Assessment C2 – essay 1 of 3 (formative)

Academic Year 2023/24

Semester One

Module Number PLM341

Module Title Drug Dosage Form and Design

Assessment Method C2 Written assignment

Deadline (time and date) Monday 23rd October 2023 at 4 pm.

Assessment Dropbox in the Module

Submission
Study Area in CampusMoodle.

Word Limit 1000 ±10% per essay

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)

IS NOT authorised
text

Module Co-ordinator Mrs Ranjit Barry

What is expected of me in this assessment?

Task – essay question

The pharmaceutical industry worldwide uses many abbreviations when communicating

with each other and the regulatory bodies. Several of these linked to drug development
and medicine registration are listed below. Provide a description for each in your own
words and explain the relationship between the terms.
 ICH
 MHRA
 CTD
 QA

Task - content
You have been issued with the essay question and have two weeks to prepare your response, then submit to
the appropriate dropbox.

Remember to include a title page with your name, matriculation number, the course and module details.
You may wish to add the actual essay question on this front page. This page will not be counted within the
word limit specified below.

When answering these essay questions please ensure you provide an appropriate level of detail. The level of
depth required for the following terms state, briefly describe, explain, discuss and critically appraise, is
outlined below.
 State – normally a one word or single sentence answer (e.g., state the location of the Eiffel Tower).
 Briefly describe or describe briefly – normally a paragraph, but no more than two paragraphs where you
provide a short explanation of the aspects being asked for (e.g., describe the sculpture known as ‘The
Thinker’).
 Explain – describe in more detail and depth so this would normally be more than 50, but less than 250
 What is expected of me in this assessment?
words (e.g., Explain how hair on a human head grows).
 Discuss – this requires you to explain in more depth and may require you to compare certain aspects
within the question (e.g., discuss the rise and fall of budget airlines using Ryan Air and EasyJet as
examples).
 Critically appraise – this requires you to explain and critically review the aspects outlined (e.g., critically
appraise the public transport provision available within the city of Aberdeen).

Remember these are essay questions and as such they should be written using academic standards and with
appropriate attention paid to spelling, grammar etc. Student life have created a Moodle Module to help
with academic writing (please contact Student Life for more information).

Task(s) - format
Word count
Each essay must be 1000 ± 10% (900 – 1100 words). Failure to comply with the word count limits will result
in reduction of a full grade point from your overall grade achieved.

Formatting Requirements
Each essay should be written in Open Sans font, size 10 with double line spacing.

References
References should be formatted using either of the two standard conventions (Harvard or Vancouver). The
library provides extensive guidance on how to reference (Referencing and RefWorks - RGU Library). A
reference list must be provided at the end of the essay. This reference list does not count within your overall
word count.

Submission Information – see above

Turnitin Information
Each drop-box will be set-up so that the submission is automatically passed through the plagiarism
assessment service (TurnItIn). The TurnItIn system will give a percentage similarity report. This report will
be checked and any essays where the similarity gives us cause for concern will be flagged to the course
leader and may result in a plagiarism investigation. Where plagiarism is confirmed, the student will be
subject to sanctions as outlined in regulation A3 - 2, part 10. The specific level of a sanction would be for the
Dean to decide.

It is important to remember you have a maximum of two

attempts to pass each component of the module / course.

How will I be graded?

A grade will be provided for each criterion on the feedback grid which is specific to the assessment.
The overall grade for each essay will be calculated using the algorithm below*.

At least 50% of the feedback grid to be at Grade A, at least 75% of the feedback grid to be at Grade B or better,
A
and normally 100% of the feedback grid to be at Grade C or better.

At least 50% of the feedback grid to be at Grade B or better, at least 75% of the feedback grid to be at Grade C
B
or better, and normally 100% of the feedback grid to be at Grade D or better.
How will I be graded?

At least 50% of the feedback grid to be at Grade C or better, and at least 75% of the feedback grid to be at
C
Grade D or better.

At least 50% of the feedback grid to be at Grade D or better, and at least 75% of the feedback grid to be at
D
Grade E or better.

