Current students
Degree Requirements
The award of the Degrees in the Department of Agricultural Sciences does not depend simply on passing examinations; several other requirements must be met.
Poor attendance at lectures, practical classes etc., unsatisfactory performance in practical work in a subject, or failure to hand in written assignments, can result in failure in that subject, regardless of results in written examinations. In addition to the requirements of the conventional classroom subjects, BAgrSc students should familiarise themselves with the requirements for Agricultural Practice.
When all these requirements have been met, and not before, the Head of Department certifies to the University that the student has satisfied all requirements for the degree, which is then awarded.
Further details are given below, and any student who is still in doubt should consult the Head of Department or an Adviser of Studies. The Department does not issue reminders to students who are clearly not meeting the requirements of the course or of a particular subject in the course.
Meeting the Requirements of Subjects and Years
The nature of subject requirements depends on the nature of the subject. Regular written exercises contribute a substantial proportion of the total marks for some subjects; written examinations at the end of the year may contribute almost all the marks for other subjects. Progressive assessment, by means of class tests, has partly replaced end-of-year examinations in some subjects.
The Department has experimented with different forms of assessment and lecturers have experimented with different types of examination papers. Methods of assessment are continually changing, and the timing of examinations has varied, usually after consultation with, or at the request of students.
Results for different subjects are collated at the end of first and second semesters. Results for subjects completed in other Departments are then added and all marks for all years are considered at Board of Examiners' meetings held in June and December.
For students enrolled for the B.Agr.Sc. degree it is recognised that students undertake a set course and do not have the freedom of choice among subjects which other students have. During the course many students find a subject or section of a subject which appeals to them far less or which they find more difficult than the others . Where there is more than one section in a subject this is taken into account. In other words, students may fail in one section (or one exam paper) but can pass in the subject as a whole provided that the average mark is 50 or above. The relative weighting of each section is taken into account when calculating the average mark.
Students normally are required to repeat only those subjects which they have failed. However, if failures are recorded in two or more subjects in any year students will be asked to show cause why they should be allowed to re-enrol in the course in the subsequent year. It will be necessary to 'show cause' for a failure in any subject that has been repeated after a previous failure, or, failure for a second time to complete a full year of study. If a student fails badly, and cannot produce some very good reasons when asked to 'show cause', he/she most likely will be excluded from the course.
Credit for Courses Completed Elsewhere
Under some circumstances, students may obtain exemptions from certain subjects or parts of subjects.
Credit may be given for relevant subjects passed in other Departments at this University or at other Universities. Credit will be granted only to students who make application for it and have this application approved by an Advisor of Studies. Forms are available from the Student Centre.
Special Consideration in Case of Illness, or Accidents, etc. It is most important to note that the Board of Examiners takes into account matters of special consideration which may have affected the student's performance at examinations, (e.g., sickness) during the year or at examination time. Special consideration may also be given on non-medical grounds. A form for application for special consideration may be obtained from the Student Centre.
It is no use applying for special consideration after the results of examinations are publicised. This should occur as and when the circumstances arise during the year. An application for special consideration on medical grounds must be accompanied by a medical certificate.
In cases of inability to attend the examination for medical reasons, provision can usually be made for special examinations. If this happens students should ensure that discussion of the examination paper with other students does not occur. There is a regulation which allows individuals to make a declaration to this effect, and so be eligible to sit for the same paper a few days later. The normal period for special examinations is, however, mid-January.
Students are advised that it is wise to inform the Department staff of difficulties they may face with their studies, etc. Often, it is possible to overcome difficulties quickly following discussion(s) with staff from the Department.
Academic Progress
The Academic Progress Committee of the Faculty meets to check and discuss the academic progress of individual students. Students should be aware that exclusion from the University as a result of unsatisfactory progress is not dependent solely on the results of formal examinations; unsatisfactory progress can lead to exclusion at any time. However, it should be emphasised that the role of this Committee is a constructive one. Students who may otherwise have failed at the end of the year have actually passed because they have been jolted out of their complacency, which is one of the functions of this Committee. The Department aims for a pass rate of 100% in all years; alas, this target is seldom achieved!
Re-enrolment
Convenient arrangements, which may vary from year to year, are made for re-enrolment. These arrangements are well publicised.
Material and equipment for practical classes must be organised in good time and it is necessary to know the number of students involved, so students must make sure their enrolment requirements are completed.
Students failing the examinations, but wishing to re-enrol, may be asked to see the Academic Progress Committee; in any case it will be necessary to submit a written statement giving the reasons for failure. If it is necessary to repeat only one subject students should discuss the situation with a Student Adviser.
If students intend to enrol in any subject or units of subjects outside the set course, the approval of the Department of Agricultural Sciences is required. An Adviser of Studies should be consulted about this.
General Comments
Others will have pointed out that the transition from Secondary School to University can be a difficult one for many students. It is a common belief that the help provided at school suddenly ceases upon entry to a University. The fact is, of course, that some lecturers and some Departments are more helpful than others. The main point is that university life is a new experience, opening up new avenues of activity to the student and offering the possibility of new friendships and experiences. There is an inevitable tendency to relax and enjoy the new experience, especially during the "spare hours" in the working day.
In general, students who work consistently from the beginning of each Semester have no difficulties at the end of it. At the beginning of each Semester, examinations seem a long way away. In fact, 12-13 weeks is a very short time, and a student who falls behind will find it difficult or impossible to catch up.
It should be pointed out, that failure to understand a particular part of a course may lead to difficulty in dealing with the later sections. Many students are reluctant to ask lecturers or tutors about points which they do not understand, particularly in front of their fellow students. Never be afraid to ask a member of staff for help and never delay asking.
Please understand that most staff are undertaking research and most are involved in the day-to-day running and organisation of the Department and the University. So be prepared for the fact that the staff member you wish to see may be unavailable immediately; it will be possible to make an appointment to see the staff member(s).
It is essential to adopt the habit of looking regularly at the Department notice board. It is never satisfactory to tell a class the due date of an essay, the date of a class test or that a one-day excursion is being organised by announcing it at the beginning of a lecture, for the obvious reason that it cannot be assumed that everybody in the year will be attending that particular lecture. Announcements are made in this way but they are also posted on the notice board. If you miss out on something it will be your own fault. Written notes should be made of anything that is important - do not rely on information transmitted by word of mouth from other students.
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