Curriculum Information

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QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 3 Modules

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Level 6 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Employer Engagement will be achieved by:

Visiting Speakers

Speakers are brought in to deliver within modules, particularly within module CS2S567, to support specific educational aims.

In addition, there is a programme of events where speakers can present information on the field in which they work or their experiences as a professional. These are accompanied by a Q and A session and are optionally presented for all students and prospective students.

Previous speakers have worked for Microsoft, Dyson, the NHS, OLM Systems, Airbus. Others have discussed their experiences having started their own company and working independently.

Volunteering

Students can volunteer through programmes organised by the SU.

Work Placements

The programme is offered in Sandwich mode where students complete at least nine months of placement. In addition, the University Placement Officers can assist students in obtaining summer and weekend placements.

Sandwich Years

The programme is offered in Sandwich mode. Assistance is given to students in obtaining a placement through Work Placement Partners in Learning Services.

Academic contacts visit each student at least twice during each placement.

Placement supervisors contribute to feedback on the student and can feed into the programme in general.

Employer Forums

Staff have strong informal networks with local, national and international industrial partners. These form the basis for employers to input to the course.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction

Induction activities during the first week of attendance for both new and returning students are provided at University and Course level.

Course information can be found within the Course Handbook, ICIS, Unilearn and timetable portal.

Students are instructed in the use of the VLE and introduced to their PAC [personal Academic Coach]. And are given to opportunity to meet staff and other students.

The Students Union provides additional induction services to help students settle into their studies.

Personal Academic Coach

Each student is assigned a personal academic coach and are expected to engage with the policy as defined at university level.

Learner Analytics

Information gained through learner analytics is used formatively with students to guide their learning. In addition, system such as StEAM [Student Engagement Active Monitoring] can indicate when intervention is required. The nature of this intervention is determined by the exact nature of the issue identified.

Office hours

Normal university office hours apply, which is typically 08:30-17:00.

In addition, most team members publish hours when they are available for drop-in sessions without appointment.

Tutorials

Every taught module has practical hours associated with every hour of lecture, where students can practise what they are learning and receive individual support. The balance of lecture and practical hours is dependent on the nature of the module.

Seminars

Tutor-facilitated seminars allow flexible classroom time for students to learn by doing, to practice, to discuss and to demonstrate their work.

Formative Assessment

All modules provide students with opportunities for formative assessment through the setting of exercises and practical tasks. These may be completed in practical sessions or as directed study. Feedback can be presented orally in practical sessions or formally, dependent on the nature of the task.

Progress meetings

Students are required to meet their PAC at least once each term. New students should meet their PAC twice in the first term.

Research Supervision

All students studying for their individual project (or major team-based project) are provided with a supervisor. Student will meet their project supervisor regularly with reference to the University’s Academic Workload Model. For a part-time student equivalent support will be provided, adapted to fit the timing of their project.

Online Resources

Teaching materials and assessment materials are provided using the University VLE [Virtual learning Environment] (Blackboard).

Students have access to the specialist computer labs provided through remote access mechanisms.

Software is made available to the students through an online licence management and app streaming service (UniApps)

Portals to support are provided through the Unilearn website and VLE. This includes access to library resources including eBooks and access to study support and advice.

Student support and “the advice zone” may also be accessed online providing mom academic support to students.

Advice Zone

Physical access to the advice zone can be found on each campus. In Treforest this is collocated with the library. Additionally student can access the advice zone through “Advice Zone Online [AZO]” portal.

The advice zone provides a single point of access for many of the services provided by the University, both academic and not.

Disability

The University has a centralised Disability Service which can assess students and determine the appropriate individual support plans for each student.

IT/Library

The library that provides access to textbooks, journals, on-line materials and equipment. Within the library are open-access computer laboratories and bookable student workspaces.

The School maintains computer laboratories available to students based in the Computer Science department that are equipped with 130 Linux, Windows and MacOS workstation, which supplement the university maintained general access laboratories. In addition, students have access to the Robotics Intelligence lab.

A project workspace equipped with dual boot PCs is available to final year students.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

Students who complete the programme meet the entry requirements for compatible postgraduate qualifications dependent on their performance.These routes are outlined to students on the course through a number of mechanisms. These include discussion of student’s future plans in PAC meetings and during project supervision. Specific discussion of post graduate options in CS2S567 and the Career Preparation Programme [CPP]. CPP encourages continued study in at least two ways: the identification of the option to continue and the advantages of doing so, and as it has been opened to students on the MSc AI and MSc Computer Science programmes. This has the effect of exposing undergraduate students to students currently studying on their progression route, providing role models and confidence.Course leaders from appropriate programmes within the University are also encouraged to speak directly to the final year cohort formally, through special sessions and informally. A task simplified as the teams of the programmes overlap, with the CLs of the masters’ programmes teaching on BSc Computer Science. MSc Computer Science University of South Wales, TrefforestMSc Artificial Intelligence University of South Wales, TrefforestAlthough this module is listed as Optional in systems for operational reasons, its profile within the course is CS1S470W and should be treated as such for the purposes of considering student profiles and when considering award and progression decisions.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Typical entry requirements are listed below. USW considers all applications on an individual basis. Offers can be made based on qualifications, personal profile and experience. Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed may also be acceptable.

Typical A-Level Offer: BBC

Typical Welsh BACC Offer: Grade C and BB at A Level

Typical BTEC Offer: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit

Typical IB Offer: Pass the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 29 overall including 5 or above in English at standard level

Typical Access to HE Offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points

Additional Requirements

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at Grade C or above, or their equivalent but consideration is given to individual circumstances

International Entry Requirements

Equivalent qualifications will be considered

English Requirements

In general, international applicants will need to have achieved an overall IELTS grade of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.

However, for those who have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required. not featured please contact us.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A