This is a discussion document
and does not represent
University policy at this stage.

Teaching and Learning Committee

Curriculum Sub-Committee

Minutes

Minutes of the Fifth (Extraordinary) Meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 13 November 1996

By Invitation: Mr N McHard, Professor J Saunders, Mr A Gardner, Mr J M Saker

In Attendance: Mr R A Bowyer

Apologies: Mr J Costello, Dr R B Wilcockson

42. BSc in Retail Automotive Management (Ford)

.1

The Sub-Committee gave further consideration to proposals from the Business School for the introduction of a new self-financing BSc programme in Retail Automotive Management. Discussion focussed on points raised in discussions at the meeting of Teaching and Learning Committee on 7 November 1996 and on the revised programme proposal from the Business School which was tabled.

.2

Additional information had now been supplied about the involvement of Business School staff in the delivery of the programme, including a breakdown of the direct teaching in the first year. Internal examiners from the Business School had also been provisionally identified in first year module specifications. The Sub-Committee requested that module internal examiners for all years of the programme should be drawn from members of University staff.

.3

Attention was drawn to the quality control mechanisms that would operate in the case of industry-specific specialised modules delivered by PE Consulting staff. Firstly, PE Consulting lecturers would be vetted by the Quality Assessment Unit: the process was still under discussion and it was suggested that the internal examiner and/or the Programme Director should be involved. Secondly, the internal examiner would ensure that assessments, inclduing coursework assignments, were of an appropriate standard. Thirdly, the Programme Director and the Course Management Committee would look to ensure consistency of standards across modules. It was also pointed out that extensive samples of materials used by PE Consulting had already been seen by Business School staff.

.4

The Sub-Committee was informed that the Operations Sub-Committee had commented that the programme costing appeared to make a low level of provision for academic staff support and for the development of distance learning material. It had been suggested that the costings be adjusted to reflect the contributions anticipated from Business School staff as well as the new Teaching Fellow and to confirm the commitment of the Business School to providing a quality programme.

.5

It had been agreed to involve the QAU in the programme from the beginning and to make all the distance learning material available to the QAU before use. With respect to the development of distance learning material, it was queried whether resources were sufficient to allow the material to be prepared in time for a Spring 1997 start. Assurances were given by the Business School on this point in the light of its own prior experience in this field and the contributions expected from the Teaching Fellow and PE Consulting. It was emphasised that the material would be mainly text-based and designed to direct students towards using other existing materials. It was being developed on the basis of one hour's direct contact requiring up to six hours' distance learning activity. It was also pointed out that large parts of the programme were already covered by the Business School in existing programmes and this would also help. It was accepted that materials for modules offered later in the programme would not need to be complete before the programme was launched. Examples of material from the Business Management Diploma were included in the documentation.

.6

It was accepted that a thorough interim programme review should be undertaken in Spring 1998.

.7

An External Examiner had not yet been identified but would be found as soon as possible. Further supporting external comment had been included in the documentation.

.8

The Director of the QAU would be invited to attend meetings of the Course Management Committee.

.9

Members of the Committee who had not been involved in discussions at Teaching and Learning Committee were informed that concerns regarding possible student overload had been raised with Ford and a possible extension of the study period to ten semesters had been accepted. The same concerns lay behind the Teaching and Learning Committee's insistence on an early programme review.

.10

The position of students whose employment in a Ford dealership was interrupted for any reason before they had completed the programme would be clarified. It was noted that Undergraduate Certificate and Diploma awards could be made available at appropriate exit points.

.11

In the light of the Business School's responses to the issues raised in the discussions that had taken place at this meeting and previously, the Sub-Committee RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Teaching and Learning Committee and Senate that approval be given to the introduction the proposed programme with effect from Spring 1997.

Secretary's Note:

Author - R A Bowyer

Date - November 1996

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