September 2005 Computing induction Computer Science Studying at University

Computing induction September 2005

Computer Science

Studying at University


Taking notes …

… is an essential skill– If there are handouts

• An extra aid to memory• Reinforce key points

– If there aren’t handouts• The only aid to memory

• Make notes in your own words and style– Not necessarily the same format for every lecture– Not necessarily the same format as others use

• Try to file notes ASAP after the lecture• Copy up notes from missed sessions ASAP


Taking notes …

… is an essential skill– Skills are acquired through practice

• Practice this one now– All important information can be found

• In handbook• On CSWeb

BUT your notes• will be easier to understand• will contain only the info of relevance to you• will have all the information in one place

Try to pick out just the key points


Structure of Year

• Autumn: 26 September – 16 December– Weeks 1 – 12– Week 7 (7 – 11 Nov) is project week

• Spring: 9 January – 31 March– Weeks 13 – 24– Week 21 (6 – 10 March) is project week

• Summer: 2 May – 9 June– Weeks 25 – 30– No teaching – exam term


Project Weeks

• Two project weeks per year– Weeks 7 and 21

• Normal timetable is suspended– No teaching on COxxx modules– No teaching on CBxxx modules– