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SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020

ContentsSCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES...........5Mission Statement.............................................................................................................5Welcome from the Head of School...................................................................................5Location and Contact Details............................................................................................7Top Student Tips...............................................................................................................8SCHOOL OF BEES STAFF.............................................................................................9

Heads of Discipline.......................................................................................................9BEES Administrative Staff 2019-20...........................................................................10Technical Staff 2019-2020..........................................................................................11

Semester Dates and Timetables 2019-2020....................................................................12BEES Student Information..............................................................................................13

Keeping in Touch with You!.......................................................................................13Keeping in Touch with Us!.........................................................................................1310:20 Meetings............................................................................................................13Fourth Year Meetings with External Examiner...........................................................14Fourth Year Student Hub.............................................................................................14Get Involved!...............................................................................................................15

Field Trips.......................................................................................................................16Health & Safety...............................................................................................................17

Health and Safety on Field Trips.................................................................................17Absence from College and Submission of Assignments.................................................17Continuous assessment....................................................................................................18Copying & Plagiarism.....................................................................................................19Help, Advice and Useful Web links................................................................................20

Access to University Computer Facilities...................................................................21Ck404 Degree Programmes 2019-2020..........................................................................22Ecology & Environmental Biology; Zoology.................................................................23Environmental Science....................................................................................................30Geology, Earth Science, International Field Geosciences...............................................33Geography.......................................................................................................................38Plant Science...................................................................................................................40A P P E N D I C E S........................................................................................................43APPENDIX A – Health Declaration Form.....................................................................44APPENDIX B – Absence Form......................................................................................46APPENDIX C – Continuous Assessment-Declaration Cover Sheet...............................47APPENDIX D - UCC Plagiarism Policy.........................................................................49

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SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL, EARTH AND

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Mission Statement

Welcome from the Head of SchoolOn behalf of all staff in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) I am delighted to welcome you back for the academic year of 2019-20. I sincerely hope that your continued experience within University and particularly in School of BEES remains a positive one.

Second year students – you will now undertake the degree programme of your choice and will continue to build on the knowledge and experience gained during your first year.

Third year students – you have reached a significant milestone and are now becoming embedded in your discipline choice. Your performance in third year will play a significant role in your overall degree result.

Final year students – you have an exciting and challenging year ahead! All of your studies over the past three years have been preparing you for this final year of your BSc. Your continuing commitment and hard work will ensure that you obtain a favourable final result. The staff of BEES and your project supervisor look forward to working closely with you over the coming months to help you realise your ambitions and to assist you in identifying future career opportunities and directions.

This handbook contains general information pertaining to BEES. It includes staff details, office location and opening hours, guidance on procedures for submission of

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assignments, notification of absence and summary information on field trips across the years. It is not intended to replace the official documents and policies of the University which always take precedence. The BEES handbook is correct at the time of going to print but all information is subject to change.

Full details of the course content, timetable, University regulations, etc. are available on the University web site at www.ucc.ie. In particular, we recommend that you consult the University Calendar 2019/2020, the Book of Modules 2019/2020, the Guide to Examinations for Academic Staff and Students and Marks and Standards 2020 (available later in the year).

All information to undergraduate students is given via their student e-mail accounts so it is extremely important that you check your student e-mail on a regular basis to ensure that you are kept fully informed. To optimise your experience in BEES and UCC generally, we strongly encourage you to engage with various electronic communications systems used by the University such as, Canvas, Facebook, twitter, e-mail etc. You will find useful web links in this handbook and these appear in blue underlined typeface. In particular, I would ask that you join in with BEES website, twitter and Facebook page in order to keep yourself fully up to date with School activities.

Please take some time to read the section of this handbook on Continuous Assessment and take special note of the procedures for submission of essays, lab and field reports and also requirements for documenting your absence from classes and late submission of assignments.

Here, in the School of BEES, whilst your education is our primary concern, we are a community of scientists and students working and developing the BEES community together. We strive to foster an atmosphere of inclusion and participation of all. It is important, during your time in BEES, that you feel part of that community so I would encourage you to attend social events, the seminar series and other events as they are organised. We are available throughout the year to answer your queries and, if necessary, meet with you to discuss any issue.

Professor Andrew WheelerHead of School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences

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https://www.ucc.ie/en/canvas/

Location and Contact Details

Postal address:School of Biological, Earth & Environmental SciencesUniversity College CorkEnterprise Centre, Room EC_1.30North Mall CampusCork

http://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/

@uccbees

https://www.facebook.com/uccBEES

The School of BEES is located on the North Mall Campus in Distillery Fields which is about a 10-minute walk from the main UCC campus, via the walkway and footbridge over the river which is located opposite the UCC main gate on Western Road (see map below – walkway route marked in red broken line).

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BEES Administrative Office Opening Times

Monday to Friday

9.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.

of 52Try to balance the study/social aspects to University where possible.There are some fantastic clubs, societies and sports available within the University.

UCC is a multi-cultural campus.

The benefits of cultural diversity will enhance your global perspective during your time

at University.

Be Aware of the student services available to you including,

Student Health Service, Student Counselling Service, Disability

Support Service, Careers Service, Computer Centres and Peer Assisted Student Support.

If you are absent for more than 3 consecutive days you

are required to provide a medical certificate to the

Exams and Records Office.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions if

you need to!

Check your University email account on a regular basis. Should the University need to contact you this is the only email address they will

use.

It is important that you are aware of the facilities that are available on the University website. There are many services that are available online e.g.

library facilities, registration facilities and Blackboard.

Keep up to date with your workload. Failure to submit assignments on time may result in penalties and loss of marks towards your end of year results.

Makesurethat

you are aware of

plagiarism issues.

Appropriate referencing and presentation of your assignments is extremely

important (see the referencing section in this

handbook).

It is vital that throughout the duration of your programme you maintain contact with the

Departments responsible for each of the subjects you study. They can provide you with any answers to subject specific queries you may have, as well as

keeping you up to date on aspects of your course, e.g. modules, assignments, submission dates, etc.

Top Student Tips

As students you should view studying at university as a

full time job – IT IS!

Attend your lectures.The University has the right to refuse admittance to exams if

your attendance at lectures has not been satisfactory.

