This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.
What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?
EASCM0034 Literature Review and EASCM0038 Research Methods in Palaeobiology are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Students are able to take this programme on a part-time basis over two years. Part-time students will enrol on a selection of the units listed below and then take the others in their second year. All mandatory units must be completed over the course of the programme. The Thesis is completed in Year 2.
| Unit name | Unit code | Credit points | Status | Teaching Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macroevolution | EASC30066 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
| Current Controversies in Palaeobiology and Macroevolution | EASCM0001 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
| Phylogenetic Methods in Palaeobiology | EASCM0035 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
| Literature Review | EASCM0034 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
| Research Methods in Palaeobiology | EASCM0038 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
| Thesis (MSc Palaeobiology) | EASCM1016 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
| and 40 credit points from the list below: | ||||
| Please note - in order to meet the requirements for the Taught Masters degree award as stated in the University's Credit Framework, for this MSc programme a MAXIMUM of 30cp of options below Level M is allowed. | ||||
| Geology for Research Palaeobiologists | EASCM0037 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
| Micropalaeontology | EASCM0040 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
| Advanced Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics | EASCM0055 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
| The Cambrian Explosion - the origin of animal body plans | EASC30052 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
| Tree of Life | BIOL30004 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
| Plant Evolution, Development and Diversity | BIOL30007 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Early Human Origins | ARCHM1000 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Msc Palaeobiology | 180 | |||
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
