Level 0 Study Guide 2012-13 Biosciencex - Swansea University

Department of Biosciences 

LEVEL 0 STUDY GUIDE 

Session 2012 - 13 

Level 0 

Student Information, 

Tutorials and Module Outlines 

Name: 

Student Number: 

Degree Scheme: 

Please keep this Guide in a safe place; you will need it for reference purposes throughout the 

session. If you lose it and require a replacement copy there may be a charge. 

This guide is one of a series, which describes and explains the staff, degree programmes and module outlines for 

Biosciences subject areas of the College of Science. It should be referred to in conjunction with the College Undergraduate 

Guide and the University Undergraduate Academic Handbook for information on modules, teaching, assessment and your 

future progression within the College. 

1

DISCLAIMER 

The Department has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the 

information contained within this publication is accurate and up-todate 

when published but can accept no responsibility for any errors 

or omissions. 

The Department reserves the right to revise, alter or discontinue 

degree programmes or modules and to amend regulations and 

procedures at any time, but every effort will be made to notify 

interested parties. 

It should be noted that not every module listed in this handbook 

may be available every year, and changes may be made to the 

details of the modules. 

You are advised to contact the Department directly if you require 

further information. 

DATES OF TERMS 

24 September 2012– 14 December 2012 

7 January 2013 – 22 March 2013 

15 April 2013 – 14 June 2013 

SEMESTER 1 

1 October 2012 – 25 January 2013 

SEMESTER 2 

28 January 2013 – 14 June 2013 

The 2013/2014 academic year begins on 26 th September 2013 

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Contents 

STUDYING AT SWANSEA 4 

Introduction to Biosciences 4 

Biosciences Staff 4 

Biosciences Support Staff 5 

Departmental Facilities 5 

Communication 6 

Programmes of Study 7 

Outline of Specifications for Single Honours Programmes 8 

Outline of Programme specifications for Biology foundation 10 

Programme 

Opportunities for Study/Work Abroad Placements 11 

Transcripts and Diploma Supplements 11 

Transfer of Programme and Modules 11 

Personal Tutors 12 

Attendance Policy 15 

MODULE CONTENT 16 

Introduction 16 

Teaching Methods 16 

Methods of Assessment and Learning Outcomes 18 

Assessment Requirements of a module 18 

Procedures for Submitting Assessed Work 19 

Feedback 20 

Re-assessment 20 

Illness during the exam period 20 

Policy on extenuating circumstances affecting assessment 20 

Students with extenuating circumstances and/or special 25 

requirements 

Appeals Procedure 26 

Verification Procedures 27 

Use of Animals in Teaching – Policy Statement 27 

Biology Level 0 module catalogue 28 

Appendix 1 – Self Certificate Biosciences 40 

3

INTRODUCTION TO BIOSCIENCES 

STUDYING AT SWANSEA 

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide you with information on all stages of your academic 

programme at level 0. We hope that it will answer many of your questions. However, if, after 

reading it, you still have some unanswered queries, please feel free to discuss these with Dr Dan 

Forman, the degree coordinators and/or your personal tutor who will be assigned to you soon after 

the start of the first term. You should also consult the College Undergraduate Taught Awards 

Handbook and the University’s Academic Handbook for Undergraduate Taught Awards 

20012/2013. 

BIOSCIENCES ACADEMIC STAFF 

Head of Department: 

Programme Director: 

Professors: 

Senior Lecturers: 

Lecturer: 

Senior Tutor : 

Tutors: 

Rory P Wilson BA MA Oxford PhD Cape Town 

Dan W Forman BSc Coventry PhD Wales 

Paul F Brain BSc PhD Hull FIBiol (part-time) 

Tariq M Butt BSc PhD Bristol 

Kevin J Flynn BSc PhD Wales 

Graeme C Hays BSc Southampton PhD Aberdeen 

Andrew F Rowley BSc PhD DSc Wales 

Carlos Garcia de Leaniz BSc Victoria PhD Aberdeen 

Charles R. Hipkin BSc PhD Wales (part-time) 

Patricia L M Lee BSc Concordia DPhil Oxon 

Dan Eastwood BSc PhD Liverpool 

John Griffin BSc Nottingham MSc Bangor PhD Plymouth 

Mike Fowler BSc PhD Glasgow 

Andrew King BSc Cardiff PhD London and Zoological Society London 

Emily Shepard BSc Oxford PhD Swansea 

John E Lancaster BSc PhD Wales (part-time) 

Wendy Harris BSc PhD Swansea 

Ian M Horsfall BSc London MSc Southampton PhD Liverpool 

Penny Neyland BSc PhD Wales 

Laura Roberts BSc PhD Wales 

Gethin Thomas BSc Bangor MSc Liverpool School Tropical Medicine 

PhD Swansea (Welsh Language Tutor) 

As well as the staff listed above the following staff in the College of Medicine are involved in the 

delivery of Year 1 modules in Biosciences: 

Ed Dudley BSc PhD Wales (Senior lecturer) 

D. Hugh Jones BA, D.Phil Oxon (Senior lecturer) 

Colin J. Restall BSc PhD London (Lecturer) 

David O.F. Skibinski BSc (London), D.Phil (Oxon) (Professor) 

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BIOSCIENCES SUPPORT STAFF 

Administrative Staff: 

Technical Staff: 

Mrs Liz Cozens 

Ms Hilary Jones – Teaching Technician 

Mr Keith Naylor – Boat Skipper 

Mr Ian Tew – Research/Teaching Technician 

Mrs Sarah Walmsley – Biolabs Technician 

Mr Jonathan Woodman-Ralph - Teaching Technician 

Teaching Administration Office 

The first source for student enquiries and information is the Teaching Administration Office in 

Room 122, Wallace Building 

This Office is open between the hours of 9.00am and 1.00pm Monday to Friday during term time 

and 10.00 am to 12.00 noon in vacations. 

Tel: +44 (0)1792 295332/ 295359 

Email: r.muxworthy@swansea.ac.uk / l.cozens@swansea.ac.uk 

DEPARTMENTAL FACILITIES 

Drawing & Poster Printing Service (Margam Room 028) 

This office can provide advice on all aspects of poster and illustration production. It also offers a 

printing service of A1 and A0 documents (£10.00 A1 and £15.00 A0). Posters must be 

submitted on a USB stick. Please note there is a three working-day turnaround for this service. 

The final product must always be the work of the student. 

Computing Facilities 

The Department has modern, purpose-built computing laboratories with facilities for the full 

range of geographical operations. These laboratory are located in Wallace rooms 217 and 219b 

and are principally for instruction and student use. Access to the rooms are via your student card 

which can be programmed by visiting Wallace Room 202 between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm during 

the start of term, but which will reduce to 3.30 pm and 4.00 pm each week day. Assistance with 

computing facilities may be obtained from staff (Wallace Room 223). 

Food and drink are prohibited within these computer rooms. 

Private Study 

Students are welcome to use laboratories and lecture rooms for private study when these rooms 

are not being utilised for teaching. 

5

COMMUNICATION 

The Teaching Administration Office provides a number of services and functions, as follows: 

• To answer any queries relating to academic matters. 

• Receipt of medical certificates, self certification forms and other documentary 

evidence of adverse circumstances relating to academic performance. 

• Issue and receipt of the appropriate forms for Transfer of modules, Change of 

degree schemes, Suspension of studies and Withdrawal from schemes. 

• The collection and return of any other forms e.g. project/field course registration 

forms, safety forms, evaluation questionnaires, etc. 

• Submission of any forms requiring signature by a member of staff. 

• Enquiries regarding student absence from scheduled classes. 

Information is distributed and shared within the Department using a variety of methods including 

notice boards, the Web and email. 

Staff – Student Consultative Committee 

The Staff-Student Consultative Committee allows undergraduate students to bring any concerns 

that they have about any aspect of their Biosciences learning experience to the attention of the 

Biology Department. These concerns are discussed in Committee meetings and subsequently 

acted on further where this is considered appropriate. The Committee is chaired by a member 

of the teaching staff but its Secretary is a student. Whilst a small number of representatives 

from all undergraduate years are elected each year to serve on the Committee, meetings are 

open to all undergraduates taking Biology modules. The Committee meets approximately twice 

a term but the chair is also able to receive concerns from students at any time by email. The 

current Staff-student liaison officer is Dr Emily Sheppard. 

