Master Academic Studies (MAS) - Module – Welding and Welded Structures

Course – Design of Welded Structures (DWS)

An example on the course activities of candidates affecting the final score

There are no prerequisites for taking the exam of the DWS course, however, there are optional activities throughout the term that may influence the final grade.

These activities are designed to facilitate the mastery of the course material, as the subject is considered challenging and spans the entire autumn semester block.

The exam consists of a written and an oral component, with the oral component being optional. Reference materials and literature are permitted during the written exam (any communication devices are forbidden).

A formula exists for calculating the final grade based on participation in course activities – provided they are completed (some students are already employed and may be unable to participate in regular in-class activities).

The formula used to determine the final grade based on participation in course activities is as follows:

FS = 5% A + 15% HW + 15% SW + 25% T (or WE) + 40% OE

where:

FS = final score (in %, e.g., from 71-80% is 8, from 51-60% is a 6)

A = attendance (3 minuses revoke this factor), and so A may have values 0 or 1.

HW = homework (it does not matter whether it is done correctly or not – the student presents it on the blackboard during class, so that the other students can also follow his example of the task.) May have values 0 or 1. (0 = homework is not completed).

SW = seminar work. The student presents his selected topic during class in approximately 20 minutes and receives a score in points (up to 100). This score is multiplied by a weighting factor of 15%. Due to the extensive nature of some seminar paper topics, two candidates may prepare the SW together; however, each candidate receives an individual grade.

T (or WE) = Test or Written part of the Exam (T is identical to WE, and the Test is organised in the final semestral week of the course, as a pre-scheduled WE). A score (up to 100 points) is awarded, which is then multiplied by a factor of 25%.

OE = the Oral component of the Exam. During the oral exam, candidates draw slips containing questions (5 questions). A list of questions for the oral exam is provided together with the downloaded literature. The use of reference materials is not permitted. A score (up to 100 points) is awarded, which is then multiplied by a factor of 40%. If a candidate chooses not to take the oral component, then for the purpose of the formula, OE = T (or OE = WE).

Example 1. The student did not meet the attendance requirement, having accumulated 3 "minuses" – meaning he was absent on 3 occasions when attendance was taken during class (attendance is taken at least 3 times throughout the semester). A = 0. (Sometimes attendance is not recorde at all, and all candidates are assumed A = 1). The candidate completed and presented his homework assignment (it does not matter whether the HW is done correctly, all corrections are made during presentation in class); so HW = 1. He has presented his Seminar Work in class and received a score of 85 points; SW = 85. He did not take the preliminary Test, but he did the Written Exam, scoring 42 points (out of 100); WE = 42. He did not take the Oral part of the Exam, so this score is also OE = 42 points. The final score is:

FS = 0 + 0.15 x 1 + 0.15 x 85 + 0.25 x 42 + 0.4 x 42 = 55.05 (final grade is 6).

Example 2. In cases where the candidate took no participation in activities during the course (e.g., if the student is employed, etc.), then the student only takes the Final Exam.

If the student scores 42 points on the Written part of the Exam (the same as the student in Example 1) – so WE = 42 – but does not take the Oral part, then OE = 42. The final grade is then calculated as follows:

FS = 50% WE + 50% OE = 0.5 x 42 + 0.5 x 42 = 42 (final grade is 5).

However, if the candidate takes the Oral part of the Exam and scores 59 points, then: FS = 0.5 x 42 + 0.5 x 59 = 50.5 which rounds out to 51 (the final grade is 6).

These two examples show how activities during the course cycle can facilitate passing the exam.

Prof. Dr Z. Radaković