................................................................................................................54

10.8 ComputingScience&Mathematics:RoomBookings.....................................................................54

10.9 InformationServices(ITServicesincludingTraining)......................................................................54

10.9.1 ITServices................................................................................................................................54

10.9.2 NetworkAccount.....................................................................................................................54

10.9.3 Email........................................................................................................................................54

10.9.4 MobilePhonesandTablets.....................................................................................................54

10.9.5 ConnectingyourPCtotheUniversityNetwork.......................................................................54

10.9.6 Non-SmartDevices/GamesConsoles......................................................................................55

10.9.7 ComputingLabs.......................................................................................................................55

10.9.8 Homefolders...........................................................................................................................55

10.9.9 StaySafeOnline(Security).......................................................................................................55

10.9.10 GuidetoBuyingIT.................................................................................................................55

10.9.11 SoftwareGuides&Training...................................................................................................55

10.9.12 OffCampusAccess................................................................................................................56

10.9.13 ITResourcesatRiskPeriods..................................................................................................56

10.10 Printing..........................................................................................................................................56

10.11 AudioRecordingPolicy.................................................................................................................57

SECTION11–SOURCESOFPERSONALSUPPORTANDINFORMATION..........................................................58

11.1 STEER–StudentPeerSupportScheme...........................................................................................58

11.2 PersonalTutors...............................................................................................................................58

11.3 StudentEmployabilityinComputingScience..................................................................................58

11.4 Careers&EmployabilityService.....................................................................................................60

11.5 GeneralStudentServicesContacts.................................................................................................61

11.6 Students’Union...............................................................................................................................62

11.7 InternationalStudents....................................................................................................................64

11.8 Tier4VisaStudents.........................................................................................................................64

11.9 Tier4Re-registrationEvents...........................................................................................................64

11.10 PoliceRegistration........................................................................................................................65

11.11 StudentSupportServices..............................................................................................................65

11.12 StudentLearningServices.............................................................................................................66

11.13 EnglishLanguageSupport.............................................................................................................66

11.14 EqualityandDiversity...................................................................................................................66

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OVERVIEWOFHANDBOOK

ThishandbookprovidesyouwithimportantinformationaboutundergraduatestudyforComputingSciencerelateddegreesattheUniversityofStirlingaswellastheproceduresoperatedwithintheFaculty.Forinformationregardingthecoreandoptionalmodulesforyourowndegreeprogramme,youshouldrefertotheundergraduatecalendarbeforeregisteringformodulesonlineatwww.calendar.stir.ac.uk.Moredetailedinformationonindividualmodules,readinglists,lecturetopicsetc.willbeprovidedatthestartofeachsemester.Ifyoustilldonothavetheinformationyourequirefromthesesources,pleasegetintouchwiththeModuleCo-ordinatorforthemodulesinvolved.Ifyouarehavingdifficultychoosingwhichmoduletotaketofulfilyourdegreerequirements,pleasecontactyourAdviserofStudies(seesection10.2).LEGALNOTICEPleasenotethatthisHandbookisproducedforyourguidanceonly.YourregistrationwiththeUniversityisgovernedsolelybytheprovisionsoftheCharter,Statutes,OrdinancesandRegulationsoftheUniversityandsuchotherrulesaffectingstudentsasmaybemadebyoronbehalfoftheUniversityCourtortheAcademicCouncil.NothinginthisHandbookshallformpartofanycontractbetweenyouandtheUniversityandyourregistrationforanymoduleormoduletaughtintheDivisionofComputingScienceandMathematicsissubjecttothisexpresscondition.Youwillappreciatethatforlegalreasonsthisdisclaimerhastoappear.However,wewishtomakeitabsolutelycleartoyouthateveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofthishandbookatthetimeofpublication.Theinformation,guidanceandadviceisofferedingoodfaith,andinthebeliefthatitshouldhelpyoutoplanyourstudieseffectively,todevelopappropriatepatternsofcollaborationforlearning,andtoknowyourrights.

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SECTION1–WELCOME

1.1 WelcomefromtheHeadofDivision

Ifthisisthefirsttimeyou'rereadingthishandbook,IwouldliketopersonallyandwarmlywelcomeyoutotheDivisionofComputingScienceandMathematics.AtStirlingourstudentsarefully-fledgedmembersofouracademiccommunity,sowelcomeaboard!Inthisbookletyouwilllearnalotaboutourcourses;inourcoursesyouwilllearnalotaboutcomputingscience;andduringyourtimeatStirlingyouwilllearnalotaboutmanyotherthings.Youwillleavehereasahighlyeducatedindividual.Inanincreasinglyuncertainworld,perhapstheonlysuretruthwehaveisthevalueofknowledgeandeducation;neverforgetthat.Wedomanythingsaswellasteaching,butatStirlingweunderstandthateducatingstudentsisbyfarthemostimportantthingwedo,andwetakethatveryseriously.AsHeadofDivisionIhavemuchlesscontactwithindividualstudentsthanIwouldlike,buttherearetwoimportanttypesofstudentIwouldlovetoseemoreof:thosewithideasforimprovingwhatwedo,andthosewhoarehavingtroublewithwhatwedo.IfIaminmyroomwithmydooropen,Iwouldgenuinelyloveyoutodropinforfiveminutestotellmeaboutthese.AndifI'mnot,eitherdropmeanemailormakeanappointmentviathesecretariesnextdoor.And,ifthingsareperfectandyoujustsailthroughyourcourse,makesureyouenjoyitandmakethemostofthisopportunity.Atsomepointinthefuture,youwillrealisethatthesereallywerethemostimportantyearsofyourlife.

ProfessorRichardConnorBScPhDHeadofDivision,ComputingScienceandMathematics

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1.2 AboutUs

TheDivisionrunstwoseparatesetsofacademicundergraduateprogrammes,oneinComputingScienceandoneinMathematics.Theseprogrammesaretaughtbytwostaffgroups.ThisHandbookdealsonlywiththeComputingScienceprogrammes.Atanundergraduatelevel,ComputingSciencecanbetakenaspartofaGeneraldegreeorBachelorsdegreeinComputingScience(boththreeyears),oranHonoursdegree(fouryears).HonoursdegreesinComputingScienceareavailableas‘single’honours(ComputingScience,BusinessComputingandSoftwareEngineering)oras‘combined’degrees,inwhichmodulesarepartlyinComputingScienceandpartlyinothersubject(s).Eachoftheseprogrammescanbetakenwithoneyear’sindustrialplacementbetweenthethirdandfourthyears.Inaddition,anAppliedComputingdegreeisofferedasa2+2programmewithForthValleyCollege.ThefirsttwoyearsofthisprogrammearespentatForthValley,withthehonoursyearsbeingcompletedatStirling.Seesection2.1,below.Inadditiontothisrangeofundergraduatedegrees,theDivisionofferstaughtpostgraduatedegreesinBigDataandFinancialTechnology.TheDivisionalsosupervisesMPhilandPhDdegreesbyresearch.StaffresponsibleforthedifferentprogrammesofferedbytheDivisionare:

• DrDavidCairns:ComputingScience,SoftwareEngineering,BusinessComputing• DrSaviMaharaj:CombinedHonours• DrMarioKolberg:AppliedComputing• DrSimonJones,DrMarioKolberg&DrKevinSwingler:TaughtPostgraduate• Prof.RachelNorman:ReseachPostgraduate

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1.2.1 Staff

AcademicStaffName Room Tel.Ex.EmailEmail EmailProfRichardConnor(HeadofDivision)

4B116 7425 [email protected]

ProfBruceGraham 4B120 7432 [email protected] 4B118 7438 [email protected] 4B122 7444 [email protected] 4B88 6407 [email protected] 4B86 7446 [email protected] 4B125 7454 [email protected] 4B87 7445 [email protected] 4B121 7434 [email protected] 4B123 7440 [email protected] 4B95 7450 [email protected] 4B119 7431 [email protected] 4B104 7426 [email protected] 4B97 7676 [email protected]

AdministrationStaff Room InternalTel: emailMrsGraceMcArthur 4B112 7421 [email protected] 4B112 7436 [email protected] 4B112 7420 [email protected] 4B112 7429 [email protected]

ComputingSupportGroup&Technician Room InternalTel: emailSamNelsonSeniorComputerOfficer


GrahamCochraneComputerOfficer


ChrisGrigsonTechnician

4V8 6469 [email protected]

1.2.2 DivisionalOffice&DedicatedLabFacilitiesTheDivisionusestheCottrellBuildingforteachingwithourDivisionalofficelocatedatroom4B112.Youarewelcometostopinatanytimeandtheadministrativestaffwillbehappytoassistyou.TheothermainUniversitybuildingsontheStirlingCampusare:

• Pathfoot• Gannochy(SportsFacilities)• AndrewMiller(theMacRoberttheatre,Library,shops,restaurants,StudentUnion)• LogieLectureTheatre(outsideCottrell‘B’block,belowthemainbusstop)

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AlthoughtheroomnumberswithinCottrellmayatfirstseemconfusing,thereisalogictothemwhichitishelpfultounderstandinordertofindyourclassrooms:

• Theinitialdigitindicatesthefloor(‘2’isthegroundfloorinmostareas).• Theletterindicatesthecorridor(‘A’and‘B’arethetwolongcorridorsrunningthe

lengthofthebuilding;letterssuchas‘X’and‘Y’indicatetheshortconnectingcorridors).

• Thelastdigitsindicatetheroomnumberforthatfloorandcorridor.Largerlecturetheatresaremainlyonthegroundfloorandarenumberedwithoutafloorlevel(e.g.‘LTA4’or‘A4’)withthelettersA,B,V,W&Xtellingyouwhichcorridortheyareon.EquipmentandFacilitiesTutorialsheets,assignments,etc.,willnormallybeissuedbythemoduleco-ordinator,andwillbeavailableviaCanvasforthemodule.Theymayalsobeplacedforcollectionoutsideroom4B89ontheshelvesabovetheassignmentboxes,whichwillbemarkedwiththemodulecodeiftheyarebeingused.TheUniversityprovidescentrally-administeredcomputingfacilitiesthatareopenmoreorlesspermanently,butmaybebookedforpracticalclasses.Apageshowingthecurrentstatusofthesefacilitiescanbeaccessedviathe'ComputerLabStatus'linkontheUniversityPortalwebsite.InadditiontheDivisionoffersthreePClaboratoriesforstudentaccess:4X5/4X8,forthirdandfourthyearundergraduatesandtaughtpostgraduates;4B89,forsecond,third,andfourthyearundergraduates;and4B91,fortaught-postgraduatesonly.TheselabsareequippedwithPCsrunningMicrosoftWindows7andcoursework-orientedapplicationssoftware.Eachlabisalsoequippedwithaprinterandascanner.DivisionalcomputingfacilitiesarerunbytheComputingSupportGroup,SamNelsonandGrahamCochrane,whoseofficeis4B81.DivisionalandUniversitycomputingfacilitiesareprovidedforstudentstopursueuniversity-relatedwork.Useofthisequipmentforotherpurposesisstronglydiscouraged,anddisciplinaryactionmaybetakenifappropriate.Inparticular,youshouldnotethatyourcomputeruseraccountisprovidedforyouruseonly:undernocircumstancesshouldanyoneelsebeallowedaccesstoanyoftheUniversity'scomputingfacilitiesthroughyouraccount.ComputingfacilitiesandtheirusearecoveredbyrelevantUKlegislationsuchastheComputerMisuseActandtheDataProtectionAct.TheprovisionsoftheseActsarecoveredinfirst-semestermodules.1.2.3 FeedbacktotheDivisionTheDivisionseekstorespondtoyourneedsandthefeedbackwegetfromyouplaysanimportantandintegralpartofourproceduresforqualityassurance.Duringsemester,particularproblemsorissuesofconcerncanbetakenupdirectlywithstaffinvolvedandmayalsobebroughttotheStudent/StaffFeedbackCommitteemeetingsbyyourmodulerepresentativeswhoareselectedatthestartofeachsemester.Weattachparticularimportancetothemodulefeedbackquestionnairesyoucompleteeachsemester.Theyarereviewedbystaffinordertoimproveourperformance.Suggestionsforimprovementstotheeffectivenessandefficiencyareparticularlywelcome,includingsuggestionsrelatingtothisbooklet.

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1.2.4 Health&SafetyTheDivisionofComputingScienceandMathematicsrecognisesthat,whileoverallresponsibilityforHealthandSafetyisheldbytheUniversityCourt,partofthisresponsibilityisdevolvedtotheHeadofthisDivision.TheHeadofDivisionisthereforecommittedtodoallthatisreasonablypracticabletoprovideasafeandhealthyenvironmentforemployees,andforotherswhomaybeaffectedbyitsactivitiessuchasstudents,contractorsandvisitorstotheUniversity.

1.2.5 DivisionalModuleRegistration&EnrolmentAcademicRegistrationistheprocessofchoosingyourmodulesforthefollowingsemesteroracademicyear(asopposedtoAdministrativeEnrolment,whichrelatestoconfirminginformation,acknowledgingregulationsandpayingfees).ForundergraduatestudentsacademicregistrationisanonlineprocesswhichisopenedatthebeginningofMayandNovembereachyearinpreparationforthefollowingsemester,andremainsavailableuntil2weeksafterthestartofteaching.Studentswillbeexpectedtochoosemodulesasemesteraheadduringtheirfirsttwoyearsofstudy,andthenforayearaheadinthethirdandfourthyear.Studentsareencouragedtoregisterassoonaspossibleafterregistrationopens,andwillnotbeabletocompleteenrolmentuntiltheyareregisteredformodules.Theonlineregistrationsystemenablesyoutochoosemodulesbasedontheacademicregulationsfortheirprogrammeofstudy.Itwilldirectyouastotheamountofcredityouhavetoregisterfor,andthemodulesfromwhichyoucanchoose.Ifyouwishtochangetoadifferentdegreeprogramme,itisimportantthatyouasktochangebeforeyouregisterformodules,asyouwillbeofferedmodulesappropriateonlytotheprogrammeforwhichyouarecurrentlyregistered.

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1.2.6 OurRankingandReputationWe'reranked3rdinScotlandandinthetop20intheUKforComputerScienceandInformationSystems(TheGuardianUniversityGuide2019)."IlovethepracticalmaterialthatUniversityprovideus,whichIthinkisthebestwaytolearnanythingaboutComputing.Mydegreeprovidessummerplacementsforstudentsandthereisalotofpreparationforthefuturecareerduringthe4yearsofstudyingwhichIthinkwillhaveagreatimpacttomyfuturecareer."

ConstantinosConstantinouBSc(Hons)ComputingScience

"IwillalwayshavefondmemoriesofStirlingasaplacewithbeautifulsurroundings,whereIcompletedadegreeinsomethingIloved,metlotsofnewpeople,andworkedwithagreatteamofteachingandsupportstaff."

AndrewHepburnBSc(Hons)ComputingScience

"There’snothingmoreserenethansittingonthefourthfloorofthelibrary,overlookingthelochonarainyday!Asacomputerscientist,theresourcesavailablewereexcellentandthelecturerswereengagingandgenuine."

SarahThomsonBSc(Hons)ComputingScience

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1.3 ResearchwithRealWorldImpact

GloballyRelevantResearchWearecommittedtointernationallyexcellentresearchinComputingScienceandMathematics.Ourresearchvisionistoinvestigatenovelandeffectiveapproachestodynamicanduncertainrealworldproblemsincomplexsystemsandenvironmentsbyexploringinter-disciplinarysynergiesbetweenComputerScience,Mathematics,LifeSciences,SocialSciencesandManagement.Thisrequiresfocussedcollaborationwithleadingacademicsinotherdisciplinesandotheruniversities.Closeengagementwithkeystakeholdersinindustryandthepublicsectoralsoplaysacriticalroleinourresearchstrategy.Weaimtopushtheboundariesofthelevelsofcomplexitythatweareabletomodelandhandle.Researchisconductedwithintwogroups:BioMod(BiologicalModelling)andDatSci(DataScience).ComputingScienceispartoftheScottishInformaticsandComputerScienceAlliance(SICSA)Scotland-widepoolinginitiativeinresearchandknowledgeexchange.OurresearchexpertisefeedsintoourteachingactivitiesatUndergraduateandPostgraduatelevel,andwehaveavibrantcommunityofdoctoralstudentswhoworkcloselywithourleadingacademicresearchers.Weprovideastimulatingandlivelyenvironmentforpostgraduatestudents,researchfellowsandvisitorsononeofthemostbeautifulcampusesintheworld.Wealsoregularlyhostvisitingacademicsanddoctoralresearchersfromaroundtheworldandperiodicallyhostmajoracademicresearchconferencesandworkshops.

1.4 OurGlobalConnections

ThestudentexperienceWe’vebeenvoted1stinScotlandasaUniversityforwelcominginternationalstudents(InternationalStudentBarometer2016).Withover120nationalitiesoncampus,studyingatourSchoolpreparesyoufortheglobalbusinessworld.You’llalsohavetheopportunitytostudyabroadonanyofourundergraduatecourses,withanumberofexchangepartnershipsoutsideofEuropeandErasmus(European)exchangestochoosefrom.AlumniNetwork

Youcanenhanceyourglobalnetworkthroughouralumniandinternationalstudentcommunity.Wekeepintouchwith60,000alumniacross169countries,providingyouwithuniqueaccesstoaglobalcommunity.

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SECTION2–UNDERGRADUATEREGULATIONS

TheUndergraduateRegulationsaresubjecttochange,andthelatestversioncanbefoundat:www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/regulations/undergraduate/Theregulationscover:

• Introduction• ProgrammesofStudy• Modules,CreditLoadandAttendance• AssessmentandAwardofCredit

TheUndergraduateRegulationsarecontainedintheUniversityCalendar,whichcontainsdetailsoftheUniversity'sgovernanceandrulesandregulations,togetherwiththeacademicregulatoryframeworkforlearning,teachingandassessment.Theregulatoryframeworkincludes:Ordinances;AcademicRegulations;CodesofPractice,PoliciesandStandards;DegreeProgrammeTables;ModuleDescriptors;andDefinitionofTerms.

