ACADEMIC COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT 2007/2008
March 2009
Table of Contents
1. / Membership and Attendance of Academic Council / 3
2. / Meetings / 5
3. / Business Transacted – Committees of Academic Council / 5
3.1 / Academic Quality Assurance Committee / 5
3.1.1 / Appointment of Course Validation/Review Panels / 5
3.1.2 / Reports from Validation/Review Panels / 6
3.1.3 / Faculty Review Report – Faculty of Tourism & Food / 6
3.1.4 / Approval of Awards / 6
3.1.5 / Off Campus module for Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching / 7
3.1.6 / Short Course Approvals Noted / 7
3.1.7 / Public Access to Programme Documents and Student Handbooks / 9
3.1.8 / Three-year Honours Degrees / 9
3.1.9 / Proposal for Preliminary Progression & Awards Board / 9
3.1.10 / Progress Report in relation to addressing the recommendations arising from the European University Association’s review of the effectiveness of the Institute’s quality assurance procedures / 10
3.2 / Postgraduate Studies and Research Committee / 10
3.2.1 / Ratification of decisions / 10
3.2.2 / Annual Report / 10
3.3 / Learning and Teaching Strategy Committee / 10
3.3.1 / Proposal in relation to Chairperson of Committee / 10
3.4 / Library Committee / 11
3.4.1 / Annual report / 11
3.5 / Recruitment and admissions Committee
3.5.1 / Review of entry requirements in respect of the FETAC Links Scheme, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Link Modules, and LC Foundation Level Mathematics / 11
3.5.2 / Minimum entry requirements review / 11
3.5.3 / Garda Vetting Procedures / 11
3.6 / Apprentice Education Committee / 11
3.6.1 / Possibility of DIT award to students on successful completion of phase 6 apprenticeship / 11
3.6.2 / Nominations of representative to Institutes of Technology Apprenticeship Committee (ITAC) / 11
3.6.3 / Academic Calendar for Apprentice Programmes / 12
4. / Examination Results / 12
5. / Student Academic Excellence Awards 2006/07 / 12
6. / External Examiners / 13
7. / Proposed appeal arrangements for students arising from Panels of Enquiry under General Assessment Regulations / 13
8. / Correspondence from the HEA in relation to Workforce Upskilling - Request for Expression of Interest / 14
9. / Partnership/Co-operation Agreements / 14
10. / Report of the Modularisation Working / 14
11. / Appeals Panel Annual Report 2006/2007 / 16
12. / Proposed Joint Degree Award (DIT/University of Dublin) in BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics / 16
13. / Reports adopted by Council / 16
13.1 / Regulations for Postgraduate Study by Research (Edition 4) / 16
13.2 / Proposed policies and procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / 16
13.3 / Revised Student Disciplinary Procedures / 16
14. / Green Paper on Organisation Structures / 17
17
1. Membership and Attendance of Academic Council (Attendance in brackets)
Professor B. Norton (Chairperson) (4)Dr N. Abu-Ghannam / (4) / Dr J. M. Golden / (4) / Mr P. Murray / (4)
Ms C. Albertini / (1) / Ms B. Grant / (5) / Dr A. Ó Cearbhaill / (2)
Dr T. Barrett / (1) / Mr W. Grimson / (4) / Mr J. O’Connor / (1)
Mr S. Basini / (4) / Ms P. Hanlon / (2) / Dr N. O’Connor / (1)
Dr F. Boyle / (0) / Mr M. Hanratty / (2) / Mr H. O’Donnell / (2)
Dr E. Brennan / (4) / Dr J. Harvey / (4) / Mr A. O’Gorman / (5)
Mr A. Brown / (3 / Dr N. Hayes / (1) / Dr D. O’Mahony / (1)
Mr P. Bourke / (5) / Dr G. Henehan / (2) / Dr B. O’Neill / (1)
Ms B. Burns / (4) / Mr J. Horan / (0) / Prof B. O’Shea / (1)
Dr R. Burns / (3) / Mr J. Jameson / (3) / Mr E. O’Shea / (2)
Mr R. Byrne / (2) / Dr S. Jerrams / (0) / Mr P. O’Sullivan / (5)
Mr A. Cafolla / (0) / Mr M. Keaveney / (1) / Dr M. Proctor / (1)
Mr B. Carolan / (2) / Mr J. Lawlor / (4) / Dr M. Rebow / (0)
Dr P. Cohen / (4) / Dr K. Lawlor / (4) / Prof. J. Ratcliffe / (3)
Dr M. Conlon / (4) / Mr R. Lawlor / (1) / Ms. B. A. Ryan / (4)
Dr A. Conway / (2) / Mr D. Mag Cuill / (2) /
Dr F. Ryan
/ (0)Ms H. Conway / (5) / Mr E. Maguire / (0) / Ms M. Scally / (5)
Dr E. Coyle / (4) / Ms M. Maguire / (5) / Dr A. Schwarzbacher / (0)
Mr F. Cullen / (0) / Dr A. Martin / (1) / Mr L. Scott / (3)
Dr S. Daly / (0) / Dr D. McCormack / (4) / Ms P. Sharkey-Scott / (1)
Mr C. Delaney / (4) / Dr C. McDonnell / (3) / Mr R. Sherlock / (5)
Prof M. Devereux / (0) / Dr J. McGovern / (4) / Mr R. Simpson / (5)
Mr A. Doyle / (4) / Dr F. McMahon / (4) / Dr L. Sirr / (5)
