Module Identifier CS18010  
Module Title PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Dr Mark B Ratcliffe  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Mrs Janet H Hardy, Dr Mark B Ratcliffe  
Co-Requisite CS12420 or CI12420  
Mutually Exclusive Only available to level 1 students, CI18010  
Course delivery Lecture   10 lectures  
  Practical    
  Seminars / Tutorials   10 tutorials  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment A1 Course Work: Contributions to tutorials  25%
Semester Assessment A2 Course Work: CV  25%
Semester Assessment In-Course Assessment: Presentations - A3 individual (25%) and A4 group (25%)  50%
Supplementary Exam similar pattern   
Further details http://www.aber.ac.uk/compsci/ModuleInfo/CS18010  

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module the student should:

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 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
Stella Cottrell (2003) The Study Skills Handbook 2. Palgrave Macmillan 1-4039-1135-5

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4