CS18010 - PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Module Identifier	CS18010
Module Title	PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Academic Year	2001/2002
Co-ordinator	Dr Mark Ratcliffe
Semester	Semester 2
Other staff	Mrs Janet Hardy, Mr Frank Bott
Co-Requisite	CS12420 or CI12420
Mutually Exclusive	CI18010, Only available to level 1 students.
Course delivery	Lecture	10 lectures
	Practical
	Seminars / Tutorials	10 tutorials
Assessment	In-course assessment	Presentations - A3 individual (25%) and A4 group (25%)	50%
	Supplementary examination	similar pattern
	Course work	A1 Contributions to tutorials	25%
	Course work	A2 CV	25%
Further details	http://www.aber.ac.uk/compsci/ModuleInfo/CS18010

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.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module the student should:

have a current CV (A2);
be able to design and give an individual technical presentation (A3);
be able to demonstrate the basic skills of time management (A1);
be able to use computer-based spreadsheets and graphics packages to support university study (A1);
be able to design and build static web pages (A1);
be able to explain the importance of user interface design (A1);
be able to work as a member of a team and contribute to a group presentation (A4);
be able to critically review their own performance (A1).

Syllabus

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 Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
John W. Davies. (2001) Communication Skills. A Guide for Engineering and Applied Science students. 2nd edition. Prentice Hall ISBN 0-130-88294-1