The New Bachelor Programme
"Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology"

 

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

Modular Assessment Regulations
(Developed within the frames of TEMPUS project 27218-2006GEO)
Introduction
A new Bachelor program based on a modular system has been designed within the frames of TEMPUS Joint European Project (JEP) “New Curricula in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology at TSU”.  The success of any program and, especially, its Quality Assurance depends in large part on effective management scheme with emphasis on a modular assessment system. 
A set of basic regulations for modular assessment has been developed by the Tempus project team at the faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences in accordance with guidelines and regulations of study at TSU (Resolutions #92 and #208). The academician staff engaged in the program is recommended to follow the directions set out in present regulations. Although the document should be considered as a set of recommendations, the project team believes it would be accepted by colleagues.
1. Definitions
1.1. Module is an academic building block (structural unit) of curricula in the overall modular framework of the University.
1.2. By content, Module is a subject unit or a set of subject units.
1.3. Module carries a unified or multiple amounts of credits (e.g. 5, 10, 15, 20 etc.) and is assessed as a discrete unit. 
1.4. Modules are offered at specified academic levels according to the programme designed beforehand in order to provide the gradual and progressive development of competencies.
1.5. The academic level is usually based on complexity and depth of studies and corresponds to the study year (1/2/3/4 levels for the 4-year programme) and/or curricula content (elementary/intermediate/advanced).
1.6. All modules have specified assessment requirements stated in module specifications. Successful completion of assessment leads to the award of appropriate credits.
2. Types of Modules
Taking into account experiences of the leading European Universities we consider the following types of modules:

Standard Module is usually a classroom- or laboratory-based academic block.
Professional Practice Module (temporary placement) is undertaken by students outside the University in relevant industry areas, scientific-research centers and/or other institutions.
Bachelor’s Project Module requires completion of a project or piece of individual or group work.
Master’s Dissertation is a particular form of project module undertaken only as a final part of a Master’s award.
3. Module Assessment
3.1. Each module is assessed separately as a discrete unit.
3.2. To assess the module students have permission to two attempts. For each attempt there are two assessment opportunities (see paragraph 4).
3.3. It is common for all the modules to have one (A or B) or two (A and B) components of assessment. Each component has a specified percentage contribution to the overall module assessment. Students who do not pass one or both components are referred or reassessed in the component(s) which have not been passed.

3.4. Component A is assessed under controlled conditions as a final examination mark.
3.5. Component B is to be assessed under both controlled (by achievements at the middle assessment opportunity) and uncontrolled conditions (by activities referring to laboratory work reports, oral presentations, essays, written reports, etc.). The module leader is free in his/her choice of the assessment criteria for component B.
3.6. Each module is assessed as a percentage (100-score system). According to module pass requirements, the module should be considered as passed, if a student deserves an overall module mark not less than 51 %.
3.7. Terms for two assessment opportunities students have for each attempt are prescribed by the Programme Management Committee.  
3.8. Students are allowed to choose themselves the date of the two assessment opportunities for each attempt.
3.9. Specified weightings for components A and B are determined by a module leader, who decides the percentage of contribution of components to the overall assessment of the module. The components must carry a minimum weighting of 40% and a maximum weighting of 60%. Students cannot take examinations until they have successfully completed component B (with more than a half of weighting, i.e.51%). To pass the module, students must achieve a half of weighting defined by the leader for a given module. For example, if A is 60% and B is 40%, students are permitted to take exam (i.e. get assessed in component A) if in component B they have over 21%. Component A will be passed if students achieved not less than 30%. Consequently, the module is assessed as passed overall if the sum of components A and B (overall module mark) is not below 51%.  
3.10. Students who do not pass one or both of the components at the first assessment opportunity have the right to referral in the component(s) which have not been passed (see paragraph 4).
3.11. Professional Practice Module. A professional practice module will have a single component of assessment, component B, that includes a tutor’s report, the assessment of professional competencies by an appropriately qualified practitioner and the student’s portfolio.
3.12. Project Module has a single component of assessment, component A. This may include assessment of either individual or team work as stated in the module specification.  
4. Referral and Reassessment
4.1. Students will be allowed to take two further attempts at passing the module and each attempt, in turn, implies two assessment opportunities. 

4.2.1. If students fail at final examinations, but have more than 41% in Components A and B.

4.2.2. If students earned the overall mark for the module less than 40%, they have to attend taught classes again.
4.3. The students who have to take a second assessment opportunity at the first attempt are required to pass repeatedly the elements included in Component B. Information about those elements and the means to pass them should be defined in the module specification.    
4.4. The weightings in Component B should be transferred from one attempt to another.
4.5. Requisites for assessment and opportunities should be prescribed and stated in the module specification. 
4.6. No further assessment opportunities are permitted to students who passed the module.
4.7. After a second failed attempt the Programme Management Commettee after consideration of the issue may let the student (only in exceptional cases) to take a third attempt.  
5. Late submission of works (presentations, reports, projects, assays, etc.)
5.1 Submissions of works no later than 24 hrs after the stated deadline will not incur any penalty. However, students should inform the module leader about that at least one day before the stated term.
5.2. If there is no reasonable excuse, after the 24 hour time period, the works submitted within ten working days will be penalized by deduction of one third of the mark given for the work. 
If a reasonable excuse exists, the submitted works are not deducted. However, students must submit reasons for lateness in written form within the 10-day period.
5.3. If there is no reasonable excuse, the works submitted after the stated 10-day period will not be assessed but returned to students.
5.4. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, the Programme Management Commettee considers the question regarding the assessment for late works.
6. Professional practice/placement module
6.1 Professional practice/workplacement module is a subject of negotiations with employers/partners. They take decision for permitting students to undertake the module.
6.2.Assessment for students’ professional competencies is performed by the supervisor and is described in a tutor’s appraisal report.
6.3. After the first assessment opportunity at first attempt professional practice module students do not have a right to take second opportunity. To get permission for the second attempt (with two opportunities) students need a special decision of the Programme Management Committee.  Referral is subject to the discretion of the Commettee.
6.4. If students fail their professional practice module, they have a right to substitute the module by free credits.