Research and Inquiry in Action

There are two pieces of assessment for this course, each assignment is weighted as above. Satisfactory completion of each assignment to at least a pass grade (C-) is required to pass the course.

Grading Scale
Grade    GPA Value        Marks

A+              9            90 – 100
A                8            85 – 89.99
A-               7            80 – 84.99
B+              6            75 – 79.99
B                5            70 – 74.99
B-               4            65 – 69.99
C+              3            60 – 64.99
C                2            55 – 59.99
C-               1            50 – 54.99
D                0            40 – 49.99
E               -1             0 – 39.99

Formal and informal evaluation will take place in accordance with the relevant Course Evaluation Policy, to provide feedback to teaching staff about the relevance and validity of what has been learned as well as the quality of course delivery.

The College undertakes a process of internal and external moderation of assessment.  This is to ensure that the assessment system is fair, equitable, consistent and manageable.

Work submitted after the due date with no extension granted is considered late.  Late work will not be marked, unless exceptional circumstances apply (e.g. illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances).  Relevant evidence such as a medical certificate or a letter from a counsellor may be required in order for the course-coordinator to make a decision about whether or not to mark late work.  No work will be accepted after assignments have been returned to students. The highest grade a piece of late work can receive is a C-

Assignments must be word processed in Times New Roman 12 point font with 1.5 line spacing and stapled in the corner. Every page must be named and numbered. Do not use clear file folders to present your work. Keep a copy of all work. Students are to attach a completed assignment cover sheet. Be sure to sign the affirmation.

Under exceptional circumstances (e.g., illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances) individual students may be granted an extension of the due date for an assignment.  There is, however, a limit to the length of time that an extension can be granted and this should be negotiated with the course coordinator in the first instance.  Extensions will not normally be given for longer than one week from the due date, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.  Extensions are not granted automatically to students. Requests for extensions should be emailed to the course coordinator at least two days prior to the due date for the assignment.  Relevant evidence such as a medical certificate or a letter from a counsellor may be required in order for the lecturer to make a decision about whether or not to grant an extension. A lecturer may also ask for a copy of work completed up to the time of the extension request in order to determine if an extension may be granted.  A copy of the course coordinator's email confirming the extension (if granted) and any supporting documentation must be attached to and submitted with the assignment. Extensions will not normally be granted because of pressure of university study, e.g. several pieces of work being due at about the same time.  Students are encouraged to plan their work in a realistic manner and in advance so that they can meet their assessment deadlines.

Resubmissions are restricted to work that is originally submitted on or before the due date. Late assignments are not normally considered for resubmission unless there are exceptional circumstances. If the student’s assignment work meets most of the criteria required to pass, they may be given the opportunity to resubmit the assignment to bring it to a passing standard. Only one resubmission is possible within the course. Students will have one week from the return of an assignment, to resubmit their work. Distance students will have one week from the time they could reasonably be expected to have received their work back. For the resubmitted assessment to be marked the original work and marking sheet must be attached to the resubmitted version.  A resubmitted assignment cannot be awarded more than the minimum passing grade.

From Semester 1 in 2016 the following regulations and processes will replace previous policies and guidelines related to applications for Aegrotat Consideration and Backdated (Late) Withdrawal from Courses. Please refer to The University of Canterbury General Course and Examination Regulations H. Special Consideration, which is available at the following site:http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/regulations/general/general_regs_aegrotat.shtml

Students may apply for special consideration if their performance in an assessment is affected by extenuating circumstances beyond their control, where:
(a)  they have suffered an acute illness, injury, or other reasonably unforeseeable circumstances:
i.    which has prevented them from completing any major item(s) of work for assessment in a course; or
ii.   which has impaired their performance (including by interruption of pre-assessment revision) to the extent that the result(s) are likely to underestimate their true and evidenced level of mastery of the material in the course;
or
(b)  
i.    they have been selected to perform, compete, adjudicate, or officiate as a national sporting representative at national or international competitions; or
ii.   they are members of a national cultural group on tour nationally or internationally.
Please note that applications must be supported by evidence.  Further details are available at the above link.

Applications for special consideration should be submitted via the Examinations Office website http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/exams/ within five days of the assessment.

Where an extension may be granted for an assessment, this will be decided by direct application to the Course Co-ordinator and an application to the Examinations Office may not be required.

Special consideration is not available for items worth less than 10% of the course and may not be available for some other items of assessment as specified in Course Outlines.  (Refer to specific Course Outlines for this information.)

Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date for withdrawing, may apply for special consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must be submitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for the semester.

NB: This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student Advice team for assistance.

Students will be expected to submit their assessment via the online assessment system in the Learn class site by 5.00pm on or before the due date.  The lecturer may also ask students to submit assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism. If this option is available students will submit work through Turnitin and obtain a report, after submitting assignments for marking via the Learn site. It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated. If you require assistance, please email ictservicedesk@canterbury.ac.nz, or phone 366 7001 ext 6060.