Learning and Teaching Committee
Curriculum Sub-Committee
Minutes of the Meeting of the
Sub-Committee held on Thursday 22 January 2009
Membership: Professor
Simon Austin (Chair), Professor Morag Bell, Dr Paul Byrne,
Professor John Dickens, Dr Martin Harrison, Dr Jane Horner, Danny McNeice (ab),
Ian Murray,
Phil Sawdon, Jan Tennant
By Invitation: Professor Chris Szejnmann (for Minute 09/4)
In attendance: Dr Jennie Elliott, Dr Mark Hollingsworth
09/1 Minutes
CSC08-M3
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 October
2008 were confirmed.
09/2 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 08/27.2 - FdEng Foundation
Degree Programme in Fundamentals of Powertrain Engineering: New Programme Proposals
It was noted that HEFCE would not be funding
the proposed programme and the proposal had therefore been withdrawn.
*.3 Minute 08/27.3 – MSc
Information Management and Business Technology: New Programme Proposals
It was noted that revised guidance
on producing Programme Specifications, together with UG and PG exemplars, was under development.
*.4 Minute 08/29.1 – BSc (DPS) Web
Development and Design: New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P2
Members received the minute of Learning and
Teaching Committee in response to the Sub-Committee’s request to provide
guidance on the issue of inter-departmental collaboration in module/programme
provision. It was commented that if consultation between departments was not
encouraged then creative opportunities were likely to be missed. Whilst
consultation was required in certain instances, there were other instances,
such as that for the proposal on the agenda for the MSc Digital Imaging,
Computer Graphics and Vision, where an approach to a department such as LUSAD
with relevant interests could have been beneficial. It was felt, however, that
more collaboration was likely to develop from knowledge sharing generally and
before programme developments reached CSC. Other departments within a Faculty
were made aware of proposals during the strategic approval process, but
transfer of that information to departments in other faculties relied on Deans
and ADTs. It was AGREED that the PVC(T) would ask Student Recruitment Team /
Programme Quality Team to consider how informal exploratory discussions between
departments during programme development could be encouraged, particularly
cross-Faculty.
ACTION: PVC(T)
09/3 Credit Values of
CSC09-P3
.1 The
Sub-Committee noted the memo sent to Departments following the approval by
Senate on 19 November 2008 of Credit Values of Loughborough University awards,
with which all departments would be required to comply by 2009/10.
.2 Members identified some circumstances
where problems with compliance were likely to arise:
Joint programmes; Masters conversion
programmes; modules at the Part C/D interface; modules with different credit
levels as shown by module code but the same content and which were likely to be
taught together. It was AGREED that brief guidance notes be provided for
departments.
ACTION: JEME, ADTs,
SAA
09/4 BA History and Politics/History and International Relations/ History and Geography/ History and English: New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P4
.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.
ACTION: AD(T)s
.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)
ACTION: JEME, PLB
09/5 BA English and Drama: New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P5
.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.
ACTION: JEME, PLB
.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.
ACTION: JEME
09/6 BA Textiles: Innovation and Design (with placement option): New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P6
.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.
ACTION: PLB
.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
ACTION:
JEME, PLB
09/7 MSc Digital Imaging, Computer Graphics and Vision: New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P7
.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?
ACTION: JEME. MCH
09/8 MSc Economics/International Economics/ Economics and Econometrics: New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P8
.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?
ACTION: JEME, PLB
.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.
ACTION: PVC(T)
09/9 MSc Infrastructure in Emergencies: New Programme Proposals
CSC09-P9
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.
ACTION: JEME, JGD
09/10
CSC09-P10
.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.
ACTION: JEME
09/11
CSC09-P11
It was AGREED to recommend to Learning and
Teaching Committee proposals from Civil and Building Engineering, with effect
from September 2009 entry.
09/12 Changes to Programme Titles or Awards
CSC09-P12
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/MEng Manufacturing Engineering and
Management to
BEng Manufacturing Engineering (Sept
2009 entry)
BSc Mathematics and Computing to
BSc Computer Science and Mathematics (October
2010 entry)
09/13 Discontinuation of Programmes
CSC09-P13
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)
09/14 BSc Mathematics and Computing: Administrative Responsibility
The
Sub-Committee noted that a change in administrative responsibility for the BSc
in Mathematics and Computing from the
09/15 Dates of Future Meetings in 2008/09
Thursday 7
May 2009 (am)
Thursday 21
May 2009 (am) (if required)
Author –Jennie Elliott
Date – January 2009
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