School of Electronics Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Staff/Student Consultative Committee – Computer Science Pathways
Notes of meeting held on Wednesday 23 April 2008 at 1.30pm
Conference Room, 7th Floor Ashby Building
Present:
Staff:
Dr D Stewart (Chair), Professor D Bell, Professor J Ming, Dr P Kilpatrick, Dr P Hanna, Dr P Corr, Professor D Crookes, Mr M McKeag, Dr I Spence, Mr P Crookes, Dr J Zhang, Dr A Ramasubbu, Mr D Gault, Mr T McHale and Ms A Doris.
Students:
Ms E Elliot(L2 CIT), Mr P Sloan(L4 MEng), Mr D Shaw(L4 MEng) Ms A Simmons(L3 CS), Ms D Topping(L3 CS) and Mr A Bolster(L2 ESE).
Minutes: Mrs E Cranston
1. Apologies
Staff: Dr P Middleton and Mr C Williams
Students: Michael Goodall (L1 CS), Danny Wong (L2 BIT) and Emma Watterson (L1 CS)
2. Matters arising from previous meeting
The minutes from the previous meeting held on Wednesday 27 February 2007 were agreed as a true record.
Level 3 (27/02/08)
Dr D Stewart reported that the Estates Department are assessing the possibility of raised seating in 1.15 and 2.15. Dr D Stewart will update on progress. [Dr D Stewart]
Ms Gemma O’Donnell has organised for a tea/coffee machine to be placed in the Bernard Crossland Building. Dr D Stewart will confirm if water is supplied through the new machine. [Dr D Stewart]
All student representatives agreed that there can still be a very high noise level outside the 1st floor laboratory. Mr D Gault confirmed that an e-mail had been sent to all students. He will send another e-mail to students reminding them that high levels of noise will not be tolerated and should be reported to the Technicians. If a student is persistent and not adhering to the e-mail their account will be disabled. [Mr D Gault]
Level 2 (27/02/08)
An e-mail has been sent by Mr D Gault concerning students loitering around the foyer and seating areas at practical times.
The onus is on the person using the vending machine to report the fault by using the contact telephone number on the machine.
Mr D Gault confirmed that the computers in the ground floor lab will be re-ghosted over the summer time to correct the current fault.
3. Discussion of student comments
Level 4
David Shaw made a general comment that apart from the presentation skills the Innovation and Entrepreneurship module is not relevant. He stated that students have concern over the weighting, as it is worth the same as the Research Project. Dr P Hanna answered that he understood their concern but once graduated it would be beneficial. Dr M McKeag commented that the module would be useful for graduates wishing to set up their own companies. Dr P Corr added that it is still important for graduates working within companies, making them aware of threats and opportunities. Dr Ivor Spence recalled the weighting change was initially introduced at the students’ request due to the work involved. It was agreed that the module should remain the same.
Level 3
Anne Simmons reported that students have a problem with viewing forms and being unaware of actions taken by Committee. Dr D Stewart asked the Committee how easy it would be to get a blind e-mail set up. A discussion took place deciding on who would have access, and considering a distribution list for each year. Dr D Stewart will find out more information over the summer. [Dr D Stewart]
E-mails sent by Mulberry Client are not being received. P Crookes confirmed the company no longer exists and Mulberry Client will not be used next year. Students will use the standard web mail facility called Prayer.
Some students do not collect SSCC feedback forms. In future Dr D Stewart will select students who guarantee they will collect forms and attend meetings.
Placement
No issues with regards to placement.
Dr D Stewart, on behalf of Ms A Doris commented that a student asked for the topic to be raised that Bebo is allowed on Computer Science Laboratories, and it is not allowed in other QUB laboratories. No comments were made by the Committee.
Level 2
Ms E Elliott asked if a stronger message could be sent to students that bullying will not be tolerated. General information should be given to students, possibly at induction time, providing them with details of when it happens, to whom it should be reported, and how the process will be managed. Dr P Corr commented that he is aware of the bullying issues, and agreed that through an induction alert students should be made aware of what to do if they feel bullied or harassed. It is difficult to prove, Professor S Scott commented that it is important that students are aware that bullying goes on, and that they should be prepared to support and state that it is occurring. It was pointed out that the University does not have an explicit policy on bullying and harassment. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Chair should write to the Director of Academic Affairs suggesting that the University should develop a policy statement on bullying which could be made available to all students.
