EXAMINATION CONVENTIONS 2003/04

Candidates are required to

• submit written assignments in seven or eight topics (with at least 4 from Schedule B) and
• to submit a dissertation which must demonstrate an appreciation of the role of methods studied in the course as contributing to the design and development of computing systems
• to attend an examination viva voce, unless individually dispensed

• attain a minimum standard in seven of the assignments
• pass five assignments (including at least three from Schedule B or alternative topics approved by the organising committee)
• pursue an adequate course of practical work
• attain an adequate level of achievement in all three parts of the examination

Anonymised assignments are marked by the course lecturer and moderated by the examiners. Moderation is intended to ensure consistency and fairness across courses, and the moderators may adjust grades or take more radical steps if necessary, to achieve this goal.

The dissertation is read and graded by two assessors, one of whom is one of the examiners and one of whom is not, and neither of whom is the student's supervisor for the project.

For the award of the MSc degree, the examiners normally expect a candidate to achieve passing grades in five assignments and in the dissertation. A candidate who achieves this is normally dispensed from attending the viva. The examiners may moderate a B- grade to a B grade if they judge the candidate's overall performance merits this.

In considering candidates for award of a Distinction in the examination as a whole, the examiners normally look for a preponderance of A+ and A grades among the five best assignments, and an A+ or A grade in the dissertation. Outstanding performance in one part may, however, compensate for slightly less strong performance in the other.

A prize, value £200, may be awarded, if there is a candidate of sufficient merit, by the Examiners each year to the candidate whose performance in the examination they judge to be the best.