Assessment
ASSESSMENT11
6.1 Assessment Procedures and Requirements
6.1.1 Designation of Lecturer-in-Charge
There will be a Lecturer-in-Charge, nominated by the Head of School, for each unit offered by that School. The Lecturer-in-Charge of the unit is responsible for coordinating the preparation of Unit Outlines and for coordinating results in accordance with University policy.
6.1.2 Range of Assessment Methods
Assessment may include a range of methods such as formal end of study period examination, continuous assessment throughout the study period, written assignments, essays, theses, practical assessments and field trips/projects. The Unit Outline will describe assessment methods to be used in a unit.
6.1.3 Completion of unit requirements
To complete the requirements for a unit a student must -
(a) comply with all University statutes, regulations and rules:
(b) pay all relevant fees and charges;
(c) complete all unit requirements as prescribed in the Unit Outline;
(d) gain a grade of Pass Conceded or higher in accordance with Regulation 6.3.
Examples of unit requirements include -
- attending classes (eg lectures, tutorials, laboratory and practical classes)
- undertaking and submitting research and assignment work for assessment
- undertaking projects and/or group work
- undertaking examinations
- undertaking field work, industrial and/or practical placements or volunteer experience
- undertaking police checks or submitting declarations such as 'prohibited person declarations'
- obtaining a current first aid or CPR certificate
- undergoing required immunisation.
6.1.4 Unit Outline
By the end of the first lecture week, the Lecturer-in-Charge of the unit will make a Unit Outline available to each student enrolled in that unit. The Unit Outline includes details of unit objectives, assessment tasks, percentage of marks allocated to assessment tasks, dates for the submission of assessment, and any special requirements of that unit.
6.1.5 Attendance requirements
Attendance at scheduled lectures and classes is expected. It is compulsory to attend classes so designated in Unit Outlines.
6.1.6 Allocation of grades
Grades in a unit are assigned by the Lecturer-in-Charge, and must be ratified by the Head of School or nominee prior to submission to Student Administration. A student's grade in a unit may be changed only within six months of the original allocation of final grade and then only with the approval of the relevant Head of School, or as provided under Regulation 8.
6.1.7 Factors affecting performance
If a student believes that personal circumstances are likely to affect performance in an assessment task in a unit, the student is responsible for notifying the Lecturer-in-Charge and Course Co-ordinator before the due date for submission of that assessment task.
Students may apply for consideration of circumstances, which significantly hamper their participation or performance in an assessment. Applications should be submitted before the due date for the assessment task but where significant circumstances supported by documentary evidence prevent this, or in the case of examinations, applications will be accepted no later than five working days after the relevant assignment submission date or examination date for the unit for which consideration is sought12.
6.1.8 Extension for an assignment
A student may apply to the Lecturer-in-Charge for an extension to the submission date of an assignment. Requests for extension must be made on the appropriate form on or before the due date for submission, and must demonstrate exceptional circumstances which warrant the granting of an extension.
Assignments submitted after the due or extended date will incur a 10% penalty of the maximum marks available for that assignment. Assignments received more than three calendar days after the due or extended date will not be allocated a mark.
Unless otherwise specified in the Unit Outline, an extension of time will not normally be available for tests such as:
(a) in-class tests;
(b) laboratory exercises or tests;
(c) computer or online exercises or tests using the University's Learning Management System or similar technology;
(d) similar tests specified in the Unit Outline.
6.1.9 Extension for submission of Honours thesis
An Honours student may apply to the Head of School for an extension to the submission date of an Honours thesis. Requests for extension must be made on or before the due date for submission, and must demonstrate exceptional circumstances which warrant the granting of an extension. The maximum extension which may be granted is 6 months.
Honours theses submitted after the due or extended date will incur a penalty of 10% of the maximum marks available for that thesis.
[Index]
6.2.1 Undergraduate and non-award students
6.2.1.1 Students at risk
An undergraduate student or student in a non-award course who has -
(a) failed 50% or more of the credit points for which the student enrolled in any standard study period; or
(b) failed any unit on two occasions; or
(c) failed any clinical, counselling or teaching practicum (or other assessable professional or practical experience) unit1:
should be aware that further failure may lead to liability for termination of his/her enrolment. Such a student should seek academic advice before continuing in the course.
6.2.1.2 Requirement to show cause why enrolment should not be terminated
A student will be required to show cause why his/her enrolment should not be terminated if the student has failed 50% or more of the credit points taken over the last two standard study periods in which the student was actively enrolled.
A student in an Honours program will be required to show cause if the student has achieved less than a Pass in any individual coursework unit in the Honours program.
6.2.1.3 Timing of submission showing cause why enrolment should not be terminated
Any submission from a student showing cause why his/her enrolment should not be terminated must be in writing and be submitted within 20 working days from the date of notification of the requirement to show cause.
6.2.1.4 Consideration of show cause submission
The submission from a student showing cause why his/her enrolment should not be terminated will be considered by the relevant Course Co-ordinator who may determine –
(a) that the cause shown is of sufficient merit to warrant the student’s continuation in the program;
(b) that the cause shown is of sufficient merit to warrant the student’s continuation in the program, subject to specified conditions; or
(c) that the cause shown is not of sufficient merit to warrant the student’s continuation in the program.
The student will be advised of the decision of the Course Co-ordinator within 20 working days from the date of the student’s lodgement of the show cause submission.
6.2.1.5 Termination of enrolment
Unless otherwise determined by the Course Co-ordinator, a student’s enrolment in an undergraduate course or non-award course is terminated if the student -
(a) has failed any unit on three occasions; or
(b) has failed the same clinical, counselling or teaching practicum (or other assessable professional or practical experience) unit1 on two occasions or failed two separate clinical, counselling or teaching practicum (or other assessable professional or practical experience) units1; or
(c) having previously been required to show cause, has failed to do so or has been notified that the Course Co-ordinator determined that the cause shown was not of sufficient merit to warrant the student’s continuation in the program: or
(d) having previously been allowed to re-enrol for cause shown, has in any standard study period failed more than one credit bearing unit undertaken subsequently while enrolled for the same course.
6.2.2 Postgraduate students
6.2.2.1 Students at risk
A postgraduate student who has failed more than 30 credit points or more than 40% of the total credit point requirements of the course should be aware that further failure may lead to liability for termination of his/her enrolment. Such a student should seek academic advice from the Course Co-ordinator before continuing in the course.
6.2.2.2 Termination of enrolment
Unless otherwise determined by the Course Co-ordinator, a student’s enrolment in a postgraduate course is terminated if the student has –
(a) failed 50% or more of the total credit point requirements of the course;
(b) failed any unit on three occasions; or
(c) failed the same clinical, counselling or teaching practicum (or other assessable professional or practical experience) unit1 on two occasions or failed two separate clinical, counselling or teaching practicum (or other assessable professional or practical experience) units1.
1Excludes volunteer experience units.
6.2.3 Effective date of termination
Any termination of enrolment under this Regulation will take effect from the end of the study period during which the student became liable for such termination.
6.2.4 Request for review of termination
A student may apply for review of any termination of enrolment under the provisions of Regulation 8.
6.2.5 Application for re-admission to same program
Any subsequent application for re-admission to the same program or, in the case of a dual-degree, to either of the courses within the dual degree, will not be considered until at least one calendar year has elapsed from the date of termination. Re-admission is subject to approval by the relevant Head(s) of School.
6.2.6 Application for admission to a different program
A student whose enrolment in a program has been terminated may subsequently apply for admission to another program after the period of exclusion or suspension has been completed. In cases where no specific period of exclusion or suspension has been identified, a student will be considered for admission not earlier than one calendar year from the date of exclusion or suspension.
6.2.7 Application for re-enrolment in units failed
A student who has failed a unit on three occasions may not enrol in units in that discipline until at least one calendar year has elapsed from the date of termination; re-enrolment in such units is subject to the approval of the Head(s) of School(s) concerned.
[Index]
6.3.1 Time for completion of unit requirements
A student will complete the assessment requirements for all relevant units no later than the end of the examination period for the relevant study period.
6.3.2 Result grades
6.3.2.1 Unit grading codes
All units will be assessed and recorded according to the codes listed in Table 1. Where a student cannot be awarded a final grade for a unit at the end of the study period, the grade will remain blank. If no final result grade has been assigned to the unit within twelve (12) months of the end of the study period, the blank grade will be converted to Fail – NN.
