Objectives of Assessment
The purpose of assessment is to monitor student progress, to determine eligibility to proceed to subsequent years of programmes, and to determine the class of degree awarded.
Methods of Assessment
Assessment is by a combination of formal examinations and continuously assessed work. The latter includes practical work, skills assignments, tutorials and projects. Details of the components of assessment for each unit can be found under individual course unit descriptions in Part III of the Handbook. Most units are assessed during the examination period at the end of the semester in which the units are taught.
How Your Degree is Classified
The relationship between the degree classes and the final assessment mark is normally as follows:
Final mark |
Degree class |
70 – 100 |
First |
60 – 69 |
Second (Upper) |
50 – 59 |
Second (Lower) |
40 – 49 |
Third – award to BSc only |
30 – 39 |
Pass – award to BSc only |
0 – 29 |
Fail |
In assigning degree classes, we expect the following qualities to be evident and demonstrable in students:
First Class Honours Degree –
An extensive knowledge and deep understanding of chemistry, the ability to interrelate different areas of the degree programme and to supplement the material presented in lectures with independent study. The ability to solve theoretical and practical problems which require insight and initiative.
Upper Second Honours Degree –
Good knowledge and sound understanding of chemistry and the ability to apply this knowledge to new problems; the ability to carry out laboratory work with minimal supervision and to obtain reliable and accurate results.
Lower Second Honours Degree –
A satisfactory breadth of knowledge of chemistry, and some ability to apply this knowledge to solve familiar problems with several steps of analysis; the ability to tackle laboratory problems with confidence given some supervision.
Third Class Honours Degree –
Knowledge of basic chemistry and the ability to solve straightforward problems; the ability to work competently in the laboratory given fairly extensive supervision.
Pass Degree –
A satisfactory work and attendance record, knowledge of basic chemistry, and competence in the safe handling of chemicals and in the use of equipment.
Assessment during a placement year
If you are on programmes such as “with Industrial Experience”, “with Study in Europe”, “with Study in North America”, you will spend the third year of your studies in industry or abroad. At the end of your second year, you will be given a Placement Handbook, which gives you detailed information about your placement year. This will include information on assessment of any distance learning units you are required to take.
The University policy on student feedback can be found at http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/map/teachinglearningassessment/assessment/sectionb-thepracticeofassessment/policyonfeedbacktostudents/
(i) Tutorials
Years 1 to 3 submit tutorial work to subject tutors in advance of tutorials. Tutors will make written comments on the work. Model answers are provided and further discussion takes place in tutorials. Many course units in year 4 also offer tutorial sheets and staff will mark these and discuss with students if submitted.
(ii) Laboratory work
Feedback is via interview with a member of staff or demonstrator as the work is being marked, or by an experiment feedback sheet.
(iii) Skills work
Feedback differs for different components. All work is marked and returned to students with the exception of the computer assisted learning unit.
(iv) Essay work
Feedback is via interview with your Personal Tutor or essay marker (for year 1) and the essay feedback sheet (for year 2).
(v) Group work
Feedback is via return of marked work and a debriefing lecture at the end of the unit.
(vi) Project work
Direct feedback on project work (i.e. release and justification of marks) is restricted since the material is under examination until publication of final degree results. However, detailed advice on the progress of the project and project preparation is available from the project supervisor. Those students entering the fourth year of MChem programmes will be given the opportunity to collect a copy of their third year project report feedback at the beginning of the next academic year.
(vii) Examinations
Examination marks for all years are released via the student system and we expect all students to discuss their performance with their Personal Tutor through the PADP system. Personal Tutors provide advice on areas of improvement and so on. An opportunity for all students to make an appointment to view their exam scripts will be offered, usually in March for the January exams and in October for the previous year’s May/June exams.