Northumbria University BSc (Hons) Applied Computing Student Handbook 2015-16, Summaries of Benchmarking

Download Northumbria University BSc (Hons) Applied Computing Student Handbook 2015-16 and more Summaries Benchmarking in PDF only on Docsity! northumbria UNIVERSITY NEWCASTLE London BSc (Hons) Applied Computing Student Handbook 2015-16  A Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering and Environment at Northumbria University Welcome to Northumbria University and the Faculty of Engineering and Environment. Northumbria University is based in City of Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. The University has excellent links with further and higher education, industry and commerce throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Renowned for the excellence of its teaching, as well as for preparing students for the world of work, Northumbria also provides research opportunities for professional reflective practice. Northumbria is the largest university in the North East, with 33,000 students from over 125 countries. In addition, our programmes are delivered via a number of collaborative partnerships across the world enabling international students to study for a Northumbria award while remaining in their home country. In the Faculty of Engineering and Environment our aim is to provide you with a high-quality education, great experience and excellent career opportunities. Our courses enable you to follow your subject interests and provide a clear professional emphasis. Our aspiration is that when you graduate you can establish a successful and rewarding career of your choice wherever you wish to around the world. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals through your time with us. This is a vibrant Faculty with so much interesting and innovative work taking place and with great relevance to society and the economy. We equip students with the skills, critical thinking and knowledge needed to change the world. We aim for excellence in research, teaching and enterprise. We aspire to be amongst the best in all that we do. For those who want to better understand the modern world, we have high quality courses that provide an advantage in the employment market. Our students live life to the full and earn respected degrees to gain a bright future. We are proud of what they achieve. For those who want to work with us, we are always open for collaboration and business. Our research seeks to be relevant, to address the grand challenges of this century – sustainable and renewable energy and environments, the security and safety of individuals and organisations, and the transmission and integrity of data, to name just a few of our areas of expertise. Enjoy your time with us as a Northumbria University student and on behalf of all our staff I would like to wish you success in your studies and future careers. Contents 1 Introduction 2 Programme Schedule 3 Your Learning Goals 4 Meet Your Programme Team 5 Your Postgraduate Degree Programme 6 Student Welfare 7. Your Responsibilities 8 Your Degree Award 9 Your Workload 10 Approval for Late Submissions 11 Ethics and Governance 12 Programme Management Support - Frequently Asked Questions 13 Glossary of Common Terms and Phrases 1. Introduction This Handbook This handbook is designed to provide a guide to your programme of study at QAHE and Northumbria University. Specifically it details the programme aims, structure and supporting staff and also provides an overview of what you can expect from us and what we can expect from you. This programme will provide one year of full-time level 6 study in computing, for students to gain a 'completion' BSc (Hons) award. Students will typically enter this programme with approved advanced standing from Higher National awards, Foundation Degrees (or equivalent) in the UK or overseas. Students on this programme will take a 20 point Case Project. In support of the project, these students will take 20 points of Project Management and Professional Development issues, 20 points of Object Oriented Modelling and Design, 20 points of Object Oriented and Web Programming, 20 points of Social Issues in Computing and 20 points of Mobile Application Development. The programme will aim to extend – both broaden and deepen – students’ existing computing knowledge and skills with an emphasis on applying this knowledge and these skills to practical applied computing problem domains. Additionally, it will develop students' critical abilities and general problem solving skills and lay a foundation for continuing education and self-improvement. Students graduating from this programme should be able to: • Plan, manage and undertake a substantial piece of project work. • Work professionally as a computing practitioner. • Successfully exploit a range of methods and tools in developing workable solutions to complex information system problems. • Explore social and current issues in the computing field • Critically appraise the suitability of current and emerging computing technologies to support a variety of domains. • Develop transferable/key skills: o Communicate effectively (in writing and orally) at the appropriate business and technical level with users, management, customers and technical specialists. Work individually and in teams, exercising initiative and personal responsibility, managing their time and learning experience 2. Programme Schedule 2015/16 Academic Calendar Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Induction 21/9 18/1 23/5 Teaching 28/9 – 14/12 25/1 – 14/3 4/4 – 25/4 30/5 – 15/8 Assessment 4/1 – 11/1 2/5 – 16/5 22/8 – 29/8 All students on this programme will be required to take a 20 credit Case Project, which includes elements of both individual and group work. In support of the project, all students will take 3 core modules, 20 credits of Project Management and Professional Issues, 20 credits of Object Oriented Modelling and Design and 20 credits of Object Oriented and Web Programming. Additionally, they will take 20 credits of Social Issues in Computing, which will prepare students for adopting an academic approach to their study and explore Professional, Ethical, Legal and Social issues. The remaining 20 credits will be an option, chosen from existing modules elsewhere