Staffandstudentsmustabidebytheregulatoryframework,anditistheirresponsibilitytoensurefamiliarity.TheUniversityofStirling’sCalendarcanbefoundat:www.stir.ac.uk/calendar/

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SECTION3–THEACADEMICQUALITYANDSTANDARDSHANDBOOK

TheUniversityofStirlingaimstoensurethatitseducationalprovisionisofthehighestqualityandthatithasanestablishedframeworkofqualityassurancepoliciestosupportthisobjective.PleasenotethatTheAcademicQualityandStandardsHandbookcanbeaccessedat:

www.stir.ac.uk/academicpolicy/handbook/Pleasenotethatitiscurrentlyunderreview.Foranyenquiriespleasecontactsacsadmin@stir.ac.uk.TheHandbookcovers:

• ResponsibilityforQualityandStandards• ProgrammeandModuleApproval,AmendmentandWithdrawal• CreditRating• ReviewandMonitoring• StudentParticipationandFeedback• AssessmentandAcademicMisconduct• ExchangePoliciesandProcedures• AttendanceandEngagement• LearningSupport• CodeofPractice:ResearchDegrees• StudentAcademicAppealsandComplaints• TheExternalQualityEnhancementFramework• WorkBasedandPlacementLearningPolicy• QualityArchive• Forms

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SECTION4–PROGRAMME&MODULEINFORMATION

Themostup-to-dateinformationaboutyourprogrammestructurecanbefoundonlineintheUniversityCalendaratwww.calendar.stir.ac.uk.

4.1ProgrammeStructuresandAims

TeachingtakesplaceduringanAutumnsemesterandaSpringsemester.Ineachsemesteryouwillusuallytakethreemodules,witheachhavingitsownassessment(usuallyconsistingofcourseworkandanexamination).ComputingSciencemodulesarecodedasCSCU9XN(whereCSCindicatesComputingScience,‘U’indicatesUndergraduate,'9'isaplaceholder,‘X’indicatesthestreamofthemodules,and‘N’indicatesthesemesterinwhichthemodulesisnormallytaken,e.g.‘CSCU9B3’).Furtherinformationontheavailablecoursemodulesandtherelevantcodesisgivenbelowinsection4.2.AllundergraduatedegreesatStirlingcontainmodulesfrommorethanonesubject.Inthenormalpattern,ineachofyourfirstthreesemestersyoutakemodulesinthreedifferentsubjects.IfyouaretakingadegreeinComputingScience,BusinessComputing,orSoftwareEngineering,youwilltakeonecompulsoryComputingSciencemoduleinyourfirstthreesemestersandmaytakeafurtherComputingSciencemoduleinsemesterstwoandthree.Fromsemesterfouronward,itispossiblethatallthreeofyourmoduleswillbeinComputingScience.BypassingmodulesyouacquireSCQFcreditswitheachmoduleusuallyworth20creditsandnormallyundertake120creditsworthofmodulesperyear.Inyourfinalyearyouwillberequiredtoundertakeanhonoursproject(CSCU9Z7)whichisworth60creditsandmayalsotakeelectivesworth10creditseach.Bytheendofyourthirdyearyoushouldhaveachieved360SCQF(18Fullmodules)makingyoueligibleforaGeneraldegreeorthenamedBScinComputingScience.Attheendofyourfourthyear,youarerequiredtoachieve480SCQFcredits(24FullModules)foranHonoursdegree.Notethatsomemodulesarecoretoyourdegreeprogramme,andsomeyoucanchoosewithintheoptionsavailable.ComputingSciencemodulescanbetakenaspartof:

• AnHonoursDegreeinComputingScience.Therearefoursuchdegrees,ComputingScience,BusinessComputing,SoftwareEngineeringandAppliedComputing.TheirprogrammesaresetoutintheCalendar.NotethatfortheComputingScienceandSoftwareEngineeringdegreesyoumustincludetheintroductoryMathsmoduleMATU9D1inyourprogramme.(ModuleMATU9D1doesnotrequireHigherorA-levelMaths.)ForthedegreeinBusinessComputing,youmustincludetheBusinessStudiesModulesMGTU9S1,MGTU9S2andMGTU9S3inyourprogramme.

• AnHonoursDegreeinComputingScienceandanothersubject.• AnHonoursdegreeinsomeothersubject(s).Ifyoudothisthenyouareunlikelyto

beabletotakemorethanfourmodulesinComputingScience:suchasequencewouldtypicallystartwithCSCU9A1andendwithafourth-semestermodule.

• AGeneraldegree:youcantakeuptoeightComputingSciencemodulesinthisway.TheComputingSciencemodulesfortheGeneraldegreearelistedintheCalendar.

• Athree-yearBScinComputingSciencewithoutHonours.ThisdegreemustincludeatleastnineComputingScienceModules.

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AtypicalprogrammestructureforComputingScienceisshowninthefollowingtable(modulecodescanbefoundinthemoduledescriptiontablelaterinthisdocument).

Year Semester Module1 Module2 Module3

1

1 IntroductiontoComputingScience

Mathematics:DiscreteStructures

AnyModule

2 ProgrammingandUserInterfaceDesign

MakingtheMostoftheWorldWideWeb

AnyModule

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3 DataStructures,ObjectsandAlgorithms

DatabasePrinciplesandApplications

Prof.DevelopmentforComputerScientists

4 Systems ManagingInformation ProgrammingLanguageParadigms

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5 OperatingSystems,ConcurrencyandDistribution

MultimediaandHumanComputerInteraction

SoftwareEngineering1

6 InformationSystems ComputerGameDevelopment

SoftwareEngineering2

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7 HonoursProject ComputerSecurity&Forensics

AutumnElectives

8 HonoursProject HonoursProject SpringElectives

Current4thYearElectivesTechnologiesfore-commerce,ArtificialIntelligence,NoSQLDatabases,TelecommunicationsSystemsandServices,ModellingforComplexSystems,WebServices

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4.2Modules

ThetablebelowgivessummaryinformationabouttheComputingSciencemoduleswhicharecurrentlyavailable.ForfulldetailsseetheUndergraduateDegreeProgrammetables.TheDivisionmayvarythislistfromtimetotime,anddoesnotguaranteethatanyparticularmodulewillbeavailableinaparticularsemester.Inthefirstthreesemestersthecoursemodulesarefoundational,andaredescribedas‘Non-advanced’intermsoftheUniversityDegreeRegulations(SCQFlevel8).Insemesterfour,thecoursemodulesareatSCQFlevel9.Insubsequentsemestersthemodulesare‘Advanced’(SCQFlevel10).Eachmodulehasaseven-charactercode.Thefirstthreecharactersindicatethesubject(forComputingSciencemodulestheseareCSC).Inmostcases,thelastcharacterindicatesthesemesterinwhichthemoduleisnormallytaken.Forexample,CSCU9V4isnormallytakeninastudent’sfourthsemester,andCSCU9P6isnormallytakeninthesixthsemester.Thesecondlastcharacterofthecourseunitcodeisindicativeofthesubjectmatter:‘A’indicates‘foundational,‘V’indicates‘Systems’,‘P’indicates‘SoftwareEngineering’,etc.Thefollowingtablemaybehelpfulindeterminingyourprogrammeofstudy:Code Title ContentCSCU9A1 Introductionto

ComputingScience

CompulsoryforthoseintendingadegreeinsomeformofComputing.ComputationalthinkingandcomputerprogrammingaretaughtthroughextensivepracticalproblemsolvingexercisesusingtheJavaprogramminglanguage.

CSCU9A2

ProgrammingandUserInterfaceDesign

CompulsoryforthoseintendingadegreeinsomeformofComputing.ThismoduleextendsknowledgeofprogramminginJavatoGraphicalUserInterfaces,objectorientationanddataprocessingalgorithms.Itintroducessyntaxdiagramsandreasoningaboutprogramsasanalyticalconcepts.Themodulealsoteachesuseraccessibility,thebasicprinciplesofgooddesign,andthedesignofeffectiveuserinterfaces.

CSCU9B2 MakingtheMostoftheWorldWideWeb

Theworldwidewebhasbroughtusgreatopportunitiesandsomenewlegal,ethicalandsecurityissues.Thiscoursestudiesthebasicstructureoftheworldwidewebandcloudcomputingandconsidersissuessuchassecurity,fraud,digitalmedia,e-commerce,socialmedia,HTMLandusingthewebinyourstudies.

CSCU9A3

DataStructures,ObjectsandAlgorithms

Datastructuresandalgorithms:use,implementationandcomplexity.Abstractdatatypes.Object-orienteddevelopment.

CSCU9B3

DatabasePrinciplesandApplications

Essentialsofdatabasesystems.PracticalaspectsofDatabaseManagementSystems.Therelationaldatamodel,SQLandEAR(EntityAttributeRelationship)modelling.

CSCU9T4

ManagingInformation

XMLTechnologies,advancedobjectorientedconcepts,andinformationsecurity.

CSCU9V4

SystemsI

Introductiontocomputerorganisation,operatingsystemsandsoftware.ConcurrencyinJava.

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CSCU9Y4

ProgrammingLanguageParadigms

Comparisonofimperative,logic,functionalandobject-orientedparadigms.Reusablesoftwarecomponents.

CSCU9N5

MultimediaandHCI

Howcomputersandpeoplecommunicate.Topicscoveredinclude:usabilityissues,designofuserinterfaces,interactionstyles,devices,graphics,sounds,animation,anduseofmultimediaauthoringtools.

CSCU9P5 SoftwareEngineeringI

Introductiontosoftwareengineering.Requirementscaptureandanalysis.Rigorousdesign,useofteamworking.CASEtools.Testingandvalidation.ExtremeProgramming.Legal,ethicalandprofessionalissues.

CSCU9V5 OperatingSystemsConcurrencyandDistribution

Operatingsystems:processmanagement,memorymanagement,filesystems.Concurrency:synchronisation,mutualexclusion,monitors,deadlock,DistributedSystems:Clientsandservers,namingandbinding,Corba,UnixandNTExamples.

CSCU9N6 ComputerGameTechnologies

ImageRendering,TheAnimationLoop,Sprites,CollisionDetection,ImageTransforms,Sound,JavaMicroEdition,Networking,3DGraphics–Modelling,LightingandCameraposition.

CSCU9P6 SoftwareEngineeringII

Teamwork.Softprojectmanagement.Softwareconfigurationmanagement.Softwarequalityassurance.Rigorousspecification.

CSCU9T6 InformationSystems

Datastorage,retrievalanduse.Informationasaresource.TypesofInformationSystems.ToolsforISdevelopment.

CSCU9Y7 ComputerSecurity&Networks

Computersecurityprincipleandpracticecombinedwithnetworkanetworkscommunicationsoverviewincludingservices/protocolsandnetworkmonitoring.

CSCU9Yn 10SCQFcreditoptions

OptionsincludeArtificialIntelligence,Technologiesfore-commerce,WebServices,TelecommunicationsSystemsandServices,NoSQLdatabases,BigOptimisationSpacesandModellingforComplexSystems.

CSCU9Z7 ComputingScienceProject

AprojectinComputingScienceovertwosemestersleadingtoadissertation.

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4.3IntendedLearningOutcomes

TheComputingSciencemodulesandprogrammesareprincipallydesignedtoinstilspecificskillsinrelationtotheacademicdisciplineofComputingScienceanditsapplications.However,thefollowingtransferableskillsarealsoregardedasimportant:

• AnunderstandingofthescopeandpowerofmodernITfacilities,andtheirsignificanceforindustryandsociety.

• AbilitytousearangeofITtoolstomanagetextualandnumericdatainanycontext.• Skillsinthestudyofsystemssothattheycanbeanalysed,theirbehaviourexplained

andchangesplannedinamethodicalmanner.• Abilitytoplanwork,tounderstandhowtaskscanbespecified,toundertake

independentcreativeactivityandtobringittoasuccessfulconclusion.• Abilitytowriteacoherentandinformativeaccountofworkdone.• AnunderstandingoftheissuesandresponsibilitiesofbeinganITprofessional.

4.4Progression&EntrytoHonours

DetailsoftheregulationsforallHonoursdegreeprogrammesaregivenintheUniversityCalendar:www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/regulations/-q-5Whatfollowsisonlyabriefsummary,intendedonlytoclarifythoseregulations.Innowaydoesitsupersedethem.FortheawardofanHonoursdegree,aminimumof480creditsmustbeachieved,withaminimumof180atSCQFlevels9and10,includingaminimumof90creditsatSQCFlevel10asdefinedbytheDegreeProgrammeTable.Normally,240ofthesecreditswillbeobtainedinyears1and2,andthesewillincludethecreditsrequiredinsubjectsoutsidethemainsubject(s).Inyears3and4,therefore,studentswillnormallyobtainafurther240creditsinonesubject(forSingleHonours)ortwosubjects(forCombinedHonours).Belowisalistofthecoursemoduleswhicharenormallyofferedinsemesters5to8tostudentsonComputingSciencerelatedHonoursprogrammes.Inplanningaprogramme,youshouldnotetheprerequisitesforeachcoursemodule(giveninthetableabove).Semester5(Autumn): CSCU9N5 CSCU9P5 CSCU9V5 Note:SingleHonoursstudentsnormallytakeallthreeofthesemodules.CombinedHonoursstudentsnormallytakeatleastCSCU9P5,whichisrequiredinmostprogrammes.Anyofthesemodulesnottakeninthefifthsemestermaybetakenintheseventhsemester.

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Semester6(Spring): CSCU9P6 CSCU9N6 CSCU9T6 CSCU9T4 CSCU9Y4Note: SingleHonoursstudentsnormallytakethreeofthesemodulesincludingCSCU9P6.ComputingScienceandSoftwareEngineeringHonoursstudentsmusttakeCSCU9P6whileBusinessComputingHonoursstudentsmusttakeCSCU9T6.CombinedHonoursstudentsnormallychooseoneortwo.CSCU9T4andCSCU9Y4maynotbetakentogetherinthesixthsemesterandarenormallyrestrictedtoJointHonoursstudents.AnyofCSCU9P6,CSCU9N6,andCSCU9T6whicharenottakeninthesixthsemestermaybetakenintheeighthsemester,butneitherCSCU9T4norCSCU9Y4maynormallybetakenintheeighthsemester.Semester7(Autumn): CSCU9YH,CSCU9YE,CSCU9YQ(10credithalfmoduleelectives) CSCU9Y7 CSCU9Z7 CSCU9Q5 CSCU9N5Note: SingleHonoursstudentsnormallytakeCSCU9Z7andCSCU9Y7plusoneothermodulefromthosenotalreadypassed.CombinedHonoursstudentsnormallymustincludeaprojectintheirprogramme.Semester8(Spring): CSCU9YD,CSCU9YM,CSCU9YW(10credithalfmoduleelectives) CSCU9Z7 CSCU9P6 CSCU9N6 CSCU9T6Note: SingleHonoursstudentsnormallytakeCSCU9Z7plusoneothermodulefromthosenotalreadypassed.NotethatCSCU9T4,CSCU9Y4,CSCU9P6,CSCU9N6,CSCU9T6andCSCU9W6maynotnormallybetakenintheeighthsemesterbysinglehonoursstudents.

FinalYearProjectDuringyourfinalHonoursyearyouwillundertakeaprojectleadingtoadissertation.Thisisanimportantpartofyourdegreeandcountsas60SCQFcredits(threefullmodules).ToqualifyforanHonoursdegreeitismandatorythatyoupassyourproject.Towardstheendofyourthirdyear,youwillbegivenadviceonthekindsofprojectthatarepossibleandthestaffyoushouldapproachassupervisorsforvarioustopics.IfyouaretakingacombinedHonoursdegree,yourprojectmaybeinComputingScienceonlyormayhaveaspectsofbothsubjects.Therulesvaryfromdegreetodegreeastothenatureandlengthoftheproject,socheckwhatappliestoyou.Theco-ordinatorforprojectsisDrJingpengLee.

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BScinComputingScienceStudentswhocompletethefirstthreeyearsoftheSingleHonoursineitherComputingScienceorSoftwareEngineeringarenormallyeligibleforaBScinComputingScience.FurtherdetailsonprogressionandentrytohonoursmaybefoundontheUniversitywebpages,athttp://www.stir.ac.uk/regulations/undergrad/assessmentandawardofcredit/

4.5DivisionalPrizes

TheDivisionmayawardthefollowingprizes:

• BestCSCU9Z7project.• Theprizeforthebestthirdyearstudent(acrosssemesters5&6).• Theprizeforthebestsecondyearstudent(acrosssemesters3&4).• Theprizeforthebestfirstyearstudent.• TheFacultyprizeforResearch-Basedlearning.

Inaddition,theDivisionnominatesstudentsfor1nationalprize:

• ScotlandISYoungSoftwareEngineeroftheYear

4.6PersonalDevelopment

PersonalDevelopmentisaboutcontinuallydevelopingtobecomethebestyoucanbe.Itprovidestheopportunitytodevelopyourskills,understandyourvaluesandtheimpactthesehaveonyourbehaviouranddecision-making.TheDivision'sundergraduateCoursesofferstudentsnumerousopportunitiestoenhanceskillsrequiredbytheirchosendiscipline,embeddedwithintheseCourses,personaldevelopmentenhancescareerandlifeskills.ProfessionalDevelopmentforComputerScientistsisanAutumnmoduleforsecondorthirdyearstudents.Themoduleisdesignedtochallengestudents’conceptsofself.Itprovidesthetoolswhichallowsstudentstoexploretheirpersonalpreferences,appreciatetheirownandotherscontributionstoateamandtoreflectontheirachievements,theirstrengthsandtheirskill’sgaps.Aswellasprovidingstudentswiththeoccasiontonetworkwithbusiness,itwillprovidethestudentswithahighlevelofprofessionalawarenessandbothspecificandgenericprofessionalandemployabilityskills.ThismodulelinkswiththeindustrialplacementmodulesCSCU9ISandCSCU9IYinthatitpreparesstudentstosecureacompetitiveindustrialplacement.Italsopreparesstudentsforthehonoursprojectintheir4thyear(CSCU9Z7)whichinvolvesposterpresentationsandatalktoanaudience.TheComputingScienceSummerPlacementmodule(CSCU9IS)canbetakeninthesummerafterYear3andprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytogainindustrialexperience.Suchexperienceisimportantforanumberofreasons:Itrequiresuseofpreviouslyacquiredskills

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andknowledge,increasingthegraspofthese.Itisalsoimportanttodeveloptheabilitytocommunicateideaseffectively.Theplacementprovidesanidealopportunitytoapplyknowledgeandconceptsstudiedinpreviousmodulesinanindustrialcontext.Workinginanindustrialsettingwillgivethemvaluableskillsandmakethemmoreemployableongraduation.Studentswilltackleasubstantialpieceofwork,undersupervisionbytheindustrialpartner.Thenatureoftheworkundertakenwillvarysubstantially;itisexpectedthatthemajorityofthestudentswillfindplacementswheretheywillbeworkingonsoftwareengineeringanddevelopmentprojects.Aplacementmightanalyse,design,implementandevaluatealgorithmsforascientificproblemoranalyse,design,implementandevaluateasubstantialsoftwaresolutionforaproblemwhichtheplacementprovideroroneofitsclientsfaces.However,otherplacementssuchasintechnicalsupportarealsofeasible.Besidesthesummerplacementmodule,themoduleCSCU9IYisa1-yearlongplacementsandwichedbetweenYears3and4ofyourprogramme(turningtheprogrammeintoa5yearcourse).Thismoduleprovidesyouwithasignificantlylongerperiodoftimetogainvaluableindustrialexperience.Forstudentswhotakethismoduleandsuccessfullycompletea1-yearplacement,thedegreetitlewillbesuffixedwith‘withIndustrialPlacement’.ForinstanceforastudentontheBSc(hons)SoftwareEngineeringprogrammetakingCSCU9IY,theirdegreetitlewillchangetoBSc(hons)SoftwareEngineeringwithIndustrialPlacement.Forbothtypesofplacements,thereisthepossibilityofcontinuingtoworkwiththeemployeronthefinalyearhonoursproject,thatisstudentsworkonaprojectagreedwiththeemployer.