SCHOOL OF BEES STAFFHeads of Discipline

Head of the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Acting Head of Discipline, Environmental Science

Professor Andy [email protected]

021 490 4577

Head of Discipline of Plant Science

Head of Discipline of Environmental

Science

Head of Disciplines of Geology, Earth Science and

International Field Geosciences

Head of Disciplines of Zoology and Ecology & Environmental

Biology

Professor Astrid Wingler

[email protected] 490 4660

Dr Patrick Meere


Professor John Quinn


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mailto:[email protected]

BEES Administrative Staff 2019-20

Ms Elaine KellyBEES School Manager

021 490 [email protected]

Ms Philomena Fogarty3rd Year Administrator

Ms Mary McSweeney4th Year Administrator



Ms Maggie O’Sullivan1st and 2nd Year Administrator

Ms Christine DennehyPA to Head of School,

Postgraduate Administrator



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Technical Staff 2019-2020

Chief Technical Officer: Mr Don Kelleher

Butler Building021 490 4556

[email protected]

COOPERAGE BUILDING021 490 4669

BUTLER BUILDING021 490 4555

Dr Elizabeth [email protected]

Ms Eileen [email protected]

Mr Luke [email protected]

Dr Eileen [email protected]

Dr Alison [email protected]

Ms Mairead [email protected]

Dr Ronan [email protected]

Dr Mohit [email protected]

Mr Allen Whitaker [email protected]

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Semester Dates and Timetables 2019-2020

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MyTimetable

From the end of August 2019, you can log onto your personalised timetable on the Student IT website:

https://mytimetable.ucc.ie/

https://mytimetable.ucc.ie/

BEES Student InformationKeeping in Touch with You!

Student e-mail: All students are issued with an ID number at registration. As a registered UCC student you have a personal UCC student e-mail address made up of your student number, followed by @umail.ucc.ie. This is your unique e-mail address for University contact purposes. It is the only e-mail address we will use to communicate with you.

Canvas: An e-learning system used by UCC https://www.ucc.ie/en/canvas/. Lecture notes and other material relating to your coursework are posted on Canvas, as well as any course announcements or notices relating to any changes to your module schedule. Access to Canvas requires your student ID and a PIN both of which are issued to you at Registration.

ALL information to undergraduate students is given via their student e-mail accounts and/or through Canvas so it is extremely important that you check your student e-mail and Canvas on a daily basis to ensure that you are kept fully informed.

Keeping in Touch with Us!

Academic queries related to course material can be dealt with, in the first instance, by contacting the academic and/or module co-ordinator (see academic staff details above).

More general queries related to the Discipline can be directed to the Head of Discipline (see academic staff details above).

Absence notifications, field trip forms and other administrative matters can be brought to your year administrator in the School Office.

If you need to meet with the Head of School, Professor Andy Wheeler, please contact his PA, Christine Dennehy, to make an appointment.

BEES staff operate an “open door” policy. However, you will appreciate that as well as teaching, all academic staff are busy researchers; so where possible please email them in advance to make an appointment.

10:20 Meetings

The Head of School and Heads of Discipline meet with all third and fourth year BEES undergraduate students individually in or around the tenth and twentieth weeks of the academic year. These meetings are short and informal, and are essentially a

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https://www.ucc.ie/en/canvas/

conversation around how you are enjoying your time in BEES, how you are progressing, what your overall ambitions are and whether the School can help you to realise these. These meetings, which are compulsory, have been found to be very beneficial to students and staff alike and promote more open communication within the School. A schedule is circulated to each class a couple of weeks before the meetings, and students are expected to adhere to the date and time given to them.

Fourth Year Meetings with External Examiner

Final year students should be aware that they are required to meet with their programmes’ External Examiner following the summer examinations. Meeting the external examiner is an essential part of the examinations process so it is essential that you DO NOT BOOK HOLIDAYS etc., Dates of the external examiners’ visits will be advised to students during the second semester.

At the start of third year, you will be given a Continuous Assessment folder, which you will give back to the School Office at the end of fourth year. You should keep a copy of every piece of CA you submit in third and fourth year, as these will be reviewed by the External Examiner as part of the examination process.

Fourth Year Student Hub

The School of BEES 4th Year Student Hub is located in room G.11 in the Cooperage and its essence is to be an innovative and technological space where 4 th year students will be facilitated to meet informally and explore opportunities for further learning and development and collaboration.

NOTE: All students are expected to maintain the space and leave the room in the way in which they found it, i.e. tables and chairs put back properly, tables cleared off and any cups washed and put away and rubbish disposed of in bins. The 4th Year Class Reps each year are asked to have oversight of the room and to remind students to maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of the room at all times so that it is kept in an orderly manner. Students should liaise with their class reps to report any issues with the room so that the class reps can contact Mary McSweeney, 4th Year Administrator in the School of BEES Admin Office.

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Get Involved!

Staff/Student CommitteeThe School of BEES encourages students to engage fully with student life and join some of the many UCC clubs and societies. Students are also encouraged to be pro-active in their academic career and take every opportunity to become involved with the staff/student committee through their elected class representatives. The staff members responsible for BEES staff/student committee are:

Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich ([email protected]) Dr Simon Harrison ([email protected]) Dr John Reavy ([email protected])

Class RepsOnce class reps have been elected, they should send an e-mail to Ms Philomena Fogarty [email protected] giving their contact details and the name and year of the programme they are representing. It is hoped to hold at least one staff/student meeting per semester. Class reps are encouraged to liaise with their constituencies and to bring all academic concerns/queries to these meetings. Staff are committed to helping students to resolve any issues that may affect their studies.

Seminar Series The School of BEES runs a lunchtime seminar series every Friday at 1 pm and

details of these are circulated via the UCC Events Calendar and on the BEES general Blackboard site UCC-BEES. All BEES Students are encouraged to attend.

Social Events Other seminars and social events are advertised by email to all students, as well

as on the AV screen outside the School Office, and on posters around the School.

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Field TripsFieldwork is an important part of our degree programmes. It enables students to put what they have learned into practice. It provides the foundation for the important field skills developed in all of the School of BEES degree programmes. Previous students have said “this is where I really saw the size and scale of things” and “it was when I saw it in the field that I really understood it”. Employers often provide work-placement opportunities for our students, because they value the high level of field skills. Graduate employment opportunities are enhanced by this emphasis in our programmes.

Field trips for each degree programme are listed in the programme outlines on the following pages together with estimated costs. These details will be confirmed to students as soon as possible after the start of the academic year. Students are required to contribute towards the cost of travel and accommodation and all costs should be paid prior to the commencement of any field trip.

Laboratory practicals are another important element of the degree programmes. Safety clothing is vital, so you will need a white lab coat and a pair of safety glasses. These items can be purchased from the University Shop or from Finns Corner which is located on the corner of Washington Street/Grand Parade, Cork.

Field Trip PaymentsField trips are paid for online through an Easy Payment facility. This system allows students to pay for their field trips in a secure and convenient way and, for some of the residential field trips there will be an option to spread the cost over a few months.

To access the system go to the school’s website http://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/ and select …

Whilst the School of BEES endeavours to keep costs to a minimum, for all students, it does depend on class size and prices quoted by suppliers. If you are having trouble making payments for your field courses it is extremely important that you advise the module co-ordinator and/or the administrative person responsible for your year. You may be eligible to seek some financial support from the Student Assistance Fund http://www.collegeroad.ie/welfare/student-assistance-fund. The Students Union will send information about this fund to you early in the first semester. The Student Assistance Fund has limited resources so it would be wise to apply as early as possible to check your eligibility. If you are in receipt of a SUSI grant, you may be entitled to claim back the cost of compulsory field courses: https://susi.ie/quick-links/compulsory-field-trips/ .

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https://susi.ie/quick-links/compulsory-field-trips/

https://susi.ie/quick-links/compulsory-field-trips/

http://www.collegeroad.ie/welfare/student-assistance-fund

http://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/

Health & SafetyHealth and Safety is of paramount importance always and is the responsibility of all. Health & Safety is particularly relevant in field studies or laboratory work. Information relevant to safety will be circulated prior to the commencement of field trips and laboratory practicals and students have a specific responsibility to note this information and adhere to any safety instructions given.

Health and Safety on Field Trips

A Health Declaration Form (see appendix A) is to be completed by all students at the start of each academic year (you will be given a copy of the form to complete at your year start-up session). This form contains information on a student’s medical condition or medication requirements together with contact information for GP and next of kin. The information is confidential and is kept in a secure place in the BEES Administrative office.

Before you can take part in any residential field trip, you will be asked to confirm that you have read the

Absence from College and Submission of AssignmentsIt is the policy of the School of BEES not to grant extensions. Students are expected to attend ALL classes. If, for any reason, such as illness, you are unable to attend classes (particularly practicals or field trips) it is important that you e-mail the relevant year administrator (see above) as well as the module co-ordinator/lecturer. You must also submit a medical certificate, a sports certificate or other documentation covering your absence to the BEES Administrative Office together with an Absence Form (see Appendix B) which is to be completed by the Student. All written evidence in relation to absence should state the dates of absence and indicate the module code and details of the missed element of the course that is being covered by the certificate i.e. practical, field trip, class test. This information may then be taken into consideration when deciding final marks at the examination boards.

Students please be aware that if you miss a practical, field course etc. you need to:

A. Inform the module lecturer and the module coordinator – discuss alternative dates for submission if you will miss the submission date. Discuss alternative assignments if it is not possible to complete the original.

B. Submit documentation (med certs etc.) to the School of BEES Admin office and complete an absence form (Appendix B)

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Submission of medical certificates and other supporting documentation to explain absences, does not excuse you from completing the assignment. Failure to take up the opportunity for revised submission, alternative assignment etc. will result in ‘Did Not Submit’ being returned for the assignment resulting in the loss of that percentage marks for the module.

A student will not be permitted to enter for an examination at the conclusion of a module if attendance at that module is not considered satisfactory by the Senior Vice-President Academic and Registrar following a report by the Lecturer concerned and/or Head of School/Department responsible for the module. The decision of the Senior Vice-President Academic and Registrar is subject to the appeal of the Academic Council of the University.

Special Circumstances/Long Term DifficultiesThe School of BEES aims to provide you with the resources and support that will ensure your experience of studying is productive and enjoyable. If, for any reason, you are having unforeseen or on-going problems, or doubts about your studies it is very important that you let us know immediately so that we can assess the best possible way in which to support you. All matters will be treated in the strictest confidence. Should you need to apply for mitigation, the following link will provide you with relevant information and appropriate application form.

www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/recordsandexaminations/

Continuous assessmentContinuous assessment (CA) is a compulsory element of most modules of your degree. Some of your CA work will be done during class time and handed up at the end of the session. However, most of your continuous assessment assignments, such as field reports and essays will be submitted outside of class times.

All CA should be clearly marked with your name and student ID, the module code and title of the assignment, name of the lecturer, and date of submission. It is a good idea to ensure that your name, student ID, module code and assignment title appears on each page. You are advised, where possible, to keep a copy of all submitted assignments and retain these in a folder. All CA submitted to the BEES Admin Office must be accompanied by a signed declaration cover sheet (See Appendix C). These forms are on a table outside the Admin Office underneath the Assignments Box.

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that assignments are submitted by the due dates so that no penalties are incurred for late submission. Penalties vary from module to module and within Academic units so students are advised to check each module description in the Book of Modules for the penalties that are applicable. In the School of BEES, the standard penalty clause is “where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where

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http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/recordsandexaminations/

work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero”.

CA Requirements for Academic Units External to BEESContinuous assessment for academic units external to BEES (i.e. Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, and Physics) will have their own procedures for CA submission so students should check with the individual units as to what these procedures are.

Copying & PlagiarismAlthough group work and mutual support is encouraged, students must not lend, or allow other students to copy, any work that is to be marked as part of continuous assessment for any module. Work submitted must be entirely your own. Similarly, text, figures or tables of data must not be copied verbatim from other published works. All material used, and that has already been published or appeared in print or on the Internet, must be appropriately sourced with a full bibliographic reference or web address. Text copied directly must be placed in quotation marks and sourced, unless you have modified the content with your own words. In BEES Disciplines, the use of referenced text in quotations should be minimised. Plagiarism is considered a breach of Examination Regulations. For an explanation of the penalties applicable for plagiarism see Appendix D in this handbook and UCC’s Guide to Examinations on the UCC web site http://www.ucc.ie/en/exams/procedures-regulations/ .

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http://www.ucc.ie/en/exams/procedures-regulations/

Help, Advice and Useful Web linksThere are many services within the University that provide assistance and support to students and links to some of those services are provided in the table below as well as links to University publications such as the UCC Calendar, Book of Modules, Marks and Standards etc. The UCC website www.ucc.ie is an invaluable resource for students during their time at UCC and it is strongly recommended that you take time to familiarise yourself fully with it.

Publication/Information Web Address Document

University Calendar www.ucc.ie/calendar/ General information and degree programme outlines

Book of Modules www.ucc.ie/modules/ Module descriptions

Marks & Standards https://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/marksandstandards/Marks & Standards information relevant to degree programmes within College of SEFS

Guide to Examinations

www.ucc.ie/en/exams/procedures-regulations/Details on Rules and regulations governing examinations

General student information

https://www.ucc.ie/en/students/Information on various support services including health matters; academic matters; money matters – student assistance fund; Students Union; societies and sports; FAQ etc.

IT Services for Students

www.ucc.ie/en/sit www.ucc.ie/en/sit/wireless/

Details student e-mail; Canvas; MyStudentAdmin; Library; Timetables; Smartcard; Student Wi-Fi service etc.

