07 November 2018 Minutes

Meeting minutes of the second Board of Studies meeting for 2018/19 held at 2pm on Wednesday, 7th November 2018 in Informatics Forum, Room 2.33.

Present - Stuart Anderson, Alan Smaill, Sharon Goldwater, Michael Gutmann, David Laurenson, Pavlos Andreadis, Mary Cryan, Boris Grot, Vicky Mactaggart.

Convenor gave apologies from: James Kirby, Guido Sanguinetti, Alexandra Welsh.

Draft Minutes of Previous Meeting – 3rd October 2018: the minutes were reviewed by the Committee members and the following actions were noted as ongoing;

  • Item 1: Guido to contact Stuart to finalise costings spreadsheet for CDT in Biomedical AI and submit to ISS/College ASAP.
  • Item 4:  Alex Lascarides is still to report back from IGS regarding potential writing courses.
  • Item 10a: Nigel to provide ISS with full course proposal for CD+CAR merger.
  • Item 10b: BoS full course proposal form updates – discussions ongoing regarding format (SG, SoA, ISS). Vicky noted it may be replaced by Service Excellence EUCLID updates in the future.
  • Item 11: MSc DPT changes – discussions ongoing (SG).
  • Item 12: Stuart to speak to Nigel to discuss best route;

UPDATE: Agreed to create a Semester 2 instance for Business School students only for 2019/20 entry. Enrolment will be managed by reducing the quota to zero until sign-ups are known.

  • Item 13: Stuart advised that Arno had confirmed that despite plans to flip the DME course, there are no plans to turn it into a distance learning course. No BoS action required.

 

Item 1) New Course Proposal – Introduction to Computer Systems (INF2C-CS) (20 credits) – Boris Grot

Boris explained the rationale behind changing the current 10 credit INF2C-CS into a 20 credit, advising the BoS that it is a very intense course that feeds into all of the systems related curriculum, covers a wealth of material, and has particularly applied coursework. Mary queried the need to increase to 20 credits whilst only making minor improvements and no additions to the workload, however Alan advised that the current assessment load is twice that of a standard 10 credit course.

OUTCOME: New course proposal provisionally approved.

ACTION: Boris to submit full course proposal using the new webmark form and contact Vicky to finalise the entry and provide feedback.

ACTION: Boris to bring full course proposal to next BoS.

UPDATE 30/11/18: Still to receive full course proposal.

 

SG commented that in isolation, this change doesn’t make sense as it doesn’t fit into the current Year 2 credit structure, however it will fit into the much larger curriculum review and restructure of year 2 courses, which are aiming to be completed by 2020. In order to accommodate these changes in the interim year, the proposal is to remove INF2A and reduce INF2B to 10 credits, keeping the ‘learning’ component and moving the ‘algorithms’ component to a larger new INF2B, which will also incorporate the previous INF2A content.

David expressed concerns about these changes in relation to the Engineering owned joint degree in ‘Electronics and Computer Science (BEng Hons)’, as these students don’t take INF2A, but do take INF2B, INF2C-CS and INF2C-SE. The change to CS is welcome as their students find the course incredibly challenging, but he would like to draft up DPTs and ensure that the transition year and future years, also work for students on this degree, before making any decisions.

OUTCOME: The Board agreed to defer any decisions regarding the other Year 2 courses and proposed DPT structures, until a suitable route has been agreed for all affected degrees.

ACTION: Sharon/David to review credit loading and semester workloads and draft up DPTs, and check for any pre-requisite course issues that could affect Years 3 or 4.

UPDATE 30/11/18: ?

 

The proposed course title for the new 20 credit INF2-CS was discussed and the Board agreed to change the 20 credit version to INF2; ‘Informatics 2 – Computer Systems’ to differentiate from the 10 credit version, and to bring in line with the new curriculum review INF1A course; ‘Informatics 1 – Introduction to Computation’.

OUTCOME: Board agreed to consistent abbreviations and course titles for new courses, where possible.

