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 5 May 2005

Curriculum Sub-Committee at its meeting on 5 May 2005 recommended to Learning and Teaching Committee and Senate that approval be given to the following proposals. Details are available from the Secretary.

1. BSc/MComp (DPS) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P11

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Computer Science for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. The proposer, Dr Iain Phillips, outlined these proposals and other related proposals on the agenda. He also tabled a paper proposing a set of programmes parallel to this and other proposed programmes and existing programmes in the Department, with the suffix ‘with Industrial Experience’ for students successfully completing an industrial year, as a marketing attraction to highlight the sandwich option. The Sub-Committee felt that such an approach went beyond the programme proposals under consideration, would have implications University-wide and therefore required broader consultation. The Sub-Committee was clear, however, that whatever the outcome of such discussions, any extension of the programme title to identify the sandwich component should not be accompanied by the award of a DPS or other Diploma award, which would be considered as ‘double-counting’. It was AGREED that the tabled paper be forwarded to the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team for further discussion.

.2 Returning to the programme proposals as circulated, disappointment was expressed that the advice of the Department’s Industrial Advisory Committee had not yet been sought on the proposals. 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) Programme Regulations

· restructuring to identify module weightings in each semester and the compulsory/optional module split and to clarify compulsory project requirements in Part D

· reassurance that the requirement for 110 credits to progress from Part B to Part C on the MComp would be sufficient for IEE accreditation

(ii) Programme Specification

· reference to 2 programmes rather than 1

· restructuring to: list multiple aims (rather than themes of one overarching aim); list benchmark references only, including the UK specification from the Engineering Council; ensure all relevant benchmarks were covered in ILOs, clarifying what was relevant to the BSc and MComp

· updating of the generic text

(exemplar to be provided)

(iii) Module Specifications

· modifications as per AD(T)’s annotations listed in the agenda papers

(iv) Assessment Matrix

· reconsideration of assessment methods to ensure that all ILOs were effectively assessed, in particular presentation and communication skills. If not felt to be immediately necessary this should be conducted as part of the review of existing programmes requested by Operations Sub-Committee

(v) External Consultation

· consideration of the External Assessor’s suggestion to offer modules such as ‘Operational Research’ and ‘Optimisation’

.3 It was commented that Departments would benefit from advice before submitting proposals and should be reminded of the source of the latest relevant templates and the need to consult appropriately with others in good time. Proposers should not be left to assume that paperwork for existing programmes necessarily met with subsequently updated standards. It was not realistic to expect the AD(T)s to monitor all Programme Specifications each year to ensure that they met developing requirements. It would, however, prove useful for exemplars to be highlighted on the Programme Specifications web site.

2. BSc (DIS/DPS) Chemistry and Information Technology:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P12

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Chemistry for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. The Programme Specification for the programme was considered an exemplar. 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) Programme Specification

· updating of the generic text

(ii) Assessment Matrix

· reconsideration of assessment methods to ensure that all ILOs were effectively assessed, in particular communication skills

.2 It was AGREED that the Assessment Matrix template required modification to allow for specific columns relating to CAA, class tests and the proportion of individual as opposed to group work (with a explanatory footnote) for continuous assessment. It was not felt necessary at this time to require departments to make explicit in module specifications the proportion of continuous assessment that was individually rather than group assessed, but suggested that the balance of individuals v. group work and the strategy for recognising individual input in group work should be explored by the AD(T)s during Annual Programme Review.

3. BSc (DPS) Information Technology and Mathematics:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P13

The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Computer Science for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. 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) Programme Specification

· further development of subject specific skills under ILOs

· explanation of the strategies for teaching, learning and assessment

· updating of the generic text

(ii) Assessment Matrix

· reconsideration of assessment methods to ensure that all ILOs were effectively assessed, in particular presentation and communication skills.

4. BSc (DIS, DIntS) Information Technology and Physics:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P14

The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Physics for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry which was intended to replace the BSc in Physics and Computing. 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) Market Research

· provision of a statement of any market research already undertaken either internally or externally

· provision of further evidence of market research (if not covered by the above) e.g. from current students, careers advisors in schools, programmes offered elsewhere, alignment with any Institute of Physics recruitment strategy

(ii) Programme Specification

· restructuring to list multiple aims (rather than themes of one overarching aim)

· modification of TLA section to indicate that the programme was predominantly examination based.

