Modules and semesters update

by Eric Monaghan

As the date of the University’s move to a semesterised structure approaches, students and staff need to be kept informed of the detailed implications of this fundamental change to the structure of the academic year. To meet this need, the semesterisation website is continually updated immediately following each meeting of the working group on modularisation and semesterisation. http://www.dundee.ac.uk/learning/semester/

An information flyer (available directly from the above website) reporting key dates has been prepared and was circulated widely in February 2003. An e-mail message was also distributed to staff and students via the HERMES system at the same time and Admissions & Student Recruitment have taken action to ensure that all new entrants are informed of the relevant key dates for the next academic session.

As reported on the semesterisation website, the key changes resulting from the new structure include:

• the examination of Level 1, semester 1 modules within class time only, and not by traditional unseen examinations to facilitate the transition to higher education
• that the duration of all Level 1/2 module summative examinations be no longer than 2 hours
• the possible use of Saturday mornings for examinations
• a three week vacation at Easter during the second semester and a four week vacation at Christmas at the end of the first semester
• to promote flexibility of student choice, the introduction of a common currency of 20 credit modules for all Level 1/2 modules (with some exceptions) but allowing multiples of 10 credits for short courses eg lifelong learning type provision and, in exceptional circumstances, components of normal undergraduate programmes
• to promote flexibility of student choice, the introduction of a common currency of 30 credit modules (or multiples thereof) for all Levels 3/4 modules again with some exceptions
• the designation of all Level 3/4 modules as either semester length (examined summatively at semester end ("S[Semester]-type")) or year long, and (examined at year end only ("Y[Year]-type")) for those modules requiring greater reflection and time for assimilation
• to provide the necessary degree of articulation with credit rating at Levels 3 and 4 and to allow the development of modules tailored to the needs of the variety of client groups that exist at the taught postgraduate level and subject to the exception of the requirements of external professional and similar bodies, a standard rating of 10 credits (with multiples of 10 up to a maximum of 40 credits) should be assigned to the taught element of postgraduate modules.

Any queries regarding the subject of semesterisation should be addressed to the Academic Secretary, Dr Ian Francis (i.k.francis@dundee.ac.uk).