Postgraduate Module Descriptor


POLM030: Mathematics and Programming Skills for Policy Analytics

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
2 short practical exercisesBetween 2-4 tables, graphs, etc. with short descriptions1-8Oral feedback to group. Some written feedback.

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Assessment 1. 750-word essay/report using practical skills in R to demonstrate one of the concepts/skills learned in the module.25750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis1-8Written Feedback
Assessment 2. 750-word essay/report using practical skills in Python to demonstrate one of the concepts/skills learned in the module.25750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis1-8Written Feedback
Assessment 3. 750-word practical exercise using the skills/techniques developed in one of the programming languages/applications to investigate a research problem relevant to the student’s chosen discipline.25750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis1-8Written Feedback
Assessment 4. 750-word practical exercise using the skills/techniques developed in one of the programming languages/applications to investigate a research problem relevant to the student’s chosen discipline.25750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis1-8Written Feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Assessment 1Assessment 1 (750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis)1-8August/September reassessment period
Assessment 2Assessment 2 (750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis)1-8August/September reassessment period
Assessment 3Assessment 3 (750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis)1-8August/September reassessment period
Assessment 4Assessment 4 (750 words with tables, figures, charts from analysis)1-8August/September reassessment period