Your Wellbeing https://www.ucc.ie/en/students/wellbeing Information on available health services; money matters; academic support etc.

fRED – financial resources for education

https://www.ucc.ie/en/fred/ On-line financial resource for UCC students

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https://www.ucc.ie/en/fred/

https://www.ucc.ie/en/students/wellbeing

Access to University Computer Facilities

Computer LabsOpen-access computer labs with full PC, email, internet and printing facilities are provided for all students in several locations across the university. You can find their locations at https://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/services/about/. There is an open-access computer lab on the first floor of the Enterprise Centre.

Students may also bring personal computers to UCC, either as a fixed desktop computer for use in UCC accommodation or a laptop with which you can avail of WiFi. Details on how to connect your laptop, smartphone or table to the student WiFi service are available at www.ucc.ie/en/sit/wireless/.

IT trainingIT training is available to all students if required. For further information on this and how to set up a student IT visit www.ucc.ie/en/sit/.

Printing and Photocopying FacilitiesAs a registered UCC student you have a Network Access Account, which allows you to log into the Open Access computers and printers. The computer lab in the Enterprise Centre has a printer; printers and photocopiers may also be found on all floors of the Boole Library.

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http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/

http://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/wireless/

https://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/services/about/

Ck404 Degree Programmes 2019-2020

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Academic Staff – Ecology & Environmental Biology; Zoology

Professor John QuinnHead of Disciplines of Zoology and Ecology & Environmental Biology


Dr Fidelma Butler Professor Sarah CullotyHead, College of SEFS

Dr Valerie Cummins


[email protected] 021 490 [email protected]

Dr Javier delBarco Trillo Dr Tom Doyle Dr Simon Harrison




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Dr Mark Jessopp Dr Rob McAllen Professor John O’HalloranDeputy President and

Registrar, UCC



[email protected]

Dr Ruth Ramsay Dr Tom Reed Professor Emer Rogan




Page 22 of 52



Welcome to degrees in Ecology and Environmental Biology, and Zoology!BSc Zoology. Zoology is the study of animals. We think there are 1-2 million species living today, so that’s a lot to study.

In this degree (programme outline for 2019/20 is given over the page) you will be introduced to taxonomic diversity, explaining how and why species are related to, and yet differ from, one another. You will study animals in the context of a whole range of fields: evolution; conservation, human interactions and sustainability; pure and applied ecology; animal behaviour; physiology, anatomy and molecular biology; parasitology and marine mammal biology. And you will explore animals across their broad range of environments, from terrestrial and aerial, to freshwater and marine.

During your degree you will learn a diversity of skills, from generic communication and presentation techniques to more specialist field biology methods and data analyses. Some of these will be done in the laboratory but a key strength of our degree is that students spend much time on field courses, locally across Ireland, including the Burren, and abroad in Portugal on the Algarve, and in Scotland. In the final year our students conduct their own research projects, chosen from a wide diversity of topics. Some of these projects may be lab or field based, or indeed may contain elements of both, and they may involve collecting data from local areas or indeed from abroad, depending on their interests.

Zoology students also do work placements (fisheries, zoos, conservation charities, government agencies, consultancies). Our multi-disciplinary degree is stimulating and challenging, and will put you in a strong position to develop a rewarding career in a wide variety of fields.

The Ecology and Environmental Biology BSc degree is the only one of its kind in Ireland. It concerns interactions between animals, plants, microbes and their environment, including how individual organisms interact in communities, and how communities interact with the surrounding ecosystem. This degree straddles several degrees in the school, including Zoology, Applied Plant Biology and Environmental Science.

During this degree you will strive to understand and answer the following kinds of questions: what drives the abundance, diversity and distribution of animals and plants? How do nutrients and energy move around ecosystems? How do species interact with each other? You will investigate the biology of habitats in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, and understand the ecological principles and concepts needed to predict and manage environmental change. The degree will touch on a wide range of subjects, including conservation, pest control, wildlife and fisheries management, pollution, sustainability, environmental impact assessments, among many others.

Ecology and Environmental Biology students will be exposed to many applied approaches in the field. They can also do a work placement at the end of their third year, and complete a major research project presented in the form of a thesis in their final year. This multi-disciplinary degree is one of the most general in the School of BEES, and will put graduates in a strong position to develop a rewarding career in the Environment.

Professor John QuinnHead of Disciplines, Zoology and Ecology

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BSc Ecology and Environmental Biology 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

NOTES : Module selections must take into consideration the satisfaction of any prerequisites, particularly in fourth year. Choices of certain combinations of modules may be restricted by timetabling constraints. Students may not select a module for which they have already been registered. There may be slight changes to the modules offered from year to year.

Second Year

List of Modules can be found here:https://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/calendar/science/sci007.html

Second Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/ location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)

AE2002 2 x 1 daysCurrabinny

2 €15 - €20 April 2020

EV2001 3 x 1 day Ballycotton and Kilworth

1 €20 - €30 27th September, 11th October

ZY2007 Garrettstown 1 €10 - €20 TBC

Third year


Third Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/ location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)

AE3013 6 nights residential, Algarve, Portugal

2 €250 - €350 14th to 21st April 2020

BL3003 1 dayKillarney NP

1 €15 - €25 October 2019(Sat & Sun)

EV3015 1 day, Killarney 1 €10 - €20 TBCZY3020 1 day, Fota Wildlife

Park1 €5 - €15 November 2019

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https://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/calendar/science/sci007.html


Fourth Year


Fourth Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/ location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)

AE4012

OrZY4020

5 nights residential, Burren, Co. Clare

6 nights residential, Millport, Scotland

1

1

€235 - €300

€600 - €700

15th to 20th September 2019

16th to 22nd September 2019

EV4012 TBC 1 TBC TBC

*All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers

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BSc Zoology 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

NOTES : Module selections must take into consideration the satisfaction of any prerequisites, particularly in fourth year. Choices of certain combinations of modules may be restricted by timetabling constraints. Students may not select a module for which they have already been registered. There may be slight changes to the modules offered from year to year.

Second Year



(subject to review)


2 €15 - €20 April 2020

ZY2007 Garrettstown 1 €10 - €20 TBC

Third year



(subject to review)

AE3013 6 nights residential, Algarve, Portugal

2 €250 - €350 14th to 21st April 2020


1 €15 - €25 October 2019(Sat & Sun)

ZY3020 1 day, Fota Wildlife Park

1 €5 - €15 November 2019

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Fourth Year



(subject to review)

AE4012

OrZY4020

5 nights residential, Burren, Co. Clare

6 nights residential, Millport, Scotland

1

1

€235 - €300

€600 - €700

15th to 20th September 2019

16th to 22nd September 2019

EV4012 TBC 1 TBC TBC

*All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers

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Academic Staff – Environmental Science

Professor Andy WheelerActing Head of Discipline, Environmental

Science


Dr Jean O’Dwyer

[email protected] 4904560

Dr Tim Sullivan


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Welcome to the BSc Environmental Science degree programme!

