University of Bath glossary

Academic integrity

Academic integrity covers cheating, collusion and plagiarism. You’ll be asked to take a test in the first semester to prove that you understand what academic integrity means.

The academic year at the University runs from September to the end of May. It’s divided into two semesters of teaching and there are vacations at Christmas and Easter. There’s also a break between Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Assessment

Assessment is how the University tests your knowledge and understanding. Assessment can be a written assignment, a piece of group work, an oral presentation, a lab report or an examination. Assessments are regulated by The New Framework for Assessment: Assessment Regulations (NFAAR).

Board of Studies

The Board of Studies is responsible to the University Senate for the organisation of education, teaching and research. There’s a Board of Studies in each Faculty/School, which is responsible for the approval of awards and for decisions relating to progression to the next stage and classification of your degree.

Bath University Computing Services (BUCS)

BUCS helps you to make effective use of computing for learning and research.

Credits

Credits are used to illustrate how units fit together within a programme of study. You must successfully complete a certain number of credits, at specified levels, to receive the final award for your programme of study.

English Language Centre (ELC)

The ELC delivers English language teaching for the University. This includes free courses and tutorials in academic writing, giving presentations and other skills for both UK and international students.

Faculty/School

The University is divided into academic departments which are grouped together into three Faculties and a School of Management.

Foreign Languages Centre (FLC)

The FLC offers you the chance to take a language unit alongside your studies. All units are free for current students.

Freshers’ Week/Induction Week

The aim of Freshers’ Week/Induction Week is to help you settle in, learn more about the University and your department, and make friends. Induction Week events are organised by the University and your department. Freshers’ Week events are organised by the Students’ Union.

Individual Mitigating Circumstances (IMCs)

IMCs are circumstances which either temporarily prevent you from doing an assessment or significantly affect your performance in an assessment. The consideration of an IMC is not about impact on you, but impact on your assessment.

Labs

Labs are practical learning and teaching sessions in which you are guided by a member of staff or postgraduate students.

Lecture

In a lecture you are given a formal presentation, often in a large group, on a given topic on your programme. You are expected to write your own notes and there is usually an opportunity to ask questions during or at the end of the lecture.

Maths and Statistics Help (MASH)

MASH offers you help with maths and statistics problems. Informal drop-in sessions are open to all students.

Module

The University usually refers to units as the individual topics that you study, but the word ‘module’ is used in SAMIS – it means the same thing.

Moodle

Moodle is the virtual learning environment used by the University. Many of the units you study are available on Moodle where you can find course materials and additional resources.

New Framework for Assessment: Assessment Regulations (NFAAR)

The New Framework for Assessment sets out the common regulations for assessment across the University. These regulations outline whether you pass from one stage or year to the next.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use of any published or unpublished work without proper acknowledgement in your references. Even if it isn’t a deliberate intention to cheat, plagiarism is still a serious academic offence.

Problem classes/tutorials

Classes in which tutors are on hand to help you if you get stuck with the problem sheets you've been given by your lecturers.

Programme

The degree you are studying, for example, BSc in Natural Sciences or BEng in Chemical Engineering.

Programme catalogue

The programme & unit catalogues contain details of all the programmes and units offered by the University.

Seminar

A seminar is a teaching class given by an academic member of staff, requiring you to participate through discussion and presentations usually in smaller groups than a lecture.

Skills Training

Skills Training provides a range of free sessions delivered by external organisations, University staff and student trainers.

Student and Applicant Management Information System (SAMIS)

SAMIS is a database used to manage activities and records in the University – you’ll use it to access unit evaluations and grades, for example.

Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC)

All departments have at least one SSLC representing the interests of all students.

Students' Union (SU)

The SU is a charity run for the benefit of all students. Independent of the University, the SU provides you with support and represents your views on all aspects of your student experience as well as offering hundreds of extra-curricular activities and development opportunities for you to enjoy alongside your degree.

New undergraduates