(iii) Consultation Forms

· provision of completed consultation forms (not provided by Computer Science for this specific programme)

5. MSc Internet Computing and Network Security:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P15

1. The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Computer Science for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. Attention was drawn to the completed consultation form from Electronic and Electrical Engineering, which whilst supportive of the proposal had identified potential difficulties in the provision of EL modules. It was noted in this context that the programme was effectively a joint programme between the two departments, and it could be possible for a student to undertake EL modules with a total weighting of 120 credits. There was significant overlap with the EL programme in Networked Communications, but poaching of potential students was unlikely as admission requirements would be different.

.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 AD(T) prior to the meeting of Learning and Teaching Committee:

(i) A definitive statement from the two Departments that the proposal can go forward and that the issues raised by EL can be overcome.

(ii) Programme Specification

· restructuring to include a clear statement of aims; list benchmark references only; ensure all relevant benchmarks were covered in ILOs

· updating of the generic text

· revision of Loughborough University Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma (LPC/LPD) references to Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma (PGCert/PGDip)

(iii) Module Specifications

· modifications as per AD(T)’s annotations included in the agenda paper

· identification of Internal Examiners

· COP502: include weightings of multiple coursework assignments

· COP503: reconsider content and ILOs in relation to other Research Methods modules available on campus

(iv) Assessment Matrix

· reconsideration of assessment methods to ensure that all ILOs were effectively assessed, in particular presentation and communication skills

6. BSc (DPS) Financial Mathematics: New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P16

The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Mathematical Sciences for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. It was suggested that the Department might consider the award of the Diploma in International Studies for the proposed course of study at a European University. 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) Programme Specification

· expansion of assessment strategies

(ii) Assessment Matrix

· reconsideration of assessment methods to ensure that all ILOs were effectively assessed, in particular presentation and communication skills.

7. BSc (DPS) Product Design and Technology:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P17

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Design and Technology for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. It was noted that within the proposals was the intention that the existing BA/BSc in Industrial Design and Technology would convert to a BA programme only. The Sub-Committee welcomed the breakdown of the proposed BSc and BA programmes in section 16 of the proposals form, which permitted an easy comparison of the two programmes. It would not be asking the department to combine the two programmes into one set of Programme Regulations/Specification in view of the ongoing development of a Programme Regulations template for the new student information system (LUSI) which could well require combined Programme Regulations to be disaggregated. It was noted that a proposed new 15-credit module was being created for the proposed new programme to balance existing modules.

2. The Sub-Committee noted correspondence relating to the unhappiness with the programme’s title expressed by the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering which the School felt was too close to that of its own well-established programme in Product Design and Manufacture. As the correspondence was now a year old the AD(T) of Engineering agreed to follow up the current position of Mechanical of Manufacturing Engineering on this. The Sub-Committee returned to its discussion under Minute 05/18, and re-iterated that no one department had an exclusive right to any particular nomenclature in a programme title. It considered that it would be unjustifiable not to allow the Department of Design and Technology to use ‘Product Design’ within a programme title. The Sub-Committee noted that a group of Admissions Tutors with ‘Design’ programmes were collaborating to provide clear and accurate information on their programmes, and felt that the different areas of design offered by the University should be seen as a strength rather than a threat, with the opportunity for positive cross advertising, provided that marketing material made clear the differences in approach. Such an opportunity might also be extended to other subject areas where common terminology appeared to be problematic.

.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) Programme Regulations

· Para 3.1.2: clarification that 100 degree-level credits were required for progression from Part B to Part C

(ii) Programme Specification

· Expansion of TLA Strategies to explain how these aided the achievement of ILOs

(exemplar to be provided)

(iii) Module Specifications

· DTA/B/C 106, C107: ILOs and contents to be ‘unblended’

· DTC013: pre-requisites to be stated in a more informative manner

· Provision of a statement of what was changing in every module for which a weighting change was proposed, to demonstrate a match between student effort and weighting

(iv) Consultation Forms

· Assurance from the Department of Design and Technology and of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering that Programme Specifications and marketing material would make clear the distinguishing features of the Product Design programmes in their departments.

