Module Information
Module Identifier
MP12910
Module Title
Career Planning and Skills Development
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Entry requirements for honours Mathematics or Physics degree schemes
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 one-hour lectures |
| Practical | 8 two-hour workshops |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Programming assignment Programming assignment (22%), Visualisation assignment (22%), Statistics assignment (22%), Skills awareness programme and Curriculum Vitae (12%), Group presentation (11%), Presentation of topic in Mathematics or Physics (11%). | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 2 Hours As determined by the exam board practical examination on spreadsheets and statistics. | 100% |
| Semester Assessment | Spread sheet assignment | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Individual presentation of a topic in Mathematics or Physics | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Group presentation on careers | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Skills awareness programme and Curriculum Vitae | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Set up, or modify, a spreadsheet to do various calculations and produce summaries and charts from the figures involved;
Explore a data set using the statistics package and applying simple methods to analyse and present the information it contains;
Use a word-processing package to produce simple documents, including a Curriculum Vitae;
Use a presentation package to produce a simple slide presentation;
Give a presentation of a topic in Mathematics or Physics;
Produce a Personal Development Portfolio.
Aims
The module provides an opportunity to develop a selection of transferable skills designed to enhance students' learning experience and employment prospects.
Brief description
This module introduces the students to computer programming through a range of software packages: word-processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets and formal programming. It will use simple ideas in mathematics and physics to illustrate simple uses of the software and skills in the workplace.
The Careers Service provides, as part of this module, a skills awareness programme during which each student prepares a letter of introduction and Curriculum Vitae. Working in teams, students will research the careers available to graduates in their discipline and the relation of the skills they acquire in their course to these careers. Each team will together produce a presentation on their findings, making use of the software to which they have been introduced.
On an individual basis, students will prepare and make a short presentation on a topic in Mathematics or Physics.
The Careers Service provides, as part of this module, a skills awareness programme during which each student prepares a letter of introduction and Curriculum Vitae. Working in teams, students will research the careers available to graduates in their discipline and the relation of the skills they acquire in their course to these careers. Each team will together produce a presentation on their findings, making use of the software to which they have been introduced.
On an individual basis, students will prepare and make a short presentation on a topic in Mathematics or Physics.
Content
Word-processing packages (Word, Powerpoint, Latex): introduction, simple documents, formatting, mathematical expressions, presentations.
Skills awareness programme, including advice on the preparation of an introductory letter and CV, run by the Careers Service.
Group presentations on the relation between the skills acquired by Mathematicians or Physicists and the careers available to them.
Spreadsheets: overview , entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating and visualizing a (large) dataset.
Programming: basic introduction to software and the principles of computer programming, with some visualisation.
Skills awareness programme, including advice on the preparation of an introductory letter and CV, run by the Careers Service.
Group presentations on the relation between the skills acquired by Mathematicians or Physicists and the careers available to them.
Spreadsheets: overview , entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating and visualizing a (large) dataset.
Programming: basic introduction to software and the principles of computer programming, with some visualisation.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Numerical/visualization concepts and techniques are addressed in connection with spreadsheet and computer programming. |
| Communication | Written communication is developed and tested by the written assignments, and the CV. Communication is developed and tested by the presentations. |
| Information Technology | The students will use a variety of computer software. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The skills awareness programme, and the group presentation provide opportunities for career planning. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills are developed in this module in dealing with the spreadsheet and programming assignments and in preparing for the presentation of a topic in Mathematics or Physics. |
| Research skills | Research skills are developed in research for the presentation topic and in researching the skills needed for various forms of employment. |
| Team work | Work leading to the group presentation is done in teams. |
Reading List
Recommended TextBarbara Ryan, Brian L. Joiner (2001) Minitab Handbook 4/e Duxbury Primo search Greg Harvey (1994) Excel for Dummies 2/e IDG Books Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4