Learning and Teaching in SoMaS

Teaching and learning at University can be quite different to what you have experienced at school or college, but there is support available to you. These pages outline some general information and advice on making the most of your course.

University students are expected to take a large part of the responsibility for their own learning. This is a two-way process, however, and the academic staff also have responsibilities. The students and teachers of the University have produced a document called Our Commitment, which is a statement of collective ethos, setting out the qualities and responsibilities underpinning the education on University of Sheffield degree programmes. It has been endorsed by the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University and the President of the Students' Union, on behalf of all staff and students. The full statement can be read here [https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/ourcommitment].

Our commitment to you:

  • Provide teaching that is authoritative, up-to-date, student centred, well-planned and supported by appropriate materials;

  • Give you aims and objectives for modules and degree courses that will clearly indicate what is expected of you;

  • Use fair and efficient methods of assessment;

  • Provide timely feedback on your work

  • Give you accurate information about courses, assessments and timetables;

  • Treat all students equally regardless of gender or ethnic background.

Your commitment to SoMaS:

  • Attend all lectures, practical classes, tutorials and examinations that are a part of your degree course;

  • Arrive at all lectures, practical classes, and tutorials punctually;

  • Hand in all coursework on or before the specified deadline;

  • Do enough work to meet the requirements of your degree course.

Information on how we will be running tutorial sessions.

Information on how we will be running lecture sessions.

What should you be doing to work outside of teaching sessions? And how can we support you with this!

What feedback will you be given on your learning and how can you use it effectively?

The aims and outcomes for a SoMaS graduate. These are useful skills for you to include in job applications to describe yourself!

Attendance

The University requires all departments to monitor the attendance of students in at least twelve sessions during the course of each year. The aim is to help ensure that you make full use of the learning opportunities that are available, and to help departments identify and support those students who are having difficulty with their study programmes. Within SoMaS, monitoring of attendance takes place in some lectures and tutorials. It is compulsory for you to attend all these sessions. If you are repeatedly absent from classes, you will be expected to attend a meeting with the tutor for student engagement to discuss this.

Failure to attend classes can result in you being reported to the Faculty of Science for unsatisfactory progress. The University Regulations allow a student to be reported to the Faculty for:

a) failure to attend the programme of study for which the student has registered

b) failure to perform adequately the work of the course

c) failure to present at the times appointed such written work as may have been required

d) failure to pass an examination.

You can be reported to the Faculty at any time for unsatisfactory progress and the Faculty has the authority to expel you from the University.