The Environmental Science programme (outline for 2019/20 over the page) is a truly inter-disciplinary, applied degree programme that offers opportunities to study the functioning of the terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environments. You will learn how human populations interact with these environments, both positively and negatively, and how we can use scientific understanding to protect our environment and to manage it more sustainably.

Using a combination of theoretical, practical and field-based exercises you will also gain valuable experience that

can be applied in a wide range of employment situations. We hope you will enjoy your next three years and we look forward to helping you achieve your goals and ambitions in this important and growing discipline.

Professor Andy Wheeler

Page 29 of 52

BSc Environmental Science 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

Second Year



(subject to review)

EV2001 2 x 1 daysBallycotton

1 €25-€30 Sept/Oct 19


2 €15 - €20 April 2020

Third Year



(subject to review)


1 €16 - €20 October (Saturday and Sunday)

EV3013 Series of site visits

2 €60 - €70 Thursday afternoons

EV3014 6 nightsEurope

2 TBC March/April 2020

EV3015 1 day Kerry/Cork 1 €16 - €20 Oct/Nov 2019

Fourth Year


Fourth Year Field Trips (Excl. Dept. of Geog. Fieldtrips)Module Code Duration/ location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)

AE4012(Elective)

5 nights Burren

1 €235 15/09/19 – 20/09/19

EV4002 2 x half day site visits 1 €10 - €20 Oct/Nov 2019ER4004Elective

2 days 1 No charge November 2019

*Excludes any field trips run by Dept. of GeographyAll costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers

Page 30 of 52




Academic Staff – Geology, Earth Science, International Field Geosciences

Head of Disciplines of Geology, Earth Science and International Field Geosciences

Dr Pat [email protected]

021 490 4576

Dr Ed Jarvis

Dr Kate Kiseeva Dr Maria McNamara

[email protected] 021 490 4579

[email protected] 4571


Dr John Reavy Dr John Weatherill



Page 31 of 52







Welcome to the Earth Science, Geology and International Field Geosciences degrees!

Earth Science is the study of our dynamic planet Earth and how we interact with it. The Earth Science degree combines aspects of geology with geography focusing on sedimentary environments, climate and ocean systems and human interaction with the physical world. Through a study of Earth’s systems, students get an appreciation of the cross-over between geographical and geological sciences, how the dynamic Earth functions not just now but through time and how human society adapt to those environmental challenges.

The course encompasses laboratory and computing, field and practical skills imparting knowledge and understanding as well as general scientific skills in data collection and analysis, report writing, oral presentations, problem solving and critical thinking. Students also explore topics of particular interest through the literature review, research project and optional work placement.

Geology is the study of the solid Earth, its development through deep time and the creation of its resources that underpin our modern world. The Geology and International Field Geosciences degrees covers all aspects of geology, from crystallography to hydrocarbon exploration, that are required to understand how our planet functions and to locate Earth resources including groundwater, hydrocarbons, metals and raw materials. The programme is designed to give a comprehensive, vocation knowledge and skillset for today’s geoscience job market e.g. groundwater, environmental geology, hydrocarbon and mineral exploration, mining geology, offshore surveying, etc.

The International Field Geosciences degree combines study in UCC with one year in the University of Montana. There are also excellent opportunities in geological research, at masters as well as PhD level. We place a strong emphasis on studying geology in the field (Ireland, the Hebrides, S. England and Greece) and link practical classes with lecture – based instruction. We encourage work-placements with industry as a formal part of the course and empower students with the provision of transferable skills in writing, presenting and data collection and analysis.

Fourth-year research projects are the capstone of the degree programme and allow students to demonstrate and practice their skills through their own supervised research based on a field project. We are proud of our record on producing employable graduates and competent scholars eager for further studies.

Page 32 of 52

BSc Earth Science 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

Second Year


Second Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)

GL2017 1 day Garretstown 2 €15 - €20 14/04/2020

ER2002 6 nights residential Dorset

2 €250 - €300 21st to 26th March 2020

Third year


Third Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)ER3005 6 nights residential

Dorset2 €250 - €300 21st to 26th March 2020

GL3013 1 night Hook Head 1 €50 - €80 26th to 27th September 2019

GL3004 I day 2 €15 - €20 09/04/2020

Fourth year


Fourth Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)GL4023** 7 nights residential

Greece2 €300 plus flight 11th to 18th March 2020

ER4004 2 days 1 No charge Between 17th and 20th November 2019

GL3031 1 day 1 €15 - €20 11/10/2019

GL4029 3 nights residential Kilkee

1 €80 - €120 19th to 20th October 2019

*Excludes any fieldtrips run by the School of Geography and Archaeology *All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers**Elective modules

Page 33 of 52




BSc Geology 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

Second Year


Second Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)

GL2017 1 day Garretstown 2 €15 - €20 14/04/2020

GL2016 4 nights residential Dingle

2 €250 - €300 6th to 10th April 2020

Third year


Third Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)GL3013 1 night Hook Head 1 €50 - €80 26th to 27th September 2019

GL3023 7 nights residential Mull, Scotland

2 €250 - €300 13th to 20th March 2020

GL3033 6 nights residential Ullapool, Scotland

2 €250 - €300 20th to 27th March 2020

GL3031 1day 1 €15 - €20 11/10/2019GL3004 1 day 2 €15 - €20 09/04/2020

Fourth year


Fourth Year Field Trips*Module Code Duration/location Semester Estimated Cost Dates

(subject to review)GL4023** 7 nights residential

Greece2 €300 plus flight 11th to 18th March

2020

ER4004** 2 days 1 No charge Between 17th and 20th November 2019

GL4029 3 nights residential Kilkee

1 €80 - €120 19th to 20th October 2019

*All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers**Elective modules

Page 35 of 52




BSc International Field Geosciences 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

Second Year


Second Year Field Trips – see 2nd Geology degree outline above.

Third year

Students take 60 creditsThis year is spent pursuing approved programmes of study at the University of Montana. Examination of the approved programmes shall be undertaken at the host institutions.

Fourth year



(subject to review)

GL3023 7 nights residential Mull, Scotland

2 €250 - €300 13th to 20th March 2020

GL4023** 7 nights residentialGreece

2 €300 plus flight 11th to 18th March 2020

ER4004** 2 days 1 No charge Between 17th and 20th November 2019

GL4029** 3 nights residential Kilkee

1 €80 - €120 19th to 20th October 2019

GL3031** 1 day 1 €15 - €20 11/10/2019

*All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers**Elective modules

Page 36 of 52



Welcome to the Geography degree!Many of the issues which face planet Earth in the 21st century have a spatial dimension, and affect tens to billions of people. The BSc Geography degree is uniquely placed in being able to provide students with an understanding of the causes and drivers of issues from climate change to sustainable development, as well as the consequences on people from lifestyle changes to large-scale migrations.

