Terms

Mentoring, Modules and society meetings are offered in separate teaching terms:

There are three 13-week terms per year:

• Summer (May – August)
• Autumn (September – December)
• Spring (January – April)

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Weeks One and Two – Introduction and Advising, Shopping and Student Life Weeks

In the Summer Term, students are introduced to the academic structure of the Institute. Personal advising sessions with senior staff pinpoint students’ areas of interest in order to allocate mentors, advise students on Module choices and generally introduce them to the processes and procedures of the Institute. In subsequent terms, the first week of term is dedicated to Mentors advising their students on Module choices.

In preparation for and during Advising Week, students should browse the Syllabus Catalogue (available on Canvas) to check the Modules available and to review the syllabi (and, if applicable, prerequisites) of those they are interested in. To help with Module Choices, all students are encouraged to attend so called Shopping Lectures, in which Module Leaders have the opportunity to inspire students to take up the Module(s) they teach and where students can find out more about the Module content and requirements.

Shopping Lectures are organised from the Saturday of Advising Week to the Friday of the following week (Week Two – Student Life Week). It is important that students take full opportunity of attending these Lectures and discuss their options and preferences with their Mentors (considering any potential prerequisites) in order to make appropriate Module choices. Choices must be made via an online sign-up form open until Sunday 23:59 at the end of Week Two.

The second week of the Term, apart from Shopping Lectures, is dedicated to Student Life events, organised by Student Life Organisations from Monday to Saturday. Student Life Week provides a great opportunity to get to know the student-led Societies and Clubs of the Institute, meet their Leaders and Members, and find out about their Programme

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Week Three – Module Adjustment Week

Once Module choices are made, the Academic Team review these and make recommendations where adjustments may be needed. Standard Modules without a minimum of 6 students are cancelled. In both cases, students (and their Mentors if needed) are consulted individually about reallocations to other Modules that are available. For Modules with multiple groups running, students can indicate their preferences for the available time slots during this week.

When choosing modules, students should consider the following:

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Weeks Four to Seven – Module Teaching (Teaching Weeks 1-4)

Module teaching and mentoring sessions. Students are expected to attend punctually and regularly for all sessions, preparing fully for each session as required by the Mentor or Module Leader.

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Week Eight – Reading Week (Autumn Term only)

There is no Module teaching this week to allow for catching up with coursework, doing research for end-of-term essays, carrying out additional tasks or preparing for tests.

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Weeks Nine to Twelve – Module Teaching (Teaching Weeks 5-8)

Teaching and mentoring continues with increased emphasis on making progress with assignments and coursework.

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Week Thirteen – Final Deadlines and Assessment

Final consultations take place regarding coursework and tests, with the final deadline for the submission of all written work set for the end of this week. Final written tests for Numerical Science Modules also normally take place during this period.

MISCELLANEOUS

Grading – Maximum 10 days after the end of term

Grades and feedback should be handed out no later than ten days after the end of term.

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Expected Work Load

Mentoring: mentoring generally takes place every other week, with 30 to 60 minutes of contact time. Mentors will typically set tasks that require up 4 hours of preparation.

Modules: each module usually requires 4 hours of preparation per week.