Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Report of Curriculum Sub-Committee – New Programme Proposals/Strategic Changes/Other Matters requiring Senate approval

Origin Unconfirmed Minutes of the Meeting on 4 May 2006

Curriculum Sub-Committee at its meeting on 4 May 2006 recommended to Learning and Teaching Committee and Senate that approval be given to the following proposals. Details are available from the Secretary.

1. MRes Sustainability in the Built Environment: Revised New Programme Proposals

.1 Further to minute 06/6 of the previous meeting, the Sub-Committee considered revised proposals from WEDC for a full-time programme with effect from October 2006. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Regulations

.1.1 The title for the PGDip/PGCert should be Advanced Studies in Sustainability in the Built Environment

.1.2 Para 3.2 to be deleted as unnecessary

Programme Specification

.1.3 Para 5: First sentence to finish at ‘…appropriate subject.’

Module Specifications

.1.4 CVP205: ‘The aims of the module are..’

.1.5 CVP205: ILOs, para 2(ii)(b) ‘..recovery management tools’

.1.6 CVP206: Individual assignments to be specified

.1.7 CVP213: Practical and key skills were limited for a 60-credit module and should be extended

2. BSc Publishing with E-Business: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Information Science for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006. The proposed exchange with Social Sciences of student numbers on modules was noted as an unusual arrangement. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Specification

.1.1 Para 3, ILOs, Knowledge & Understanding: The header and bullet points required minor revision to ensure that they were grammatically correct

Assessment Matrix

.1.2 Reflection on individual assessment in modules where this fell below 50% (eg ISA303,ISC326)

3. MSc Strategic Automotive Dealership Management (Malaysia): New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from the Business School for a new part-time programme with effect from July 2006. It was noted that the proposed programme was the same as the existing MSc in Strategic Automotive Dealership Management in all but its delivery. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

.1.1 Clarification of whether the voluntary but paid basis applied to just the Henry Ford College staff teaching on the programme or also to Loughborough University staff.

Programme Regulations

.1.2 Correction of old references to GRMPA

.1.3 Inclusion of reference to the part-time nature of the programme

.1.4 Para 1.2: Removal of the number 1.2.4 and the two lines of text against it

.1.5 Para 1.2.5: Explanation of why this was necessary

.1.6 Para 2.2: Deletion, as student numbers can’t be restricted for compulsory modules

Programme Specification

.1.7 Para 5: Insertion of ‘or’

Assessment Matrix

.1.8 Reflection on the range and balance of assessment, checking this against ILOs (eg why no presentation?) Revision to existing programme also, as appropriate.

Consultation Forms

.1.9 Confirmation that students have access to adequate Library resources at the University of Malaya.

QA Statement

.1.10 Reassurance that the Business School would be in a position to approve the suitability of University of Malaya staff nominated to teach on the programme

.1.11 Clarification of whether the External Examiner would be expected to go to Malaysia to participate in the Programme Board or whether it would be held at Loughborough.

.2 In regard to the Librarian’s comments as part of the consultation on the programme that it could not be assumed that students on the programme would automatically have rights of access from Malaysia to the electronic information services to which the Library subscribed, it was commented that all LU registered students should have access to LU facilities and AGREED that the Librarian’s comments be further investigated.

.3 During the discussion of this and other proposals the general question was raised about the information that should be included in Section 7 of the Programme Specification on Indicators of Quality, whether this should be measurable rather than subjective, and also at what point indicators such as TQA gradings became too dated. It was AGREED that this be reflected upon when the Programme Specification template was revisited by PDQ Team once the expected revised guidance from the QAA had been received. The value of Programme Specifications was questioned but it was concluded that the determination of the Aims and ILOs for a programme was an essential intellectual exercise that should be the first stage in setting up a new programme and such information should be publicly available. As the specific programme information in the Programme Specification, rather than the generic information on support for learning, was the information of prime concern to the Sub-Committee, it was AGREED that for resubmissions to the Sub-Committee on this occasion, and for future proposals, Section 8 of the Programme Specification, except where containing information specific to the programme or department, should refer only to the website where the generic information on learning support was held ( http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templates/notes/lps/), rather than presenting the generic text.

4. MA Creative Writing: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from English and Drama for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2006. The Sub-Committee was unclear as to whether the new programme was distinct from the existing pathway in Creative Writing on the MA in Modern and Contemporary Writing. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

.1.1 Mapping of the content of the existing pathway and the proposed programme to identify differences

Programme Regulations

.1.2 Correction of references to the old GRMPA, ARMPA and LPD

.1.3 Deletion of para 3.2 which was a repeat of para 3.1

Programme Specification

.1.4 Clarification of which Aims and ILOs were distinct from those for the existing pathway

.1.5 Para 2: Deletion of the National Qualifications Framework, which was a repeat of the FHEQ

.1.6 Para 3b: Rewording under Skills of the ability to ‘write better poems’

Module Specifications

.1.7 EAP010 Research Methodologies: From the description in section 7 on the proposal form, this module required splitting into two separate modules

.1.8 EAP001 Diversions: Reflection on whether one 10-minute presentation was sufficient or whether further presentations should be included to allow for student progress

Assessment Matrix

.1.9 Confirmation of 100% individual assessment across the programme

5. MSc Chemistry and Information Technology: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Chemistry for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2006. The Sub-Committee found the tracked changes to the existing Chemical Sciences Programme Regulations most useful and it was agreed that this approach should be encouraged where appropriate.

.2 It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Specification

.2.1 Para 2: National benchmarks such as the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications and any specific to Chemistry should be included. The list of QAA guidelines could then be removed.

.2.2 Para 3: The mode of delivery of out of department modules had now become too extensive and should be consolidated.

.2.3 Para 6: Reference to module grades was unnecessary.

Consultation Forms

.2.4 Confirmation of the assumption by Computing Services that IT practical work would be undertaken in labs run by Computer Science and there would therefore be no impact on central services.

6. MA/MSc/MDes Industrial Design / User-centred Product Design / Sustainable Product Design / Virtual Product Design: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Design and Technology for new full-time/part-time programmes with effect from October 2006, noting the matters for correction annotated by the ADT on the approval form. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

.1.1 Amendments to the documentation as annotated by the ADT

Programme Regulations

.1.2 Correction of the header for the MDes regulations

.1.3 Clearer presentation of the content (e.g.should para 2.1 read 85 credits? What do para 2.3 i and ii refer to?)

.1.4 Removal of reference to credits from other institutions in para 2.2 and identification of modules available from other departments (requiring consultation with departments as appropriate)

.1.5 Correction of old GRMPA references

Programme Specification

.1.6 Header to refer to programmes

.1.7 Revision of Aims and ILOs to cover all programme titles rather than just Industrial Design. ILOs should differentiate between the programmes.

.1.8 Para 2: The benchmark statements for Art & Design and Engineering should be listed separately

.1.9 TLA strategies should explain why the assessment methods have been chosen

.1.10 Para 3 a,b,c: Deletion of ‘demonstrate’ from header and ‘an ability to’ from each bullet point

.1.11 Para 4: Clearer presentation of the 5 categories and the structure in regard to these categories

Consultation Forms

.1.12 Provision of a satisfactory completed consultation form from LUSAD.

7. MSc Sustainable Transport and Travel Planning: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Civil and Building Engineering for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2006 (PT) / October 2007 (FT). Attention was drawn to the comment of the Director of Media Services on this and other proposals that the timetable would need to work alongside that of other departments to ensure availability of pool rooms, and the possible situation arising of new programmes being approved for which there was no suitable teaching space available. The Sub-Committee was assured, however, that the Director of Media Services monitored the situation closely and regularly reported to PDQ Team.

Programme Regulations

.2.1 The format of paragraphs, with sub-para numbers, to conform to the standard model

.2.2 Paras 8 to 13 were a repeat of Regulation XXI and should be deleted

.2.3 Para 5: Confirmation of the intention that students would require 180 credits for the MSc award rather than 150 as in Regulation XXI. If not, the final sentence should read ‘…to take 120 credits..).

