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Programme structure: Palaeobiology (MSc) - what's running in 2016/17

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Thesis (MSc Palaeobiology) EASCM1016 60 Mandatory AYEAR
Current Controversies in Palaeobiology and Macroevolution EASCM0001 10 Mandatory TB-1A
Scientific Communication EASCM0003 10 Mandatory TB-1A
Literature Review EASCM0034 20 Mandatory TB-2
Phylogenetic Methods in Palaeobiology EASCM0035 10 Mandatory TB-1B
Research Methods in Palaeobiology EASCM0038 30 Mandatory TB-2
40 credit points from:
Biomechanics and Functional Morphology EASCM0024 10 Optional TB-1B
Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Evolution EASCM0036 10 Optional TB-1A
Geology for Research Palaeobiologists EASCM0037 10 Optional TB-2C
Micropalaeontology EASCM0040 10 Optional TB-1B
Evolution of the Biosphere EASC30008 10 Optional TB-1A
The Cambrian Explosion - the origin of animal body plans EASC30052 10 Optional TB-2D
Evolutionary Biology BIOL20212 10 Optional TB-1B
Tree of Life BIOL30004 10 Optional TB-4
Flowering Plants BIOL31131 10 Optional TB-4
Early Human Origins ARCHM1000 10 Optional TB-1
Msc Palaeobiology   180    

Progression/award requirements

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.

Exit awards

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.

Degree classifications:

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. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended 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.

Diploma/certificate stages:

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.

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