First Day of Postgraduate School
Monday October 03rd 2005
Just a quick shout to declare that the school year has begun. Today is the first day of school, class in 30 minutes ("Internet Issues", Monday 10am - 1pm)... Perhaps this is a good time to take a moment and point out a few of the differences between study in the US and the UK?
Well the first big difference is the "hands-on"/"hands-off" distinction... US students would be most familiar with the hands-on approach, with classes almost daily, regular interaction with the professor and students, and weekly assignments and quizes/tests. Well, in the UK, a different ship is run. I have classes two days a week. That's right, two. Three modules (their name for a class), two on one day (3 hours each), and one on another (6 hours, it's a big course). Course work is minimal, and testing nil, except for the end of the year exam (in one course, I'm graded 70% on the exam, 30% on an oral presentation, both at the end of the year).
Another example is that when you DO have assignments due, you don't hand them into the professor. You hand them into the Registry, which collects all assignments, and gives you a receipt in return. Imagine that! And if you're late, well, who cares if you're the teacher's pet, you're out of luck.
A third, and huge difference, is on the final grades you are given. In the UK, 50% is PASSING. But wait, it gets better. 65% is honors, and 70% is distinction. What does this mean? It means that 100% don't really exist, and to even get into the 90s takes a stroke of genius...needless to say, that boundary is about to be tested.
Ok, that's all the time I've got, I want to get to class early and get a seat in the front row...you know, because 90% isn't achieved while snoozing in the back...