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Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Honours & MGeol

Handbook

Academic Year

2015/2016

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B.Sc. Honours and Joint Honours in Geology and in Environmental Earth Sciences, 2015-2016 & MGeol, 2015-2017 Welcome to Honours! This handbook provides information and advice for your advanced studies in Earth and Environmental Sciences. It addresses aspects of the organisation and content of our teaching programmes, the content of modules offered, and indicates what is expected of you. Please read it alongside the University Honours Course Catalogue and the University regulations governing Honours degrees, which you can access on the web through the University’s Undergraduate Handbook http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/ Information on timetables, visiting speakers, programme of the student Geological Society, studentships and various other items of information are displayed on notice boards outside the Honours Lab and students are advised to check these regularly. Also check your e-mail for messages from staff about lectures, labs and assessment, including possible changes in timetable – remember that as members of the university you have agreed to check your e-mail daily. General enquiries about the Honours programmes should be addressed to the Honours Programme Co-ordinator, Dr Michael Singer (Room 424, mds21@st-andrews.ac.uk, ext 2874). Questions about a particular module should be put direct to the lecturers involved. Please notify Dr Singer of any errors in this handbook.

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Contents Aims, Learning Outcomes and Key Skills of the Honours & MGeol Degree ................................................ 5

Aims ........................................................................................................................................ 5

Learning Outcomes ................................................................................................................. 5

Key (Transferable) Skills ........................................................................................................ 6

Programme Structures ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Geology ................................................................................................................................... 7

Environmental Earth Sciences ................................................................................................. 7

MGeol ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Fig. 1 Single Honours Geology 2015-2016......................................................................... 8

Fig. 2 Single Honours Environmental Earth Science 2015-2016 ...................................... 9

Fig. 3 MGeol 2015-2017 ................................................................................................ 10

Health & Safety in the Irvine Building..................................................................................................................... 11

Degree Regulations ......................................................................................................................................................... 11

Academic Alert (see also Absence Reporting) ..................................................................................................... 11

Penalties for Late Work and for Work of Incorrect Length ........................................................................... 12

Threshold Performance in Modules ........................................................................................................................ 12

Advising of Studies .......................................................................................................................................................... 13

Advising ................................................................................................................................ 13

Re-advising ............................................................................................................................ 13

Withdrawal from a module .................................................................................................... 13

Withdrawal from studies ....................................................................................................... 13

Assessment......................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Coursework ........................................................................................................................... 14

Exams .................................................................................................................................... 16

Examination Timetables .................................................................................................... 17

Illegible exam scripts ......................................................................................................... 17

Resits and Deferments ....................................................................................................... 18

Marking ............................................................................................................................. 18

Post-exam .......................................................................................................................... 18

Grade-Related Marking Criteria ............................................................................................ 18

Module Result ....................................................................................................................... 20

If a Module if Failed…… ...................................................................................................... 21

Special Circumstances – “S” Code ....................................................................................... 22

Deferred Assessments ........................................................................................................... 22

The Honours Degree Classification Scheme ......................................................................... 22

Dean’ List .............................................................................................................................. 23

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Progression from Junior to Senior Honours ......................................................................................................... 23

Progression Within the MGeol Degree ................................................................................................................... 23

Earth and Environmental Sciences Prizes ............................................................................................................. 23

Print and Binding Service ............................................................................................................................................. 24

Fieldwork ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24

Costs ...................................................................................................................................... 24

Behaviour and Safety ............................................................................................................ 24

Inoculations and Insurance for Fieldwork ............................................................................ 25

Use Your Field Notebook Data & Trust It............................................................................ 25

Feedback ............................................................................................................................... 25

Library and Out-Of-Class Reading ............................................................................................................................ 25

Mathematics Support Centre ...................................................................................................................................... 26

Good Academic Practice ............................................................................................................................................... 26

Absence Reporting From Classes & Exams ........................................................................................................... 27

Absence from classes ............................................................................................................ 27

Absence from Examinations ................................................................................................. 27

Academic Flexibility for Students with Recognised Sporting Talent ......................................................... 27

Student Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................................... 28

Accommodation ............................................................................................................................................................... 29

Disability Support ............................................................................................................................................................ 29

Employment and Advanced Degrees....................................................................................................................... 30

Advice and Support......................................................................................................................................................... 30

Academic Appeals, Complaints & Discipline ........................................................................................................ 30

Using the Right Procedure .................................................................................................... 31

Further guidance and support................................................................................................ 31

Termination of Studies on Academic Grounds - Undergraduates ............................................................... 32

Getting Your Views & The Earth & Environmental Science President ...................................................... 32

Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (URIP) .............................................................................. 33

Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme (URAS) ................................................................................ 33

Student Fees ...................................................................................................................................................................... 34

Key Contacts ...................................................................................................................................................................... 34

Earth and Environmental Department Roles ........................................................................ 35

Honours module co-ordinators ............................................................................................. 36

Some Key Dates in the Programmes ........................................................................................................................ 37

Appendix of Honours Modules ................................................................................................................................... 37

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AIMS, LEARNING OUTCOMES AND KEY SKILLS OF THE HONOURS &

MGEOL DEGREE Aims The aims of the Honours programmes are:

i. to develop a rigorous, integrated, and quantified understanding of the history of the planet and the physico-chemical principles that determine Earth processes;

ii. to provide advanced level knowledge, including the latest research findings, and practical skills at the core of geology and of environmental earth sciences, while also providing specialisation in topics of particular interest to an individual student;

iii. to produce graduates who can apply their scientific understanding to investigate problems in Earth and Environmental Sciences

iv. to develop thinking skills, deep-learning, and critical judgement; v. to further develop transferable skills and competences as preparation for employment

and advanced degrees; vi. to satisfy and expand the curiosity of students for Earth and Environmental Sciences

and to make them aware of the vocational opportunities which it offers and the corresponding social responsibilities; and

vii. to emphasise the importance and pleasure of learning through the development of enquiring, open-minded, and creative attitudes.

viii. Further specific aims of the MGeol are: ix. (i) to foster student-led learning experiences, including a student-led field-mapping

module x. (ii) to experience one or both of a Work Placement and/or a Research Placement

xi. (ii) to attend and present a paper at an international conference such as the annual European Geosciences Union General Assembly conference in Vienna.

Learning Outcomes (KU = knowledge and understanding skills; IS = intellectual skills; SSS = subject-specific skills) Upon successful completion of a degree students will:

Have demonstrated a thorough grounding in the physical processes affecting the lithosphere and the surface of the Earth and its Environment, and the methods used in their investigation (KU, SSS).

Have demonstrated an advanced level of understanding of selected Earth and Environmental science topics (KU, SSS).

Be able to statistically test hypotheses (KU, IS, SSS).

Have completed a detailed personal research project conducted over 12 months, demonstrating investigative, interpretative and integrative skills, data collection and critical analysis, and planning, organisational and presentational skills (KU, IS, SSS, & Key Skills [next section]).

Shown they can acquire, handle, use and integrate Earth and Environmental science data of a wide variety of types (IS, SSS).

Have undertaken a literature-based research review and successfully presented the results in essay and seminar (KU, IS).

Have undertaken the extensive fieldwork training of a programme so as to be confident about working in the field (SSS).

Use IT facilities for study and investigative work (SSS). Geology & Environmental Earth Sciences students will additionally:

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Understand the theory and scientific principles underlying the operation of major geo-environmental systems (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere) and their interaction at global, regional and local scales (KU).

Be able to discuss recent Earth history, in particular the timing, causes and consequences of both natural and human-induced environmental changes during the late Quaternary Era (KU).

Have awareness of the complex interaction between human society and environment, and its consequences for both (SSS).

Understand the principal modes of investigation employed in geo-environmental research, together with familiarity in the use of appropriate instruments and techniques in the field and laboratory (SSS).

Key (Transferable) Skills Combinations of the following transferable skills are developed in individual modules and in the programmes generally:

Lab skills – measurement and quantification, error estimation, following instructions, equipment handling, sample preparation, planning and execution.

Field skills – planning and execution, research design, note taking, safety matters, consideration of land owners/practising the countryside code.

Evaluating evidence – critical analysis of scientific papers, reasoning, integration of facts and ideas, erecting and testing hypotheses, reaching conclusions.

Numeracy – mathematical skills, ability to comprehend mathematical formulae, and ability to comprehend and employ basic scientific principles.

Computer literacy – graphical skills, modelling, basic and specialist packages.

Sourcing materials – library, internet, primary and secondary literature, distilling and synthesising the information obtained.

Communication – writing well-structured and argued reports and essays; oral and poster presentations; listening to questions and responding.

Collaboration – group working, sharing and negotiating, assessing the work of classmates.

Organisation – time management, meeting submission deadlines, planning and arranging work, working independently.

Learning - taking responsibility for own learning, working steadily, reflecting on own progress, adopting deep-learning behaviour.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURES Note that University regulations require students to take a minimum of 90 credits from Level 4000 modules during their Honours years. Single honours students should normally obtain 120 credits in each year and Joint honours should obtain 60 credits each year in Earth and Environmental science. Figures 1 - 3 illustrate the Single and Joint honours programmes emphasising core (compulsory) and subject (optional) modules. These charts indicate the modules expected to be available over the 2 years. However, there can be no guarantee that a module shown will

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actually be presented; changes in personnel, unforeseen absence of staff can prevent its delivery and insufficient students taking a module can prevent its delivery.

Geology The Single Honours programme consists of (fig 1):

A mandatory group of 11 core skills modules (195 credits). These include field, laboratory, numeracy, IT, investigative, independent research, communication, teamwork and organisational skills. Many of these skills are generic, although taught in a subject-specific context.

3 knowledge-based ‘subject’ modules (45 credits), selected from 6 options in the SH year.

Environmental Earth Sciences The Single Honours programme consists of (fig 2):

11 core skills modules (195 credits). These include field, laboratory, numeracy, IT, investigative, independent research, communication, teamwork and organisational skills.

3 optional subject modules (45 credits).

MGeol The programme consists of (fig 3):

14 core skills modules (270 credits). These include field, laboratory, numeracy, IT, independent research, communication, teamwork and organisational skills.

1, or possibly 2, Placements (Research &/or Work) for 30 or 60 credits in Year 4

2 or 0 optional subject modules in Year 4 (30 or 0 credits)

1 field course and 1 optional subject module (30 credits). [If the field course does not run, then 2 optional subject modules in Year 5 (30 credits)]

The Earth and Environmental Sciences programmes were guided in their design by the Quality Assurance Agency’s document Academic Standards – Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies. The programmes and their component modules are reviewed annually taking with consideration of comments from the External Examiner, from the Student-Staff Consultative Committee and from student responses in module questionnaires. Some information on each JH option module is given in the appendix in the second half of this handbook. See also the University Course Catalogue. Further information will be provided at the start of each module in MOODLE. (Note that the syllabus and assessments of modules may be changed at the time of delivery.) During the first week of each semester you may shift from one optional subject module to another – see Dr Singer (as Adviser of Studies) to arrange it. After that you may not change, nor may you withdraw from a module (except if the semester is discounted on medical/personal grounds). NB1 that having completed a module, a student cannot have its grade annulled.

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NB2 the Department will withdraw a module if there are fewer than 6 students wishing to take it. That is too few to justify the expense of offering it. Fig. 1 Single Honours Geology 2015-2016

240 credits over 2 years of JH & SH, of which 90 credits must be at 4000 level

CORE SKILLS MODULES SUBJECT MODULES

JUNIOR HONOURS

Code JH sem 1: Take all 4 modules

Cre- dits

Code JH sem1

Credits

ES3001 Geological Mapping 15

ES3002 Analytical & Statistical Methods in Earth Sciences

15

ES3008 Geochemistry 15

ES3009 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology 15

JH sem 2: Take all 4 modules

JH sem 2

ES3003 GIS & Spatial Analysis for Earth Scientists

15

ES3004 Processes & Products in Sedimentary Systems

15

ES3006 Advanced Geological Mapping 15

ES3007 Structural Geology & Tectonics 15

SENIOR HONOURS

SH sem 1: Take both modules

SH sem 1 Take 3 modules from the following across two semesters (ie 0, 1, 2 or 3 modules in each semester)

ES4001 Field Excursion and Map Interpretation

15 ES4006 Advanced Igneous Petrogenesis 15

ES4002 Research Review, Essay & Seminar 15 ES4007 Petroleum Exploration & Geophysics

15

ID4001 Communication & Teaching In Science

15

EG4020 Geochronology 15

ES5005 Isotope Geochemistry (from 2016) 15

SH sem 2: Take one modules

SH sem 2

ES4003 Research Dissertation (whole year) 45 ES3011 Global Biogeochemical Cycles 15

ES5006 Metalogeny 15

ES5009 Geodynamics 15

NB because of staff availability, there is no guarantee that any module shown here will actually be delivered. NB For a module to run there must be a minimum of 6 students taking it, otherwise it will not be presented.

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Fig. 2 Single Honours Environmental Earth Science 2015-2016

240 credits over 2 years of JH & SH, of which 90 credits must be at 4000 level

CORE SKILLS MODULES SUBJECT MODULES

JUNIOR HONOURS

Code JH sem 1: Take all 3 modules

Credits Code JH sem1 Take 1 from the following

Credits

ES3002 Analytical & Statistical Methods in Earth Sciences

15

ES3008 Geochemistry 15

EG3020 Global climate change 15

EG3021 Contemporary Environmental Problems: Applications and Solutions

15

JH sem 2: Take all 4 modules

JH sem 2

ES3003 GIS & Spatial Analysis for Earth Scientists

15

ES3004 Processes & Products in Sedimentary Systems

15

ES3010 Advanced Environmental Field Methods

15

ES3011 Global Biogeochemical Cycles 15

SENIOR HONOURS

SH sem 1: Take both modules

SH sem 1 Take 3 from the following across two semesters (i.e. 0, 1, 2 or 3 modules in each semester)

ES4002 Research review, Essay & Presentation

15 ES4007 Petroleum Exploration & Geophysics

15

ES4008 Environmental Excursion and Maps*

15 EG4020 Geochronology 15

ID4001 Communication & Teaching In Science

15

ES5005 Isotope Geochemistry (from 2016) 15

SH sem 2: Take one modules

SH sem 2

ES4003 Research Dissertation (whole year)

45 ES5010 Environmental Geochemistry 15

NB because of staff availability, there is no guarantee that any module shown here will actually be delivered. NB For a module to run there must be a minimum of 6 students taking it, otherwise it will not be presented.

* If too few students opted for this degree, the ES3010 module students will join the ES3006 class in the NW Highlands, but doing a distinctive mapping exercise. Likewise for the ES4008 module students will join the ES4001 class in the Alps, but again there will be distinctive exercises.

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Fig. 3 MGeol 2015-2017

CORE SKILLS MODULES SUBJECT MODULES

YEAR 3 (identical to JH BSc Geology)

Code sem 1: Take all 4 modules

Credits Code sem1

Credits

ES3001 Geological Mapping 15

ES3002 Analytical & Statistical Methods in Earth Sciences

15

ES3008 Geochemistry 15

ES3009 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology

15

sem 2: Take all 4 modules

sem 2

ES3003 GIS & Spatial Analysis for Earth Scientists

15

ES3004 Processes & Products in Sedimentary Systems

15

ES3006 Advanced Geological Mapping 15

ES3007 Structural Geology & Tectonics 15

YEAR 4

sem 1: Take all modules

sem 1 Take 60 credits over 2 semesters including at least one placement

ES4001 Field Excursion and Map Interpretation

15 ES4006 Advanced Igneous Petrogenesis 15

EG3020 Global Climate Change 15 ES4007 Petroleum Exploration & Geophysics

15

EG3021 Contemporary Environmental Problems: Applications & Solutions

15 EG4020 Geochronology 15

ES4011 or ES4012

Work (4011) or Research Placement (4012)

30

sem 2: Take all modules

sem 2

ES3011 Global Biogeochemical Cycles 15 ES4011 or ES4012

Work (4011) or Research Placement (4012)

30

ES4002 Research Review 15

YEAR 5

sem 1: Take all modules

sem 1 Take 30 credits over 2 semesters

ES5001 Year 5 Fieldcourse 15

NB For ES5001 to run, every student in the class must agree to participate

ES5005 Isotope Geochemistry (from 2016) 15

sem 2: Take the module

sem 2

ES5003 Research Project (all year) 60 ES5006 Metalogeny 15

ES5004 Integrated Earth Sciences (all year)

30 ES5009 Geodynamics 15

ES5010 Environmental Geochemistry 15

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HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE IRVINE BUILDING

First aid boxes are located in the Main Office, the Forbes Lab, the Lapworth lab, the IT Lab, the Rock-Crushing room, the Rock-Cutting room, and the Physical Lab. The current First Aider is Stuart Allison who is contactable in his office off the Computer Lab (ext 3922). Notices are also displayed detailing your exit routes and assembly points in the event of fire. All students should familiarise themselves with this information. The School Safety Officer is Dr Aubrey Zerkle (az29 @st-andrews.ac.uk). Any hazards or safety-related incidents should be reported to the School Safety Officer or the School Office immediately. The misuse of any Safety, Fire or First Aid equipment will result in disciplinary action.

DEGREE REGULATIONS A regulatory structure determined by Senate and Court governs the award of all degrees. Undergraduate Resolutions and Regulations are available at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/rules/ugsenateregulations/

ACADEMIC ALERT (SEE ALSO ABSENCE REPORTING) Academic Alerts are a way of helping students who are having trouble coping with their studies; such as missing deadlines for handing in work, or missing compulsory tutorials. The aim of the Alert system is to help students by flagging up problems before they seriously affect students’ grades. Academic Alerts will be issued by email from the Director of Teaching, Director of Postgraduate Studies, Module Coordinator or School administrator and will tell students what is wrong and what they are required to do (e.g. attend classes in future). The Alerts will also tell students what support the University can offer. If students do not take the action required they will get another Alert, and eventually will automatically get a grade of zero and will fail that module. The system is designed to help and support students in order to remedy any problems or issues before these lead to failing a module. Alerts will never appear on a student’s permanent transcript. For more information on Academic Alerts and details on how the categories work, see http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/Academic%20Alerts.pdf In DEES, the compulsory module elements are ALL lectures, labs, fieldwork, tutorials, tests, oral presentations, and visiting speaker talks (even though visiting speaker talks are commonly not on the timetable). Absence for unexpected reasons requires submission of an online Self Certificate of Absence through e-Vision at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/rules/selfcertification/ When justifiable absence from a class is known before a class takes place, a student must obtain approval ahead of time from the lecturer concerned. If this has not been done, the student must present the reason(s) for absence IN WRITING to the lecturer within 3 working days of the class. Attendance at classes will be monitored. Un-notified and unjustified absence will result in an Academic Alert.

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NB repeated self-certificated absence will result in an Academic Alert and possible loss of the right to complete the module. As regards coursework submission, all items are compulsory. You may have friends in other subjects who do not have to submit all the coursework – that’s not so in EES.

PENALTIES FOR LATE WORK AND FOR WORK OF INCORRECT LENGTH Each item of coursework should be submitted by the set deadline. The penalty scheme is chosen according to the nature of the module and the particular assignment. See https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/penalties.pdf. In Honours EES, the normal penalties will be: The penalty for unapproved late, submission of work is subtraction of 5% of the maximum available mark per day or part thereof, for up to 1 week, beyond which the penalty is 100%. NB At the insistence of student members of the Earth & Environmental Science Student-Staff Council a strict policy of ‘The deadline is the deadline’ is adhered to. Requests for extension will only be considered in the case of debilitating illness, surgery, close family bereavement, and failure of a piece of lab equipment needed for an exercise. Such requests must be made BEFORE the deadline. (See page 20 for the latest University policy on DEFERRED ASSESSMENTS.) Having extra-curricular activities/responsibilities/duties is not justification for extension, nor is poor time management. Neither is failure of the Irvine Building computer lab, since the University has other computer labs that you can use and since you should always have your work saved on a disc or memory stick. The penalty for over-length essays is subtraction of 5% of the maximum available mark for work that is over-length to any extent, then a further 5% of the maximum mark per additional 5% over. On the front cover of an essay you must state the word count. The number of words included in the count includes the text, the content of tables but does not include the reference list, the abstract, captions to figures and tables and text in maps. Disputes about word count should be taken up with the module coordinator. No item of DEES work may normally be submitted after the first day of each Revision week.

THRESHOLD PERFORMANCE IN MODULES

In the coursework for a module, DEES Honours & MGeol students must attain an aggregate score of at least 25% (4.0 scale points) after any deductions for lateness or exceeding word limit. Failure to exceed this threshold will result in Academic alert category 9 or 10, meaning you score 0X for the module, i.e. FAIL, thus having to take that module again. In the end-of-module examination, Honours students must achieve an aggregate score of at least 25% (4.0 scale points) in order to retain the right to one re-assessment; if the score is less than 25% they may not resit the exam and so FAIL the module, regardless of the weighted aggregate score of coursework plus exam.

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ADVISING OF STUDIES Advising At the beginning of each session, before matriculation in the University, undergraduate students must see, in person, their Adviser of Studies, who will approve their choice of modules and can also give help and guidance on matters relating to academic progress. For DEES Honours students this is Dr Michael Singer (room 424, mds21@st-andrews.ac.uk).

Re-advising Students may change modules only during week 1 of each semester. No matter what level of module you are studying, you must contact your Adviser of Studies in person or by email to obtain approval for any change. You must not, in any circumstances, enrol yourself into a new module or simply start attending the classes for a new module, at any level, without being Re-Advised. Advising is one of the primary means by which your academic record is maintained and unless you ensure that this is kept up to date through your Adviser, you may find you will not receive the credit for the modules you have taken. You will also lose the right to continue in a module for which you have been registered but have not attended. This will result in no credits for that module, and a grade of 0 on your record, with no possibility of re-assessment. You may also encounter problems with your examination schedule. Students are also required to pre-advise in late April through the web at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/.

Withdrawal from a module Withdrawal from a module after the first week of a semester will not normally be approved. Any request must be passed through your Adviser of Studies who will contact the Pro Dean (Advising).

Withdrawal from studies If you are considering withdrawing from your studies at the University you should discuss the matter with your Adviser of Studies in the first instance. You should arrange to do this as early as possible as there are often alternative options open to you that would not require the final step of permanent withdrawal from the University. If you do decide you wish to withdraw from your studies you must contact the appropriate Pro Dean who will be able to offer guidance on your options and who will ensure that the process is completed correctly. You should be aware that there are fee implications when you withdraw from your studies part of the way through an academic year. You should therefore ensure you contact the Money Adviser at the Advice & Support Centre (the asc@st-andrews.ac.uk) to obtain early advice on the final implications of your decision before you complete your withdrawal.

ASSESSMENT

Student work in a module is assessed by coursework performance, with or without an end-of- semester examination, depending on the module. If there is an exam, it must be sat if you want to be awarded the credits for a module.

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Refer to the earlier section on THRESHOLD PERFORMANCE which explains that both the aggregate coursework score and the aggregate exam score in a module must each be ≥ 25%.

Coursework All the work of an Earth Science module is compulsory; this includes all coursework assessments. (See also ACADEMIC ALERT) Coursework may include: a report on a reading assignment; a lab exercise; a map; a field excursion; a test; a set of problems; rock identification and interpretation; a student-presented seminar, etc. You are evaluated on your understanding of the principles taught in the course, your skill in applying these, your skill and flair in presenting your findings, and through your explanations on the thinking that you have undertaken. Devote appropriate amounts of time to individual assessments – do not concentrate on one to the detriment of others. And don’t concentrate all your time on assessments to the detriment of the daily reading, learning and revision that should be accompanying the lectures and labs throughout a module. It is well established that those students who defer reading and learning the material of a module to immediately before the exam perform below their potential. Lesson - PLAN your studies! You may have more than one piece of work to submit by the same deadline (e.g. in the last teaching week of a module), and maybe even at a time when you have some extra-curricular demands on your time. This also requires that you plan and manage your time carefully and is excellent preparation for what will be expected of you in employment. Unless you are told otherwise, submit assessments to the School Office in the submission box, with your matriculation number, not your name, and the module clearly stated. Include on the front page a word count [minus abstract (if required), reference list, tables and figure captions, and the title page]. Certain assessments will be submitted through the TURNITIN system (accessible through MMS) along with a printed copy. The lecturer concerned will tell you about the submission procedure for any particular exercise. Make sure your work is submitted by the deadline set by the lecturer responsible (see section on PENALTIES FOR LATE ASSESSMENT OF WORK AND/OR EXCEEDING WORD LIMIT). NB TURNITIN enables staff to check the word count and to see instances of where text has been copied from journals, newspapers, books, essays (including ones submitted at other universities). In Earth & Environmental Sciences, coursework is marked as a percentage. The mark is aggregated with those for any other coursework in the module and that aggregate is then converted to the University’s grade point scale – between 0 and 20. That coursework grade point is then combined (allowing for the relative weighting of coursework and exam) with the grade point for any exam in the module to obtain the module result. NB All coursework scores are provisional until endorsed at the Module Board meetings with the External Examiner in February/June. The University uses a 20-point Common Reporting Scale for grades* (i.e. a 20-point basic scale reported to one decimal point for final module grades). Details of the Common Reporting Scale can be found at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/teaching/examinations/scale/

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Reporting scale Honours classification of the item of coursework

20 First class

19 First class

18 First class

17 First class

16 Upper second class

15 Upper second class

14 Upper second class

13 Lower second class

12 Lower second class

11 Lower second class

10 Third class

9 Third class

8 Third class

7.0 Pass

6 Fail (with right to resit)

5 Fail (with right to resit)

4.0 Fail (with right to resit)

3 Fail (with no right to resit)

2 Fail (with no right to resit)

1 Fail (with no right to resit)

0 Fail (with no right to resit)

*The following URL gives definitions of classification, grades, marks and the 20‐point scale for (undergraduate and integrated masters degrees) : https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/grades-definition.pdf In Earth Science we normally* use the following conversion between percentage and grade: Percentage mark Grade 85 – 100 20 80 – 84.9 19 - 19.9 76 – 79.9 18 – 18.9 70 – 75.9 16.5 – 17.9 60 – 69.9 13.5 – 16.49 50 – 59.9 10.5 – 13.49 40 – 49.9 8 – 10.49 35 – 39.9 7 – 7.9 20 – 34.9 4 – 6.9 < 20 <4 * In accordance with standard educational practice, a particular exercise may use a different conversion in the light of class performance and/or moderation by the External Examiner. In that case, it may be appropriate to have a different correspondence between % and Honours classification.