In developing an understanding of planet Earth, students learn a range of discipline-specific field, laboratory and computing techniques, as well as general scientific skills in data collection and analysis, report writing, oral presentations, problem solving and critical thinking. Students choose from a range of thematic modules in physical, environmental and human geographies, and have an opportunity to explore topics of particular interest through the literature review, research project and optional work placement.

Dr Fiona CawkwellDiscipline of Geography

Page 37 of 52

BSc Geography 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

Second Year



(subject to review)

GL2017** 1 day Garretstown 2 €15 - €20 14/04/2020

GL2027 6 nights residential Dorset

2 €250 - €300 21st to 26th March 2020

Third year



(subject to review)

GG3028 6 nights residential Dorset

2 €250 - €300 21st to 26th March 2020

GL3031** I day 1 €15 - €20 11/10/2019

Fourth year



(subject to review)

GL3031** 1 day 1 €15 - €20 11/10/2019

ER4004 2 days 1 No charge Between 17th and 20th November 2019

GL4029** 3 nights residential Kilkee

1 €80 - €120 19th to 20th October 2019

*All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers*Excludes any fieldtrips run by the School of Geography and Archaeology **Elective modules

Page 38 of 52




Academic Staff – Plant ScienceHead of Discipline of Plant Science

Professor Astrid [email protected]

021 490 4660

Dr Barbara Doyle-Prestwich Dr Markus Eichhorn Dr Rossana Henriques




Professor Marcel Jansen Dr Eoin Lettice



Page 39 of 52







Welcome to the Applied Plant Biology degree!

Plants provide the food we eat, the oxygen we breathe and the habitat for other wildlife we cherish. The Applied Plant Biology degree covers all aspects of plant biology, from ecology to biotechnology, that are required to solve some of the World’s most urgent problems, including food insecurity climate change and biodiversity loss.

The undergraduate programme (outline for 2017/18 is shown on the next page) is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers such as agriculture, horticulture, the (food) industry or conservation. There are also excellent opportunities in plant

science research, at masters as well as PhD level.

Highlights of our degree programme include a third-year plant science practical skills module that teaches important glasshouse/laboratory skills and a field trip to visit botanic gardens and the agricultural/horticultural science industry. Our students can also benefit from summer placements, at organisations such as Teagasc. Fourth-year research projects can be field- and/or lab-based and offer the opportunity to contribute important research that provides better understanding of the role of plants in our environment and for food production.

Professor Astrid WinglerHead of Discipline of Plant Science

Page 40 of 52

BSc Applied Plant Biology 2019-20Curriculum subject to change for 2020-21

Second Year

List of Modules can be found here:https://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/calendar/science/sci007.html .


(subject to review)


2 €15 - €20 April 2020

Third year



(subject to review)


1 €16 - €20 October 2019(Sat & Sun)

PS3019 1 dayLittle Island

2 €16 - €20 TBC

PS3020 4 nights residentialLondon

2 €400 - €500 2nd week of April 20

Fourth year



(subject to review)

AE4012** 5 nights residentialBurren

1 €235 15/09/19 – 20/09/19

* All costs are estimated and are dependent on student numbers and prices quoted by suppliers

** Elective modules

Page 41 of 52




A P P E N D I C E S

Page 42 of 52

APPENDIX A – Health Declaration Form

Confidential

HEALTH DECLARATION

Surname: Forename:

Student No: Degree and Year of Study:

Next of Kin and contact details: Address:

Term:

Home:

Telephone and mobile: Email:

Date of Birth: Name of GP:

Telephone No.

Academic Year: School/Dept:

Previous Overseas travel to exotic locations, if applicable:(Dates & Destinations)

Continued overleaf

Page 43 of 52

Your Health and Functional Capabilities

1. Do you have any medical or other conditions of which we should be aware? These may be classed as any condition which could potentially impact upon you when travelling and/or conducting fieldwork. eg. Allergies, diabetes, epilepsy.

If yes please to the above, give details (e.g. when condition developed, severity, effects, medication and other treatment). Continue on another sheet if required.

2. Do you have any special dietary requirements/restrictions?

If yes give details:

If you would like any further advice on your health in relation to your course, please contact the Fieldwork Leader/Supervisor.

NB Ensure you have answered ALL questions as not doing so may result in not being permitted to travel.

DECLARATION

I certify that my answers to the questions are complete, accurate and no information has been withheld. I understand that if this is later shown not to be the case it may result in exclusion from the Field Course/travel. If, between now and my due date of departing, my medical circumstances should change, I undertake to seek medical advice regarding my suitability to travel and to inform my Fieldwork Leader/Supervisor accordingly of such changes.

Signed:

Print Name: Date:

This form must be completed and returned prior to participationin laboratory or field classes

Return to BEES Administrative Office

Page 44 of 52

APPENDIX B – Absence Form

ABSENCE FORM

Name _______________________ Student No. __________________________Year __________________________ Module

__________________________(i.e. ZY2004)

Degree Programme _______________________________________________________________________________________________________Continuous Assessment missed?

Lab Assessment Date/s _____________________

MCQ Date/s ______________________

Module Practical Exam Date/s ______________________

Missed Submission DateFor Assessment Due date___________________

___________________________________________________________________Reason for absence:

Illness Certificate submitted

Sports Activities

Bereavement

Other ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________For Office Use Only

Medical Certificate

Approved By: __________________________

NB This Absence Form is only to be used for BEES Modules (modules with the codes AE/BL/ER/EV/GL/PS/ZY). Other academic units external to School of BEES (Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, Physics) will have their own procedures for recording absences and you should check this with them.

Page 45 of 52

APPENDIX C – Continuous Assessment-Declaration Cover Sheet

School of BEES – UCCSubmission/Coursework Feedback Sheet

Student ID: __________________________ Submission Date: _____________________

Module Code: ________________________ Lecturer: ____________________________

Assignment Title: _____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Turnitin Score (if applicable): ____________________________________________________

STUDENTS SHOULD KEEP A COPY OF ALL WORK SUBMITTED.

DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME ON THIS COVER SHEET!

Page 46 of 52

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT MARKS AND FEEDBACK

Mark awarded: ___________________________

Lecturer’s feedback/comments:

Lecturer’s signature: ________________________________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Page 47 of 52

APPENDIX D - UCC Plagiarism Policy1. Introduction

1.1. Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work as your own without appropriate

attribution. Whether done deliberately or inadvertently, it is unacceptable, since it is an

attempt to claim credit for work not done by you and fails to give credit for the work of

others. Plagiarism applies not just to text, but to graphics, tables, formulae, or any

representation of ideas in print, electronic or any other media, in addition to computer

software and algorithms. Whether deliberate or inadvertent, plagiarism undermines

scholarship, is a form of academic misconduct, and conflicts with the ethos of the

University.

1.2. In some cases work can be plagiarised inadvertently, but this is usually due to

carelessness and poor academic discipline. Whether deliberate or inadvertent,

plagiarism undermines scholarship, is a form of academic misconduct, and conflicts

with the ethos of the University.

1.3. Much of this policy document is aimed at informing undergraduate and postgraduate

students about plagiarism.

1.4. In almost any academic pursuit, one learns from the ideas and the work of others.

Therefore, in preparing any work to be presented as part of one’s course or for research

or scholarship, one must rely on other people’s work to develop one’s own. It is

imperative, however, that this work is fully acknowledged, following the standard

referencing practice within the particular discipline.

1.5. At a minimum one must indicate when any material is being quoted directly (e.g. by

enclosing it in quotation marks [“ “] in the case of text) and cite the source. [From a

School of BEES perspective this practice should be kept to a minimum]. Also, one

must acknowledge the influence of other sources even when they are not being quote

directly. Acknowledgements must be provided at the appropriate point in one’s work

- it is not enough simply to list the sources at the end of one’s work.

1.6. In some cases, particularly in the professional academic arena, plagiarism will also be a

breach of copyright, which can expose the copier to civil or even criminal legal

proceedings. However, plagiarism is not confined to cases of breach of copyright, since

it can relate to unpublished material, such as someone else’s notes, which may not be

covered by copyright. Also, while copyright has an expiry date, no such date applies

to plagiarism.

1.7. Collusion is a form of plagiarism. If one allows someone else to copy one’s work, this

is collusion and both parties are guilty of plagiarism. Also, if one presents work as

one’s own individual effort, where it has in fact been developed jointly with others, this

is regarded as collusion. This would obviously not be the case where students work as

Page 48 of 52

groups and submit one assignment as a group. Appropriate cognizance should be taken

of this fact in departmental or course plagiarism policies.

2. Best Practice

While the policy outlined here applies across the University, there is also a need for

School/Departmental policies to take account of the different cultural and other issues that

arise amongst different disciplines. Naturally, these policies may be similar for a number of

departments. Each School/Department is obliged to make all candidates aware of the

plagiarism policy through lecture(s), handbooks, handouts and the web etc. Also, each

department should provide adequate training early in the academic year on plagiarism and

collusion and on best practice to be followed when submitting work for assessment. When

providing such information for candidates, departments should not merely warn them of the

penalties for plagiarism, but should also help those students who put excessive constraints

on themselves out of a fear of infringing any plagiarism regulations. In this regard it is

recommended that all departments give at least one lecture where standard referencing

conventions are explained and defined. This should take place in the first year of any

course.

3. Transition to Best Practice

4. Unless one has informed students that their work will be checked for plagiarism, the abrupt

enforcement of this policy would be unfair. It is therefore recommended that in the interim

all Schools/Departments require students to sign a declaration that all submitted work is

wholly their own work.

5. Procedures and penalties

6. Where a supervisor, examiner or an invigilator suspects plagiarism, then s/he should follow

the procedures set out under the “Breach of Examination Regulations” in the “Guide to

Examinations for Academic Staff & Students”. These regulations cover assessments

undertaken as part of invigilated examinations and also those undertaken outside of

invigilated examinations. The relevant sections of the Guide are given in the next section.

The penalties for cheating (including plagiarism) are outlined in the Guide. In the case of

assessments that are not part of invigilated examinations, the Regulations allow the Head of

School/Department to exercise discretion to pursue the cases of suspected

plagiarism/cheating internally within the department (i.e. without reference to the Student

Records and Examinations Officer). This should be done in cases of minor breaches of the

plagiarism regulations where they are a first offence and are due to carelessness, poor

academic practice or where they relate to a very small proportion of the overall assignment.

Penalties for more extensive plagiarism (reported to the Student Records and Examinations

Office) currently vary somewhat amongst departments, but are based on the principle that

students should gain no marks whatsoever for plagiarised material.

Students have a right of appeal, where they believe that they have been treated unfairly by

the plagiarism procedures. Such appeals would normally be dealt with through the standard

UCC Examination Appeals Committee (which has independent legal oversight).

Page 49 of 52

Relevant extracts from the UCC “Guide to Examinations for Academic Staff & Students”

( Breach of Examination Regulations)

6.1. Cheating means an attempt to benefit oneself, or another, by deceit or fraud or other

breach of the examination regulations. Such breaches include personation and

plagiarism. As regards plagiarism a significant amount of unacknowledged copying

shall be deemed to constitute prima facie evidence of deliberation. Plagiarism is the

presentation of someone else’s work as your own. When done deliberately, it is

cheating, since it is an attempt to claim credit for work not done by you and fails to

give credit for the work of others. Plagiarism applies not just to text, but to graphics,

tables, formulae, or any representation of ideas in print, electronic or other media.

6.2. If any candidate is adjudged by the Registrar & Senior Vice-President for Academic

Affairs and the Chairperson of the Discipline Committee or in the case of their being

unable to act, their nominees from the Discipline Committee, to have violated any of

the regulations of the examinations, or in any other way to have acted improperly, they

will have power to deprive the candidate of their examination, or of any part thereof,

and also to publish their name as having been deprived of their examination, either

wholly or in part, for having violated the regulations of examination, and they will

have power, to exclude the candidate from the examination for a period not exceeding

two years.

6.3. In cases of personation, the personator and the personated will be liable to permanent

exclusion from the university or any other appropriate penalty.

6.4. Any candidate found violating these regulations may be requested to leave the

Examination Hall by the Senior Invigilator and to have their case reported to the

Registrar & Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

6.5. Assessments undertaken as part of Invigilated Examinations

6.5.1.Where an Invigilator suspects a candidate of cheating, the Senior Invigilator, or at

least one other Invigilator, will be informed and asked to confirm their

suspicions. The candidate will be warned that a report will be made to the Student

Records and Examinations Officer. Any unauthorised material will be removed

from the candidate, who will be allowed to finish the examination. A written

report will be made by the Invigilators to the Student Records and Examinations

Officer.

6.5.2.A candidate who has been given a verbal warning by the Invigilator that a report

will be made to the Student Records and Examinations Officer will be informed in

writing by the Student Records and Examinations Officer that the candidate may

submit a written statement, before the matter is considered.

6.5.3.The Student Records and Examinations Officer may request a report from the

Head of the relevant Department or School where appropriate.