Dr T. Duff / (4) / Mr B. McNally / (0) / Mr C. Smith / (0)
Mr T. Dunne / (5) / Dr M. McNamara / (3) / Dr N. Timoney / (3)
Mr M. Dunne / (5) / Dr D. Mooney / (3) / Dr V. Toal / (5)
Dr G. Farrell / (3) / Dr J. Mulcahy / (0) / Mr J. Turner / (4)
Dr B. Foley / (3) / Dr M. Mulvey / (5) / Ms K. UíGhallachoir / (3)
Mr M. Fewer / (0) / Dr M. Murphy / (2) / Mr H. Van der Kamp / (2)
Mr A. Finn / (3) / Mr M. Murphy / (4) / Dr K. Younger / (2)
Dr S. Flanagan / (0) / Mr S. Murran / (3) / Ms M. Whelan / (4)
Mr A. Gibson / (0)
2. Meetings
(a) The Academic Council met on 5 occasions during the year:
10 October 2007
7 November 2007
13 February 2008
7 May 2008
25 June 2008
3. Business Transacted – Committees of Academic Council
3.1 Academic Quality Assurance Committee
3.1.1 Appointment of Course Validation/ Review Panels
During the year 22 validation/review panels were established.
At the February meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:
Ø School Review – Dublin School of Architecture
Ø HCert in Property Studies
Ø BTech in Laboratory Engineering
Ø PgDip in Fashion Buying and Management
At the May meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:
Ø BA (Hons) Drama
Ø BA Journalism with a Language
Ø Conservatory of Music and Drama – School Review
Ø Bachelor of Law (LLB) Honours
Ø MSc in Finance
Ø Higher Certificate in Retail Management and Marketing
Ø Higher Certificate in Design Studies
Ø BArch/MArch Architecture
Ø Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Automotive Management and Technology
Ø DT480 Food Technology/Pharmaceutical Technology
Ø Higher Certificate in Food Science and Management/BSc (Hons) in Food Innovations
Ø DT481 Food Technology
Ø BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Ø School of Hospitality Management and Tourism – School Review
Ø School of Spatial Planning – School Review
At the June meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:
Ø ME in Mechanical Engineering
Ø ME in Pharmaceutical Process Control and Automation
Ø BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics (DIT-TCD Joint award)
3.1.2 Reports from Validation/Review Panels
At its October meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:
Ø Postgraduate Diploma in International Business Development
Ø Higher Certificate in Electrical Services Engineering (p/t)
At its November meeting a report in respect of the following programme validation was formally adopted:
Ø BSc (Hons) in Electrical Services and Energy Management
At its February meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:
Ø BE (Hons) in Building Services Engineering
Ø Bachelor of Architectur
Ø PgDip in Fashion Buying & Management
At its May meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:
Ø Higher Certificate in Property Studies (DIT/IAVI)
Ø Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Business Information Systems
At its June meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:
Ø MSc in Finance
Ø Higher Certificate in Retail Management and Marketing
Ø BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (joint award with University of Dublin)
Ø Higher Certificate in Food Science and Management
Ø BA (Hons) in Journalism/ BA Journalism with a Language
Ø LLB
Ø MA in Professional Design Practice/ Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Design Practice
Ø Bachelor of Technology in Engineering Laboratory Technology
Ø Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Drama (Performance)
Ø Dublin School of Architecture
Ø School of Hospitality Management and Tourism
Ø School of Spatial Planning
3.1.3 Faculty Review Report of the Faculty of Tourism and Food
At the June meeting Council adopted the Faculty Review Report in respect of the Faculty of Tourism and Food and noted the draft Faculty response to the review.
3.1.4 Approval of awards
(i) Postgraduate Diploma in Technology & Innovation Management
Council approved the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Technology & Innovation Management. It was noted that the Panel’s report in respect of the Master of Science in Technology & Innovation Management, which was adopted by the Academic Quality Assurance Committee and by Council in June 2006, included a recommendation that a Postgraduate Diploma be provided as an exit award and that this recommendation was recently endorsed by the School of Management and the Faculty of Business.