 

Item 2) New CDT Programme in Biomedical Artificial Intelligence - Guido Sanguinetti

2a+b) Stage 2 Programme Forms

The Board reviewed the Stage 2 forms for the MRes and the PhD components of the programme, noting that there were some minor editions required prior to submission to College, including; remove John Longley’s name and keep the QA job title only; complete programme title; complete educational aims (sentence not complete); filling in the blank boxes such as; the section on consultation with student body (could add ‘not applicable, no relevant student body to consult’); the section on placements/work experience (could say there will be opportunities for interdisciplinary group projects); the assessment matrix (page 9).

Stuart suggested that rather than completing the full College costings spreadsheet, the CDT bid UKRI costings could be submitted instead.

OUTCOME: Programme approved subject to minor revisions and provision of costings.

ACTION: Guido to contact Stuart and provide ISS with costings (either UKRI if available, or College spreadsheet), for submission to College.

ACTION: Guido to update forms with proposed revisions and resubmit to ISS for submission to College ASAP.

UPDATE 30/11/18: All updated CDT-BAI paperwork provided, and submitted to College for approval at CCAPB on 10th December 18.

 

2c) Degree Programme Table (MSc by Research – Biomedical AI)

 The Board reviewed the draft DPT and noted that Guido has contacted Maths regarding the possibility of concessions regarding entry requirements and to obtain permission to offer their courses to our students.

Sharon queried the inclusion of Semester 2 courses in the DPT, as the programme proposals suggest that all taught courses are delivered in Semester 1. Michael advised that these were included to allow for flexibility and to plug any gaps in students’ knowledge.  Stuart suggested that the DPT split the optional courses into Semester 1 and Semester 2 options, and add a note to advise that we expect the majority of students to take Semester 1 options, but Semester 2 courses would be allowed to be chosen in certain circumstances, with approval from the Programme Director.

For example, Group A – Semester 1 options: students would be expected to take between 0 and 30 credits, and Group B – Semester 2 options: students would be expected to take between 0 and 20 credits, plus notes as suggested.

OUTCOME: DPT approved pending revisions proposed above.

ACTION: Guido to revise DPT and submit to ISS, for inclusion in College submission for CSPC 29/11/18.

UPDATE 30/11/18: All updated CDT-BAI paperwork provided, and submitted to College for approval at CCAPB on 10th December 18.

 

2d) New Full Course Proposal – Issues in Clinical Data Modelling (ICDM)

Sharon made the following comments; the Learning Outcomes in the course proposal need to be clarified – what are students to demonstrate? Time spent on assignments should be 100 hours for a 100% coursework assessed 10 credit course; the assessment information needs clarified as is too ambiguous; the graduate attributes need increased to the correct SCQF level 11.

OUTCOME: Course approved subject to revisions.

ACTION: Guido to make proposed revisions to course proposal form and resubmit to ISS.

ACTION: Upon receipt of revised proposal, ISS to create course on EUCLID.

UPDATE 30/11/18: ISS to create course on EUCLID once receive College approval of programme at CCAPB meeting 10th December 18.

 

2e) New Full Course Proposal – Individual Research Project (Biomedical AI)

The Board noted the following; the assessment hours should be ~800; the Learning Outcomes need amended to SCQF Level 11; the Learning Outcomes terminology need amended (‘understand’ isn’t appropriate for an individual project, ‘discuss the research undertaken’ suggested); and typo in academic description (page 10). Stuart also commented that 790 hours for independent learning is a bit much, more supervised hours are needed.

OUTCOME: Course approved subject to revisions.

ACTION: Guido to make proposed revisions to course proposal form and resubmit to ISS.

UPDATE: Updated course proposal received.

ACTION: Upon receipt of revised proposal, ISS to create course on EUCLID.

UPDATE 30/11/18: ISS to create course on EUCLID once receive College approval of programme at CCAPB meeting 10th December 18.

 

2f) New Full Course Proposal – Group Research Project (Biomedical AI)

The Board noted the following; Learning Outcomes to be cleaned up and made SCQL Level 11 appropriate; assessment hours to be amended; sample ICA specification to be updated as current one doesn’t relate to a group project.

There was discussion over the oral presentation and written report, and whether either or both would be group or individual. This needs to be clarified in the course proposal. Stuart suggested that students could be asked to use a lab book to show their working during the course, to help identify their individual contributions to the assessments.

Sharon suggested the course descriptor for the Group Research Project should specify approximate group sizes. Also there was discussion of the delivery period, since Michael reported that perhaps some groups might be run in either Semester 1 or Semester 2. It was pointed out that this would be considerably more difficult to manage than running all groups at once, particularly if offering optional credits across Semester 1 and 2. However if this flexibility is desired, then the course would either need to be made Full Year or Flexible, so students can choose which Semester to take it, or alternatively, make it a Semester 2 course and offer it in Semester 1 only as a concession. Vicky noted that the course couldn’t have two instances as its compulsory and wouldn’t seed from the DPT correctly, so it would need to be set up as flexible.

OUTCOME: Course approved subject to revisions.

ACTION: Guido to arrange a meeting with Stuart, Alan and Michael to discuss the proposed changes, make revisions to documents, and resubmit to ISS.

UPDATE: Updated course proposal received.

ACTION: Upon receipt of revised proposal, ISS to create course on EUCLID.

UPDATE: Course delivery period was agreed to be Semester Two.

UPDATE 30/11/18: ISS to create course on EUCLID once receive College approval of programme at CCAPB meeting 10th December 18.

 

Item 3) New Full Course Proposal Form

Discussions regarding the content and format of the proposed new webmark-based course proposal form are ongoing. There were concerns raised about whether the form supports work from multiple computers and collaborative submissions. The board also agreed that only the main sections should be classed as mandatory, and that ISS will still need to provide support with completion of the administrative sections. It was noted that the new format with tabs was an improvement. If the webmark form cannot support collaboration, then alternative web-based options will be investigated, such as SharePoint.

OUTCOME: Form to be reassessed once the concerns raised are satisfied.

ACTION: ISS to finalise formatting and make form live.

 

AOCB (Any Other Current Business)

The Board noted that there is an additional third CDT programme still to be approved by the BoS and College – the CDT in Computer Security. This programme is separate to the previously approved one year MSc in Cyber Security, Privacy, and Trust.

ACTION: Myrto Arapinis/Aggelos Kiayias to bring all required documentation (Stage 1 form, Stage 2 form, and costings) to the December BoS.

UPDATE 30/11/18: In progress (along with programme paperwork also required for the new CDT bids in Data Science (AStorkey), and RAS (MMistry). All 5 CDTs to be submitted for College approval at the CCAPB meeting on 10th December 2018.

 

Stuart queried the timetabling deadlines for 2019/20, as the process is moving to be centralised which will affect duty allocations and new course creation. Vicky advised that there are November and December meetings being held to map out the timeline, actions and deadlines over the next few months so we will have a plan in place by the end of Semester 1.

ACTION: Stuart and Vicky to meet in December to plan duty allocations and related tasks.

UPDATE 30/11/18: Still to organise.

 

Sharon and Ben discussed the new EPCC course curriculum and Sharon noted that she would like the option of 0-10 credits of EPCC options to be included within the MSc DPTs for 2019/20. Ben advised the Board that EPCC have a current course quota of 80 and currently have ~45 students with an increase expected next year, but could possibly take a small number of Informatics students, however it will also depend on resources – the main issue is timetabling and sourcing suitable rooms.

Ben raised the issue of the Machine Learning Practical course again, noting that EPCC are keen to offer it to their students, however understands that there are similar enrolment and resourcing limitations.

OUTCOME: the EPCC course Programming Skills can be included on Informatics DPTs, subject to working out how to address students who may be excluded due to the quota

ACTION: Sharon to discuss resourcing/quota strategy further with Stuart and Ben.

UPDATE 30/11/18: ?