Career Development: Swansea Employability Academy 

Within the Department of Biosciences key employability skills (communication, leadership, team 

working, problem solving and presentation skills) are built into all aspects of our degree 

programmes. No Swansea Biosciences student reaches graduation without being exposed to 

many of the challenges they will face in the working world, such as leading a group of peers to 

complete a specific assignment or presenting work to their colleagues. The career prospects of 

our Biosciences graduates are good. 

Employability skills training is also supported through the Swansea Employability Award and the 

Department offers weekly support sessions for students enrolled on the Award programme. The 

Department of Biosciences has a dedicated Employability Tutor (Dr Laura Roberts) to support 

students as they make decisions about their future and to help them achieve their career goals, 

whether they wish to go on to a postgraduate degree program, successfully compete for a 

graduate employment position or pursue a gap year after graduation. 

The Swansea Employability Award (SEA) 

SEA SUPPORT SESSIONS : Monday, 10am , PC Room 14, Haldane Building. 

(web site: www.sea.swan.ac.uk) 

Swansea University offers an online Employability Award which, if completed, will appear on 

your degree transcript. The Award involves a series of online and works experience modules 

and can be completed at any time during your degree programme. However, you are 

encouraged to start the programme as early as possible in your degree programme. The award 

structure is outlined below. You can register to complete the award at the web address above 

and contact Dr L:aura Roberts (L.J.Roberts@swansea.ac.uk) for more details. 

6

PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 

For students pursuing a 4 year degree programme managed by Biosciences, the department is 

designated as your 'Home Department', which means that it is responsible for issues such as 

enrolment, tutor assignment, progression and examinations. From September 2011 the BSc 

Honours Degrees available to Level 1 students for which Biosciences is the 'Home Department' 

are shown below. In addition, the Department co-operates with other departments to offer Joint 

Honours Degree Programmes that combine studies in Biosciences with a non-biological subject. 

For these degree programmes the co-operating department has the role of 'Home 

Department'. 

Degree 

Route Code 

XBIOS 

UCAS 

Code 

C104 

Degree Programme 

Biology 

Degree Programme 

Coordinator 

Prof. R.P. Wilson 

XBIMS 

C160 

Marine Biology 

Prof. G.C. Hays 

XBIZS 

C300 

Zoology 

Prof A. F. Rowley 

Each of the degree programmes offered by the Department is described in detail in the 

Programme Specification for the degree scheme. 

Note: in accordance with the QAA, all programmes of study should be expressed in terms of 

Programme Specifications. Reference to these should be made to them here (and web links 

included where appropriate). You are reminded that the centrally held electronic record is 

considered by the University Learning and Teaching Committee to be the current version and it 

is the College’s responsibility to ensure that these are kept up-to-date. 

Additionally, if benchmark statements are available for your subject matter, Colleges are urged 

to include reference to either how your programmes already address the benchmarks, or the 

stage you have attained in reviewing your programmes in relation to your subject’s benchmarks: 

www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark 

7

OUTLINE OF PROGRAMME SPECIFICATIONS FOR SINGLE HONOURS PROGRAMMES 

Foundation Level Biology 

In Biosciences we currently offer three single honours degree schemes: BSc Biology (C104), 

BSc Marine Biology (C160) and BSc Zoology (C300). Our standard offer for entry onto these 

schemes is ABB which should including an A-level in Biology (or related subject). As a crucial 

component of the widening access and inclusivity strategy of the Biosciences Department and 

College of Science, this new degree scheme provides access to the BSc Biology degree (C104): 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

to applicants who have not gained sufficiently high grades at A level to enter directly onto 

the three year degree scheme; 

to applicants who lack past educational experience in Biology but have experience in a 

cognate discipline (e.g., chemistry, geography, environmental science, maths and 

physics) and wish to attain this foundation rather than enter at Level 1; 

to applicants who are deemed to lack sufficient relevant educational experience in 

cognate disciplines to enter onto the 3 year BSc Biology degree at Level 1; and 

to mature applicants and professional learners from non-traditional backgrounds who 

lack the formal educational qualifications but have relevant work experience. 

During the Science Foundation Year students study a pre-defined combination of 60 credits of 

compulsory science modules comprising: environmental science (10c), computing (10c), Physics 

(10c), mathematical analysis (20c) and key skills (10c) in the first teaching block, followed by 

modules in Geography (15c), Biology (15c), Computer Science (15c) and statistics (15c) 

modules in the second teaching block. 

Upon successful completion of the Science Foundation Year (Year 0), students enter onto Level 

One of the three year BSc Biology degree (C104) and follow the existing pathway through the 

degree BSc Biology degree. At Level One of the programme study includes a set of compulsory 

modules accounting for 120 credits. These compulsory 120 credits include a wide range of 

topics, practical research and analytical methods, and academic skills modules. At level 2, 

students are required to take 90 credits of compulsory modules and have a free choice of 

modules worth 30 credits. They are able to access existing modules in the department’s portfolio 

for this level or elect to take modules that are external to the department. At Level Three 

students conduct a 30 credit research dissertation, a 20 credit literature review and 20 credits of 

compulsory modules. Students can select an additional 50 credits of modules from options 

spanning the diverse topics within Biology. 

Single Honours Degree Programmes in Biosciences 

Biology 

The aim of the degree course is to produce biologists, who do not wish to specialize in a single 

biological discipline, with a knowledge of basic principles and unifying concepts in biology. The 

objectives are to produce graduates who understand the structural, functional and phylogenetic 

relationships of living organisms and who appreciate the importance of IT and numeracy skills. 

www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci/undergraduatestudy/bscbiology 

8

Marine Biology 

The aim of the course is to provide an understanding of marine organisms and their interactions 

with the environment. The objectives are that by the end of the course students should be 

familiar with: the biology and interrelationships of marine organisms from microbes to mammals; 

field surveying and sampling techniques; planning and executing experiments in both the field 

and laboratory; presentation, IT and numeracy skills. 

www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci/undergraduatestudy/bscmarinebiology 

Zoology 

The aim of the course is to provide a rigorous foundation in animal form, function and ecology 

and to produce graduates well-qualified to undertake careers in many spheres of biology, 

commerce, education and the media. The objectives are to produce graduates who: have the 

ability to understand structural, functional and phylogenetic interrelationships of animals; are 

capable of designing and executing simple research experiments and are able to analyse 

experimental data. The course includes the development of IT skills together with training in the 

presentation of scientific data orally to peers. 

www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci/undergraduatestudy/bsczoology 

Biological Sciences with Deferred Specialisation (C100) 

Applicants who are unsure which degree scheme to choose can apply using this route. 

Students can defer choosing their degree scheme until the end of the first year at University. 

This is only applicable to schemes offered within Biosciences. 

www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci/undergraduatestudy/bscbiology 

Students entering the University commence their studies by taking a combination of Level 1 

modules during their first year with a total credit point value of 120. Please note that 

programmes of study within Biosciences do not allow elective modules to be pursued at 

level 1. Your personalised enrolment form will show the list of compulsory modules for your 

degree scheme. 

After Level 1, students study Level 2 (in their second year) and Level 3 (in their third year). 

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OUTLINE OF PROGRAMME SPECIFICATIONS FOR BIOLOGY FOUNDATION 

PROGRAMME 

Teaching Block 1 Compulsory Modules (all 10 credit modules) 

Module 

MA-000 

MA-001 

CS-061 

GEB011 

GEB012 

EG-062 

PH-001 

Title 

Foundation Mathematics 1a 

Foundation Mathematics 1b 

Introduction to Computing 

Environmental Science 

Development of key skills for scientists 

Development of Key Skills 

Introductory Physics 

Teaching Block 2 Compulsory Modules (all 15 credit modules) 

Module 

GEG010 

CS-099 

BIO000 

BIO001 

Module Title 

Foundation Geography 

Computers Unplugged 

Foundation Biology 

Data Analyses and Presentation 

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Opportunities for Study/Work Abroad Placements 

Staff within the department work with a range of individuals and organisations throughout the 

world and may be able to facilitate work or research-based placements for you. If you are 

interested in working or studying abroad during reading your degree in the department of 

biosciences please contact Dr D Forman (d.w.forman@swansea.ac.uk). 

TRANSCRIPTS AND DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENTS 

You can expect to receive an academic transcript at the end of your studies at Swansea which 

details the modules you pursued and the marks obtained. In addition to the transcript, the 

University produces a diploma supplement for all final year students. The diploma supplement is 

a document developed by groups within the European Commission that aims to facilitate 

academic and professional recognition of qualifications across Europe. It provides a description 

of the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and 

successfully completed by the individual named. It is expected that employers and higher 

education institutions will increasingly request this document from you when you begin applying 

for posts or further study. 

