By Invitation: Professor B A Marples, Mr W P J Maunder, Professor R M S Wilson (for items 36, 37 and 38)
In Attendance: R A Bowyer, J S Wilcox
The Sub-Committee considered proposals from the Department of Mathematical Sciences for a new degree programme. It was noted that the proposal was efficient in its use of resources because it made full use of existing modules. The programme was aimed at a gap in the University's provision and students recruited to it would be counted within existing quotas. The probable admissions offer would be B, B, C. It was intended to apply for accreditation from the Board of Accreditation of Accountancy Educational Courses but this could only be done once the programme was running. It was suggested that having "and" in the proposed title twice was awkward. However, one of these derived from the existing programme title which constituted one half of the proposal. It was AGREED to modify the proposal so that the additional sandwich year qualification would be DPS. It was RECOMMENDED to the Teaching and Learning Committee that the programme be approved for introduction in 1998/99.
The Sub-Committee considered the proposal to make a major change to the MPhys Physics Programme by introducing a 60 credit project module in Part D. The Sub-Committee requested some improvements to the module specification. The Sub-Committee AGREED that every module assessment should be double-marked in view of the importance of the module. Subject to these points, the Sub-Committee RECOMMENDED to the Teaching and Learning Committee that the major change should be approved.
The Sub-Committee considered proposals from the Business School to introduce a new self-financing postgraduate programme. It was noted that the proposals were about to be shown to the Operations Sub-Committee.
The Sub-Committee noted that none of the programme-specific modules would include assessment by formal written examinations. Academic rigour would be provided because students would have to demonstrate learning from their programme attendance in their coursework. The involvement of PE International in the NVQ assessments would also demonstrate high standards of quality.
It was AGREED that the module specifications provided must be amplified with highly detailed notes on how assessment would be carried out.
Applicants to the programme would be nominated by Ford but it was AGREED that the Business School must always retain the formal power to refuse admission to the programme. The majority of the applicants would be graduates. The Sub-Committee discussed the procedures that should be applied to non-graduate applicants. The Business School was reminded that one option would be to seek admission by permission of an admissions panel. This would require the provision of independent assessment of the candidate's suitability for the programme. The Sub-Committee was informed that suitable assessments were likely to be available. A possibly superior procedure would be to admit non-graduates initially as registrations for LPC. In the light of initial assessment performance the University would be able to consider requests to amend the registration to MSc.
It was AGREED that "(Ford)" could usefully be dropped from the formal programme title.
It was AGREED that Dr Austin as Chair of the Sub-Committee would consider a further proposal from the Business School, modified to take into account the Sub-Committee's comments. If he was satisfied with the alterations then the modified proposals should be RECOMMENDED to the Teaching and Learning Committee.
The Sub-Committee noted that in the near future the Business School would have to re-write the programme regulations employing a tariff of 180. It was AGREED that all future proposals for new postgraduate programmes should be based upon a tariff of 180.
The Sub-Committee considered the proposal from the Business School for the establishment of a specialised Certificate/Diploma in Management. It was AGREED that, despite some remarks in the proposal, this could not be seen as an accreditation exercise. The Sub-Committee would therefore consider the proposals as being for the introduction of a new programme.
It was noted that the phrase "Internal Assessor" had been used in a number of places and this ought to read "Internal Examiner". The Business School would have to appoint a suitable External Programme Assessor for the programme. The University would expect the Internal Examiners to carry out the normal range of tasks expected of Internal Examiners, irrespective of the involvement of PE International. The Sub-Committee would expect the entrance requirements to be specific about the skills and knowledge to be possessed by applicants. The Sub-Committee wished to see more details about assessment procedures in the module specifications.
It was AGREED that Dr Austin as Chair of the Sub-Committee would consider a further proposal from the Business School, modified to take into account the Sub-Committee's comments. If he was satisfied with the alterations then the modified proposals should be RECOMMENDED to the Teaching and Learning Committee.
The Sub-Committee considered two proposals from the Business School to introduce new MBA programmes.
The Sub-Committee identified some areas where the proposals required amendment. The programme regulations could usefully omit items dealt with in general regulations (the possibility of withdrawing modules and entrance requirements) and should also omit mention of the Programme Directors and Academic Advisors. Most module specifications required further work.
Subject to the above, it was RECOMMENDED to the Teaching and Learning Committee that approval be given to the introduction of both programmes with effect from September 1998.
The Sub-Committee AGREED to ratify the action of the Chair during the summer in giving Sub-Committee level approval to three proposals. These were to introduce new BSc programmes in Physical Education and Sports Science with English/Mathematics/Economics from September 1997. In the event there had been no recruitment to the programmes. The Sub-Committee NOTED that the Chair's action had been in connection with 1997/98 only. If the programmes were to be re-offered in any subsequent year then full proposals would have to be made to the Sub-Committee.
The Sub-Committee RECOMMENDED to the Teaching and Learning Committee that approval be given for the Business School programme to change the title from European Business to International Business. The change would apply to the October 1999 intake and thereafter.
The Sub-Committee ratified action taken by the Chair in APPROVING restructuring of the existing programmes in Construction Management and Construction Project Management. The effect of the changes was to offer both programmes in full-time and part-time variants.
The Sub-Committee ratified the action of the Chair in APPROVING a proposal from the Business School. The effect would be to award the Diploma in Professional Studies rather than the Diploma in Industrial Studies to students on placement in 1997/98 and thereafter.
The Sub-Committee NOTED its membership and terms of reference.
Author - Mr J S Wilcox
Date - October 1997
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