Support

Introduction

Everyone at The University of Bolton will do their best to help sort out any problems you may have relating to the course. We would much rather you ask early on, rather than waste time on something. Incidentally, this applies to the questions in the assignments just as it does for the other parts of the courseware. Make it a rule: when in doubt, ASK!

Email is the preferred way of contacting us, but the telephone is there to be used too, and you are of course welcome to call in and see us if you are within reasonable travelling distance (but please make an appointment first). Don't overlook that it is also important to keep in touch with your colleagues studying the same module. You'll get more out of the course if you do and studying is likely to be easier and more efficient if you contact one another regularly and try to help each other. The email distribution form (see email) has been created specifically to make this easy, so we hope you will use it.

 

Your Student Liaison Officer, Debra Elliott, will help you get the most out of your time whilst you are studying with us. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Debra on the following:
Email: dje1@bolton.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1204 903595

Your Student Liaison Officer

 

The Student Information Centre provides an integrated support service for all students. The Centre publishes the Student Handbook which is updated annually and contains general information that is applicable to all students. It is avalable online through the Student Centre website: www.bolton.ac.uk/studentcentre/

The Student Centre can be contacted direct at:

Email:  student-info-centre@bolton.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1204 903733

Academic Matters

Problem / Issue Who to contact
Policies and procedures on academic matters Please refer to the student handbook supplied by the Student Centre and available online.
Query about the contents of a module, (including assignments and self assessment questions). The tutor for the module. See Tutor Contacts
When asked about assignments, tutors will not give you the full answer, but they will try to ensure you are heading in the right direction.
Query over feedback received after an assignment has been marked The tutor for the module. See Tutor Contacts
How to submit an assignment, or difficulty doing so.
Difficulty completing work on time 		 Linda Holland or tutor for the module.
Aslo, refer to page on assignments
MSc project - discussion leading to approval of topic Andy Tonge
Also, refer to MSc Project Guidelines
Advice on what module(s) to study next Neil Cole, Frank Mackin, Kevan Smart. Refer also to the module specifications and the module availability chart.
How to send feedback to the tutor Tutors will always be interested to hear your views and suggestions for improvements.  A more considered response is invited in an online questionnaire completed at the end of a module.

Administration

Problem / Issue Who to contact
Personal problems affecting academic work.
Advice on presenting mitigating circumstances to the Exam Board		 Kevan Smart, Neil Cole, or Frank Mackin. Refer also to page on assignments
How to present mitigating circumstances to the Examination Board Requests for mitigating circumstances to be taken into account are considered confidential and are received by the Chairman of the Examinations Board in a special sealed envelope. Please ask Linda Holland to post you a mitigating circumstances pack.
Suggestions and representations to the Programme Committee The student representatives on the Programmes Committee will be pleased to represent your views at the next meeting of the committee.  The committee normally meets three times a year.
To refer something to the Programmes Committee please send an email to Linda Holland.
Complaints Procedure Should an issue arise which you feel warrants making a formal complaint, please put the matter in writing and address it either to the Linda Holland or to Kevan Smart.  The formal complaints procedure operated is described in the web pages for the Student Centre.
Reference for a job or for a professional body (e.g.  Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) Frank Mackin or Neil Cole.

 

Fees

Problem / Issue Who to contact
Policies and procedures on fees Please refer to the Student Handbook
Invoice doesn't seem to be correct Write to the Finance Office or telephone between 9.30am and 4.30pm   Tel. +44 (0)1204 903011. 
Email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk   Quote the invoice number and your student number.
Advice on payment of fees,  payments terms etc. If you know you are going to have difficulty paying an invoice in time,  please telephone the staff in the Finance Office at Bolton quickly.  Be ready to quote the invoice number and your student number.  As long as you don't leave it too late, it should be possible to agree a schedule of monthly payments.   It is also possible to set up a direct debit facility to spread the cost of fees for a complete year over twelve equal monthly payments.  If you choose to do this, you will need to plan ahead to include the fees for all the modules that you expect to study during the year.
Finance Office Enquiries: Tel. +44 (0)1204 903011  between 9.30am and 4.30pm. 
Email  enquiries@bolton.ac.uk

 

Supporting Infrastructure

Problem / Issue Who to contact
Access to library books and electronic resources, including account information. See page on Library and Online Resources
The Subject Librarian for Electronics is Steve Crimes
Communications to the internet Contact your internet service provider (ISP).  Some students based in the If you are dialling direct to the university, any problems should be reported to  support@bolton.ac.uk
Email account at Bolton Network and Systems
Email:   support@bolton.ac.uk
Tel:      +44 (0)1204 903563
Unix account and remote access using Citrix ICA Client Neil Cole
Applications software  e.g. Cadence, Altera, etc. Contact the tutor for the module concerned, or Neil Cole

Updated 22-07-10. KS