[Dr D Stewart]
Students had commented that there have not been enough guest speakers at Professional Practice lectures and are concerned they will not have sufficient information for examinations.
Dr P Corr apologised, explaining that this year the number of speakers withdrawing at the last minute was higher than in previous years. Dr P Corr added that he had apologised to students at the end of each related session. He stated the course would run to the end of semester and that the text book is sufficient for the exam. He will give advice in preparation for the exam.
Air-Conditioning is continuing to be a problem. It has been raised with Estates who correct the fault, but the system breaks down within days/weeks. Dr D Stewart will investigate. [Dr D Stewart]
Mr A Bolster advised that difficulty was being experienced with scrolling on the mouse mats. Mr P Crookes suggested all mouse mats should be removed from the labs. Mr D Gault will arrange. [Mr D Gault]
Currently the Odyssey Client is not Vista-compatible. Dr P Crookes will contact Information Services as they should be able to make it Vista-compatible. [Dr P Crookes]
Level 1
No Student representative present.
Professor D Crookes thanked representatives who gave feedback and mentioned that comments had been taken on board.
A general discussion took place about the timing of the surveys. Dr D Stewart commented that they had taken place later this year due to the Easter break. The surveys can be too close together. It was suggested that the first survey should be made later and then the second survey should only take place if the comments are not carried out from the first. Dr D Stewart will look at this over the summer time. [Dr D Stewart]
Level 0
No Student representative present.
4. Results of Pathway Review
Dr P Hanna explained that after the Module Reviews, the results are provided for inclusion in the Pathway Review and the results presented to the Committee. Dr P Hanna explained that a new module, Agile and Component Based Development will be offered initially on all pathways apart from BIT, providing students with knowledge and practical experience of modern software development techniques. From next year all MEng Computer Science students taking MEE205 will take CSC205. Dr P Hanna mentioned that last year students raised general concern about the Java content in CSC208. He confirmed that from the Pathway Review it was agreed that the module was successful and Java content was sufficient. Dr P Hanna also confirmed that next year a revision class will be available for students in level one, or those who have not passed Programming Challenges. It will also be available for those entering directly at level two.
The Committee agreed with the changes and if the students have any thoughts they should contact Dr P Hanna.
5. Games Club Update
An e-mail from Dr P Middleton confirmed that one Games Club event had taken place and another is arranged for 7 May 2008. Students should register and pay a fee of £3 to Brian Fleming.
6. Social Club
Peter Middleton asked in his email for volunteers for social events. He plans to meet with other Schools for ideas eg. Law Society and create a calendar of events within the School. It was agreed that total engagement is required from students, and should start in the first year Induction and continue throughout each year.
Skype was mentioned in the e-mail as a suggestion for student use. Dr P Corr confirmed that this could not be considered as it would be difficult to control in a working environment.
7. Recycling and Electricity Usage
From Peter Middleton’s e-mail, the question was asked, if students would use re-cycling bins based in Bernard Crossland Building. No objections were made to the idea of recycling.
If the service to Students was unaffected they would not have any objections to reducing electricity use within the labs. A suggestion was made for placing a movement mechanism for lighting within a room. Again, no objections were raised from the Committee.
8. Any other Business
Staff
Dr P Corr made students aware that the BCS Accreditation on all pathways apart from BIT will take place next semester, with preparation of documentation taking place in the summer. He added as part of the Accreditation they will want to talk to students and view coursework.
Dr P Corr also informed students that the National Student Survey is scheduled to finish at the end of April. He stated the importance of this Survey from a league table perspective, for people attending the University, and as a reflection of what the courses entail. He will send a reminder e-mail to all final year students asking for those who have not completed the on-line survey to complete a return.
Dr D Stewart wished the students all the best for the coming year. He thanked staff and students for their work and co-operation throughout the year.
6. Date of Next Meeting
To be confirmed.