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The precise conversion is made as follows:

PERCENTAGE GRADE POINT 85 - 100 20 80 – 84.9(999) Multiply % by 0.20 and add 3 70 – 79.9(999) Multiply % by 0.25 and subtract 1 50 – 69.9(999) Multiply % by 0.30 and subtract 4.5 40 – 49.9(999) Multiply % by 0.25 and subtract 2 0 – 39.9(999) Multiply % by 0.20

Students should be able to receive routine feedback on any work that they have submitted. Feedback will give you advice that will guide you in improving your learning and future performance. Feedback opportunities vary from School to School but can include individual face-to-face discussion, written commentaries on work or electronic feedback for example through MMS or MOODLE. (Feedback on exams is described in section 2e.) Earth Science staff normally return marked course work within 3 weeks of submission. Take time to consider any generic feedback to the class and any comments provided on your own, returned work and reflect on how to improve future performance. Retain every piece of assessed coursework for possible scrutiny by the External Examiner. Recognise that feedback is not confined to what is written on your work when it is returned to you. Thus in labs and especially in field courses you are receiving personal feedback when talking one-to-one with staff and in group question and answer or discussion sessions with staff. Often when work is returned to a class it will be provided with group generic feedback comments, e.g. in an e-mail or a document placed on MOODLE. It all constitutes ‘feedback’ and as a result what is written on your returned work can be briefer than if these other means of feedback did not exist.

Exams All information relating to University examinations may be found at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/Examinations/ The Earth and Environmental Sciences subject module exams are mostly 2 hours long and commonly consist of answering 2 questions from a choice of 4 questions. The Module Co-ordinator will tell the class the actual format. In accordance with University policy, exams are anonymously marked; in Earth and Environmental Sciences some are also double marked. They and the coursework are subject to scrutiny by the External Examiner. Be sure to prepare for exams by working on past papers. These are now only available through iSaint: see:- www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/Examinations/pastpapers/ Preparation should include writing practice answers against the clock. Answers should include relevant material and examples of features and phenomena from all possible sources, including lectures, practical classes, field excursions, seminars, extra-curricular lectures and Society lectures, discussions with staff and research students, and your own thinking on the topic. Refer to named scientists as appropriate, to show your familiarity with the literature. [For example. “Jones (2012) has challenged this view and shown by the use of high-pressure experiments that these rocks are actually mantle-derived”.] Include relevant, well-drawn and

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labelled diagrams and tables, whether instructed to or not, and practice drawing diagrams as part of your examination preparation. Never include a thumbnail-sized sketch – figures should be at least 7cm in height and width. {Look at the advice given in the Honours Induction course at the start of JH.} Students are required to make themselves available in St Andrews for the full duration of the December and May Examination Diets, dates of which are detailed under the key dates section of this Handbook. If returning to St Andrews for an examination, ensure that your travel arrangements mean you arrive in good time. Poor scheduling on a student’s part will not be acceptable as a valid excuse for missing an examination. Note that you should plan to remain in St Andrews until the last day of each Semester in case an exam has to be re-scheduled at short notice. Before each exam diet there is a Revision period of 1 week in December and 2 weeks before the May diet. The word ‘revision’ means that you are refreshing learning that has already been done. Some students rely on the Revision periods to do their learning, many only doing the reading associated with a module at that time. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOLLY! It means you will not be best prepared for the examination and will not score as well as you could. In fact there is only one way to revise effectively during a Revising period and that is to do the reading, the working on your notes and the learning associated with each lecture (or other teaching activity) as a module is delivered. It’s an obvious and simple key to success, yet so many students don’t do it. Don’t be seduced into bad study habits because classmate(s) tell you that they are not learning as the module proceeds, so therefore you don’t need to either. That just compounds the folly. Examination Timetables

The provisional Degree Examination Timetable will normally be published no later than week 8 of Semester 1 and week 7 of Semester 2. You will be advised via the Wednesday memo when the provisional timetable is available for viewing. Ensure you check the timetable carefully. Whilst every effort is made by Schools and the Examinations Office to prevent timetable clashes, these can occasionally occur. Where such a clash is identified, students should contact the Examinations Office (examoff@st-andrews.ac.uk) as a matter of urgency. The confirmed timetable will be published during week 9 or 10 of each semester. You can also download a Personal Student Examination Timetable from the main timetable page. The examination dates for 2015-16 are: S1 Exam Diet: Monday 7th December -Thursday 17th December 2015 S2 Exam Diet: Monday 9th December – Thursday 19th May 2016 Illegible exam scripts It is your responsibility to ensure that your handwritten answers provided in examination scripts are legible and can be read by the markers. If the marker cannot read a script then this could result in a delay in confirming your module grade. You may be charged for a transcription service and could be required to return to the School(s) concerned in order to transcribe the script. If you have already left St Andrews then you will have to bear the costs of any return travel to the University. More information is available at: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/illegible-scripts.pdf

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Resits and Deferments See page 18 for information under heading IF A MODULE IS FAILED. Marking All examination papers are marked anonymously. The examination script books are designed so that all your personal details are completed along a strip on the right hand side of the script book, which you seal before leaving the examination hall. You should ensure your matriculation number is completed on the front of the script book and that it remains clearly visible. Your personal information will remain sealed while the internal marker(s) mark your script. Once a mark as been agreed by the internal marker(s) and recorded on the front of your script book, the flap will be opened to reveal your personal details to ensure that the information is recorded on the correct student record. Post-exam Generic feedback on an exam can be given to a class as a whole (in Earth Science this is commonly via an e-mail to the class or via MOODLE). If you wish detailed feedback from a member of academic staff on an examination script, you should contact the Module Co-ordinator for the exam in question to arrange a suitable time to do so. No fee is charged for this type of feedback. Students are however also entitled to request a hard copy of any of their own completed examination scripts. If a photocopy of the script is required for personal reference, please contact the Module Coordinator and, on payment of a fee of £10 per examination script, a photocopy will be provided for you within five working days. Such requests should be made by the end of Week 3 of the semester that follows the examination diet.

Grade-Related Marking Criteria For coursework and exam answers that are discursive in nature, and hence require the examiner to exercise judgement in awarding a score, Earth and Environmental Sciences staff use the criteria shown in the following Table. These give students an indication of the characteristics of their work for a given score. Note that particular exercises or exam questions may require modification of the scheme and that wholly numerical answers clearly don’t fit into the scheme.

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Earth and Environmental Sciences Honours grade-related marking criteria

% scale Scale Point Characteristics of work

85-100 20

Exceptional answer, going well beyond lecture coverage and showing all of the following:

excellent organisation, presentation & illustrations

all key points covered

originality of thought, with independent, critical judgement

thorough understanding of concepts

considerable amount of relevant literature integrated into answer

80 – 84.9 19 – 19.9

Excellent answer, going well beyond lecture coverage and showing most of the following:

excellent organisation, presentation, illustrations

all key points covered

originality of thought, with independent, critical judgement

thorough understanding of concepts

considerable amount of relevant literature integrated into answer

76 – 79.9 18 – 18.9

Outstanding answer, going well beyond lecture coverage and showing many of the following:

excellent organisation, presentation, illustrations

most key points covered

very sound critical judgement

thorough understanding of concepts

considerable amount of relevant literature integrated into answer

70 – 75.9 16.5– 17.9

1st class

Very good answer, going beyond lecture coverage and showing most of the following:

excellent organisation, presentation, illustrations

most key points covered

sound evidence of critical judgement

thorough understanding of concepts

considerable amount of relevant literature integrated in answer

60 - 69.9 13.5 -16.49

2.I

Good answer, going beyond lecture coverage. As % increases from 60 – 69.9 the work exhibits progressively more of the following:

good organisation of material, majority of key points covered

ability to argue logically,

sound grasp of relevant concepts,

good use of examples and illustrations

incorporation of some relevant literature and/or bookwork, showing evidence of engagement beyond lectures

50 - 59.9 10.5 -13.49

2.II

Satisfactory answer, based largely on lecture material. As % increases from 50 – 59.9 the work exhibits progressively less of the following:

mediocre organisation of material/ presentation,

limited ability to argue logically,

some key points not included

more than one relevant concept not understood,

poor use of examples and illustrations,

incomplete coverage of topic/some irrelevance

little or no literature/bookwork incorporated

40 – 49.9 8-10.49

Third

Adequate but flawed answer. As % increases from 40>49 the work exhibits progressively less of the following:

poor organisation of material/weak presentation,

illogical argument,

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several relevant concepts ignored/not understood,

limited use of relevant examples and illustrations.

no literature and bookwork mentioned

limited coverage of topic, some irrelevance

35 – 39.9

7 – 7.9 Pass

Answer not of Honours standard, exhibiting some or all of:

disorganised material/ poor presentation,

superficial understanding,

lacking key items of content,

little treatment of the question set

20 – 34.9 4 – 6.9

Fail with resit

Fail answer, exhibiting some or all of:

answered an ‘imaginary’ question

largely irrelevant

major errors of understanding revealed,

very brief answer

<20 >4

Fail with no Resit

Fail answer, exhibiting some or all of:

answered an ‘imaginary’ question

very little relevant

next to no understanding revealed,

very brief answer

Note 1: these criteria are for guidance only, and it is open to examiners to balance outstanding performance in one aspect against deficiency in another. Note 2: all grades on returned coursework are provisional until approved or adjusted at the end-of-semester Module Board meeting with the External Examiner.

Module Result Percentage scores for each item of coursework are combined in the weightings assigned to each. The resultant percentage is then converted to a grade point (page 13). Exam question scores are summed to give a percentage for the exam and then also converted to a grade point. The coursework and exam result grade points are then combined in the proportions shown for the module in the Course Catalogue to give the module result. This will be a grade on the 20-point scale to one decimal place. The spreadsheet of scores and resulting grade points are discussed by the Module Examination Board. Any adjustment made (e.g. if the exam was judged to be too difficult or the External Examiner did not think that a particular assessment produced sufficient spread of marks) is applied to the entire class and not just to selected individuals. The module result is then reported to the Faculty Dean for approval and thereafter to you online by Registry with one of the following codes appended:

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If a Module if Failed…… It is rare for an Honours student to fail a module. Should it happen, there would be one

of two consequences:

If the fail is very bad (<4.0), no reassessment is permitted. If it were a core module, then the module would have to be taken again (including attending all classes, doing all coursework, including attending any lab classes and fieldwork, and taking the exam) and passed. If it was an option module, it or another option module may be taken. NB the fail score will appear on your transcript.

If it is a marginal fail (4.0 – 6.9), then reassessment will be allowed and will take a form considered to be most appropriate, e.g. an oral exam, an essay, a written examination, and at a time chosen by staff. Note that should you then pass the module at re-assessment, the original fail and grade will be recorded along with the pass on your University transcript; furthermore the passing grade will be capped at 7.0 and is the grade that will be entered in the algorithm that aggregates your module grades to determine your degree result.

If you have a reassessment examination at the August (Reassessment) Diet you must register individually in advance of the diet via the online registration facility. You will be notified directly by e-mail by the Exams Office when this is available in late June. Where a re-sit examination is being taken, a fee is payable at the time of registration. Please refer to http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/Examinations/ to obtain details of the current fee rates. [NB Deferred examinations do not carry a fee.] Note that it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they are available in St Andrews for the whole of the August Diet.

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Special Circumstances – “S” Code ‘S’ Coding is the method the University uses to recognise that special circumstances have affected performance in the modules concerned. ‘S’ coding may only be applied to Honours or taught postgraduate modules, except for taught postgraduate project or dissertation modules, which are excluded. ‘S’ coding may only be applied with the explicit consent of the student and with the approval of the School. The final decision to ‘S’ code a module grade rests with the School. You should be aware that a maximum of 25% of the overall Honours credits required or 50% of the taught element of a postgraduate award may be ‘S’ coded. If you feel that most or all of the work of a module has been adversely affected by personal circumstances during your final junior and senior Honours years or during the taught modules of a taught postgraduate programme you should contact your School in the first instance indicating the circumstances of the difficulty experienced. This may relate to on-going illness, close family bereavement or other significant personal difficulties. You must bring this information to the attention of the School as soon as possible as there are a number of ways to deal with such situations, ‘S’ coding being the final option. It may be possible (and it is viewed as preferable) to arrange deferred assessments* or extended submission dates rather than applying ‘S’ to the entire module. However it should be noted that if such arrangements are made, (extensions or deferred assessments* etc.), it is unlikely that you will also be entitled to have the module ‘S’ coded as well.

Deferred Assessments A new policy on Deferred Assessments came into effect from 2014-15. In April 2015 the Deferred Assessment policy was merged with the rest of the Assessment Policies in to one document that can

be found at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/Assess Policies Procedures.pdf.

The Honours Degree Classification Scheme The University applies a common formula for the calculation of the award of Honours classifications. Degrees are classified using a credit-weighted calculation of grades achieved for Honours-level modules (3000 level and above) taken during an approved Honours programme (see next table). This ensures consistency. Full details of the University’s Honours Classification algorithm can be found at: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/teaching/examinations/honours/

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Dean’ List This is an annual award for academic excellence, promoted by the four Deans of the University. Undergraduate students who achieve an outstanding overall result in the course of an academic year have their names inscribed on the Deans’ List, an honour which will also appear on your University transcript. The criteria for the award are strict. Only students taking no fewer than 120 credits counting towards an approved degree programme over the course of an academic year will be eligible and all credits have to be taken within the four Faculties of the University of St Andrews. Study abroad is excluded from the scheme, although incoming students from other universities will be eligible, provided they meet all other criteria. Any student who meets all the criteria and who obtains a credit-weighted mean grade of 16.5 or above for the year will be recorded on the Deans’ List. The rules will be adapted for part-time students, who must achieve the minimum credit-weighted mean of 16.5 in 120 credits taken part-time over no more than three academic sessions. Full details of all the criteria and conditions for the Deans’ List are available at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/schools/contacts/prodeans/deanslist/

PROGRESSION FROM JUNIOR TO SENIOR HONOURS

BSc Honours Geology and BSc Honours Environmental Geoscience students: ordinarily you will have successfully completed the JH programme of modules and so have 180 3000-level credits. Trailing Level 3000 credits into SH would be an enormous burden for most students. University Science regulation D5 states that ‘Admission to the final two semesters of an Honours Programme shall be at the discretion of the Board of Examiners’. This allows the Board to consider whether a student lacking 180 Level 3000 modules should be allowed to progress. NB University Science Faculty regulation D4 does not allow a student to enter Senior Honours with sub-Honours credits still to obtain.

PROGRESSION WITHIN THE MGEOL DEGREE Progress from Level 3000 to Level 4000 MGeol requires an average score for the year ≥ 13.5 and passes in all the required modules in the year. If not, you will be transferred to the SH Geology degree. (NB In case this might happen, all MGeol students should prepare an Honours dissertation project during their JH year that could be quickly implemented once the June module results are announced.) Progress from Level 4000 to Level 5000 is not dependent on any average threshold score.

EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES PRIZES Earth and Environmental Science awards the following prizes/distinctions each year:

The C. F. Davidson prize, in memory of Professor Davidson who was Head of Geology in the 1960’s, is awarded to the SH student with the best year performance, and a second one to the best MGeol graduating student based on performance over years 3, 4, and 5.

The de Courcy Duggan prize is awarded to the SH student whose research project is considered to be the most innovative.

Irving prizes for excellence in fieldwork, funded by a bequest from former students John & Aileen Irving, are awarded to the JH Geology degree students who produce the best maps from the Ullapool + Mull + Fife mapping courses, to the best Environmental

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Earth Sciences students on module ES3010, to the best Alps field report by an ES4001 student, and to the SH student who produces the best field-based research project.

BP prize for excellence in filed mapping in JH

The JH student showing the best performance in the year in the area of mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry is awarded the Mineralogical Society Prize – 2 years free membership of the Society, including its journal.

The Tony Weir cash prize goes to the JH student who had the best academic record in (ES2001 &/or ES2002 &/or ES2003).

PRINT AND BINDING SERVICE

The University’s Print & Design Unit is ideally set up to print and/or bind your dissertation and thesis. You can send your material in PDF format (with a note of pages to be printed in colour) to: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk and then they will be in touch when your job is ready. Price lists and further information: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign/

FIELDWORK Costs Field courses are a key ingredient of the degree programmes. Unfortunately they cost a lot of money to mount but as you know St Andrews field courses are subsidised by the Irvine Bequest, donated by two St Andrews Geology graduates of the 1930’s who worked in the Australian mining industry. Nonetheless you will be asked to make a financial contribution towards part of the costs of the Honours residential field courses: ES3006 Mull and Ullapool and the ES3010 Advanced Environmental Field Methods module will cost you ca. £210 and £105, respectively. [This assumes that the ES3010 students go to Ullapool for 1 week.] ES4001 to the Alps - the cost in September 2015 was £500; students pay the airfares to and from Geneva and food costs themselves. Expect some increase in student contribution in 2016. The costs for ES4008 were a bit higher for 2014 because of a small class size. You will have the fieldwork costs for your ES4003 Research Dissertation to provide; since these are borne by you they are likely to be a factor in choosing where you go and what you do. Since all EES field courses have a Departmental subsidy, any student who does so abysmally that they must retake a field course or a module will not get the subsidy a second time. They will receive a bill for the full economic cost of their participation a second time.