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SECTION5–STUDYSKILLS

5.1 OrganisingYourStudy TheUniversitygivesyouagreatdealoflatitudeinhowyouspendyourtime.Ifyouorganise

yourstudyefficiently,itispossibletogetagoodeducationandagooddegreeresultattheendandstillhaveplentyoftimetoenjoyotheractivities.Ontheotherhand,youwillneedtodomuchmorethanthebareminimumofassessedworkthatisrequiredifyouaretodojusticetoyourtalents.

Startanytaskpromptly.Avoidwastingtimeatthestartbydoingtrivialjobs.Examinescepticallyanyreasonsyouinventforpostponingthework.

Ensurethatyourstudytimeisgenuinelyproductive.Areyoureallylearning,orjustwastingyourtime?Forexample,timeiswastedifyoucopyoutnoteswithoutthinkingaboutwhatyouwrite,orattendalecturewithoutpayingmuchattentiontowhatissaid,orsitinthelibrarywithabookinfrontofyouwhiledaydreaming.Bewareofsatisfyingyourconsciencebydoingundemandingtaskswhichsaveyoutheeffortofthinking.

Reviewyourworkfortheday(andalsofortheweekandforthesemester)tomakesurethatyouallotanappropriateamountoftimetoeachofyoursubjectsandtoeachpartofeachsubject.Givetheimportantordifficulttaskspriority.Tacklethemfirst,oratleastarrangeyourstudysothattheworkwhichneedscarefulthoughtorspecialattentionisdonewhileyouarestillfresh.

Recognisetheappropriatetimetostopforabreak.Studyingwhenyouaretiredmaybeuneconomical:fiveminutes'restmayrefreshyousomuchthatyougetthroughthenextstageoftheworktenminutesmorequickly.Orisyourweaknesstheopposite?Doyoustoptooreadily?Ifyougetstuckonaparticularpoint,takingashortbreaktothinkaboutsomethingcompletelydifferentoftenmeansthatit‘clicks’whenyoureturntothepoint.

Leaveplentyoftimetowriteanypieceofworktobedoneinyourowntime.Startworkonitwellbeforethesubmissiondate.Itwillusuallybeclearfromthelectureschedulewhenyouhavefinishedthelecturecoverageofthetopic.(Itmaybehelpfultolookatthequestionbeforethelecturesonitsothatyouknowwhattolistenoutfor.)Ifyouleavetoolittletime,itwillprobablybebettertodoalatertopicinsteadifthereisachoiceofsubmissiondates.Butdon'tleaveworksolatethatyouendupwithnoflexibilityinwhenyouhavetosubmityourwork.Planningtodothelasttopicmayseemattractiveatthebeginningofsemesterbutrunsthedangerthatsomethingunexpectedwillpreventyoufromdevotingasmuchtimeasyouwouldhaveliked.Alsobearinmindthatyourexamsmaybeverysoonaftertheendofteaching.Gettingcourseworkoutofthewayearlywillgivemoretimeforrevision.5.1.1 AttendanceRequirements/CompulsoryClasses/NotificationofAbsenceOneachmoduleyouwillhavelectures(usually3perweek).Lecturesstartatnominally5minutespastthehourandfinishatnominally5minutestothehour.Inaddition,youwillhavetutorials,computerlaboratorysessionsorboth.InComputingmodules,outlinelecturenoteswillbehandedouttostudents,usuallyviaCanvas;howeverthisisnotasubstituteforattendinglectures.Inallmodules,thehandedoutmaterialneedstobesupplementedbystudentstakingtheirownindividualnotes.

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5.1.2 ClassAttendanceDivisionscandesignateclassesinmodulesasCompulsoryorPrescribed.QuotingfromtheUndergraduateregulations:54.Eachmodule'sdescriptorspecifiesanycompulsoryorprescribedattendancerequiredatclasses.55.Astudentwhofailstoattendacompulsoryclasswillbedeemedtohavefailedthemodule,duetofailuretocomplywithpublishedrequirements.56.Astudentwhoisabsentformorethanathirdofprescribedclasseswillhavetheirmarkcappedatamaximumof40forthatmodule.Engagement57.Otherpointsofrequiredengagementforstudentswillbespecifiedineachmodule'sdescriptor.

YouarerequiredtoinformtheAcademicRegistrarifyouareabsentthroughillness.Iftheabsenceisshort(lessthansevendays)self-certificationissufficient(viatheStudentPortal).Forlongerabsences,andinallcasesofabsencefromprescribedtestsandexaminations,amedicalcertificateisrequired.FurtherdetailsontheattendancepolicymaybefoundontheUniversitywebpages,at:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/regulations/undergraduate/modules-credit-load-and-attendance/

5.2 UnderstandingandLearning

Aimtounderstandnotjusttomemorise.Modulesarechieflydevotedtoconceptsthataredesignedtobeunderstoodratherthanfactstobelearnedbyrote.Understandingtheprincipleswillmakeiteasiertorememberallthematerialcovered.

Therewillbesomepointsyouwillhavetolearnandremember.Whentryingtomemorisesomething,putthematerialasidefromtimetotimetotestyourself.Thishelpsyoutoidentifythepointsthatarehardesttorecall.Givethesepointsspecialattention:mnemonicsmayhelp.Justreadingthedetailsoverandoveragainiswastefuloftimeandeffort.Itisalwayseasiertolearndetailsifyoucanrelatethemtosomeprincipleorfitthemintoalogicalsystem.

Ifyoudonotunderstandatopic,lookitupinatextbookbyusingtheindex.Ordiscussitwithanothermemberoftheclass.Oraskyourtutororlecturertohelpyou.Also,thinkoutexamplesandapplications.

Talktootherstudentsaboutlecturematerialandwhatyouhaveread.Tryingtoexplainpointstosomeoneelsecanhelpyoutolearnandothersmaybeabletofillgapsinyourunderstanding.Discussionofcourseworkassignmentscanbehelpfulbuttakecarefulnoteoftheregulationsonplagiarism.Seektodeveloptheskillslistedbelowwhenworkingprivatelyandwithotherstudents,notjustinformalteachingsituations.Forexample,practiseexplainingpointsclearlyand

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conciselytoothers(includingthosewithlittleornoknowledge).Thiswillstandyouingoodsteadforjobinterviews.Transferableskills:WrittenandoralcommunicationTheabilityto:• presentargumentsclearlyandconciselybothinwritingandorally;• giveadirectanswertoaquestion;• presentbothbriefsummariesthatidentifythekeypointsandfullertreatmentsofatopic

thatarewellstructured;• presentabalancedviewofdifferentopinionsonanissue;• separatefactfromopinion,yetpresentyourownviewswhereappropriate;• usesuitablemeansofpresentingarguments,e.g.visualaidsinoralpresentations,

diagramsinwrittenwork;• contributeconstructivelytoagroupdiscussion;• communicatewithdifferentaudiences.Analysisandproblem-solvingTheabilityto:• abstractandsimplifyinordertoidentifytheessenceofaproblem;• identifywhatshouldbetakenasgivenorfixedforthepurposeofsolvingaproblem;• setupandanalyseamodel;• developlogicalarguments;• marshalandevaluateevidence;• assimilate,structureandanalysequalitativeandquantitativedata;• applygeneralprinciplestoaspecificcase;• makeuseofpreviousworkbutbepreparedtodeveloporiginalideaswhereappropriate;• exerciseindependentjudgement;• drawconclusionsanddecidewhattodo;• thinkcriticallyaboutthelimitsofyouranalysis;• drawpolicyconclusionsandrecognisethepotentialconstraintsontheirimplementation;• evaluatealternativestrategies;• keepanopenmindaboutdifferentmethodologicalapproaches;• relateissuestoawidercontext;• thinkimaginativelyandcreatively.

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LearningTheabilityto:• searchoutrelevantmaterial;• frameandaskquestionsthatelicittheinformationrequired;• synthesiserelevantmaterial;• learnindependently;• makeuseoftheservicesoflibrariesandothersourcesofhelpandinformation.Self-managementTheabilityto:• workunderpressure;• meetdeadlines;• manageyourtimeeffectively;• planprojects;• prioritisetasks;• workmethodically;• setpersonalgoalsandevaluateyourownperformance;• workwithoutsupervision;• takeinitiativeanddevelopideasindependently.

ThesetransferrableskillscontributetoachievementoftheUniversityGraduateAttributes:high-levelqualitiesandskillsthatstudentsdevelopthroughtheirlearningactivitieswhileatuniversity.Theseattributesarewhatsetgraduatesapartfromthosewithoutadegree,andrepresenttheaddedvaluegraduatesoffer.

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5.3 MakingtheMostofLectures

Attendallthelectures.Laterlecturesoftenbuildonmaterialcoveredinearlierlecturessomissingalecturewillseriouslyimpairyourunderstandingnotonlyofthetopicscoveredinthatlecturebutoflatertopicsaswell.

OutlinesoflecturesandsometimesfullernotesareprovidedonCANVAS,butitisstillagoodideatotakeyourownlecturenotes.Thiswillhelpyoutostayalerttowhatisbeingsaidandtoidentifypointsofdifficulty.

Lookatcourseworkquestionsandspecimenexamquestionsonatopicbeforethelectures.Thinkinghowtoanswerspecificquestionswillhelpyoutostayalertandidentifythekeypoints.

Donottrytowritedowneverythingthatissaidinthelectures.Distinguishthemainpointsfromthedetailandsummarisebrieflyanyimportantmainpointsthatarenotinanynotesthathavebeenprovided.Someofthedetailedpointsinthelecturesmaybeavailableinatextbookormentionedonlyforillustration.Ifyoufindyoucannotmakeasmanynotesasyouwant,thenyouareprobablytryingtowritetoomuchandwillbeunabletofollowthelecture.

Takingnotesinvolvesfollowingthelecturer'sargumentandsummarisingpointssothatyoucanrecallandrevisethematerial.Trytoensurethatyournotesfallintothesamemainsectionsandsubsectionsasthelecturematerial.

Leaveplentyofspacewhenyoutakenotes,sothatyoucanaddmateriallater.Writelistsvertically,nothorizontallyalongtheline.

Itoftenhelpstouseunderliningandcapitalstoemphasisekeywords,andtousesubheadingsandindentedtexttoemphasisethedifferentsectionsofthenotes.

Usearrowsandboxestoshowhowonesectionrelatestoanother.

Writeupyournotesassoonaspossibleafterthelecture.Thismeansworkingthroughthemcarefully,addingdetailsandyourowncomments,checkingpoints,andtidyingthem-notjustcopyingthemoutneatly.

Practisedrawingdiagrams.Theymaylookeasytodrawwhenseenonaprintedpage.Findoutbeforetheexamwhetherthisisso.

Itoftenhelpstogooveryournoteswithotherstudents.

5.4 MakingtheMostofSeminars/Tutorials

Fullattendanceattutorialsisanessentialrequirementoftheprogramme.Materialswhicharediscussedindetailintutorialsessionsarecloselylinkedtothequestionsposedinexamsandotherassignments.StudentswhodoNOTattendtutorialstherefore,placethemselvesatveryhighriskoffailure.Seminarsandtutorialsareprovidedsothatyoucangethelp.Gowithyourownagendaofwhatyouwanttolearn.Usuallyatutorwillspecifyworktobedoneforthesessionbutwillalwaysbehappytoanswerquestions–aslongasthequestionisnotseekingspecifichelpwithassessedwork.

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Doreadandgooveryourlecturenotesearlyenoughsothatyouhaveachancetoaskaboutanypointsyoudonotunderstandbeforeyouhavetodoassessedworkonthetopicandwhilethetopicisstillfreshinyourmind.

Itmayhelpyoutofeelmoreconfidentinaskingquestionsifyoujoinagroupwithsomeoneyouknow,andcollaboratebeforeeachtutorialonwhatquestionstoask.

5.5 Reading

Ifthereisonemaintextbookforamodule,youshouldbuythisastherearelikelytobenosparecopiesintheUniversityLibrary.Ifthereareotherbooksrecommendedorthereareseveralbooksrecommendedratherthanonemainbook,thesebookswillnormallybeintheUniversityLibrarybutyoumayneedtoreserveacopytomakesurethatyoucangetitwhenyouneedit.Ifyouarereferredtoajournalarticle,thismaybeavailableinhardcopyintheUniversityLibraryasaphotocopyorintheoriginalboundvolumeofthejournalbutincreasinglyjournalarticlesareavailableelectronically–theLibrarycataloguewillspecifytheformatsavailable.

Beforestartingtoreadabookorachapter,glancequicklythroughittogetageneralideaofwhatitcovers.Stopperiodicallyandreviewinyourmindthemainpointsofwhatyouhavereadsofar.Attheend,lookbackoverthetextforaquickrevision.

Adjustyourspeedofreadingtosuitthelevelofdifficulty.Youshouldbeabletoreadstraightforwardmaterialrapidly,butyoushouldalsorecognisethetrickysectionswhenyoumustgomoreslowly.Youwillneedtogomoreslowlyoversectionsthatrefertocomplicateddiagrams,orincludebitsof,forexample,mathematicsormanyabbreviations.

Whenyoucometoadifficultorimportantpartinabook,tackleitsystematically,notingthethemeofeachparagraph,pickingoutkeyphrasesorkeysentences,andaskingyourselfquestionsasyouread.Donotjustreaditoverseveraltimesinthehopethatsomehowitwillcomeclear.

Makenotesandsummariesasyoureadtohelpyourememberwhatyouread.

Ifyoufindusefulmaterialonawebsiteorinsomeotherelectronicform,makenotesonit.Ifyouthinktheideasarerelevanttoanessay,writethemupfromyournotesinyourownwords,withoutlookingattheoriginal,unlessyouneedtocheckanoteforaccuracy.Onlycopyandpasteelectronicallyifyouarecarefultoputthematerialinquotationmarks–indentingorchangingthefontcanalsohelptodifferentiatethequotationfromyourownwords.Itisoftentemptingtocopyandpasteliberallybutitisalltooeasytoforgetwherethematerialcamefromandtopresentitasyourownwork.Thereareseverepenaltiesforthis–seeregulationathttps://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/assessment-and-academic-misconduct/.Lookatthequestionsyouhavetoanswerorarelikelytobeaskedonaparticularsectionbeforereadingit.Thiswillhelpyoutoconcentrate.

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5.6 WritingCourseworkAnswers

Thissectionrelatestothewritingofanyformofanswerinyourowntimethatrequiressometextandismorethanjustasentenceortwo.Itmaybecalled,forexample,anessayoraprojectorapaper.

Readthequestioncarefully.Identifytheinstructionword,e.g.“describe”,“analyse”,“state”asthiswillhelpyoutodecidewhatsortofanswerisrequired.Lookforthekeywordsthattellyouwhatthequestionisabout.Useanyinformationprovidedinthequestion.Occasionally,informationmaybejustadescriptiveglossthatdoesnotaffectyouranswerbutusuallyinformationprovidedisintendedtohelpyoufocusyouransweronaparticulartopic.Startbyjottingdownpointsastheyoccurtoyou,thenfleshthemout(ordiscardthemif,onreflection,theyareirrelevant)andreorganisethemintoalogicalstructure.Allowtimetogothroughoneormoredraftsbeforeproducingthefinalversion.Don’texpecttobeabletowriteoutagoodanswerstraightaway.

Makesurethateverythinginyourfinalanswerisrelevant.Organiseyourmaterialtoanswerthespecificquestion,notsomemoregeneralquestionlike“Writedownallyouknowabout...”Irrelevancewillbepenalised.

Thepagelimitisamaximum,notatarget.Oftenthebestanswersarewellbelowthelimit.Tokeepwithinthelimit:• Avoidintroductionsthataregeneralitieshavinglittletodowiththequestion.

Introductionscanserveausefulfunction:usethemtostateanyassumptionsthataregeneraltoyouranalysis,toavoidrepetitioninthedifferentpartsofananswerandtogivethereaderanideaofthestructureofyouranswerifthisisnotimposedbythequestion.

• Avoidconclusionsthatmerelyrepeatwhatyouhavesaidearlierorarevaguegeneralisationsthatareatvariancewithyourearlieranalysisorsaynothing.

• Donotparaphraselargechunksoftextbook.Recognisethatadifferentstyleisneeded.Textbooksneedtoexplainpointsveryfullyandindifferentwaystogetthepointacross.Youshouldaimtobemoreconcise.

• Questionsaredesignedwiththelengthlimitinmind.Ifyoufindthatthereisalotoftextbookmaterialonthegeneraltopic,tailorittothespecificquestionbybeingselectiveandputtingitinyourownwords.

Putyourideasintoyourownwords.Anoccasionalquotationcanenhanceareportifyouthinkthattheauthor’swordsareparticularlyapt,butgenerallyusingyourownwordswillgainmorecreditforunderstandingthetopic.Heavyrelianceonquotationsorparaphrasingwillnotproduceagoodessayasitwillnotrevealyourcapacityforindependentthought.Youmustnotusethewordsorideasofanotherpersonwithoutattribution.

Writethefinalversioninclear,concise,grammaticalEnglish.Writeinsentences(notnotes)anduseparagraphingtoseparatethemainpoints.Payattentiontospelling.

Itisacceptabletouseabbreviationsforcommonterms,e.g.TCPforTransmissionControlProtocol.Thefirsttimeyouuseanabbreviation,youshouldexplainwhattheystand,e.g.TransmissionControlProtocol(TCP).

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Stateyourassumptionsbeforeyoustarttheanalysisandavoidmakingunnecessaryassumptionsasthismaymeanthatyoumissinterestingpossibilities.

Achangeinasystemcanoftenhavemanypossibleeffects.Ingeneral,youshouldcoverallthepossibilities,thoughnotnecessarilyinthesamedetail.Avoidtediouslyrepetitivecoverageofanumberofcasesthatareonlyslightlydifferent.Thosethatseemtoberemotepossibilitiesmayonlydeserveabriefmention.Itisgenerallyyouranalyticalskillsthatarebeingtested,notyourempiricalknowledge:bewareofcompletelyignoringcasesjustbecausetheyseemunlikelytoyou.

