Teaching and Learning Committee

Curriculum Sub-Committee

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Minutes of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Sub-Committee held on Friday 22 October 1999

Membership: Professor S A Austin (Chair), Ms R Church (ab), Professor J P Feather, Dr J L Horner, Dr E A O'Brien (ab), Ms C J Tormey

By Invitation: Dr C J Anumba (for Minutes 99/54 and 99/55), Mr J G Dickens, Dr D R Green, Mr W P J Maunder, Professor M A Woodhead (for Minute 99/57)

In Attendance: Dr J E M Elliott

Apologies for Absence were received from Ms Church and Dr O'Brien

99/50 Minutes

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The minutes of the fifteenth meeting held on 22 April and 6 May 1999 were confirmed and signed.

99/51 Matters Arising from the Minutes

.1 Minute 99/15.4 - QAA Audit Report

    1. The AD(T) of SSH reported that he had spoken with the Director of Computing Services, who had explained the difficulty faced by himself and the Librarian in providing an informed view of the impact on resources from proposed new programmes. Without a collective picture it was difficult to determine any likely genuine extra pressure on resources. The Sub-Committee recognised that there would be incremental changes in the resource requirements of existing modules that it would not be aware of and that these were a Departmental concern. Faculty Directorates should be able to identify significant resource implications of new programme proposals through knowledge and experience of such incremental changes.
    2. It was AGREED that the AD(T) of SSH, through the Director of Information Services and Systems, meet with the Director of Computing Services and the Librarian, involving the other AD(T)s as necessary, to establish the main issues and bring forward a strategic view to the next meeting.

ACTION : WPJM

.2 Minute 99/15.1 - BSc Programmes in Logistics and Air Transport Management

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The decision of the Programme Development and Quality Team on minimum levels of difference in programme content that justify the award of different degree titles was noted.

.3 Minute 99/20 - BSc Chemistry with PE and Sports Science : New Programme Proposals

It was noted that the proposals had been withdrawn by the Department of Chemistry.

.4 Minute 99/22.1 - MSc Banking and Management : New Programme Proposals

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The decision of Teaching and Learning Committee on postgraduate programme proposals containing 15 credit modules was noted.

.5 Minute 99/45 - Module Specifications : Availability

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The comments of Teaching and Learning Committee were noted.

.6 Minute 99/25.1 - MSc Advanced Process Engineering : New Programme Proposals

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The AD(T) of Engineering reported on issues relating to the provision of block-taught modules to MEng and MSc students at the same time. It was noted that the issues were likely to become more acute as numbers grew in Part D of extended undergraduate programmes. The 1999/2000 academic year was effectively a pilot year and student feedback may reveal the extent of the problems. It would be important to determine whether MEng numbers or MSc income would be the driver to a solution, but recognised that issues might ultimately resolve themselves as groups became larger necessitating the separate teaching of MEng and MSc groups. Attention to the Part C/D interface of extended undergraduate programmes might resolve some problems currently being faced. It was AGREED that the AD(T)s of Engineering and Science report on any developments to the next meeting.

ACTION : JGD, DRG

99/52 BSc Sports Technology : Revised New Programme Proposals

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Further to Minute 99/16 of the meeting on 22 April 1999, the Sub-Committee considered revised paperwork, noting that the proposals had been approved in principle for October 2000 entry. The Sub-Committee was content with the revised paperwork, subject to the following amendments:

  1. Some module specifications were showing modular weights of 100 in error.
  2. General keywords such as 'Science' were to be avoided.

ACTION : JGD, JEME

99/53 BSc/MChem Chemistry with Materials : Revised New Programme Proposals

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Further to Minute 99/19 of the meeting on 22 April 1999, the Sub-Committee considered revised proposals for a BSc/MChem in Chemistry with Materials to replace the BSc/MChem in Chemistry with Polymer Science/Technology. Members expressed some concern about possible poor recruitment to the proposed new programme. It was nevertheless AGREED to recommend the proposals to Teaching and Learning Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the AD(T) prior to the meeting of Teaching and Learning Committee:

(i) Confirmation of the proposed start date to the new programme and termination of recruitment to the BSc/MChem in Chemistry with Polymer Science/Technology.

(ii) Expansion of para.8 on the pro-forma to articulate programme objectives clearly.

ACTION : DRG, JEME

99/54 Regulations for the Curriculum-Based Component of the Doctor of Engineering (EngD) Research Programme

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.1 The Sub-Committee noted proposals for the Engineering Doctorate, to commence in October 1999, approved by Senate on 23 June 1999.

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.2 The Sub-Committee considered Regulations for the curriculum-based component of the EngD. It was noted that the Engineering Doctorate with its taught component was a completely new concept and the regulations established now would be setting a precedent for future programmes of this kind which were likely to become more common. It was important therefore that this precedent was sufficiently generic to accommodate this. In view of this the proposers, in conjunction with the AD(T) and Postgraduate Office, were requested to consider the following:

  1. The provision of transparent guidelines for exemption from taught elements of the programme, taking into account how an MEng entrance qualification would be considered.
  2. External input through the AD(T) to the panel handling the tariff for exemptions.
  3. Provision on the student database for the category of EngD student (in consultation with Computing Services)
  4. Operational procedures to ensure that the submission of a draft academic paper as part of the MSc award and the submission of this as a published paper as part of the EngD award represented different levels of achievement and did not constitute 'double-counting'.

.3 It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Teaching and Learning Committee, for October 1999 entry, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the AD(T):

  1. Para 1.4: to be amended to incorporate the AD(T) as Chair of the panel determining eligibility for a reduced curriculum-based component.
  2. References to credits in module listings to be amended to modular weights.

.4 In view of the recruitment of students to the programme in October 1999, it was AGREED that full approval for the proposals should be sought as soon as possible through Chair's action by the PVC(T) on behalf of Teaching and Learning Committee, and the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Senate.

ACTION : JGD, JPF, JEME

99/55 MSc Innovative Construction : New Programme Proposals

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.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals, for October 1999 entry, noting that the programme was intended as an option to Research Engineers on the EngD programme and as a stand-alone programme.

It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Teaching and Learning Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the AD(T):

(i) References to credits in module listings to be amended to modular weights

(ii) Indicative Reading list to be amended for module 99CVP095.

.2 In view of the recruitment of students to the programme in October 1999, it was AGREED that full approval for the proposals should be sought as soon as possible through Chair's action by the PVC(T) on behalf of Teaching and Learning Committee, and the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Senate.

ACTION: JGD, JPF, JEME

99/56 MSc Advanced Engineering : New Programme Proposals

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It was noted that proposals for October 2000 entry would come forward to the next meeting.

99/57 MSc Advanced Systems Engineering : New Programme Proposals

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.1 The Sub-Committee received programme proposals from the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering for January 2000 entry. Professor Woodhead informed members that the proposed programme was intended at this stage for specific customers via the British Aerospace Virtual University, being nominated staff from British Aerospace and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, though the University would retain right of rejection. Open access might be considered in due course. There were sensitivities in relation to the programme in terms of its content and matters of security. Teaching would be undertaken in Burleigh Court and there would be no demands on University computing or Library resources, as these would be provided by the students' employer.

.2 Members expressed unhappiness with the lateness of the proposals, which some had only received a day before the meeting, and the consequent lack of time to read what were complex and sensitive proposals which did not conform to the Sub-Committee's requirements on presentation.

.3 Clarification was requested on who would be teaching the proposed modules. The Sub-Committee was informed that teaching would involve staff from the Department, both existing and yet to be recruited, from industry, and from other identified institutions. British Aerospace was seeking a Loughborough University rather than an in-house programme for its staff as it recognised the University's expertise in education and training. The Sub-Committee was assured that the company would have no role in selecting the Programme Assessor, the guarantor of the University's MSc kitemark. There would be no objection to the modules being available on the internal Web site.

