Course and Module Catalogue

Teaching and learning enables students to acquire the knowledge and skills required by a course. Assessment indicates whether or not such outcomes have been achieved.

Teaching strategy

Our teaching strategy is to match styles of delivery to the nature of the materials being studied. Some subjects are best considered using a conventional lecture and supporting tutorial method of delivery, allowing students time to read and reflect from week to week. Other subjects lend themselves more readily to workshop or seminar styles of learning. Our students, therefore, experience a varied learning experience, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, case-studies, projects, workshops and independent learning.

Further details of methods of delivery are provided in the module specifications.

We make extensive use of our Virtual Learning Environment, (VLE). All our modules have a VLE presence. Most modules use the VLE at least as a repository for lecture and supplementary materials. Many modules also integrate online quizzes, discussion boards, and assignment submission. The principal channel for learning remains the interaction between staff and students but students value the secondary channel for learning that our VLE provides.

Students are very strongly encouraged to opt to take a Work Experience placement. We believe in the benefits of the work placement experience: 'One year older, five years more mature'. We expect that only students who have had relevant work experience prior to beginning their studies, who have valid personal reasons for not embarking upon a placement, or who cannot find a suitable placement, will omit the placement year.

We emphasise project-based learning. We believe that projects encourage a student-centred approach to learning, with students increasingly taking responsibility for their own progress.

The 'project' modules also provide a focus for each year of study. They integrate learning across the modules in each stage and provide opportunities for students to develop project skills, including group working. They help to develop the skills and attitudes that are necessary in work-place environments. The Individual Project in the Final Year provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate initiative, independence and self-directed learning over a sustained period.

The project modules will also be the primary focus for formal discussion of 'transferable' skills. It is NOT the case, however, that skills such as literacy, research skills, group skills, etc, are only 'done' in the project modules. We regard our students as 'professionals in training' and seek to inculcate high levels of performance in all our modules.

Consistent with our concept of 'professionals in training', a theme of 'Personal Development Planning' is embedded in our courses. The project modules and Professional Issues module also emphasise the need for a professional approach.

Assessment strategy

The general regulatory assessment framework provided by the University and School applies to these courses.

Assessment must be fair, valid and reliable. On our courses, a sample of all marking is second marked and internally moderated. Additionally, Intermediate and Honours level marking is subject to scrutiny and moderation by our External Examiners

Formative assessment is important in the learning process. Accordingly, we provide the following formative feedback mechanisms:-

• Most of our modules include more than one element of assessment and thus students can usually receive feedback on their performance prior to the final assessment.
• All our modules include workshop and/or tutorial periods during which students and tutors can discuss matters of concern directly.
• Final Year students are encouraged to maintain regular contacts with their Project Tutor and to submit drafts of project chapters in order to obtain formative feedback.
• Many of our modules provide online quizzes, via the VLE, which allow students to self-check their understanding as they progress through the modules.

Summative assessment methods in each module vary in accordance with the nature of the material considered and of the learning outcomes. Methods of assessment can include: reports; analyses; presentations; implementations of code; portfolios of work; in-class tests; peer assessment; and seen and unseen examinations. Details of methods of assessment are provided in the module specifications.