Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Report of Curriculum Sub-Committee – Matters for Information

Origin Unconfirmed Minutes of the Meeting on 18 January 2007

Learning and Teaching Committee is invited to note the following items from the meeting of Curriculum Sub-Committee held on 18 January 2007.

1. Matters Arising from the Minutes

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

.2 Minute 06/47 – Module Specifications

(a) The module specification submitted to CIS for the new LUSI system was noted. It was reported that modules would be transferred to LUSI for 2007/08, but there would be only small changes to the module specification at that stage. It was hoped the refined specification would be available on LUSI from 2008/09.

(b) The minute of the Programme Development and Quality Team on Credit Levels was noted.

.3 Minute 06/48 – Programme Specifications

The revised Programme Specification template and guidance notes, for adoption in 2007/08, were noted.

.4 Minute 06/50.1 – BEng/MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering Programmes/MEng Systems Engineering Programmes

It was noted that UCAS already allowed up to 10 keywords per course code on the UCAS course search facility.

2. Curriculum Map

.1 The Sub-Committee considered whether to require a Curriculum Map as part of the documentation for new programme proposals. Provision of a Curriculum Map for each programme was currently a requirement for Periodic Programme Review and the Sub-Committee had received a copy of a sample Curriculum Map sent to departments for this purpose, which mapped modules against programme ILOs. The Sub-Committee also received from Jane Horner an example of mapping an MSc to the FHEQ masters level statements, which reflected current proposals coming from the Engineering Council and was put forward as a more useful approach, particularly in confirming programme level for Master’s programmes.

.2 The Sub-Committee agreed that it would be more logical for a Curriculum Map to be constructed at a programme’s inception, and should form part of the design process. It was therefore AGREED that it be required as part of the documentation for a new programme proposal. It was also agreed that the outcome headings should be those generic headings currently adopted by the University in Programme Specifications. Where there were external criteria relevant to the programme these should be used by the Department for guidance and to ensure compliance as necessary, and any resulting mapping documents retained by the Department for their purposes. If such criteria were universally adopted as programme ILOs there would be the danger that individuality of programmes across institutions could be lost.

.3 It was AGREED that a University Curriculum Map be devised, which referred to the level of modules as well as programme part, and with ILO coding which related recognisably to outcome headings. Listing of optional modules would only be required where these provided outcomes not met by core modules, and could be grouped in regard to common outcomes. Should the structure of a programme subsequently change, a revised Curriculum Map would be expected as part of the approval documentation.

Author – Jennie Elliott

Date – January 2007