.4 The Sub-Committee AGREED that the proposals should be resubmitted for consideration as an unstarred item at the next meeting of Teaching and Learning Committee, for receipt by the AD(T) before 5 November 1999. The resubmission should:

    1. Include the completed pro-forma, extracting the relevant information from the current documentation and avoiding duplication of information.
    2. Include completed consultation forms, including a clear statement where University resources would not be required, though acknowledging that students would be free to make the same use of University resources as other students.
    3. Provide assurance that external staff delivering modules would be subject to the University's bought-in teaching procedures.
    4. Include an enhancement of coursework requirements in module specifications.
    5. Identify against each module who would be delivering these, to include individual's names for those modules intended to commence in January 2000.
    6. Provide a letter of support from an external academic.
    7. Include an indication of a likely Programme Assessor (not involved in programme delivery).

ACTION: JGD, JEME

 

99/58 BEng/MEng Automotive Materials : New Programme Proposals

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.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from IPTME for October 2000 entry. The proposals were considered an exemplar in relation to their presentation of consultation with industry. It was recognised that the programme should prove attractive to potential students and should help to overcome recruitment difficulties in the Department. The Department was asked to note, however, that the mathematics qualification of entrants may require to be higher than that for students entering other programmes in the Department.

.2 It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Teaching and Learning Committee for October 2000 entry, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the AD(T) prior to the meeting of Teaching and Learning Committee:

    1. Clarification of whether professional accreditation was being sought.
    2. Amendment of the award in the Programme Regulations for the extended programme to read Master of Engineering.

ACTION : DRG, JEME

99/59 BSc Sport and Leisure Management/Sport and Leisure Management with DPS : New Programme Proposals

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The Sub-Committee considered proposals, for 2001 entry. It was noted that Operations Sub-Committee had recognised the implications for MASN of the proposed placement year. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Teaching and Learning Committee for 2001 entry, and the consequent discontinuation of the BSc in Recreation Management with a final entry in 2000.

ACTION : JEME

99/60 Reading Lists

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Further to Minute 10(v) of the meeting on 15 January 1999, the AD(T) of Science reported on progress with electronic reading lists linked to Module Specifications. The Library was reported to be enthusiastic about the developments, which when fully up and running should prove more efficient than the current use of TALIS. The AD(T) of Science was congratulated on his success in encouraging most departments in his Faculty to enter reading lists onto the new database. Such action was to be commended to the other Faculties. The initial hurdle of inputting lists was recognised, but in subsequent years only maintenance of lists would be required. Existing reading lists would be retained on the TALIS system until this system was replaced, but modification to these lists would not be possible after 2000/01, when all departments would hopefully have been encouraged to adopt the new database.

ACTION : AD(T)s

99/61 BEng/MEng Electronics Manufacture and Management : Discontinuation

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It was AGREED to recommend discontinuation to Teaching and Learning Committee. Proposed date of last intake : 1996.

ACTION : JEME

99/62 BSc Physics with Environmental Science : Discontinuation

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It was AGREED to recommend discontinuation to Teaching and Learning Committee. Proposed date of last intake : 1999.

ACTION : JEME

99/63 Diploma in Social Psychology : Discontinuation

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It was AGREED to recommend discontinuation to Teaching and Learning Committee. Proposed date of last intake : October 1994.

ACTION : JEME

99/64 Diploma in Substance Abuse : Discontinuation

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It was AGREED to recommend discontinuation to Teaching and Learning Committee. Proposed date of last intake : October 1994.

ACTION : JEME

99/65 Membership and Terms of Reference

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The Membership and Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee were noted.

99/66 Distance Learning and Other Provision

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A decision of Teaching and Learning Committee on the recommendation of the Programme Development and Quality Team was noted.

99/67 Dates of Future Meetings

Thursday 20 January 2000 at 9.15 am

Thursday 11 May 2000 at 9.15 am

Author - Dr J E M Elliott

Date - October 1999

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