Information for Colleges: statement produced by Directorate-General for Education and Culture, 

European Commission 

“The purpose of the Diploma Supplement is to produce sufficient independent data to improve 

the international “transparency” and fair academic and professional recognition of qualifications 

(diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.) The model was developed by the European Commission, 

Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES and is designed to produce a description of the nature, 

level, context, content and status of the studies that were pursued and successfully completed 

by the individual named on the original qualification to which this supplement is appended.” 

TRANSFER OF PROGRAMMES AND MODULES 

Please refer to the following sections of the Academic Guide: 

www.swansea.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/generalinformationandstudentresponsibilities/transf 

erofmodules 

www.swansea.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/generalinformationandstudentresponsibilities/transf 

erofprogrammes 

11

You can change your programme if the Academic department(s) involved agree but you MUST 

return a completed Programme Transfer Form before you begin the second year of your 

current programme. Also, before proceeding always contact Student Records/Tuition Fee 

Officer and your LEA for advice about financial support. 

If you are considering transferring your degree programme, you should seek advice from your 

Head of Year. Programme transfer forms can be obtained from your Teaching Administrative 

Office (Room 101 Wallace Building). These must be authorised by your Programme Director but 

your Teaching Administrator will assist you with this. 

PERSONAL TUTORS 

You will be assigned a Personal Tutor; you can expect the Tutor to provide pastoral assistance 

and guidance to you on issues that may affect your well-being, attendance and progress through 

University. You are assured that this Student-Tutor relationship will remain confidential subject 

to University guidelines and appropriate acts of Parliament. The Personal Tutor will assist you 

as far as possible though they may direct you to more appropriate support services if they feel 

you require them. 

Your relationship with your Personal Tutor should not be one-way — you also have 

responsibilities which must be met. Should you have or develop a medical or other problem that 

has the potential to influence your academic progress you must advise your Personal Tutor 

immediately to ensure that you receive appropriate support during your time at Swansea. You 

are expected to attend all meetings as arranged with your Personal Tutor and provide 

satisfactory explanations for any absence. 

The University’s tutoring policy (section 4) reflects the two-way commitment to the personal 

tutoring system, indicating responsibilities of the Department and tutor, and also the student: 

4. Personal Tutoring Requirements 

4.1 There shall be a minimum of four Personal Tutor engagements between 

Personal Tutors and tutees each academic session, including at least one 

meeting each term together with an initial meeting to be held during induction 

week or week one. It is also recommended that Personal Tutor meetings be held 

on a more frequent basis. 

4.2 Personal Tutor meetings should be a timetabled activity. Personal Tutors should 

clearly inform tutees of the purpose of the meeting. 

4.3 Personal Tutor meetings may be held on a group basis, individual basis or by a 

combination of these approaches. However, there should be at least one 

individual meeting with tutees each session. 

4.4 Students may also request that an individual meeting be held with their personal 

tutor to discuss any specific needs and requirements they may have. Colleges 

must make provision for individual tutor meetings within a reasonable period of 

time. 

4.5 Personal Tutors should initiate a meeting where there are unsatisfactory reports 

of tutees attendance or progress. 

4.6 Students may request a change of Personal Tutor on one occasion, stating the 

reason for such request. Any subsequent requests for a change of Personal 

Tutor will be subject to the discretion of the Head of College. 

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5. Student Responsibilities 

5.1 To attend Personal Tutor meetings and to inform their tutor, in advance, of any 

instances of unavoidable absence. 

5.2 To actively participate in meetings with Personal Tutors. 

5.3 To inform Personal Tutors of any personal circumstances that might be affecting 

attendance and academic progress. 

5.4 To submit any requests for extenuating circumstances to the College’s Special 

Circumstances Committee. 

5.5 To declare any needs for specific support from the University and to actively seek 

such support. 

5.6 To take a proactive approach to identifying and accessing opportunities provided 

to enhance their employability. 

5.7 To actively respond to feedback and guidance provided and opportunities to 

enhance personal development. 

5.8 To inform Personal Tutors of their inclusion as a named referee in respect of any 

applications for employment or other purposes. In all cases, students must 

provide the Personal Tutor with relevant information regarding the purpose of the 

reference. 

6. Monitoring and Recording 

6.1 The University will implement an Internet-based solution to assist Colleges in 

maintaining and monitoring their Personal Tutoring arrangements. This is 

particularly important in the context of the University’s obligations under its UK 

Border Agency License. 

6.2 Colleges should also monitor Personal Tutoring through reviewing the outcomes 

of University student experience surveys and through College monitoring and 

evaluation systems. 

6.3 A record should be kept to confirm that all tutees have attended the Personal 

Tutor session and that all of the required information has been provided by the 

tutor. 

6.4 Any students who do not attend a Personal Tutor meeting without having 

informed the College of unavoidable absence should be subject to the College’s 

attendance monitoring procedures. Repeated instances of non-attendance 

should result in a formal report to the Undergraduate Dean. 

6.5 The University will ensure that students are provided with the opportunity to 

comment upon the effectiveness of Personal Tutoring arrangements in 

accordance with the University’s quality assurance procedures. 

The University’s Policy on Personal Tutoring can be found in the Academic Guide: 

www.swansea.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/assessmentandprogress/personaltut 

oring 

13

Tutoring Policy 2012/13 

Principles of Tutor Allocation 

1 All students taking single honours or joint honours degrees in geography are allocated a 

geography tutor for each of the three levels of study. The tutor in each year acts as an 

academic and a personal tutor, and will support Personal Development Planning. 

2 For academic tutorials, staff should normally tutor within their general area of expertise. 

At Levels 0 the emphasis on academic skills and the scope of subject matter covered in 

the tutorial system means that a broad understanding of Biology is important. 

3 Other teaching/administrative/research responsibilities will be taken into account in 

allocating tutorial students. Following the completion of student enrolment in September 

the Head of Department and Programme Director will determine any changes in 

individual staff tutorial loads. 

Monitoring of Tutoring and Fulfilment of Duties 

1 All tutors are required to keep a record of each STUDENT’S ATTENDANCE at tutorial 

meetings and (where appropriate) essay marks in percentages. For every meeting with 

a tutorial student, the record of attendance is to be completed and signed by the student. 

This sheet is retained as a record of each student’s commitment to, and attendance at, 

academic and PDP tutorials, as well as other meetings with the tutor. Attendance 

information has to be passed regularly to the Teaching Administration Office as part of 

the College student attendance monitoring system and to satisfy government 

requirements. Whenever possible, the tutor should be informed in advance if a student 

knows (s)he must miss a tutorial and an explanation should be provided. As tutorial 

meetings are a compulsory component of your studies absence is not tolerated without 

very good cause (typically ill health). Should you have an unforeseen absence from a 

tutorial you must contact your tutor as soon as possible to provide an explanation. An 

unexplained absence from tutorial will result in an email being sent to the student. 

Repeat absence can result in referral to the Head of Level, Programme Director and 

ultimately to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who may authorise withdrawal from the 

programme of study. 

2 A tutorial report (prepared by the tutor) is submitted on each student to the Teaching 

Administration Office. This can be referred to for the provision of references. 

3 The quality of tutoring is monitored by student assessment surveys. Questions relate to 

various aspects of the tutor's role, including the promptness with which essays are 

marked and returned, and the value and relevance of tutorial discussion. 

4 All tutors, but particularly those at level 2 and level 3, are expected to provide references 

(even when on sabbatical) for their tutorial students. 

5 All tutors are expected to reply to (sensible!) email requests from their students within 

one week, provided that they are not away from the university on official leave, when the 

time period may be longer, and an out-of-office notification should be received. 

Dr Dan Forman, Programme Director of Biosciences 

14

ATTENDANCE POLICY 

• Attendance at Lectures, Tutorials and Practical Classes 

In line with the University’s Attendance and Participation Policy, students are expected to 

attend all lectures associated with the modules on which they are enrolled. Students are 

reminded that lectures form the central component of teaching and frequently include 

material which is not obtainable from other sources. Students who fail to attend lectures 

in each 3 week period are not participating in the course and their absence will be 

reported to the University 

If you are absent from lectures or practical classes due to illness or other circumstances, 

you must follow the instructions about self-certification and medical certificates (Page 18 

College Undergraduate Guide). 

