The Department’s Coursework Code of Practice

Compliance with the University Code of Practice

This Code of Practice complies with the University's minimum Code of Practice.

Publication of this Code of Practice

This Code of Practice is to be included in the Departmental Handbook and to be available via the World-Wide Web.  Students from other Departments need to be referred to the World-Wide Web version.

Information to be supplied in Module Specifications

The “Teaching, Learning and Assessment” field should give a brief indication of the number and nature of the assessed coursework assignments that students will be set, together with the proportion of the total module marks that each item will represent.

Moderation and second marking

Before they are set for the first time, all coursework assignments must be moderated by a second examiner.  Coursework assignments contributing 2 credits or more to a degree level module must be second marked, at least on a sample basis with special attention paid to all borderline (pass/fail) cases.

Marking standards

All assignments are marked on either a 20 point scale or a 100 point scale; major assignments will normally have an associated marking scheme.  In marking coursework, examiners should have regard to what can reasonably be achieved within the time available, on the basis that a 10 credit module should take up a total of no more than 100 hours of work for the student (including time spent in class).  Thus, for example, a mark of around 65% might indicate that this is roughly what an undergraduate who is heading for upper second class honours could achieve in the time available, or it might result from a weaker student putting in more effort than had been reckoned on.

Word processors

Use of computers in a scientific context is a skill that is taught in module PHA190 (Information Skills).  In most modules it is not essential to produce word-processed reports, but it is important to check the requirements with the module organiser.  Where word-processing is not required, the coursework must be legible and well laid out.

Timing of assignments

For each coursework assignment there should be sufficient time between the date that it is set and the date that it is to be handed in so that there is no need for a greatly increased workload during this time, i. e. a student should be able to do well by working more or less constantly on every module and should not be forced to work especially hard in any particular period of time.  Programme Tutors should work with Module Organisers to sort out problems where students feel they have cause for complaint in this area.

Information about the timing of assignments and the latest date for submission will be made available by the Module Organiser within two weeks of the start of a module.

Receipt of assignments

Normally the examiner will specify a time and place at which an assignment should be handed in, e.g. the start of a particular class.

In order to ensure that there are no disputes about whether or not a piece of coursework has been handed in, cover sheets are provided which must be attached to each piece of assessed coursework, and receipts are given to students.

Return of assignments

Marked work which was handed in on time should be returned, or discussed with the student, in plenty of time to enable the student to make use of the feedback given when doing the next assignment.  Where marked work is retained for viewing by members of the Programme Board, it must be made available for return as soon as practicable after the Board has met.  It is permissible to use the Departmental pigeon holes for returning work although a more secure method should be used where practicable.

Feedback

For each coursework assignment, students should be told the mark they achieved and be given feedback pointing out errors and indicating how they could have done better; this should be done in plenty of time to enable the student to make use of it when doing the next assignment.  Except in the case of group work, information regarding marks should be individual and confidential so far as is practicable.  It is nevertheless permitted to publish marks by ID number on a noticeboard.  All coursework marks are subject to review by the Programme Board if the student has made a written representation.

Late submission

Coursework deadline extensions shall be granted only in exceptional circumstances where the student shows good cause, such as sickness or bereavement.  The maximum extension that may be granted is 5 working days (where a working day is defined as Monday to Friday).  Where valid reasons exist for longer delays or for impaired performance, the student must make a written representation to the Programme Board.  Work that is submitted late (after taking into account any extension) will be assigned a mark of zero.

All such marks will be considered by the Programme Board in the light of any written representations that are made together with the comments of the Internal Examiner on the quality of the late submitted work.

Class tests

Tests must take place in an appropriate environment and appropriate stationery will be provided by the Department. Students must sign a class list to signify their attendance and the responsible staff member must record receipt of the answers.

Misrepresentation by the student

If a student submits an individual coursework assignment that is not entirely his/her own work, this must be stated clearly in writing on the coursework, and the extent of help received must be declared.  Where students are suspected of misrepresenting work as their own, the rules on misconduct in the Assessment Regulations will apply (see below).

Plagiarism

Assessed coursework of any kind, be it individual or group submission, must show some evidence of independent thought on the part of each student.  While co-operation is acceptable and, indeed, often necessary as part of the learning process and in practical work copying and collusion are totally unacceptable and students discovered indulging in such activities will be penalised.  At its most serious, such activity may be considered to be academic misconduct and therefore a University disciplinary matter.

The Department takes a serious view of plagiarism.  In submitted coursework exact references must be given for any quotations or data taken from published or unpublished sources (including the Internet and the work of other students) and lengthy extracts or paraphrases must not be used.  Students who copy sections from printed sources, download information from the Internet or copy the work of other students and claim this as their own work will be heavily penalised.

Examples of what constitutes plagiarism and the penalties that may be imposed are shown in the Student Handbook at

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/student/handbook/section11/index.htm.