Special Consideration

The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. It recognises that students may experience events beyond their control that adversely affect their academic performance in assessment activities. Special Consideration applies only to short-term, serious and unavoidable circumstances that arise after a study period has commenced, and where specific assessment task/s have been affected. Students are expected to plan their work so that they can meet assessment deadlines at the same time as other obligations which they may have, both inside and outside the University.

Serious and Unavoidable circumstances: the University classifies circumstances as serious and unavoidable if they:

• could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student; and
• were beyond the student's control; and
• caused substantial disruption to the student’s capacity for undertaking assessment for the unit(s); and
• occurred during an event critical study period and were at least three (3) consecutive days duration or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and/or
• prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date (e.g. final examination, in class test/quiz, in class presentation).

Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by the Student Disability Support Policy and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing. It is recognised that students with chronic/long-term conditions may experience an acute episode of their condition, and that it may not always be possible for the University to put sufficient arrangements in place to provide a reasonable adjustment at the time of assessment.  Such eventualities are covered by this policy.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session.  By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments.  Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.​

Fit to Sit Model

Macquarie University operates under a ‘Fit to Sit’ model. This means that, in sitting an examination and/or in-class test or otherwise submitting an assessment, a student is declaring that they are fit to do so. It is the responsibility of the student to determine whether they are fit to sit an examination or test, or otherwise submit an assessment. Therefore, if a student is feeling unfit to sit the examination or test, or otherwise submit the assessment, they should not do so.

Nonetheless, a student may submit an application for Special Consideration if they can demonstrate that:

• they were unfit to make reasonable judgement on their fitness to undertake the assessment, due to mental illness or other exceptional circumstances, or
• they were taken ill during the assessment (in the case of an examination or test), and this can be independently corroborated.

In cases where a student is taken ill during an examination/class test, the student must advise the examination supervisor, who will record the case on the Examination Room Report Form.

Laboratory requirements

Students must complete all immunisation requirements and all WHS modules before entry to the lab is permitted. Details of these will be provided to the student prior to semester start.

This unit is characterized by a moderate degree of flexibility. It incorporates a variety of learning tools and media. It will comprise: 

One three hour practical/tutorial per week, weeks 1-13 (except where indicated).  A variety of mediums will be used  to teach critical concepts and discussions will be carried out.