Behaviour and Safety Any student who feels they might have physical or medical difficulty undertaking the fieldwork should talk with the Course Co-ordinator. Safety in fieldwork is paramount. You must act responsibly whether being supervised or not. Give safety the highest priority in planning and executing your research project. You have been trained and will continue to be trained in a safety-first culture. You are required to wear safety equipment on field courses, whether supervised or not. You will be required to think formally about the safety implications of your fieldwork and to demonstrate in writing that you have planned safety into your programme of work. Thus when doing fieldwork that is not supervised by staff, avoid obviously hazardous places such as cliffs, ravines and screes. You are not

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required to be a mountaineer, or to use ropes and climbing equipment. Don't be complacent; even a fall of a few metres can cause serious injury or worse. If part of an area is inaccessible to you because you judge it to be dangerous, write "inaccessible" on your map. Always err on the side of caution to minimise risk and danger. Always seek permission to work on a farmer's or another’s ground and cause no damage to their property or animals. Follow the Country Code http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/ Remember that you have signed the Safety Code for Geological Fieldwork. Read it once more - if you have lost your copy, ask for another. In JH, prior to undertaking the summer fieldwork for your Research Dissertation (ES4003) you will receive instruction on basic hill-walking craft, on First Aid and on Safety.

Inoculations and Insurance for Fieldwork Fieldwork requires scrambling around and brings inevitable cuts and scrapes, so you are strongly advised to undergo a course of anti-tetanus injections, or to receive a 'booster'. Ask your doctor or the St. Andrews Health Centre for advice. You should also consider taking out personal accident and personal liability insurance. A parent or the Students Union Insurance Service should be consulted.

Use Your Field Notebook Data & Trust It Staff find that students are reluctant to use the field data, descriptions and drawings (i.e. carefully collected information) in their formal reports. Is this laziness, i.e. failure to look over field notes when preparing reports? Or is it lack of confidence in one’s own field data? Whichever, some sketches, tabulated data, even field photographs should be transcribed from notebook to reports and the research dissertation to highlight key features and to help with the formal description and documentation of field features and rocks that any report must include.

Feedback Remember the comment on page 14 about the feedback that occurs ‘live’ on field courses during Q&A sessions and discussions. It does mean that fewer comments need be written on your notebooks and reports.

LIBRARY AND OUT-OF-CLASS READING

Much more reading is expected of the Honours student than in First and Second Year. Indeed failure to read extensively and to make notes from the reading guarantees mediocre results in modules. Whereas you have been used to a single textbook being a suitable accompaniment to each course, now you will need to refer to several texts. You will also be required to read many articles in Earth and Environmental sciences journals. Books and journals are located on the top floor of the Library on shelves with the classmark QE. Some books and issues of journals may be placed on Short Loan at the front desk of the Library to prevent any individual monopolising items. You will also find a display of the current issues of Earth and Environmental sciences journals against the wall on the west side of Level 4. Though these may not be borrowed, get in the habit of browsing them as they may help trigger thoughts on what to do for your research project (ES4003) and for your research review (ES4002). You may also

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stumble on articles relevant to a module that you are taking and which could be worth quoting in an exam answer. (Such initiative really does impress an examiner.) Reading the recommended textbooks and articles for a module is not an optional activity as some students suppose. Take a look at the criteria in the table “Earth Science Honours Common Marking Criteria”. For an answer to be worth a First or an Upper Second Class mark you will need to demonstrate knowledge of the literature. In other words exam answers and coursework essays need to refer to the findings and ideas of scientists who have been mentioned in lectures and labs (and any others you have found that are relevant) and need to show that you have understood their work. There is never time in a lecture to present a comprehensive account of someone’s contribution to a topic – YOU are expected to acquire that by reading original articles by the researcher concerned and accounts of his/her work in textbooks. This activity of finding out for yourself is at the heart of being an Honours student and an independent learner. Even if a lecturer does not mention a textbook or an article to read in connection with a topic, don’t be passive - take the initiative and look in a book or a journal for more information, or ask the lecturer where to get started. Examiners enjoy being surprised by relevant information and references that they have not provided in class, and allocate marks accordingly. While printed books and journals require you to go to the Library, these days e-copies of some textbooks are available as are e-copies of many of the journals taken by the Library. These can be accessed from the home page of the Library by typing the book or journal name in the Search box on the page. In the case of journals it is not just the current issue that can be brought up on a screen but also back issues going back 10 or more years.

MATHEMATICS SUPPORT CENTRE

Students lacking confidence in their mathematical ability or having difficulty with any mathematical or statistical aspect of the course are encouraged to visit the University’s Mathematics Support Centre, a place where students from all Schools can obtain one-to-one help with any mathematics-based problem. One-to-one appointments can be booked. To find out more visit the CAPOD website: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/advice/studyskillsandadvice/mathsandstatisticssupport/

GOOD ACADEMIC PRACTICE As you know, the University has introduced a policy that requires students to act in a manner that is academically appropriate. Indeed you have undergone training in that at the start of your Second year. You should read the policy and the Guide for Students again to ensure you do not violate the policy or put yourself at risk of facing an allegation of misconduct. See https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/teaching/strategypolicy/policy/academicpractice/ Students who are unsure about the correct presentation of academic material should approach the lecturer who set the work concerned.

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ABSENCE REPORTING FROM CLASSES & EXAMS Absence from classes Attendance is a basic assessment requirement for credit award, and failure to attend classes or meetings with academic staff may result in your losing the right to be assessed in that module. Please ensure that you are familiar with the 'Academic Alert' policy as stated elsewhere in this handbook. If you have missed timetabled classes/events or any other compulsory elements of the module due to illness or an unavoidable pre-arranged event or appointment, you must complete a Self Certificate of Absence form (through e-Vision) as soon as possible. Under certain circumstances, Schools may request further documentation in addition to the Self Certificate. In this case, students should contact Student Services in order to organise the appropriate documentation. If you submit more than three Self Certificates in a single semester, or if the period of absence extends to fifteen working days, you may be contacted by Student Services, the relevant Pro Dean, or by an appropriate member of staff in your School. Completion of a Self Certificate is not an acceptable substitute for contacting your tutors well in advance if you have to be absent. Advance notice of absence is acceptable only for good reason (for example, a hospital appointment or job interview). It is your responsibility to contact the appropriate member of staff to complete any remedial work necessary. If you are an international student (non-EEA nationals only), you will be affected by recent changes introduced by the UK in relation to immigration rules and visas. The University is now legally bound to report to the UKVI any student who fails to enrol on a module or programme of study, or who fails to attend, or who discontinues their studies.

Absence from Examinations Absence from Examinations due to illness or any other unavoidable reason should be reported by submitting a Self Certificate of Absence form (through e-Vision) as soon as you are able to do so, preferably before the examination is due to take place and in any case no later than 3 days after the examination. You must contact the School responsible for the module being examined in order to request alternative arrangements, which are at the discretion of the School. You are only required to notify the University Examinations Officer if there is a problem submitting the self-certificate. Contact Examinations Officer The Old Burgh School, Abbey Walk Telephone: 01334 464100 Email: examoff@st-andrews.ac.uk

ACADEMIC FLEXIBILITY FOR STUDENTS WITH RECOGNISED SPORTING

TALENT There is a policy which allows allow eligible students (with the permission of the School and Sports Performance Manager) to have time off from their studies in order to participate in key sporting tournaments and competitions. Further information is available from Debby Sargent, Department of Sport and Exercise (email dls4) or see https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/sports-flexibility.pdf

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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Earth and Environmental Sciences follows the Code of Practice for Quality in Teaching and Learning, in that every student should:

recognise that it is his/her responsibility to familiarise him/herself with the aims and objectives and scope of a class before enrolment, to ensure that the class suits his/her interests and degree plans;

regard enrolment in a class as a contractual agreement; this involves attendance at all activities scheduled for the class; attendance is not a casual matter, you should be there, as indicated in the section on Academic alert;

arrive punctually for all activities scheduled for the class;

where absence from or late arrival is unavoidable, inform the lecturer wherever possible;

complete all preparatory work required of them;

meet all deadlines for submission of assigned work, unless postponement has been agreed with the tutor;

consult his/her lecturer if in doubt about the appropriateness of, or reason for, a grade on an assigned piece of work;

treat all Departmental staff with courtesy.

disconnect mobile telephones during lectures and laboratory classes The Department follows the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education guideline that one credit is regarded as reflecting the learning outcomes achieved through 10 hours of ‘student effort’, which means lectures, practical classes, seminar attendance, field work, report writing, personal study and preparation for examination. That translates into an expectation that each student works at least a 40-hour week, with the time distributed among the various modules studied. Are you putting in that time? You should make yourself aware of the Senate Regulations and the key Codes of Practice and Rules that govern your studies and behaviour in St Andrews. These are all available on the University web page under the Sections on Academic Matters and Policy & Guidance. The University regards both bullying and harassment as unacceptable. Its policy and advice to anyone who feels that they are being victimised is set out on the website http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/support/harassment/ Both are grounds for disciplinary action that could result in expulsion. Students by nature tease one another. Without realising it, one student can do it to excess or overstep the mark and cause offence to another. Sensitivity to the feelings of others is essential to avoid the situation getting out of control and an official complaint being made. Indeed, other members of the class who sense that one member of the class is annoying another, whether deliberately or unwittingly, should alert the individual to head off trouble. This can be a particular issue during residential field excursions, when tempers may get short. Note that the Irvine Building is a non-smoking area throughout. You may smoke only a substantial distance from the building and you should NOT smoke in the corridor between the Irvine and United Colleges, as the smoke may enter the building through open windows and doors.

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If you hear the fire alarm or a bomb alert, get out of the building quickly and quietly and move to the lawn on the seaward side of Lower College Hall. Remain there until instructed. If you find a fire, raise the alarm but do not attempt to tackle the blaze. If you are using the computing lab out of hours and a fire occurs, alert other users to get out of the building and phone the emergency services on 9-999 (telephone is on top of the bookcase against the north wall). You must not re-enter the building until a University official gives permission. Staff appreciate that some students need to take paid employment during term-time. Having employment is not, however, a valid reason for missing classes, not attending field courses, for poor performance or late submission of assignments. Employment does reduce the time and energy available for your academic work, so keep the hours worked to a minimum. Your university e-mail account is the official means of communication for the University and you are therefore reminded that you should read your e-mails at least every 24 hours (particularly during the academic year). You can arrange to have your University e-mail account automatically forwarded to your personal external account, but be aware that there may be problems with this and you should check regularly to make sure the forwarding is working. You are responsible for ensuring that your contact details are kept up to date. You may do this at anytime during the year via your E-vision account that can be accessed from the Current Students section of the University home page.

ACCOMMODATION Honours labs take place in the Lapworth and Bute C21, as will some lectures. That does not mean the room is for the exclusive use of Earth and Environmental Sciences Honours students, though when it is not being used for teaching, you are welcome to work in there. Other venues for teaching include the Cumming room, the Forbes laboratory, Arts Lecture Theatre and room 310. Again, when these are not in use you are welcome to work quietly in them. If you want to use a microscope in your own time, please do so in the Lapworth or Bute C21 labs only – do NOT carry it to the Forbes lab, the Cumming Room or the Bute! While your swipe card allows access to the Computer Suite out of hours, no access is permitted to the rest of the building out of normal working hours 0900 – 1730, Monday-Friday. During the time when SH are writing up their dissertations in March, the Computer Suite will be booked for certain hours for their use. NB Geography SH students will also be writing up at the same time. Also be aware that some classes, including ones not taught by the School, use the Suite and so at times it will be block-booked for several hours and hence not available for you to use at the time.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

If for disability reasons you require support for example; teaching and exam arrangements, please contact the Disability Team from the link below. Student Services provides support for a wide range of disabilities such as: Learning difficulties, visual and hearing impairments, mobility difficulties, Asperger’s, mental health, long standing medical condition and much more.

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If you have a disability or some medical condition which means that you are unable to take notes in lectures, you may seek permission from Student Services to use a voice recorder or other computer-based device to record lectures and/or tutorials. If you are not authorised by Student Services to record lectures then you must request permission from the relevant academic member of staff prior to the lecture taking place. More information is available at:- https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/teaching-and-learning/policies/recording-lectures.pdf

EMPLOYMENT AND ADVANCED DEGREES Consider your post-university employment/education, which may or may not be in Earth science and feel free to discuss your plans with staff. In JH visit the University's Careers Centre website http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/administration/careerscentre/ and contact its staff at St Mary’s Place no later than SH semester 1. Consult a copy of the Geologists Directory, published by the Geological Society, which includes the names and addresses of dozens of companies involved in Earth and Environmental science-based industries in the UK. Also visit their website (http://www.geolsoc.org.uk) and look at information on careers. When it comes to making job applications feel free to ask staff to act as a referee for you, but help by providing us with a copy of your Curriculum Vitae. The Careers Service offers advice on how to prepare a CV. Dr Robinson acts as Careers and advanced studentships adviser for Earth Sciences. She will be issuing written information and addressing the JH on these matters. You are free to seek her advice, or that of any other member of staff, about your plans for the future.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT For advice and support on any issue, including academic, financial, international, personal or health matters, or if you are unsure of who to go to for help, please contact the Advice and Support Centre, 79 North Street, 01334 462020, theasc@st-and.ac.uk. Students may wish to obtain advice and guidance from within the Department in the first instance. If so you should contact Dr Singer who will identify the most appropriate person to speak to you. Earth Sciences staff operate an ‘open door’ policy to students - you are welcome to come and talk to us at anytime. If we cannot see you then, we’ll arrange a time. If you have medical or personal problems or bereavement that may affect the majority of your performance in a module you should inform Dr Robinson, in case S coding is appropriate (see page 19 for description of S coding). NB this must not be left until the examination diet begins.

ACADEMIC APPEALS, COMPLAINTS & DISCIPLINE The University is committed to ensuring as high a quality student experience as possible while studying at St Andrews. Occasionally things may go wrong and if you are experiencing a difficulty, or are dissatisfied with your academic experience, you should raise concerns as soon as possible. This allows effective resolutions to be worked out quickly.

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Such issues normally fall into one of three categories:

An appeal requesting a formal review of an academic decision - where, for example, the University has made a judgement about your assessed work or progression within a course of study which you have grounds to query (see the relevant Policy on Student Academic Appeals);

Complaints - where you are dissatisfied with the quality or standard of service that you have received from any part of the University, either academic or non-academic (see the University’s Complaints Handling Procedure);

Disciplinary cases - where the University has grounds to believe that you have conducted yourself in an unacceptable manner in either an academic or non-academic context. Academic Misconduct is dealt with under the Good Academic Practice Policy; Non-Academic Misconduct is dealt with under separate procedures.

If there are extenuating personal circumstances that may affect your academic performance or impact on your progression you must bring these to the attention of an appropriate member of staff (for example your Academic Adviser, module coordinator or the appropriate Pro Dean) as soon as possible and normally prior to completing any assessment. If you base a subsequent academic appeal on such extenuating personal circumstances, you will be required to provide valid reasons to explain why you failed to notify the examiners or other relevant persons of these circumstances prior to completing the assessment.

Using the Right Procedure If you are unsure whether to use the Appeals procedure or the Complaints procedure, there is a key question to ask yourself. What kind of outcome are you seeking? If you are seeking to have an academic decision changed (such as a mark or grade, or a decision about progression or termination of studies), then you *must* use the Appeals procedure. The permissible grounds for submitting an appeal are clearly detailed therein. If you are dissatisfied with the level of service you have received from the University, or if you believe that a service needs to be improved, or that the University has failed (for example) to follow one of its administrative processes properly, then the Complaints procedure is normally more appropriate. For matters involving teaching in general, there are also feedback opportunities through Staff-Student Consultative Councils, module questionnaires and School presidents. You can make both a personal Complaint and an Appeal, by using both the Appeal and Complaints procedures, but it must be emphasised that changing an academic judgment or decision is not one of the outcomes from the Complaints procedure used alone.

Further guidance and support The Students' Association provides independent and confidential help and advice for students who are contemplating submitting an academic appeal, complaint or are having discipline proceedings taken against them. The Students' Association employs Iain Cupples, the Student Advocate (Education), whose job it is to ensure that you receive help with writing and submitting a submission. Iain can also accompany you to any hearing. He should be your first point of contact as soon as you feel you need help.