Attendance at practical classes and compulsory field courses is mandatory, and failure to 

attend course assessment sessions constitutes a breach of your obligation. Attendance at 

these sessions is recorded. Repeated uncertificated absence will result in the generation 

of an unsatisfactory progress report, as a consequence of which you will be required to 

attend to interview with a member of academic staff. Students are responsible for noting 

the dates, times and places of practical classes etc. The relevant information will be found 

on the timetables issued at module selection and posted on the Level 1 Notice Board in 

the Wallace Building Basement. Any changes in arrangements for practicals etc. will 

normally be announced during the lectures of the module concerned. If you do not attend, 

or are absent from further course assessment sessions without a reasonable explanation, 

you may be advised that you will not be entered for the examination. This could mean you 

will not be able to obtain enough credit points to graduate. More than 2 in a row (without 

excuse) will be required to withdraw from the University. 

• Examinations 

Students are required to sit examinations in each module on which they are enrolled in 

which examinations constitute a formal element of assessment. 

15

MODULE CONTENT 

INTRODUCTION 

A module is a discrete educational component of a programme, which has the following 

attributes: 

i. specific aims; 

ii. a syllabus and a reading list; 

iii. a teaching and learning pattern; 

iv. an assessment method; 

v. learning outcomes. 

In addition, each module: 

a. is assigned a unique reference number; 

b. is assigned to a level of study which reflects the academic standard of a module and its 

learning outcomes; 

c. may have pre-requisites and/or co-requisites; 

d. may/may not be compatible with each other. 

Each module is allocated a credit weighting, and full-time students are expected to pursue 120 

credit points (60 ECTS credits) in the academic year. Part-time students are expected to pursue 

60 credits (30 ECTS credits). 

[ECTS (the European Credit Transfer System) is a widely recognised system of credit 

accumulation for regular study periods. It aims to facilitate recognition of study periods 

undertaken abroad by mobile students through the transfer of credits. The system is based on 

the convention that 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic 

year.] 

TEACHING METHODS 

Modules may be delivered by a variety of methods, e.g. lectures, academic tutorials, laboratory 

or field work, projects and assessed coursework. The module information sheets, specific to 

each of your modules, will give information on how the module is assessed, contact hours and 

any suggested reading matter. Students are normally required to attend all lectures, laboratory 

and other practical sessions, tutorials and any other planned or timetabled element of your 

course. Attendance at teaching sessions is recorded and monitored. 

Lectures 

The purpose of lectures is to provide a framework within which information and ideas are 

studied. They will contain factual information, discussion of alternative views on the subject and 

analysis of the issues. Lectures last approximately 50 minutes and attendance is expected 

since they form the core of School teaching. Students must not assume that all topics relevant 

to the module will be covered in detail in lectures; directed reading and independent study are 

also important. 

All lecturers are expected to post material on “Blackboard” – as a miniumum you can expect the 

module handbook, a statement of assessment and at least one past exam paper to be available 

for each of your modules on the Blackboard site. Most lecturers post lecture material on 

Blackboard. Timetables will be distributed during registration and enrolment and are posted on 

subject area notice boards and are available on the College of Science website. 

16

Work of 1 st class quality - 70 to 100% 

Work of 2(i) quality - 60 to 69% 

Work of 2(ii) quality - 50 to 59% 

Work of 3rd class quality - 40 to 49% 

Work of Fail standard - 0 to 39% 

(below standard required for award of credit) 

Marked work is usually returned to students via the Level 1 'pigeon-holes' in the Basement Level 

of the Wallace Building. 

Certain practicals will involve exercises using living or dead animals. These form an essential 

part of the practical work and students who decide not to participate in such exercises will not 

earn the appropriate academic credit. The full policy statement on the use of animals in teaching 

forms Page 22 of this guide. 

Students failing to attend practical classes may be prevented from sitting theory examinations. 

Details of the consequences of missing practical classes without good reason are to be found in 

page 26 of this guide. 

Comment [UoWS1]: Page number 

needs checking 

Individual Study 

Much of the week is left free for the reading of books and journal articles relevant to the 

modules, and the preparation of essays. Reading material is held in the Main Library. Many 

books are in heavy demand and there are procedures for reserving books. 

The Importance of Reading for a Degree 

A prime difference between being taught at school and university is the importance of reading for 

a degree. As well as attending lectures and other types of classes (practical and field classes, 

tutorial, seminars, etc.) you are expected to read widely and reflect upon what you have read. 

You may be able to ‘get by’ on lecture notes but you will not reach your full potential unless you 

read the recommended text and follow this up with additional reading. A typical 10 credit module 

involves about 20 hours of class contact but 80 hours of reading and preparation for 

assessment. It is departmental policy to recommend one textbook for each module or group of 

modules. Such preferred texts are listed in the Student Study Guides. However, alternative 

texts and other forms of supplementary reading, such as journal articles, will be suggested on 

separate reading lists during the course. You are expected to purchase or otherwise have 

access to the course text and to read a large sample of the other reading material suggested. 

The importance of this can be gauged by looking at the marking criteria (see Student Handbook) 

that are used by the department in assessing your work. 

Managing your reading is an important part of your studies and university life. Allocate sufficient 

time to reading. The department will provide advice and guidance on how to take notes from 

journal articles and books. You should also consider building up a photocopy collection of the 

most useful articles and chapters. You should also consider purchasing a variety of books in 

collaboration with some of your friends in the department: the price of books may preclude the 

purchase of all the relevant recommended texts. 

17

Fieldwork 

Fieldwork is an indispensable part of any Biology degree programme and at Swansea there has 

been a very strong tradition of both UK and overseas venues. It is to some extent selfcontained, 

but is also integrated with lecture modules so that ideas and concepts, which have 

been learnt in one context, can be tested in another. 

The aims of each project and field-class will be specified at the time but the general aims of 

fieldwork are: 

• To introduce the nature of biological information and the means by which it may be 

collected; 

• To examine and understand biological processes in situ; 

• To introduce a problem-solving approach; 

• To provide experience of teamwork. 

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING OUTCOMES 

One of the objectives of the University’s Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy is to 

ensure that assessment is fair. To achieve this, the University has produced an assessment 

policy, which can be found in the Teaching Quality Manual, available on the Academic Registry 

website: 

www.swan.ac.uk/registry/a-zguide/a/assessmentpolicy 

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS OF A MODULE 

You are strongly advised to take note of the various methods, which your College has decided to 

adopt on assessing students and to raise any queries, which you may have with your lecturers 

early in the session. You should also know in advance whether an essay/practical report would 

contribute to the overall mark for the module. Please also note any deadlines set by your 

College for the submission of work and the consequences of failing to meet them. You are also 

advised that you are required to complete all elements of a module’s assessment pattern. 

18

PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTING ASSESSED WORK: 

You will be required to complete set coursework or other assessed work, depending on your 

degree programme, and you must submit this work using one or more of the following methods 

as advised by your Department: 

• Electronically via Blackboard and Turnitin 

• By use of a dropbox in the basement of the Wallace Building 

• In person to your Teaching Administration Office. 

(Please note that you will need to use the dropbox based in the department responsible for the 

teaching of that module, which may not necessarily be your ‘home’ department.) 

It is extremely important that you are aware of the rules for submitting coursework and 

other assessed work: 

• Each piece of work will have a deadline date and you will be informed by your 

Department what this is; 

• The deadline time for submission of all assessed work is 11am. This applies to all 

pieces of work, irrespective of the method of submission. 

Work submitted via the dropbox: 

• Assessed work submitted to a dropbox is CCTV monitored for the purposes of dispute 

resolution; 

• Students will be required to log on to the College Intranet at 

http://science.swansea.ac.uk/intranet/ and print out a barcoded cover sheet. The cover 

sheet is unique to your piece of work and must be attached to the front of your 

coursework before placing in the dropbox; 

• The dropbox is emptied by the Teaching Administrator at 11am promptly on the due 

date. All submissions are then scanned and logged as having been received by the 

specified deadline. An email is sent to the student confirming receipt of the coursework. 

• Coursework submitted without a front cover sheet more than once by the same student 

will not be awarded marks. 

The College has strict rules regarding the submission of assessed work, please see page 11 of 

the Undergraduate College Student Handbook. 

19

FEEDBACK 

Students receive examination feedback from their tutor. Feedback for January examinations will 

be given at the start of semester 2. Feedback from May examinations will be given through the 

tutorial system early in the following academic year. Continual assessment feedback is given in 

typed form in a standard departmental format. 

