1. How To Pass M.Sc. Computing
Adrian J Pullin
Award Director
FML208

2. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Types of Assessment
Coursework
Done over a period
Time constrained assignment
Done in a short time, often a morning or day
Examination
2 hours of panic
In fact most are class tests
Still 2 hours of panic!
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

3. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Coursework Process
Assignment handed out
Do assignment
Hand in assignment - on time
Assignment marked
Feedback returned
We keep it until after exam board
Audit
You collect it back from us after results
Or we bin it!
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

4. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Reassessment
First attempt not up to required standard
Normally have right to reassessment once
Reassessment determined by examination board
NOT student!!!
May be re-do work, may be new work
By next exam board
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

5. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Due Dates
Liverpool Hope University regulations
All assignments have a due date
If in on time - full range of marks
If late – zero awarded
If you do not hand in on time, you could FAIL the course
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

6. Handing In Assignments – Where and When
All assignments are handed in to the BCS Deanery Office (FML202)
Hand in during normal office hours
The deadline is 3:00pm on given date
Assignment must be submitted, date stamped by the office and signed by you
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

7. Handing In Assignments – What
Assignments must be securely bound
Assignments must have the correct front cover, clearly visible
Available outside Deanery Office (FML202)
Copy in Student Guide to Procedures
Assignments must have your FULL name on
See next slide
Assignments must have tutor’s name on
Include the assignment specification
Keep a backup copy of all work!
You will be given a receipt, which is part of the front cover. Keep it!
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

8. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
What is your name?
Different cultures write their name in different orders
Your name as it appears on your passport
Please write your family name in UPPER CASE
E.g. Adrian PULLIN
On all official documents
i.e. anything you hand in
Must have id number as well
In case two people have the same name
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

9. Mitigating Circumstances
Illness
Bereavement
Must be documented
Sick note
NOT:-
Computer crash
Printer not working
Bus was late
Friend’s hamster ate Elvis
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

10. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Extensions
Granted due to mitigating circumstances only
Fill in Extension Application form
Available from Deanery office (FML202)
Attach documentary evidence
Get it signed by award director (Keith Dures or Adrian Pullin)
If for more than one week, by the Dean
Give copy in to Deanery Office (FML202)
Take copies to keep yourself
Deliver evidence to Registry
Attach copy of Extension Application form to assignment
This is an extension to the deadline
New deadline set and must be kept
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

11. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
How To Do Assignments
Read the spec & do what it says
Gather information
Put together a draft
Tidy up draft
Read through your assignment & review against spec
Hand in on time
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

12. How To Present Assignments
Word process
Spell & grammar check
UK English
Use MS Word “Technical” grammar setting
Proof read
Use Times New Roman 12 point font for main text
This is the default in Word at Liverpool Hope
Keep layouts simple
Fancy covers gain no marks
Only include your own material
Reference everything using Harvard standard
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

13. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Plagiarism
“Submitting copied work as original”
Fraud
Cheating
You are plagiarising if:-
You use Copy and Paste from someone else's document to your assignment
You copy type someone else’s document to your assignment
‘Someone else’s document’ includes (but is not limited to) Web pages
Penalties up to being expelled from Liverpool Hope
If in doubt, ask
Refer to College policy for details
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

14. Getting Back Assignments
Assignment feedback should be returned to students within four weeks
Feedback will be returned by module tutors
Feedback will carry a grade
See later slide
We keep all assignments until after exam board
Audit
Collect back from tutor after results
Or we bin it
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

15. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Exams or Class Tests
2 hours of panic!
Week beginning 24th April
Week beginning 13th December
You MUST attend the exam
YOU WILL FAIL IF YOU MISS THE EXAM
Holiday bookings are NOT an excuse
Misreading the timetable is NOT an excuse
Resits at next available time
Same rules apply
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

16. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Dissertation
Major piece of research based work
15,000 words
In a Computing related area
i.e. related to the course
Worth 60 credits
Equal to 4 taught modules
Done after satisfactory completion of taught programme
Research Methods module
Must be passed first
15 credits
Delivered over 2 semesters
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

17. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Grades
Percentage
Pass with Distinction
Pass
FAIL
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

18. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate in Computing
4 modules 60 credits passed
No module below 40%
Postgraduate Diploma in Computing
8 modules 120 credits passed
Master of Science in Computing
8 modules plus dissertation,180 credits passed
Minimum 40% on dissertation
Distinction
120 out of 180 credits at distinction
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

19. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Failure
Any mark below 40% is a fail for that module
You can recover a failed module
Resubmit (max. 40%)
Repeat module (max. 40%)
You may replace up to 30 credits (=2 modules) with other MSc Computing modules
Also capped at 40%
You can not carry more than 30 credits (= 2 modules) of failure
If in doubt, ask
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

20. Recovery from Failed Module
Module tutor will have details of required work to recover failed module
YOU must contact tutor to find out how to recover
You must recover by next exam board
Effectively within one semester
You can not use this to extend your period of study
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

21. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Normal Progression
60 credits (4 modules) should be completed in one semester
= PgCert
120 credits (8 modules) should be completed in two semesters
=PgDip
180 credits (8 modules + dissertation) should be completed in three semesters
=MSc
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

22. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Limits on Progression
60 credits (4 modules) MUST be completed in two semesters
= PgCert
120 credits (8 modules) MUST be completed in THREE semesters
=PgDip
180 credits (8 modules + dissertation) MUST be completed in four semesters
=MSc
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

23. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Dates – January start
Semester dates Normal Must reach
Jan 06 – April credit
Sept 06 - Dec credit 60 credit PgCert
Jan 07 – April 07 Dissertation 120 credit PgDip
April 07 –Sept 07 Dissertation 180 credit MSc
Advice is to complete taught phase as soon as possible
Gives more time for dissertation
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

24. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
Communications
The M.Sc. Computing notice board
Opposite Keith Dures’ Office (FML414)
Via the M.Sc. Computing web site
URL
Via
All students have access to via Novell GroupWise
Use GroupWise client on site
Use off site
We will only communicate via your Liverpool Hope address
Not hotmail, yahoo etc.
Security, fees etc.
Via the Portal
Results etc.
It is up to you to read ALL of these
Contact us through Ms Ashlyn Whitty in the Deanery Office FML202
MSc Computing. How to Pass.

25. MSc Computing. How to Pass.
How To Pass The Course
Attend
Do the assignment work
Hand it in on time
Do all the directed study
Even if it is not assessed
If you are stuck, ask early
Attend exams
MSc Computing. How to Pass.