Options with pass degree

eafnic

Ok basically I've just finished up final yr of a Biomedical Engineering course. My problem is that I didn't get my final yr project finished due to personal/medical problems. However, I never discussed my issues with anyone within the department due to the highly sensitive nature of my predicament.

The department know I've had problems finishing the project (although they don't know the real reason). They are basically allowing me to complete it during the summer, which is good of them. However, this means that the most I can possibly achieve is a pass degree, as finishing my project now is esentially equivalent to repeating it. In all other aspects of the course I was on track for a 2:1 degree, so am completely gutted. When my supervisor granted me the extension for completing my project i did not realise it would automatically give me a pass degree.

So, I'm seriously considering not completing it at all...I mean what use is a pass degree?? Worthless in my opinion. I'm thinking I could go back & do another less intensive degree, and because i dont offically have a first degree, then this would mean only having to pay fees for the first yr. It might seem like I'm throwing away four years but, honestly, I dont see the point in working all summer for a pass degree. And I don't think there is anyway to rectify my pass degree now.

Apologies for long post....& advice please!!

chris85

eafnic wrote: »

Ok basically I've just finished up final yr of a Biomedical Engineering course. My problem is that I didn't get my final yr project finished due to personal/medical problems. However, I never discussed my issues with anyone within the department due to the highly sensitive nature of my predicament.

The department know I've had problems finishing the project (although they don't know the real reason). They are basically allowing me to complete it during the summer, which is good of them. However, this means that the most I can possibly achieve is a pass degree, as finishing my project now is esentially equivalent to repeating it. In all other aspects of the course I was on track for a 2:1 degree, so am completely gutted. When my supervisor granted me the extension for completing my project i did not realise it would automatically give me a pass degree.

So, I'm seriously considering not completing it at all...I mean what use is a pass degree?? Worthless in my opinion. I'm thinking I could go back & do another less intensive degree, and because i dont offically have a first degree, then this would mean only having to pay fees for the first yr. It might seem like I'm throwing away four years but, honestly, I dont see the point in working all summer for a pass degree. And I don't think there is anyway to rectify my pass degree now.

Apologies for long post....& advice please!!

Have the department said that completing the project over the summer will give you a pass degree? If so I would talk to the department and explain the situation fully as they need to know the complete circumstances.

Having a pass degree is fine. A few years experience is worth more than getting the honours so in a few years you wont even remember wat you got for your degree.

eafnic

Thanks Chris. Yes, i could get a pass degree by completing it over the summer. I know I could explain the whole situation to the department, however its of such a highly sensitive and personal nature that i couldnt possibly have the department knowing (reason for not telling them in the 1st place).

In order to get your foot in the door and get some experience, you need to have a at least a 2:2 degree. Employers usually wont even look at your CV unless you have a 2:1 or higher, especially in engineering; which is why I'm thinking of starting from scratch with a new degree course... & not completing this one.

eafnic

eafnic wrote: »

Thanks Chris. Yes, i could get a pass degree by completing it over the summer. I know I could explain the whole situation to the department, however its of such a highly sensitive and personal nature that i couldnt possibly have the department knowing (reason for not telling them in the 1st place).

In order to get your foot in the door and get some experience, you need to have a at least a 2:2 degree. Employers usually wont even look at your CV unless you have a 2:1 or higher, especially in engineering; which is why I'm thinking of starting from scratch with a new degree course... & not completing this one.

You don't have to tell your department, the medical centre, chaplinacy or counsellor. Can handle the matter privately.
Have you been to a doctor?

Also that is BS about the pass grade, if someone is that interested in your grades they look them individually.

eafnic

Ya, have medical certs. How would I handle it privately? Am totally clueless about how that would work. Project accounts for 25% of degree, so thats why its so significant... & I would have had to have submitted medical certs a month ago when project was due to get a deferral in it apparently. Not sure how these things work-seems like a lot of red tape, & dont think they bend rules...dont know anyone whos been in this situ

chris85

eafnic wrote: »

Ya, have medical certs. How would I handle it privately? Am totally clueless about how that would work. Project accounts for 25% of degree, so thats why its so significant... & I would have had to have submitted medical certs a month ago when project was due to get a deferral in it apparently. Not sure how these things work-seems like a lot of red tape, & dont think they bend rules...dont know anyone whos been in this situ

Talk to the department and explain the medical certs and stuff. Explain that its highly sensitive and would hope that the specifics would not need to be mentioned but the medical certs are there.

Try explain as much about it as possible without giving too much info to them.

eafnic

eafnic wrote: »

Ya, have medical certs. How would I handle it privately? Am totally clueless about how that would work. Project accounts for 25% of degree, so thats why its so significant... & I would have had to have submitted medical certs a month ago when project was due to get a deferral in it apparently. Not sure how these things work-seems like a lot of red tape, & dont think they bend rules...dont know anyone whos been in this situ

Look up your colleges medical centre/chaplinacy.
There are provisions for illness.

eafnic

Thanks guys, I think thats probably the best option at this stage. I think I will meet with a college counsellor ASAP & maybe I can deal with the department through them without giving specifics, the department couldn see the certs but counsellor/doctor could verify for them...