Table 1 - Grading Codes - Units
|
Description |
% Range Guide13 |
Code |
Numerical Equivalent14 |
Final Result Grades |
High Distinction |
85-100 0-49 |
HD |
7 |
When a unit is assessed on a Pass/Fail scale |
Pass |
50-100 |
PS |
15 |
When a student withdraws from a unit in accordance with Regulation 4.4.3 or 4.4.4. |
Withdrawn Without Academic Penalty |
|
WW |
|
When a student withdraws from a unit outside the provisions of Regulation 4.4.3 or 4.4.4 |
Withdrawn - Fail |
|
WN |
1 |
When a student has been granted Credit for a unit (Regulation 4.7.1) |
Credit Granted |
|
CG |
|
When a student's enrolment has been cancelled for non-payment of fees in accordance with Regulation 4.4.5 |
Withdrawn – Fees |
|
WX |
1 |
For a thesis, dissertation, project, research, performance unit extending over more than one standard study period: |
Continuing Unit
Continuing Unit
|
|
CU
CU
|
|
If a student has been granted a Deferred Examination16
|
Deferred Examination |
|
DE |
|
When a student has been awarded a result but the result is withheld because of non-payment of any fee or fine or withholding of results has been directed because a matter concerning the student is under investigation under the Academic Honesty Policy or before a Discipline Committee or Discipline Appeals Committee. |
Result Withheld |
|
RW |
|
If a result has been annulled A result may be annulled only by determination of a Discipline Committee or Discipline Appeals Committee. |
Annulled |
|
AN |
|
6.3.2.2 Honours course grading codes
All Honours courses will be assessed and recorded according to the codes listed in Table 2.
Table 2 - Grading Codes - Honours
Overall Honours Grades |
Description |
Final Numerical Result |
Code |
Final Honours Grades17 |
First Class Honours Second Class Honours - Division A Second Class Honours - Division B Third Class Honours Fail |
85-100 75-84 65-74 50-64 0-49 |
HI HIIA HIIB HIII NN |
6.3.3 Pass Conceded
A student may be awarded a Pass Conceded grade by the Head of School in exceptional circumstances. A Pass Conceded grade does not meet prerequisite requirements for enrolment in units requiring a minimum of a Pass grade. A Pass Conceded grade may only be redeemable upon the student re-enrolling in the unit in a subsequent semester and attaining a grade of Pass or better. A pass degree student may not accumulate a Pass Conceded grade in units amounting to more than 15% of the total credit points required for completion of the award. A unit in which a Pass Conceded grade has been awarded may not be counted for the purposes of admission to, or credit towards the requirements of, an Honours year or postgraduate program.
[Index]
6.4 Cheating, Plagiarism, Collusion and Recycling
6.4.1 Investigation and resolution of any allegation of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or recycling
Any allegation of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or recycling will be investigated and resolved in accordance with the Academic Honesty Policy.
6.4.2 Consequences of exclusion
In the event that a student is excluded for breach of the Academic Honesty Policy, any subsequent application for re-admission will not be considered until at least one calendar year has elapsed from the date of exclusion. Re-admission is subject to approval by the relevant Head of School.
[Index]
11 See also the Assessment Policy and Procedures.
12Refer to Clause 5.2 in the Assessment Policy and Procedures.
13All units will be assessed and recorded according to the grading codes in this Table. Assessment tasks in all units will be developed so that typically the following proportions of students will achieve the stated final grades:
(a) Distinction (DI) or better - 20%
(b) Credit (CR) - 30 %
(c) Fail (NN) or Pass Conceded (PC) - no more than 10%.
Where the final grades in a unit significantly deviate from these standards, the Lecturer-in-Charge will provide to the School Assessment Review Committee relevant evidence to substantiate the decision.
14Numerical equivalents of grades may be used in the calculation of the grade point average.
15Results of PS (ungraded Pass) are excluded from the calculation of a grade point average.
16It should be noted that results from deferred examinations may be delayed and this can cause difficulties for students in terms of graduation, application for scholarships and applications to enrol at other institutions.
17The award of Honours grades will be determined by the relevant School Committee on the basis of results obtained in all units required in the Honours course, weighted according to their credit point values.
Page last updated: 2017-06-29
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/53495
Page last updated: 2017-06-29
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/53495