Semesterisation?

IHeartChemistry

Been told by two separate lecturers and between all the rumours flying about, we're getting semesterised? Does anybody know anything more about it because I've been wondering, does it mean study month will be axed, will we start back later after Christmas, will we have exams before or after Christmas?

It's March now and we're only being informed (slyly through lecturers, no official announcement from UCC), so I'm very curious about all of this now.

JeremyH

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

Been told by two separate lecturers and between all the rumours flying about, we're getting semesterised? Does anybody know anything more about it because I've been wondering, does it mean study month will be axed, will we start back later after Christmas, will we have exams before or after Christmas?

It's March now and we're only being informed (slyly through lecturers, no official announcement from UCC), so I'm very curious about all of this now.

All good questions! I don't think anybody knows the full details yet (I'm on the academic staff in UCC).

This won't happen until the 2014/5 academic year at the earliest (or so I have been told).

IHeartChemistry

JeremyH wrote: »

All good questions! I don't think anybody knows the full details yet (I'm on the academic staff in UCC).

This won't happen until the 2014/5 academic year at the earliest (or so I have been told).

Quote me if I'm wrong, but I heard its being implemented for the next academic year. Hence the panic :P

JeremyH

I was told the year after but anything can happen. I don't think the system is ready to make such a radical change by September.

IHeartChemistry

The first I heard of it was last week. Both lecturers convinced it's being implemented for the next academic year. I know it's not something you can gradually introduce, but I think that students need to be advised and asked about this before it is implemented. It's just come very out of the blue, and we'd all love clarification on it asap :P

moleary20

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

The first I heard of it was last week. Both lecturers convinced it's being implemented for the next academic year. I know it's not something you can gradually introduce, but I think that students need to be advised and asked about this before it is implemented. It's just come very out of the blue, and we'd all love clarification on it asap :P

Was told at a staff student forum last week that it begins in academic year 14/15 with exams before christmas.

upstairs for coffee

Aren't we already semsertised? 12 weeks before Christmas and 12 weeks after.

What are the pros and cons of it?

Steve456

It's definitely not happening before 14/15 (I'm also on the staff at UCC). Lecturers who want to split modules in advance, so that they get it over with and have it in place for 13/14, will be getting their module changes in around now - maybe that's what the panic is. But nobody's panicking in my neck of the woods.

Salty

upstairs for coffee wrote: »

Aren't we already semsertised? 12 weeks before Christmas and 12 weeks after.

What are the pros and cons of it?

We're not semesterised the way other colleges are.

We would probably start a little earlier in September and have exams before Christmas. We'd start later in January, and they would probably axe study month.
Friends I have who attend other colleges might only have a week off before summer exams and have to fit their study in with their lectures.

I'm not sure, but there could be an even greater emphasis placed on continuous assessment, especially in courses where it's not really relied upon.

Tbh, I'd really hate for the format to change before finishing my degree. Kinda settled in to the way it is at the moment, with all the cramming in May.:p

IHeartChemistry

_meehan_ wrote: »

We're not semesterised the way other colleges are.

We would probably start a little earlier in September and have exams before Christmas. We'd start later in January, and they would probably axe study month.
Friends I have who attend other colleges might only have a week off before summer exams and have to fit their study in with their lectures.

I'm not sure, but there could be an even greater emphasis placed on continuous assessment, especially in courses where it's not really relied upon.

Tbh, I'd really hate for the format to change before finishing my degree. Kinda settled in to the way it is at the moment, with all the cramming in May.:p

From what I know, half your modules would be covered in semester one, the other half in semester two. Exams at the end of semester one, either before or after Christmas. Earlier start in September possibly, back way later after Christmas, and study month would be axed. SO everything to do with semester one modules, will be completed at the end of semester one.

One lecturer told me that it was to cut down the lack of attendance in semester two due to assignments Once semester one exams are done, its over with and you dont ever need to think or worry about it again. From the sounds of it, it means your straight into it though from the get go with work.

I'm just now grateful that it wont be implemented before I graduate

upstairs for coffee

I'll be going into third year BA if it is implemented in '13/'14

keepkeyyellow

Disaster. Absolute Disaster.

Semesterisation is an absolute pain, honestly, coming from UCD which was fully semesterised to UCC I can say that UCC's system is so much better.

If you fail an exam in semester 1 in UCC you can repeat it for free in semester 2 and head into the summer exams without any panic. In UCD if you fail an exam in semester 1 you repeat it in semester 2 for €250 and just so on.

Salty

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

Disaster. Absolute Disaster.

Semesterisation is an absolute pain, honestly, coming from UCD which was fully semesterised to UCC I can say that UCC's system is so much better.

