Each student will have their report read by two assessors and answer questions in a viva voce examination normally lasting 20 minutes. Reports are normally expected to broadly comply with the guidelines written by WLB and SJM. In accordance with the published Marking Strategy, each assessor should complete an individual pro-forma, on which comments are to be made and marks recorded. These, along with a further pro-forma of 'agreed marks' are to be returned to the Module Lead. All marks are subject to consistency checks and, if necessary moderation. The marks for this assessment contribute to the overall module mark in proportion to the weighting indicated in the module description.
The overall mark for this assessment (out of 100) is obtained as follows:
Marks (maximum 50) are given for to the following three areas (which have approximately equal weight):
Material which has already been assessed (e.g. from the introductory report) should not be reproduced in its entirety in the final report, although a brief summary of such material may be included if necessary.
| Mark Range | (a) Report |
|---|---|
| 43 - 50 | A report that is difficult to fault, with the possible exception of one or two minor errors. |
| 35 - 42 | Outcome at excellent level. No significant deficiencies, but a number of minor errors. Clear text and diagrams with a well defined focus, reflecting a good knowledge of material and good competence in its critical assessment. |
| 30 - 34 | Outcome at focal level. Only one or two few significant deficiencies. Expected components present, with good content, structure and presentation. |
| 25 - 29 | No major flaws, but a number of significant deficiencies. Expected components present in an acceptable form. |
| 20 - 24 | Outcome at threshold level. Only one or two major flaws. Expected components present in a recognisable form. |
| 10 - 19 | A number of major flaws. Lacking in overall structure. Evidence of a lack of basic knowledge and critical ability. |
| 0 - 9 | Nothing approaching an acceptable report. |
Marks (maximum 25) are given to reflect the student's attainment, as demonstrated by the scientific quality of aspects of the project over which the student has some ownership.
| Mark Range | (b) Technical and Scientific Attainment |
|---|---|
| 21 - 25 | A command of all relevant aspects which is difficult to fault. At the level expected from an able postgraduate student. |
| 18 - 20 | Outcome at excellent level. A command of most relevant aspects which is difficult to fault. Some minor deficiencies. |
| 15 - 17 | Outcome at focal level. A command of most relevant aspects in some depth. The student has the ability to produce experiments (or software, etc.) which work well. |
| 13 - 14 | An adequate command of most relevant aspects. The student has the ability to produce experiments (or software, etc.) which work adequately. |
| 10 - 12 | Outcome at threshold level. A command of most relevant aspects at a relatively superficial level. The student has the ability to produce experiments (or software, etc.) which work to some extent. |
| 5 - 9 | Little evidence of technical ability or relevant skills. Experiments (or software, etc.) unlikely to work. |
| 0 - 4 | No evidence of technical ability or relevant skills. |
Marks (maximum 25) are given to reflect the student's understanding of material presented in the dissertation and of related topics.
| Mark Range | (c) Viva Performance |
|---|---|
| 21 - 25 | A thorough understanding of all aspects which allows questions to be answered accurately and fluently and the discussion to be extended with confidence into difficult or unfamiliar areas. |
| 18 - 20 | Outcome at excellent level. A thorough understanding of most aspects, with some ability to extend the discussion into difficult or unfamiliar areas. |
| 15 - 17 | Outcome at focal level. An understanding of most aspects in some depth, with the ability to extend the discussion so as to make relevant links (e.g. between theory and experiment). |
| 13 - 14 | An adequate understanding of most aspects, with some ability extend the discussion so as to make relevant links. |
| 10 - 12 | Outcome at threshold level. A relatively superficial understanding of most aspects, with the ability to make relatively simple links. |
| 5 - 9 | Little understanding shown. Unable to make relevant links. |
| 0 - 4 | No understanding demonstrated. |