E At least 50% of the feedback grid to be at Grade E or better.

F Failing to achieve at least 50% of the feedback grid to be at Grade E or better.

NS Non-submission.

*If the word count is above the specified word limit by more than 10% or the submission contains an excessive use of text
within tables, the grade for the submission will be reduced to the next lowest grade.
Feedback grid
GRADE A B C D E F
DEFINITION / EXCELLENT COMMENDABLE/VERY GOOD GOOD SATISFACTORY BORDERLINE FAIL UNSATISFACTORY
CRITERIA Outstanding Meritorious Highly Competent Competent Fail
(WEIGHTING) Performance Performance Performance Performance
Student demonstrates a Student demonstrates a Student demonstrates a Student shows sufficient Basic understanding not Little information to
BACKGROUND breadth & depth of breadth of knowledge and reasonable knowledge and
knowledge of the topic to demonstrated and shows demonstrate any
knowledge and understanding but additional understanding but some be aware of key concepts major gaps in knowledge of the key
(20 %) understanding. depth could be added. gaps about key conceptsbut lacks depth that understanding of key concepts.
Grade: are shown. demonstrates further concepts
understanding.
All key points from the Majority of key points from the Many key points from the Some key points from the Answers to many key Answers to the majority of
CONTENT question are considered. question are considered. A question are considered. A question are considered. points from the question key points in the question
A correct and accurate correct and accurate response mostly correct and Some areas of the missing or incorrect. brief missing or incorrect.
(65 %) response is provided. is provided with only a few accurate response is response are correct and / Evaluation might be Evaluation not included or
Grade: Appropriate evaluation minor omissions. Evaluation provided but some key or accurate but several alluded to but not clearly completely irrelevant.
made based on evidence mostly appropriate but omissions. Evaluation omissions. An evaluation is defined and shows little
available with no tendency occasional tendency to suggest attempted but not always included but only has link to the any established
for unreasonable more than can be reasonably logical from the evidence minor links to the evidence evidence.
extrapolation of findings. suggested from evidence. available. available.

Sources always cited /
REFERENCES referenced.
Complete adherence to
(5 %) referencing style, both in
Grade: citations and reference
list. Supporting references
are wholly appropriate to
the topic, varied, and from
reputable sources.
Sources mostly
cited/referenced – minor
omissions e.g. 1-2. Mostly
complete adherence to
referencing style but a few
errors in either citations or
reference list. Supporting
references are mostly
appropriate but occasional use
of a potentially unvalidated
source of information. Would
benefit from a wider range.
Some sources lacking
citations/references e.g 3-
4. Several errors in
adherence to referencing
style in citations and/or
reference list. Supporting
references vary in quality.
Many are from reputable
sources but several from
more questionable ones. A
greater variety of quality
information required.
Several sources lacking Sources often not cited Sources often not cited
citations / references e.g. /referenced. Little or no /referenced. Little or no
5-8. Some attempt to attempt to adhere to attempt to adhere to
adhere to referencing referencing style. referencing style.
style, but repeated errors Supporting references Supporting references
in formatting. Supporting either minimal or of poor either minimal or of poor
references include quality. quality.
reputable sources but are
small in number so often
repeated. May also use a
high number of less
reputable sources.