Thanks for advice

eafnic

eafnic wrote: »

Ya, have medical certs. How would I handle it privately? Am totally clueless about how that would work. Project accounts for 25% of degree, so thats why its so significant... & I would have had to have submitted medical certs a month ago when project was due to get a deferral in it apparently. Not sure how these things work-seems like a lot of red tape, & dont think they bend rules...dont know anyone whos been in this situ

Hey eafnic,

If you have a recorded medical reason for not being able to complete the year, you can apply to repeat the entire year ('free'). This mightn't be what you want to do but from what has been said if they are giving you the option to only get a pass degree, you definitely need someone to argue for you. Do you have a tutor, or is there a department or chamber of tutors/mentors in your college? Alternatively you could go to your Students' Union and/or to the Student Services Department to ask for advice. But I've seen this situation in other colleges whereby you have to 'appeal' to repeat the year. It is red-tape, but it definitely sounds as if you need someone to lead you through your college's rules in relation to this.

Consider it like this - you've done nothing wrong, and you're just looking to finish your studies to the best of your abilities. Something has happened that has stopped you doing this, so you should not be punished for this (i.e. you should have the same chance as everyone else). So you will need to raise this further with someone. Yes, it will be tough particularly for private issues, but you should meet with someone high up that you can trust in this situation.

Hope it all works out!

Dónal

Edit:

eafnic wrote: »

Thanks guys, I think thats probably the best option at this stage. I think I will meet with a college counsellor ASAP & maybe I can deal with the department through them without giving specifics, the department couldn see the certs but counsellor/doctor could verify for them...

Thanks for advice

That's the best thing you can do, as I said I hope it all goes well.

eafnic

Dónal thanks, that makes so much sense. I think my best option is to talk with the chaplaincy next week, & hopefully they can advise me from there. Can't think of anymentor/tutor I could go to..but I know I have other options (counsellors or student's union i'm sure would argue my case). I didnt realise you could apply to repeat the following yr without penalties because of illness. That info is v. helpful-thanks

eoinf

i f*cked up my final 2 years in college , only got a pass eleectonic's degree and im flying in my current job.

its my second since college in both instances i just put down that i have the degree , never specified the grades. in both in instances neither company asked what i got , they were more interested in the subjects and material covered.

Last company was IBM and current one is one of the largest design/construction firms in the world .

so i personally dont think it matters

eafnic

Thats cool to hear....I guess with all the uncertainty in the economy at the moment, I'm afraid there wont be enough jobs to go around!! But it is reassuring to hear you are doing so well-I realise a lot of your success is down to your ability to interact with other people etc.and not so much the grades you achieved. Just a bit worried about getting my leg in the door! In any case, the department are having board meetings to finalise peoples grades later this week, so I should know the outcome by then. I've submitted doctors certs so hopefully they will sway things a little in my favour....I'll keep this updated...

Cool, thanks for updating us eafnic. Hope it all goes well!

A_Perse

I had medical problems when I did my degree in Appiled Sciences. I only got a pass degree. Now I am doing a GDip/MSc in Computer Aided Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in DCU, and you don't need an honours degree to get into it. So don't give up. It's better to have a pass degree than nothing.

Nukem

Eafnic think your doing you degree in UL, possibly? Shouldn't worry, to the best of my knowledge its considered an Honours degree just not an honors in an honors degree if you know what i mean.

Anyways what the guys all said is spot on. There are exemptions due to medical reasons so don't give up hope. At the end of the day people don't ask what you got in your degree as long as you have it and that you are competent.

Its like any exam - you fail it or only do ok! Next year you can't even remember it, distant memory and your looking forward.

Mr.Plough

A_Perse wrote: »

I had medical problems when I did my degree in Appiled Sciences. I only got a pass degree. Now I am doing a GDip/MSc in Computer Aided Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in DCU, and you don't need an honours degree to get into it. So don't give up. It's better to have a pass degree than nothing.

I'm planning on doing this in september. What's it like? Full time/Part time? I plan on doing it part time

A_Perse

Well because my primary degree was not an Engineering degree I had to do a 1 year part-time Access course to get me up to speed on engineering subjects. I have just passed this course and can now do the Grad/MSc. It was quite a lot of work but it was managable. I intend to do the Grad/MSc full time. That way it will only take one year. If you do it part-time it takes two years.

Mr.Plough

Yeah I thought about doing it full time but I don't think I'd be able to maintain a 55% avg for the MSc. Another year being broke doesn't really appeal to me either . gl