• Lecture classes, aimed at facilitating the learning of the fundamental concepts of the syllabus, which can also be found in the recommended bibliography.
• Problem-solving classes, in which exercises related to the content covered in the lectures will be solved, with the objective of consolidating knowledge and developing problem-solving skills.
• Individual or small-group tutorials, aimed at resolving specific doubts that may arise during personal study, as well as reinforcing the acquisition of the specific and transversal competencies associated with the course.
• Collaborative exam simulation sessions in small groups (2–3 students), during which students will work together to complete a representative test covering the course content studied up to that point. Afterwards, the test will be reviewed and discussed collectively in class to provide immediate feedback, identify concepts requiring further reinforcement, familiarise students with the expected level of the course assessments, and promote discussion and critical reasoning about both theoretical and practical concepts. These sessions are intended solely for formative purposes and will not be assessed.

The course incorporates cooperative learning and formative assessment methodologies through supervised collaborative problem-solving sessions and collaborative mock examinations in small groups, with immediate feedback aimed at promoting continuous learning and consolidating the fundamental concepts.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

a) Scheduled assessment process and activities

Assessment in this course is based on two main types of activities:

1. Individual midterm examinations: two written examinations consisting of theoretical questions and problem-solving exercises. One examination will be held during the first semester and will contribute up to 3.5 points towards the final course grade, while the other will be held during the second semester and will contribute up to 4.9 points. Together, these assessment activities will contribute a maximum of 8.4 points towards the final course grade.

2. Supervised group problem-solving session: one collaborative problem-solving activity supervised by the teaching staff. It will take place during the second semester and will account for up to 1.6 points.

The final grade will be the sum of the marks obtained in all assessment activities. To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum mark of 3.5 out of 10 in each of the two written examinations, as well as 3.5 out of 10 in the overall set of theoretical questions in each examination. If a student does not pass the course because they have not achieved the minimum required mark in either of the written examinations, the final grade recorded in the academic transcript will be the lower of 4.5 or the weighted average of all assessment activities.

b) Assessment schedule

The dates of the midterm examinations and supervised sessions will be published on the Virtual Campus at the beginning of the semester. Any changes will also be announced through this platform sufficiently in advance, as it constitutes the official communication channel between the teaching staff and students.

There is a protocol for requesting the rescheduling of assessment activities in the cases stablished in the Assessment Criteria and Guidelines of the School of Engineering.

c) Resit process

A comprehensive written examination covering the entire course will be offered, with a maximum mark of 10 points, on the date established by the School of Engineering. If a student takes the resit examination, the final course grade will be the mark obtained in that examination. Students may take the resit examination provided that they have completed assessment activities accounting for at least two thirds of the final grade for the course.

d) Grade review procedure

Grade reviews will only be available for activities classified as midterm examinations. The date, time and location of the review session will be announced in advance.

Activities classified as problem-solving sessions are not recoverable in accordance with the regulations of the School of Engineering.

e) Special grading situations

Not Assessed: this grade will be assigned to students who do not sit any of the midterm examinations.

Honours Distinction: may be awarded to students obtaining a final grade of 9.0 or higher, up to a maximum of 5% of the students enrolled in the course. Active participation throughout the course may be taken into consideration by the teaching staff when awarding this distinction.

f) Student misconduct, copying and plagiarism

Without prejudice to any additional disciplinary measures that may be imposed, and in accordance with the current academic regulations, any misconduct that may lead to an alteration of the grade of an assessment activity will result in a grade of zero.

Assessment activities graded in this way are not recoverable. If passing any such activity is required to pass the course, the student will automatically fail the course, with no possibility of resitting it during the same academic year.

Such misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• copying all or part of a practical exercise, report or any other assessment activity;
• allowing another student to copy;
• submitting group work that has not been entirely carried out by the members of the group;
• submitting as one's own work materials produced by third parties, including translations or adaptations;
• having communication devices (such as mobile phones, smartwatches, etc.) accessible during individual assessment activities;
• talking to classmates during individual assessment activities;
• copying or attempting to copy from other students during assessment activities;
• using or attempting to use unauthorised materials during assessment activities unless expressly authorised.

g) Single assessment

This course does not include a single-assessment option.

h) Use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted during any assessment activity in this course, including written examinations and supervised activities. Any unauthorised use of these technologies will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will entail the consequences established by the current academic regulations.