Senate
Subject: Report
of Curriculum Sub-Committee – New Programme Proposals/ Strategic
Changes/Other Matters requiring Senate approval
Origin Unconfirmed Minutes of the Meeting
on 22 January 2009
Curriculum Sub-Committee at its meeting on 22 January 2009 recommended to Learning and Teaching Committee and Senate that approval be given to the following proposals. Details are available from the Secretary.
.1 BA
History and Politics/History and International Relations/ History and
Geography/ History and English:
New Programme Proposals
.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals
from Politics and International Relations for four new full-time programmes
with effect from September 2009. The History element of each programme was
essentially the same and the other joint elements were in the main from
existing provision. With the exception of History and Geography, the programmes
took advantage of the language options available in PIRES, which in terms of
History made these programmes distinctive if not unique. The return of History
to the University’s portfolio was welcomed and the AD(T) expressed
appreciation to the University on behalf of the Faculty of SSH for the support
given by the University to this initiative and the speed with which the departments
involved had brought forward the proposals. The comprehensive and very helpful
response from the External Reviewer was also commended.
.2 To accommodate the language options it
had been necessary to create 10-credit versions of many of the 20-credit modules.
It was intended that the 10-credit and 20-credit versions would be taught
together but their assessment would be different. It was commented that there
were not always significant differences to be seen between 10-credit and
20-credit versions in terms of student effort, content or ILOs. In a case where
the 10-credit version was assessed by examination only and the 20-credit
version was assessed by the same examination and by additional assignments, it
was suggested that it could legitimately be a concern of students on the
10-credit version that they were at a disadvantage in not having the
opportunity to gain additional knowledge. The solution would be to set separate
examinations for the two module versions. It could also be argued that students
on a 10-credit version might be at an advantage if also undertaking a language
option. It was acknowledged that this issue was not unique to the proposed
programmes, and AGREED that its extent across campus should be explored in more
detail through Annual Programme Review meetings before any conclusions could be
reached.
.3 The Sub-Committee considered the
documentation for each programme in turn. The comments below are generic to the
programmes unless stated otherwise. 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:
(a)
Programme
Regulations
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Para 2 B (History & Geography): Repeat the
statement ‘History modules that …’ for semester 2
(vii)
(viii)
(b)
Programme
Specification
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(c) Curriculum Map
The ILO K10 (History &
English) appeared to be met only by one module. Could it also be met by any
History modules?
(d) Assessment Matrix
(i)
EUA601 (International Relations): Assessment
weightings for this and some other modules were missing
(ii)
GYA003 (Geography): Was one test sufficient for the
module?
(iii)
The matrix for History and Geography contained
detailed information on assessments which was unnecessary and might need
updating more regularly. References to word limits rather than page limits for
essays was preferred.
(e) Module Specifications
(i) The
module specifications should be entered onto the LUSI system.
(ii) Lectures
would not be expected to be listed in the contents field
(iii) Introduction to Academic Studies: The aim of ‘allowing
access to key approaches in
contemporary history and politics’ could be evidence of ILO K1.
(iv)
Modern
(v)
Semester Abroad, MTLA field: ‘Normally’ to
be removed from the final paragraph
(vi)
Dissertation in History, MTLA field: References to
weeks to be removed
(vii)
Developments in European Government & Politics:
Total student effort should be 100 hours. MTLA and Feedback fields should be
revised to align with assessment by examination only.
(viii)
2. BA English and Drama: New Programme Proposals
.1 The
Sub-Committee considered proposals from English and Drama for a new full-time
programme with effect from September 2009. It was noted that the Programme
Regulations for Part C as presented would not comply with the
University’s credit values of its awards, but that the Department had
agreed to add a statement to the Regulations making it explicit that students
could take only 30 credits of B-coded modules, thereby ensuring compliance.
.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:
(a)
Programme Regulations
(i) Consistency in presentation to be improved
(ii) Use of ‘must normally’ to be
avoided
(b)
Programme Specification
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(c) Assessment Matrix
There were
inconsistencies in assessment weightings for EAB009, EAB904 & EAC036
(d) Consultation
The response from the external
reviewer was brief. The proposer was asked to attempt to seek a more reflective
response.
.3 Several questions arose from
consideration of the Curriculum Map for the programme. The Sub-Committee’s requirement was that ILOs should be met
by at least two optional modules if not already met by a compulsory module. It
was questioned whether this requirement should be extended to compulsory
modules. It was AGREED that this be considered on a future occasion. In the
interim it should be explored as to whether national guidelines required ILOs
to be met at the award level of the programme i.e. at level 6 for a Bachelors
programme.
3. BA Textiles: Innovation and Design (with placement option): New Programme Proposals
.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals
from LUSAD for a new full time/part-time programme with effect from October
2010. The programme would replace the three existing programmes in Textile
Design, which would recruit for the last time in September 2009. In regard to
the position of existing students who might need to retake a year, the Sub-Committee
wished to advise the proposers that, should such students be required to move
to the new programme, they would need to be agreeable to the change in title of
their degree. In regard to the consultation documents, it was noted that the
comment of the external reviewer on HEFCE guidelines regarding 10-credit
modules was incorrect, that the Department of Design and Technology were happy
with the proposals and that the concerns expressed by the Director of the
International Office concerning the loss of the three current programme titles
had been abated. It was noted that there was some discrepancy in the paperwork
in relation to the award for the optional placement year. It was AGREED that
the AD(T) would consult the proposers to ensure that the award was appropriate
to the placement.
