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Department of Psychology

Student Concerns

 

Special Consideration

  • Students who are prevented by unavoidable disruption from completing any of the work required to complete a unit should report the circumstances in writing (supported by an original medical certificate or other proper evidence) to the Student Enquiry Service. This information will then be sent to the Department (ie the relevant unit chair), to take into account when assessing the student's performance.

  • Where students were prevented by unavoidable disruption from attending an examination, or during an examination were affected by unavoidable disruption which they believe prejudiced their performance, they should report the circumstances in writing to the Student Enquiry Service. The report (supported by an original medical certificate or other proper evidence) should reach the Student Enquiry Service. as soon as possible after such examination, and in any case not later than the day following the final day of the examination period. This information will then be sent to the Department, and the unit chair may, after considering the information, recommend that Academic Senate grant a supplementary examination.

  • Note that the Department sets dates for supplementary examinations and makes these known to students at the start of each semester. For first semester units, supplementary examinations will be held in mid-July, and for second semester units and full year units, supplementary examinations will be held in mid-December. For further details concerning Special Considerations click here

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Remark of Assignments

  1. If a student has a problem with the mark given for a particular assignment, she/he should firstly speak with the marker to discuss the matter.

  2. If difficulties and differences continue, a student can apply for a remark of an assignment by completing an Application for Remark (obtainable from http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/pdf/remarkform.pdf or from the Faculty of Human Sciences Undergraduate Student Services Centre) to which must be attached the original assignment and a fresh unmarked copy (for the new marker). The form and attachments must be lodged at the psychology student office within two weeks of the date of receipt of the assignment.

    Note that unacceptable reasons for a remark include: (i) an assertion that a great deal of time was spent on reading, library/research and other preparation normally required for any piece of academic work; and (ii) an intuitive self-evaluation of the project.

  3. The unit chair will arrange for the assignment to be marked by another relevant staff member teaching the unit, and the assignment will be returned to the student via the student office. Bear in mind that the final mark can be sustained, or raised, or lowered.

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Appeals Against a Final Grade

If you want to appeal against a final grade, you should see the unit chair first, but be aware that any formal appeal must be lodged with the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences by the date given in the appropriate section of the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies). Failure to follow these procedures is likely to result in your appeal being disallowed.

See the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for further information.

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Grievances

If a student considers that they she/he has a grievance against another member of the University, assistance is available via specially appointed Student Grievance Officers who are available for confidential consultation and advice. The Psychology Department student grievance officer is Dr Jenny Batchelor, telephone 9850 8012 and she is located in C3A522.

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Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's writing, ideas etc, as one's own. This applies to the use of both published and unpublished materials, including another student's writing and even your own essays if you have previously submitted them for assessment elsewhere. Plagiarism, even the faintest whiff of it, is a serious academic sin. (So serious that an Australian sociology professor recently lost his job for incorporating material without quotation marks and proper citations in one of his books.) Even avowedly unintentional plagiarisms (eg "I forgot to use quotation marks in my notes and didn't realise I was copying a quote") can result in your essay being penalised or failed.

Further information on plagiarism and how to avoid it can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies.

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Students Experiencing Difficulty in Study Units

Students experiencing difficulties in a unit should approach their tutor or unit co-chairs. On more wide-ranging academic issues they should make an appointment to see the Dean of Students. Those with personal problems should see a Student Counsellor.

On matters pertaining to regulations, the Registrar's Office should be consulted, or, within the Department, Dr Julia Irwin for Undergraduate Studies. Students with disabilities who have problems within the Department should consult the Psychology Department Disabilities Officer, Dr Eugene Chekaluk.

If your difficulties cannot be resolved by these members of staff you should consult the Head of Department.

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