FORMATTING / Complete adherence to Minor deviation from Some deviations from Several deviations from Very little consideration No consideration for the
STYLE prescribed word/page prescribed word/page limits. prescribed word/page prescribed word/page given to the prescribed prescribed word/page limits.
limits. limits. limits. word/page limits.
(10 %) Minor deviation from
No consideration for the
Grade: Complete adherence to prescribed formatting Some deviations from Several deviations from Very little consideration
 GRADE A B C D E F
DEFINITION / EXCELLENT COMMENDABLE/VERY GOOD GOOD SATISFACTORY BORDERLINE FAIL UNSATISFACTORY
CRITERIA Outstanding Meritorious Highly Competent Competent Fail
(WEIGHTING) Performance Performance Performance Performance
prescribed formatting instructions. prescribed formatting prescribed formatting given to the prescribed prescribed formatting
instructions. instructions. instructions. formatting instructions. instructions.
Majority of key points in the
All key points in the assessment brief considered. A Many key points in the Some key points in the Many key points in the
Majority of key points in the
assessment brief few minor omissions. assessment brief assessment brief assessment brief missing.
considered and clearly considered but some key considered but several assessment brief missing
included. Clearly written and is of an omissions. omissions. Excessive or inadequate
appropriate length. The length. The structure is Excessive or inadequate
Clear, concise and of an structure is almost completely Coherent and the Slightly longer than word mainly inappropriate, and length. Structure is
appropriate length and appropriate but could be more structure is mainly count, or too short. Some it is unclear and vague completely inappropriate.
structure. concise. appropriate, but it could attempt at appropriate throughout.
be more concise. structure.
Coursework received late, without valid reason, will be regarded as a non-submission (NS) and one of your assessment opportunities will be lost.
What else is important to my assessment?
What is the Assessment Word Limit Statement?
It is important that you adhere to the Word Limit specified above. The Assessment Word Limit Statement can be found in
Appendix 2 of the RGU Assessment Policy. It provides detail on the purpose, setting and implementation of wordage limits; lists
what is included and excluded from the word count; and the penalty for exceeding the word count.

What’s included in the word count?

The table below lists the constituent parts which are included and excluded from the word limit of a Coursework; more detail can
be found in the full Assessment Word Limit Statement. Images will not be allowed as a mechanism to circumvent the word count.
Excluded Included
Main Text e.g. Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results,
Cover or Title Page
Discussion, Analysis, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Executive Summary (Reports) or Abstract Headings and subheadings

Contents Page In-text citations

List of Abbreviations and/or List of Acronyms Footnotes (relating to in-text footnote numbers)

List of Tables and/or List of Figures Quotes and quotations written within “…”

Tables – mainly numeric content Tables – mainly text content

Figures

Reference List and/or Bibliography

Appendices

Glossary

What are the penalties?

The grade for the submission will be reduced to the next lowest grade if:
 The word count of submitted work is above the specified word limit by more than 10%.
 The submission contains an excessive use of text within Tables or Footnotes.

What is false authorship?

“The University defines this as the practice of submitting work where the student is not the author of that work. The ‘false
authorship’ may relate to the student engaging with a third party and/or software tool to complete an assessment, either in part
or whole. This may include work produced by, but not attributed to: another student, an essay mill, a family member or friend, a
tutoring service or the unauthorised use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software. It may also include payment, or other favours,
though this will not always be the case. It may relate to any form of assessment or conducting research” (RGU 2023).

What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is “the practice of presenting the thoughts, writings or other output of another or others as original, without
acknowledgement of their source(s) at the point of their use in the student’s work. All materials including text, data, diagrams or
other illustrations used to support a piece of work, whether from a printed publication or from electronic media, should be
appropriately identified and referenced and should not normally be copied directly unless as an acknowledged quotation. Text,
opinions or ideas translated into the words of the individual student should in all cases acknowledge the original source” (RGU
2023).

What is collusion?
Collusion is defined as “two or more students working together, without the prior authorisation of the Course Leader, tutor or
supervisor, to produce the same piece of work, and then attempting to present this work as their own“ (RGU 2023).

For further information please see Academic Integrity.

What else is important to my assessment?
What if I’m unable to submit?
 The University operates a Fit to Sit Policy which means that if you undertake an assessment then you are declaring
yourself well enough to do so.
 If you require an extension, you should complete and submit a Coursework Extension Form. This form is available on the
RGU Student and Applicant Forms page.
 Further support is available from your Course Leader.

What additional support is available?

 RGU Study Skills provide advice and guidance on academic writing, study skills, maths and statistics and basic IT.
 RGU Library guidance on referencing and citing.
 The Inclusion Centre: Disability & Dyslexia.
 Your Module Coordinator, Course Leader and designated Personal Tutor can also provide support.

What are the University rules on assessment?

The University Regulation ‘A4: Assessment and Recommendations of Assessment Boards‘ sets out important information about
assessment and how it is conducted across the University.