6.5.4.Each alleged case of cheating will be considered in the first instance by the

Student Records and Examinations Officer and the Head of the relevant

Page 50 of 52

College/Dean of the relevant Faculty or his/her nominee, who will invite the

candidate to a meeting to discuss the matter, unless the Head/Dean is a member of

the Department or School responsible for the examination in question, in which

case the Registrar & Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs may nominate

another Head/Dean to act. In the event of the Student Records and Examinations

Officer being unable to act, the Registrar & Senior Vice-President for Academic

Affairs will nominate an alternate.

6.5.5.An Examiner, who, when marking examination scripts, suspects that cheating has

taken place will consult the Head of the Department or Head of School or

nominee. If the Head or nominee considers that there is evidence that cheating

has occurred, he/she will make a written report to the Student Records and

Examinations Officer and will warn the candidate that this report has been made.

The Head or nominee will also inform the candidate in writing that he/she may

submit a written statement to the Student Records and Examinations Officer.

6.5.6.The corresponding reports will be considered by the Student Records and

Examinations Officer and the relevant Head/Dean or nominee who will invite the

candidate to a meeting to discuss the matter.

6.5.7.Following the meeting with the Student Records and Examinations Officer and

relevant Head/Dean, or nominee, if it is considered that there is not a case to

answer, the matter will end there and the Student Records and Examinations

Officer will so inform the candidate and where relevant the Head of Department

or Head of School.

6.5.8.If it is considered by the Student Records and Examinations Officer and the

relevant Head/Dean or nominee that there is a case to answer, the Student Records

and Examinations Officer will refer the matter to the Registrar & Senior Vice-

President for Academic Affairs and will accordingly inform in writing both the

candidate and, when involved, the relevant Head of Department or Head of

School.

6.5.9.The Registrar & Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs and the Chairperson

of the Discipline Committee will consider the matter and provide the candidate

with an opportunity to present an explanation in writing or orally; if they conclude

that cheating has occurred, they will determine an appropriate penalty.

6.5.10. Any lesser penalty than the above, may, include one or more of the following:

Assigning a mark of zero for the particular examination concerned

Assigning a mark of zero for all or part of the course/unit/module of

which the examination was a component part

Setting aside all or part of the overall examination while permitting the

candidate to take the examination again at the next available

opportunity or in the following year

Page 51 of 52

Suspension of the candidate from the university for a period not

exceeding two years

Permanent exclusion from the university in case of personation

6.5.11. The penalty will be notified in writing to the candidate by the Registrar &

Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs who will also inform the Head of

Department or Head of School where involved.

6.5.12. If the Registrar & Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs and the

Chairperson of the Discipline Committee is for any reason unable to act, he/she

will nominate a member of the Discipline Committee to act on their behalf.

6.5.13. Students have a right of appeal, where they believe that they have been treated

unfairly by the plagiarism procedures. Such appeals would normally be dealt with

through the standard UCC Examination Appeals Committee (which has

independent legal oversight).

6.6. Assessments not undertaken as part of Invigilated Examinations

6.6.1.Students should note that when they submit written assessments they will be

required to sign a declaration that this work is wholly their own work. All

essays, dissertations and projects submitted will be checked for plagiarism..

Where Examiners suspect candidates of cheating in an essay, dissertation, project,

departmental or school tests or other assessed assignment, they will consult their

Head of Department or Head of School or nominee.

6.6.2.If the Head of the Department or Head of School or nominee suspects that an

offence has occurred, the Head or nominee will inform the candidate of the

allegation and provide the student with reasonable opportunity to provide an

explanation, following which the Head or nominee will either:

Make a full report in writing to the Student Records and Examinations Officer, in

which case the procedures for an invigilated examination will be invoked;

or

Exercise discretion to pursue the matter without reference to the Student Records

and Examinations Officer, in which case the Head or nominee will determine the

appropriate penalty (if any), which will not exceed assigning a mark of zero in

the piece of work to which the offence relates. For the avoidance of doubt, this

provision relates to the mark allocated to the full piece work concerned and

not the section or part deemed to have been plagiarised. No sanction may be

extended beyond the result for the piece of work concerned. The candidate, having

been informed of the penalty, may choose either:

to accept the penalty as a final decision in which case a summary report of the

circumstances of the case and level of penalty exacted will be lodged by the Head

with the Student Records and Examinations Officer

or

Page 52 of 52

to have the matter considered by the Student Records and Examinations Officer,

thereby invoking procedures to be adopted in 6.5.5 through 6.5.11, whereupon the

Head will make a full report in writing to the Student Records and Examinations

Officer.

6.6.3.In all cases where a report has been submitted by the Head of Department or Head

of School or nominee to the Student Records and Examinations Officer, the Head

or nominee will warn candidates that this report has been made, and inform them

in writing of their entitlement to make a written statement to the Student Records

and Examinations Officer.

6.6.4.The corresponding reports will be considered by the Student Records and

Examinations Officer and the relevant Head/Dean or nominee who will invite the

candidate to a meeting to discuss the matter.

6.6.5.If it is considered that there is not a case to answer, or there is a case to answer but

that a penalty within the range of discretion of the Head is appropriate, the matter

will end there and the student and Head of Department or Head of School will be

so informed in writing by the Student Records and Examinations Officer.

6.6.6.If it is considered that there is a case to answer but a penalty outside the discretion

of the Head may be appropriate, the allegation will be reported to the Senior Vice-

President Academic and Registrar, who with the Chairperson of the Discipline

Committee, will consider the matter and determine the penalty in accordance with

the procedures applicable to invigilated examinations.

7. Plagiarism at postgraduate level

Penalties for plagiarism at postgraduate level (in particular affecting the content of

theses/dissertations) can to some extent be influenced by factors outside UCC as well as the

procedures and penalties outlined above. Theses/dissertations are subject to External

Examination and an External Examiner is entitled to fail any thesis in which significant

plagiarism is detected. Postgraduates have a right of appeal against such decisions by

External Examiners.

8. Plagiarism prevention and detection Hitherto in UCC, plagiarism has been dealt with

largely as a disciplinary matter after it has been detected (by an ad hoc mixture of electronic

and non-electronic methods). Over the next few years it is the intention that UCC move

towards a transparent, non-confrontational approach that will prevent much plagiarism.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students will be able to submit any material (in electronic

form) for scrutiny by web-based software that assigns originality scores to their work. As

far as students are concerned, it is intended that assignments will be submitted to their

teachers after they have conducted such scrutiny themselves (together with the relevant

software scrutiny report). It will be for Schools/Departments to determine the proportion of

assignments that are dealt with in this fashion.

Page 53 of 52

DISCLAIMER

Every effort was made to ensure that the information contained in this handbook was correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility is accepted for errors, omissions, or changes which may

have occurred after this time.

September 2019

Page 54 of 52

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