Membership: Professor S A Austin (Chair), Dr J L Horner, Professor I C Morison, Ms C J Tormey (ab)

By Invitation: Mr J G Dickens, Dr D R Green, Dr R G Holdich (for Minute 00/34), Mr W P J Maunder,
Professor R J Wakeman (for Minutes 00/33 and 00/34)

In Attendance: Dr J E M Elliott

Apologies for Absence: Ms Tormey

.1 It was noted that all recommendations to Learning and Teaching Committee, and subsequently to Senate where appropriate, had been approved.

.2 Minute 00/16.5 - MA Investigations Management (Distance Learning)

It was noted that revised proposals were not yet available.

.3 Minute 00/16.6 - Teaching of Mathematics to Engineering Students

The Sub-Committee noted the relevant minute of Learning and Teaching Committee and that a review of generic issues relating to service teaching was being conducted by the PVC(T).

.4 Minute 00/29 - Any Other Business

It was noted that Learning and Teaching Committee and subsequently Senate had approved proposals for an International Foundation Programme in Science and Engineering from 2000/01.

.2 The statement in some of the module specifications presented that attendance at seminars was compulsory and if three or more seminars were missed the student's mark would be reduced by 10% was highlighted. Members were informed that the Programme Development and Quality Team would be discussing as a matter of principle the introduction of penalties/rewards in relation to attendance which had been creeping into module specifications. At this time the Sub-Committee did not consider the statement to be acceptable.

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

(i) Revision of the Programme Regulations in relation to content, should the Department wish to pursue this.

(ii) Clarification of the total modular weight of compulsory modules and whether this included the dissertation in Part C, with appropriate rewording of Programme Regulations together with the deletion/revision of the final sentence in the text of para 2.2.1.

(iii) Removal from relevant Module Specifications of reference to compulsory attendance.

.2 Members noted that the external support presented related to the proposed EngD in the same field of study and questioned whether the undoubted industrial support for the EngD could be translated into commitment to the MScs. The Sub-Committee was informed that verbal support for the CPD element was already being received. It was noted that at the request of Operations Sub-Committee the start date of the programmes had been brought forward from September to January 2001.

.3 Attention was drawn to the comments from the Librarian on the implication of text requirements for the new programmes on Library support for existing Chemical Engineering programmes. The Sub-Committee was assured that with the dearth of texts in these areas the existing provision would be satisfactory and there would be no impact on texts for existing programmes. It was observed from the consultation form that module MPP117 was not currently available in block-taught form. The Sub-Committee was informed of IPTME's intention to develop this as a block-taught module.

.4 It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matter being resolved to the satisfaction of the AD(T) prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:-

(i) The completeness of module specifications for proposed new modules.

CSC00-P31 (including tabled papers)

.1 The Sub-Committee considered late proposals for October 2001 entry, noting the urgency of their consideration in order to be included in the UCAS Handbook for 2002 entry. The Sub-Committee was informed that the proposals were in rapid response to the recent introduction by a major competitor institution of a 4-year MEng with year-long placement included, which had achieved accreditation and in recruitment terms was undermining the Department's existing 5-year MEng with placement. The proposals were for a 4-year programme including a year-long placement in Part C which incorporated four examined distance learning modules. The existing MEng programme, which it was intended would continue for the time being, already incorporated a placement period together with Professional Development Project modules, in Semester 2 of Part C. The proposed changes would serve to enhance students' employment prospects in view of feedback from industry of a preference for year-long placements.

.2 It was acknowledged that the proposed programme would be very demanding on students, being intended for 'high flyers' who would be required to achieve 120 credits with a 60% overall average in both Parts A and B. It was suggested that the Department might consider such a high percentage requirement to be averaged over Parts A and B. It was noted that the Programme Regulations did not permit reassessment at the end of Parts C and D and suggested that in view of this the Department might wish to consider reducing the requirement in these Parts for 120 credits. In addition, and in view of the proposed shift in the ratio of study : work in the placement period, the Department might wish to consider a change in the relative weightings of Parts B, C and D.

.3 In regard to the distance learning component of the placement year, the Department considered that prior knowledge of the students and their particular needs over two years would help to alleviate some problems of student support often associated with this mode of learning, with, for example, electronic communication being more likely to be used. Students would also be expected to attend tutorials on campus. The three modules to be provided by Manufacturing Engineering were already operative in distance learning form; only one Chemical Engineering module required conversion. The Department was advised to clarify with other institutions the issues of student registration and tuition fee status during the proposed placement year.

.4 The Sub-Committee was informed that the Criteria for Progression and Degree Award as presented in the Programme Regulations were erroneous. It was noted that the Programme Regulations did not make clear what reassessment would entail for a Part D student who failed to meet the requirements for MEng or BEng (Hons), and that GRUA 2000 Appendix 3 also failed in this context. It was AGREED to request Learning and Teaching Committee/Programme Development and Quality Team to consider a possible revision to GRUA 2000 Appendix 3 in this regard.

.5 The Sub-Committee noted that two proposed new CG Modules for the programme were those previously proposed to replace two MA modules. It was AGREED that the Programme Regulations should instead include the two existing MA modules at this stage, pending the outcome of the review of service teaching.

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

(i) Revision of Programme Regulations to incorporate amendments identified and any revision agreed under para .2 above.

(ii) Clarification of assessment weightings for module CGC049.

.7 It was considered important for the Department to share its experience of this newly-structured programme after its first year of operation, via feedback to Programme Development and Quality Team following Annual Programme Review. If successful and supported by professional institutions, such a structure might develop as the norm for MEng programmes.

It was AGREED to ratify the action of the Chair in recommending to Learning and Teaching Committee with effect from 2000/01:-

(i) The availability of the award of Diploma in Professional Studies in the following programmes, to formalise ERASMUS training:-

BSc, MChem Chemistry

BSc Chemistry and PE and Sports Science

(ii) The availability of the award of Diploma in Industrial Studies in the following programmes:-

MPhys Physics

BSc PE, Sports Science and Physics

It was noted that Senate had approved amendments to GRUA and ARUA for the 2000 entry cohort and the AD(T)s had approved consequent changes required to Programme Regulations.

It was noted that Senate had approved the change of title for Teaching and Learning Committee to Learning and Teaching Committee.

Thursday 18 January 2001 at 9.15 am
Thursday 10 May 2001 at 9.15 am

Author - Jennie Elliott
Date - October 2000
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