Diagramsareoftenneededforeffectiveanswers.Makeyourdiagramsarebigenoughtoshowallthefeaturesclearly.Hand-writtendiagramswillusuallyneedtobelargerthanprintedonestobeclear.NumberthemFig.1,Fig.2etc.Refertoeachdiagraminthetext,usingthesenumbers,andexplainwhatthediagramsshow.Littlecreditwillbegivenfordiagramsthatarenotmentionedinthetext.Trytoarrangediagramstobenearthetextthatreferstothem.Puttingallthediagramsinanappendixmaybeeasierforyoubutthinkhowirritatingitwouldbeiftextbookwritersdidthis.

Ifyouareaskedtoansweraspecificquestion,e.g.“Whatwillbetheeffectof...”ratherthan“Discuss...”concludeyouressaybygivingadirectanswertothequestion,withanynecessaryqualifications.

Avoidvaluejudgements,i.e.statingopinions.Generallyyouwillgetcreditforanalysingwhatcouldhappen.Anopinioncannotbemarkedasrightorwrongsoyouwillnotgetanycreditforit.Animportantpartoflearningistodistinguishcarefullybetweennormativeandpositivestatements.

Presentargumentsinabalancedanddispassionateway.Avoidjournalisticexaggerationandpoliticalprejudice.Modelyourstyleonthatofprofessionals,notthetabloidpressorpoliticalmanifestos.

Usetechnicalterms.Giveacleardefinitionthefirsttimeyouuseaterm.Theyhaveusuallybeenintroducedintheliteratureasashort-hand,sousingthemwillsavespaceandenableyoutobeprecise.Ifaresultcanbeexpressedmathematically,andyouunderstandthemaths,usemathsforthesamereasons.

Readoveryouranswerbeforesubmittingit.Youwilllosemarksunnecessarilyifthemarkerhastocorrecterrorsthatyoucouldhavespottedyourself.Itisbesttodothissometimeafterwritingitsothatyoucometoitafresh.Sometimesasentencethatseemedclearwhenyouwroteitwillbemuchlessclearonsecondreading.

Manyofthepointsabovebecomemucheasiertoputintopracticeifyouuseword-processingsoftwarefromthefirstdraftstageonwards.MicrosoftWordisavailableintheUniversity’scomputerlabs.Ifyouneedtraining,contacttheInformationServicesHelpDeskintheUniversityLibrary.

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5.7 ExaminationsandClassTests

Lookalsoatthepointsintheprevioussectionaboutwritingcourseworkanswers.Mostoftheseapplyequallytoanswerswrittenunderexaminationortestconditions.

Checkthetimeandvenuecarefully.Arriveingoodtimeandcomposeyourself.

Readtheinstructionsonthepapercarefullysothatyouanswerthecorrectnumberofquestionsand(iftherearesections)thecorrectnumberfromeachsection.Ifyouanswerfewerquestionsthanexpected,youwillbeawardednomarkforthemissinganswers.Thiswillseriouslyimpairyourchanceofgettingagoodoverallgrade.Forexample,ifyouonlywritetwoanswersinthetimeinsteadofthree,youwillloseonethirdoftheavailablemarksandsoyouwouldhavetodowellonthequestionsyoudoanswereventopass.Youmaythinkthatyoucanwritebetteranswersifyouallowmoretimeperquestionbutthisisveryunlikelytobethebestwaytoimproveyouroverallgrade,astheexampleshows.

Planyouruseoftheallottedtimecarefully.Taketimeatthebeginningtoreadeachquestioncarefullyanddecidewhichquestionsyouarebestequippedtoanswerifthereisachoice.Allocateyourtimeinproportiontothemarksforeachquestion.If,forexample,youhavetwohourstowritethreesetsofquestions,spendatleast15minutesreadingthepaperandsketchingoutanswers,thenabout30minutesoneachquestion.Keepafewminutesattheendoftheexamtoreadoveryouranswerssothatyoucaneradicateanyslipsofthepen.

Makesurethatyouknowexactlywhataquestionislookingforbeforeyoustarttoanswerit.Realisingtoolatethatyouhaveansweredadifferentquestioncanbeverycostlyintermsofmarks.Avoidrushingintowritingallyouknowaboutageneraltopicwithoutreadingthequestioncarefully.Thiswillwastetimeonirrelevantmaterialwhichwillreceivenomarks.

Donotbedeterredfromattemptingaquestionsimplybecauseittakeslongertoreadthantheothers.Longquestionsgenerallygiveyoumorehelponwhatanswerisexpected.

Tailoryouranswerstothetimeavailable.Examinersarewellawareofthetimeavailabletoansweraquestionandwillnotbeexpectinglonganswers,butwillbeexpectingallthemainpointstobementioned.Ifaquestionissimilartoonethatyouhavewrittenbeforewithoutthetimeconstraint,donotattempttowritethesameanswer,justaimtogetthemainpointsdown.Anexpansivetreatmentofthefirstfewpointswillbeachievedattheexpenseofmissinglaterpoints(andlosingthemarksforthem)orreducingthetimeforotheranswers.

Practisewritinganswersagainsttheclocksothatyouknowhowmuchyoucanwriteinthetimeavailableforananswerintheexam.Writenotesbeforestartinganyanswerthatrequiresalogicalargumentandorganisethem,sothattheansweriswellargued.Thiswillattractmorecreditthanananswerthatmakesthesamepointsintheorderthattheyoccurtoyou.Evenifaquestiondoesnotaskforadiagramorexample,pleaseincludethemifyouthinkithelpsdemonstrateyourpointmoreclearly.Theexaminerislookingtoseeifyouunderstandtheanswertothequestionandanappropriateandspecificexamplewilloftendemonstrateyourunderstanding.

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UseofDictionariesinTestsandExaminationsElectronicdictionariesarenotpermittedintestsorexaminations.PaperEnglish/foreignlanguagedictionariesmaybeusedbyinternationalstudentsandwillbesubjecttoinspectionbyinvigilators.Ifanynotesorothermaterialarefound,thedictionarywillbeconfiscatedandan“AcademicMisconduct”reportsenttotheUniversityExaminationsOfficer.

5.8 WritingAssignmentReports,Dissertations&Referencing5.8.1 AssignmentReportsThefollowingaresomegeneralpointerstohelpyouthinkaboutwritingreports.However,youarestronglyurgedtoreadColes(1995)AStudent’sGuidetoCourseworkWriting,Stirling:UniversityofStirling.Thisisanaccessibleandmanageablebookwhichdealswiththemainpointsofgoodassignmentwritingclearlyandconcisely.1. Makesureyouanswerthequestion.Itdoessometimeshappenthatstudents

misinterpretwhatisbeingaskedwhenreadingassignmenttitles,somakesureyouunderstandexactlywhatyouarebeingaskedtodo.Askyourtutorifyouareunsure.

2. Preparethoroughly:read,makenotes,andthinkaboutthesubjectwellinadvance.3. Trytostructureyourreportsothateverythingyousaytakesitsplaceinanoverall

developingargumentordiscussion.Random,disconnectedpointsgenerallydon’taddupanddon’tconvincethereaderthatyouhavemuchofagraspofthetopic.Tohelpdothisit’salwaysagoodideatoplanthestructureofyourassignmentbeforeyouwriteit.It’salsoagoodideatoinformthereaderofwhatyou’redoingandwhyyou’redoingit.Thisiscalledsignposting:abriefintroductionwillmapoutthedirectionyouintendtotakeandwhatyouintendtoachieve,andsignpostsalongthewaywillguidethereaderthroughyourargument.Ashortconcludingparagraphisalsohelpfulinsummingupwhatyouhavewrittenandstatingwhatconclusionyouhavereached.

4. Trytobeconciseandtothepoint.Thinkofthemosteconomicalwayofputtingeverypointacross.

5. Similarly,trytobeasclearaspossible.Ifyoudon’tunderstandwhatyouhavewritten,thechancesarethatnobodyelsewilleither.Avoidtheuseofjargonunlessyouaresurewhatitmeans.

6. Followingonfromthis,trytoputthingsinyourownterms.Thereisnosenseinregurgitatingpassagesfrombooksthatyouclearlydon’tunderstand,andthisinanycasecarriestheriskoftheseriousoffenceofplagiarism.Agoodassignmentreportdemonstratesbothanunderstandingofrelevantsourcesandindependentthoughtaboutatopic.

7. Illustrativeexamplesmaymakewhatyouhavetosaymorevivid,immediateandobvious.Relatinganabstractargumenttosomethingconcrete,perhapsinyourownexperience,canbringanideaaliveandconvincethereaderthatyouknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.Similarlyawell-chosenquotecanoftenclarifyandenlivenapointyouaretryingtomakeandcandemonstratethatyouhavegraspedtheessenceofareading.Don’tusetoomanyquotes,though–theassignmentismeanttobeyourownwork,afterall–anddon’tusequotesiftheyaddnothingtoyourargument.Ifapointyouaremakingisclearlyderivedfromapublishedsource,andwhenquotingfrompublishedsources,youmustacknowledgethis.

8. Includeacompletebibliographyofsourcesused,inproperbibliographicalform(seebelow).

9. Finally,reviewwhatyouhavewrittentocheckthatitmakessense.Nomatterhowgoodyourideasare,iftheyarepoorlyexpressedyourgradewillbelowered.Checkyour

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spelling,grammarandpunctuationandmakesurethatnomistakeshaveslippedthrough.Thisprocesstakesonlyminutesbutcanmakeadifferencetoyourgrade.

5.8.2 ReferencingYourWorkAcrucialpartofyouracademicstudieswilloftenincludereadingextensivelyaroundyoursubjectandintegratingotherpeople’sresearchwithyourlearning.Youneedtouse‘evidence’fromtheliteraturetosupportyourargumentsandanswerquestions.Aspartofthisprocessyouneedtomakesurethereaderknowswhereyouaregettingyourinformationandhowitrelatestoyourownideasandconclusions.

Whenusingideas,research,data,evidence,facts,diagramsetc.fromothersourcestheyneedtobeclearlydistinguishedfromyourownideas.Theymustbecarefullyacknowledgedtogivecredittotheauthorsandallowthereaderofyourworktotracetheoriginalresourcesiftheywishto.Referencingwillhelpyouinthisprocess.

Acknowledgethesourcesyouhaveusedbycitingthemwithinthetextofyourworkandalsoinalistofreferencesattheendofyourassignment.

TherearemanydifferentreferencingstylesandyoumustusethestylerecommendedbyyourFacultyorModule.

Keepanoteofallthesourcesthatyouuseasyougoalongsothatitiseasytoacknowledgetheminyourwork.Youmightwishtokeepyourreferencesinreferencingsoftwaresuchas‘RefWorks’(whichisfreeforallstudentstouse).YoucanuseRefWorkstoproduceyourreferencelistorbibliographyinthestylerequiredbyyourFacultyorModule.

Importantpointstoremember(unlessthestyleyourFacultyuses,tellsyouotherwise.):

• Alwayscheckyourhandbookoraskyourtutorwhichreferencingstyleyou

needtouseforeachmodule.§ Youmayhavetoadoptdifferentreferencingstylesfordifferent

modules(usingRefWorksmakesthisprocesseasier).• Beconsistentwiththestyleusedinanypieceofwork

§ DonotstartusingIEEEandthenswitchtoHarvardforexample.• Beclearandconsistent

§ Youmustaddasmuchinformationasisrequired.Makesurethedetailsarecorrect,sothatsomeoneelsecanfindyoursources.

• Differenttypesofmaterialarepresenteddifferently

§ Makesureyouknowwhichinformationisneededfordifferenttypesofreferencese.g.internetsourcesoftenneedtheURL(webaddress)anddateaccessed;journalarticlesneedvolumeandoftenissuenumber.

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5.8.3 IEEEReferencingStyle

ThefollowingbriefinformationwillhelpyoutogetstartedusingtheIEEEreferencingstyle.ThisstyleismostcommonlyusedwithinIEEEComputingrelatedarticlesandthatwerequestyouusethisstyleforyourreports.TheIEEEstyleisanumericsystem,wherecitationsarenumberedinyourtextwithinsquarebracketse.g.[1].Thecitationinyourtextcorrespondstoafullreferenceinthelistofreferencesattheendofyourwork.Toacknowledgeparaphrasedideasthecitationnumber(s)shouldappearonthesamelineasthetextinsideanypunctuation.Allreferencesmusthavetheirownnumber.Itisnotpermissibletouseonenumbertocitemultiplesources.Youshouldensurethatreusethesamenumberforallsubsequentcitationsofthesamesource.Hereareafewexamplesofhowcitationsmightappear: ...asdemonstratedbySmith[4]andBrownandJones[5]. ...asmentionedearlier[2],[4–7],[9]anumberofstudiesinvestigatedtheseissuesMultipleauthors.Ifyoumentiontheauthorname(s)aspartofyoursentencegivebothnamesifthereareonlytwo.Ifthereare3ormoreauthorsgiveonlythefirstnamefollowedbyetal.e.g. ...Woodetal.[7]suggestedanalternativeapproach.Addpagenumbersandotherpinpointstospecificideastothecitationnumberwithinthesquarebracketse.g.: [3,pp.5-10] [3,Fig.1] [3,Algorithm5]Asectionoftextwithin-textcitationsmightlooklike: Thisleadstogreaterneedsofprobabilisticanalysistools,bothforsystemplanning [1]andforthedailysystemoperation.Fromthefirstproposalsinthe1970s[2],a greatdealofliteraturecanbefoundaboutit.Themoststraightforwardmethodof solvingthisproblemisMonteCarlosimulation[1,pp.6-7].Thereferencelistappearsattheendofyourworkinnumberordere.g.:

[1]F.P.Brooks,TheMythicalMan-Month:EssaysonSoftwareEngineering,Anniversaryed.Boston:Addison-Wesley,1995.[2]T.DeMarcoandT.R.Lister,Peopleware:ProductiveProjectsandTeams,2nded.NewYork:DorsetHousePublications,1999.[3]M.Fowler,UMLDistilled:ABriefGuidetotheStandardObjectModelingLanguage,3rded.Boston:Addison-Wesley,2004.[4]J.Seguel,“ThedoctoralprograminComputingandInformationSciencesandEngineeringoftheUniversityofPuertoRico,”FutureGener.Comp.Sy.,vol.19,no.8,pp.1293–1298,2003.

Forfurtherinformation,downloadtheIEEEBasicPrinciplesandtheIEEEExampleReferenceList.

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5.8.4 WhatistheDifferencebetweenaReferenceListandaBibliography?

A‘ReferenceList’includesthedetailsofonlythesourcesyouhavereferredtoinyourwork.

A‘Bibliography’mayincludeadditionalsourcesthatyouhaveconsultedbutnotactuallymentionedorreferredtoinyourwork.

Mostundergraduateandpostgraduatetaughtworkrequiresa‘referencelist’onlyandshouldnotcontainadditionalreferencesthatarenotcited.However,requirementsvarybetweenmodulesandyoushouldalwayscheckyourmodulehandbookoraskyourmoduletutorifyouareuncertainwhattodo.

RefWorksTip:RefWorksusestheterm‘Bibliography’forcreatinganylistofreferenceswhetheritisa‘referencelist’or‘bibliography’asdefinedabove.

5.8.5 RefWorksRefWorksorotherbibliographicsoftwarecanhelpyoutorecordandmanageyourreferencesandproducea‘referencelist’or‘bibliography’inthestylerequiredforyourmodule.Theaccompanying‘Write-N-Cite’softwarehelpsyoutociteyourreferenceswithinyourWorddocument.LogintoRefWorksorfindoutmoreaboutitathttp://libguides.stir.ac.uk/refworks.

Ifyourequirehelpwithassignmentwritingandreferencing,pleaserefertotheStudentLearningServiceswebpages,foundat:http://www.strategicplanning.stir.ac.uk/CAPL/student-learning-services/learning-services/workshops.php

5.9 Extrahelp

TheUniversityLibraryhasbooksonstudytechniquesandessaywriting:askatthelibraryhelpdeskforinformation.Ifyouwouldlikemorehelp,askyourtutor.

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SECTION6-ASSESSMENT(INCLUDINGACADEMICMISCONDUCT)

6.1 Assignments

Ifyouareaskedtosubmitanassignment,itshouldbeclosetothesetwordorpagelimit.StudentsshouldnotethatsomeDivisions/Centresmayimposepenaltiesifthewordlimitisexceeded.Thelengthlimitisamaximumandnotatarget.Itispossibletowriteanexcellentanswerwithinthelimitset.Thelimitappliestothewholeworksubmittedexcludingthelistofreferences,appendicesandthecoversheet.Failuretocomplywithanyotherrulesspecifictothepieceofworkgoverning,forexample,structure,styleandpresentationmayalsobepenalisedbysomeDivisions/Centres.Ifapieceofworkisnotinthecorrectformat,anypenaltywillbebasedonitsestimatedlengthifwritteninthecorrectformat.Divisions/Centresvarytheirassessmentmethodsacrossthemodulesthattheyteach.Forsomemodulesyoumayberequiredtosubmitanassignmentwhichmyincludebothcodeandareport.Forothermodulesyoumayberequiredtoundertakeclasstestsoranexamination.Studentsshouldreadtheirmoduleoutlinescarefullyfordetailsoftheirassignmentsandsubmission,includingthesubmissiondeadlines.SincetheUniversitypractisesanonymousmarking,studentsshouldputonlytheirregistrationnumber,nottheirname,onanycourseworksubmittedforassessment.Beforeyousubmityourassignmentpleaseensurethatyourstudentregistrationnumberandmodulecodeislistedoneverypage,eitherintheheaderorfooter.Studentsshouldretainacopyofallcourseworksubmitted.6.1.1 TurnitinStudentsshouldbeawarethatallformsofassignments(includingdissertations)aresubjecttoscrutinyviaanti-plagiarismsoftwarecalledTurnitin.Priortosubmissionstudentsarestronglyadvisedtochecktheirturn-it-insimilarityscorebysubmittingtheirassignmentviatheSimilarityCheckingSpace(whichcanbefoundwithineachmodulesAssignmentlink).StudentsarepermittedtouploadmultipledraftversionsoftheirassignmenttotheSimilarityCheckingSpace.ThefinalversionofawrittenassignmentwillnormallybesubmittedtotheappropriateassignmentlinkinCANVASbythedeadlineasthisiswhereyouwillreceiveyourmarkandfeedback.Itisimperativethatstudentsdonotaskanyotherstudenttouploadtheirworkastodosowillsubsequentlyshowtheworkasbeingplagiarised,orriskbeingclassedasanon-submissionofassignment.

6.2 AssessmentItistheresponsibilityofstudentstofamiliarisethemselveswiththeassessmentregulationsthatcanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/assessment-and-academic-misconduct/6.2.1 SubmissionofAssessmentAmodulemaybetaughtbyseverallecturers,butforeachmodulethereisasinglelecturerwhoisdesignatedthemodule’s‘co-ordinator’andwhoisresponsibleforoverallcontrolofthemodule.

