The assessment of students’ achievement will be based on:

• 4 mid-term tests on the different topics presented during lectures, to be carried out in the classroom during the semester.
• alternatively, an oral examination.

Each mid-term tests will consist of 20 multiple-choice and/or true-false questions, designed to assess the theoretical knowledge acquired by the student and their ability to link different concepts and information, as well as 2 open-ended questions aimed at evaluating the student’s ability to summarise knowledge using appropriate scientific terminology and to represent concepts graphically.
Passing all four tests, each with a grade of at least 18/30, allows students to be exempted from the oral examination.

The oral examination consists of two open-ended questions related to the topics covered during lectures. During the oral examination, the lecturers will assess the knowledge and skills acquired, the ability to integrate information, the appropriateness of scientific terminology, and the student’s mastery of the course topics.

The final grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, will be calculated either as the average of the grades obtained in the four tests or as the grade obtained in the oral examination, and will be based on the following criteria:

D1 – Knowledge and understanding
D2 – Applying knowledge and understanding
D3 – Making judgements
D4 – Communication skills
D5 – Learning skills

Assessment below 18/30
D1: The student demonstrates fragmented theoretical knowledge.
D2: The student is unable to integrate the acquired knowledge.
D3: The student processes information inaccurately and incompletely and does not demonstrate critical thinking skills.
D4: In the open-ended questions and/or oral examination, the student does not use appropriate scientific terminology and communicates in an unclear and ineffective way.
D5: The student does not demonstrate awareness of their learning process and is unable to identify the essential connections among the topics addressed.

Assessment 18–22/30
D1: The student demonstrates fairly complete theoretical knowledge, although with some inaccuracies.
D2: The student integrates knowledge, but in an incomplete way.
D3: The student is able to discuss concepts critically at a basic level, with some inaccuracies.
D4: In the open-ended questions and/or oral examination, the student uses appropriate scientific terminology, although with some inaccuracies, and communicates in a reasonably clear way.
D5: The student demonstrates a basic awareness of their learning process and is able to identify some essential connections among the topics addressed.

Assessment 23–27/30
D1: The student demonstrates complete and in-depth theoretical knowledge.
D2: The student satisfactorily integrates the acquired knowledge.
D3: The student is able to critically and coherently discuss concepts, showing good ability to elaborate information.
D4: In the open-ended questions and/or oral examination, the student demonstrates good command of scientific terminology and communicates clearly and effectively.
D5: The student demonstrates good awareness of their learning process and is able to highlight the connections among the different concepts acquired.

Assessment 28–30/30
D1: The student demonstrates complete, in-depth, and rigorous theoretical knowledge.
D2: The student demonstrates an advanced ability to integrate knowledge.
D3: The student is able to critically and coherently discuss concepts, elaborating information in a solid and articulated way, with a well-structured logical approach.
D4: In the open-ended questions and/or oral examination, the student demonstrates excellent command of scientific terminology and communicates clearly and effectively.
D5: The student demonstrates advanced awareness of their learning process and is able to connect the different concepts acquired in an effective, coherent, and rigorous way.