AQSC 103/03-04
Seymour credit
Traditionally science students rarely study outside of their main subject areas. This is particularly the case for laboratory-based subjects. The Seymour credit formula was introduced as a method of rewarding students who extend the range of the subjects they take by generating credit for the additional examined work that is involved. The credit is transferred to the overall mark of the students. This is seen by the Science Faculty as a valuable process to permit good students to gain wider experience by undertaking additional work outside of their main discipline and as a useful attraction for potential students who like the principle of maintaining contact with subjects such as a language or music which they have a strong interest in and which otherwise they would have no opportunity to explore in a formal way. It is also used by some students to explore new avenues such as business studies which may prime them for a future outside University and outside their main academic discipline. That said, it is increasingly the case that students who qualify for Seymour credit do so by taking additional modules within their discipline, broadening the range of topics being studied in their primary course. Across the Faculty the proportion of students who take additional modules in this way is not great and there is some variation between Departments. There is also variation in the total quantity of additional modules, as a proportion of a normal full teaching load, that students are permitted to take. Students are advised to undertake Seymour credit modules after consultation with their personal tutor to ensure that weaker students do not take on additional work to the detriment of their main subjects.
The Seymour credit formula is:
X = actual total credit scored including the extra load
M = maximum credit obtainable on a normal load
Y = maximum additional credit obtainable for the extra load
The formula links the actual credit that students have achieved in the extra work and the maximum credit achievable. In general, a candidate only improves their Seymour percentage by taking an extra paper if their mark on that paper is more than half the average mark on all other papers. As a result, for students with a low average in their core subjects to enhance their mark considerably requires a higher than average score in the additional module. The gain for a student with a high average in the core subjects will require a performance in the additional subject at a level in line with the high achievement in the core subjects.
An example for year 1 from the Department of Mathematics:
· An arithmetic mean of 54% on 120 CATS points means a Seymour % of 120x54/120 = 54% (i.e. this student carries no additional credit and their mark remains unaffected by the formula)
· An arithmetic mean of 54% on 132 CATS points means a Seymour % of 132x54/126 = 57% (i.e. this student has taken 12 additional CAT units of work and has achieved the same average as in the other modules of their course. This creates additional credit)
· An arithmetic mean of 75% on 132 CATS points means a Seymour % of 132x75/126 = 78.5%
Andrew Easton