in the School, to match each student's aspirations and prior skills, knowledge and experience. Students will be permitted to start assessment work after enrolment and induction and once they have received the appropriate academic guidance. You will be expected to complete the programme from within a 12 month period. Full Time Level 6, Academic Year – September Start S1 LD0647 Project Management and Professional Development (20 credits) LD0668 Social Issues in Computing (20 credits) LD0667 Object Oriented and Web Programming (20 credits) LD0615 Object Oriented Modelling and Design (20 credits) S2 LD0656 Case Project (20 credits) LD0574 Mobile Application Development (20 credits) 3. Your Learning Goals Knowledge and Understanding On completing the programme we want you to know and understand: A1: The commercial need for computing applications, their nature and evolution. A2: Core software technologies, development tools and languages. A3: Technical, professional, security and business issues surrounding the development, operation and maintenance of computing systems. A4: Techniques and tools for the specification of requirements, analysis, design and implementation of computing systems, thereby adopting a software engineering approach. A5: Hardware platforms, network architectures, technologies and standards, used in and to support computing systems. A6: Techniques, tools and issues involved in management of systems, including those impacting upon system security. A7: Supporting and current techniques and technologies. A8: The professional, ethical, social and legal issues involved in the development and operation of computing systems. A9: Techniques for the application of mathematical principles to the computing domain. Recognising that people often need some help in “learning how to learn”, the course does not throw you in the deep end and leave you to sink or swim! In the early stages, there will be some emphasis on establishing a common foundation of knowledge, partly through lectures and presentations delivered by the course team, partly by structured activities and reading. As the course proceeds, there is an increasing emphasis on developing students’ abilities as independent learners. The learning that you will undertake on the course will comprise at least three key elements: • Your contact with the university staff in taught sessions • The work you undertake on your own • The assessment associated with the module. Learning Materials Core learning materials for this programme can be found on our e-learning portal, commonly known as Blackboard. For each module there will be a ‘Blackboard Site’. This site will contain the following: • a clear statement of the learning objectives of the module • a teaching plan detailing the content to be covered • module presentations and supplementary reading. • recommended reading • the assessment instructions, hand in date and marking criteria. Working on your Own Work that you carry out will fall into two categories – ‘directed’ and ‘independent’ learning. Directed learning will occur where you are guided to certain readings or activities by individual lecturers. This will typically involve background reading and/or research carried out in the workplace. In all cases demands for directed learning will be made cognisant of the demands and pressures from other areas of your lives. It should be noted, however, that this is a key part of the learning process and that there is an onus on you to carry out the work in order to both fully contribute to the programme. In addition to this form of directed learning, guidance will also be given in relation to activities that can be usefully undertaken to help with the completion of assignments. Independent learning, as the name implies, encompasses activities that you manage yourself to enhance your own understanding of the subject. At the very least this should entail keeping up to date with what is being discussed within the sessions and reflecting on how this relates to your own personal and/or work situation. Extending this could involve identifying gaps in your understanding leading to further reading or discussions with ‘functional experts’ at work. Again, independent learning is an important aspect of the entire process as more than anything it is this element which will ‘customise’ the knowledge to suit your own particular needs. Regulations and guidance Northumbria provides guidance and frameworks to support you though all aspects of assessment. This material is available on Northumbria’s web site. For information on Assessment Regulations, Extenuating Circumstances and Academic Misconduct: http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/ar/qualitysupport/assess/assproc/assdocstud/ 5. Meet Your Programme Team Programme Leader The Programme Leader is the manager of the programme. The Programme Leader will provide you with details about the programme and will answer any general programme- related questions you have. Your Programme Leader is responsible for telling you about the university’s assessment policies and procedures so that you know what the ground rules are. The Programme Leader is committed to helping you get the most out of the programme and, where appropriate, will liaise with your other tutors to make sure that they are aware of your needs and of how you are progressing generally. Your Programme Leader is Clifford Brown Email: [email protected] Programme Director A Programme Director is a strategic manager of a group of programmes offered within the Faculty. Programme Directors provide strategic direction to the development, design and curriculum content of programmes and support Programme Leaders and Tutors to ensure the effective day-to-day operation of their programmes. Your Programme Director is Phil Anderson Email: [email protected] Programme Administrator The Programme Administrator holds all key information regarding the programme and its students. This is the person who manages such processes as enrolment, day to day correspondence, confirmation of attendance letters, marks entry etc; they should be your initial point of contact for all general queries including timetabling queries. Your Programme Administrator is Walieur Rahman Email: [email protected] Module Tutors For each module or unit of study, you will have a designated Module Tutor. The Module Tutor is responsible for supporting your learning and assessment. Although the Module Tutor will usually teach some classes, the primary role of the tutor is not to be a teacher. The Module Tutor’s primary role is to guide you in your general learning in the subject area. In addition to the Module Tutor, you may also have other lecturers or Seminar Tutors who will take part in the delivery of that module. All tutors will play a part in providing you with an overview of the module, guide you in your studies and assessment, discuss and share ideas with you and the group, recommend learning resources, and provide feedback on your assessment. It is important to realise that studying at university may be very different from your previous educational experience. You shouldn’t expect to be taught, learning is by individual effort, and not merely by passive action. Module Contact Details LD0647 Project Management and Professional Development Shelagh Keogh [email protected] LD0668 Social Issues in Computing Jill Bradnum [email protected] LD0667 Object Oriented and Web Programming Alan Maughan [email protected] LD0615 Object Oriented Modelling and Design Dr Julie Horton [email protected] LD0656 Case Project Jill Bradnum [email protected] LD0574 Mobile Application Development Li Zhang [email protected] • This is particularly important in the case of seminars and group work where other learners depend upon your input. Dispose Of Your Litter Properly • For the benefit of all users, please ensure that you leave all learning spaces tidy and litter free. • Respect the need to keep library study areas fit for use and do not bring hot food into the libraries. Use of Electronic Devices In Taught Sessions • Always seek permission in advance to use electronic devices in taught sessions. Additional Guidance There may be additional guidance, related to health, safety and professional issues in connection with library, open access and IT spaces, which should be taken into account in relation to acceptable behaviour. Please check your Programme or School Handbook for relevant information, and see below for a link to regulations related to the use of Library and computing facilities. http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/library /about/membership/ Attendance As a student, Northumbria University expects that you will attend all timetabled sessions and tutorials. If you are unable to attend at any point would request you inform the Programme Administrator. When you begin your studies, you will see that attendances at timetabled sessions are monitored carefully by the University. Registers are taken for various reasons, in part to ensure that all students have equal access to both their learning materials and to their Tutors. These attendance records will be available for the end of year Examination Boards where your attendance record may be taken into consideration. Submission of Work and Receipt of Results It is your responsibility to submit work on time so always confirm when work needs to be submitted. Work is submitted electronically via the e- learning portal. You should always maintain an electronic copy of your work. It is strongly recommended that you back up all of your work to your U: drive. Wherever possible you will receive feedback on your work 20 working days following submission. Your final degree results will be posted to you. Marks are unconfirmed until they have been considered and agreed by a Module Examination Board. The rules of the University strongly discourage staff accepting gifts. While it is very kind of students to offer gifts as a sign of appreciation, please don't put staff in an awkward position. 7. Your Degree Award Programme Awards Standard Assessment Criteria The pass mark for Undergraduate Level 6 modules is 40%. Award Classifications Classification is determined as follows: Assessment Regulations for Northumbria Awards (ARNA) All students are provided with the ARNA web reference during enrolment (see below for link). All matters relating to progression and awards are contained within ARNA and you should familiarise yourself with these regulations, they are the definitive rules; the handbook information is a guide. You will be assessed under full time regulations. http://northumbria.ac.uk/studentaz/survival/assessment/ External Examiner Details All modules have an external examiner allocated who has relevant subject and academic experience. The external examiner receives the draft assignment or exam paper to moderate and approve before the assessment is taken by students. They also receive a sample of student work to moderate after students have taken the assessment, but in advance of the Module Examination Board. External examiners are an important part of the quality assurance process, and are drawn from a variety of Universities across the country. Details of the external examiners for your modules are provided for your information on the module sites on the e-Learning Portal. Handbook of Student Regulations A copy of this is available on line at: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/vc/leservteam/stud_reg_handbk/taught/ This covers issues such as ethics, disciplinary rules, credit control and grounds and procedures for student appeals. 