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Mostmodulescontainassessedcoursework,oftenprogrammingassignments.Normallythereareoneortwoassignmentspermodule,andanexaminationattheendofthemodule.Assignmentsusuallyaccountforaround50%ofthefinalmark,andanexaminationusuallyaccountsfortheremainingmarks.Thisdoesdifferinspecificcases.(Theformulaforeachmoduleispublishedinthemodulesyllabus.)Sinceyouwilltypicallybetakingthreemodulespersemester,youmighthaveuptosixassignmentstocompletepersemester.Insomesemesters,assessmentdeadlinesareclosetogether:wedothistoencourageyoutodevelopyourtimemanagementskillsanddecidewhatisthebestordertoapproachthemyourself.Aclosesetofdeadlinesdoesnotmeantheycanallbeattemptedclosetothedeadline-itshouldmeantheexactopposite.Thebestyoucandoistostartworkonassignmentsassoonastheyarehandedout,sothatyoudonothavetorusheverythingatthelastminuteandgainanearlyunderstandingofwhatisneeded.Inmanymodules,assignmentsareeitherautomaticallycollectedfrompre-designatedcomputerfolders(inthecaseofprogrammngassignments)orsubmittedviaCanvas.Ineithercase,fulldetailswillbegivenontheassignmenthandout.Aftersubmission,pleaseensurethatyoukeepyourownpersonalcopyofanyassignmentsubmissionforreference(i.e.donotfurthermodifycodeunlessyouhaveabackupofthesubmittedversionofit).

6.2.2 ControlofAssignmentsTheparagraphabovedescribestheprocessofsubmissionofassignmentsingeneralterms.TheComputingScienceDivisionhasadoptedaprocedureforhandlingassignments,whichisasfollows:

• Immediatelyafterthesubmissiondateforeveryassignment,themoduleco-ordinatorwillchecktheassignmentsreceivedagainstthelistofstudentscurrentlyregisteredforthemoduleprovidedbyUndergraduateRecords(AcademicRegistrar’sOffice).Whereanattemptattheassignmenthasnotbeenreceivedfromsuchastudent,andanextensionhasnotbeenexplicitlygiven,theco-ordinatorwilleithersendalettertothestudentathisorherregisteredaddressduringsemesteroremailthemviathestudent’suniversityemailaddress,warningthestudentthattheassignmenthasnotbeenreceived.

• ItisimportanttoreadyourUniversityemailregularly.• Thelecturerteachingamodulewillmarkassignmentsandmakethefeedbackand

gradeavailableforcollectionwithinthreeteachingweeks.

Thefirstoftheseproceduresisintendedtogivestudentssecurityincaseswheresubmittedassignmentshavemiscarried,forwhateverreason.Ofcourse,theprocedurewillonlybeeffectiveiftheUndergraduateRecordsofficehasup-to-dateinformationonyouraddress.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytokeepUndergraduateRecordsinformedofchangesanderrors.

6.2.3 AcademicMisconductItisgenerallyunderstoodwhycheatinginexaminationsiswrong:itisanattempttogainundeservedcreditbypresentingtheworkofanotherasone’sown.FortheUniversitynottotreatcheatingasanextremelyseriousoffencewouldbeunfairtoitsstudentsandwouldjeopardisethestandardofitsawards.Exactlythesameistrueofcourseworksubmittedforassessment.Plagiarismistheequivalentofcheatinginanexaminationbecauseitinvolves

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thereproductionofanother’swork,whetherideas,dataorexpressions,withoutdueacknowledgement.Thisisplagiarism,whetherthesourceisprinted,electronicorhandwritten,whetheritisreproducedverbatimorisparaphrased,andwhetheritisdrawnonextensivelyorinbrief.TheUniversityhasanagreedpolicysettingoutproceduresandpenaltiesfordealingwithacademicmisconduct.ThispolicycanbefoundontheUniversity'sportal.Thepolicyalsogivesguidanceonproperandadequateacknowledgementofsourcematerial,butifstudentsareinanydoubtatallaboutthenatureofplagiarism,orthemeansbywhichtoavoidit,studentsarestronglyadvisedtoconsulttheirtutor.Studentsshouldclearlyunderstandthatitistheirresponsibilitytobesuretheyunderstandthesematters.Ignoranceisnotacceptedasadefenceforplagiarism.FurtherdetailsrelatingtoAcademicMisconductcanbefoundinsection6.7.ThefullpolicyonAcademicMisconductcanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/assessment-and-academic-misconduct/#eight

6.3 BoardsofExaminersThefullpolicyonBoardsofExaminerscanbefoundhere:

6.4 ExternalExaminers

ThefullpolicyonExternalExaminerscanbefoundhere:

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6.5 CommonMarkingScheme&AssessmentProcedure

TheUniversitymarkingschemesforundergraduateprogrammesaredetailedinthebelowtable.

6.5.1 UndergraduateCommonMarkingSchemeAstudent'slevelofachievementisdenotedbythemark(awholenumberintherange0–100)achievedundertheUniversity'sCommonMarkingScheme.Thedescriptorsareused,whereappropriate,inmarkingcoursework,examinationsanddissertations.Theyshouldbeusedinparallelwithsubject-specificmarkdescriptors.

MarkEquivalentGrade

Result DescriptorofAttainmentofLearningOutcomes

90+

1st Pass

Meetsalltherequirementstoattain80–89butinadditiondemonstratesanexceptionaldegreeoforiginalityandexceptionalanalytical,problem-solvingand/orcreativeskills.

80–89

Meetsalltherequirementstoattain70–79butinadditiondemonstratesoutstandingqualityevidencedbyanabilitytoengagecriticallyandanalyticallywithsourcematerial,exhibitsindependentlinesofargument,ishighlyoriginalandusesanextremelywiderangeofrelevantsourceswhereappropriate.

70–79

Excellentrangeanddepthofattainmentofintendedlearningoutcomes,securedbydiscriminatingcommandofacomprehensiverangeofrelevantmaterialsandanalyses,andbydeploymentofconsideredjudgementrelatingtokeyissues,conceptsorprocedures

60-69 2:1 Pass

Attainmentofvirtuallyallintendedlearningoutcomesclearlygroundedonclosefamiliaritywithawiderangeofsupportingevidence,constructivelyutilisedtorevealappreciabledepthofunderstanding.

50–59 2:2 Pass

Attainmentofmostoftheintendedlearningoutcomes,somemoresecurelygraspedthanothers,restingonacircumscribedrangeofevidenceanddisplayingavariabledepthofunderstanding.

40–49 3rd Pass

Acceptableattainmentofmostintendedlearningoutcomes,displayingaqualifiedfamiliaritywithaminimallysufficientrangeofrelevantmaterials,andagraspoftheanalyticalissuesandconceptswhichisgenerallyreasonable,albeitinsecure.

30-39Fail-Marginal

FailAppreciabledeficienciesintheattainmentofintendedlearningoutcomes,perhapslackingasecurebasisinrelevantfactualoranalyticaldimensions.

0-29Fail-Clear

FailNoconvincingevidenceofattainmentofintendedlearningoutcomes,suchtreatmentofthesubjectasisinevidencebeingdirectionlessandfragmentary.

X Fail Fail FailuretocomplywithpublishedmodulerequirementsAstudentregisteredonamodulewillbegivenamarkforeachcomponentofassessmentlistedinthemoduledescriptor.

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Theoverallmarkforthemoduleiscalculatedfromthesumofweightedcomponentmarks,roundedtothenearestwholenumber;apassmaynotberequiredineachcomponent.Thismodulemarkrepresentsasummaryofperformanceonthatmodule.An‘X’(Fail)isgivenifastudentdoesnotcompletethecompulsorycourseworkorexamination(eithermaindietorresitdiet):thereforeitisreallyimportanttoletstaffknowifyouhavegoodcauseformissingeitherofthese.

6.5.2 GettingaGrade

Tosumupthematerialofthissection:normally,inordertoreceiveagradeforamoduleyou must:

• AttendalltheCompulsoryclasses.• Completetheassessedcourseworkwithinthedeadlines.• Attendtheexamination.

Theserequirementsdescribedwhatyouhavetodotogetagradeatall-evenafailgrade.Topass,youmustattainanoverallmarkof40orbetter.6.5.3 MarkingAssignmentsandexaminationsareallmarkedwithintheDivision.Foreachelementofassessedworkasample(10%or5whicheverisgreater)isthenindependentlyreviewedbyanotherstaffmember.Commentsbythereviewermayleadtoadjustmentsofmarksinindividualcasesoracrossthewholeclass.

Markingisanonymous(i.e.yoursubmissionisidentifiedonlybystudentnumberandnotbyname),oranonymised(i.e.yoursubmissionisidentifiedbyyourcomputeruserIDandnotbyname).Thelatterisusuallythecaseforelectronicallysubmittedcoursework.Ifyouhavereasonstobelievethatanassignmenthasnotbeenfairlymarkedyoumayaskforare-assessmentbyasecondmarker.However,there-assessedmarkwillstandandcouldbepoorerthantheoriginalassessment.6.5.4 AssignmentExtensions/LateSubmission

Ifyouarelateinhandinginanassignment(andhavenogoodcause)thenyourgradewillbereduced.Universityregulationsstipulateapenaltyof3marksperday(e.g.ifyouarethreedayslateandtheassignmentwasmarkedas60,thenyouwillreceiveamarkof51topenaliselateness).Aftersevendays,timerunsoutandtheworkisdeemeda“nonsubmission”andreceivesamarkof0.FormostComputingSciencemodulesthismeansanoverall“X”(Fail)grade.Goodcause:Pleaseletyourmoduleco-ordinatorknowimmediatelyofanygoodcausepreventingyoufrommeetinganassignmentdeadline.Extensionscanbegiveninsuchcases.Goodcausesaresimilartothosefordeferredexaminations(seesection3.5)buteachcaseistakenonitsownmerits.FurtherdetailsmaybefoundontheUniversitywebpages,athttps://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/.Ifanextensionhasbeengranted,thenlatenesspenaltiesdonotstartuntilafterexpiryoftheextension.

6.6 ExaminationProcedure

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ThefullpolicyonBoardsofExaminerscanbefoundhere:6.6.1 ExaminationTimetableExaminationtimetablesareclearlypostedaroundtheUniversityandontheStudentPortal.StudentsshouldconsultthesetimetablesassoonastheyappearsothattheRegistrarcanbeinformedofanytimetableclashes.StudentsshouldacquaintthemselveswiththeUniversityRegulationsregardingconductduringexaminations.TheexaminationperiodsarepublishedeachyearontheUniversityPortal,andarenotedatthebeginningofthisHandbook.Youmustbeavailableforexaminationsduringthewholeoftheexaminationperiodsandshouldnot,forinstance,bookflightsuntiltheexaminationtimetableisfinal.Saturdaysarealsodaysuponwhichexaminationscanbeheldsoyoumustnothaveanycommitmentstoajobwhichrequireyoutobeavailableatanytimeduringtheexaminationperiods.6.6.2 ExaminationDisastersYouralarmclockdidn’tgooff,youmissedthebus,yougotthetimewrong….Therearelotsofreasonsthatmaycauseyoutobelateforanexamination.Themostimportantthingisthatyoushouldturnuptotheexaminationvenueifatallpossible-evenifyouarelate.Theinvigilatormaybeabletoletyoutaketheexamination.Usuallycandidateswhoarrivelateareallowedintotheexaminationaslongasnoothercandidatehasleft.Makesureyoutalktotheinvigilatorforyourexaminationastheremaybemorethanoneexaminationintheroom.Ifyoucan’tmakeittothevenue,contacttheDivision,specificallytheChiefExaminerDrSaviMaharaj,toletusknow.Asalways,themoreinformationwehave,thebetterweareabletohelp.Therubricisthetextonthefrontoftheexampaper;ittellsyouiftherearecompulsoryquestions,andhowmanytoanswer.Alwaysreadtherubriccarefully.Ifyoufailtocomplywiththeinstructionstheexaminerswilltakeappropriatemeasures.InthecaseoftoomanyquestionstheDivisionmarksthemallanddiscardsthelowestmark(s).Inthecaseoftoofewquestionsnoadjustmentismade.Ifacompulsoryquestionisomitted(andtoomanyotherquestionsanswered),thenthelowestmarksarediscardedbutyouwillbeseverelydisadvantagedbynothavingansweredthecompulsoryquestion.

6.6.3 UseofDictionariesUseofelectronicdictionariesisnotallowed.Hardcopydictionariesaresubjecttoinspectionbytheinvigilator.6.6.4 Resit/DeferredExamsAllmodulesexcepttheHonoursprojecthaveresit/deferredexaminations.TheseexaminationsarenormallyinMay(forAutumnmodules)orlateJune(forSpringmodules).Anexaminationiscalled‘deferred’ifyouhadgoodreasonsnottotakeitthefirsttime(e.g.duetoillness)asdescribedbelow.Ifyousimplydidnotdowellenoughtopassthefirsttime,theexaminationiscalleda‘resit’.Studentswhofailamodulewillbeeligibleforaresitexamination.Inaresitexamination,thebestyoucandoistogetamarkof40forthemodule(thatis,marksarecappedat40).

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6.6.5 UniversityPolicyonDeferredExaminationsProcedure

• YouarerequiredtoapplythroughtheStudentProgrammesOfficeonaspecifiedform,foryourcasetobeconsideredforadeferredexam.Applicationmustbereceivedbeforeapublisheddeadline.

• Independentevidenceofgoodcausefornon-attendanceatexamsisnecessary.Thisgenerallytakestheformofamedicalcertificate.

• Deferredexamsaregrantedonlyifallcourseworkhasbeencompleted.• Ifrejected,astudentmaysupplyfurtherinformationandaskforareconsiderationof

theircase.• Inallcases,afinaldecisionisnotifiedtothestudentassoonaspossible.

AcceptableGroundsforaDeferredExam

• Attendancegrounds:Unabletoattendbecauseyouareeitherinhospital,incourt/detentionoryouareasportsbursarinanauthorisedcompetition.

• Medicalgrounds:youmustbesufferingfromsymptomsthatrenderyouincapableofcomplyingwithexamrequirements.Doctorscertifyingthesewillberequiredtoindicatewhetheryouareunabletoattendtheexam(e.g.confinedtobed)orunabletoread/writeondateofexam.Thedoctorisexpectedtonotifythesymptoms,butisnotrequiredtonotifywhatillnessisinvolved.Thestudentmustthereforeauthorisethedoctortodisclosethesymptoms.Sometimesanalternativeexists(takingtheexaminaseparateroomorhavingascribefortheexam).Thesemaybeofferedinplaceofadeferredexam.

• Compassionategrounds:Youaredistressedduetothedeathofaclosepersonduringtheexamperiod(familymemberorsomeonelivingatthesameaddress)ortheunexpectedonsetofacuteanddangerousillnessorseriousmentalillnessofacloseperson.

• Otherexceptionalgrounds;Exceptionalindividualcircumstanceswillalwaysbeconsideredontheirownmerits.FurtherdetailsmaybefoundontheUniversitywebpages,at:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/exams/

6.7 AcademicMisconduct

Itisgenerallyunderstoodwhycheatinginexaminationsiswrong:itisanattempttogainundeservedcreditbypresentingtheworkofanotherasone’sown.FortheUniversitynottotreatcheatingasanextremelyseriousoffencewouldbeunfairtoitsstudentsandwouldjeopardisethestandardofitsawards.Exactlythesameistrueofcourseworksubmittedforassessment.Plagiarismistheequivalentofcheatinginanexaminationbecauseitinvolvesthereproductionofanother’swork,whetherideas,dataorexpressions,withoutdueacknowledgement.Thisisplagiarism,whetherthesourceisprinted,electronicorhandwritten,whetheritisreproducedverbatimorisparaphrased,andwhetheritisdrawnonextensivelyorinbrief.TheUniversityhasanagreedpolicysettingoutproceduresandpenaltiesfordealingwithAcademicMisconduct.ThispolicycanbefoundontheUniversity'sportal.Thepolicyalsogivesguidanceonproperandadequateacknowledgementofsourcematerial,butifstudentsareinanydoubtatallaboutthenatureofplagiarism,orthemeansbywhichtoavoidit,studentsarestronglyadvisedtoconsulttheirtutor.Studentsshouldclearlyunderstandthat

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itistheirresponsibilitytobesuretheyunderstandthesematters.Ignoranceisnotacceptedasadefenceforplagiarism.Workwhichissubmittedforassessmentmustbeyourownwork.AllstudentsshouldnotethattheUniversityhasaformalpolicyonAcademicMisconductwhichcanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/assessment-and-academic-misconduct/#eightAllinstancesofAcademicMisconductinexams,classtestsandallotherassignmentswillbeconsideredtogether,andwillcountcumulativelyintheapplicationofthepenaltiesdescribedinsection9attheabovelink.

TheLittleBookofAcademicMisconduct

TheLittleBookofAcademicMisconduct(whatitisandhowtoavoidit)canbefoundat:http://www.plagiarism.stir.ac.uk/documents/BookofMisconduct.pdf

TheLittleBookofPlagiarism

TheLittleBookofPlagiarism(whatitisandhowtoavoidit)canbefoundat:http://www.plagiarism.stir.ac.uk/documents/BookofPlagiarism.pdf6.7.1 Plagiarism:DivisionalGuidelinesTheDivisionexpectsyoursubmittedworktobeyourown.Twosortsofplagiarismmayarise:unattributeduseofmaterialavailableelsewhere(onthewww,booksetc.orfromanotherstudent)orexcessivecollaborationwithotherstudents.Inthefirstcase,youmustalwaysacknowledgeanymaterialfromothersources,anditshouldnotmakeamajorcontributiontoyourassignment.Inthesecondcase,itisnormalforstudentstodiscussopenlythenatureofanassignmentandthebroadapproachestoasolution.Itisnormaltoshareexperienceandtodiscussideasthatdidnotwork.However,therecomesapointwhensuchactivitiescanturnintocollaborationorevencopying.Submissionsmustbeyourownoriginalwork.Examplesofunacceptablebehaviourare:

• Copyingormakinguseofsomeoneelse’sfileorwork• Providingacopyofyourownfileorworktosomeoneelse• Sharingdetaileddescriptionsofyourapproachwithsomeoneelse(e.g.astructure

diagramorpseudo-code)• Allowingsomeoneelse(e.g.afriendoratutor)tohelpyousomuchthattheresults

ceasetobeyourownindividualwork.

Ofcourse,therearesomesituationswheretheserulescannotbetakentooliterally.Forexample,therearesomemoduleswherestudentsareexplicitlyaskedtoworktogetherinteams.Again,theremaybecaseswhereyouwishtouseprogramsource(orothermaterial)whichyoufindinabookorwhichhasbeengivenoutbyateacheraspartoftheclass.Insuchcasesyoushouldfeelfreetoincorporatethematerialinyourassignment,providedthatyoufollowtwoessentialrules:firstly,youshouldalwaysmakeitquiteclearthatthematerialisnotoriginalandyoushouldindicatethesourceandacknowledgeyourindebtedness;secondly,theborrowedmaterialshouldnotsodominatetheassignmentthatareadercannotidentifymajorelementsthatareyourownunaidedwork.Unfortunately,deliberatecopyingbystudentshappensoccasionally.Forexample,astudentmightpickupyourdiscardedworkingsanduseittowriteaprogramoranessay;becarefulabouthowyoudisposeofyourdrafts!Astudentmightcopyyourfilewithoutyouknowingif

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youarecarelessaboutaccesspermissionsonyourdirectoriesandfiles.Ifalecturersuspectsthatworksubmittedforassessmenthasbeencopied,heorshewillinterviewthestudentsconcerned.Thepenaltiesforplagiarismaredescribedabove.

6.7.2 Complaints/AppealsVeryoccasionally,studentsdisagreewithaprogressdecision.Ifyoufindyourselfinthisposition,asktheHeadofDivisionfordetailsoftheappealsprocedure.Notethatthereisnoappealagainsttheprofessionaljudgementoftheexaminers.

6.8 EthicsProcedure

AllresearchconductedbystudentswithintheDivisionisrequiredtoobtainethicalapproval.Dissertationstudentsshouldfamiliarisethemselveswiththeethicsprocess,guidancecanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/research-ethics-and-integrity/

6.9 GuidanceonGroupPresentations

Modulesmayrequirestudentstopresentandworkingroups.Beingabletodemonstrateeffectivenessingroupworkisavaluableskillthatwillhelpyoubothinyourjobsearchandfuturecareer.Groupworkgivesyouanopportunitytodeveloptheseskillsinasituationwherethemostyoucanloseisapercentageofyourmodulegrade,ratherthanyourjob,oryouryear-endbonus.Inthevastmajorityofcaseswefindthatstudentsenjoygroupworkandfindthatitisavaluablepartofthelearningprocess.However,inasmallnumberofcasesgroupmembershavedisagreementsaboutindividualmembers’contributions.Usually,thesedisagreementscanberesolvedwithoutinvolvingtheModuleCo-ordinator.Nonetheless,inordertominimisetheriskofgroupdisagreementsandinextremecasestoaidtheModuleCo-ordinatorintheresolutionofproblems,groupmembersareadvisedtoadoptthefollowingproceduresduringgroupwork:

o Startearlyandmakesureyouhavemadecontactwithallyourgroupmembers

within3daysoftheconfirmationofgroupformation.Ifyouhavenotsucceededindoingsowithinaweekofthegroupformationdeadline,pleasecontacttheModuleCo-ordinatorwhowilltryandcontactthegroupmemberonyourbehalf.

o Trytoorganiseaface-to-facemeetingtoagreewhoisresponsibleforwhattasksas

earlyaspossible.Forthis,togetherwithsubsequentmeetingsandtelephoneconversations,maintainarecordofthekeypointsincludingconclusions,orlackof,usingyourUniversitye-mailaccount.NotethatmessagesdeliveredviaSMSarenotsuitableforrecordkeepingandshouldbeavoidedforanyimportantcorrespondencewherearecordmightbedesirable.

o Whenworkingondocumentdrafts,recordtheauthorshipofindividualsectionsof

theessayandsubsequentchangesmadebyotherindividualgroupmembersusinganagreedsystem,e.g.colourcoding,orthe‘TrackChanges’toolinMicrosoftWord

o Transferdocumentdraftsbetweengroupmembersusinge-mailattachments.Also

whencommunicatingbetweentwogroupmembersinthisway,itisgoodmannerstocopyinallgroupmembers.Keep,alle-mailssentandreceivedbygroupmembers,includingattachments.

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Allstudentsingroupsshouldequally:

• preparetheworkspecifiedbeforeattendance;• participatepositivelyinthediscussions;• encourageotherstoparticipatepositivelyinthediscussions,discouragingprolonged

silences,dominanceordetachmentonthepartofanygroupmember;• rememberthethemeandaimsofthesessionandkeeptothepoint;• betolerantoftheviewsofotherswhichmaybecontrarytotheirownandcounter

them,asappropriate,inatactful,rationalandconstructivemanner;• avoidrudeness,discriminationorprejudice,includingtheuseofoffensivelanguage;• learnbothfromtheirownmistakesandthoseofothers;• endeavourtousetheopportunityofthediscussiontoexploreideasinapositiveand

comprehensivemanner.

Studentsshouldbeawarethatgrouppresentationsandprojectsaresubjecttothesamerulesregardingacademicintegrityasindividualwork.Becauseoftheuniquenatureofgroupprojects,allgroupmembersshouldexercisespecialcaretoensurethatthegroupdoesnotviolatethestatementofacademicintegrity.Shouldaviolationoccur,groupmembersarejointlyaccountableunlesstheviolationcanbeattributedtoaspecifiedindividual(s).Allgroupmembersareresponsibleforensuringthatthewholereport/assignmentisfreeofplagiarism.Therefore,completethefirstdraftofthereport/assignmentseveraldaysbeforethedeadline,makesurethatallgroupmembersreaditandmakesurethatthereportischeckedthoroughlyforplagiarism.Ifanygroupmembershavedoubtsaboutwhethertheirreport/assignmentifplagiarismfree,theyshoulddrawtheirdoubtstotheattentionoftheModuleCo-ordinatorbeforethesubmissiondeadline.Note,report/assignmentmarkersareveryexperiencedatdetectingplagiarismandhavebeenknowntofindplagiarismthathasnotbeendetectedbyTurnitin.Ifindoubt,askamemberofstaffbeforesubmission.

6.10 Feedback Feedbackisakeypartofthelearningprocess.Assignmentfeedbackletsusknowwhatwe

didwellandwhatwecouldimproveonandhowtodowellinthefuture.TheUniversitytakesfeedbackveryseriouslyand,alongwiththeStudents’Union,havedevelopedaFeedbackPolicywhichcanbefoundhere.

SECTION7–PROGRESSION&ENTRYTOHONOURS

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7.1 ProgressionbetweenSemesters Progressiondecisionswillnowbemadeattheendofeachacademicyearinsteadofevery

semester.Thereforeif,forexample,studentsfailamoduleintheautumnsemester,studentswillstillbepermittedtoproceedtotheSpringsemester.

Moreinformationregardingprogressioninthefirstyearofstudyorontothenextacademicyear,includingentrytohonours,isavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/regulations/undergraduate/assessment-and-award-of-credit/

7.2 DeterminationofHonoursDegreeClassification

TheUniversityoperatesaninstitution-widegradepointaverage(GPA)approachfordeterminingHonoursdegreeclassifications.ThisappliestoallHonoursdegreeprogrammes,unlesstheAcademicCouncilhasapprovedavariationforanyspecificdegreeprogramme.Furtherinformationonthehonoursclassificationisavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/regulations/undergraduate/assessment-and-award-of-credit/#q-5

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SECTION8–ADMINISTRATIVEPROCESSES

8.1 UndergraduateRegulations

Forthemostuptodateversionpleasereferto:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/regulations/undergraduate/.

8.2 UniversityofStirling’sCalendar TheCalendarcontainsdetailsoftheUniversity'sGovernanceandRulesandRegulations,

togetherwiththeacademicregulatoryframeworkforlearning,teachingandassessment.Theregulatoryframeworkincludes:Ordinances;AcademicRegulations;CodesofPractice,PoliciesandStandards;DegreeProgrammeTables;ModuleDescriptors;andDefinitionofTerms.Staffandstudentsmustabidebytheregulatoryframework,anditistheirresponsibilitytoensurefamiliarity.TheUniversityofStirling’sCalendarcanbefoundat:http://www.stir.ac.uk/calendar/

8.3 AttendanceRequirements/CompulsoryClasses/NotificationofAbsence

Forthemostuptodateversionpleasereferto:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/attendance-and-engagement/

8.4 Staff/StudentCommunications

8.4.1 StudentPortal

AllstudentshaveaccesstotheirownStudentPortalthroughtheUniversity’sITsystem.TheStudentPortalishometomanyoftheareasthatyouwillneedtoaccessduringyourprogrammeofstudy(registrationofmodules,self-certificationofabsence,modulemarks,academichistory,linktothelibraryetc.).8.4.2 Studente-mail

StudentsshouldusetheirUniversityemailaccountforallcorrespondencewithstaffwithintheDivisionSchool.ItisimportanttousetheUniversityemailasprivateemailaddressesmayberegardedbythesystemasSPAM.Moduleinformation,detailsofevents,andavarietyofothermattersmaybesentbyemail.Studentsshoulddevelopthehabitoflookingatthemregularly.PleasereadtheUniversity’sITUsePolicywhichisdesignedtoensurethatusersunderstandwhatconstitutes,andtheconsequencesof,unacceptableuseoftheUniversity’sIT.

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8.4.3 Communications

Studentsareencouragedtoseekadvicefromtheprofessionalservicesteamandacademicstaffduringtheirofficehoursbytelephoneorface-to-face.MarkedcourseworkisnormallyreturnedelectronicallyviaCanvas.OverallmodulemarksarepublishedontheStudentPortal.Markswillnotbesentbyemailfromstaffordiscussedbytelephone.

Personaldetails,suchasaddresses,maybeupdatedontheStudentPortalpage.StudentsinUniversityaccommodationcannotchangetheirsemesteraddress.Ifyouhaveproblems,contactStudentServicesHub.

8.5 CANVAS CanvasisalearningmanagementsystemthatwillhelptheUniversityofStirlingdeliveran

interactive,collaborativeandtechnology-friendlylearningenvironment.Itiseasytouse,intuitiveandengagingandwillallowyoutoaccessmoduleinformationsuchaslecturenotes,readinglists,moduleoutlines,supplementarymaterialsandothercontent,aswellasposttodiscussiongroups.ManymoduleshavesignificantresourcesonCANVASandyouareadvisedtobecomeacquaintedwithit.Helpandguidanceisavailableat:https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701.

TheCANVASlearningenvironmentcanbeaccessedathttps://canvas.stir.ac.uk/orthroughtheStudentPortal.

8.6 DivisionalModuleRegistration&Enrolment

YouwillbeinformedwhenmoduleregistrationisavailablebyemailanditisimportanttoregisterassoonaspossibleatthebeginningoftheAutumnsemesterforthefullacademicyear.Moreinformationonenrolmentcanbeaccessedat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/enrolment/

8.7 LeaveofAbsence

StudentsconsideringapplyingforaleaveofabsencemustspeaktotheirAdvisorofStudiesinthefirstinstance.Furtherhelpandguidanceisavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/thinking-about-leaving/leave-of-absence/StudentsonleaveofabsenceremainmatriculatedstudentsoftheUniversityandmaynotqualifyforJobseeker’sAllowance.

8.8 RepeatofFirstYear

AnystudentwhowishestorepeatfirstyearshouldcontactStudentProgrammesinthefirstinstance.

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8.9 TransferbetweenFull-Time&Part-Time

Studentswishingtotransferbetweenfull-timeandpart-timestudyareadvisedtodiscussthiswiththeirAdvisorofStudies.Studentsmustcompletesemesteronebeforetheycanapply.

8.10 WithdrawalfromModules

Astudentispermittedtowithdrawfromamodulenolaterthantwoweeksfromthecommencementofteaching.Thereafter,feesaredueforthemodule,andthemodulewillremainonthestudent'srecordwitharesultoffailuretocomplywithpublishedrequirements.StudentswishingtowithdrawfromamoduleshouldcontacttheStudentHubin2A1orviatheiremailask@stir.ac.uk.

8.11 WithdrawalfromUniversity

StudentsshouldwritetoStudentProgrammes(Email:[email protected])iftheywishtowithdrawfromtheUniversity.ItmaybethattheyarequalifiedfortheawardoftheCertificateorDiplomainHigherEducation,andtheStudentProgrammeswillautomaticallycheckforthis.Moreinformationonwithdrawalofstudiesisavailableathttps://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/thinking-about-leaving/withdrawal-of-studies/.

8.12 SummerAcademicProgramme

TheUniversityofStirlingofferstheopportunityforfullandpart-timeundergraduatestudentstotakeadditionalcreditthroughtheSummerAcademicProgramme.ThemaximumamountofcreditastudentmaytakeaspartoftheSummerAcademicProgrammeis20credits.Pleasebearinmindthatamaximumof40creditsinPersonalDevelopmentmodules(modulecodesbeginningwithPDMorCST)cancounttowardsadegreeprogramme.Pleasenotethatthereisachargeforsummermodules,andtherewillbeachargeforanythingbeyondthestandard60creditworkloadpersemester.DetailsontheSummerAcademicProgrammeandhowtoapplycanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/student-programmes-information/summer-academic-programme/

8.13 StudyAbroadOpportunities Stirlingoffersopportunitiestostudyabroadforpartofyourstudies.ApplicationforStudy

Abroadoccursinsemester3.Forfurtherinformationseehttps://www.stir.ac.uk/international/study-abroad-exchange/want-to-study-abroad/

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8.14 HealthandSafety

TheUniversityofStirlingiscommittedtoprovidingandmaintainingasafeandhealthyplaceofworkwherestaffandstudentsareconfidentthattheirhealth,safetyandwelfareareconsideredtobeoftheutmostimportanceatalltimes.TheUniversityisalsocommittedtoprovidingasafeandhealthyenvironmentforotherswhomaybeaffectedbyitsactivitiessuchascontractorsandvisitorstotheUniversity.

InsatisfyingthiscommitmenttheUniversitywill:

• EnsurethatUniversityseniorandlinemanagersarefullyawareoftheirresponsibilitiesforhealthandsafetyandshowstrongandactiveleadershiponhealthandsafetymanagement:establishinghealthandsafetyobjectivesandensuringeffectiveriskcontrolandmonitoringofhealthandsafetyperformance,

• Establisheffectivecommunicationsystemsandarrangementsforhealthandsafety,integratingasoundhealthandsafetymanagementapproachwithstrategicplanningprocessesanddecisionmaking,

• Ensure,througharobustsystemofperformancemonitoringandauditreview,thattheUniversityiscomplyingwithcurrenthealthandsafetylegislationand,wherereasonablypracticable,aimtoachievehigherstandardsandcontinualimprovementinsafetyperformance,

• Provideappropriatetraining,information,instructionandsupervisiontosecurethecompetenceofallstaffandstudents,

• AdoptacollaborativeapproachbetweenTradeUnions,staffSafetyRepresentatives,andUniversitymanagementonhealthandsafetyissues,

• Allocateadequateresourcestomanagehealthandsafetyatalllevels,• EnsurethattheUniversityhasaccesstocompetentspecialistadviceforhealthand

safety.TheUniversityalsoexpectsallstaffandstudentstoshowhighstandardswithregardtohealthandsafety.Allstaffshouldbeawarethattheyhavestatutorydutiestotakereasonablecarefortheirownsafetyandthesafetyofotherswhomaybeaffectedbytheiractions,andthattheymustcooperatewiththeUniversity’sarrangementsforHealthandSafety.TheSafetyPolicyandProcedures&EmergencyProcedurescanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/media/stirling/global-assets/documents/forms/emergency-procedure-v1.4-oct-2017.pdf

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SECTION9–STUDENTPARTICIPATIONANDFEEDBACKTheUniversityaimstoensurethatstudentshaveavoiceatallstagesofthedecision-makingprocess,thattheyhavedirectinputinformulatinglearningandteachingpolicyandpractice,andthattheirviewsaretheprimaryevidenceonwhichthequalityoflearningandteachingisassessed.Fulldetailsareavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/student-participation-and-feedback/

9.1 StudentQuestionnaires Attheendofteachingeachsemester,studentsareaskedtocompleteModuleFeedback

Questionnaire(MFQ)Formsconcerningthestructure,teaching,andresourceprovisionofmodules.ModuleCo-ordinatorshaveaccesstotheresponsesonananonymousbasis.Thesequestionnairesareextremelyimportantandeverystudentisurgedtocompletethemasfullyaspossible.TheyarethemostimmediateandauthoritativerecordofhowthemodulehasgoneandanopportunityforstudentstodirectlyinfluencethefutureshapeoftheFaculty’smodules;eachDivision/Centredependsuponthemtomodify,reviseandimproveitsteaching.Reportsaremadeonthequestionnairesreceivedforeachmodule,andtheirfindingsarepresentedtotheModuleCo-ordinatorandDirectorofLearning&Teaching,wheretheyarediscussedandactiontakenwhererequired.

SomeDivisions/Centreswillaskforthesequestionnairestobecompletedon-line,andsomemaydistributeahardcopy.

9.2 Student/StaffFeedbackCommitteeBeingaModuleRepresentativeisagreatopportunitytohelpshapeyourcourseandyourlearningexperience.ModuleRepresentativesareinvitedtoattendStudent-StaffFeedbackCommitteestodiscusswhatisworkingwellandwhatcouldbeimprovedwithinthemodule.ModuleRepresentativesalsoactivelyengagewiththeirfellowstudentsseekingoutissuesandpresentingthesetotheStudents’Unionandthedivisionforsolutions.TheStudent/StaffFeedbackCommitteefortheDivisionmeetstwicepersemester.TheFeedbackCommitteekeepsallprogrammesfortheDivisionunderreview.Overtheyearsstudentshavemadeasignificantcontributionbothtothedesignandoperationofprogrammesandmodules.Studentfeedbackissoughteachtimeamoduleisoffered,andasummaryofthisfeedbackfeaturesontheStudent/StaffFeedbackCommitteepages.MoreinformationontheModuleRepresentativerolecanbefoundhere:

9.3 LearningandTeachingReview EachDivision/CentrewillbesubjecttoanexternalLearningandTeachingRevieweveryfour

tofiveyears.TheLearningandTeachingReviewProcessengageswiththeStudent/StaffFeedbackCommitteeasamethodofobtainingstudentfeedback.

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9.4 TheNationalStudentSurvey(NSS)

TheannualNationalStudentSurveyallowstheUniversity

tocollectdataonthelevelofstudentsatisfactionacrossarangeofareas.

Finalyearundergraduatestudentsandpart-timeundergraduatesintheirfourthyearofstudyduetocompletetheirprogrammeofstudyareinvitedtocompletethesurvey.

9.5 GraduateOutcomesItisimportantforustoknowthecareerdestinationsofourgraduates.About15monthsaftergraduation,youwillbecontactedtocompletetheGraduateOutcomesSurvey.Thisisanationalsurveycapturinginformationaboutwhatyou’vedonesinceuniversity,andwillhelpfuturestudentsgainaninsightintopossiblecareerdestinations.Yourresponseswillalsohelpustoevaluateandpromoteourcourses.Youwillreceivealinktothesurveyviaemail,oryoumaybecontactedbyphone.ItisthereforeimportantthatwehaveyourcorrectcontactdetailsafteryouleaveUniversity,sodon’tforgetto‘keepintouch’withusviatheAlumnipage.

