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 engineering 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. An industrial aware weekend held on campus gives students interview experience through the use of high calibre professionals working in the software industry. Other sessions include workshops on CVs and assertiveness training to help students maximise the benefits of their industrial years.

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;
• be able to design and give technical presentations;
• be able to demonstrate the basic skills of time management;
• be able to use computer-based spreadsheets and graphics packages to support university study;
• be able to design and build static web pages;
• be able to explain the importance of user interface design.

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. Industrial Awareness Skills - 1 lecture
Improving CVs, interview technique, assertiveness training.

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

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

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

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

8. User Interface Issues - 1 Lectures
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.