.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:
(a)
Programme Regulations
(i)
(b)
Programme Specification
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(c)
Module Specifications
(i) Aims were generally too specific and were effectively ILOs
(ii) SAB721: Last aim could be incorporated into career planning
4. MSc Digital Imaging, Computer Graphics and Vision: New Programme Proposals
.1 The
Sub-Committee considered proposals from Computer Science for a new
full-time/part-time programme with effect from September 2009. With reference
to the discussion in minute 09/2.4 above, the proposers had assured the AD(T)
that the subject interests of the programme were very different to those of
LUSAD and therefore that department had not been consulted. It was suggested
that in future where there might be interests in common between departments,
but not at the level of requiring formal consultation, the AD(T) might
encourage the proposing department to have informal discussions with those
other departments. It was noted that the External Reviewer had not provided
answers to the questions as required by the Sub-Committee, but had nevertheless
been supportive. The comments of the Librarian were noted.
.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:
(a) Programme Regulations
(b) Programme Specification
(i)
(ii)
(c) Module Specifications
COP521: Contents: Change ‘Further
aspects of..’ to ‘Advanced aspects of..’
(d) Curriculum Map
COP325: The project module
appeared to assess all ILOs – was this really the case? It was the only
module assessing T7. Was T7
appropriately expressed?
5. MSc Economics/International Economics/ Economics and Econometrics: New Programme Proposals
.1 The Sub-Committee considered proposals
from Economics for three new full-time programmes with effect from September
2009. The Sub-Committee was informed that these were a modest extension of
current provision. Students would register initially on the Economics programme
and would be awarded the degree title appropriate to their module choice. 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:
(a)
Programme Regulations
(i)
The header required amendment.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(b)
Programme Specification
(i)
The Programme Specification should be provided in the
updated format
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(c) Module Specifications
Both new modules required the
addition of a Responsible Examiner and assessment information, and a breakdown
of lectures/seminars
(d)
Curriculum Map
Did all electives have the same outcomes?
(e)
Assessment Matrix
Assessment was by examination
and in-class tests only. It was therefore unclear how skills T3 and P1 would be
demonstrated. Either the assessment or ILOs required revision.
(f)
Consultation
Regarding the External
Reviewer’s comments on the proposed ESRC 2+2 PhD programme, how would the
proposed programmes align with this? Was the External Reviewer asked to comment
on the three questions as required by CSC?
.2 The Sub-Committee briefly discussed the
need to ensure that programme proposers used up-to-date templates and the need
for a template for Programme Regulations. In regard to the latter, the
Sub-Committee was advised of the intention to have Programme Regulations on
LUSI in due course. It might therefore not be a good time to set up a template
which might need to change following the LUSI developments. In regard to the
former, the PVC(T) AGREED to raise awareness of this problem at Operations
Committee.
6. MSc Infrastructure in Emergencies: New Programme Proposals
The
Sub-Committee considered proposals from Civil and Building Engineering (WEDC)
for a new part-time distance learning programme, with effect from July
2009. This was an extension of the
existing PGCert programme, which it would subsume, and incorporated existing
modules from other programmes. No new modules were proposed. 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:
(a)
Programme Regulations
(i)
(ii)
(b)
Programme Specification
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(c) Curriculum Map
ILOs
A7 and B7 were only assessed by optional modules. This effectively made modules
CVP262/212 and CVP268/218 compulsory. The Programme Regulations and/or ILOs
therefore needed to be reviewed.
(d) Assessment Matrix
CVP212:
The assessment weightings required correction
(e) Consultation
Consultation
with organisations such as Medecins Sans
Frontieres was expected and would also serve to raise awareness of the
programme.
7.
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
September 2009. The programme was a
development on the existing MSc in Building Services Engineering, with which
four modules would be shared, and the opportunity had been taken to revamp that
programme at the same time (see minute 09/11 below).
.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:
(a)
Programme Regulations
(i)
(ii)
Reference to be made to the
weighting balance of taught modules in each semester
(iii)
Consideration should be
given to combining the full-time and part-time regulations, though this was not
essential
(b)
Programme Specification
(i)
(ii)
Para 3: There was a high
number of ILOs for a Masters programme and at some point these might need to be
made more generic in order that they can be mapped against FHEQ benchmarks.
Otherwise section 3 was commended.
(c) Module Specifications
CVP313: Reference to
Certificate of Authorship to be removed. Method of Feedback field to be
populated.
.3 Attention was drawn to the availability
statement in CVP307: ‘Module is available to any student meeting
pre-requisites, but numbers will be restricted and priority will be given to
students for whom the module is listed in their Programme Regulations’.
This was one of the University’s standard statements. It was questioned
whether this was an appropriate statement as it could put at a disadvantage
those students having such a module as an option on their programme but with
Programme Regulations not listing the options available. It was AGREED that this
wording be reconsidered.
8.
It was AGREED to recommend to
Learning and Teaching Committee proposals from Civil and Building Engineering,
with effect from September 2009 entry.
9. Changes to Programme Titles or Awards
It was AGREED to ratify the
action of the Chair in recommending to the Chair of Learning and Teaching
Committee the following changes (effective date shown in brackets):
BEng/MEng Product Design and
Manufacture to
BEng/MEng Product Design
Engineering (Sept 2009 entry)
BEng Manufacturing Engineering
and Management to
BEng Manufacturing
Engineering (Sept 2009 entry)
BSc Mathematics and Computing to
BSc Computer Science and
Mathematics (October 2010 entry)
10. Discontinuation of Programmes
It was AGREED to recommend to
Learning and Teaching Committee discontinuation of the following programmes
(proposed date of last intake shown in brackets):
BSc (DIS/DPS) Chemistry and
Information Technology (Oct 2007)
MSc Advanced Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering (no recruitment)
Author
– Jennie Elliott
Date
– January 2009
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