Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011/2012 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 1 This handbook is available on request in alternative formats from the Department Please contact the Student Disabilities Officer in the Department if you require a different format (Dr Jane Reed). Access to this Handbook This handbook and all of the Department’s guidelines and regulations for undergraduate students, as well as other teaching support and module information, are available online through the Department’s eBridge web pages (http://ebridge.hull.ac.uk/portal). Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 2 CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 7 General Information about the Department of Geography ............................................... 8 Who's Who in the Department of Geography .................................................................... 9 Academic Staff ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 Office and Technical Staff in the Cohen Building ..................................................................................................... 11 Management of the Department and Key Committees ............................................................................................ 11 Staff-Student Committee ................................................................................................... 12 Nominations ............................................................................................................................................................ 133 Elections ................................................................................................................................................................. 133 Library Services at the University of Hull ........................................................................ 13 Wireless Hotspots ............................................................................................................. 13 Communication Within the Department ........................................................................... 13 Keeping your contact details and personal information up to date........................................................................... 13 Rules governing absence from the University .......................................................................................................... 14 Feedback from students about teaching and learning in the Department ................................................................ 14 Fieldwork Costs, Equipment and Safety ................................................................................................................... 14 Arrangements for Supervision .................................................................................................................................. 15 Gifts to Staff Members .............................................................................................................................................. 15 Personal Development Planning (PDP) and Progress Files ........................................... 15 Study facilities .......................................................................................................................16 Health and Safety .............................................................................................................. 17 University Policy on Smoking ................................................................................................................................... 17 Health and Safety in the Department of Geography ................................................................................................ 17 Fire Evacuation Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Programme of Study Information ..................................................................................... 18 The Academic Year .................................................................................................................................................. 18 The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications ................................................................................................ 18 University and Programme of Study Regulations ........................................................... 18 Individual Programme Regulations in the Department of Geography ...................................................................... 18 Teaching and Learning Methods ...................................................................................... 19 Assessment Procedures in the Department of Geography ............................................ 21 Reassessment in the Department of Geography ..................................................................................................... 21 Submitting Coursework in the Department of Geography ........................................................................................ 21 Feedback to students on assessed work ................................................................................................................. 22 Penalties for late and overlength coursework........................................................................................................... 22 Credit Transfer ................................................................................................................... 23 Examinations and Assessment ........................................................................................ 24 Dates of Examinations .............................................................................................................................................. 24 Instructions for Candidates for Written Examinations .............................................................................................. 24 Alternative Examinations Arrangements .................................................................................................................. 24 Getting your Results ................................................................................................................................................. 24 References................................................................................................................................................................ 25 Transcripts ................................................................................................................................................................ 25 Unfair Means – Plagiarism and Cheating ......................................................................... 25 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 3 The plagiarism declaration........................................................................................................................................ 26 The plagiarism caution .............................................................................................................................................. 26 Plagiarism and how to avoid it .................................................................................................................................. 26 Possible Problems and Solutions .................................................................................... 26 Changing Modules .................................................................................................................................................... 26 Changing your Programme of Study ........................................................................................................................ 27 Withdrawing from the University ............................................................................................................................... 27 Suspending Your Studies - ‘Intercalation’................................................................................................................. 27 Repeating a Semester or a Whole Year ................................................................................................................... 28 Mitigating Circumstances.......................................................................................................................................... 28 Absence from Examinations and Coursework Extensions for ‘Good Cause’ ........................................................... 28 Academic Discipline .......................................................................................................... 30 Proof Reading Services ............................................................................................................................................ 30 Resit Not Permitted ................................................................................................................................................... 30 ‘First’ Warnings ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 University Warnings, Exclusion from Assessment and Termination ........................................................................ 30 Academic Appeals .................................................................................................................................................... 30 Student Progress Committee and The Senior Tutor ....................................................... 31 General University Regulations ........................................................................................ 31 Complaints by Students ............................................................................................................................................ 32 Audio and/or Visual Recordings....................................................................................... 32 Registration and the Payment of Tuition Fees ................................................................ 32 Financial Support for Students......................................................................................... 32 Student Employment (full-time students) .................................................................................................................. 33 Support Services ............................................................................................................... 33 ANNEXE 1: University of Hull Guidelines for Personal Supervision.............................. 34 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 34 Being allocated a supervisor..................................................................................................................................... 34 Changing your supervisor ......................................................................................................................................... 35 Obtaining advice from your supervisor ..................................................................................................................... 35 Advice and Guidance available ................................................................................................................................ 36 The Role of Disability Tutors..................................................................................................................................... 36 Record-keeping and confidentiality .......................................................................................................................... 37 Personal Development Planning .............................................................................................................................. 37 References................................................................................................................................................................ 37 Access to the Senior Tutor ....................................................................................................................................... 38 Feedback .................................................................................................................................................................. 39 ANNEXE 2: Referencing Guidelines for the Department of Geography ........................ 40 Introduction: the golden rules of referencing .................................................................. 40 What referencing is ................................................................................................................................................... 40 Why you must reference your sources of information .............................................................................................. 40 What plagiarism is .................................................................................................................................................... 40 When you must use a reference in your work ................................................................. 41 How to use quotations in the text of your work .............................................................. 41 Referencing in the text of your work ................................................................................ 42 Quotations in the text of your work ........................................................................................................................... 42 Paraphrasing in the text of your work ....................................................................................................................... 42 Using indirect (secondhand) quotations in the text of your work .............................................................................. 42 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 4 Referencing at the end of your work in a Reference List ................................................ 42 Books ........................................................................................................................................................................ 43 Articles in journals/periodicals .................................................................................................................................. 43 Chapters in edited books .......................................................................................................................................... 43 Material from the internet .......................................................................................................................................... 43 Figures, graphs, maps, diagrams, photographs and other illustrations ................................................................... 44 Other material ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 Examples .................................................................................................................................................................. 44 What to include in your Reference List ..................................................................................................................... 45 Putting it all together ......................................................................................................... 45 Some Do’s and Don’t’s when referencing: ............................................................................................................... 46 Frequently asked questions ............................................................................................. 46 1. What if there is more than one author? ................................................................................................................ 46 2. What if there is more than reference written by the same author(s) in the same year?....................................... 46 3. What about sources of information with no acknowledged author? ..................................................................... 46 4. How do I reference a quotation by an author, which I found as a quotation in a book written by someone else? .................................................................................................................................................................................. 47 5. What do I do if the source of information has no date? ........................................................................................ 47 For more help..................................................................................................................... 47 ANNEXE 3: The Mitigating Circumstances Form ............................................................ 48 ANNEXE 4: University of Hull Academic Year 2011-12 ................................................... 54 ANNEXE 5: Guidelines on Writing and Presenting Assignments in the Department of Geography ............................................................................................................................................ 55 Guidelines for presenting assignments .................................................................................................................... 55 Elements of a good essay ........................................................................................................................................ 56 Tips for good essays ................................................................................................................................................. 56 Problems to avoid in essays ..................................................................................................................................... 57 ANNEXE 6: Department of Geography Penalties for Late and Overlength Work and Guidelines on Word Counts ...................................................................................................................... 58 Guidelines on what is included in and excluded from the word count ...................................................................... 58 ANNEXE 7: Plagiarism, the Penalties and How to Avoid It ............................................. 59 What is plagiarism? .................................................................................................................................................. 59 Unacceptable Practices ............................................................................................................................................ 59 Acceptable Practices ................................................................................................................................................ 59 DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY POLICY ON PLAGIARISM ............................................................................... 60 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................................. 60 Where Plagiarism is Suspected ................................................................................................................................ 60 Code of Practice on the Use of Unfair Means .......................................................................................................... 60 The Plagiarism Caution ............................................................................................................................................ 62 ANNEXE 8: Department of Geography Safety Policy and Procedures for Postgraduates 63 RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY ............................................................................................................................ 63 Laboratory Work ....................................................................................................................................................... 63 FIELDWORK............................................................................................................................................................. 64 GROUP FIELDWORK .............................................................................................................................................. 64 INDEPENDENT FIELDWORK.................................................................................................................................. 65 In case of accident .................................................................................................................................................... 66 Accident Reporting ................................................................................................................................................... 67 Action in the event of Fire ......................................................................................................................................... 67 ANNEXE 9: Faculty of Science Professional Principles ................................................. 69 What is expected of students in the Faculty of Science? ......................................................................................... 69 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 5 ANNEXE 10: Department of Geography Marking Criteria ............................................... 70 Marking Criteria Categories ...................................................................................................................................... 70 Mark Scale ................................................................................................................................................................ 70 ANNEXE 11: Department of Geography Guidelines for the Relationship of Taught Masters students with their dissertation supervisor ........................................................................................72 INDEX ............................................................................................................................... 713 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 6 Introduction Welcome to the Department of Geography. This handbook gives you all the basic information about studying in the Department of Geography, including how the Department is organised, who works here, our programmes of study and our health and safety policy and procedures. It also give details of University policy and procedures This handbook forms part of a two tier structure of handbook information available to you as a student of the University. While this handbook, produced by the department, seeks to give you information of immediate concern relating to the department and your programme of study, it also provides you with sections identifying University policies and procedures which are directly relevant to you, and with which you must familiarise yourself. In addition the University produces a second handbook which is available on-line. This provides additional information covering University regulations, policies and procedures – including links to the full text version of each regulation, policy or procedure – and information about University facilities and services. It also contains more detailed information about your rights and responsibilities as a student, and information about the structure of the University. The on-line handbook can be accessed at: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the contents of this handbook, and make sure that you use it as the first source of information and guidance on matters relating to your programme and status as a student. You will not be permitted to rely on ignorance of regulations, policies or procedures contained in this handbook as a ground for mitigation, special treatment or appeal. Every effort is made to ensure that the information in this handbook is accurate and up-to-date at the time of publishing. However, matters detailed in this handbook are subject to review and change during the year. The online student handbook contains the most up-to-date information. We hope you find this handbook helpful and continue to consult it throughout the year. If you have suggestions about how to improve this handbook for future years, please contact Dr Pauline Deutz, Postgraduate of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Officer for the Department of Geography, at p.deutz@hull.ac.uk. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 7 General Information about the Department of Geography The Department of Geography is part of the Faculty of Science in the University of Hull and welcomes over 120 new undergraduates and approximately 20 postgraduates each year to study on our degree programmes. The Department is housed in the Cohen Building, where all staff have their offices and most of our teaching activities take place. The Departmental Office is also located there, on the ground floor by the main entrance to the building. Maps of the various rooms in the Building are posted near the main entrances, to help you find your way around. The overall aims of the Department of Geography in the area of learning and teaching are to: enthuse students with the subject of geography and to provide a stimulating environment conducive to learning; develop an understanding of the variety of physical and human processes that shape environmental change at scales from the local to the global; provide distinctive programmes that emphasise the interdependence of the natural and cultural worlds, as well as the linkages of geography to many other disciplines; offer programmes which provide a clear intellectual progression through different levels of undergraduate and postgraduate training; develop specific geographical skills of data-handling, analysis and interpretation; maintain and develop a strong interdependence between the research and teaching programmes of the Department, to enrich teaching and learning by embedding it in an atmosphere of scholarship and academic inquiry; develop skills of analysis and communication which are transferable to a wide range of careers; encourage independent, inquiry-based, problem-solving approach to learning. By the end of your studies, you should therefore have acquired an appreciation of the breadth and depth of Geography as an academic discipline, specific skills of geographical analysis and a set of transferable skills. You should also have developed an understanding of the research process, especially through individual projects and the writing of a dissertation, and have developed as an independent learner, able to construct and communicate coherent arguments. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 8 Who's Who in the Department of Geography Academic Staff Dr David Atkinson is a cultural and historical geographer with particular interests in Italy and in the geographies of empire. Dr Tim Bellerby has interests in hydrology, meteorology, remote sensing and water resources management. Dr Bellerby is on study leave during Semester 2 Dr Jane Bunting is a palaeoecologist and biogeographer with particular interests in environmental change, prehistoric human impacts on the landscape and woodland history. Professor Tom Coulthard is a fluvial geomorphologist with interests in numerical and physical modelling of river systems and environmental change. Dr Pauline Deutz has research interests in environmental policy, especially relating to waste management and industrial ecology. Dr Sally Eden has research interests in public perceptions of nature, environmental management and restoration and geographies of science. Dr Graham Ferrier has interests in remote-sensing and environmental modelling. Dr Sharron FitzGerald is a critical feminist geographer and has research interests in understanding the relationships between spatiality, subjectivity and normativity. Dr Elizabeth Gagen is a cultural and historical geographer with interests in the geographies of childhood, race and gender. Dr Gagen is on study leave during Semester 1 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 9 Professor David Gibbs is an economic geographer with interests in industry, technological change and sustainable development. Professor Gibbs is the Head of Department Professor Jack Hardisty is a geomorphologist with interests in coastal processes, sediment transport and oceanography. Dr Lewis Holloway is a social and cultural geographer with research interests in food, farming and the countryside. Professor Andrew Jonas is an urban political geographer who works in the fields of economic restructuring and local politics, with particular interests in the USA. Professor Jonas is on study leave during Semester 2 Dr Malcolm Lillie has specialist interests in archaeology and the changing landscapes, conservation and management of wetlands. Dr Stuart McLelland has interests in fluvial geomorphology, sedimentology and sediment transport. Brendan Murphy has interests in field and laboratory measurement techniques in the physical environment. Dr Martyn Pedley is a sedimentologist specialising in carbonate environments. Dr Jane Reed has interests in lake ecology and environmental change. Dr Mike Rogerson specialises in reconstructing environmental variability, with a particular interest in the way the Mediterranean Sea responds to and affects global climate. Dr Mitch Rose specialises in cultural and political geography, with particular interests in heritage and landscapes of the Middle East. Dr Rose is on study leave during Semester 1 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 10 Dr Barbara Rumsby is a fluvial geomorphologist with a particular interest in river response to environmental change. Office and Technical Staff in the Cohen Building In the Geography Department Office, Caroline Beasley is the Head of Department’s Secretary, Stef Fairfield is the Teaching & Learning, Research & Reachout Secretary and Katy Sykes is the Admissions and Postgraduate Secretary. Paul McSherry is the Departmental Superintendent and oversees the work of the technical staff. He is also the Departmental Safety Officer. Mark Anderson is a laboratory technician with responsibility for physical analysis and for field equipment. Mike Dennett and Tim Bettley provide general computer support, and Mike also runs the Department’s electronics workshop. John Cleary is responsible for the Department’s financial accounts. Bernadette Barron is the Department’s Teaching and Learning Information Officer and is based in the Map Room, located on the first floor of the Cohen Building. Management of the Department and Key Committees The management of the Department is overseen by an Executive Group, which is chaired by the Head of Department, and decisions are also made through regular meetings of the Departmental Board, which a student representative (usually the President of GeogSoc) attends. Matters to do with teaching and learning are the responsibility of the Teaching, Learning & Assessment Committee (TLAC), which reports to the Executive Group. The following staff are on TLAC: Dr Stuart McLelland, Director of Teaching, Learning & Assessment Dr Jane Reed, Student Progress Officer and Disabilities Officer Dr Barbara Rumsby (Semester 1) & Dr Sally Eden (Semester 2), Examinations Officer Dr Jane Bunting, Quality Officer Dr Lewis Holloway, Admissions Officer Dr Pauline Deutz, Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Officer Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 11 Staff-Student Committee The Staff-Student Committee is the main place where staff and students in the Department meet to discuss and get feedback about: student concerns about teaching, learning and assessment in the Department; and proposed developments in our programmes. The issues discussed by staff-student committee may include issues such as: Module evaluation Quality of teaching National Student Survey Feedback on assessed work Assessment methods Learning and teaching methods Student evaluation Project work Work placement arrangements University and departmental policies Library and IT resources Student support Content of programmes and modules Personal supervisor system Student handbooks External examiner reports The Department encourages all students to consider standing for the committee. Remember, you can add this to your CV and it will help you to demonstrate to potential employers in the future that you have a keen interest and engagement with your studies at University. The Committee usually meets four times per year (at least twice in each Semester), but may be called at any time to consider particular issues. Minutes of the meetings are posted on the GeogSoc notice board for everyone to read. The Director of Teaching and Learning (Dr Stuart McLelland, email: S.J.McLelland@hull.ac.uk) is the member of Academic Staff who coordinates the Staff-Student Committee and Stef Fairfield in the Department Office (email: S.Fairfield@hull.ac.uk) provides administrative support. Some members of the Department’s Teaching, Learning & Assessment Committee (TLAC) also attend this Committee, including the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Library Officer, the Student Progress Officer, the Quality Officer and the Examination officer. The committee is normally chaired by the President of GeogSoc and includes representatives from all year groups and degree programmes in the Geography Department. If you are interested in participating in the staff-student committee, please complete the Course Representative form which is designed by the Student Union. Postgraduate Committee Prof Tom Coulthard, the Director of Postgraduate Research, chairs the Department’s Postgraduate Committee. This committee primarily deals with issues relating to research students, but is also relevant to taught postgraduates. Members include Dr. Pauline Deutz, Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Officer, as well Dr. Mike Rogerson and student representatives. Taught postgraduates can elect one representative for this committee, though previously overseas and part time student representatives have also been chosen from amongst the masters students. Safety, Health and Environment Committee This committee is chaired by the Head of Department and oversees all matters relating to Health and Safety, both within the building and as regards fieldtrips and fieldwork (see Annexe 7). Student representation on this committee can include one taught postgraduate student. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 12 Nominations Nominations for Staff-Student and Postgraduate Committee must be made using the approved Course Representative form by the end of Week 2 in Semester 1 (Friday 7th October 2011). This form is available from the Department Office and you can hand it in there anytime before the closing date. Elections If elections are required, they will be held during Week 3 of Semester 1. Nomination forms for candidates will be displayed in the Department. Voting forms will be made available online and from the Department Office. All votes must be cast by the end of Week 3 on Friday 14th October 2011. Results will be made available at the beginning of Week 4. Library Services at the University of Hull The Brynmor Jones Library situated on the Hull campus is the largest library in the University. There is also a library at the Scarborough campus - the Keith Donaldson Library, which was extensively refurbished in summer 2010. The student card that you receive on registering with the University is also your library card and you will need it to borrow material and to enter the Libraries. The University’s Libraries have over 1,800 study spaces, a number of bookable group study rooms and social learning spaces. The Libraries hold more than a million items including books, journals, multimedia and maps. All of this material is listed in a web-based catalogue which you can access from anywhere in the world. You can download searches from the catalogue, check which items are on loan to you, and renew and reserve items. You may also renew items by telephone provided that they are not reserved by another reader. The Library is not just a local storehouse of books. It is also your gateway to a huge range of quality assured information resources that you won’t find via Google; electronic databases covering all subject areas, thousands of full-text electronic journals and newspapers, plus thousands of online reference works and electronic books. In order to help you to get the best from a search for information using these resources, the Library offers training, via a range of methods including online tutorials. Also one-to-one help in finding information is available. In the Brynmor Jones Library, most services including reception, the service desk (which deals with Library and IT enquiries), the circulation enquiry point and the self-service machines (where you can borrow and return books) are located in the ground floor with self-service photocopying available on all floors. Further details of the services available from the University’s Libraries are available on the Library website, www.hull.ac.uk/lib. The University also has significant archives and special collections, particularly in the areas of politics and pressure groups, modern literature and drama, maritime studies and local history. These are held at the new, award-winning Hull History Centre and more information can be found on the Centre’s website at, www.hullhistorycentre.org.uk Wireless Hotspots The University offers a number of ‘wireless hotspots’ to enhance the student experience. Many areas of both Scarborough and Hull campus are covered. The full list may be viewed at: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/acs/help/wireless-network/wireless-coverage-on-campus.aspx Communication Within the Department Keeping your contact details and personal information up to date It is your responsibility to ensure that at all times the University has complete and accurate contact details for you. Students can manage their contact details and review personal information that the University holds Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 13 through the student portal at port.hull.ac.uk. You can access the portal using your user name and password. If you are unable to make changes in relation to your personal information the portal will inform you of what documentation may be needed and what areas of the university you need to see. Alternatively, changes to your details can be notified to your department using the approved University form, available from your department, Student Administrative Services or downloaded from the portal. Rules governing absence from the University You are required to be in attendance on week days during each semester. All students are required to inform their department within two days if they are absent from the University as a result of illness or for any other reason. A GP’s medical certificate will be required for absences of more than seven days. If you become ill and are unable to inform the departmental office, you should arrange for someone to communicate on your behalf. For further information see the online handbook at: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studentadministrativeservice/studenthandbook.aspx. If your absence is related to a disability, please contact Disability Services for advice. If your absence is related to a disability, please contact Disability Services for advice or see the Department’s Disabilities Officer, Dr Jane Reed. In the Department of Geography, you are expected to attend at all seminars, classes, practicals and lelctures and, where relevant, fieldtrips. If you become ill, or other good reason, miss more than a couple of sessions, please inform the Department Office in person, or by phone (01482 465385 or 465320), email (geo@hull.ac.uk) or letter (Department of Geography, The University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX). Office staff will inform your supervisor and the relevant module leader. This handbook contains further information about withdrawing, intercalating and the support available to students having difficulties – see page 26. Feedback from students about teaching and learning in the Department Opportunities for obtaining feedback are actively promoted to students at appropriate points during the academic session. Students are reminded of the relevance of feedback in the context of their learning experience and are actively encouraged to seek out feedback in all its forms at those times when it is available. We continually seek feedback and two-way communication with our students about teaching and learning in the Department of Geography. As well as gathering feedback through the Staff-Student Committee (see page 11), we will ask you each semester what you thought of your modules through the Department of Geography’s internal Student Feedback Survey. We use your feedback to monitor and continually improve the quality of our teaching, so it is very valuable. We run the survey using an online questionnaire on eBridge for each module. The Department’s Quality Officer reads the responses for each module and asks module leaders to respond to any problems and consider future improvements. The results and any actions taken in response are reported to the Department’s Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee (TLAC, see page 10) and to the Staff-Student Committee (SSC, see page 11) for discussion and posted on notice boards for all our students to read. This is part of ‘closing the feedback loop’ and ensuring students are aware of how we have responded to their feedback. Fieldwork Costs, Equipment and Safety The Department of Geography makes a substantial contribution every year towards the cost of field courses for our students. Students are required to pay the remaining cost, which is always kept as low as possible by the field trip leaders. The amount is announced as far in advance as possible, to help students plan their finances. Invoices will be organised by John Cleary. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 14 For participation in any fieldwork, you need to have waterproof clothing and strong footwear and you must be familiar with the Department’s safety policy and procedures (see Annexe 8). Appropriate materials for making field notes, sketches and maps are essential. A camera is also a useful item of field equipment. Arrangements for Supervision Personal Supervisors: Guidelines for Staff and Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Students: The University guidelines which govern the system of personal supervision set out both what you can expect from your department and supervisor and what is expected of you, to ensure that the supervisor can provide effective support. You should familiarise yourself with the guidelines, which are set out as Annexe 1 to this handbook. There are two kinds of supervisor: (1) dissertation supervisors, to help you to devise, carry out and write up the research for your dissertation; (2) personal supervisors, to support you throughout your time with the University and afterwards, for example, in providing references. In the Department of Geography, all masters students are allocated a supervisor according to their programme of study. In the second semester, you will select a Dissertation Supervisor, who helps you to develop your research skills specifically as part of your dissertation work and providing topic-specific advice and support. Dissertation Supervisors are selected on the basis of your desired topic and staff availability. Your Personal Supervisor is responsible for your academic and pastoral welfare throughout your time in the Department and will support you with Personal Development Planning (PDP, see next page). You should meet your Personal Supervisor to discuss your academic progress and any other issues on a regular basis, say twice a semester. This is important because it means that any problems you have can be quickly identified and addressed, so you must respond to your supervisor’s requests for meetings. In general, if you have a problem, academic or personal, which is affecting your work, please let us know as soon as possible. Don’t ignore it and hope that it will go away, because usually it won’t. The staff are here to help you and have a lot of experience in dealing with students’ difficulties. You can go to your supervisor or you can arrange to see the Department’s Student Progress Officer (Dr Jane Reed) or, in his absence, the Deputy Student Progress Officer (Dr Malcolm Lillie), to get advice about anything from submission deadlines to taking time out from your studies. Gifts to Staff Members The relationship between staff and students is a friendly but professional one. While we respect the practices in different cultures and the wish of students to express friendliness and appreciation, gifts to individual members of staff are not considered appropriate. The Head of Department or Director of Studies will be able to explain these matters to you in more detail if required. Personal Development Planning (PDP) and Progress Files All students are entitled to a regular review of their progress on a programme. PDP is defined as 'a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and / or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development' (Quality Assurance Agency). It is intended to help students: become more effective, independent and confident self-directed learners understand how they are learning and relate their learning to a wider context improve their general skills for study and career management articulate their personal goals and evaluate progress towards their achievement and encourage a positive attitude to learning throughout life. In 2009 the University introduced a PDP badge which was designed by a University of Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 15 Hull student. The PDP badge is used to help students identify PDP opportunities within their Departments and across the University. Further information about Personal Development Planning and Progress Files can be found on the student portal at https://port.hull.ac.uk, and on the Quality Assurance Agency’s website: www.qaa.ac.uk/students/guides/UnderstandProgFiles.asp. In the Department of Geography, PDP is part of the supervision process (see previous page). You will receive a set of forms from your Personal Supervisor which should be used as the basis for your PDP and progress file. You should also include in your file feedback that you receive on your assessed work and printouts of your examination results. Further information about PDP and the preparation of your progress file will be provided by your Personal Supervisor. It is important to remember that PDP is a confidential, self-assessment process for the benefit of the student, rather than staff, and it is therefore your responsibility as a student to make the most of the PDP process. An important aspect of PDP is the effective management of your time. One of our 20 credit modules is meant to involve 200 hours of study time, but only a small proportion of that will be in timetabled classes of various sorts – maybe 20 hours for a masters module. This means the rest should be your own self-managed study – maybe 180 hours. Many students find this hard to grasp, but University education is essentially about guided self-teaching. To do this well, you need to develop your self-discipline and manage your time effectively. Your Personal Supervisor will discuss these issues with you during the first few weeks of the semester, and your PDP and progress file should also help you with this. But if you find that you are not studying effectively and making productive use of your time, you should see your Personal Supervisor immediately and seek their support. You can also make use of the Study Advice Centre on the mezzanine floor of the Brynmor Jones Library, which provides lots of advice and tutorial help with general study skills. Study facilities Masters students share an office on the first floor of the Cohen Building (north corridor, room 106). This room is particularly intended for group work. You will have access to this room during building open hours (officially 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday). Each student will have a key: the door MUST BE LOCKED when the room is left unoccupied, however briefly. Desks are not assigned to individuals. Although you may wish to leave belongings in this room during the day, you should do so in a way that will not interfere with anyone else. You will need to leave a deposit in exchange for your key, which will be refunded when you return the key at the end of your course. There are numerous other facilities on campus in which have access to computers. In the Cohen Building there are the Resource Room located on the ground floor for undergraduate and taught postgraduate use. You may also use the computers in the Cohen Lab on the first floor when there are no classes scheduled. All postgraduate students are entitled to use the facilities within the Graduate School; there are other facilities on campus, some of which are open 24 hours per day http://www2.hull.ac.uk/acs/ict/pc_rooms.aspx. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 16 Health and Safety University Policy on Smoking This effectively prohibits smoking by any person in University buildings. The full text of the Policy can be accessed at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/regulations/smokinganddrugtaking.aspx. Health and Safety in the Department of Geography During the course of your studies, you will participate in field and/or laboratory work. In this connection it is vital that you carefully read and retain the safety information provided in this handbook at Annexe 8. Students will receive risk assessment information for fieldwork from the Module Leaders and must read and understand this form to ensure they are aware of any risks. Please ask your fieldwork leader if you have any questions about fieldwork costs, equipment or safety. Before undertaking any independent fieldwork, such as for a Dissertation, students must complete an appropriate risk assessment. Compulsory classes are held in the second year to help all students to do this, led by the Departmental Safety Officer, Paul McSherry. Fire Evacuation Procedures If you notice a fire you should immediately raise the alarm by breaking the glass of the nearest manual fire alarm call point. This can be done using your elbow or shoe. The alarm is a siren. On hearing this, you should immediately leave the building by the quickest route, closing doors as you leave. The quadrangle can be used as part of the exit route, but do not congregate there. On leaving the building, you should assemble at one of two points. If you leave from the main entrance you should congregate at assembly point 1, on the footpath by the Venn Building. If you leave from the rear exit at Salmon Grove, you should congregate at assembly point 23, on the footpath opposite the rear entrance. The Fire Wardens will check that personnel are vacating the building and congregating in the correct areas. Do not attempt to re-enter the building until instructed to do so. Close but do NOT lock doors as you leave, and do NOT attempt to use the lift. Anyone with a mobility problem should take refuge in one of the designated areas and wait for assistance. Fire Wardens will check refuges in their area. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 17 Programme of Study Information The Academic Year The following are the semester dates. A more detailed plan of the academic year can be found in Annexe 4. Semester One Examination Weeks Vacation Semester Two Examination Weeks Vacation 26 September 2011 to 16 December 2011 16 January 2012 to 27 January 2012 19 December 2011 to 13 January 2012 30 January 2012 to 11 May 2012 14 May 2012 to 8 June 2012 23 March 2012 to 15 April 2012 Note that the academic year for taught postgraduate programmes, starting on 26 September 2011, is deemed to run until 15 September 2012 (representing 45 weeks of study time plus vacations). The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications University awards are designed to comply with the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and other external reference points (Information is available at http://www.qaa.ac.uk). In particular all departments have produced programme specifications for all of their taught programmes, which set out what you can expect to be able to do if you successfully complete the programme. These are referred to as intended learning outcomes. Students can find module and programme specifications for the Department of Geography online at https://www.courses.hull.ac.uk. University and Programme of Study Regulations The Programme of Study for which you have registered, and therefore the qualification you are seeking, is governed by regulations which operate at two levels. First, at the University level, applying consistently to every programme of study. Second, at the level of the individual programme, setting out which modules you must take, which modules you can opt for, and (where applicable) the way in which those modules are weighted to determine the final classification of the degree. Therefore, to qualify for the award you are seeking you must abide by both levels of regulations. Any action outside regulations can only be taken if the approval of the University Student Progress Committee (explained later) has been obtained by your department. The following summarises the key points of the University regulations which you should be aware of, but the full version can be viewed at: www2.hull.ac.uk/administration/policyregister/qualityhandbook/sectionb.aspx each programme is divided into stages representing each set of 60 credits. For example the taught masters degree is made up as follows: o Certificate stage (first 60 credits – equivalent to the first semester full-time) o Diploma stage (second 60 credits – equivalent to the second semester full-time) o Masters stage (third 60 credits – commonly the dissertation undertaken during the Summer period) o Your module catalogue states your core and permitted optional modules Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 18 to qualify for the award of the degree you must successfully complete all 60 credits for each stage the pass mark for modules is 40. Although marked to the same standard throughout the University, the mark assigned at pass level for postgraduate programmes in the Business School is 50. This is an interim measure and it is important to note it is only the mark assigned for reaching that level of attainment that is different in the Business School. you can be reassessed once in any failed module unless the Module Board has denied reassessment as a result of you not complying with the attendance and/or submission requirements of the module the mark for any module passed following reassessment is capped at 40 (50 in Business School, indicative of the same standard named as 40 elsewhere in the University) in very limited circumstances, involving no more than 20 credits, a narrow fail can be treated as a pass (called ‘compensation’), although no change is made to the mark awarded for the module a candidate may have up to 20 credits disregarded (called ‘condonement’) in deciding the candidate's eligibility for the degree provided certain conditions are met a candidate at the Diploma stage who fails more than 60 credits, is automatically deemed to have failed the programme, without being permitted to be reassessed in the failed modules. However, such a candidate may be permitted to repeat the stage at the discretion of the Programme Board of Examiners. Student Progress Committee has determined that the following factors should be considered in exercising this discretion: (i) the profile of marks, ii) the candidate’s attendance/submission record, (iii) the candidate’s potential to succeed in the repeated stage and whole degree, (iv) any mitigating circumstances properly notified a candidate who is not allowed to progress to the Masters stage but is allowed to undertake reassessment in failed modules, may not begin the research for the Masters stage dissertation until the reassessments have been successfully completed unless no more than 40 credits have been failed and the candidate is permitted to continue by the Programme Board of Examiners where a candidate has to be reassessed and is not permitted to continue as explained above, the three month period for undertaking the final stage will be deemed to commence once you are notified that you have passed the reassessments and are allowed to commence the final stage if you do not successfully complete a stage you can be awarded a lesser qualification, at which point your programme of study will be at an end a candidate may not repeat a stage except with the approval of the University Student Progress Committee. Such approval will only be given where medical circumstances or exceptional personal circumstances are established of a kind which clearly affected the candidate's performance throughout the year. Repeat years are not given lightly. Equally you may not reapply for the same degree without the approval of the Student Progress Committee. The same criteria as for a repeat stage will apply. Masters degrees are awarded as a pass, but will be awarded with ‘distinction’, where the candidate has achieved an average of 70+ over all 180 credits, and with a mark of no less than 67 in the masters (dissertation) stage. Individual Programme Regulations in the Department of Geography See your progamme’s module catalogue for details. Note that some modules are outside the Geography Department. In those cases the module’s procedures will follow those for the home Department. Please ask module leaders if you are uncertain of requirements. Teaching and Learning Methods The Department of Geography uses a combination of teaching and learning methods to meet the intended learning outcomes (LOs) for each programme of study. All learning outcomes for our modules and programme structures are listed online at https://www.courses.hull.ac.uk. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 19 Teaching methods include lectures, small group classes, practicals and field classes. In practical classes, groups of students carry out hands-on work under the supervision of members of staff and demonstrators, to learn basic skills in geography. Fieldwork may be included in individual modules. Level 7 teaching tends to have fewer timetabled hours than undergraduate classes, more self-guided learning and will include a Dissertation - a substantial piece of independent study based largely on the student’s own research. Information about assessment is provided on the notice boards on the ground floor in the Cohen Building, as well as through lectures and other classes and through Ebridge for each module. It is the student’s responsibility to find out about timetabled classes, exam times and coursework deadlines. Please note that staff will not read drafts of assessed work before submission. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 20 Assessment Procedures in the Department of Geography Our modules are usually assessed by a mix of coursework and exams. Details for each module are given in the specifications online at https://www.courses.hull.ac.uk and explained in detailed in the Module Handbook given out by staff at the start of each module. The Module handbook is available on the eBridge website for each module. As noted above, staff will not read drafts of assessed work prior to submission, so do not ask them to. The only exception is for Dissertations and more information about this will be given out by the Dissertation Coordinators during the year. All work is marked by our teaching staff and then second marked within the Department to ensure consistency and relevance to marking criteria. We also have two external examiners who visit us from Geography departments in other universities to check that we are meeting national standards in our assessment procedures. Our external examiners this year are from the University of Plymouth and University of Nottingham. They may read exam scripts and coursework and also review mark profiles, in order to ensure the fairness of the overall system and the just treatment of individual candidates. To pass a module, candidates must obtain an overall mark of at least 40%. A mark of 35-39% is a narrow fail and can be used for ‘compensation’ under certain conditions (see pages 18-19), but a mark below 35% is a fail and no credits are awarded. Failure to submit a piece of assessed work will result in a mark of zero for that component of the module assessment. Failure to complete all the assessments for a module may result in you not being allowed to take the resit for that module (in this situation the Board of Examiners will consider your attendance record and any mitigating circumstances when making a decision). Reassessment in the Department of Geography The method of reassessment for any module will normally be the same as the method of first assessment, but there are circumstances where, for practical reasons, an alternative method is necessary. Full details are given in the Module Handbook which is available for each module on eBridge. Submitting Coursework in the Department of Geography TWO copies of all coursework MUST be submitted, unless otherwise notified. One copy will be returned to you with feedback after marking, but the second copy is kept for archiving. It is your responsibility to submit all coursework through the appropriate post box on the ground floor corridor on the south side of the Cohen Building (opposite room CO-047). Late submissions and all assessments for which an extension has been granted must be posted into the ‘LATE SUBMISSIONS’ post box. The top copy of your coursework must have an appropriate cover sheet attached. Cover sheets are available above the post boxes. Module Leaders may give you alternative cover sheets, where appropriate. We use barcodes to identify student work. You must attach your student number barcode to every cover sheet you use. Barcodes are given all students at registration. Look after your barcodes carefully - there is a £1 charge for replacements. When you submit work, fill in all the boxes on the cover sheet about your module and assignment. Sign the fold-down corner to confirm that your work is not plagiarised (see Annexe 7) and that you have given the correct word count. Be aware that we check word counts regularly and penalise overlength work (see below and Annexe 6 for details). For group work, you must attach a group work coversheet. Each student must add their name, sign the front sheet and attach their student number barcode. If one student in a group does not sign the coversheet, non-submission will be recorded for that student and the student will receive zero for that piece of work. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 21 Students that have registered with the Disabilities Service to receive special allowances should attach the appropriate lilac cover sheet to their submissions, to request special allowances for layout, spelling, grammar and sentence construction. You will not be penalised for these factors unless this is clearly justified in the learning outcomes of the module. Deadlines for submission will be given in Module Handbooks. Feedback to students on assessed work The Department of Geography follows the Faculty of Science’s general policy to normally provide feedback on assessed work to students within four working weeks of submission. This will usually be done through personal supervisors, or specific sessions within each Module. Students are strongly encouraged to attend all Feedback sessions An explanation of the marking criteria is given in Annexe 10 and full details of marking criteria for different Levels and study and types of assessment are available on the Department website (see http://www2.hull.ac.uk/science/geography/current_students/exams.aspx). Penalties for late and overlength coursework Assessed coursework which is submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised according to Faculty of Science rules, which are: Work that is submitted only 1 working day late will receive a 10% penalty, based on the maximum available marks for that piece of work. For example, an essay originally marked at 62% will be penalised to 52% and an essay originally marked at 44% (which is a pass) will be penalised to 34% (which is a fail). Work that is submitted from 2 to 10 working days late will receive a 10% penalty, based on the maximum available marks for that piece of work, and will also have the mark capped at a maximum of 40%. For example, an essay originally marked at 62% will be penalised to 40%, but an essay originally marked at 44% (which is a pass) will be penalised to 34% (which is a fail). Work that is submitted more than 10 working days late will receive a mark of zero. However, you should still endeavour to submit the work since non-submission may additionally affect you rights to re-assessment (see above). Note that ‘working days’ exclude Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Remember also that failing to submit assessed work at all may lead to exclusion from University examinations or reassessment not being permitted. Work which is more than 10% over the word limit stated for the assignment will receive a 10% penalty, based on the maximum available marks for that piece of work, and the remainder of the work above the 10% limit will not be formally assessed. Note that in both cases, if work is marked on a 100% scale, then a 10% penalty would mean a deduction of 10 marks, e.g. from 56% to 46% for an essay. If other scales are being used, the marks would be pro rata, so if a scale of 50 were used, 5 marks would be deducted. Work under the word limit or less than 10% above the word limit will be marked in the normal way and will not receive a penalty. You must write an accurate word count and the word limit for the assessed work on the cover sheet and sign it to confirm that your word count complies with the Department Guidelines. If a marker thinks that your word count is incorrect, the words in your work will be counted by staff using Departmental Guidelines and, if it proves to be overlength, the appropriate penalty will be applied. Quotations must be included in the word count. For more details, see Annexe 6. Note that if you fail to include a word count when required or provide a clearly inaccurate word count, you may be in breach of Unfair Means regulations. There are also heavy penalties for plagiarism, because it is cheating. Students must read and bear in mind the University’s rules regarding plagiarism at all times (see Annexe 7 and Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 22 http://www.student-admin.hull.ac.uk/downloads/code.doc). Accidental plagiarism, (‘unaware’) plagiarism will incur a variable penalty. Ignorance is no defence. even unintended Credit Transfer You may have undertaken studies prior to starting your programme at the University. In certain cases such prior learning' might be transferable to your current programme and therefore give you exemption from some of the requirements of your current programme. This is called Accredited Prior Learning and may be 'certificated' or 'experiential' (e.g. work experience). If you have experience which you think might be transferable to your degree programme you should discuss this with your department, who will advise on whether it is transferable and the evidence you will have to provide. In addition to the judgement the department will have to ensure the following regulations are adhered to: Candidates must complete the final stage - all 60 credits - of the (Hull) qualification sought - e.g. the final (usually dissertation) stage of a Masters degree. Credit transfer is therefore not possible towards a postgraduate certificate. distinctions are determined using only credits awarded by the University of Hull; to be eligible for consideration for a distinction, the candidate must have achieved no fewer than 120 credits from the University of Hull, including the Masters (dissertation) stage of the programme. Credits cannot be transferred where they have already been used towards a qualification (whether from this University or another institution) unless the first qualification is a step towards the current qualification. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 23 Examinations and Assessment Dates of Examinations There are three examination periods in each academic year, which in 2011/12 will be: 16 January 2012 to 27 January 2012 14 May 2012 to 8 June 2012 20 August 2012 to 31 August 2012 It is part of the requirement of your degree that you are available during each of the three examination periods. It will not be regarded as ‘good cause’ if you are unavailable during the August/September period, with the reason that you did not expect to have to sit an examination and have made another commitment. Note that only in the most exceptional circumstances will you be given permission to sit an examination other than at the University. Student Progress Committee will decide whether circumstances meet this criteria, but has made it clear that it intends approval to be rare. The examination timetable for each period is produced by Student Administrative Services. This information will be available through the portal or from your department. It is your responsibility to check the dates of your examinations, and if you have any clashes, to report those to the department as a matter of urgency. Details of assessment and reassessment in the Department of Geography are given on page 20 and in Module Handbooks. Instructions for Candidates for Written Examinations These are detailed in the on-line handbook – http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx, and also posted outside each examination hall. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with them. It is important to note that students must bring their University Student ID card or other photographic identification (such as a driving licence or passport) with them to all examinations. Alternative Examinations Arrangements If you have a disability and require alternative arrangements for examination you should contact Disability Services. If you have any other special circumstances which may require alternative arrangements you should contact the Department’s Disabilities Officer, Dr Jane Reed. Getting your Results Where appropriate, marks for individual pieces of assessed work are given to you during the module, to enable you to utilise feed-back in completing the module. However, such results are provisional, that is they can be changed by the Module Board - for example on the advice of the external examiner - and they are not therefore final until that Board has met. The fact that a Module Board reduces a mark previously notified to you as provisional does not constitute a ground for appeal. At the end of the first semester your provisional results will be available on the portal (https://port.hull.ac.uk). At the end of the academic year your results will be notified to you by post by Student Administrative Services. It is your responsibility to make sure that your home address is correct or that an alternative correspondence address has been added to your contact information on the portal. To change your home address or add a correspondence address, go to https://port.hull.ac.uk - personal information. Any changes to addresses must be completed before the end of the examination period. Your results will also be available on the portal from the day after the official release date. You will not be able to get your results before those deadlines, and under no circumstances will your results be given to you over the telephone, nor will they be given to another person on your behalf. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 24 Finalists will receive an Official Transcript and a European Diploma Supplement detailing their performance across the whole of the degree programme. References You are likely to require a reference during, or at the end of, your period of study. Normally it will be your personal supervisor whom you approach for a reference. Your rights and responsibilities are set out in the University’s Guidelines for Supervisors (see Annexe 1). Supervisors (and other staff) are not automatically obliged to provide a reference, although refusal should be exceptional. In providing a reference your supervisor is required to provide a fair and accurate assessment, which may include negative factors, but s/he should normally discuss such factors with you first. When seeking a reference you are obliged to seek the supervisor’s agreement (do not cite him/her as a reference without asking first), provide sufficient information about why the reference is needed, and an up to date CV, provide reasonable notice to the supervisor. Help, for example on writing CVs, is available from the University Careers Service. Transcripts In addition to receiving an official transcript at the end of your programme of study, you may need copies during your period of study to assist in applying for employment or further study. You should approach Student Administrative Services further details: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studentadministrativeservice/transcripts.aspx. You should note that you will be refused a transcript if you are in debt to the University (as well as any degree or other certificate). Unfair Means – Plagiarism and Cheating The University Regulations on the Use of Unfair Means – available at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx govern all forms of illegitimate academic conduct which may be described as cheating, and also including plagiarism. The term ‘unfair means’ is used in the regulations to indicate that a very wide range of behaviour is punishable. The regulations give examples, including ‘cheating’ in an examination by possessing materials prohibited in the examination room ‘cheating’ in an examination by using materials prohibited in the examination room falsifying the results of laboratory, field-work or other forms of data collection and analysis impersonating another during an examination or other assessment or related event conspiring with another or others to have work completed by another candidate, including offering work, whether for sale or not, for use by another without acknowledgement collusion (where the work submitted is the result of the work of more than just the student making the submission but which the student making the submission claims to be his/her own work without acknowledging the contribution of other students) using false statements, or presenting false evidence, in support of a request to withdraw from an examination, obtain an assessment extension, or explain any form of absence or default falsifying a transcript or other official document submitting work for assessment which is substantially the same work as submitted for a previous assessment (sometimes referred to as ‘self-plagiarism’) Conduct is punishable when undertaken by any University of Hull student on any programme, whether acting alone or with others, and conduct which amounts to an attempt to use such means is also a breach of the regulations. The regulations defines the procedures which must be followed when an allegation is made, Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 25 stating the rights of the student, including the establishment of an Adjudicating Panel which is required to determine whether the breach of the code has been proven. It is essential, therefore, that you recognise that the University takes very seriously any form of illegitimate conduct, especially plagiarism, and that if you are judged to have breached these Regulations this could result in you not being awarded your degree. The plagiarism declaration When you submit any piece of work for assessment you are required to attach a cover sheet that contains a declaration which you must sign. Your work will not be accepted unless the declaration has been signed. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have understood the guidance you have been given about referencing - and therefore how not to commit plagiarism. If you have any doubts you must seek advice from your supervisor or tutor. The plagiarism caution The caution procedure defines limited circumstances in which a student who has committed plagiarism may be issued with a ‘caution’ instead of Adjudication Panel proceedings being instituted at Preliminary Certificate or Certificate stage only. We will write to you informing you of any decision regarding a plagiarism caution by writing to your term or home address. Plagiarism and how to avoid it See Annexe 7 for detailed guidance on what plagiarism is. See Annexe 2 for detailed guidance on how to reference your work in accordance with the Department of Geography’s recommended system. If you still have doubts, you must consult your Tutor or Personal Supervisor, because it is important to get it right and avoid the heavy penalties for plagiarism. Possible Problems and Solutions You are reminded of the importance of discussing any problems you might be experiencing with appropriate staff, whether your personal supervisor, academic tutor or somebody independent of the department such as the Students’ Union Advice Centre, Student Support Services or Study Advice Service. For further details go to the on-line handbook: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studentadministrativeservice/studenthandbook.aspx. A number of the ‘solutions’ identified below may involve changing your status part way through an academic year. You should be aware that as you will be taking two modules which span two semesters, this will create difficulties if you wish (for example) to recommence your studies part way through the following year, e.g. at the start of the second semester. You should discuss this with your personal supervisor. (Departments have been issued with guidance on possible options). Changing Modules You may wish to change a module during your programme. Core modules must be taken, and options must be chosen from within the permitted range for the programme you are taking, so if you do wish to change module you must first find out whether the new module is permitted within your programme. You will need the approval of the department responsible for offering the module, as well as the approval of your home department. If you do wish to change module you must consult with your Personal Supervisor and the member of staff responsible for the module, and then complete the University change of module form (available from your department or on the student portal – under help and advice), following the procedure set out on the form. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 26 Changing your Programme of Study There are several reasons by you might want to change your programme of study. You should discuss this with your Personal Supervisor and, if the programme is from another department, consult with staff responsible for that programme. In all cases where you are considering a change of programme, you must obtain the consent of the department offering the new programme, as well as the department which you are leaving (where the two are different). You must complete the change of programme of study form (SAS-P, available from your department or the student portal). You will also be required to take or send the form to Student Financial Services, to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for payment of tuition fees. You will then take the form (stamped by Student Financial Services) to Student Administrative Services and the changes will be made to your record. If you are SLC funded Student Administrative Services will inform the appropriate body. If the start of the course you wish to transfer to does not coincide with the current date you may need to temporarily withdraw before starting the new programme, and you must complete the relevant form (SAS-P, available from your department or the student portal). Withdrawing from the University Again there may be a number of reasons why you might contemplate leaving the University without completing your programme. If you are in that position there are a range of staff and services within the University who will try to help you a) decide whether this is the right course of action b) help you to achieve it if you have decided it is the right thing to do. Your personal supervisor should be your first port of call, but Student Welfare produces a leaflet indicating the range of support services whom you can contact, including the Students' Union Advice Centre and the Careers Service. www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/support.aspx. If you do decide to withdraw you must confirm this in writing using the approved University form available from the department or student portal giving the last date on which you attended your programme, and return the form to Student Administrative Services. If you are SLC funded Student Administrative Services will inform the appropriate body. This form also includes a questionnaire which invites you to indicate the reasons which resulted in you deciding to leave. This is designed to help the University to monitor trends and respond to them. No personal information about you will be reproduced when the questionnaires are analysed. One of the benefits of a credit accumulation system is that it is often possible to take any credits gained where you have not completed your programme and use them in the future, for example to resume your studies at this or another University. At Hull credits are considered to have a ‘shelf life’ of 9 years, although re-admission would be up to the department responsible for the programme. To assist you, you may wish to obtain an ‘official transcript’ confirming the credits you have achieved – see the section on transcripts. Suspending Your Studies - ‘Intercalation’ An alternative to withdrawing from the University might be to suspend your studies for a period of time referred to as ‘intercalation’. This might enable you to resolve the difficulties which are affecting your studies, whether medical, personal or financial. Occasionally intercalation is also used to enable you to undertake some form of work experience not forming part of the programme of study. Again you should discuss this option with your personal supervisor, but if you do decide intercalation is appropriate you must put your request in writing to the Head of Department (Note: You must use form SAS-I, available on the Student Portal under the Students and Teaching tab), indicating the length of time requested, the reasons, and the last date you wish to attend the programme. You will be required to provide suitable supporting evidence - e.g. medical evidence. Provided the request is for no more than one year the Head of Department will be able to approve the request. Requests of more than a year, or extensions of existing intercalations, require the approval of the Student Progress Committee. You should also be aware that each stage of the programme must be completed within 3 years, including any period of intercalation. The University also has the power to require a student to intercalate where a student is considered unfit to study by reason of posing a risk to him/herself or another, but only provided that a defined procedure has Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 27 been followed. For more information http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studentadministrativeservice/studenthandbook.aspx. see: Repeating a Semester or a Whole Year In very special circumstances it may be appropriate to repeat a complete semester (including the teaching and assessment periods) or a complete year. The effect of this is that any (and all) credits gained during the period being repeated cannot be counted towards the programme of study in question (and they will not appear on your official transcript). Again you should seek the advice of your supervisor and ensure that you obtain any documentation appropriate to support the request, including medical certificates if appropriate. Requests should then be made in writing to the Head of Department. The formal approval of the Student Progress Committee will be required and you will be written to once a decision has been made. Normally the Senior Tutor will wish to interview you. You must note that a repeat period will only be approved where you can clearly establish either medical circumstances or exceptional personal circumstances or, in some cases, disability related concerns which have been so serious that they have had a significant effect on your ability to undertake your studies, and that they have lasted for a large part of the year. Requests to repeat will not be accepted in cases where a student has simply performed poorly and wants ‘a second chance’. In all cases, you must submit a medical certificate or information from a reliable and verifiable source other than yourself. Again you should also be aware that each stage of the programme must be completed within 3 years, including any period of intercalation. The above rules also apply to any request to reapply for the same programme of study. Mitigating Circumstances When you undertake an examination or other form of assessment, this may be done while experiencing the effect of circumstances which might affect your performance. Boards of Examiners are empowered to take such circumstances into account if they consider that the circumstances have had a significant effect when determining your module marks or your overall degree classification. However, it is your responsibility to make the department aware of such circumstances before the relevant Board of Examiners meets. Appeals are very rarely allowed where evidence is raised after such a meeting when it was available before. The University refers to this as "mitigating" (sometimes known as "extenuating") circumstances, and has established a procedure to enable you to inform departments of such circumstances. You must use the same form as for absence with good cause (available from your department and via the student portal). In all cases you must submit evidence to support your application, such as a medical certificate or information from a source other than yourself which will enable the University to confirm the circumstances you are claiming. Applications must be submitted within 7 days of the examination or assessment deadline. Applications after that date will be referred to the Student Progress Committee to determine whether they may be considered in the light of the lateness of the application. In the Department of Geography, the form must be submitted to the Department’s Student Progress Officer (Dr Jane Reed) and you should make an appointment to discuss your case with her as soon as possible after a difficulty has arisen. Mitigating circumstances are considered in confidence by the Mitigating Circumstances Committee in the Department of Geography, at the end of each semester, according to the evidence submitted. If the committee deems that your performance in an assessment or examination was adversely affected by your circumstances, it may offer you a fresh attempt at that element or in exceptional circumstances raise your module mark to a pass mark. Absence from Examinations and Coursework Extensions for ‘Good Cause’ If you are likely to be unable to sit an examination or submit a piece of work by the stated deadline it is possible to obtain permission to withdraw from the examination or be granted an extension - this is called ‘absence’ or ‘extension’ with ‘good cause’. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 28 You may apply for absence with good cause from an examination, or for an extension for a piece of coursework (of any kind), provided this is done no later than 7 days after the examination or deadline for the coursework. Permission will only be given where you can establish that you have ‘good cause’ according to the criteria approved by the University Student Progress Committee. Good Cause is defined by University regulations as only: medical circumstances occurring at the time of the examination (provided they are supported by a medical certificate issued by a qualified medical practitioner or a qualified counsellor or by the Departmental Self Certification Scheme) bereavement of family or close friend (including attendance at funeral) (a letter from an appropriate person confirming the details should be provided – a copy of the death certificate is not required) being unable to get to the examination because of the failure of properly made travel arrangements beyond your control (corroborating evidence will be required). (Your car breaking down on the way to the examination will be accepted; not arranging a flight which will arrive in good time will not). Note that computer failure does not constitute ‘Good Cause’ and the Department of Geography does not accept e-mail submissions of assessed work). However, assessments can exceptionally be posted directly to the Departmental Office and, provided that recorded delivery is used, the Department will accept the date of postage as the date of submission. The following do not constitute good cause: Getting the time/date of the examination wrong Being unable to get to the examination at the right time where this was not beyond your control (remember that you will not be admitted to an examination later than 30 minutes after the scheduled start) Commitments caused by family/friends (e.g. a family wedding or holiday) Work commitments (paid or otherwise) – you are reminded that it is your responsibility to be available during all of the teaching and assessment periods, including the autumn reassessment period. These criteria are printed on the application form guidance. You need to attach your supporting evidence to the form and submit it to the Departmental Office no later than 7 days after the examination or coursework deadline. The application is considered by the Department’s Student Progress Officer (Dr Jane Reed) in consultation with the Department’s Exams Officer (Dr Barbara Rumsby) on behalf of the Board of Examiners. Where an application is refused you will be awarded zero for the ‘event’ in question (i.e. examination or piece of coursework). The Module Board will then determine the overall mark for the module, taking into account any other assessment events. If you submit your application after the 7 day deadline, the Department will refer your case to the University Student Progress Committee. The University recognises that there will be exceptional cases where it is entirely impossible to submit within the deadline, but such cases should be very rare, and you should not regard the deadline as meaningless. If you submit after the deadline you run the risk that your application will be rejected for that reason. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 29 Academic Discipline Proof Reading Services Proof reading services are available to students in a variety of forms, from informal proof reading by friends or family, to professional services commanding the payment of a fee by the student. The University does not allow the promotion of proof reading services on its campuses where the services offered is such that the person providing the service expects to, as a direct result of the amendments made and with no additional input from the student, improve the academic quality of the work and by extension, the mark awarded to the student. Such a service would be considered to amount to the use of unfair means by the student concerned. Regulations on the Use of Unfair Means would apply in all such cases. This approach has the support of the Hull University Union. The University and Hull University Union are supportive of advisory services, part of whose role is to require the engagement of the student in the process of learning how to proof-read their own work, with a view to the improvement of their academic practice. Such services make no amendment in respect of academic content, and require the students to finalise the text that will be submitted for assessment. The University provides such services to its students through the Study Advice Service, which is located in the Brynmor Jones Library (Hull campus) and in the College House (Scarborough campus) and which provides resources online at www.hull.ac.uk/studyadvice, including a study guide for students on how to do their own proof-reading: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studyadvice/studyskillsresources/studyguides.aspx. Resit Not Permitted If you do not comply with the attendance or submission requirements for a module the Module Board of Examiners is entitled to refuse you permission to be reassessed if you fail the module at the first attempt. This means that you do not get the credits for the module and as a result may not be able to progress further with your programme of study, or may be transferred to the Ordinary Degree. ‘First’ Warnings This is the generic title given to warnings which may be issued at Departmental - or sometimes Faculty level and will be issued if you fail to comply with the attendance and submission requirements of your programme without good reason. In the Department of Geography, if you miss two elements in a given semester (across all modules), you will be called for interview by your Supervisor to account for your absences. If you miss more than two elements, you will be summoned by the Student Progress Officer (Dr Jane Reed) to account for your absences. You will also be issued with a Departmental (or ‘first’) Warning, which goes into your personal file as a permanent record and can be referred to by the Board of Examiners by denying you a resit in future. University Warnings, Exclusion from Assessment and Termination Failing to improve your academic conduct after receiving a ‘first’ warning may result in the Department requesting a University Warning from the relevant Senior Tutor. This is part of a scale of penalties which may lead to you being excluded from assessment or having your programme terminated. Further details are provided in the online handbook at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studentadministrativeservice/studenthandbook.aspx. Academic Appeals The University has a detailed set of regulations governing your right of appeal against academic decisions these can be accessed at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/academic/academicappeals.aspx along with a copy of the appeal form. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 30 It is important to be aware that you cannot appeal simply because you disagree with a decision of your department - for example to award 55 for a piece of work. You must be able to show that there has been some defect in the process by which that decision was made, such as not following procedures, bias or prejudice on the part of the examiner, or failure to consider relevant factors (such as mitigating circumstances). Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of you receiving notification of the decision against which you wish to appeal. Finalists are reminded that you cannot lodge an appeal after graduating, as graduating (or receiving the degree in absentia) constitutes acceptance of the award and any decisions relating to it. Student Progress Committee and The Senior Tutor Student Progress Committee is the University Committee which acts on behalf of Senate in awarding qualifications to undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. It is also responsible for overseeing all matters of student progress, including academic appeals and develops and reviews policies and procedures to enhance the support available to students and to ensure consistency and fairness across all programmes. As indicated in the section on ‘possible problems and solutions’ it deals with a range of matters such as repeat periods, University Warnings and terminations of programme, and is the final arbiter on the application and interpretation of University programmes regulations. The Committee is constituted of a Chair (who is an experienced academic), a Deputy Chair, and eight Senior Tutors (two based at the Scarborough campus). Senior Tutors are allocated a number of departments, not including the one in which they work, and therefore have responsibility for students in those departments when matters of academic progress or academic discipline, of the kind described elsewhere, arise. In particular if you are in dispute with your department over a matter of your academic progress which cannot be resolved with the department you are entitled to approach the Senior Tutor for advice and assistance. The Senior Tutor is independent of your department. Your department will tell you who the Senior Tutor is (and in which department s/he is based but for further details go to http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/academic/studentprogresscommittee/seniortutors.aspx. The Senior Tutor for the Department of Geography is: Dr. C. Greensmith (Modern Languages). Tel : 5162 C.Greensmith@hull.ac.uk General University Regulations Please be aware that as a student you have both rights and obligations in respect of your fellow students, members of staff, and others who come into contact with the University. The University has a set of general regulations governing the conduct of students, as well as specific policies and procedures. These are supported by a Code of Discipline, under which you could be penalised for conduct of a non academic nature (such as possession of drugs or damage to property). You also have rights to freedom of speech, freedom from harassment, and to have your personal information handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act, but you also have obligations to respect other peoples’ right to free speech, freedom from harassment, and protection of their personal information. It is also expected that students will behave in a way which respects the right of their peers to learn and the rights of staff to teach. Further details of the relevant regulations, policies and procedures which affect you as a student are available in the on-line handbook http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 31 Complaints by Students The University has in place detailed regulations governing your right to make a complaint if you have cause for concern about any aspect of the University’s provision to you as a student. These regulations require that your complaint is first made to the Faculty overseeing the department or service which is the subject of your complaint. If it cannot be resolved at that level - formally or informally - you have the right to take the matter to the University Complaints Investigation Officer (CIO). The CIO is an experienced member of staff who will be independent of the department or service about which you are complaining. Full details of the Complaints Regulations can be accessed at: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/regulations/complaints.aspx. Audio and/or Visual Recordings Students are not normally permitted to record lectures, seminars and the like because making your own notes is an important part of the learning process. If a student has a disability and considers that such recording would be a reasonable adjustment, that student should liaise with Disability Services (Tel: 01482 462020, www.hull.ac.uk/disability). Unless recording is a reasonable adjustment, if a student wishes to make a recording, permission to do so must be sought from the person(s) delivering the material to be recorded, which may, in the case of a seminar for example, include fellow students, and if permission is not granted, a recording should not be made. Students should note that the copyright in the content of a recording belongs to the speaker and may not be reproduced without their consent. A student making a recording may use it for personal study only and may not reproduce or distribute it to others without the express consent of those recorded. Unauthorised recording or reproduction may lead to disciplinary action. Registration and the Payment of Tuition Fees You are required to register annually and pay, or make appropriate arrangements for the payment of, your tuition fees with Student Financial Services. You will be advised by your department of when to register. Registration information will be on your registration document, but you must note that you will not be allowed to register if you are in debt to the University. Information about tuition fees is available from Student Financial Services. If you encounter any difficulties in paying your fees you must consult Student Financial Services without delay. Failure to register means that you cannot receive tuition, access University facilities, or receive any award, transcript or other official document. (Overseas students may also be in breach of their student visa). Further information about registration can be accessed at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/academic/registration.aspx. The majority of fees due to be paid directly by students will be collected by direct debit. Information about this will be sent to you before the start of the academic year starts and at registration. Advice on the payment of tuition fees can also be obtained from the Students’ Union Advice Centre (01482 466263, email: huu-advice-centre@hull.ac.uk, http://www.hullstudent.com/advice ) or Student Support Services Information Point (01482 462020, studenthelp@hull.ac.uk). Financial Support for Students Limited help is available for students who experience financial difficulty. International students are required to possess sufficient funds both to pay their tuition fees and for day to day living and study before they enter the UK. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 32 Home students may be eligible to apply to the HEFCE Access to Learning Fund if they can demonstrate that taking their income and allowable expenditure over the academic year as a whole they have a deficit. Further information is available at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx plus a copy of the guidelines and application form. Additional support is available for particular categories of students, such as those with child care commitments. If you are experiencing financial difficulties you are encouraged to seek guidance and support from the Students’ Union Advice Centre. Student Employment (full-time students) The University recognises that students come from a diversity of backgrounds with a variety of external and personal/family commitments. It further recognises that studying for an academic qualification will have differing financial pressures depending on individuals’ circumstances and lifestyle expectations. As a responsible education provider, the University would wish to remind students that external work commitments may affect their academic performance. In order to inform the choice about working patterns, students should be mindful that the guidance is that for a 20 credit module the expected overall work load will equate to approximately 200 hours. For a full-time student this would equate to approximately 40 hours per week, including formal contact and private study. Support Services Within the University there are a range of support services which have been developed to assist you in overcoming academic or personal difficulties. These include the Students’ Union Advice Centre, Study Advice Service, Careers and Appointments Service, and the Counselling Service. For further details go the on-line handbook http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/support.aspx. Disability Services offer a wide range of support to meet individual students’ needs and disabled students are strongly encouraged to contact Disability Services (01482 462020) to discuss support available or reasonable adjustments that could be made to meet their needs. For more information see: http://www.hull.ac.uk/disability. International students with immigration queries may find it useful to contact the University’s International Office Immigration Team for assistance: Email: io-immigration@hull.ac.uk, Telephone: 01482 462020, Location: 3rd Floor, University House” Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 33 ANNEXE 1: University of Hull Guidelines for Personal Supervision Introduction These guidelines explain the commitment of the University of Hull to provide undergraduate and postgraduate taught students1 with the support of a personal supervisor or access to equivalent academic and pastoral support. They define a relationship which is based on a partnership between staff and students and therefore set out the minimum obligations of both through which an effective supervisor system can operate. They set out minimum obligations because each academic department is free, and encouraged, to enhance the support provided, which may be achieved, for example, by providing group supervision in addition to personal supervision. The guidelines should be seen as one part of a comprehensive network of support provided by the University which includes a number of specialist support and advice services, covering such matters as careers, disabilities, counselling, study advice and money matters. Some services are provided by the University, others by the Students’ Union. The supervisor provides the vital link to each student’s academic department and programme of study, for example if difficulties begin to affect academic performance and therefore need to be acted upon by the department. All services, however, adhere to appropriate confidentiality safeguards. The guidelines have been approved by the University Student Progress Committee and will be subject to regular review. All academic staff who act as supervisors are expected to be familiar with them. The guidelines – and therefore the commitment to provide a personal supervisor – apply to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students with one exception whether they are undertaking a certificate, diploma or degree on a full or part-time basis on the University campuses or elsewhere, or exchange students or single module students. In certain circumstances it can be expected that modifications may be made for example in terms of accessibility where a student is based other than on the campuses. Being allocated a supervisor The basis of the scheme is that the department responsible for a student’s programme of study is obliged to ensure that a named member of staff is identified as the student’s personal supervisor. In doing this they will make arrangements to ensure that the risk of a conflict of interest is minimised, for example by requiring that a member of staff does not act in a disciplinary role in respect of his/her supervisees. Masters students: your personal supervisor is your programme director: Pauline Deutz for MSc Environmental Technology and Tom Coulthard for MSc GIS and Environmental Modelling. Students returning from intercalation2 or undertaking a repeat period of study: Departments should be aware of the importance of ensuring that students returning from intercalation or repeating a period may need additional support, for example to help them to re-adjust, especially where there has been a significant gap since their previous study. This may take the form of more regular supervision than for other students. Exchange students: students who are studying at the University on an exchange or similar programme from an overseas University are also covered by these guidelines. Each student will be allocated a ‘home’ department, irrespective of the modules they are undertaking, and that department will be responsible for allocating a personal supervisor. Modules taken from outside the Department: Increasingly students will take optional or free elective modules from other departments. Where this is the case these departments are not required to provide a personal supervisor. 1 Students undertaking taught postgraduate programmes should not confuse the role of personal supervisor with the supervision provided by a member of academic staff for the dissertation. Separate procedures apply to that relationship. 2 i.e. where the student has suspended his or her studies for a period of time. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 34 As a student you can expect your department to allocate you a named supervisor, normally during the first week of your programme of study to ensure that if your supervisor is away for more than one week during a semester or four weeks during a vacation another member of staff is clearly identified and available to you to appoint a replacement supervisor if your original supervisor is away for a semester or more (for example because of study leave) or leaves the University to make clear the methods by which information will be made known to you about the supervisor system and how you can expect supervisors to communicate with you to define any specific departmental requirements as to how often you should see your supervisor. As a student you are expected to read any information provided to you about whom your supervisor is and the methods by which the department will communicate with you to comply with any departmental requirements as to how often you should see your supervisor. Changing your supervisor The University recognises that there will be occasions where students feel that the relationship with the supervisor is not ‘working’. In such circumstances it is important that there is an opportunity for a student to request a change of supervisor. However, this should not be done lightly, and should normally occur only after any problems have been aired with the supervisor or another appropriate member of staff. As a student you can expect your department to provide an opportunity to discuss any difficulties you are experiencing in the supervisor relationship either with your supervisor or another member of staff to make known the procedure through which you can request a change of supervisor to take seriously any request for a change and either provide a new supervisor or give clear reasons why a change is not being agreed to. As a student you are expected to Use any opportunity provided to discuss any difficulties either with your supervisor or another member of staff Use the published procedure for requesting a change of supervisor but only in good faith and after the above discussions have taken place. Remember that the University is committed to preventing harassment of any member of the University whether staff or student. This is published in a University Policy available to you through the on-line handbook at www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx. No member of staff will act to a student’s detriment as a result of a request for a change of supervisor. Obtaining advice from your supervisor The effectiveness of the supervisorial system depends on the commitment of both parties, and the recognition that a supervisor has responsibility for a range of matters and students. As a student you can expect your supervisor to inform you as to when and how you can contact your supervisor, whether through making an appointment, ‘open access hours’, e-mail, telephone etc. to respond to any request for an appointment/advice and be available as promised to advise of specific times when s/he requires you to attend a meeting whether on a one-to-one basis or as part of a group. As a student you are expected to Use the published methods for contacting your supervisor (e.g. making an appointment where required or only using published ‘open access hours’) Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 35 Attend any meeting of which you are (reasonably) required to attend by your supervisor, or notify your supervisor of your inability to attend and the reason for that, and arrange a new time to meet. Advice and Guidance available The following section explains the kind of advice/guidance which students can expect to receive from their supervisors. However, the University – centrally and through each department – aims to provide comprehensive and user-friendly information about University regulations, academic progress and support services so that it should not be necessary to contact your supervisor to answer ‘basic’ questions. Supervisors will be able to devote much more time to more difficult issues if they are not constantly answering questions which could be answered through other information readily available within the University. As a student you can expect your supervisor To provide you with guidance on your academic progress on your programme of study, including explaining the implications of marks awarded and on possible courses of action in the light of those marks To provide a ‘first line’ point of support and guidance on pastoral matters. This may include advising on your rights and obligations or referring you to the most appropriate specialist support services (e.g. Counselling, Careers, Study Advice Services, Disability Tutor or Disability Services, Students’ Union Advice Centre, Student Loans and Hardship Office, Mature Students Advisor). As a student you are expected To be aware of other sources of information and to utilise these to answer ‘straightforward’ questions before approaching your personal supervisor – especially through the departmental/programme handbook and University on-line student handbook – www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx and www.hull.ac.uk/student-support To inform your supervisor of any difficulties you may be experiencing which might affect your studies, (including any periods of absence from the University) even if you do not require specific help from your supervisor, for example because you have approached a support service directly for help To comply with the procedures within the department for notifying absences from compulsory classes, absences from the University and use the University’s procedures for notifying mitigating circumstances, applying for absence from examinations, or for coursework extensions. The Role of Disability Tutors Each academic department is required to appoint a member of staff as a Disability Tutor to carry out the following role: Providing a point of liaison between Disability Services staff and academic staff Making academic staff aware of individual student’s academic support requirements Monitoring the implementation of those requirements Providing advice to individual students relating to curriculum accessibility (e.g. field trips, placements), assisting in the arrangement of adaptations, and referring students to specialist support services where appropriate Monitoring the implementation of Disability policy within the department, including raising awareness and advising colleagues. As a student you can expect your department To appoint a Disability Tutor, and provide him/her with the support and facilities to undertake the specified role To advertise the name of the Disability Tutor and how to contact him/her Ensure that all staff in the department are aware of the identity of the Disability Tutor, and the nature of his/her role. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 36 As a student you are expected To consider whether you would benefit from consultation with the Disability Tutor and to comply with any advertised means for contacting him/her, e.g. using published office hours To make known to your supervisor if you have any difficulties in contacting the Disability Tutor. Record-keeping and confidentiality Supervisors are not required to keep detailed records as a matter of course but it is important that a basic record is maintained and that this is handed on to any other colleague who takes over supervision for an individual student. (Disability Tutors are required to keep more detailed records). As a student you can expect your supervisor To maintain a basic record of meetings held with you including the date and a note of the nature of the meeting and any advice given To respect the confidentiality of matters discussed with you, subject to any overriding duty of disclosure. As a student you are expected To recognise that there may be circumstances in which information must be disclosed and to discuss with your supervisor any issues or concerns relating to confidentiality. Personal Development Planning The University has a system of Personal Development Planning (PDP) for all students. Each academic department will have its own scheme, within overall University structures. As part of the PDP scheme, each student will have access to a member of staff within the department responsible for PDP. The person responsible for PDP may be the student’s personal supervisor. As a student you can expect your supervisor To give you basic guidance on PDP in general, and how it is implemented in the department. To either act as your contact for PDP, or to supply you with details of who in the department that contact person is. As a student you are expected To make yourself aware of the PDP scheme running in your department, and to avail yourself of the opportunities that it presents if you feel that it would be of benefit to you. References The personal supervisor is likely to be someone whom a student approaches for a reference either part way through a programme, towards the end, or even after programme has ended. There is no automatic obligation for a supervisor to provide a reference, but refusal should be exceptional. A supervisor might legitimately refuse to provide a reference for example where a supervisee has failed to comply with departmental requirements to attend meetings with the supervisor. As a student you can expect your supervisor To provide a fair and honest assessment of you/your work according to the criteria specified for the reference (if specified). This does not mean that the supervisor is not permitted to include anything which may be negative about you, but the supervisor should normally discuss any such matters before writing the reference. This does not mean that the content of the reference will be ‘negotiated’ with you. It is for the supervisor to decide – in his/her judgement – what should be included To discuss with you if s/he feels unable to provide the reference for any reason and in such a case to suggest another person who might provide the reference To obtain information, where practicable, from colleagues who have known/taught you to get a broader picture of you Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 37 To advise you whether the reference will be provided on a confidential or open basis (such as providing you with a copy). As a student you are expected To contact your supervisor to request the reference – never put somebody down as a referee without seeking their permission first To provide your supervisor with sufficient information about the purpose for which the reference is required to enable him/her to judge what is appropriate; this should include details of the post/course for which you are applying if possible To provide your supervisor with a full and current CV (approach the University Careers Service if you need help with this) and discuss, or highlight, any particular skills, attributes or achievements which you believe are particularly relevant and of which the supervisor should be aware To ensure that you give the supervisor reasonable notice of the need for the reference so that s/he has time to complete it. Make clear any deadlines which apply. Access to the Senior Tutor The University Student Progress Committee is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to the academic progress of undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, as well as approving the award of qualifications and administering the system of academic appeals. The Committee is comprised of Senior Tutors - experienced members of academic staff who each have responsibility for students in a number of departments other than the one in which they teach. Students have ultimate right of access to the Senior Tutor responsible for the department in which the student is studying, for example where the student is in dispute with that department. However, Senior Tutors also provide a support role both for students and supervisors by providing advice on regulations and procedures in unusual or complex cases. They do not act as a kind of second personal supervisor and therefore do not provide the kind of advice listed under the section ‘advice and guidance available’. Specifically Senior Tutors will be involved in the following types of case and may wish to interview you to obtain appropriate information and ensure that you understand the issues raised in the situation in question: Extensions of intercalations Repeat years University Warnings (Senior Tutors are responsible for deciding whether to issue a student with a University Warning, in cases where departmental warnings have not been complied with) Extensions for ‘final stage’ dissertations beyond 12 months (postgraduate taught masters students only) Exclusions from assessment/termination of programme of study ‘Special cases’ (defined as those falling outside programme or University regulations). Such matters are formally decided by the Student Progress Committee on the recommendation of the Senior Tutor and once a decision is made you will be informed in writing. All of these matters are explained in the University on-line student handbook – www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook.aspx. As a student you can expect your supervisor To advise you of matters which require the approval of the University Student Progress Committee and where the Senior Tutor will need to be involved To advise you of whom the relevant Senior Tutor is and how to contact him/her To advise you of the relevant procedure which needs to be followed in a given case. As a student you are expected To use the information provided in departmental and University handbooks To raise issues of dispute or potential dispute with your supervisor before seeking to involve the Senior Tutor to see if they can be resolved satisfactorily Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 38 To contact any sponsor or funding body (whether LEA or other) where you are proposing a course of action which may affect your funding status (such as a request to repeat the year or transfer to another course) To not expect your supervisor to give decisions or assurances on matters which can only be decided by the University Student Progress Committee. Feedback These Guidelines have been revised by the Student Progress Committee after extensive consultation with academic departments, support services and the Students’ Union. Constructive feedback is welcome at any time either through your supervisor, Staff/Student Committee or the Committee via its Secretary (write to Student Administrative Services or e-mail: student-admin@hull.ac.uk). Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 39 ANNEXE 2: Geography Referencing Guidelines for the Department of Introduction: the golden rules of referencing Be consistent – use only the guidelines provided by your department and stick to them for all your work, unless a lecturer tells you otherwise. For Joint, With and Combined students, and students undertaking a Free Elective, you will normally be expected to follow the referencing guidance from the department that is running the module. If you are unsure about this, you should ask the module leader. Follow the detail in these guidelines absolutely, for example punctuation, capitals, italics and underlining. If you do not do this, you may lose marks for your work. Referencing is all about attention to detail! If the source of information you are referencing does not fit any of the examples in your referencing guidelines (see below), choose the nearest example and include enough information for your reader to find and check that source, in a format as close to the example as possible. For further guidance on these types of references, see “Frequently Asked Questions” section (below). Gather all the details you need for your references whilst you have the sources of information in your possession. If you forget to do this and cannot find the sources of information again (they may have been borrowed from the Library, for example, by another reader), you cannot legitimately use them in your essay. If you do so without referencing them, you could be accused of plagiarism. Keep the referencing details you have gathered in a safe place. You can use small index cards for this or an electronic database such as the EndNote RefWorks program, so that you can sort your references into the order laid down in your guidelines – usually alphabetical by author’s surname. What referencing is Referencing is acknowledging the sources of information (originated by another person) that you have used to help you write your essay, report or other piece of work. In your academic work, you should use the existing knowledge of others to back up and provide evidence for your arguments. The sources of information you use may include books, journal articles (paper or electronic), newspapers, government publications, videos, websites, computer programmes, interviews and many more. Why you must reference your sources of information There are several reasons why you must reference your work, including: As courtesy to the originator of the material, whose ideas you are using. To provide evidence of the depth and breadth of your reading. To enable your reader to find and read in more detail the source of your information. To allow your lecturer/marker to check that what you claim is true, or to understand why you have made a particular mistake, and teach you how to avoid it in future. To enable you to find the source of information if you need to use it again. To demonstrate proper professional practice, as required by our marking criteria. To avoid accusations of plagiarism (such as copying without referencing) and its heavy penalties (see Annexe 7). What plagiarism is In its Regulations Governing the Use of Unfair Means (http://www2.hull.ac.uk/student/studenthandbook/academic/unfairmeans.aspx), the University of Hull defines plagiarism as follows: Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 40 What is plagiarism? It is work which purports to be a candidate’s own but which is taken without acknowledgement from the published or unpublished work of others. Such unattributed taking is plagiarism whether from articles, books, computer programs, data, essays, papers, reports, or any other material originated by another person, whether obtained from written, printed or electronic sources, including via the Internet, the World Wide Web (WWW) or any other computer-based or networked system. It is plagiarism whether the medium is literary (essays and reports), graphical (designs, diagrams, graphics), electronic (computer programs) or mathematical (proofs). Intention to commit the offence is not relevant to the finding of guilt, but may be relevant to the penalty imposed. (University of Hull, 2008) The same Regulations lay down severe penalties for committing plagiarism, which is regarded as a serious offence. When you must use a reference in your work You must use a reference whenever you: Use a direct quotation from a source of information. Paraphrase (put into your own words) someone else’s ideas that you have read or heard. This is an alternative to using a direct quotation. Use statistics or other pieces of specific information, which are drawn from a recognisable source. In the text of your work, you must reference your sources of information in an abbreviated (short) format, which signposts your reader to the full details of the sources in your Reference List (see below). But you should not use full references in the middle of your work because they are bulky, because they break up the flow of your writing and because they are included in your word count. Instead, we use short references or ‘citations’ and put the full details only in the Reference List at the end (see below). How to use quotations in the text of your work Quoting the exact words used by other writers is a good way to show opinions and conflicting interpretations of a critical point in an academic argument, but only if you use good sources, such as a textbook, an academic journal or a government report. Sometimes, we use quotations because they are very elegant (and concise) ways to say something. However, you mainly get credit for your own words in essays, so make sure that you can analyse and discuss theories in your own words as well. This means that you should not overuse quotations, because essays that rely too much on quotation often make markers wonder if the student really understands what the quotations mean. So you need to make sure that you demonstrate your understanding, using quotations sparingly, for example as primary source material or as evidence to support your own arguments. They should also be fairly brief, so that there is room in your work for plenty of your own arguments, not just those of others. Some points to note are: Copy the words and punctuation of the original, exactly, except when you wish to omit some words from the quotation. In this case, use three dots … to indicate where the missing words were in the original. If the original has an error, quote it as written but add [sic] in square brackets to tell your reader that you know it is an error but that this is what the original says. Make minor amendments to grammar if necessary, so that your writing and the quotation flow naturally. Put your amendments in square brackets, for example: “In his autobiography, Churchill says that [he] was born at an early age…” The original says “I was born at an early age…” If the quotation is a line long or less, incorporate it into your own paragraph and put quotation marks around it. Very long quotations (i.e. 3 lines or more) should be put in a separate paragraph and indented. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 41 Referencing in the text of your work In the text of your work you are expected to reference your sources of information in an abbreviated (short) format, which signposts your reader to the full details of the sources in your list of references/bibliography at the end of your work (see below). You do not use full references in the middle of your work because they are bulky; they break up the flow of your writing; and they are included in your word count. In the Department of Geography, we use the Harvard system of referencing, which is easy to use with a little practice. You simply include a short reference (a citation) in the relevant paragraph of your essay that gives the source in this format: (Author surname, Year of publication). If you are using a direct quotation, you must add the page number, in this format: (Author surname, Year of publication, page number). Quotations in the text of your work All direct quotations must also be clearly identified using quotation marks. So a correct reference (citation) in a paragraph of your essay would look like this: Harvey (1989: page 9) has argued that “the only agreed point of departure for the study of the post-modern is in its purported relation to the modern.” Paraphrasing in the text of your work It is often better not to use a direct quotation (especially if it is long-winded), but to paraphrase an idea from what you have read. This must still be referenced in the same format, but you do not need to give a page number. For example, you might paraphrase the same quotation from Harvey in your essay to capture the idea more briefly, but still reference it correctly like this: It is clear that we can only begin to analyse post-modernity by relating it to modernity (Harvey 1989). The same applies to empirical examples, statistics, key facts and so on: summarise the idea or result in your own words and then reference it in the text to show where you got it from. Using indirect (secondhand) quotations in the text of your work Most of the time, you are quoting the writer that you have read - this is a primary or firsthand source. However, sometimes you read a book that quotes another book that you have not read, but you would like to use the same quotation - this is a secondhand use of quotation. You should ideally try to read the original book, but sometimes that may not be available to you. In such cases, if you still want to use the quotation, you should reference both the original author but also the source that quoted it. Here is an example: Arthur Young, observing the Cambridgeshire landscape in the late 18th century, commented on “a coincidence between the state of cultivation within sight of the venerable spires of Cambridge and the utter neglect of agriculture in the establishment of that University” (Young 1791, quoted in Williams 1973: page 7). This shows that you have read Williams but you have not read Young’s original book. In this case, you would put the full details of Williams in your Reference List. Referencing at the end of your work in a Reference List The references at the end of your work must give the full details of all sources of information that you mentioned (cited) in the text of your work. All your written work (except exams) should have a single Reference List (sometimes called a Bibliography) at the end, as well as citations in the text itself. These show the reader (especially the marker) where your ideas have come from, how widely you have read and that you understand professional practices of referencing in academic work and enable the reader to find and check your sources of information, if they wish to. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 42 Put your Reference List in alphabetical order by author surname. Do not split it up by type of reference. Below are details of how to reference properly. Students often get into bad habits of referencing, but it is really pretty easy once you have learnt the basics, and it should become automatic after a while, providing that you learn how to do it properly to start with. Books These are the easiest to get right, using this form: Author surname(s), Author first name(s) or initial(s). Year of Publication. Book Title. Publisher of book, Place of publication. Put in bold/italics/underlining the Book Title only. Articles in journals/periodicals These are a bit trickier, but the principles are just the same: Author surname(s), Author first name(s) or initial(s). Year of Publication. Article title. Journal Title. Volume number (and issue number if there is one), first page number - last page number. Put in bold/italics/underlining the Journal Title, but not the Article title. If the author is not a person but an organisation, such as Defra, the World Bank or Tesco, then use this instead of the Author surname. The rest of the reference is just the same. Chapters in edited books These often confuse students. There is a difference between the editor(s) of the book as a whole and the author(s) who wrote the chapter that you read and the words/ideas that you are using in your essay. You must reference the person who wrote the chapter that you have used, not the editor of the whole the book, to give credit to the right person (unless you really do want to refer to the whole book, but this is rare). The entry in the Reference List should be in this form: Author surname(s), Author first name(s) or initial(s). Year of publication. Chapter title. In Book title. Edited by Editor name(s). Publisher. Place of publication. Chapter first page number - Chapter last page number. As with books, you should put in bold/italics/underlining the Book Title, not the Chapter title. Material from the internet Internet sites must be used with great care. Anyone can set up a website and post material without the formal checking and refereeing that takes place for academic journals and books, so the facts and opinions on websites may be misleading, incomplete or completely wrong. Always check the source of the material and where the web site originates. Is it an official site for a government agency? Probably trustworthy. Is it a generic name with no information about who owns it, what kind of organisation they are and who funds them? Probably best avoided. There are two sorts of material on the internet: (1) material that is available also offline, such as articles in journals/periodicals and government reports. If a document that you read online is also available offline, then you should reference it as though it were on paper, using the same basic format as for journals and books. If you are unsure whether a document has been published, look for an ISBN or ISSN number on it, because this tells you that it has been officially published and stored in the British Library. (2) material that is only available online, such as webpages posted by organisations or individuals and regularly updated. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 43 This can be trickier to reference because with some webpages it is not clear who the author is or when the material was published. If you can find a publication date on an online document, use this in both your essay text and your Reference List. If not, then use the date that you accessed it, because a webpage may change later. Just as when referencing offline books and articles, if the author is not a person but an organisation, such as Defra, the World Bank or Tesco, use this instead of the Author surname. The rest of the reference for any internet material is the same as for paper publications: Author surname(s), Author first name(s) or initial(s). Year of publication or access. Title of webpage or online document. http://www.... (web address in full). Date accessed by you. Figures, graphs, maps, diagrams, photographs and other illustrations In your work, you can use figures that you have produced yourself, or modified from an original, or directly copied from an original. They may be hand drawn, photocopied, or scanned. When you use figures which you have copied or modified from someone else’s work, you must reference the original material just as you would a quotation, but this time put the reference in the figure caption, rather than the text of your work. Take particular care to fully acknowledge sources of illustrations that have been downloaded from the web. If the map or diagram is based upon your original work, the source should be stated as ‘Personal Fieldwork’, ‘Field Class on 10 March 2007’, or similar. If you have taken the photographs yourself, you should normally labelled them ‘photographs taken by the author’. Diagrams and illustrations should be given a figure number and caption. Numbers should run consecutively in the order in which figures are cited in the text. When using scanned images, always check the print quality is good and the size is appropriate to the amount of detail being shown - they often look fine on your computer screen, but are unreadable when printed. Other material Sometimes, you will have to reference unusual sources, such as reports or TV programmes. But the principles are just the same: try to find out the Author’s name, the date the material was produced (or broadcast) and give the full title and any publication details (usually available on the cases of DVDs or CDs, for example). If you are referencing interviews or conversations you have had with other people, as part of a research project with local council officials, for example, you can usually explain this in the text of your work and then mark any quotations or paraphrasing in this way at the end of the sentence: (from interview/personal communication with Name, Date). Examples Type of Format of reference reference Book Author surname(s), name(s) or initial(s). How it looks in a Reference List Author Year of Publication. first Latour, Bruno, 1999. Pandora’s Hope. Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA. Book Title. Publisher, Place of publication. Article in Author surname(s), journal/peri name(s) or initial(s). odical Year of Publication. Author first Holloway, L. and Kneafsey, M., 2000. Reading the space of the farmers’ market: a preliminary investigation from the UK. Sociologia Ruralis 40, 3, Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 44 Article title. 285-299. Journal Title. Volume number (and issue number if there is one), first page number - last page number. Chapter in Author surname(s), edited book name(s) or initial(s). Author Year of publication. Chapter title. In Book title. first Morris, C. and Young, C., 2004. New geographies of agro-food chains: an analysis of UK quality assurance schemes. In: Geographies of Commodity Chains. Edited by Alex Hughes and Suzanne Reimer. Routledge, London, pages 83-101. Edited by Editor name(s). Publisher, Place of publication. Chapter first page number - Chapter last page number. Report Author surname(s), name(s) or initial(s). Author first Defra, 2006. Compendium of Organic Standards. Defra, London. Year of publication. Report title. Publisher, Place of publication. Webpage Author surname(s), name(s) or initial(s). Author first Food Standards Agency, 2006. Assured Food Standards – Red Tractor. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/la Year of publication or access. bellingterms/redtractor/ (accessed 4 Title of webpage or online document. January 2006). http://www.... (web address in full). Date accessed by you. What to include in your Reference List Your Reference List should not include books that you have not read and should not include books that you have not cited in the text. If what you have read is useful, then it should be cited in the text anyway. If it was not useful, then it should not be listed in the Reference List at all. Note that you should use a single list of all cited references for all your work – do not compile two or more separate lists, this is not what the Department of Geography asks for. Putting it all together To show you how it looks when you put it all together, here is a worked example including various types of references and the appropriate Reference List: Essay extract: Research has examined ways to promote shorter supply chains and food assurance schemes to reconnect producers to consumers through information (e.g. Morris and Young, 2004; Holloway and Kneafsey, 2000). Both seek to build consumer trust and confidence in food and thus to change consumer behaviour in favour of smaller scale, less damaging production systems, and also to foster a wider ‘ethics of care’ (Barnett et al., 2005). Campaigning groups and government bodies also share this academic agenda (Food Standards Agency, 2006; Policy Commission on the Future Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 45 of Farming and Food, 2002). Reference list for this extract: Barnett, C., Cloke, P., Clarke, N. and Malpass, A. 2005. Consuming ethics: articulating the subjects and spaces of ethical consumption. Antipode 37, 1, 23-45. Food Standards Agency, 2006. Assured Food Standards – Red Tractor. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/labellingterms/redtractor/ (accessed 4 January 2006). Holloway, L. and Kneafsey, M., 2000. Reading the space of the farmers’ market: a preliminary investigation from the UK. Sociologia Ruralis 40, 3, 285-299. Morris, C. and Young, C., 2004. New geographies of agro-food chains: an analysis of UK quality assurance schemes. In Geographies of Commodity Chains. Edited by Alex Hughes and Suzanne Reimer. Routledge, London, pages 83-101. Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, 2002. Farming and food: a sustainable future. www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/farming (accessed 1 June 2006). If you are still not sure, look at the papers in any recent issue of a top-ranking international journal, such as the Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, Earth Surface Processes & Landforms, or the Environment and Planning series. They all have online ‘Instructions to Authors’ of some kind which explain how to reference. The books and journal articles that you read for your course will also be correctly referenced, so you can learn from them also. And you can of course ask your supervisor for help. Some Do’s and Don’t’s when referencing: Don’t forget to include the year in the reference in the text of your work. Don’t forget to give the page number for a quotation in the text of your work. Don’t put first names and/or initials in the reference in the text of your work Do check that you have put all the relevant information in your Reference List, especially publisher and place of publication. Do put the Reference List in alphabetical order, by author surname – not in any other type of order. Don’t separate the Reference List by type of source (it should always be in alphabetical order, by author surname). Don’t use bullet points (or other fancy formatting) in the Reference List. Do check that the author surnames in the text of your work (the citations) match those in your Reference List. Frequently asked questions 1. What if there is more than one author? Often there is more than one author for a reference. Generally, if there are two authors, use both in the text of your work, like (Holloway and Kneafsey 2000) in the example above. If there are three or more authors, use et al. as a short way of listing them in your text, like (Barnett et al., 2005) in the example above. In the Reference List, however, you must list all the authors. Again, the example above is correct in doing this. 2. What if there is more than reference written by the same author(s) in the same year? Sometimes, you may want to reference several papers written by the same author(s) in the same year. To make sure you do not mix them up, mark the different papers as (Smith 2005a) or (Smith 2005b) in the essay text and use 2005a or 2005b again as part of the Reference List. This shows the reader exactly which paper you are referring to at each point in your essay. 3. What about sources of information with no acknowledged author? Look hard to find an author, especially on the inside cover of printed material, as the author is often given with the copyright information. For webpages, look at the very bottom of the front page or click Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 46 ‘About Us’ or ‘Contact’ to look for the author. For newspaper articles, if the name of the journalist who wrote the article is listed, use that, but if there is no name, just use the name of the newspaper, e.g. The Times, as the Author name. 4. How do I reference a quotation by an author, which I found as a quotation in a book written by someone else? See ‘Using indirect (secondhand) quotations in the text of your work’ above (page 42). 5. What do I do if the source of information has no date? Again, look hard to find a date of publication, especially on the inside cover of printed material, as the year of publication is often given with the copyright information. For printed material, if there is no date anywhere that you can see, then list it as ‘No Date’ or ‘Undated’. For webpages, look at the very bottom of the front page to see when the material was last updated and use that date. For more help For individual help with referencing, you can contact the Study Advice Service by email (studyadvice@hull.ac.uk) or Make an appointment online, in Hull or Scarborough, by using the MyAdmin portal: https://myadmin.hull.ac.uk The Study Advice Services website has a comprehensive leaflet section on referencing, available at www.hull.ac.uk/studyadvice. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 47 ANNEXE 3: The Mitigating Circumstances Form See Following pages for an example of the Mitigating Circumstances form. This is available from the Geography Department office. PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDENT PROGRESS OFFICER, Dr JANE REED, IF THE EXTENSION IS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR DISSERTATION, AND YOU THINK YOU MAY REQUIRE MORE THAN A ONE WEEK EXTENSION. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 48 SAS - M This form must be returned to your academic department MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES FORM This form must be used by students who wish to inform the University of mitigating circumstances which they feel may have affected their performance in assessments or led to them being absent from an examination, or to request an extension to an assessment deadline. Before completing the form, please ensure that you read in full the notes at the back. This form is available to students, and should be completed by the student, or on their behalf with their knowledge and agreement. Section 1 – Student Details – to be completed in all cases Your Full Name ________________________________________________ Registration Number __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Full Title of Programme of Study ________________________________________________ (e.g. LLB Law with German) Faculty _____________________ Department ______________________ Location of Study Hull Current Year of Study Scarborough __ of __ Full time Other Part time Section 2 – Details of assessments affected (see notes for explanation of codes) Module title Module code Date of exam or Coursework Deadline ____________________ __ __ __ __ __ ___/___/______ ____________________ __ __ __ __ __ ___/___/______ ____________________ __ __ __ __ __ ___/___/______ ____________________ __ __ __ __ __ ___/___/______ ____________________ __ __ __ __ __ ___/___/______ ____________________ __ __ __ __ __ ___/___/______ Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 Type of Request (Tick box) MC AGC EXT page 49 Section 3 – Information regarding circumstances Provide details of the circumstances that you claim have affected your assessments. Explain clearly what the problems have been, and how they have affected you. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary, and attach securely to this form. You must also securely attach as much supporting evidence as possible. For claims based on medical circumstances, you must provide evidence of the medical problem, issued by a relevant medical practitioner (GP, nurse, counsellor, etc). Section 4 – Declaration I declare that I have read and understood the notes attached to this form before completing, and that the information provided on, and with this form is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that to seek to gain an advantage or benefit (such as a new exam attempt, or coursework extension) through providing false or misleading information is liable to action being taken against me under the Code of Practice on the Use of Unfair Means. Student signature ______________________ Date ____________ Section 5 – Academic Department Use Only Date received in Department ________________ ____________________ by Action taken by Department Forward to the Secretary of SPC only if received more than 7 days after the assessment in question or in cases that prove difficult to resolve and advice is sought. Please attach to form SAS-S, as a “Special Request”. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 50 NOTES General Notes for Students This form must be used to notify the University when you have suffered problems which have affected your ability to perform to your normal standard in assessments. These problems may be medical or exceptional personal circumstances. Section 1 – student information This must be completed in full, in all cases Section 2 – details of assessments affected You must clearly state each assessment that you believe has been affected by the mitigating circumstances. Each assessment may be the subject of one of the following claims: MC – Mitigating Circumstances Use MC where an assessment was taken, but you do not feel that you performed to your true ability, because your performance was impaired by mitigating circumstances. Examples are: you took an exam whilst ill, or completed coursework whilst experiencing exceptional personal problems. AGC – Absence with Good Cause Use AGC where you failed to take an examination at all, due to the mitigating circumstances. EXT – Extension of Coursework Use EXT where your ability to complete coursework has been hampered by your mitigating circumstances, and you require an extension to the deadline for completion. Section 3 – information regarding circumstances Use this space, and any further sheets, to describe fully the circumstances that have affected you, and the effect on your ability to perform in your assessments. You should put as much detail as possible, to ensure that a decision is reached on full information. You must also securely attach to the form as much supporting documentation as possible, to back up your claim. If you do not supply evidence of the problems, it is likely that your application will be refused. If there is a delay in obtaining evidence please list what you expect to provide and the dates these will be available. It is your responsibility to ensure this evidence is submitted at the earliest opportunity. If this form is being submitted more than 7 days after the exam / deadline please provide reasons for the delay. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 51 Section 4 – declaration You must sign and date the form, confirming your knowledge of the procedures General Information for Students After completion, you are advised to make a copy for your own records, and then you must submit the form to your home department (the one responsible for your programme of study). Notification of mitigating circumstances must be submitted no later than 7 days after the exam or assessment deadline in question. Forms submitted within 7 days of the exam or assessment deadline will be considered by your department. In cases where the form is submitted after more than 7 days, or where the department wishes to obtain external advice, the form will be forwarded to the University Student Progress Committee. A Senior Tutor will then examine the case, and together with the Chair or Deputy Chair of the Committee, a decision will be taken as to whether or not the department can consider the circumstances. Where you are claiming Absence from an exam with Good Cause, there are only 3 acceptable reasons for the absence: 1. 2. 3. medical circumstances occurring at the time of the examination (provided they are supported by a medical certificate issued by a qualified medical practitioner or a qualified counsellor) bereavement of family or close friend (including attendance at funeral) (a letter from an appropriate person confirming the details should be provided – a copy of the death certificate is not required) being unable to get to the examination because of the failure of properly made travel arrangements beyond your control (corroborating evidence will be required). (Your car breaking down on the way to the examination will be accepted; not arranging a flight which will arrive in good time will not). If your circumstances are not accepted: The original mark for the assessment will stand, (or you will receive a mark of 0 for non attendance). If your circumstances are accepted: For MC – the circumstances will be passed to the Module Board of Examiners who will decide to either: 1. 2. 3. 4. award you a new attempt at the examination or assessment, if you so wish pass the matter to the Programme Board of Examiners for consideration later award a bare pass in the module (this is only done in very exceptional circumstances) decide that the circumstances do not merit any action If you are awarded a new attempt, and you accept the offer, your original attempt is wiped from the record and your original mark is lost, and cannot be used, even if you later fail the new attempt. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 52 For AGC – you will be awarded a new attempt at the examination, to be held at the next available occasion. For EXT – you will be given a new deadline for the submission of the work. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 53 ANNEXE 4: University of Hull Academic Year 2011-12 26 September 2011 03 October 2011 10 October 2011 17 October 2011 24 October 2011 31 October 2011 07 November 2011 14 November 2011 21 November 2011 28 November 2011 05 December 2011 12 December 2011 19 December 2011 26 December 2011 02 January 2012 09 January 2012 16 January 2012 23 January 2012 30 January 2012 06 February 2012 13 February 2012 20 February 2012 27 February 2012 05 March 2012 12 March 2012 19 March 2012 26 March 2012 wk 1 (Induction) wk 2 wk 3 wk 4 wk 5 wk 6 wk 7 wk 8 wk 9 wk 10 wk 11 wk 12 Christmas wk 1 Christmas wk 2 Christmas wk 3 Christmas wk 4 Exam wk 1 Exam wk 2 wk 13 wk 14 wk 15 / Board of Examiners wk 16 / Results wk 17 wk 18 wk 19 wk 20 Easter wk 1 02 April 2012 09 April 2012 16 April 2012 23 April 2012 30 April 2012 07 May 2012 14 May 2012 21 May 2012 28 May 2012 04 June 2012 11 June 2012 18 June 2012 25 June 2012 02 July 2012 09 July 2012 16 July 2012 23 July 2012 30 July 2012 06 August 2012 13 August 2012 20 August 2012 27 August 2012 03 September 2012 10 September 2012 17 September 2012 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 Easter wk 2 Easter wk 3 wk 21 wk 22 wk 23 wk 24 Exam wk 1 Exam wk 2 Exam wk 3 Exam wk 4 Vacation Vacation / Board of Examiners Vacation / Results Vacation Vacation / Degree Ceremonies (tbc) Vacation Vacation Vacation Vacation Vacation Re-sits Re-sits Vacation Vacation / Results Vacation page 54 ANNEXE 5: Guidelines on Writing and Assignments in the Department of Geography Presenting In the Department of Geography, we use a range of assignments to assess student performance on our modules. Exams are a traditional form of assessment, but we also typically use essays, practical write-ups, field notebooks and presentations. To help you produce the best work possible, this Annexe provides some guidelines and general advice about writing your assignments, particularly about presenting them in an appropriate format. It concentrates on essays, the most common form of written assignment that we used, but the general principles apply to many of the others. You should read the Department’s Marking Criteria (see Annexe 9) for more detailed information about what we expect at each learning level and for each type of assessment. You can also make use of the Study Advice Centre in the Brynmor Jones Library, which runs drop-in sessions and tutorials to help students in any subject improve their study skills. They particularly cover essay planning and writing, which are essential skills for any Geography degree, and they can therefore give you a little extra help in general terms. Guidelines for presenting assignments Paper and ink Use good quality paper (not glossy) and set the print colour to black. Font size Should be easy to read but not too large or too small - usually 12 point depending on the font style (this is Arial 11 point). Font style Should be simple and clear, e.g. Times New Roman or Arial (this is Arial). Margins Leave a reasonably wide margin (minimum of 2.54 cm) around the text. The default settings in Microsoft Word are usually fine. Line spacing In most cases, use single line spacing, unless module leaders tell you to use 1.5 or double spacing. Paragraphs Leave a blank line between paragraphs and do not indent the first line of a paragraph. Punctuation Leave a space after a punctuation mark (; , . : ! ?), but no space before a punctuation mark. Headings Use bold or italic, not underline. Headings should not be ‘widowed’ or ‘orphaned’ (these are the terms used in Microsoft Word for lines that appear alone at the top or bottom of a page, separated from the rest of their paragraph). Figures and Tables Figures (diagrams, photographs and other illustrations) should be given a figure number and a brief title. Numbers should run consecutively in the order in which figures are cited in the text. The same applies to tables. Tables should also be simple, in black and white. Do not insert figures and tables by the side of a column of text by using text boxes: this ‘newspaper-style’ is not very neat and tends to compress figures and make them too small. Instead, put figures and tables at the end of the text or on a page of their own. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 55 Never stretch maps or other figures in only one direction – this distorts the information. Title page For long reports, add a title page to make a good impression. Elements of a good essay There is no exact formula for producing a good essay, but there are a number of essential points: the essay should follow a logical structure, be well planned and presented and follow the appropriate University and Departmental regulations and guidelines. You should read the Department’s Marking Criteria (see Annexe 9) for more information about what we expect. However, most essays have some (or all) of these key elements: Introduction. Defines the scope of the topic and any key or problematic terms. Sets the question topic in the context of its wider background. Shows that you understand the question and have a clear strategy to answer it. Argument. Presents your ideas in a logical order so the reader can follow your reasoning or line of thought. Key points are clearly presented and related to the question. Gives the essay coherence as a single piece of writing with a purpose. Literature. Relates your argument to academic debates and supports your point of view or conclusion. Without academic literature, the essay is not sufficiently academic and you will lose marks. The reading lists from your modules will provide good sources for you to start with and you can find additional ones of your own through background research. But not all literature is equally good, so evaluate everything you read as to its origins and purpose. Beware particularly of anything from an organisation with a particular agenda or from unknown web sources: they can mislead you. Evidence. Backs up your argument with evidence from other sources, particularly other academic studies. Nearly all assignments will expect you to do more than give your opinion: your argument needs evidence to be convincing. Evidence might be statistics about river flow or population growth, it might be case studies of policy successes or failures or it might be academic research in favour of different theories. Academic style/format. Communicates clearly and critically. References correctly all material and quotations that are not your own and labels all figures or tables properly. Structure. Organises points clearly into paragraphs and, in longer essays or reports, into subsections with relevant headings. Signals to the reader what the structure is and how the essay fits together. Is logical in order. Conclusion. Sums up ideas. Highlights key points raised. Does not introduce new material. Links back to the question. Reference List. Lists all the publications you mentioned (cited) in your essay, in alphabetical order by author (see the Referencing Guidelines in Annexe 2). Tips for good essays Plan well! Think about what the question wants and what your answer should cover. Think about how to organise your argument into subsections or stages most effectively using a clear structure: Which points are most important? Which come first chronologically? What order is best for comparing different cases or theories? Can you start with a hypothesis or claim and then set about proving it? Can you itemise and prioritise your key points or factors clearly for the reader? Where does your evidence fit into your structure? Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 56 If you are not sure exactly what is required, check with the tutor or module leader what the requirements are and that you understand the question. Your tutor may be willing to discuss your essay plan with you (not your draft, though), so that you are sure you are focusing on the relevant issues from the start. Write a draft in advance and review it thoroughly. Think of essay writing as a process, not as an end product. Always start working on the essay well in advance of the deadline. Keep to one main idea/key point per paragraph and make links between the paragraphs as you go, so that they form a coherent whole. Check the meaning of complex or unusual words and phrases in a dictionary, to ensure that you use them appropriately. Proofread! Leave yourself plenty of time for this; ideally, put the essay to one side for a day or two, so that when you come back to it the glitches will be more obvious. Typos are really noticeable, so correct them. Sloppy presentation and poor quality production will make a bad impression on the person marking your work and probably cost you marks. Use your spell checker first, but remember that it will not pick up some mistakes (e.g. ‘form’ instead of ‘from’), so you still need to proofread afterwards. Pay attention to how your illustrations look – are they blurred or unreadable? (see below) Problems to avoid in essays Do not rely on internet sources. There is a lot of dodgy material out there and merely surfing the web does not constitute good background research. Do not think that downloading images or taking photographs is research or evidence. Illustrations are nice, but they do not of themselves make an argument: you have to link them with your text effectively. Also, some images look very poor when downloaded from the web. You can just as easily photocopy useful material, especially maps and diagrams, from paper sources and attach these to your essay. Do not think that arranging a few quotations in order is the same as developing a structure. Quotations are nice, but they are not the bones of an essay. First, sort out your overall argument. Only once you have done that can you decide which (if any) quotations you are going to include within it. Do not go over word limit specified. The word limit is a maximum, so you do not have to write up to the limit: it is perfectly acceptable to write a bit less, provided you write enough to do your argument justice. If you go over the limit, you will incur penalties (see Annexe 5). Do not be late! Again, you will incur penalties (see Annexe 5), so plan your time carefully. Incomplete, incorrect or messy referencing is a frequent problem, but generally easy to fix (see Annexe 2). Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 57 ANNEXE 6: Department of Geography Penalties for Late and Overlength Work and Guidelines on Word Counts Penalties are applied in the Department of Geography to all assessed work that is submitted after the deadline, unless an extension is given. If you need an extension, you must complete a Mitigating Circumstances Form (available from the Departmental Office or the portal) and arrange to meet the Student Progress Officer, Dr Jane Reed. Assessed coursework which is submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised according to Faculty of Science rules, which are: Work that is submitted only 1 working day late will receive a 10% penalty, based on the maximum available marks for that piece of work. For example, an essay originally marked at 62% will be penalised to 52% and an essay originally marked at 44% (which is a pass) will be penalised to 34% (which is a fail). Work that is submitted from 2 to 10 working days late will receive a 10% penalty, based on the maximum available marks for that piece of work, and will also have the mark capped at a maximum of 40%. For example, an essay originally marked at 62% will be penalised to 40%, but an essay originally marked at 44% (which is a pass) will be penalised to 34% (which is a fail). Work that is submitted more than 10 working days late will receive a mark of zero. Note that ‘working days’ exclude Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Remember also that failing to submit assessed work at all may lead to exclusion from University examinations or reassessment not being permitted. Work which is more than 10% over the word limit stated for the assignment will receive a 10% penalty, based on the maximum available marks for that piece of work, and the remainder of the work above the 10% limit will not be formally assessed. In both cases, if work is marked on a 100% scale, then a 10% penalty would mean a deduction of 10 marks, e.g. from 56% to 46% for an essay. If other scales are being used, the marks would be pro rata, so if a scale of 50 were used, 5 marks would be deducted. Work under the word limit (or equivalent) or less than 10% above the word limit will be marked in the normal way and will not attract a penalty. You must write an accurate word count and the word limit for the assessed work on the cover sheet and sign it to confirm that your word count complies with the Department Guidelines. If a marker thinks that your word count is incorrect, the words in your work will be counted by staff using Departmental Guidelines and, if it proves to be overlength, the appropriate penalty will be applied. Quotations must be included in the word count. Note that if you fail to include a word count when required or provide a clearly inaccurate word count, you may be in breach of Unfair Means regulations. Guidelines on what is included in and excluded from the word count The word count includes everything contained within the main body of the text, but excludes the Reference List or Bibliography at the end, figure and table captions, and text in tables (unless in extensive footnotes). Quotations from references are included in the word count. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 58 ANNEXE 7: Plagiarism, the Penalties and How to Avoid It At University you are encouraged to read widely around the subject, and to use your reading in assessments, to support and develop arguments, as case studies, etc. However, you must take care to follow University and Departmental guidelines (see Annexe 2) on the referencing of the work of others as there are strict penalties for misuse. All work - tutorial essays, assessed essays and reports, and dissertations - must be expressed in your own words. To copy or closely paraphrase someone else’s words and pass them off as your own is plagiarism, which is a serious academic offence. Where plagiarism is detected, penalties may be imposed. What is plagiarism? Plagiarism is a form of fraud. It is work which purports to be a candidate’s own but which is taken without acknowledgement from the published or unpublished work of others. Such unattributed taking is plagiarism whether from articles, books, computer programs, data, essays, papers, reports, or any other material originated by another person, whether obtained from written, printed or electronic sources, including via the Internet, the World Wide Web (www) or any other computer-based or networked system. It is plagiarism whether the medium is literary (essays and reports), graphical (designs, diagrams, graphics), electronic (computer programs) or mathematical (proofs). It is dishonest to seek credit for work which is not one’s own. It is also intellectually futile, depriving the student of the opportunity to develop their own powers of expression and reasoning - the main reason for a university education. Unacceptable Practices (i) Presenting statements from another’s work in your own essays without citation or any indication that the statement is a quotation (i.e. a verbatim transcription). Failure to provide a source or to put quotation marks around material that is directly copied from elsewhere gives the appearance that this constitutes your own work, when it is manifestly not (ii) Closely paraphrasing another’s work, such that the original material is still identifiable, and there is no acknowledgement of the source. Paraphrasing means to copy the sense of another’s work. If you reproduce material from a reference with a few words changed, without citing the source, this is classed as paraphrasing (iii) Assembling unacknowledged passages copied from different sources, linked by a few words of your own and/or changing a few words from the original sources. This form constitutes a ‘trap’ for the unwary, especially if material is downloaded (cut and pasted) from the web. Be very, very careful to avoid this all too common mistake Acceptable Practices The following sections constitute acceptable practices - in all cases the derivation of the copied material is comprehensively cited, and the source of ideas or other information is fully acknowledged. The Department uses the Harvard System of referencing (or citing) sources (see Annexe 2). The examples given here illustrate the use of the Harvard System. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 59 DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY POLICY ON PLAGIARISM The Department follows the University Code of Practice on the Use of Unfair Means, including the Caution Procedure. A brief summary of the Code is given below. For further details on the Caution Procedure, see http://student.hull.ac.uk/handbook/academic/unfair.html. Definitions Levels of plagiarism. There are different levels of seriousness in the nature of plagiarism, and the significance of an act of plagiarism is greater the further a student is advanced in his or her career at university. Levels of seriousness can most easily be illustrated in the case of assignments of a literary nature, but a similar analysis of a range from complete to partial plagiarism can also be applied to graphical, electronic and mathematical work. Typical examples from essays are as follows: unacknowledged verbatim copying throughout; unacknowledged verbatim copying with occasional alteration of word order, omission of words, phrases or sentences, and insertion of linking words or phrases, over a paragraph or section of a paragraph, or a number of paragraphs; paraphrasing which includes unacknowledged verbatim phrases from the other text or texts. The primary test of plagiarism. This is the presence or absence of quotation marks, and adequate acknowledgement of sources and authorities in text and/or reference notes in bibliographies or lists of sources. Where Plagiarism is Suspected Where an examiner suspects that a piece of work is plagiarised they shall report the matter to the Chair of the Board of Examiners. For Students undertaking the Certificate stage of an undergraduate programme of study (i.e. Level 4 students), a Caution will be issued (see below). For students on the Diploma or Honours stage of their programme (i.e. Levels 5 and 6) or any students who have already received a caution, the Code of Practice on the Use of Unfair Means will be applied. Code of Practice on the Use of Unfair Means If an examiner makes an allegation, the Dean of the Faculty must investigate the allegation and any supporting evidence. They must then decide whether there is prima facie evidence that you have committed conduct which breaches the Code. Within 6 weeks, you will receive a letter from the Dean of the Faculty stating that they have made such a decision. This letter will summarise the allegation and any supporting evidence. When this happens, you have 21 days from the date of the letter to respond in writing. In making your response you are entitled: to state whether you admit or deny the allegation; if you deny it, to state the reasons for this and provide further information to support your reasons, or indicate how such evidence can be obtained; Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 60 if you admit it, to make statement of explanation or ‘mitigation’ - reasons why you think you should be treated leniently. Once the Dean of the Faculty has received your response, his/her actions will be as follows: If you have admitted the allegation, the Dean of the Faculty will establish an Adjudicating Panel to decide the penalty to be imposed. If you have denied the allegation, s/he will establish an Adjudicating Panel to establish proof and penalty, unless s/he decides that the matter has been ‘satisfactorily explained’ in which case s/he will inform you in writing of that decision, and that the matter is closed. You will be informed in writing of the arrangements for the Hearing of the Adjudicating Panel, including the date, time and venue, giving you at least 7 days’ notice. You have a right to attend the Hearing and you are entitled to be accompanied by someone of your choosing who can help you: (i) to put your own case; (ii) ask appropriate questions of witnesses; and (iii) fully understand the proceedings. In addition you can request that your personal supervisor (or an equivalent member of staff) attends the Hearing. The Panel will consist of at least two academic staff, one to be appointed as Chair. The panel will not include any person who has been involved in the making or investigating of the allegation. A person who is not a member of the Panel will be appointed to act as Secretary to the Panel, and will be required to make a written record of the proceedings. The Hearing will be conducted in a manner which is appropriate given the nature of the matter being considered, but it is not a formal court. The Chair of the Adjudicating Panel will decide in what order proceedings should take place, but the Hearing will normally begin with the person who undertook the investigation summarising his/her findings. The Chair will be responsible for ensuring that both parties are given fair opportunity to make their case. The Panel will decide when it thinks that sufficient information has been presented and both parties have had a fair opportunity to make their case. The Panel will then meet in private to discuss the evidence it has received and make its decision. If you responded to the original allegation by admitting it, the Hearing will be concerned only with giving you an opportunity to explain your conduct. The Panel will then decide what penalty to impose. If you have denied the allegation the Panel is required to decide, based on the written and oral evidence received before and at the Hearing, whether the allegation has been proven. Once the Panel has decided that the allegation has been proved, and in cases where the allegation was admitted, it is required to determine the appropriate penalty. It must decide the penalty by referring to the range of penalties set out in section 6 of the Code. In deciding the penalty the Panel will take into account: the nature and seriousness of the conduct; whether this is the first time you have breached the Code; any explanation or statement of mitigation made by you in writing or at the Hearing. Once the Panel has made its decision, you will be informed in writing within 7 days of the Hearing, including details of any penalty imposed and a summary of the reasons for the decision. The decision will also be reported to any Module or Programme Board of Examiners concerned with your academic progress. Where an allegation is proved: You can normally expect the minimum penalty to be a mark of zero for any module which is affected by the conduct in question. You will therefore have to undertake reassessment of the module, and any mark will be restricted to the pass mark. For a student at the Diploma stage or higher the Panel will be entitled to refuse reassessment, Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 61 which could, for example, result in your being transferred to the Ordinary degree or in your not being allowed to continue the programme because you have insufficient credits. In the most serious cases, and especially where this is not your first breach of the code, the Panel will be empowered to terminate your programme of study or even, in very exceptional cases, prevent you from getting a qualification. Where your programme is terminated this fact, and the reason for it, will be recorded on the official transcript produced by the University. Where an allegation is not proved: In cases where an allegation is not proved the matter is considered to be closed. However, you should be aware that: 1. in exceptional cases, where an allegation is made against you in the future which bears very close similarity to the first allegation, an Adjudicating Panel may be permitted to consider that first allegation as being relevant to proving the second allegation. 2. where a person - any person - has ‘fresh’ evidence which was not considered by the Adjudicating Panel this evidence must be presented to the Dean of the Faculty, who will decide whether the case should be reconsidered. For further information, see http://www.student-admin.hull.ac.uk/downloads/code.doc. The Plagiarism Caution The caution procedure (see http://student.hull.ac.uk/handbook/academic/unfair.html) was introduced in 2004. This procedure defines limited circumstances in which a student who has committed plagiarism may be issued with a ‘caution’ instead of Adjudication Panel proceedings being instituted at pre-Certificate or Certificate stage only. What the caution is: The caution will take the form of a letter, which will require you to add to the piece of work which has been plagiarised the missing acknowledgements of the sources you have used. You must do this within the deadline stated in the letter. Provided you do this properly and within the deadline then you may receive up to the bare pass mark for the piece of work (40%). If you do not do it properly you will receive no more than the pass mark minus 10 marks (30%). If you fail to resubmit by the deadline you will receive 0. These penalties are designed to reflect the fact that the work has been plagiarised, but are less than you would receive if an Adjudication Panel determined that you had plagiarised. The purpose of the caution: The caution is designed to be developmental. That is, it is a means of making clear that a piece of work has been plagiarised, that plagiarism is not acceptable, and it gives you one last chance to take advice and ensure that you understand how to properly acknowledge the sources you are using in your work (whether the work is a computer program, practical piece or written essay, and whether the source is from a book, another program or the internet). This is why you are required to add the correct references, to make sure that you understand what is required. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 62 ANNEXE 8: Department of Geography Safety Policy and Procedures for Postgraduates It is a legal requirement of the the Health and Safety at Work Act that University Departments consider the health and safety of all categories of staff and students. However, this Appendix is concerned solely with undergraduates in the Department and considers health and safety issues that affect them when working either (1) in laboratories in formal classes or on individual or small-group projects or (2) in the field on organised field classes, including formal residential courses, day and half-day trips, or (3) on individual fieldwork, such as data collection during the vacations for dissertations. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY Safety in the Department and on its field classes is a joint responsibility of both staff and students. In particular, it is the personal responsibility of every student to read these safety instructions and to follow them. The responsibility for all aspects of safety in the Department rests with the Head of Department. The management of most aspects is delegated to the Departmental Safety Officer (Paul McSherry) who has responsibility for ensuring compliance by all personnel in the Department with the requirements of all relevant safety legislation, University and Departmental codes of practice and any other regulations concerning working practices. The departmental Safety, Health & Environment Committee meets twice annually and advises the Head of Department (Professor David Gibbs) on all matters relating to health and safety. In particular, it 1. Considers reports on such matters as accidents and other incidents, safety inspections, and reports from those with delegated safety duties. 2. Assists in the development of safety rules and safe systems of work. 3. Advises on the safety content of information and training for staff and students. It is the responsibility of all members of the Department, staff and students alike, to report immediately to the Head of Department any procedure or activity within the Department or concerned with its organised fieldwork programme which appears to represent a health or safety hazard. Students likewise should complete their Student Health Forms, before or as soon as possible after arrival at the University, and keep these forms updated with information about any additional health conditions which may arise while at University. Laboratory Work Instructions regarding the operation and safety of laboratory equipment will be provided, for every type of analysis undertaken by a student, by the member of staff in charge. Please follow these instructions to the letter. While in the laboratories, laboratory coats and safety spectacles should always be worn and eating and drinking are strictly forbidden. The use of hazardous materials must be registered on site under the COSHH regulations. Each laboratory has a lab manual which contains laboratory rules, relevant instructions, method statements, and risk and COSHH assessments for all work undertaken in that lab. Normal working hours in laboratories are from 8.45 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., with an appropriate lunch break. All personnel working in laboratories, except for technical staff associated with the Department of Geography, should sign the appropriate laboratory register, indicating times of entry and departure. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 63 FIELDWORK All students taking part in field classes, or undertaking independent fieldwork, must observe sensible standards of behaviour, conduct themselves with good manners and consideration for others, particularly in hotels or other accommodation, and not damage property in any way (e.g. by climbing over walls, leaving gates open, trampling crops or disturbing plants and animals). The Country Code should at all times be observed. GROUP FIELDWORK In accordance with the University Policy on the Management of Field Courses, field trip leaders will take appropriate safety precautions and every reasonable care concerning the safety of members of their parties. Field trip leaders will carry out a risk assessment prior to departure. However, the potential dangers make it imperative that students co-operate by behaving responsibly in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Each individual is responsible, by law, for the observance of safety provisions. It is the Departmental policy that all overseas field trips and trips to remote parts of the British Isles should include a member of staff who has a full first aid certificate. Other field trips should include staff how have completed at least the emergency first aid course. As a student of the Department of Geography, you are specifically advised to: Obey all safety instructions given by field trip leaders or supervisors. Anyone not conforming to the standards required may be dismissed from the field class. Stay with the party, except by clear arrangement with the leaders. Assemble where instructed in order to receive specific instructions regarding likely hazards. Observe instructions for reporting after completion of work. Report any personal injury or illness to the field trip leaders. Wear adequate clothing and footwear for the type of weather and terrain likely to be encountered. o A warm sweater, and good quality waterproof with hood, is normally desirable in the UK. o Head gear (in addition to the hood of a waterproof) may also be required in cold weather. o Waterproof over trousers are required for particularly wet weather conditions. o Boots with strong soles are desirable for rough terrain. o Wellingtons should be used for work requiring shallow wading. o In hot climates, to avoid getting sunburnt, wear a sun hat and high factor sun block. o Safety helmets are required by law when visiting mines, building sites, old or working quarries, cliffs, scree slopes, etc., or wherever there is a risk from falling objects. Avoid the edges of cliffs, quarries and other steep or sheer faces, particularly in gusting winds. Ensure that rocks above are safe before venturing below. Quarries with rock faces loosened by explosives are especially dangerous. Never work under an overhang. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 64 Avoid loosening rocks on steep slopes. Do not work directly above another person. Never roll rocks down slopes or over cliffs for amusement. Do not run down steep slopes. Beware of landslides occurring on clay cliffs. Avoid touching any machinery or equipment in quarries, mines, building sites or fields. Never pick up unexploded explosives, wires or detonators from rock piles; if found, inform the group leader immediately. Comply with safety rules, blast warning procedures, and any instructions given by officials. Keep a sharp look-out for moving vehicles, etc. Beware of sludge lagoons. Avoid climbing cliffs, rock faces or crags, unless this has been approved as an essential part of the work. Take great care when walking or climbing over slippery rocks below high water mark on rocky shores. Beware of traffic when examining road cuttings. Do not leave rock debris on the roadway or verges. Examining railway cuttings and motorways is forbidden, unless special permission has been obtained. Take care of traffic at all times but especially when leaving or re-joining a coach or mini-bus or when walking as a group. Always maintain good standards of hygiene in the field. If wash facilities are not available use wet wipes to clean hands before eating and drinking. Avoid entering old mine workings or cave systems unless it has been approved as an essential part of the work. Only do so by arrangement with the group leader with proper lighting and headgear, and never alone. Ensure that someone on the surface knows your location and expected time of return. Be sure to report to the group leader after returning. If a student does not have appropriate equipment, the field trip leader is instructed by the Department to refuse to allow them to attend the field class, since we have a responsibility to see that students observe the provisions regarding personal safety. INDEPENDENT FIELDWORK ALL the provisions in the preceding section also apply to independent fieldwork. However, since independent fieldwork involves an important element of self-reliance and the ability to cope alone, students in this category are necessarily responsible for their own safety in the field, and the following further rules must be followed: Discuss likely safety problems or risks, and check equipment, with the supervisor before departure or commencement of work. A Risk Assessment Form must be completed before any work is undertaken and must be approved by the supervisor and the Departmental Safety Officer (Paul McSherry). Prior to commencing dissertation fieldwork, level 5 (year 2) students attend a Risk Assessment Workshop, where they are given instruction and guidance on how to carry out fieldwork in safe manner and how to write a suitable risk Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 65 assessment. Risk Assessment forms are downloadable from the Geography homepage at http://www.hull.ac.uk/geog/resources/safety.htm Plan work carefully, bearing in mind your own experience and training, the nature of the terrain, and the weather. Be careful not to overestimate what can be achieved. Learn the mountain safety code, and in particular the causes and effects of exposure. On mountains, wear bright clothing. Rock-climbing, caving and underwater swimming may be useful in research activities, but are dangerous for the unskilled or ill-equipped. Never go into the field (including urban areas) without having a reporting in procedure with a friend, family member or your supervisor. This will include expected time of return and possibly a map showing expected location. Never carelessly break arrangements to report your return to local people. Camp near habitation if possible. Check weather forecasts. Keep a constant look-out for changes. Do not hesitate to turn back if the weather deteriorates. Know what to do in emergency (e.g. accident, illness, bad weather, darkness). Carry at all times a small first-aid kit, some emergency food (chocolate, biscuits, mint cake, glucose tablets), a survival bag (or large plastic bag), a whistle, map, compass, watch and torch. Avoid getting trapped by the tide on intertidal banks or below sea cliffs. Obtain local information about tides and currents. Pay particular attention to the tidal range. Always wear footwear when wading in rivers, lagoons or on the shore. Know the international distress signal: (a) 3 whistle blasts, torch flashes or waves of a light-coloured cloth; (b) 1 min pause; (c) another 3 blasts (flashes, waves) at 20 second intervals. Always obtain permission to enter private property, and follow the recognised procedure for visits to quarries, etc. Be careful to report after completion of work. The use of boats is currently under review by the department. The use of any boat must be discussed with and approved by the supervisor and Departmental Safety Officer (Paul McSherry). Learn desert survival techniques in hot dry areas. Obtain protection against preventable tropical diseases. Do not venture on to very wet or soft areas of mires without a safety rope. Take care to avoid cuts from peat borers. When a piston sampler is used avoid entanglement of the wire round limbs or digits. Tree corers should only be used after instruction and hand protection must be used. Tree corers should not be used on hard woods. Students conducting fieldwork in urban areas or on public roads elsewhere should plan ahead and gain knowledge of the area to be visited and avoid working after daylight. They should be especially aware of hazards from lone working, security and human hazards and transport including traffic hazards. In case of accident First Aid Procedures Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 66 In the event of an accident causing injury, the nearest qualified first aider should be contacted. Supervisors or any member of staff will give assistance in finding the appropriate help: Mike Dennett Room 054 (Tel 5386) Bernadette Barron Map Room (Tel 5551) A full list of available first aiders is available in the Departmental Office. Emergency First Aid outside normal access hours – Telephone 6868 The first aider will decide on appropriate treatment and further action, if necessary. The names of first aiders are displayed on notices throughout the Department, and a full list is published in the internal telephone directory. Accident Reporting Any accidents should be reported, following treatment, to the Departmental Safety Officer (Paul McSherry), and to the University Health & Safety Services Office (Telephone 5185). Details of the accident should also be recorded on a University Accident Report Form. Less serious accidents, and any other incident that might have caused an injury, should also be reported to the Departmental Safety Officer. Such minor accidents and ‘near miss’ incidents often highlight situations that require remedial action. The purpose of reporting accidents and incidents is NOT to apportion blame, but to discover and correct health and safety problems. All accidents and near-misses will be investigated by the Departmental Safety Officer and the results will be reported to the Head of Department. Action in the event of Fire Action required The fire alarm is a siren. On hearing this, you should immediately evacuate the building by the nearest exit (including examinations). If possible close all windows and doors as you leave. Follow the directions of the Fire wardens, pastoral or commercial services staff. Go to the designated assembly area. Report any significant information to the Incident Controller at the Fire Panel. Do not Go back to your room or office if you are away from it Shout or run as it may cause panic Re enter the building unless verbally told that it is safe to do so by the fire warden. The above actions are required in any University building. However, whilst based in the Geography Department (Cohen Building), these additional points should be noted. The quadrangle can be used as part of the exit route, but do not congregate there. On leaving the building, you should assemble at one of two points. If you leave from the main entrance you should congregate at assembly point 1, on the footpath by the Venn Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 67 Building. If you leave from the rear exit of Cohen at Salmon Grove, you should congregate at assembly point 23, on the footpath opposite the rear entrance. Fire Wardens will check that personnel are vacating the building and congregating in the correct areas. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 68 ANNEXE 9: Faculty of Science Professional Principles What is expected of students in the Faculty of Science? As a student in the Faculty of Science, you are expected to develop the following approaches to your studies: Be independent and able to ‘stand on your own feet’. This involves being able to work by yourself, for example reading around your subject, preparing for taught sessions and assignments, and asking for help when you need it. Be self-motivated and in charge of your learning processes. This involves working out when, where and how you learn best. It also means being persistent and tackling subjects and topics that you find challenging. Be organised – you should understand the organisation of your programme of study and modules, attend scheduled learning and teaching activities, know when and how your work has to be handed in, know the dates for examinations, and check your University e-mail account and announcements on the virtual learning environment (eg eBridge) on a regular basis. Engage with your subject in a constructive and critical manner. This involves actively participating in learning and teaching activities, reading the relevant study materials, engaging with eLearning based activities, and taking time to discuss and think about your subject with student peers and individually outside timetabled classes. Be willing to work with others, for example during taught sessions and as part of wider departmental and University activities. Take responsibility for all of your assessed work, whether you complete it individually or in a group. Ensure it is submitted in a timely fashion and free of plagiarism and unfair means. Respect other students and teaching staff. Ensure you don’t disrupt the learning of others – arrive at classes on time, switch off your mobile phone and remain quiet whilst the lecturer is talking. Carry out your studies in a safe manner by ensuring you follow the department’s health and safety requirements such as refraining from eating and drinking in lecture theatres and laboratories and wearing protective clothing when required. To ensure that there is a constructive learning environment for all students, lecturers and tutors may: Exclude late arrivals Ask students to leave lectures or other taught sessions if they continue to disrupt the learning experience of others despite being warned. Students who are asked to leave a class as a result of being disruptive, will be required to attend a follow-up meeting to discuss their unacceptable behaviour. Persistent offenders will be dealt with under the existing student disciplinary procedures. If there are good reasons for you not being able to engage with your studies, please contact your personal supervisor as soon as possible. Endorsed by staff/student committees in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering and Geography in 2009/10. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 69 ANNEXE 10: Department of Geography Marking Criteria All work is marked by our teaching staff and then second marked within the Department to ensure consistency and relevance to marking criteria. There are different marking criteria for each Level (year of study), and for different types of assessment. For Levels 4 to 7 there are standard criteria for the following types of assessed work: Essay Marking Criteria; Exam Marking Criteria; and Field & Laboratory Report Marking Criteria. At Levels 6 and 7 there are also Dissertation Marking Criteria. These Marking Criteria are available from the Geography Department website at: http://www2.hull.ac.uk/science/geography/current_students/exams.aspx An outline example of the Level 4 Exam Marking Criteria is attached. The key elements are explained below. Marking Criteria Categories There are 4 main categories of criteria on which the allocated mark is based: 1. Knowledge and understanding Has the question been answered? Are there any omissions? How well is the subject area understood? Does the answer go beyond lecture notes? 2. Cognitive skills Use of literature/reading – relevance and quality of sources. How much critical analysis is there? Or is the answer descriptive? 3. Practical/Professional/disciplinary skills How well structured and organised is the answer? Is it focused? Are the arguments coherent? 4. Transferable skills Standard of English expression – how well are points communicated? Are the methods used appropriate? How well is academic terminology used? Mark Scale A 17 point marking scale is used in the Department, with marks spread across 6 mark bands. The 4 bands in the Pass range correspond to final degree classes: first, upper second, lower second and third. In each band there are 3 possible marks, for work in the lower, middle and upper part of the band. First (1) Upper second (2:1) Lower second (2:2) Third (3) Fail (compensatable) Fail 75, 85, 95 62, 65, 68 52, 55, 58 PASS MARKS 42, 45, 48 35 0, 5, 15, 30 FAIL MARKS Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 70 ANNEXE 11: Department of Geography Guidelines for the Relationship of Taught Masters Students with their Dissertation Supervisor Responsibilities of Dissertation Supervisors Supervisors are expected: 1. to give guidance about the nature of research and the standards expected, about the planning of the research programme, about literature and sources, and the use of requisite techniques (including instruction where necessary); 2. to give detailed advice on the necessary completion dates of successive stages of the work, agreeing objectives for each stage so that the dissertation may be submitted within the scheduled time; 3. to provide advice on writing up the work (e.g., how to structure the dissertation); 4. to read through one chapter of the dissertation and provide detailed comments; this chapter should be available at least 6 weeks prior to the deadline for submission of the full dissertation (supervisors should discuss this timing with part time students); 5. to meet students on a regular and frequent basis to discuss problems and progress; 6. to be accessible to students at other times, should advice on academic or personal problems be required; 7. to inform students should they plan to be away from the University for more than a few days to allow students to plan accordingly; 8. to make appropriate contact arrangements/alternative supervision arrangements should either the supervisor or student be away from the University for more than a month (for example during study visit/leave, industrial placements or University vacations) 9. to ensure that students are made aware if either their progress or the standard of their work is unsatisfactory, and arrange a plan of supportive action 10. to advise students on matters of confidentiality or ethical considerations relating to particular techniques, sources or results 11. to ensure that the correct safety procedures are followed when using equipment or laboratory materials (full details on safety procedures are available from Departmental Safety Officers and from the University Safety Officer) 12. to ensure that, should a major change in research direction occur, appropriate adjustments are made to the supervisory arrangements. 13. If the candidate wishes, in cases where a dissertation is referred for resubmission, to advise on the necessary revisions. Responsibilities of taught Masters Students Students are expected: 1. to discuss with their supervisor(s) the type of guidance and comment they find most helpful, and to agree a schedule of meetings and other contact for the prescribed period of study 2. to seek advice from the supervisor in an active manner, recognizing that it is the student’s responsibility to have their own topics to raise with the supervisor 3. to maintain the progress of the work in accordance with the stages agreed with the supervisor and in accordance with departmental monitoring procedures (including, in particular, the provision of well-presented written work within the agreed timescales for comment and discussion before proceeding to the next stage) Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 71 4. to take note of the guidance and feedback provided by the supervisor 5. to inform the supervisor of other individuals with whom the work has been or is being discussed, so that this may be taken into account when the second marker is recommended 6. to conduct their work at all times in accordance with University and Departmental safety requirements and to follow ethical guidance provided by the department or supervisor 7. to inform their supervisor, in good time where possible, should they plan to be away from the University for more than five working days 8. to take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties with the supervisor in the first instance, however elementary these may seem, including any matters which may require a suspension of registration or cause a delay in the expected completion date of the work 9. to provide the supervisor with one chapter of the dissertation at least six weeks before the deadline for submission of the full dissertation (part time students should discuss the timing with their dissertation supervisor); 10. to decide when to submit the dissertation taking due account of the supervisor’s opinion, (which is necessarily only advisory); 11. to be informed of and comply with University requirements for dissertation preparation via the Online Student Handbook. Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 72 INDEX ‘absence’ or ‘extension’ with ‘good cause’ ..........................................................28 Academic Staff ........................................9 aims of the Department of Geography .....8 attendance ............................................30 barcodes ...............................................21 Changing Modules.................................26 Cohen Building ........................................8 compensation ........................................21 cover sheet ............................................21 Dates of Examinations...........................24 Deadlines for submission.......................22 Disabilities Service ................................22 Examinations .........................................24 Examinations Officer .............................29 extension ...............................................21 external examiners ................................21 fail .........................................................21 feedback on assessed work ..................22 Feedback Survey ..................................14 Fieldwork Costs .....................................14 group work ............................................21 Health and Safety ..................................17 intended learning outcomes...................19 Intercalation . See Suspending your studies Late submissions ...................................21 Library Services .................................... 13 Marking Criteria .................................... 70 Office and Technical Staff ..................... 11 Penalties for late and overlength coursework ........................................ 22 plagiarism ............................................ 22 PLAGIARISM .................................. 25, 59 quotations ............................................. 41 References ........................................... 25 REFERENCING .................................... 40 Results.................................................. 24 Smoking ................................................ 17 Student Progress Officer ........... 15, 28, 29 Submitting Coursework ......................... 21 supervision............................................ 34 Supervision ........................................... 15 Suspending Your Studies - ‘Intercalation’ .......................................................... 27 Teaching, Learning & Assessment Committee........................................ 11 Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee ......................................... 14 Transcripts ............................................ 25 Warnings .............................................. 30 Withdrawing from the University ............ 27 Word Length ......................................... 57 Department of Geography Postgraduate Student Handbook 2011-12 page 73