From:   GORDON::COCKCROFT    "Jeremy Karl Cockcroft (Tel. 0171-631-6800)"  5-SEP-2000 14:22:57.89
To:     SMTP%"KMiller@brand-rex.com"
CC:     COCKCROFT
Subj:   RE: Exams

Dear Kennedy,

Apologies for the excessively slow reply to your earlier email.

>Can you confirm the date for the exam.  Am I right in thinking that it is
>the 27th September
>If so, what will I need to do regarding venue, getting the papers etc. in
>order to sit it?

The exam date is set to be the same as for the other crystallographic web
course. Registry should have contacted you recently concerning details
of venue, etc.

>Additionally, Are there any more assignments left and will you be able to
>post typical questions and answers, possibly tutorial style on to the
>web-site?

We had originally intended to set one more assignment, but think that will
involve too much work for students revising this month. We will put up
a typical style of paper (since the style will be similiar to that used
for the protein crystallography paper). I also plan to put up a few
practice style questions & answers too.

>I am beginning to feel a bit daunted as to the kind of questions that would
>arise in the exam i.e. remembering lots of formulations!.  I am definitely
>out of practise from answering exam questions and would appreciate any help
>on this matter.
>I have to admit that I haven't been able to do much study over the past two
>months but am getting back into it again.

You are not required to remember lots of formulae - a few essential ones
are required, especially to do with d-spacing/Bragg equation, etc. Others
will be given if required. The aim of an examination is to allow
candidates to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding that they have gained
from following the course. My biggest advice concerning the paper (and I will
be making more comments generally on this to everyone) is to make
sure that you don't spend too long on any question: It is best to half
complete two questions that to do a single one to perfection. This is
simply a matter of exam technique.

We do realize that many students won't have had much time for study during
the holiday months, which is why we set the written paper right at the end
of September. We also needed a break during the last two months since
production of the course material has been hard work for us too this
first year of the course - and I still have a small amount to release.

With apologies again for the delay in replying,

Best regards,

Jeremy Karl

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