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SECTION10–SOURCESOFACADEMICANDTECHNICALSUPPORT

10.1 PersonalTutors TheroleofaPersonalTutoristohelpstudentsfeelpartoftheUniversitycommunity.They

areaspecificandconsistentsourceofguidance,informationandsupportforstudentsthroughouttheirstudies.ThePersonalTutorshouldbethestudent’sfirstformalpointofcontactforgeneralacademicguidanceandpastoralsupport.

Fulldetailscanbefoundat:http://www.stir.ac.uk/campus-life/learning-support/personal-

tutor/

10.2 AdviserofStudiesScheme

FacultyAdvisoryteamswillprovidestudentswithacademicadvicewhichwillassisttheminmakingchoicesaboutaprogrammeofstudythatisbestsuitedtotheirintentionsandtheirpossiblefuturecareers.Adviserscanalsohelpstudentse.g.inmakingacaseforadmissiontoHonours,orprovidingadviceonstudyskills(referringstudentstoStudentLearningServices,ifappropriate).Inothercases,particularlythoseinvolvingpersonaldifficulties,theAdvisercaninformthestudenthowthismightaffecttheirprogrammeofstudies.InadditiontothePersonalTutorrole,theAdvisercaninformthestudentabouttheotherspecialistagenciesandservicesthatexist.AdvisersofStudieshavetwomaintasks:• Toprovidemoreindepthadviceontheacademicoptionsavailabletostudents.• Toprovideexpertadviceonacademicregulations.Fulldetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/adviser-of-studies-scheme/TheDivisionhasaComputingScienceAdvisingteamwhichisledbyMsKateHowie([email protected]).

Theteamis:

FirstYear: DrSimonJones([email protected])SecondYear: Prof.CarronShankland([email protected])ThirdYear: DrDavidCairns([email protected])FourthYear: ProfBruceGraham([email protected])

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10.3 DealingwithProblems Forproblemsinvolvingyourdegreestructure,suchaschangesofcourse,youshouldfirstgotoseeamemberoftheDivision’sStudentAdvisoryTeamlistedabove.AcademicproblemsinvolvingComputingScienceareprobablybestassistedbytheDivision’sstaff.TheHeadofDivisionisalsoavailabletohelpwithproblemsthatcannotbesolvedmoredirectly.Ifyouneedhelpwithaparticularmoduleyoushouldapproachyourtutororthemoduleco-ordinator.Ifyouhaveaproblemthatisaffectingyourstudies,pleaseletusknowassoonaspossible.Ifyouwaittotellus,itmaybetoolateforustocompensateyouforyourdifficulties.Ifyouhaveagoodreason,wecanconsiderextendingdeadlinesforassignments,etc.Ifyoufallill,itisimportanttogetamedicalcertificateorotherevidence.YoumustpromptlynotifytheRegistrar’sOfficeandyourmoduleco-ordinatorofanyreasonsforabsenceorforfailuretoundertakeassignmentsorexaminations.IfyouareunabletositanexaminationyoumustinformtheChiefExaminer(DrSaviMaharaj)abouttheproblemandapplyforadeferredexam(Seesection3.5below.)Wecanmakeallowancesforproblemsatourexaminers’meetings-butonlyifyoutellusinadvance.EachteamwithinStudentAdministrationhasagenericemailboxandcontactnumbertowhichqueriescanbesentto:EnrolmentandRecordsTeam: [email protected] ext6654StudentProgrammesTeam: [email protected] ext6685TuitionFees: [email protected] ext6686GraduationTeam: [email protected] ext7054StudentInformation: [email protected] ext6809StudentAdministration: [email protected] ext7032ExaminationsOffice: [email protected] ext7023

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10.4 StudentServicesHub TheStudentServicesHubbringstogethermanyoftheUniversityofStirling’skeyservices

togetherinoneeasilyaccessibleplaceandislocatedin2A1. Theycanhelpyouwithenquiriesrelatingto:

• EmotionalWellbeing• AccessibilityandInclusionSupport• SupportwithMoneyIssues• AcademicRegistry• CareersandEmployabilityService• IncomeOffice• StudentLearningServices• SpiritualSupportattheUniversity

Youcancallthemon+44(0)1786466022,inroom2A1bytheQueensCourtentranceoryoucane-mailthemat:[email protected].

Furtherdetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/support-wellbeing/

10.5 StudentProgrammes StudentProgrammesareresponsibleforacademicregistrationofundergraduateand

postgraduatetaughtstudentsandallmattersrelatingtostudents’engagementwiththeiracademicprogrammes.Theirmainfunctionsinclude:

• PreparationoftheUGandPGTvolumesoftheUniversityCalendar• Academicregistrationofstudents-onlinemoduleregistration• Recordingstudents'academicachievement• Monitoringstudents'academicprogression• Allmattersrelatingtoadministrationandprogressionofpostgraduateresearchstudents• Mattersrelatingtostudentsoncollaborativeprogrammeswithpartnerinstitutions• Academicawards

Youcancallthemon+44(0)1786466022oryoucane-mailthemat:[email protected]

Furtherdetailscanbefoundat:http://www.stir.ac.uk/registry/studentinformation/studentprogrammeinformation/

10.6 Complaints/Appeals Ifyouareconsideringmakinganappeal,youshouldfirstreadtheUniversity’spolicyon

Appealsavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/student-academic-appeals-and-complaints/

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10.7 InformationServices(LibraryandStudySpaces)

10.7.1 UsingtheUniversityLibrary

Detailsofopeninghours,membership,fines,borrowinglimitsetc.canbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/10.7.2 UsingtheLibraryCatalogueThelibrarycataloguelistsallthebooks,reportsandjournalsavailabletoyou.Thecataloguewilltellyou:ifthelibraryhastheitemyouwant,whereitislocatedandwhetheritisavailable.ThereisalinkfromthePortaltothecatalogue,oryoucangotohttp://libcat.stir.ac.uk/.10.7.3 MyLibraryRecordMyLibraryRecordisthesectionwithintheLibrarycataloguethatcontainsyouruniqueLibraryinformation-youcanuseittocheckwhatbooksyouhaveoutonloanandonhold,theitemsyouhavebookedfromShortLoanCollection,yourreadinghistoryanddetailsofthebooksyouhaverated.Fromhereyoucanalsorenewyourbooksandsearchthecataloguetoplaceholds.Detailscanbefoundat:https://libcat.stir.ac.uk/patroninfo.10.7.4 AcademicSubjectResearchGuidesResearchGuides,bysubject,canbefoundat:http://libguides.stir.ac.uk/home.10.7.5 A-ZOnlineResourcesLookingforhighqualityjournalarticlesandothertypesofinformation?Usethedatabasesfoundat:http://libguides.stir.ac.uk/az10.7.6 e-JournalGatewayAnalphabeticallistofallourelectronicjournalscanbefoundat:http://kf8ez4ep3d.search.serialssolutions.com/10.7.7 StirgateSearchmultipleelectroniclibraryresourcessimultaneouslyat:http://ezproxy.stir.ac.uk/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=eds10.7.8 STORREAccessourdigitalrepositoryofresearchpublicationsbyStirlingstaffandstudentsat:https://dspace.stir.ac.uk/10.7.9 Howtofind…Learnhowtofindbooks,journalarticles,journalsandthesisat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/library/how-to-find/

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10.7.10 DocumentDeliveryServiceTheDocumentDeliverynetworkallowsStirlingUniversitytoborrowitemsfromotherlibrariesintheUKandabroadwhicharenotavailableinStirlingUniversityLibraries.Detailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/library/document-delivery-service/10.7.11 ArchivesandSpecialCollectionsInformationonthespecialcollectionsandarchivesheldatStirlingcanbefoundat:http://libguides.stir.ac.uk/archives

10.7.12 StudySpace

TheLibraryhasavarietyofstudyfacilitiesincludingGroupStudyRooms(whicharebookable);Individualstudydesks;openstudyareas;studydeskswithPCs.ZoningTheLibraryiszonedtocreatedifferenttypesofstudyenvironmentforstudents.Pleaserespecttherightsofotherstostudyinthezoneoftheirchoicebystickingtotherulesforeachzone:

GroupStudyRoomsThelibraryhas10groupstudyroomsforstudentstoworkingroupscollaboratively.AllofthemhavefullAVfacilitiessoyoucanpracticepresentations,workongroupprojects,etc.Allarefurnishedandsetupforgroupdiscussions.Allourgroupstudyroomscanbebookedonlineoratthepaneloutsideeachroom.SeetheLibraryfloorplanforthelocationsofthestudyrooms.

Moreinformationonthetypesofstudyspace,zoningorhowtomakeabookingcanbefoundat:http://www.stir.ac.uk/is/student/library/about/studyspace/.24/7LibraryStudyZoneThe24/7StudyZoneistheareaadjacenttotheLibrarytotherightoftheLibraryentrance.Ithasapproximately193studyspacesinavarietyofdifferentfurniturestyles.ThesamezoningrulesasLevel2(above)applytothisarea.TheStudyZoneisopen24/7soprovidesaroundtheclockstudyspaceinacentrallocationoncampus.ThefurniturelayoutswillbesuitableforindividualandalsogroupstudytocomplementtheexistinggroupstudyroomsintheLibrarybuilding.Therearealsotwocolourprinter/copiersintheareawhichcandostandardblackprintingaswellascolourjobsandscanning.Moreinformationcanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/library/about-the-library/study-space/#

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10.7.13 GettinghelpIfyouneedanyassistancewithfindinglibrarymaterialsorsearchingforinformationpleaseaskamemberoflibrarystaff.

10.8 ComputingScience&Mathematics:RoomBookingsTheDivisionareabletomake4B96availableasameetingroomforgroupwork.Ifyouwishtousethisroom,pleasecontactGemmainthe4B112toarrangeabooking.

10.9 InformationServices(ITServicesincludingTraining)10.9.1 ITServices

Allinformationavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-

and-library/Telephone:01786467250/E-mail:[email protected]

10.9.2 NetworkAccountPriortostartingyourprogrammeyouwillhavealreadybeensentinformationonhowto“discover”yourUniversitycomputeraccount.Thisaccountisrequiredbeforeyoucancomplete“onlineenrolmentandregistration”ifyouhaveyettodothisinstructionsforthediscoveryprocessareavailablefrom:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/your-computer-account/your-network-account/10.9.3 Email

AllstudentshaveaUniversityofStirlingemailaccountwhichyoulogontoviatheUniversityPortal.YoumustregularlycheckyouremailaccountastheUniversitywilluseittocontactyou.Youremailaddresstakestheformyourusername@students.stir.ac.uk.Moreinfoat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/email/

10.9.4 MobilePhonesandTabletsInformationonsettingupyourmodulephoneortabletdevice(includinghowtosetupyourstudentemail,usefulappsandconnectingtotheUniversitynetwork)canbeaccessedhere.10.9.5 ConnectingyourPCtotheUniversityNetworkInformationonsettingupyourPCtotheUniversitynetworkcanbeaccessedhere.

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10.9.6 Non-SmartDevices/GamesConsolesTheUniversityofStirlinghasundertakenamassiveexpansionoftheWifinetwork,Eduroam,tocoverthewholeoftheStirlingcampus,includingtheresidences.Studentswillbeabletoconnecttheirnon-smartdevicessuchasgamesconsoles,Chromecastetc.totheWi-Finetwork.Moreinformation,includinghowtoregister,isavailablevia:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/connect-your-device-to-our-network/games-consoles/

10.9.7 ComputingLabs

TheUniversityhasalargenumberofcomputinglaboratories,manyofwhichareavailabletostudents24hoursaday.StudentsatStirlinghavetheirownemailaccountsandfilestorageontheUniversityNetwork.TheInformationCentreintheLibraryprovideshelpandadvicetostudents.Moreinfoat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/computer-labs/.

10.9.8 Homefolders

Asaregisteredstudent,youhaveaccesstoyourownprivatespaceonthenetwork.Inthisspace,knownasahomefolder,youcansaveyourwork.TheadvantageofusingahomefolderisthatyoucanaccessitfromanyComputingLabintheUniversity,becauseitisstoredcentrallyonaserver.Itisalsopossibletoaccessyourhomefolderfromoffcampus.Moreinfoat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/your-computer-account/home-folder/.

10.9.9 StaySafeOnline(Security)

Informationonhowtoprotectyourselfagainstcomputervirusesandothermalicious

softwarecanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/viruses-phishing-and-malware/.

10.9.10 GuidetoBuyingIT

InformationServiceshasarrangedforStirlingUniversitytotakepartintheUCISANationalHELaptopAgreement.Thismeansthatstaffandstudentscanbuyhighqualitylaptopsatdiscountedprices.Moreinfoat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/purchasing-advice/

10.9.11 SoftwareGuides&Training

DetailsonhowtoinstallandusetheITapplicationsusedattheUniversityofStirlingcanbe

foundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/software-guides-and-training/.

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10.9.12 OffCampusAccess

ManykeyITandLibraryservicesareavailableoffcampus.Moreinfoat: https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-

services/connect-your-device-to-our-network/off-campus/

10.9.13 ITResourcesatRiskPeriodsInformationServicesacknowledgethatusersofITresourcesintheUniversitymaywishtousesystemsandservicesatanytimeofthedayornight,365daysoftheyear.However,duetotheneedtoreplaceequipmentorupgradesoftwarefromtimetotime,inordertokeepsystemsrunning,resolveproblems,orimproveservices,therewillbetimeswhenservicesaretemporarilywithdrawn.Whenworkisplannedinadvanceandalargenumberofuserswillbeaffected,ISwillnormallyadviseusersofthedowntimetheycanexpect(whatservice[s]willbeaffected,when,andforhowlong)viaISServiceMessages,ISSUE,andtheISwebsite.However,thereareoccasionswhentheworkhastobedoneasamatterofurgency,itisdifficulttoidentifywhichuserswillbeaffected,ortheimpactofthedowntimeissmall.TheworkwillthenbedoneduringanAtRiskperiod,withoutadvancewarningtousers.TheAtRiskperiodsare:Monday-Friday07:30-08:30&Sunday08:00-13:00.

10.10Printing PrintinginthelabsandphotocopyingintheLibraryismanagedviathesamesystem.Allstaff

andstudentshaveaprintaccountattachedtotheirnetworkaccount.Theprintaccountisdebitedwheneveranyprintingorphotocopyingisdone.Moreinfoat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/information-services-and-library/it-services/printing-and-photocopying/PleasenotethatfreeprintingisavailableforComputingSciencestudentswhoareloggedinwithinourdedicatedlabs(4X5,4X8and4B89).Printjobswithintheselabsaresenttolocalprintersinthelabsratherthantothecentralprintingservice.

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10.11AudioRecordingPolicy

Studentsmaymakeaudio-recordingofalllectures,tutorials,seminars,practicalsessionsandworkshopsdeliveredaspartoftheUniversity’staughtprogrammesofstudy,providedthat:• therecordingisdoneinanunobtrusivemannerwhichdoesnotinconveniencethe

lecturerorfellowstudents(e.g.atapeorminidiskofsufficientlengthshouldbeused);• therecordingisusedonlyforthepurposesofprivatestudybystudentsoftheUniversity

ofStirling;itisadisciplinaryoffencetousethematerialforanyotherpurpose.AllIntellectualPropertyRightsintherecordingremainwiththeUniversity.

ItistheresponsibilityoftherelevantstaffinacademicFacultiestoensurethatvisitingspeakersareinformedofthispolicy.ThetermsofthisRegulationformpartofthecontractbetweentheUniversityanditsstudents.Studentsassenttoitonregistration.Fulldetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/academic-policy-and-practice/quality-handbook/learning-support/#seven

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SECTION11–SOURCESOFPERSONALSUPPORTANDINFORMATION

11.1 STEER–StudentPeerSupportScheme

STEERisaUniversity-wideStudentPeerSupportSchemewhichishostedbytheStudents’Union.Theschemelinksreturningstudent"Captains"withnewundergraduateortaughtpost-graduate"Crew"duringtheirfirstyearatStirling.ItaimstohelpstudentsmakethemostoftheirtimeattheUniversity,helpnewstudents-theCrew-settleinandrealisetheopportunitiesavailabletothem.StudentscansignupasCrewatanytimeduringtheirfirstyear,butweencourageapplicationsasearlyaspossiblesoyoucanmakethemostofyourCaptain’sexperience!AllCaptainsarevolunteerswhoarerecruited,trainedandsupportedbytheStudents'Union.Infact,manyCaptainswereonceCrewthemselves!IfyouneedsomeguidanceandsupporttoensurethatyousettleintoStirlingUniversityaswellaspossiblethensignuptodaybycontactingElaineShepherd(Activities&VolunteerCoordinator)on:[email protected]:https://www.stirlingstudentsunion.com/representation/studentsupport/steer/.

11.2 PersonalTutors

TheroleofaPersonalTutoristohelpstudentsfeelpartoftheUniversitycommunity.Theyareaspecificandconsistentsourceofguidance,informationandsupportforstudentsthroughouttheirstudies.Thetutorshouldbethestudent’sfirstformalpointofcontactforgeneralacademicguidanceandpastoralsupport.

MoredetailedinformationontheroleofPersonalTutorcanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/personal-tutor-scheme/

11.3 StudentEmployabilityinComputingScience

Stirlingisranked2ndinScotlandand14thintheUKforgraduateemployabilitywith97.1%ofourgraduatesinemployment,orfurtherstudy,withinsixmonthsofgraduating.(HESA,2018).Additionally,theUniversityhasachieveda5-starexcellenceawardforEmployability.(QSStars,2018)

AtStirlingweconsideremployabilityas“Asetofachievements-skills,understandingsandpersonalattributes–thatmakegraduatesmorelikelytogainemploymentandbesuccessfulintheirchosenoccupations,whichbenefitsthemselves,theworkforce,thecommunityandtheeconomy”

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UndergraduatesfromtheCSMDivisiontypicallyhavehighlevels(80-90%)ofemploymentintoprofessionaldestinationsreflectinglabourmarketdemandsandthefactthatComputingSciencehasexcellentcontactswithbusinesseswhosupportourteaching,researchandplacementactivities.

