Learning and Teaching Committee
Curriculum Sub-Committee
Minutes of the Thirty-Third Meeting of
the Sub-Committee held on Thursday
5 May 2005
Membership: Professor S A Austin (Chair), Professor M Bell, Dr C Christie (ab), Dr J L Horner, Mr J Roberts (ab), Dr D R Worrall
By invitation: Dr P L Byrne, Mr J G Dickens, Dr M C Harrison, Dr I W Phillips (for Minutes 05/19 – 05/23), Ms M M Wőrsching
In attendance: Dr J E M Elliott
Apologies for Absence were received from Dr Christie (on Study Leave) and Mr Roberts.
05/17 Minutes
CSC05-M1
It was AGREED to confirm and sign the minutes
of the thirty-second meeting held on
13 January 2005.
05/18 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 and the following final paragraph considered:
‘The
Director of the Business School drew attention to the change in title of the
BSc in Transport Management and Planning to Transport and Business Management,
and requested that in future any titles likely to affect Business School
rankings be discussed with him personally.
It was noted that in this case the
.2 The
PVC(T) informed the Sub-Committee that this had subsequently been determined at
Operations Sub-Committee as fundamentally a coding issue. UCAS and JACS codes had significant
implications for recruitment purposes and for statistics aggregated for ranking
purposes, but to some extent the University did have control over such
coding. The Sub-Committee understood the
issues that had already arisen and were likely to increasingly arise concerning
the wording of programme titles and their coding, but felt that no one
department had an exclusive right to any particular nomenclature. Nevertheless the coding of a programme should
not put that programme/department at a disadvantage and departments should work
together to mutual benefit and ensure that marketing material made clear the
context of a programme so that potential students were not misled by a title.
.3 It
was AGREED that the issue of programme titles should be addressed during the
strategic phase of a proposal for a new or changed title and that the proposal
form(s) should be revised to require completed consultation forms from
departments with any vested interest in a proposed programme title to be
included with the paperwork at that stage.
Any disputes between departments should be resolved before submission of
a proposal to the Directorate/Operations Sub-Committee. It was also AGREED that clarification be
sought over the extent of control by the University over programme coding and
whether it would be sensible to explore further the coding of existing
programmes to ensure that these were as beneficial as possible to departments.
ACTION: JEME
05/19 BSc/MComp
(DPS) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence:
New Programme Proposals
.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.
ACTION:
JEME
.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
·
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’
ACTION: JEME, Proposer, MCH
.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.
ACTION:
JEME
05/20 BSc
(DIS/DPS) Chemistry and Information Technology:
New Programme Proposals
.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
ACTION: JEME, Proposer, MCH
.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.
ACTION: JEME, ADTs
05/21 BSc
(DPS) Information Technology and Mathematics:
New Programme Proposals
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.
ACTION:
JEME, Proposer, MCH
05/22 BSc
(DIS, DIntS) Information Technology and Physics:
New Programme Proposals
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
(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)
ACTION:
JEME, Proposer, MCH
05/23 MSc
Internet Computing and Network Security:
New Programme Proposals
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
ACTION: JEME, Proposer, MCH, JGD
05/24 BSc (DPS) Financial Mathematics: New Programme Proposals
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
(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.
ACTION: JEME, Proposer, MCH
05/25 BSc (DPS) Product Design and Technology:
New Programme Proposals
.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
ACTION: JGD
.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
·
(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.
ACTION: JEME, Proposer, PLB
05/26 MA/MSc
Industrial Design by Research:
New Programme Proposals
.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.
.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) 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
ACTION: JEME, Proposer, PLB
05/27 MSc
Citizenship, Identity and Globalization:
New Programme Proposals
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
ACTION:
JEME, Proposer, PLB
05/28 New
Programme Proposals from the
The
Sub-Committee considered a request from the Business School for it to give
outline approval for three possible new programmes which were awaiting the
completion of negotiation with external clients, and to consider fuller details
of the programmes over the Summer. The
Sub-Committee felt that it could not agree to this at this stage and if
proposals came to fruition before the next scheduled meeting of the Sub-Committee
on 13 October the Department would need to make a case for convening a special
meeting of the Sub-Committee to consider the proposals. The Department could not rely on
Chair’s action.
ACTION:
JEME, PLB
05/29 MA Security Management:
Change of Award to MSc
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.
05/30 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.
ACTION: MCH/JEME
05/31 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)
05/32 Major Changes to Programme Regulations
It was
AGREED to approve the following procedure for the approval of major changes to
Programme Regulations for the period to October 2005. Proposals should receive CSC consideration by
post at the discretion of the Chair.
Where concerns were raised a second circulation would summarise these
and invite a formal decision. The Chair
would be empowered to determine whether the replies constituted a consensus.
05/33 New Programme Proposal Form
It was noted that, at the request of the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team, proposers of new programmes were now required to consult with Howard Jones (Student Recruitment and Admissions) and Tony Westaway/ Jonathan Clapham (International Office) about the proposed title of a programme prior to the submission of a strategic proposal.
05/34 Annual Update of Module Specifications and Programme Regulations/Specifications
The Sub-Committee noted:
CSC05-P24
.1 The memorandum circulated to
departments on 21 February 2005 (without Annexes)
CSC05-P25
.2 The
proposal forms for Module Specification and Programme Regulation/Specification
changes for 2005/06.
CSC05-P26
.3 Validated
Programmes: The procedure and timetable for revision and approval of Module
Specifications and Programme Regulations/Specifications for 2005/06.
05/35 Dates of Future Meetings
Wednesday 25 May 2005 (am) (if required)
2005/06
Thursday 13 October 2005 (am)
Thursday 12 January 2006 (am)
Thursday 4 May 2006 (am)
(Date for ‘if necessary’ meeting in late May 2006 to be
determined)
Author: Jennie Elliott
Date: May 2005
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