Natural sciences and Mathematics School

Except for programmes where explicitly specified, generally, assessment shall consist of continuous assessment and a written examination each with a weighting of 50{d109a564b5af1069e15ea8bc524cfa1dbeb8a016430020a6fc53ea8abd8ad77b}. Continuous assessment in each course which shall be weighted 50{d109a564b5af1069e15ea8bc524cfa1dbeb8a016430020a6fc53ea8abd8ad77b} shall consist of all prescribed components of coursework such as tests and assignments. The final written examinations shall carry 50{d109a564b5af1069e15ea8bc524cfa1dbeb8a016430020a6fc53ea8abd8ad77b}. A pass mark in each course shall be a mark of 50{d109a564b5af1069e15ea8bc524cfa1dbeb8a016430020a6fc53ea8abd8ad77b} or better.

In phase II of all M.Sc programmes and for all research-based programmes (MPhil & Ph.D), the dissertation or thesis shall carry 100 points, with a weighting of 15 points for oral presentation (public defence or viva) and 85 points for the written document. The award of the degree is subject to the acceptance by the Copperbelt University of a dissertation/thesis that will satisfy the Examiners, that in their assessment, the outcome of the research shall reflect originality of the subject matter which contributes new and/or additional findings to the body of scientific knowledge in Africa and the world. A pass mark for the dissertation/thesis shall be a mark of 50{d109a564b5af1069e15ea8bc524cfa1dbeb8a016430020a6fc53ea8abd8ad77b} or better. The grade for the dissertation/thesis shall be Pass or Fail.

Every student is required to attend a minimum of lectures, seminars and tutorials, and all laboratory work given in each course in an academic year. A student who does not meet this requirement for attendance shall not be admitted for final examinations in that course. The School of Graduate Studies, may withdraw a student from a course during the academic year on the grounds of his/her failure after due warnings, to fulfil the compulsory class attendance, tutorials, field projects or written requirements of the course as specified for a particular course.

1. For all term-based M.Sc programmes, all year I courses shall be considered as pre-requisites to year II (research stage) of the study programme.
2. For all semester-based M.Sc programmes, all year I (Semesters I & II) courses shall be considered as pre-requisites to year II (Semesters III) courses of the study programme.
3. For all semester-based programmes, all year II (Semester III) courses shall be considered as pre-requisites to year II (Semesters IV) research stage of the study programme.
4. For all term-based M.Sc programmes, to proceed to year II or research stage of study, a student must pass ALL the courses taken during the academic year.
5. For all semester-based M.Sc programmes, a student who has failed in one or more courses in Semester I shall be allowed to proceed to Semester II.
6. For all semester-based M.Sc programmes, to proceed to year II (Semester III) of study, a student must pass ALL the courses taken during the academic year (Semesters I & II).
7. For all semester-based M.Sc programmes, to proceed to Semester IV (research stage) of study, a student must pass ALL the courses taken during Semester III.
8. A student who has failed in one or more courses in the taught component stage shall not be allowed to proceed to the research stage of the postgraduate study programme.
9. To complete a programme of study a student shall obtain an overall pass grade in all the courses and dissertation/thesis. The Grade Point Average (GPA) system is accordingly not applicable for all M.Sc programmes in the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
10. A student must have passed all courses and dissertation/thesis of the programme of his/her study to qualify for graduation. Additionally all students are required to publish their M.Sc research findings before certificates could be awarded.

The Board of Examiners shall refer a postgraduate student to part-time studies in the following cases:

• Any student who has failed one or more courses in year I for term-based programmes and year I (Semester I+II) and year II (Semester III) for semester-based programmes.

1. 1. A postgraduate student who fails a repeat course(s) shall be allowed to repeat the course(s) in the following academic year/semester if he/she is within the maximum period of study.

1. Subject to regulations governing progression, all courses failed with F and D must be repeated.
2. A postgraduate student who has failed a course shall go on Part-Time study to repeat the failed course.
3. A postgraduate student who obtains a Fail for a dissertation/thesis will be permitted to submit a new dissertation/thesis in the next presentation period. Only two submissions shall be permitted.

1. A postgraduate student who fails to pass repeat courses and/or dissertation/thesis examinations within the maximum period of study shall be excluded from School.
2. A student who without permission of the Board of Studies fails to sit for examinations in any academic year shall be excluded from School.
3. Except with the express permission of the Dean of the School, a postgraduate student who, without permission, withdraws himself/herself from his/her programme or course of study shall be excluded.

A postgraduate student who has been prevented by illness or injury from presenting himself at any examination in any paper, course or subject or who considers that his performance in any examination in any paper, course or subject has been seriously impaired by illness or injury may on application be granted by the Senate an aegrotat pass in such paper, course or subject provided that:-

1. 1. The illness or injury was reported in writing to the Registrar within one week of the last day of the examination concerned.
   2. As soon as practicable after the illness is reported, the candidate furnishes the Registrar with certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating that he/she examined the candidate medically on a certain date and that in his opinion the candidate was unable to present himself for the examination or that in his opinion the candidate’s performance in the examination was affected by the illness or injury.
   3. The nature of the illness or injury shall be stated in sufficient detail to make it clear that the candidate was not responsible for his disability.
   4. The student’s responsible lecturers in the paper, course or subject of the examination in question provided evidence that his work during the year was well above minimum pass standard and that in their opinion the candidate was clearly worthy of a pass in that paper, course or subject; or alternatively that the Senate is satisfied considering the quality of the candidate’s work during the course of instruction and of the work completed in the current examination that the candidate is clearly worthy of a pass in the paper, course or subject in question.

Proceed

Recorded when a student has passed all the courses for which he/she is registered in any year. The student may continue under the same study programme.

Part – Time

Recorded when students have to continue on part-time to repeat the failed courses. Such a student must contact the Academic Office and School of Graduate Studies within two weeks of publication of results to indicate whether or not they intend to register on part-time.

Repeat Course

Recorded when a student is required to repeat a course of study as specified by the school concerned.

Deferred Examination

Recorded when a student has been granted deferred examinations.

Incomplete

Recorded when a student has not completed a course or part of the programme for the specific year.

To Full – Time

Recorded when students have cleared the repeat courses and are to return to full-time

Exclude School

Recorded by the Board of Examiners when a student has failed to complete the School’s requirements as laid down by the Senate and therefore cannot complete the studies in the present School.

Exclude University

Recorded when a student is excluded permanently from further study at the University.

Withdrawal without Permission

Recorded when a student has left the University without permission.

Withdrawal with Permission

Recorded when a student has been granted leave of absence from the University for one academic year or part of an Academic year. The student is eligible to re-enter the University in a subsequent year, provided they fulfil the conditions stipulated when leave was granted, without applying for re-admission. A student must inform the Academic Office two months before the opening of the University in the year in which they intend to register.

Suspended

Recorded when a student has been temporarily suspended for disciplinary reasons.

The following grading scheme shall apply to grade all postgraduate work: