Module Information

Module Identifier
CS18010
Module Title
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Academic Year
2010/2011
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Co-Requisite
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Pre-Requisite
Only available to level 1 students
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 lectures
Practical
Seminars / Tutorials 10 tutorials
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment CV and covering letter  25%
Semester Assessment Up to 5 one page written exercises and tutorial participation  25%
Semester Assessment Individual Presentation (assessed by staff and peers)  25%
Semester Assessment Group presentation(assessed by staff and peers)  25%
Supplementary Assessment CV and covering letter  50%
Supplementary Assessment Individual Presentation  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

construct an appropriate CV

demonstrate the basic skills of time management and team working

critically review their own performance

use computer-based tools to support university study

design and give a technical presentation

Brief description

This module is taken by all first year Computer Science and Software Engineering students; it provides a forum in which all first year students are taught together as a single group.
The module covers material which is not addressed elsewhere in specific modules but which is essential in order to gain a more complete appreciation of the field as a whole.
Personal transferable skills are an important quality of any software engineer and form an important part of this module.

The pastoral and general tutorial system for students on these degree schemes is administered through this module.

Aims

The module covers material to promote the development of students as professionals in their field. A range of personal transferable skills of general value are developed within the context of the software industry. The Careers Service provides students with advice on producing a CV for the purposes of securing a year in employment.
The module provides pastoral and general tutoring together with a forum in which all such students are taught together as a single group.

Content

1. Planning a Presentation - 1 Lecture
An introduction to the importance of structure, timing and content of presentations.

2. Producing a high quality a Curriculum Vitae - 1 Lecture
A presentation by the Careers Department

3. How to write Good English - 2 Lectures
An introduction to styles and techniques for writing good English.

4. Enhancing your University Experience - 1 Lecture
Maximising the benefit of Student Centred Learning.

5. Time Management - 1 Lecture
An analysis of how best to manage time to its maximum advantage.

6. Managing a group - 1 Lecture
How to work effectively as a team.

7. Citation - 1 Lecture
Using existing material. Correct and appropriate citation practice. Plagiarism.

8. User Interface Issues - 1 Lecture
User centred design. Schneidermann's rules. Norman's principles.

9. Examination Technique - 1 Lecture
Standard rubrics. Use of time, planning. Question styles.

10. Tutorials - 10 Weeks
Each student will be required to prepare and deliver presentations and demonstrations on papers from the technical literature and particular aspects of software systems covered in the lectures.

Reading List

Recommended Text
John W. Davies (2001) Communication Skills. A Guide for Engineering and Applied Science students 2nd edition Prentice Hall Primo search Stella Cottrell (2003) The Study Skills Handbook 2 Palgrave Macmillan Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4