Programme Specification

.2.4 Para 4: Clarification of the credit requirement for an MSc award as in 25.2.3 above

Module Specifications

.2.5 CVP085: Coursework weightings to be provided

.2.6 CVP090: Range of word length to be provided (eg 15 – 12,000 words)

.2.7 CVP083: Coursework to be described

Assessment Matrix

.2.8 Individual assessment as a percentage of continuous assessment to be provided for each module

8. PGCE/PGDip/MSc in Education with Qualified Teacher Status in Design and Technology / Science / Physical Education: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from the Teacher Education Unit for new full-time/part-time programmes with effect from September 2006. The intention that students would exit the programme with only one of the three awards was noted and the position of students exiting with a PGCE who wished to return to complete either the PGDip or MSc was queried. The issue of rescinding awards to avoid ’double counting’ was felt to be a more general issue and guidance on this was to be sought from the Academic Registry.

.2 It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Regulations

.2.1 Para 3.7: The proposal to cap numbers progressing beyond Year 1 was not acceptable. A standard for progression would need to be set.

Programme Specification

.2.2 The Knowledge and Understanding ILOs required specific examples for each subject route

Module Specifications

.2.3 Clarification on whether modules DTP913/DTP918/PEP013, and also DTP916/DTP927/PEP918, were different in any other way than having a different Internal Examiner. If they were subject-specific this should be reflected in the content and the titles.

.2.4 Re-examination of the module specifications to overcome the apparent overlap of content.

9. New Route PhD in Computer Science (PGDip Integrated Research Studies): New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Computer Science for a new full-time PG Diploma in Integrated Studies as the curriculum component of a New Route PhD in Computer Science, with effect from October 2006. It was noted that no Programme Specification had been provided, but that no Programme Specification currently existed for the other existing pathways across campus for the curriculum-based component.

Programme Regulations

.2.1 Revision of para 2.1(b) to restrict the number of optional modules that could be taken from other departments.

.3 The Sub-Committee AGREED the need for one generic set of Programme Regulations and one generic Programme Specification for the existing PG Diplomas in Integrated Research Studies across campus that would encompass the separate existing subject pathways. It was AGREED that the appropriate person to take his forward be explored with the Research Student Office.

10. PGCert Healthcare Fire Safety Management: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from the Business School for a new part-time programme with effect from October 2006. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Regulations

.1.1 Reference was required to the part-time nature of the programme

Programme Specification

.1.2 para 2: The second paragraph was not relevant and should be removed

Module Specifications

.1.3 Internal Examiners to be identified, who should not be the same for each module

.2 It was noted that para 5 on the proposal form was often misunderstood as in this case to refer to the total number of new modules rather than their module numbers. It was AGREED that the proposal form be revised to remove that ambiguity.

11. BA 3D Design: New Practice: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from LUSAD for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2007. The proposals included the discontinuation of three existing 3D Design programmes in Ceramics, Furniture and Silversmithing & Jewellery, with final recruitment to these programmes in October 2006. A letter of external support for the programme was tabled. It was noted that the indication on the cover sheet for new modules that these would be block-taught was in error. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee without change.

.2 It was AGREED that the proposal form for new modules be revised in future years to avoid the suggestion that a module was expected to be DL, partial DL or block-taught.

.3 The comments on the proposals from the Head of Department of Design & Technology were highlighted, which, together with comments received on previous proposals and on other proposals within the agenda, emphasised the need to achieve harmony across campus in relation to Design programmes, on the basis that no one department had exclusive right to a particular title. It was important that the University’s range of Design programmes was seen as a strength. The Sub-Committee was informed that particular sensitivities related to Product Design. The Sub-Committee RECOMMENDED that the PVC(T) speak with the SRA Team Leader to arrange a meeting of the relevant departments (D&T, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, IPTME and LUSAD) to consider how best to present a web page for the prospectus that would illustrate the scope of design studies across the campus and thereby identify the University as a centre for design, whilst clearly indicating to prospective students the nature of the various design studies on offer, with their appropriate web links.

12. MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with Information Technology and Management: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Chemical Engineering for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2007. It was noted that it would not be possible for students registered for the MSc to achieve a PGDip as an exit award if they failed the 90-credit MSc project. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Regulations

.1.1 Paras A5 and A6 to be removed as unnecessary

.1.2 Para B3: a requirement for two optional modules from each group would ensure a module weighting of 50

.1.3 Abbreviation for the PG Diploma/PG Certificate should be PGDip/PGCert

Programme Specification

.1.4 ILOs to be listed

.1.5 Para 4: Amendment as in 31.1.2.above

Module Specifications

.1.6 CGP074/075: Justification for the low percentage of individual assessment

Consultation Forms

.1.7 Assurance of action to be taken on the comments from Computing Services

13. MSc Business Analysis and Management: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from the Business School for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2007. The provision of tracked changes on the existing Programme Regulations/Specification had proved most useful to the Sub-Committee. It was noted from the Assessment Matrix that a number of modules had low levels of individual assessment for coursework, but as there were also examinations in most cases and the Business School was known to have a clear policy on groupwork, the Sub-Committee was not unduly concerned.

Programme Regulations

.2.1 Para 2.1: Total modular weight for compulsory modules should read 150

Assessment Matrix

.2.2 BSP020: Clarification of how an essay had only 20% individual assessment

.2.3 Document lengths in modules specifications should be expressed as number of words rather than pages.

.3 The Sub-Committee considered that at this time it had no threshold for an acceptable level of individual assessment for coursework or for overall assessment on a module, but was likely to question a proposal when the overall individual assessment on a module was less than 50%.

14. MSc Mechanical Engineering: New Programme Proposals

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2007. It was AGREED to recommend the proposals to Learning and Teaching Committee, subject to the following matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

Programme Regulations

.1.1 Paras 2.2 and 3 to be removed

.1.2 Para 2 to be headed ‘Content’, and modules to be more clearly listed to identify the FT and PT paths

.1.3 Para 2.3 to be reworded to avoid the use of ‘normal’

Programme Specification

.1.4 Para 2: To include IMechE as an external reference point

.1.5 TLA strategies should relate to each ILO section

Assessment Matrix

.1.6 Assessment Matrix to be revised using the updated version provided with programme proposal documents in the web template shop.

15. BEng/MEng Materials Engineering / BEng/MEng Automotive Materials / BEng Materials with Management Studies / BSc Applied Design (Product Performance and Safety): Major Programme Changes

It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and Teaching Committee proposals from IPTME for major programme changes with effect from 2006-7, subject to amendment of the documents in accordance with the annotated comments of the AD(T).

16. MSc/PGDip/PGCert Ergonomics (Human Factors) / Ergonomics for Health Professionals / Human Factors in Transport / Human Factors for Inclusive Design: Major Programme Changes

It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and Teaching Committee proposals from Human Sciences for major programme changes with effect from 2006-7, subject to amendment of the documents in accordance with the annotated comments of the AD(T).

17. MSc Multimedia and Internet Computing / Information Technology / Internet Computing and Network Security: Major Programme Changes

It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and Teaching Committee proposals from Computer Science for major programme changes with effect from 2006-7, subject to amendment of the documents in accordance with the annotated comments of the AD(T).

18. MSc Economics and Finance / Financial Economics / International Finance and Economics / Monetary Economics: Major Programme Changes

It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and Teaching Committee proposals from Economics for major programme changes with effect from 2006-7.

19. Discontinuation of Programmes

It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and Teaching Committee the discontinuation of the following programmes (proposed date of last intake shown in brackets):

BEng/MEng Computer Systems Engineering (October 2005)

(Note: the above proposal includes the continuation of the BEng/MEng Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering programme formally discontinued in 2002.)

MSc Forensic Ergonomics (October 2005)

MSc Transatlantic Relations (October 2005)

MSc International Relations of the European Union (October 2005)

MSc Policy-Making in the European Union (October 2005)

MSc Globalization and World Cities (N/A)

MSc Globalization, Development and Difference (N/A)

20. Chair’s Approval: Change of Programme Award and Title

Subsequent to the meeting of the Curriculum Sub-Committee, the Chair, on behalf of the Sub-Committee, AGREED to recommend to the Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee the following changes in award and title of a programme with effect from 2006/07:

MSc/PGDip/PGCert Social Science Research (Social Sciences) to

MRes Social Sciences Research

PGDip/PGCert Advanced Studies in Social Sciences Research.

Author – Jennie Elliott

Date – May 2006