1. Senior Tutor Prof. Steve Thomas Room 611
School of Physics and Astronomy
Prof. Steve Thomas Room 611
Senior Tutor
Main Roles are : Academic Advice and Pastoral Care
Academic
As first year students, your choice of modules is fairly straightforward as there is not much choice in Y1 !
But in later years this will increase. The first point of discussion is with your academic advisor. If you need any further information beyond this , e.g. changing your degree programme from B.Sc.<-> M.Sci. or changes of fields of study within the B.Sc/M.Sci. programmes, I will be happy to meet to discuss your options and offer advice.
Tuesday, 19th September 2017

2. School of Physics and Astronomy
Pastoral
Hopefully you will all have an enjoyable and fruitful time with us in the SPA.
However if things happen in your personal life that could start affecting your
academic life please realise that you are not alone and that both the college and the school have excellent support structures in place to offer advice and to
help minimise the impact such events may have on your academic studies.
The first point of contact should again be your academic advisor and Maggi Lowe. In more complex cases I will also be involved in the support process, however I stress I am more than happy to meet with any student who finds themselves in difficulty due to personal circumstances.
For our support to be of any use you must seek help at the earliest opportunity !
Tuesday, 19th September 2017

3. Attendance Policy and Absence Reporting
School of Physics and Astronomy
Attendance Policy and Absence Reporting
Attendance Policy
The School is operating an attendance policy for students in all years.
For full details see the Student Handbook.
Why the need for an attendance policy ?
Evidence indicates that there is a strong correlation between attendance
at lectures and other module components and exam outcomes.
The School wishes to maintain an attendance policy that clearly
indicates expected levels of commitment by students to their work, whilst
at the same time having sufficient flexibility so as not to impose
unreasonable constraints.
Tuesday, 19th September 2017

4. School of Physics and Astronomy
Attendance levels for each module of 70% over a rolling period of 2-3 weeks, will be the expectation from the School.
Attendance falling below this level will result in an drawing attention to this, indicating what support we could offer with work or other problems and noting that continued poor levels of attendance will risk deregistration.  You will be asked to meet with a member of the support team to discuss your situation.
Assessments will also be monitored and students that fail to achieve above 40% for two or more assessments in a particular module, or fail a mid-term examination, will be contacted. Students with extenuating circumstances will be excluded from this, providing they have filled out the required documentation which then has to be accepted.
Tuesday, 19th September 2017

5. School of Physics and Astronomy
Discretion will be used in the application of this policy for students near the borderlines of the requirements, taking into account an assessment of the real risk of a given student failing. Discretion could apply in cases where a student had good overall attendance levels and coursework outcomes, and a good previous academic record.
Reporting Absences
Requests for excused absences should be made via the online report form
which can be found via the online student handbook.
Tuesday, 19th September 2017