8. MA/MSc Industrial Design by Research:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P18

.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Design and Technology for a new full-time/part-time programme with effect from October 2005 entry noting the heavy 130-credit weighting of the proposed project module. It was noted that approval of the programme by Operations Sub-Committee had been subject to a change in title to Industrial Design by Project, as it had apparently been felt that the electives within the programme were not research modules and the proposed title could therefore be misleading. There had as yet been no comment back from Design and Technology on this. It was suggested that if the Department was not happy with the title as proposed by Operations Sub-Committee it might consider titles such as Industrial Design by Research Project or Research Studies in Industrial Design, in similar vein to the MSc in Research Studies (in Physics) offered by the Department of Physics. Any alternative title proposed would require the approval of Operations Sub-Committee.

(i) Programme Title

· A response to the revised title for the programme proposed by Operations Sub-Committee, with proposals for an alternative revised title if required

(ii) Programme Regulations

· Reflection on whether it was intended that a PGDip or PGCert could only be achieved via a successful project module which did not need to be accompanied by credit in any taught modules.

(iii) Programme Specification

· Listing of benchmark references only and ensuring that all relevant benchmarks were covered in ILOs. Some detail under the benchmark section might be more appropriate under the ILO section

(exemplar to be provided)

· Separation of TLA strategies for each subsection under ILOs

· Further explanation of section 4

(iv) Module Specifications

· DTP862: specification of intermediate targets/formative assessment for the module together with assessment weightings as appropriate

(v) Assessment Matrix

· Explanation of tutorial assessments and, if this does not assess oral presentation skills, how else these are assessed

(vi) Consultation

· Receipt of completed consultation forms from the Careers Service and the Library

Secretary’s Note: The Department has proposed a revised title of ‘Research Studies in Industrial Design’ and an additional award of MDes. These revisions are subject to approval by the SSH Directorate and Operations Sub-Committee.

9. MSc Citizenship, Identity and Globalization:
New Programme Proposals

CSC05-P19

The Sub-Committee considered proposals from Geography for a new full-time programme with effect from October 2006 entry. 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) Programme Regulations

· Deleting reference to the Programme Advisor and to exam weightings of modules

· Including reference to the semesters when modules would be undertaken

· Conversion of Loughborough University Postgraduate Diploma (LPD) references to Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)

(ii) Programme Specification

· Explaining the strategy for assessing communication skills

(iii) Consultation Forms

· The provision of completed consultation forms from the Library and the Careers Service

10. MA Security Management: Change of Award to MSc

CSC05-P21

It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and Teaching Committee the change of award, with effect from April 2006 entry but for all students who graduate as of July 2006.

11. BSc (DIS/DPS) Quantum Information and Computation:
Change of Title to Information Networks and Physics

CSC05-P22

The Sub-Committee considered the proposed change of title, with effect from October 2006 entry. It was noted that the Head of the Department of Information Science had requested that the Physics Department reconsider the proposed new title, as ‘Information Networks’ at the beginning of the title was of possible disbenefit to Information Science. The Sub-Committee noted that the proposed title was considered by Physics to be preferable for student recruitment. It anyway coincided with the form of wording in the existing title. It was, however, commented that it would be most logical for ‘Physics’ to appear at the beginning of the title. The Sub-Committee was content to approve a change of title along the lines proposed and was comfortable with either ‘Physics’ or ‘Information Networks’ at the beginning of the title, but did not consider that it should be the arbiter on this matter. It was AGREED to refer the matter to the Dean of Science for resolution within the Faculty.

Secretary’s Note: Agreement has been reached within the Science Faculty with the title ‘Information Networks and Physics’

12. Discontinuation of Programmes

CSC05-P23

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

MBA Engineering Management (October 2003)

Prof Dip/Cert Retail Automotive Management (April 2003)

Prof Dip/Cert Automotive Retailing (November 2002)

PGCert Continuing Professional Development (October 2002)

Author – Jennie Elliott

Date – May 2005