If you fail an exam in semester 1 in UCC you can repeat it for free in semester 2 and head into the summer exams without any panic. In UCD if you fail an exam in semester 1 you repeat it in semester 2 for €250 and just so on.

Would semesterisation mean having to start charging for repeats? I would have thought that was at the discretion of the university and not something only associated with semesterisation!

Cian92

I *think* I heard somewhere that all Universities will be forced to bring it in as part of the Bologna Process.

I would hate semesterisation, I much prefer our system of having 5 weeks off to study before the exams in May.

I don't understand why they would want us to start back later in January though, who wants a few weeks off in January, the most dreary month going.

Why has the Students Union not held information sessions on this, or the very least sent a mass email out. Why weren't students consulted?

I also don't like the idea of putting more of an emphasis on continuous assessment, for my course most of the exams are in May and it is fine that way, with very little projects during term etc.

shane9689

if it was being introduced so soon, then wouldnt the su find out? and wouldnt they make sure everyone was informed?

Salty

Cian92 wrote: »

I *think* I heard somewhere that all Universities will be forced to bring it in as part of the Bologna Process.

I would hate semesterisation, I much prefer our system of having 5 weeks off to study before the exams in May.

I don't understand why they would want us to start back later in January though, who wants a few weeks off in January, the most dreary month going.

Why has the Students Union not held information sessions on this, or the very least sent a mass email out. Why weren't students consulted?

I also don't like the idea of putting more of an emphasis on continuous assessment, for my course most of the exams are in May and it is fine that way, with very little projects during term etc.

January has to be the most useless month to have off. Nothing to study because you haven't started any new coursework, those who have jobs won't have a whole lot of hours to keep them busy because trade is generally poor. Having the 5 weeks off before the exam is the best use of the time, you actually get a lot done rather than just sitting on your hands waiting for a new term to start.

shane9689

_meehan_ wrote: »

January has to be the most useless month to have off. Nothing to study because you haven't started any new coursework, those who have jobs won't have a whole lot of hours to keep them busy because trade is generally poor. Having the 5 weeks off before the exam is the best use of the time, you actually get a lot done rather than just sitting on your hands waiting for a new term to start.

thats what makes it perfect!!! nice solid break of doing nothing while its freezing outside. its hard to be constantly working and studying all year round, not all of us are up to/want that kind of challenge

Salty

shane9689 wrote: »

thats what makes it perfect!!! nice solid break of doing nothing while its freezing outside. its hard to be constantly working and studying all year round, not all of us are up to/want that kind of challenge

I'd much rather have the 5 weeks to study before the exams, rather than lazing around in January, and then panicking before the exams themselves when I have to juggle lectures/work/study. If anything, semesterisation would make college more stressful because we would have two lots of intense exams, and no dedicated time to study. At the moment there's a balance.

shane9689

_meehan_ wrote: »

I'd much rather have the 5 weeks to study before the exams, rather than lazing around in January, and then panicking before the exams themselves when I have to juggle lectures/work/study. If anything, semesterisation would make college more stressful because we would have two lots of intense exams, and no dedicated time to study. At the moment there's a balance.

ohh wait, sorry, i thought you were in support of semesters... i agree with you, i dont want semesterisation either

tammyme

Last years SU were involved in figuring out the plans for semesterisation so this years lot def know about it! I'm pretty sure it's a forgone conclusion that its going ahead

Palytoxin

I really don't want anything changed, current system suits me down to the ground.

IHeartChemistry

Spoke to a senior lecturer today. They said that some lecturers are semesterising next year. So some of us will have December exams. Depends on the Department and the lecturer, but its definately starting to take place during the next academic year. Wont be fully university wide till the following academic year, but yea. Warning ahead, its definately starting next year.

Palytoxin

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

Spoke to a senior lecturer today. They said that some lecturers are semesterising next year. So some of us will have December exams. Depends on the Department and the lecturer, but its definately starting to take place during the next academic year. Wont be fully university wide till the following academic year, but yea. Warning ahead, its definately starting next year.

That's disappointing, it's a pity we couldn't vote to choose, were any students consulted or asked their opinions?

IHeartChemistry

Palytoxin wrote: »

That's disappointing, it's a pity we couldn't vote to choose, were any students consulted or asked their opinions?

I have no idea, but its some pain. Especially for us heading into (fingers crossed!!!) final year. Last thing we need... We should have been notified and allowed to air our opinions, and it's just bad form we know nothing about it

upstairs for coffee

Funny how all the annoying muppets campaigning for the student union failed to mention this. Most of their slogans and "ideologies" contained:

"More condoms!"
"More drink!"