RE-ASSESSMENT 

Redemption of exam based modules will be by resiting the exam. 

In composite modules where there is a coursework element the department will contact the 

student after the University progression boards with details on how to redeem failed coursework. 

Please refer to the University regulations on redeeming failed modules at: 

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/assessmentissues/redeemingfailures/ 

ILLNESS DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIOD 

If your work is interrupted by illness for less than seven days you are required to inform the 

College by submitting a completed student self-certification form (Appendix 1) which should be 

accompanied by a medical certificate. 

If you have been absent from an examination you must complete and submit to the College a 

Request for Deferral of Examination(s) pro forma within 5 working days of the date of the 

examination. This pro forma must be accompanied by evidence to account for the absence. 

You are advised always to ask your doctor for a medical certificate for illnesses which affect your 

studies, and present these to the College in accordance with the Policy on Extenuating 

Circumstances Affecting Assessment in relation to examination or in accordance with the 

College policy on circumstances affecting continuous assessment. Extenuating Circumstances 

submitted beyond the deadlines will not normally be accepted. 

POLICY ON EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING ASSESSMENT 

1. Preamble 

The University recognises that students’ study and preparation for assessment may on occasion 

be affected by a range of factors, including extenuating circumstances, and that students may on 

occasion be unable to complete assessments. 

The following policy has twin aims: to ensure that students with valid claims of extenuating 

circumstances are treated fairly and consistently; and to protect the standard of the University’s 

awards. 

This policy applies to all student pursuing taught programmes of the University and allows for the 

consideration of extenuating circumstances relating to examinations and coursework. 

20

2. Underlying principles 

The University’s policy on extenuating circumstances is based on the following principles: 

i) The object of any assessment is to measure achievement, not potential (i.e. what a 

student has done not what s/he might have the potential to do). 

ii) 

Each student has individual responsibility for submitting coursework on time, for 

presenting him/herself for scheduled assessments (to include written examinations, 

demonstrations, presentations and practical or lab-based examinations) at the 

appropriate time and place and for informing the academic College of any extenuating 

circumstances by submitting information and documentation on such circumstances. 

It is the student’s responsibility to declare any circumstances in a timely manner 

(normally BEFORE the deadline/examination) to allow the University an opportunity to 

respond appropriately to those circumstances. 

iii) 

iv) 

vi) 

Academic Colleges will give serious consideration to ways to assist students to 

overcome circumstances which might adversely affect assessment work. 

The University will respond in a fair and equitable way to any extenuating circumstance 

which cannot adequately be resolved prior to the assessment in question. 

Extenuating circumstances will not be considered as grounds for adjusting marks 

awarded for assessments already completed. 

3. Guidelines on ‘Extenuating Circumstances’ 

Extenuating Circumstances are defined as serious and acute problems or events which are 

beyond a student’s control or ability to foresee which may have affected a student’s performance 

and/or may have impeded a student’s ability to attend, complete, or submit an assessment on 

time. The only pertinent extenuating circumstances are those that cast doubt on the validity of 

the assessment as a measure of achievement. Disability or long-term health conditions should 

be dealt with by the Disability Office in consultation with the College and student (see Guidelines 

for Colleges for dealing with students with extenuating circumstances and/or specific needs). 

3.1. The following is a non-exhaustive list of circumstances unlikely to be accepted by the 

University as valid extenuating circumstances: 

• Minor illness or ailment (which in a work situation would be unlikely to lead to 

absence from work) affecting the student’s preparatory work for an assessment. 

Examples could include colds, headaches, minor accidents or injuries. 

• Alleged medical condition without reasonable evidence (medical or otherwise) to 

support it. 

• Financial problems, including the effect of paid employment. 

• Long-term ill-health, specific needs, disabilities which have been disclosed and 

assessed by the University. 

• Poor time-management. 

• Social obligations and similar avoidable commitments such as: holidays, weddings, 

parties, routine medical appointments. 

• Avoidable study-related factors such as: computer failure, printer malfunction, 

deadline congestion, lost notes. 

21

3.2. The following is a non-exhaustive list of circumstances which the University would 

commonly regard as extenuating circumstances which might affect performance: 

• Serious illness, accident or well-being issue that is incapacitating or an unexpected 

deterioration in a long-term condition. Medical certification is expected to be provided, 

and should clearly apply to the period immediately prior to an assessment date. 

• Minor illness or ailment affecting the student on the day of or immediately preceding 

an examination. Examples could include minor accidents or injuries, examination 

anxiety and stress. Medical certification is expected to be provided, and should 

clearly apply to the assessment date or a short period immediately prior to an 

assessment date. 

• Death or serious illness of a close relative or friend. Supporting independent evidence 

must be provided. 

• Significant adverse personal/family circumstances – such as divorce, burglary, fire, 

major court proceedings, financial difficulties beyond the control of the student. 

Supporting independent evidence must be provided. 

• Other significant exceptional factors which have had a significant impact on the 

student. Supporting independent evidence must be provided. 

• Part time block-release or distance-learning students only – unforeseen significant 

changes in pattern of employment. Supporting independent evidence must be 

provided. 

4. Extenuating Circumstances Policy 

It is the policy of Swansea University to adopt a presumption that a student who sits an 

examination or submits an assessment is fit to do so. The marks awarded will be an accurate 

reflection of performance and will not be altered subsequently on the basis of extenuating 

circumstances. A student who is unable to sit an examination or complete an assessment 

because of extenuating circumstances may (subject to the provision of appropriate evidence) be 

given a further opportunity to undertake the assessment potentially as an uncapped opportunity. 

A student who attends and/or completes an assessment and does not submit claims for 

extenuating circumstances within 5 working days of the assessment date/deadline shall be 

deemed to confirm: 

• that there are no reasons why he/she should not attend and/or complete the assessment 

at that time; 

• that he/she will not subsequently submit a request for a concession in respect of 

extenuating circumstances; and 

• that any requests for ‘reasonable adjustments’ in light of a disability or specific needs 

have already been submitted to the University. 

A student who sits an examination or submits work knowing that he/she has been affected by 

extenuating circumstances will not normally be able successfully to submit a claim at a later 

date. Only in cases where the medical evidence submitted supports the notion that the student 

was incapable of determining whether or not they were fit to undertaken or prepare an 

assessment will the University accept claims for extenuating circumstances submitted beyond 

the deadline. Such claims should be submitted to the Home College and if supported, will be 

dealt with by either the appropriate Academic Board Student Cases Committee or via the 

Academic Appeals Procedure. The College will be asked to provide comment on such cases. 

In the case of disruptions to or problems with an examination affecting a group of students, the 

College Special Circumstances Committee may recommend appropriate action. 

22

Appeals against decisions taken by College Special Circumstances Committees or the 

University’s Students Cases Committee in relation to extenuating circumstances shall not 

normally be considered. 

5. Extenuating Circumstances affecting examinations 

5.1. Special examination arrangements 

A student with a temporary impairment which might make participating in an examination difficult 

should contact his/her Personal Tutor or the appropriate Examinations Officer and the 

University’s Examinations Office in the Academic Registry as it may be appropriate for special 

arrangements to be put in place to enable to student to participate in the examination. This may 

include allowing the student to take the assessment in a smaller room, use of an amanuensis, 

use of a computer, and so on. 

In cases where such special arrangements are inappropriate, the extenuating circumstances 

policy should be used instead. 

5.2. Process for the consideration of extenuating circumstances relating to 

examinations – request for deferral: 

A student who is affected by extenuating circumstances before an examination to such an extent 

that his/her performance is likely to be significantly affected should not sit the examination. 

Instead, such students should submit a request for a deferral of that examination (i.e. a further 

opportunity to undertaken the examination at a future date). 

A student who is taken ill during an examination must inform the invigilator either during or 

immediately after the examination and before leaving the examination venue. A record of this will 

be made by the invigilator which the student can subsequently access from the Examinations 

Office. In such a case, the invigilator’s report may be used to support a claim for a deferral, 

though students should also obtain medical evidence if at all possible. Such a student is also 

advised to discuss the situation with their personal tutor. 

A claim for a deferral on the basis of extenuating circumstances relating to an absence from an 

examination or illness during an examination must be submitted to the Home College 

responsible for the module in question either: 

in advance of the examination date; or 

within 5 working days of the examination taking place 

Any such a claim must be in writing using the prescribed form and accompanied by supporting 

independent documentary evidence. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and submit 

supporting evidence. 

A non-exhaustive list of examples of evidence could include: 

• medical/health certificate (with relevant date to the assessment) 

• death certificate 

• letter of support/explanation from a support service in the University, e.g. Disability 

Service, Wellbeing Service etc. 

• in the case of a student taken ill during an examination, a copy of the invigilator’s report. 

(This should be accompanied by medical evidence where ever possible.) 

23

Applications for consideration of request for deferral must include all the relevant facts. Personal 

Tutors and Examinations Officers will be able to advise students on completing their 

applications. 

Claims will be forwarded by the College to the Student Cases Committee of the Undergraduate 

or Postgraduate Academic Board as appropriate. 

In considering each case, the Student Cases Committee will determine either that: 

• a valid claim has been made and the student should be granted a deferral and offered a 

further attempt at the assessment on the same conditions as the missed opportunity; or 

that 

• in the case of undergraduate students in their final year of study, a valid claim has been 

made and the College Examining Board is asked to consider disregarding the affected 

assessment or element of the assessment in the calculation of the module mark; or that 

• there are no or insufficient grounds for the student’s claim. 

If the Student Cases Committee accepts the extenuating circumstances as valid, a further 

opportunity at the examination will be offered at the next available assessment point (January, 

May/June or August). If the affected examination was considered a ‘first sit’, the further 

opportunity granted will be considered a ‘first sit’. If the affected examination was a re-sit, the 

deferred opportunity will be regarded as a re-sit and the mark awarded will be capped (if capping 

applies). 

If the Committee establishes that there are no grounds for the claim and a further opportunity is 

not granted, the following action may be taken: 

• if the examination was not attempted, a mark of 0% (unauthorised absence) will be 

recorded for the examination and the overall outcome for the student will be determined 

in accordance with the assessment regulations for the programme of study; or 

• if the examination has been attempted, the paper will be marked, a mark recorded and 

the overall outcome for the student will be determined in accordance with the 

assessment regulations for the programme of study. 

Students will be notified of the outcome as soon as practically possible after the meeting of the 

Student Cases Committee. 

6. Extenuating circumstances affecting coursework or in-year assessment 

The consideration of extenuating circumstances affecting coursework or in-year assessment will 

be undertaken by the College responsible for delivering the module to which the affected 

coursework contributes. In taking decisions, Colleges will be guided by principles 2, 3 and 4 

contained in this policy. College procedures for considering extenuating circumstances affecting 

coursework or in-year assessment will be published by the College. The procedures will include 

deadlines for the submitting of extenuating circumstances, the procedures and timeframe for the 

College consideration of any submissions and notification of the outcomes to students. 

The College Special Circumstances Committee will determine one of the following: 

• a valid claim has been made and agree upon one the following options: 

award an extension to the submission deadline 

waive a late penalty 

24

offer a further attempt (uncapped or capped, as appropriate) at the next available 

assessment point 

Where none of the above courses of action is appropriate due to the nature of the assessment, 

the College Special Circumstances Committee may: 

allow a small element of coursework or in-year assessment to be disregarded, with the final 

mark(s) being recalculated from the remaining elements of coursework or in-year assessment; 

or accommodate those situations where one component of the module is missing by allowing for 

the final mark(s) to be recalculated from the remaining module component(s); or recommend to 

the Examining Board some other action to be undertaken 

• there are no or insufficient grounds for the student’s claim. 

Extenuating circumstances affecting taught masters’ dissertations are dealt with through 

separate procedures. 

(see 

http://www.swan.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/postgraduatetaughtawardsregulations/postgradu 

atetaughtmastersdegrees/6extensiontothesubmissiondeadline/. 

7. Extenuating Circumstances and Progression/Award Decisions 

A decision taken by College Special Circumstances Committees or University Student Cases 

Committees in relation to extenuating circumstances shall be forwarded to the appropriate 

Examining Board as a recommendation. The Examining Board shall consider any 

recommendation with reference to a student’s overall academic profile and the assessment 

regulations. Normally the application of the assessment regulations shall take precedent. 

8. Unfair Practice 

Any student knowingly submitting false or forged evidence to substantiate an extenuating 

circumstances claim of any sort will render him/herself liable to disciplinary proceedings under 

the University’s Unfair Practice Procedures. 

STUDENTS WITH EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

Extenuating Circumstances are defined as serious and acute problems or events which are 

beyond a student’s control or ability to foresee which may have affected a student’s performance 

and/or may have impeded a student’s ability to attend, complete, or submit an assessment on 

time. 

Through prior notification of such circumstances, the University can attempt to put into place 

measures to offset such circumstances, e.g. extra time in examinations or deferring the 

examination until August to be taken as a ‘First Sit’ examination (with the express permission of 

the University Student Cases Committee). 

If you feel that your studies have been affected by such circumstances, it is important that you 

speak, as soon as possible, to your Personal Tutor or other member of staff in your College and 

complete and submit the required pro forma and relevant evidence in accordance with the Policy 

on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment or College policy relating to continuous 

assessment. 

Any student who, for whatever reason, requests special allowance/consideration with regard to 

assessment, must make his/her needs known and be prepared to produce appropriate 

25

supporting evidence. The responsibility to inform the College or the Disability Office rests with 

the student. You may present evidence (e.g. medical certificates) in a sealed envelope if you 

wish, which will only be opened for consideration by the relevant Committee. 

Extenuating circumstances which are raised after the published deadline (i.e. for examination - 5 

working days after the date of the examination) will not normally be considered. 

Deferrals and First Sits 

In accordance with the University’s Policy on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment, 

it is recognised that some candidates will not be able to attend examinations during the Mid- 

Sessional or Sessional Assessment Period e.g. due to illness or other extenuating 

circumstances. If you are unable to attend examinations due to extenuating circumstances, a 

claim for deferral must be submitted to the Home College either in advance of the examination 

date or within 5 days of the examination taking place. Applications for deferrals and first sits, with 

the support of the relevant College will be submitted to the Student Cases Committee for 

approval. 

Non-final Year Candidates granted a deferral or a ‘First-Sits’ will be required to sit the 

examinations at the next scheduled examination point for the modules concerned (i.e. January 

or May/June of the following session). 

Final year candidates who are unable to sit an examination in January and who have been 

granted a deferral or a ‘First Sit’ by the Student Cases Committee, should sit the examination in 

the May/June examination period in preference to the August examination period. 

‘First Sit’ marks are uncapped for classification purposes. 

For further information, please refer to the Academic Guide: 

www.swansea.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/assessmentissues/extenuatingcircumstances/ 

APPEALS PROCEDURE 

An academic appeal is defined as a request for a review of a decision of an academic body 

charged with decisions on student progression, assessment and awards. You may submit an 

academic appeal against the decision of an Examining Board, the University or one of its subcommittees 

if one or more of the following situations are relevant: 

• You are prevented from continuing with your studies part-way through a level of study or 

part of a programme. 

• You fail to qualify to proceed to the next stage of your programme at the end of a level, 

end of a part or end of a year. 

• You have completed your programme but you wish to appeal against the result or you are 

dissatisfied with the award of an exit qualification of the University. 

• Where the implications of the progression decision taken by the Examining Board, the 

University or one of its Sub-Committees may have a significant impact on the your overall 

result (e.g. capping of marks). 

All appeals are subject to an initial filtering process. Any appeals based on the grounds of 

extenuating circumstances not previously disclosed to the College in accordance with the Policy 

on Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessment or College procedures relating to 

26

continuous assessment will be dismissed at the filtering stage of the appeals process unless 

evidence is provided to support the notion that the student was incapable of determining whether 

or not he/she was fit to undertaken or prepare the assessment in question. 

All requests for an appeal against a University decision must be directed to the Assistant 

Registrar (Appeals), Academic Registry, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, 

SA2 8PP. Further information about, or clarification of, these procedures is available from the 

Academic Registry and in the Academic Guide: 

www.swansea.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/assessmentandprogress/academicappeals/ 

VERIFICATION PROCEDURES 

You have the opportunity to request a verification of your results if you wish to query the 

accuracy of the marks recorded for the session. Further information about, or clarification of 

these procedures is available from the Academic Registry and in the Academic Guide: 

http://www.swan.ac.uk/registry/academicguide/assessmentandprogress/verificationregulationsand 

procedures/ 

USE OF ANIMALS IN TEACHING - POLICY STATEMENT 

The Department attitude to the use of animals, either living or dead, in teaching is that a 

responsible and ethical policy must govern the numbers used to define a minimum compatible 

with the purpose of the class concerned. The use of live animals for teaching is reconsidered at 

regular intervals and confined to demonstrations and experiments that are regarded as 

necessary and ethical. In addition to conformity to Home Office regulations, we endorse an 

approach which emphasises the importance of avoiding trivial exercises, minimising stress, 

choosing the right species, ensuring correct sample size and minimising durations of 

experiments. There are clear moral and technical distinctions between vivisection (surgery on 

live animals) and dissection and these should be appreciated. In Swansea, no student 

practicals involve vivisection as the term is generally understood. Used properly, the dead and 

freshly killed animals encountered in a practical class can enhance a student's appreciation of 

the need to avoid suffering and waste. Students and staff are expected to handle animal material 

respectfully and sparingly. The use of animal material is a necessary component in the training 

of biologists. Basic dissection skills are employed in a wide range of careers which are followed 

by biologists. Failure to instruct in this skill would therefore put Swansea biology students at a 

serious disadvantage in employment terms. We do use alternatives (videotapes, models and 

museum material) wherever possible but none of these are real substitutes for recently living 

material. There are several reasons for this view but the primary one is that it is essential that 

trainee scientists do not rely exclusively on text books or other illustrative material but discover 

certain kinds of information by direct investigation. The proper study of biology may involve the 

physiology, structure, evolution, behaviour, ecology and other attributes of animals. 

Physiological and some biochemical studies can only be carried out on living tissues extracted 

from animals which have been killed for this purpose. Other studies may require removal of 

material from the guts and other organs for further analysis. Strictly controlled training in 

dissection is thus necessary for a proper appreciation of animal structure and is a basic skill for 

all animal biologists. 

27

Biology Level 0 

Module catalogue 

28

BIO000 

Foundation Biology 

Credits 15 

ECTS 7.5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Professor Paul Brain 

and Dr Dan Forman 

Module Type Lecture/Seminar/Field 

Class 

Contact Hours 26 Delivery On Campus 

Assessment Type & Method Examination, Coursework 1, Coursework 2 

Module Synopsis 

This module will provide the learner with a detailed and holistic overview of life on earth and 

includes a range of subject matter including evolution, cell biology, anatomy and physiology, as 

well as behaviour, ecology and conservation. The module is supported by two practicals that aim 

to build core skills required within the field of biology including identification skills, field based 

sampling, and numerical skills. 

TB2 

Syllabus 

The module will comprise of the following lecture material: 

· Evolution / Taxonomy (2 lectures) 

· Plant and animal cell biology (2 lectures) 

· Basic animal anatomy and physiology (4 lectures) 

· Basic plant physiology (4 lectures) 

· Animal behaviour (2 lectures) 

· Ecology (2 lectures) 

· Conservation (2 lectures) 

· Module overview, revision and feedback (1 lecture) 

The module includes two continual assessments in the form of two field-based practical sessions: 

1. Basic plant identification 

2. Terrestrial invertebrate identification and ecology 

Main Recommended Texts 

Soloman et al. Biology. Publisher : Books Cole 

Learning Outcomes 

At the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate 

1. Understanding of the processes involved in the evolution of life on Earth 

2. Knowledge of the structure and function of animal and plant cells 

3. Understanding the principles of anatomy and physiology 

4. Appreciation of the different levels of organisation in biology (cellular to whole organism) 

5. Understanding of the mechanisms involved in animal behaviour and adaptation 

6. Knowledge of ecological systems and their conservation 

Notes 

Available to students enrolled on the Science Foundation Year or by permission from College of 

Science 

29

BIO001 

Data Analyses and Presentation 

Credits 15 

ECTS 7.5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr Mike Fowler Module Type Lecture/Computer Lab 




This module is designed to illustrate the value and use of data within a diverse range of scientific 

disciplines. The content of the module includes understanding the different types of data that can 

be measured and collected, the tools to formally present data and data analyses, and a practical 

application of data analyses software. The module is supported by lectures, computer-based 

sessions and e-learning material. 

Syllabus 

The module will comprise of the following subjects: 

· Using maths in Science 

· Understanding data 

· Types of data 

· Units and measurement 

· Using data bases 

· Preparing figures, graphs and tables 

· Sampling concepts 

· Hypothesis testing 

· Descriptive statistics 

· Basic inferential statistics 

The module is supported by both lectures and guided / self directed computer sessions 

The module includes two continual assessments : 

1. Data presentation (25% module mark) 

2. Data analyses (25% module mark) 

The module is further assessed by a final MCQ (50% module mark) 

TB2 


MacKenzie, Mathematics and Statistics for Life Scientists, Publisher: Taylor and Francis 


At the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate 

· Understanding of the different type of data and how they are measured 

· Knowledge of standard units of measurement 

· Detailed understanding of how to present data in tables, figures and graphs 

· Practical knowledge of the use of databases and spread sheet applications 

· Applied knowledge of the use of descriptive and inferential statistics 

Notes 


Science 

30

CS-061 

Introduction to Computing 1 

Credits 10 

ECTS 5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr M Seisemberger Module Type Practical & Taught 


Assessment Type & Method Examination, Coursework 1, Laboratory work 


This module gives an overview of the main topics and questions in Computer Science and 

enables students who are not majoring in computer science to reach a level of skill in 

programming such that they will be able to apply their computing knowledge to their other 

studies. It can also provide (along with other Level 0 modules) a suitable preparation for Level 1 

Computer Science. 

TB1 

Syllabus 

General introduction to Computer Science. 

Introduction to programming in Java. Program design techniques, simple and structured data 

types, control structures, object-oriented programming concepts, and applications. 


C.Horstmann, Java for Everyone, Publisher: Wiley 

Brookshear, Computer Science, An Overview, Publisher: Addison-Wesley 


Students will have gained an insight into the main topics and questions of Computer Science. 

They will have sufficient programming skills to develop applications for their (non-Computer 

Science) major. Along with other Level 0 modules they will have gained background knowledge 

to enable them to proceed to level 1 Computer Science. 

Notes 

Available to visiting and exchange students 

31

CS-099 

Computers Unplugged 

Credits 15 

ECTS 7.5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr N Harman Module Type Taught/Lecture 


Assessment Type & Method Examination, Coursework 1, Coursework 2, Coursework 3 and 

Coursework 4 


This module gives an overview of the main principles underlying computers and computer 

science, without resorting to the use of computers. It is accessible, and relevant, to students of all 

disciplines who wish to learn about, or reinforce their understanding of, computers and computer 

science. 

TB2 

Syllabus 

General introduction to the principles underlying 

computers and computer science. 

- Representing data (numbers, data compression, error detection) 

- Representing procedures (programming languages, automata) 

- Algorithms (sorting and searching, network routing) 

- Complexity (graph coloring, optimisation) 

- Cryptography (public keys, digital signatures) 

- Human-Computer Interaction (interface design, intelligent machines, mobile devices) 

- Visual and Interactive Computing (information visualisation, visual representations of data, 

computer vision) 


Bell et al, Computer Science Unplugged, Publisher : University of Canterbury 

Dewdney, The New Turing Omnibut, Publisher: Computer Science Press 


Students will gain an appreciation of the scope and limitations of computer science and its 

applications. They will be familiar with the principles involved in a number of areas of modern 

computing. 

Notes 


32

GEG010 

Foundation Geography 

Credits 15 

ECTS 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Professor Stefan Doerr Module Type Lecture/Fieldwork 

/Laboratory 


Assessment Type & Method Examination, Coursework 1 


This module provides a broad understanding of the physical processes that have shaped the 

landscape today, building upon the topics and issues taught in GEB011. Within this module we 

will consider: plate tectonics and geohazards that results from plate boundary interactions, 

atmospheric, hydrological, desert, fluvial and shoreline processes (including weathering and soil 

formation), as well as glacial geomorphology. This module investigates how geographers can 

use knowledge of present day Earth system dynamics and processes to interpret evidence of 

past surface conditions and impacts upon past ecosystems, and how these processes have 

impacted upon human society in recent past and might do so in the future. This module will pave 

the way for students to study Geography at Level 1. 

Syllabus 

The module will include an exploration of the following topics: 

Plate tectonics and geohazards at plate boundaries. 

