Board of Studies

The Environment Board of Studies has overall responsibility for the quality of the teaching programmes offered by the Department, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Board is therefore responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the Department's teaching programmes, via external and internal methods including student feedback, and the performance and progress of individual students within the programmes of study offered by the Department.

The Environment Department's teaching staff, representatives of the Departments of Biology and Economics and elected student representatives serve on the Board of Studies.

The Chair of the Board of Studies is Colin McClean and the Secretary is Kathryn Addison.

The Board of Studies produces annual reports on the teaching programmes offered by the Department, which are submitted to University Teaching Committee for consideration. It also produces the Department's Statement on Assessment Policies and Practices.

Mitigating Circumstances

If you suffer from a physical or emotional disability during assessments that count towards your degree, you might either miss an assessment altogether or produce a performance which does not adequately reflect your competence.  If you can produce medical evidence of physical disability, or compassionate reasons for emotional disability, then it may be possible to mitigate against the potential effects on your performance. One option is extension of coursework deadlines. The University’s Mitigating Circumstances Policy Guidance for Students gives details of how to submit a claim for mitigating circumstances to the department’s Mitigating Circumstances Committee (MCC).  

Submissions to the MCC should be passed to Claire Hughes in the office.  You should also approach your supervisor for advice and help on such matters.

Wherever possible mitigating circumstances claims should be made at least 24 hours before examinations/assessment deadlines.

Although this new policy has been designed for the new modular system for students entering in 2010, departmental responsibility for handling all students' mitigating circumstances claims will be with the MCC.

Mitigating Circumstances Claim Form (MS Word , 42kb)