Yet the Union never ever campaigns to switch internet browser in the Library, I mean having to use Internet Explorer is crazy! Internet explorer, come on! Firefox or Chrome.

And now they push through semesterisation without so much as a peep. All week they were telling me "it's your union", sure it is. The only reason they are running is so they can put it on the cv!

Palytoxin

Changing the default browser is actually a great idea, IE is brutal altogether. My only demand will be "A water fountain for the pharmacy building".

Both the candidates for education officer were actually looking to introduce semesterisation, or at least "abolish 1 day in May" exams, according to their manifestos beforehand.

lemon_remon

Changing the default browser is pointless and I'd hate for the SU to waste time on the "IE sucks" meme. What is your problem with IE? It's standard compliant and benchmarks as fast as Firefox. The disadvantage of IE is that its release is tied to Windows versions but that hardly matters in the library.

What is awful is that the first I heard about this "semesterisation" is on boards.

calnand

lemon_remon wrote: »

Changing the default browser is pointless and I'd hate for the SU to waste time on the "IE sucks" meme. What is your problem with IE? It's standard compliant and benchmarks as fast as Firefox. The disadvantage of IE is that its release is tied to Windows versions but that hardly matters in the library.

What is awful is that the first I heard about this "semesterisation" is on boards.

Well the fact when you log on to umail through ie it's telling you that it's bot fully compatible with the version of ie. ucc is extremely bad when it comes to anything computer related. We're using cs2 version of Photoshop our sketchup pro and Autodesk licences have expired, despite numerous emails to the it department. It's ridiculous to think that a department that nearly completely relies on computers for the course they're ignoring us.

Salty

Palytoxin wrote: »

Changing the default browser is actually a great idea, IE is brutal altogether. My only demand will be "A water fountain for the pharmacy building".

Both the candidates for education officer were actually looking to introduce semesterisation, or at least "abolish 1 day in May" exams, according to their manifestos beforehand.

Thick question, but what do they mean by "1 day in May" exams? Do they mean that there would be more continuous assessment during the semester?

lemon_remon

calnand wrote: »

Well the fact when you log on to umail through ie it's telling you that it's bot fully compatible with the version of ie. ucc is extremely bad when it comes to anything computer related. We're using cs2 version of Photoshop our sketchup pro and Autodesk licences have expired, despite numerous emails to the it department. It's ridiculous to think that a department that nearly completely relies on computers for the course they're ignoring us.

Well if IE is out of date it generally means that Windows is out of date (and thus vulnerable to exploits), so I agree, the problem is much deeper rooted than outdated browsers.

Palytoxin

_meehan_ wrote: »

Thick question, but what do they mean by "1 day in May" exams? Do they mean that there would be more continuous assessment during the semester?

I can only assume that it'd be either more continuous assessment, or else a change in the format of the exams, which could be more towards semesterisation, but I can only speculate really, they could have no intentions of doing anything about it!

Cian92

There is a very biased article in the Cork Independent about it. http://corkindependent.com/20130404/news/ucc-to-be-semesterised-S62377.html

Palytoxin

I'm not happy with this at all tbh, we were spammed throughout the year about operation transformation and every sort of assorted shíte, wouldn't have killed them to send out an email about their plans for this, which I would consider a much bigger deal. Might bang out a few strongly-worded emails before the year is over about this..

Legwinski

Cian92 wrote: »

There is a very biased article in the Cork Independent about it. http://corkindependent.com/20130404/news/ucc-to-be-semesterised-S62377.html

Wow, I left UCC last year and everybody I mention this to says "thank god we got out before it was brought in!"

It might be good for some academic reasons but it certainly ruins the "fun" part of college. UCD don't even have a RAG week.

Salty

I'm so glad I'll be graduated before this is brought in. And everyone I've talked to about it is freaked over it. The quote in that article from the student who said that not a lot of study goes on during study month is bull****. The library is full every day with students studying. The problem of too many exams in May could be rectified with a bit more continuous assessment.

Why was there no info related to the general student body about all this? They must know that people won't be happy about it.

megaFi0na

I really wouldn't like to see semesterisation brought in. Doing a study abroad this year where the university is semesterised and I am not a fan of it to be honest. Going into final year in September and don't want the study month to be removed! Having these changes in exams brought in and no study month for final year would be mank.

lilmissprincess

Ridiculously glad that it wasn't that way when I left! Long live study month... yes, sure the first week not much study happens but I found it a fairer system than if exams are failed at Christmas it impacting your progression to the next year - also, a lot of colleges who are semesterised charge for these repeats, is that going to be brought in too?

IHeartChemistry

This was sent in Eoghan Healy's monthly email

.

Semesterisation

Semesterisation is to be introduced in the Academic Year 2014/15. It will consist of teaching and examinations for all incoming first years of that academic year being split into two semesters. The modules taught in semester one will be examined at the end of that semester, with exams before Christmas. Modules taught after Christmas will be examined in the month of May. There will be some changes made to the layout of the academic year. There is currently a lot of research being done on the effects this will have on students and this will be communicated in due course.

I'm guessing then the rest of the university won't be affected? I'm very confused by that email :P

calnand

Now that you mention it I haven't gotten any emails from him all year or any of the all students emails, I must've disabled them somehow, now I'm thinking of all that I've missed out on. As for semesterisation thankfully I'l be graduating next year(hopefully).

Salty

Semesterisation is only coming in for first years. So if you started college under the current system, you'll continue with that system until you graduate.

IHeartChemistry

_meehan_ wrote: »

Semesterisation is only coming in for first years. So if you started college under the current system, you'll continue with that system until you graduate.

Thanks for clearing that up :L Sleep deprived me didnt half understand it :P

theglf

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up :L Sleep deprived me didnt half understand it :P

Semesterisation is coming in from 2014/15 for ALL students. It will reduce the work loads for exams by splitting the year in two. It will allow students to take a half year erasmus if they wish. It will also make managing courses easier.

I sit on the implementation group and a large media awareness campaign will be launched in September to inform the students of what is happening. This does not effect R&G week or any other event besides going back to college a week earlier in september and having Christmas exams in the last week of the first semester.

IHeartChemistry

theglf wrote: »

Semesterisation is coming in from 2014/15 for ALL students. It will reduce the work loads for exams by splitting the year in two. It will allow students to take a half year erasmus if they wish. It will also make managing courses easier.

I sit on the implementation group and a large media awareness campaign will be launched in September to inform the students of what is happening. This does not effect R&G week or any other event besides going back to college a week earlier in september and having Christmas exams in the last week of the first semester.

Read things wrong, idiot meee :P

hoodwinked

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

Can I just ask a very basic question then? Why on earth were students not informed of this months ago? Why did Eoghan Healy's email say that it was only first years getting this implemented? One last question, why have we as a student body not officially been told that we are being semesterised?

To be perfectly honest with you, if this is going ahead, so many people will be pissed off we didnt get a say in this. As for me, I'm going into final year in September, this is the last thing I need. Messing about with the current system is stupid and changing the calender without official notice is without a doubt crazy.

/rant.

if your final year is next month you won't be effected by this,

if it is next year you will


what i want to know is, we were told the book of modules was a contract we the students had with UCC in regards the content and layout of our modules,

so if they (ucc) wanted to make changes we could argue that the book of modules from our year of entry is what they have to adhere to,


could students who don't want semesterisation argue ucc are in breach of their contract as stated in the book of modules?

IHeartChemistry

hoodwinked wrote: »

if your final year is next month you won't be effected by this,

if it is next year you will

How will that work exactly? Final years in the academic year 13/14 will work on a different schedule to the rest of the university?

hoodwinked

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

How will that work exactly? Final years in the academic year 13/14 will work on a different schedule to the rest of the university?

this year 13/14 will be business as usual,


semesterisation is starting in 2014/15???


its not that hard to understand

IHeartChemistry

hoodwinked wrote: »

this year 13/14 will be business as usual,


semesterisation is starting in 2014/15???


its not that hard to understand

Oh, apologies, I read the dates wrong My bad! Super sorry if I sounded snappy

hoodwinked

IHeartChemistry wrote: »

Oh, apologies, I read the dates wrong My bad! Super sorry if I sounded snappy

its ok, i was confused by your posts i thought you were saying next year was your final year from the way you said it hence why i asked to clarify my confusion


loads of people are freaking about it, i for one will find it easier to have modules broken down into pre christmas and may, as i have long term memory issues so study month did me no good whatsoever.


but can people effected by it demand UCC adhere to the contract aka the book of modules as presented to them in 1st year!

theglf

hoodwinked wrote: »

its ok, i was confused by your posts i thought you were saying next year was your final year from the way you said it hence why i asked to clarify my confusion


loads of people are freaking about it, i for one will find it easier to have modules broken down into pre christmas and may, as i have long term memory issues so study month did me no good whatsoever.


but can people effected by it demand UCC adhere to the contract aka the book of modules as presented to them in 1st year!

This implementation has no effect on your book of modules contract. Modules are allowed to adjust time frame and assessment before the start of term each year. The learning content which cannot be changed is not being changed.

There is absolutely nothing to freak about it. The Student Union Rep is the Education Officer. The university is legislated to implement it as part of the strategy for higher education as we are the only HEI that hasn't.