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Contact Iain Cupples Student Advocate (Education) Telephone: 01334 462700 Email: inc@st-andrews.ac.uk

TERMINATION OF STUDIES ON ACADEMIC GROUNDS -

UNDERGRADUATES If your academic performance is unsatisfactory, i.e. you have gained insufficient credits to progress to the next stage of your degree programme, your studies may be terminated. You will then be notified by the Dean or the Pro Dean (Advising) that your studies are terminated and you will normally have no later than five working days within which to submit a request a review of this decision using an appropriate form. This should be supported by documentary evidence specifying the reasons for your unsatisfactory performance. If you do not submit a request for review of the decision you will have your studies automatically terminated. This decision is taken by the Dean in accordance with Senate Regulations. Your full student record is taken into account any review, including any instances of non-academic misconduct. If your request for review is successful, the Dean will contact you with conditions for your return to studies. If you do not meet these conditions (e.g. you do not pass the specified amount of credits within the time period given by the Dean) your studies may be terminated again. If your request for review is unsuccessful, you may have a further right of appeal to the Senate of the University. Appeals to Senate are admissible only on limited grounds and the process cannot be used to challenge matters of academic judgment. To make a Senate submission, you must complete and submit to the Senate Office a Stage 2 appeal form within 10 working days of the date stated on your termination letter. Late submissions may not be considered further by the University. For further information, see the University’s Policy on Student Academic Appeals at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/rules/appeals/policy/ International students here at St Andrews on a Tier 4 visa should be aware that any terminations will be reported to the UKVI and their visa curtailed. Contact Student Services, Students’ Association Eden Court Telephone: 01334 462720 Email: studentservices@st-andrews.ac.uk

GETTING YOUR VIEWS & THE EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

PRESIDENT We welcome your views on the teaching that takes place. You will continue to be asked to complete questionnaires giving feedback on your opinions of each of the modules you take. This information is discussed at a Staff Council meeting and used constructively to assess your view of individual teaching performance, of a module’s curriculum and to consider modifications that might enhance teaching and learning. It also forms the evidence for a report

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by the Earth & Environmental Science Director of Teaching, Dr Robinson, to the University’s Teaching and Learning Committee. This Committee interviews the Director of Teaching and the Head of School on the contents of the report and any changes that may have resulted. The objective of all this auditing is to keep our standards of teaching high and to respond to issues jeopardising that. We rely on students to play their part in helping us do so, whether it is through the formal questionnaire, or through informal conversation with members of staff, or through the Student-Staff Consultative Committee. The Committee meets once per semester to discuss issues, which could range from problems about modules or accommodation, to seeking student views on a possible major teaching change. The objectives are: to keep students informed about academic matters, to obtain their views on proposed changes, to respond quickly to their concerns, and to involve them in keeping standards high. The External Examiner usually meets with each of JH and SH in April to hear student views of the courses, and feeds his findings into his annual report on teaching in the Department. Several members of staff are represented on the Student-Staff committee but it is convened, chaired and the minutes are written by the Earth Science President who in 2015-2016 is SH student Sarah Alexander (mailto: earthscipresident@st-andrews.ac.uk). The Earth Science President decides on the membership of the SSCC and will arrange for each of JH and SH to elect a Class rep to the committee.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (URIP)

This programme was introduced with the intention of giving undergraduate students the opportunity to experience research during the summer vacation. The URIP is open to students who are matriculated at the University of St Andrews and who will typically have completed their penultimate year of studies. URIP funding (currently at £180 per week for up to ten weeks) cannot be used to support research for a credit-bearing programme. Details of the scheme, including information about the application procedures, are published during the academic year. The programme is administered by the Deans of Arts and Science. For full details of the application process visit www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/internships/

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP SCHEME (URAS) This programme was introduced to promote projects that emphasise the many ways in which Research and Teaching can come together and to give undergraduate students the opportunity to gain experience doing independent research. The URAS is open to any undergraduate student matriculated at the University of St Andrews. URAS funding (currently at £50 per 6 hours of work, up to £2,000 per school) cannot be used to support research for a credit-bearing programme. The programme is administered by the Proctor’s Office. For full details of the application process visit: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/academic/internships/

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STUDENT FEES

For full information on University Tuition Fees that you will be liable to pay throughout your studies go to http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/money/. There are programme-related fees relating to fieldwork – see FIELDWORK, section 1, COSTS. Graduating in person or in absentia marks the end of your degree or diploma course of studies at the University of St Andrews. If you have been accepted onto a new degree or diploma programme at the University, the new programme is separate and distinct from the course of studies from which you are about to graduate, and you will be liable for all fees associated with that new programme.

KEY CONTACTS

University University Switchboard (01334) (47)6161 Academic Registry – transcripts (01334) (46)2144 Academic Registry – graduation (01334) (46)2144 Academic – fees (01334) (46)2144 Academic Registry – Pro Deans (01334) (46)2127 Student Experience Office/ASC (01334) (46)2020 Registry generic email addresses – see www.st-andrews.ac.uk/registry/ University Examinations Office - examoff@st-andrews.ac.uk Pro Deans - http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/schools/contacts/prodeans/ CAPOD, the university’s central point for teaching and learning assistance can offer personal support and guidance (e.g. see section on Mathematics Support Centre) - see website at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/CAPOD/ University Library & computer facilities - http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/library/ Student Services - http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studentservices/ Students with Special Needs - http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/SafetyandWell-being/Disabilities/ Health & Safety – for details on health and safety for students within the University see http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/safety/ The School also has briefings and Risk Assessments concerning fieldwork.

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Earth and Environmental Department Roles

Role Contact e-mail extension

Joint Head of School & Head of Earth & Environmental Science

Professor Peter Cawood pac20 3911

Director of Teaching Dr Ruth Robinson rajr 3996

Director of Postgraduate Studies Dr Michael Singer mds21 2874

Honours Adviser of Studies Dr Michael Singer mds21 2874

Honours Geology Degree Contact Dr Tim Raub timraub

4012

Honours Environmental Earth Sciences Degree Contact

Dr Aubrey Zerkle az29 4949

MGeol Earth & Environmental Sciences Degree Contact

Dr Adrian Finch aaf1 2384

S coding requests Dr Colin Donaldson chd 3935

Honours student support and advice Dr Michael Singer mds21 2874

Disability Co-ordinator Mrs Frankie Kerr-Dineen fkd 3940

Examinations Officer Dr Colin Donaldson (sem 1) Dr Adrian Finch

chd aaf1

3935 2384

Director of Research Dr Tony Prave ap13 2381

Health & Safety Officer Dr Aubrey Zerkle az29 4949

Course Secretary (working hours 9am to 3.15, M to Th)

Mrs Frankie Kerr-Dineen

fkd

3940

The School Office is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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Honours module co-ordinators

MODULE CODE TITLE MODULE CO-ORDINATOR

EG3020 Global Climate Change Rob Wilson

EG3021 Contemporary Environmental Problems: Applications and Solutions

Michael Singer

ES3001 Geological Mapping Tony Prave

ES3002 Analytical and Statistical Methods in Earth Sciences

Rob Wilson

ES3003 GIS & Spatial Analysis for Earth Scientists Ruth Robinson

ES3004 Processes & Products in Sedimentary Systems

Tony Prave

ES3006 Advanced Geological Mapping Adrian Finch

ES3007 Structural Geology & Tectonics Peter Cawood

ES3008 Geochemistry Nicky Allison

ES3009 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology Colin Donaldson

ES3010 Advanced Environmental Field Methods Rob Wilson

ES3011 Global Biogeochemical Cycles Aubrey Zerkle

ES3099 Field methods in Geoscience (semester abroad students only)

Ruth Robinson

EG4020 Geochronology Vincent Rinterknecht

ES4001 Field Excursion and Map Interpretation Tony Prave

ES4002 Research review, Essay & Seminar Colin Donaldson

ES4003 Research Dissertation Sami Mikhail & Tim Raub

ES4006 Advanced Igneous Petrogenesis Adrian Finch

ES4007 Petroleum Exploration & Geophysics Richard Bates

ES4008 Environmental Excursions and Maps Tony Prave

ES4010 Joint Honours Research Project Sami Mikhail & Tim Raub

ES4011 Work Placement in Earth Sciences Ruth Robinson

ES4012 Research Placement in Earth Sciences Richard Bates

ES5001 MGeol Student-led field course Adrian Finch

ES5003 MGeol Research Project Tim Raub

ES5004 MGeol Integrated Earth Science Ruth Robinson

ES5005 Isotope Geochemistry (from 2016) Jonathan Cloutier

ES5009 Geodynamics Peter Cawood

ES5010 Environmental Geochemistry TBC

ID4001

Communication & Teaching in Science Ruth Robinson

ID5011 GIS for Environmental Management Richard Bates

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SOME KEY DATES IN THE PROGRAMMES

2015 – 2016 Orientation Week and Revision periods are integral parts of the University semester, and students are expected to devote that time to their studies. Students are also expected to be available for the entire examination period. Orientation week – Monday Sept 7 Semester 1 – Monday Sept 14 – Friday Dec 18 Raisin Monday – Monday Oct 26 (classes as normal) Revision period – week of Monday Nov 30 Exams – Monday Dec 7 – Friday Dec 18 Christmas vacation – Monday Dec 21 – Semester 2 – Monday Jan 25 – Friday May 20 Spring vacation – Saturday March 12 – Sunday March 27 Revision period – Monday April 25 – Sunday May 8 Exams – Monday May 9 - Friday May 24 Graduations – week beginning Monday 20, 2016 2016-2017 Orientation week – Monday Sept 5 Semester 1 – Monday Sept 12 – Friday Dec 19 Raisin Monday – Monday Oct 24 (classes as normal) Revision period – week of Monday Nov 28 Exams – Monday Dec 5 – Friday Dec 16 Christmas vacation – Monday Dec 19 – Semester 2 – Monday Jan 23 – Friday May 19 Spring vacation – Saturday March 13 – Sunday March 26 Revision period – Monday April 24 – Sunday May 7 Exams – Monday May 8 - Friday May 26 Graduations – week beginning Monday 20 June 2016

Dates are available online at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/semesterdates/2015-2016/