Weathering, soil formation and the rock cycle (including an introduction to sedimentary 

deposition, and metamorphic and igneous rock formation) 

Slope processes/failure and mass movements/hazards 

The hydrological cycle, drainage basin hydrology, urban hydrology and flood mitigation 

Fluvial sedimentary processes and channel morphological changes 

Extreme environments: 

◦ the atmosphere 

TB2 

◦ drought and aeolian processes within arid deserts, past and present. 

◦ glaciation and glacial/peri-glacial processes 

◦ future climate predictions/sea-level change and mitigation 

Coastal and shoreline processes and coastal management. 

Interpreting past environments from the (sedimentary) rock record 

Impacts of urbanisation and population growth on the physical surroundings 

◦ Micro-climates 

◦ Soil formation 

◦ Farming 

◦ Rivers 

Module overview, feedback and revision session 


Waugh, D. Geography: An Integrated Approach, Publisher: Nelson ThomasGetis A, Getis J and 

Fellmann J.D., Introduction to Geography, Publisher: McGraw HillSummerfield, M. A. Global 

Geomorphology. 


By the end of the module students should be able to: 

1 Describe the main processes that shape the earth’s surface 

2 Identify and give examples of the landforms produced by different Earth surface processes. 

3 Demonstrate an awareness of changes to the earth's surface and atmosphere, and their 

33

implications for society. 

Notes 

Only available to students enrolled on the Science Foundation Year in the Geography, Biology 

and Computer Science. Available to visiting and exchange students by permission. 

34

GEB011 

Environmental Science 

Credits 10 

ECTS 5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr Dan Forman Module Type Lecture/Seminar/Field 

Class 




This module provides a broad understanding of the processes that have shaped the world around 

us. After examining the origin of the Earth, the module explores the structure of the Earth, plate 

tectonics and the Earth's surface, atmosphere processes and change, the biosphere and major 

ecosystems, resource management and sustainability. The module includes two pieces of 

continual assessment in the form of a poster presentation on climate change and a practical 

report on freshwater environments. The module is further assessed through a multiple-choice 

examination. 

Syllabus 

The module will comprise the following lecture material: 

Introduction to the module 

Cosmology 

Plate tectonics 

Geomorphology 

Atmosphere 

Ecology 

Human ecology and impacts 

Resources 

Climate change 

Sustainability 

Module overview, feedback and revision session 

The module will also include two practical elements: Freshwater Environment practical and a 

poster presentation “Climate Change – examining the evidence”. 

TB1 


Waugh, D. (2009) Geography: An integrated approach, 4th ed. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham. 

Getis, A., Getis, J., Bjelland, M., and Fellmann, J. (2010) Introduction to Geography, 13th ed. 

McGraw-Hill Education, 

Summerfield, M. A. (1991) Global Geomorphology, Prentice Hall, Harlow. 


By the end of this module, the student should: 

Have knowledge of how the solar system was created 

Have an understanding of the geomorphological processes that have shaped the Earth 

Have a critical insight of the Earth's natural resources and how they are managed 

Have a broad awareness of the impacts that humans have on the planet 

Notes 

Available to students enrolled on the Science Foundation Year or by permission from College of Science 

35

GEB012 

Development for Key Skills for 

Scientists 

36 

Credits 10 

ECTS 5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr Kevin Rees Module Type Lecture/tutorials/ 

labs/practicals 


Assessment Type & Method Coursework 1 (tutorial assessment), Coursework 2 (project) 


The aim of this module is to develop key skills, particularly in thinking, communication, 

organisational, analytical skills and team-work, as a fundamental grounding for students' 

undergraduate studies and subsequently as a professional scientist. The module is comprised of 

three elements: lectures, small-group tutorials and project practical classes. 

Syllabus 

The module is comprised of three elements: lectures, small-group tutorials and project practical 

classes, over 23 contact hours as follows: 

Lectures (8 hours): 

Effective learning in lectures 

Time management 

Introduction to the University library 

Assessment and Feedback: to enhance your learning 

Unfair practice: what's that and how do I avoid it? 

Scientific writing skills 

Evaluating and citing information 

Using online sources of information 

Tutorials: (5 hours): 

Discipline-specific small-group tutorials held bi-weekly. 

Project practical classes (10 hours): 

Five x 2 hour practical classes on a multi-discplinary project exploring numerical data on the 

issue of climate change, culminating in a group poster session. 


Herring J. (2011) ‘How to Argue: Powerfully, Persuasively, Positively’ Prentive Hall, Harlow 


At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate: 

the ability to develop and support an argument in oral, written and graphical form; 

an ability to identify a issues of scientific debate and begin to engage in discussion on these 

topics; 

an awareness of different disciplinary approaches within 'sciennce' and the merits of an interdisciplinary 

approach; 

competence in working within on a project as part of a group; 

effective use of the University library and subject-appropriate search engines to identify and 

retrieve literature. 

Notes 


Science 

TB1

MA-000 

Foundation in Mathematics 1a 

Credits 10 

ECTS 5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr I M Davies Module Type Taught/Lecture 


Assessment Type & Method Examination, Coursework 1 

TB1 


This module introduces students to the basic techniques pervading pre-calculus mathematics. 

Syllabus 

The module will cover the key themes of: 

the representation of numbers 

common functions and their graphs 

elementary trigonometry and its relation to geometry 

the exponential function and logarithms 

simultaneous linear equations and matrix representations 


TBC 


i) The student will have a knowledge of mathematical notation. 

ii) The student will have a basic knowledge of trigonometry. 

iii) The student will be familiar with the properties of the common functions. 

iv) The student will have a knowledge of the language of matrices. 

Notes 

37

MA-001 

Foundation Mathematics 1b 

Credits 10 

ECTS 5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Dr I M Davies Module Type Taught/Lecture 


Assessment Type & Method Class Test 1, Coursework 1 

TB1 


This module supports MA-000 by way of worked examples and examples classes. 

Syllabus 

The module will cover the key themes of : 

the representation of numbers 

common functions and their graphs 

elementary trigonometry and its relation to geometry 

the exponential function and logarithms 

simultaneous linear equations and matrix representations 


TBC 


The student will have a knowledge of mathematical notation. 

ii) The student will have a basic knowledge of trigonometry. 

iii) The student will be familiar with the properties of the common functions. 

iv) The student will have a knowledge of the language of matrices. 

Notes 

38

PH-001 

Introductory Physics 

Credits 10 

ECTS 5 

Lecturer/Co-ordinator Ms S A Miles Module Type Taught/Lecture 


Assessment Type & Method Examination, Coursework 1, Coursework 2, Coursework 3 

TB1 


Provides students with an understanding of basic statics, dynamics and fluid mechanics. At the 

end of the module the students should be able to manipulate and solve the equations governing 

simple mechanical and dynamical problems. 

Syllabus 

1. Scalars and vectors. 

2. Resolving vectors. 

3. Equilibrium of rigid bodies. 

- net force 

- principle of moments 

- centre of mass 

4. Speed, velocity, acceleration 

5. Constant acceleration equations, acceleration due to gravity, 

projectiles. 

6. Newton's law of motion, conservation of momentum, collisions. 

7. Motion in a circle. 

8. Work, energy, power and conservation of energy. 

9. Simplr harmonic motion: free and forced vibration. 

10. Fluid pressure, Archimedes' principle, Bernoulli's equation. 


R.Muncaster and S Thomas, A Level Physics (4 th edition), Publisher: Pitman Publishing 

J.Breithaupt, Understanding Physics for Advanced Level, Publisher: S Thornes 


1. An understanding of the basic physical laws of dynamics. 

2. An ability to analyse basic dynamical situations and make quantitative predictions. 

Notes 


39

APPENDIX 1 Self-Certification Form (Short Periods) 

Student Absence for Short Periods - Self Certification 

College of Science 

This form should be handed in at the Teaching Administrative Office (Room 

121, Wallace Building) as soon as possible after the absence. 

Name: 

Student ID: 

Degree Course: Level (1, 2 or 3) 

Absence from/on: 

Reason for absence: 

to: 

Signature: 

Evidence supplied: Yes/No * 

Date: 

If yes, type of evidence: 

* No medical certificate from a Practitioner is required if the absence is for less the 

FIVE working days, unless course assessment tests or examinations are 

affected. 

Modules affected 

Please provide complete details for each activity missed: 

Date Module Module 

Type of Activity 

code 

title 

Lecture Practical Other 

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Level 0 Study Guide 2012-13 Biosciencex - Swansea University

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