Whybeingemployableissoimportant?Securingajobafteryougraduateisnotstraightforward,havingadegreeissimplythefirsttickintheboxforgraduateemployers.Recruitersarelookingforawidesetofskillsandforindividualswhohavegonethe‘extramile’,‘joinedin’,haveproventhattheyareenthusiasticlearners,canworkeffectivelybothindividuallyandaspartofateam.Gettingyourdreamjob…takeactionnow!Manystudentstendnottostartthinkingaboutwhattheywanttodowhentheygraduateuntiltheyareatleasthalfwaythroughtheirstudies–thisisoftentoolate.BythenotherstudentswillhavebeenbusydevelopingtheirCVandevidencingtheirskillsandattributesthroughsummerinternships,involvementinclubsandsocieties’,relevantpart-timework.Whichgraduatedoyouthinkemployersaremorelikelytowanttointerview?

EmployabilityintheFacultyofNaturalSciencesTheFacultyhasadedicatedEmployabilityManager,EuniceAtkins,wholeadsontheUniversity’sEmployabilityStrategyandworkswithstaffandstudentstohelpenhanceemployabilityinit’sbroadestsense.ThisisformallyachievedthroughtheEmployabilityandBusinessEngagementCommitteewithKateHowieandPeterCarlylerepresentingacademicsandstudentsrespectivelyintheDivision.Everydegreeprogrammeaspirestohaveacareersandemployabilitysessioneverysemesterthatwillhelpyouinyourjourney.Inaddition,businessengagementeventsareheldtoprovidestudentswithaninsightintotheworldofwork.Inadditiontotheseopportunities,EunicerunstheFNSCareerMentoringProgrammewhichrunsannuallyfromapprox.OcttoApril.Thismatchesstudentstomentorsfromouralumniandrelevantbusinesses.Theprogrammeaimstoenhancestudents’employabilityandbuildmutuallysupportiverelationshipswiththefollowingobjectives:• tosupportthetransitionfromuniversityintoworkorfurtherstudy;• toenhancepersonalcareerawareness;• toimproveskillsandattributes;• toenhancestudentunderstandingoftheworldofwork.InadditiontotheStudentBulletin,theFacebookPage“BeJobReady,FacultyofNaturalSciences,UniversityofStirling”postsinformationonabroadrangeofopportunitiestohelpenhanceskillsandattributes.Please“like”thepagetogetposts:https://www.facebook.com/be.job.readyContactDetails:Eunice [email protected]:Cottrell4B102.Kate: [email protected]: [email protected]

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11.4 Careers&EmployabilityService

HowtheCareers&EmployabilityService(CES)canhelpTheCareers&EmployabilityServiceteam,partoftheStudentHub,supportsstudentsnomatterwhatstagetheyareatintheircareerplanningjourney.Itprovidesavarietyofresourceswhichenablestudentstomakeinformedcareerdecisions,topursuetheirgoalseffectivelyandtodeveloplifelongcareermanagementskills.EachsemesterCESadvertisesarangeofworkshopsandevents.TheyhaveafulltimecareersandemployabilityconsultantwhooffersspecifictostudentsintheFacultyofNaturalSciences.Ifyouneedone-to-onecareersguidanceadvice,haveaCVtobechecked,orwouldliketopracticeforaforthcomingjobinterview,psychometricquestionnairesandpracticeaptitudeteststhencontacttheteamtomakeanappointment.Theirwebsiteofferslotsofusefulcareerinformationwhereappointmentscanalsobebookede.g.workexperienceandvolunteering,findingandapplyingforjobsandfurtherstudy.See: https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/careers-employability-service/YoucanalsoaskquestionsthroughtheStudentHub:[email protected] CareersInformationThereisavarietyofresourceswiththelatestinformationanddevelopmentsavailable.Theseareupdatedonaregularbasisandcanbefoundonthelibrarysystem,CESoronlineandinclude.• Leafletsonarangeoftopicsfromself-employmenttofindingworkinScotland• Takeawayinformatione.g.employerdirectoriesandmagazines• FacebookandTwitterItisnevertooearlytothinkaboutthefuturepost-graduationandthereareavarietyofwaysstudentscanaccessCareersEducation:FindingPart-timeWork/Internships/GraduateVacanciesWorkingpart-timeduringyourstudieshasmanyadvantages–extracash,achancetodevelopemployabilityskillsthatwilllookgreatonyourCV,networkingopportunitiesandinvaluableworkexperience.However,youdohavetoconsidertheimpactworkingmayhaveonyourstudiesandensurethatyouaredoingamanageablenumberofhoursthatfitaroundyouracademiccommitments.Aninternshipisanexcellentwayinwhichtogainrelevantexperienceinanareaofworkthatyouareperhapsconsideringforafuturecareer.Ouronlinevacancysystem(TargetConnect)haspart-time,internship,voluntaryandgraduateopportunities.YouareautomaticallyregisteredasaStirlingstudent.Allyouneedtodoisvisithttps://stirling.targetconnect.net/home.html,andsetapasswordtobeabletoaccessthousandsofvacancies.Keepuptodatewithwhat’sgoingonviasocialmedia:Twitter: https://twitter.com/StirUniCareers(@StirUniCareers)Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StirlingUniCareers/

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11.5 GeneralStudentServicesContactsFulldetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/support-wellbeing/

Pleasenotethatsomeservicesareavailableonlybyloggingontothestudentportal-e.g.

self-certificationforabsence,notificationofchangeofaddress.MainenquirypointsforstudentsattheStirlingCampus:Service Room: Tel: Email: OpeningHours: StudentServicesHub: 2A1,

Cottrell6022 [email protected] Mon,Wed,Thu,Fri:

Administrativeregistry 09:00-17:00Careers&Employability StudentLearningServices Tue:StudentSupportServices 10:00-17:00IncomeOfficeStudent ResidentialServices Willow StudentAccommodation Court 7060 InformationServices Library LibraryandComputingservices Building 7250 Monday–Friday

08:45-20;00(Openinghoursvaryoutwithsemester,pleasecheckhttps://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/information-services-and-library/information-centre/fordetails)

Saturday/Sunday11:00-17:00

CarParkingOfficeParkingpermits

4Z2Cottrell 6065

TotelephonetheseofficesfromoutsidetheUniversity,prefix

theextensionnumberwith0178646

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11.6 Students’Union

Sowhatdoestheuniondo?YourUnionisn’tjustthebuildingwithabar,Starbucksandcurlyfries(althoughtheyaredelicious!).TheUnionisheretorepresentyoutotheUniversity,locally,nationallyandbeyondtoenhancethestudentexperience.OurvisionistomakeStudents’LivesBetterandthisencompasseseverythingfromtheclubs,societiesandsportsteamswesupport,tothefacilitiesweoffer,thecampaignswerunandbyensuringdevelopmentsinacademicprovisiontomeetstudentdemand.Wehavealmosteverythingyou’lleverneedwhenyou’rehereatUniversity.Wearehereforallstudentswhethertheybe,undergraduates,postgraduates,internationalstudents,fulltimeorparttime.ThisisYourUnionandwewantyoutobeinvolved.WeareyourvoiceTheUnionisheretorepresentyouandtomakesurethatyougetthemostoutofUniversity.Withateamoffullandpart-timeStudentOfficerssupportedbyadedicatedstaffteam,weworkwithacademicfacultiesandUniversitymanagementtosupportModuleandFacultyOfficers,takingyourviewstothepeoplethatmakethedecisions.TheUnionisalwaystheretofightyourcornerandsupportyou.Sodon’tbeafraidtoturnupattheofficewithaproblemoridea.Wearetheretohelpyoufindasolutionandsupportyouasbestwecan.https://www.stirlingstudentsunion.com/representation/WeareyoursupportUniversitycanbethebestoftimesforpeople,butthisisnotalwaystrue.Sometimesthingscangowrongandit’snotsoeasyanymore,butdon’tfear,that’swhattheUnionistherefor,andifwecan’thelpthereandthen,wecertainlywillknowwheretofindthehelpyouneed.SometimeslifeatUniversitycanappeardaunting,butyou’renotalone.Sowhetheryouhaveaproblemwithyourstudiesorjustneedsomefriendlyinformation,wearealwaystheretohelp.WeofferahostofVolunteeringopportunitiesincludingwithourGreenandBlueSpacefocusingonsustainabilitysothereisalwayssomethingtogetinvolvedwith.https://www.stirlingstudentsunion.com/representation/studentsupport/WeareyourclubsThebestwaytogettoknownewpeopleisbyjoiningacluborsociety.Thereareloadsofdifferentclubsandsocietiestochoosefromandataveryaffordableratetoo.WehaveeverythingfromtheWizardingSociety,Drama,MusicalandBusinessClub.Therewillbesomethingforyouwhenyou’rebackfromaharddayatlectures.Withover70Clubs,besuretocheckouttheUnion’swebsiteforafulllistofcurrentclubsandhowyoucanjoin.Ifyouwanttostartanewclubwecanhelpwiththataswell!https://www.stirlingstudentsunion.com/clubssocieties/WeareyourSportsUnionStirlingistheScottishUniversityforSportingExcellenceandwehaveover50sportsclubsrangingfromthetraditionalfootball,tennisandrugbytothe

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moreextremesuchasskydiving,snowsportsandUltimateFrisbee.Whetheryou’reaperformanceathleteorjustinterestedinsomesportforfun,wehaveloadsofopportunitiesforeverybodytogetinvolved.MoreinformationcanbefoundontheUnionwebsite.https://www.stirlingstudentsunion.com/sportsunion/

Weareyourfavouritecampushang-out!TheUnionontopofalltheamazingstuffoutlinedabovealsohasseveralbarandcateringoutlets.TheseincludeStudio,whichprovidesgreatfoodanddrinkoptionsthroughoutthedayandnight,Underground,ourStarbucksCoffeeshopandVenueourmulti-purposeday-timecateringoutletwhichturnsintoaneventspaceatnight.WithregulareventsinStudioandbeyondandeverypossibletypeofmusic,you’llneverwanttoleave.Andifyougethungrywehavesomeofthebestfoodoncampusandatthelowestprices,soyou’llnevergowithoutameal.MakesuretocheckitalloutduringFreshersweekwhenwe’vegotsomeofthebiggestnightsoftheyeartakingplace.LastlyweareyourStudents’Union……withoutyouwewouldn’tbeaverygoodoneatthat.WearealwaystheretohelpmakesureyouhavethebesttimehereatStirling.Sodropby,sayhello,grababitetoeatbecauseweareyourUnionandyouarewhatmakesusoneofthebestthingshereatStirling! StaySocial!Keepuptodatewiththelatestthat’stakingplaceintheUnionbyjoiningusonline:Facebook:www.facebook.com/stirlingstudentsunionTwitter:@stirlingunionInstagram:@stirlingunionUnionwebsite:www.stirlingstudentsunion.com

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11.7 InternationalStudentsTheUniversityofStirlingofferarangeofprogrammes,specificallydesignedforinternationalstudentstoequipthemwiththeEnglishlanguage,studyskillsandacademicknowledgerequiredtosucceedinundergraduateandpostgraduatedegreesattheUniversity. Fulldetailscanbefoundat:www.stir.ac.uk/international/international-students/pathway-programmes/about-into/

11.8 Tier4VisaStudents

IfyouareinreceiptofaTier4VisathenitisessentialthatyoucomplywiththeUKimmigrationregulationsduringyourstayintheUK.FollowingyourenrolmentyouwouldhavebeensentanemailtoyourUniversityemailaccountwhichlistsyourimmigrationresponsibilities.YoushouldfamiliariseyourselfwiththeseresponsibilitiesasyouwillbewithdrawnfromtheUniversityandreportedtotheUKBorderAgencyshouldyoufailtocomplywiththem.StudentsarenotpermittedtobeabsentfromtheirstudieswithouttheauthorisationoftheUniversity.ThenormalexpectationisthatstudentsonTier4VisaswillremainattheUniversityforthedurationoftheirstudies,includingthedissertationperiod.IfyouwishtoreturnhomeearlyortoconductdissertationfieldworkawayfromtheUniversityforaperiodofmorethan14daysthenyouwillneedtogetpermissionfromtheProgrammeDirectorandthencompletea‘FieldworkandOtherLeaveForm’ora‘ChangeofStudyLocationForm’,bothformsareavailableatthelinkbelow:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/visas-and-immigration/field-work-annual-leave-and-change-of-study-location/#YoushouldmakeEmailcontactwithinternationaladvisor@stir.ac.ukshouldyouhaveanyquestionsregardingyourTier4responsibilitiesorothermattersrelatingtoyourTier4visa.

11.9 Tier4Re-registrationEvents

ToensuretheUniversitymeetstheHomeOffice(VisasandImmigration)statutoryrequirementsasasponsorofTier4studentsanditsresponsibilitiesinaccordancewithitsSponsorstatus,studentsarerequiredtoattendre-registrationwhenrequestedbytheUniversity.There-registrationpointsareatthestartoftheSpringsemesterforalltaughtstudentswithTier4visaswithanadditionalpointearlyinJulyforthoseundertakingasummermodule.Forinformationonthedatesofre-registrationevents,whattobringetc.,canbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/visas-and-immigration/re-registration/

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11.10PoliceRegistration Allstudents,who’svisaincludesthewords“registerwithpolicewithin7days”or“police

registrationwithin7days”orsimilar,shouldregisterwithPoliceScotlandassoonaspossible.Detailsofwhatyouwillneedwhenyouregistercanbefoundat:

www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/academic-registry/student-information/visas-and-immigration/police-registration/

11.11StudentSupportServicesStudentSupportServicesprovidesmuchofthenon-academicsupportthatstudentsmightrequirewhilsttheyarestudyinghereatStirling.Theyofferawiderangeofsupport,informationandspecialistservices,allofwhicharedesignedtoenhancethestudentexperience,andarethefirstportofcallshouldstudentsbelookingtomaximisetheirpotentialandmakethemostoftheirstudentexperience.AlloftheseservicescanbeaccessedthroughthenewStudentServicesHubwhichislocatedin2A1intheCottrellBuilding.Justemailask@stir.ac.ukformoreinformation.Someofthesupportweprovideincludes:

• EmotionalWellbeing

Professionaladvice,mentalhealthsupportandcounsellingservicescanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/support-wellbeing/student-support-services/emotional-wellbeing/

• MoneySupportMoneyadviceandsupportwithbudgeting,includingdetailsabouttheDiscretionaryandAssistanceFundsareexplainedinfullat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/support-wellbeing/student-support-services/money-support/

• AccessibilityandInclusionService

TheAccessibilityandInclusionteamarecommittedtoofferingaservicewhichiswelcomingandsupportiveoftheneedsofallstudents.Theirservicetakesintoaccountthefullrangeofneedsofstudentsinawidevarietyofcircumstancesincluding;

o Physicalandmobilitydifficultieso Sensoryimpairmentso Specificlearningdifficultiesincludingdyslexiaandautisticspectrumdisordero Medicalconditionso Mentalhealthdifficultieso Short-term,temporaryimpairmentsorotherdifficultiesasaresultofan

accident,injury,illnessorsurgeryFulldetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/support-wellbeing/student-support-services/accessibility-and-inclusion/

• Chaplaincy

TheChaplaincyisafriendly,welcomingplace,opentostudentsandstaffofallfaithsandnone.InformationabouttheCentrecanbefoundat:

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https://www.stir.ac.uk/student-life/support-wellbeing/student-support-services/chaplaincy/

• AdviceforthoseThinkingaboutleaving

Manystudentsrunintodifficultiesatsomestageintheirdegree,buttherearelotsofpeopleattheUniversitywhocanhelp.Findoutwhathelpandsupportisavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/student-support/thinking-about-leaving/

• ForallothersupportrelatedquestionsjustemailAsk@stir.ac.ukorpopinto2A1,CottrelltospeaktoourStudentServicesHubTeam.

Fulldetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/student-support/

11.12StudentLearningServices

StudentLearningServices(SLS)workinpartnershipwithstudentsandstafftoprovidehigh-qualityguidanceandinformationonallaspectsoflearning.Theaimoftheserviceistoenablestudentstomakethemostoftheiracademicstudiesandbecomeindependent,successfullearnersduringtheirtimeattheUniversityofStirling.Thisisfacilitatedthroughcollaborativeworkwithstaffandbyofferingavarietyoflearningopportunitiestostudents.Fulldetailscanbefoundat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/internal-students/student-learning-services/

11.13EnglishLanguageSupport

INTOUniversityofStirlingoffersarangeofcomprehensiveEnglishlanguagecoursesdesignedtohelpyoudeveloptheindependence,languageskillsandculturalawarenessyou’llneedtoestablishacademicsuccessintheUK.Moreinformationisavailablehere:https://www.stir.ac.uk/international/international-students/student-support/in-sessional-english-courses/

11.14EqualityandDiversity

TheUniversityofStirlingandtheUniversityofStirlingStudents’Unionbelievesinequalityforall.Whatisequality?Equalityisensuringindividualsorgroupsofindividualsaretreatedfairlyandequallyandnolessfavourably,specifictotheirneeds,includingareasofrace,gender,disability,religionorbelief,sexualorientation,ageandanyotherrelevantprotectedcharacteristic.Whatisdiversity?Diversityaimstorecognise,respectandvaluepeople’sdifferencestocontributeandrealisetheirfullpotentialbypromotinganinclusivecultureforallstaffandstudents.AttheUniversityofStirlingwearecommittedtopromotingequalityanddiversitysothatallstaff,studentsandvisitorstotheUniversitycanbeconfidentthattheywillbetreatedwithdignityandrespect.

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EqualityandDiversityattheUniversityofStirlingWedonottolerateharassment,victimisationorunjustifieddiscriminationonanyofthegroundsmentionedabove.Weaimtomaintainacultureinclusiveofallsectionsofsocietywhichisfreefromdiscriminationandunfairtreatment.Equalityanddiversityispromotedthroughavarietyofinitiatives,e.g.EqualityChampionswithineachschool,theestablishmentofanEqualityActionForumtodriveforwardtheUniversity’sequalityactivitiesandraiseawarenessofbestpracticeandsupportinequalitymatters,aplanned‘OneStirling’CampaigncurrentlyunderdevelopmentincollaborationwiththeStudents’Union.Allstaff,students,visitorsandorganisationswithwhichtheUniversityhasacontractualarrangementareexpectedtoabidebyanddemonstratetheprinciplesofrespect,equalityandinclusion,tocomplywiththeUniversity’sequalitypolicy,andnottobepartytosituationswhichcouldleadtodiscrimination,bullying,harassmentorvictimisation.GenderActionPlanTheUniversityofStirlingpublisheditsGenderActionPlanon14July2017,inlinewithguidancefromtheScottishFundingCouncil.TheActionPlansetsouttheinstitutionscommitmenttoequalityanddiversityandarangeofactionsbeingundertakentosupportthegenderequalityobjectives.TheUniversity’sfullequalityanddiversitypolicyisavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/policy-and-planning/equality-and-diversity/Adviceandguidancecanisavailableat:https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/policy-and-planning/equality-and-diversity/advice-and-guidance/

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES · 2018-11-26 · Divisional Office Room Cottrell Building 4B112 Office...

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