8. Your Workload Your degree programme is made up of a number of modules. Each module has a specific number of credits attached. The entire BSc award is 120 credits. Credits identify the total number of hours you are expected to apply to the module. Each credit represents 10 hours of learning and throughout the degree your time will be mad e up of the following activities: a) Contact Hours: these are the lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials shown on your timetable for each module. b) Directed/ Independent study: this is the time you will spend preparing for seminars, writing up your seminar and lecture notes, reading the recommended texts and articles, meeting with fellow students on group work and carrying out your own research. First class honours Average mark of 70% or above Second class honours, upper division Average mark of at least 60% but less than 70% Second class honours, lower division Average mark of at least 50% but less than 60% Third class honours Average mark of at least 40% but less than 50% c) Assessment: this is the time you will be required to devote to complete the module assessment, which may include examinations, assignments, portfolio, presentations and group reports. It is our objective to develop you as an independent learner and from the start of your university career you must appreciate the importance of the work you do outside of the lecture or seminar room. Tutors will expect that you will have carried out the directed reading identified each week and that you have completed any preparation identified for seminars and workshops. Increasingly, as you move through the different years of the degree, there will be an expectation that you are carrying out your own research using the University’s considerable learning resources in Computer Science 12. Programme Management Support - Frequently Asked Questions My problem is… … A serious personal problem which is affecting my ability to study. You need to speak with your Programme Administrator who can give you advice as to how best the University can support you. Your Programme Administrator can provide you with information regarding which University Service (accommodation, student finance, etc.) is best for you to talk to. In addition, depending on the circumstances, they might also recommend that you submit a Personal Extenuating Circumstance Claim due to your problems, and they will be able to advise you of the evidence you may need of this and how to fill out the form. … I need an extension for an assignment. You need to speak with your Programme Administrator, only they can give extensions. They will normally ask for a good reason for the extension. Your Programme Administrator can only give extensions of up to two weeks. Any extensions beyond this period have to be claimed through the Personal Extenuating Circumstance system where you would be asked to provide documentary evidence regarding why you needed the extension. … I have a problem with a module I’m studying. You need to speak with the module tutor. Arranging an appointment via email is often the best way to contact tutors. In all instances at QAEM, if you have an issue with a module or the teaching on a module, you need to speak to the academic member of staff concerned first. If you are unable to resolve your issue with the module tutor, only then should you involve your Course Rep who would raise this further on Programme Committee Meeting or involve your Programme Leader. … I don’t know who to ask about my problem. You need to speak with your Programme Administrator who can give you advice as to how best the University can support you. Usually your Programme Administrator can advise you of the best person to speak to. 13. Glossary of Common Terms and Phrases BSC BSC (Hons) Applied Computing This is an example of your programme. ARNA Assessment Regulations for Northumbria Awards These are the assessment procedures and regulations that will govern your study. Blackboard E-Learning portal All modules are supported by Blackboard (Bb). An integral part of your module study. Level MA MSc MBA Master of Arts
 Master of Science
 Master of Business Administration Module An individual unit of study with its own module code (see below), curriculum, learning outcomes, teaching and learning methods and assessment. Each module will count 10, 20 or 60 credits (dissertation only) towards the 180 points required for a Masters degree. Modules will denote the subject area and module number (eg. HR0892) PD Programme Director The programme director is responsible for the strategic development of a suite of programmes, of which your programme is one part. PL Programme Leader The programme leader is responsible for the day to day running of your programme. Semester The academic year is split into two semesters consisting of both teaching and assessment weeks. Teaching & Learning Plan (TLP) Contains detailed information about a module’s aims, objectives, syllabus, learning outcomes, assessment, reading, teaching plan & delivery pattern. Will be provided in each module’s ‘Study Guide’ and/or on Blackboard. And Finally… Best of luck, we are confident you have made the very best choice, enjoy your work, enjoy the course and enjoy the opportunities BSc (Hons) Applied Computing will bring. Northumbria Students’ Union (NSU) is here to make sure you have the best experience possible. NSU is one of the largest and most exciting Unions in the country and that’s all because of YOU. We represent you, the student, on all levels, on the issues students are concerned about; receiving a great academic experience, being very employable when you graduate, being safe on campus and in the city and having a fantastic time while a student. NSU is run by students for students. You can have your say in what NSU does and how it is run, by contacting your Sabbatical Officers or by coming along to Student Council MEMBERSHIP: As a student of Northumbria University you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union. We also sell NUS Extra Card from the Students’ Union at both Coach Lane and City Campus giving you discounts in shops and online, but you don’t need one to use any of our services. DIVERSE: Your Students' Union is a place which brings together students from all walks of life, all parts of the country and the world and many different cultures. NSU provides lots of opportunities for you to Get Involved, make lasting friendships, increase employability and have FUN! INDEPENDENT: NSU is independent of the University, with its own staff, services and decision-making structure. Run by students for students, providing the best services and opportunities for students we push for change from the University to deliver for students. Find our more at our You Said, SU Did page. If you need advice about academic appeals or other issues, we can help. Check out the Advice Page. VALUE: Your NSU offers the best value for money, and everything you spend goes straight back into the Students’ Union to fund all the activities that we run for you. If you would like more information check out the website www.mynsu.co.uk or come and see us at our offices in City, Coach Lane and London.