Assessment is a crucial part of University study and provides a marker of your understanding of the material you have been taught. Unlike High School, at University, assessment contributing to your final mark for each Unit of Study and to your weighted average mark (WAM) starts almost at once. If you have questions about the lecture or laboratory material, or do not understand something, it is extremely important that YOU sort it out as soon as possible by: consulting the recommended textbook, your lab demonstrator, going to see the Lunch Time Tutor or your lecturer.

Assessment in First Year Chemistry

---

You will be assessed on your understanding of the nature of matter and its transformations, and on your knowledge of the salient facts on which these ideas are founded. You will also be assessed on your ability to discuss briefly several chemical topics in a clear, simple and logical fashion. You will be expected to perform competently a small number of basic laboratory operations, including the recording of results. All First Year Chemistry units of study have a mixture of assessment types such as:

• Laboratory assessment (see unit of study description for breakdown of laboratory component)
• Tutorial quizzes (3 per semester; all three marks used)
• Lecture quizzes (approximately weekly during semester)
• Final exam at the end of semester

See your unit of study description for the exact breakdown for your unit.

You must pass the laboratory course (50% or greater) in order to pass the unit.

Your Obligations

---

Attendance: You are required to attend at least 90% of your lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes. Students who miss more than 10% of their scheduled classes may be failed or excluded from the end of semester examination. You may apply for Special Consideration (which is not granted routinely and requires supporting documentation) if you miss a laboratory session, tutorial quiz or examination, or if your performance in an exam is adversely affected by illness or special circumstances. Follow the procedure outlined on the University special consideration website. Applications for special consideration must be submitted within three (3) days of the assessment affected.

Discipline: A member of the academic staff may suspend any student from attendance at their classes for misconduct or a breach of good order in the classes of such member. Any such student may be required to appear before the Vice-Chancellor, who may impose various penalties, including expulsion, suspension, fine or reprimand.

Cheating: All assessments and all work done in the laboratories must be your own. This does not preclude discussion in certain situations, but it is essential that the level of understanding of each individual student can be established. The University policy on Academic Honesty and plagiarism may be found here.

What happens if I miss an assessment?

---

If you miss a tutorial quiz or lab assessment, there are three courses of action available to you:

1. Do nothing - you will score 0 for that assessment task.
2. See Sophie or Erin at the First Year Enquiry Office and arrange to sit for the assessment within a week of your assessment. (This is not always possible, especially for laboratory assessments). Note that if there are seats available, each tutorial quiz may be completed at any of the tutorials being run that week, not just the one on your timetable.
3. You may apply for Special Consideration (which is not granted routinely and requires supporting documentation) if you miss a laboratory session, tutorial quiz or examination, or if your performance in an assessment is adversely affected by illness or special circumstances. Follow the procedure outlined at the Special Consideration website. Application for special consideration must be submitted within three (3) work days of the assessment affected. If you are prevented from doing this by, for example, hospitalisation, you should contact the Student Administration Services immediately upon your return to University.

Your preferred option should be to catch up on the assessment. The School of Chemistry offers many opportunities to do this - see Sophie at the Enquiry Office.

Replacement Examinations

---

Students who because of illness or misadventure miss the end of semester examination, or whose performance in the examination is severely affected, may be granted a replacement examination. Applications for Special Consideration, together with all relevant supporting documentation must be received WITHIN THREE WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE EXAMINATION.

The dates and venue of these replacement examinations will be:

• Semester 1: Likely to be the week following the regular exam period
• Semester 2: Likely to be the week following the regular exam period

Students who are granted either of these replacement examinations will be notified by email. It is therefore essential that your current personal details are correctly recorded in Sydney Student.

NOTE: If you apply for Special Consideration for an examination, you are applying to resit the examination. We will NOT just give you a couple of extra marks. If Special Consideration is granted, you will be obliged to attend the replacement examination - your original paper will be considered null and void.

To apply for special consideration relating to the chemistry exam, all students should follow the procedure outlined on the Special Consideration website.