The course is organised as a collection of modules. Term 4 is devoted to project work, to be carried out individually. Students are deliberately exposed to a variety of different assessment methods so that they are not disadvantaged by background. The assessments take place at various times during the year. Problem sheets, laboratory reports and other forms of open assessment are due either during the course unit they belong to or just after its completion.
Tutorial groups meet on a weekly basis up until the start of the project.
The purpose of these meetings is to reinforce the material taught in the formal course units, and also to provide an opportunity for informal discussion of related subjects. The dissertation project undertaken by students in Terms 3 and 4 is carried out individually, which might involve collaboration with another organisation. A collaborative project is supervised by a member of the Department, but in addition, the collaborating organisation will provide an external supervisor. Organisations that have collaborated in projects in the past include Glasgow Town Planning Department, British Rail Passenger Services Department, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire Services, NEDO, the Royal Horticultural Society, Biosis UK, Centre Point sheltered housing, York Archaeological Trust, and the University of York Library. We will not be able to offer places to applicants with less than a 2ii.