(ii) Postgraduate Diploma in Applied E-Learning
Council approved the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Applied E-Learning. It was noted that the Panel’s report in respect of the Master of Science in Applied E-Learning, which was adopted by the Academic Quality Assurance Committee in March 2007 and by Council in May 2007, included a recommendation that a Postgraduate Diploma be provided as an exit award and that this recommendation was recently endorsed by the Directorate of Academic Affairs.
3.1.5 Off-Campus Model for PG Certificate in Learning & Teaching
The proposal that the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching be delivered off-campus in Athlone IT and Carlow IT was adopted. The programme will be delivered and assessed by DIT staff in accordance with the approved programme document.
3.1.6 Short Course Approvals Noted
Council noted the approval of the following short courses:
Faculty of Applied Arts:
Advocacy Practice Training for Information Providers (10 ECTS Credits)
Facilitation of a Friendship Relationships, and Sexuality Educational Programme for men and women with an Intellectual Disability (10 ECTS Credits)
Multi-element Behavioural Support: Competence, Application and Review (10 ECTS Credits)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Higher Education (HE): policies, procedures, practices and pedagogies (5 ECTS Credits)
Work-based Learning and its Relevance for Higher Education (5 ECTS Credits)
Faculty of Business
Retail Management for the Irish Co-operative (5 ECTS credits)
Diploma in Asian Business Skills Fundamentals (25 ECTS credits)
Diploma in International Selling and Marketing (40 ECTS credits)
Faculty of Engineering
Engineering Maintenance (3 ECTS credits)
Instrumentation in the Process Industry (3 ECTS credits)
Faculty of Science
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making 1 (10 ECTS credits at level 7)
Statistical Analysis for Decision Making 2 (10 ECTS credits at level 7)
Workplace Noise Risk Assessment (3 ECTS credits)
Programming and Algorithms (15 ECTS Credits)
Introduction to Computer Technology (15 ECTS Credits)
Introduction to Computing Fundamentals (15 ECTS Credits)
Information Systems in Organisations (10 ECTS Credits)
Information Storage and Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Object Oriented Programming (10 ECTS Credits)
Database Systems (10 ECTS Credits)
Computer Communications (5 ECTS Credits)
Computing Fundamentals (5 ECTS Credits)
Information Systems Project Management (10 ECTS Credits)
Computer Technology (10 ECTS Credits)
Software Engineering (Introduction) (5 ECTS Credits)
Network Fundamentals (5 ECTS Credits)
Information Systems Research Practice (5 ECTS Credits)
Professional and Legal Issues in IS/IT (10 ECTS Credits)
Software Engineering (Intermediate) (10 ECTS Credits)
Internet Development (5 ECTS Credits)
Advanced Networks (10 ECTS Credits)
Advanced Database Systems (10 ECTS Credits)
Computer Systems Architecture and Administration (5 ECTS Credits)
Business Perspectives on Technology (5 ECTS Credits)
Distributed Systems (10 ECTS Credits)
Software Engineering (Advanced) (10 ECTS Credits)
Computing Infrastructures (10 ECTS Credits)
Graphics (5 ECTS Credits)
Artificial Intelligence (5 ECTS Credits)
Assistive Technology (5 ECTS Credits)
Geographic Information Systems (5 ECTS Credits)
Spatial Databases (5 ECTS Credits)
Advanced Internet Development (5 ECTS Credits)
Games Programming (5 ECTS Credits)
Compilers and Language Design (5 ECTS Credits)
Strategic Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Business Systems Intelligence (5 ECTS Credits)
Music Technology (5 ECTS Credits)
Software Quality Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Security and Cryptography (5 ECTS Credits)
Foundations of Knowledge Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (5 ECTS Credits)
Knowledge Systems Analysis and Design (5 ECTS Credits)
Advanced Database Applications for Knowledge Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Enterprise Systems and Architectures (5 ECTS Credits)
Problem Solving Communication and Innovation (5 ECTS Credits)
Knowledge Based Project Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Business Systems Intelligence (5 ECTS Credits)
Geographical Information Systems (5 ECTS Credits)
Machine Learning (5 ECTS Credits)
Security (5 ECTS Credits)
Legal Issues in Knowledge Management (5 ECTS Credits)
Internet Systems (5 ECTS Credits)
Strategic Issues in IT (5 ECTS Credits)
Systems Design and Methodologies (5 ECTS Credits)
Programming and Patterns (5 ECTS Credits)
Project and Change Management (5 ECTS Credits)
3.1.7 Public Access to Programme Documents and Student Handbooks
It was agreed that the part A of programme documents are confidential, should have restricted access and should not be in the repository of documents on the web. However, with regard to the curriculum and syllabi there should be public access via the Institute’s web site.
It was agreed that the construction of the document will be examined in order to eliminate unnecessary overlap between handbooks and programme documents.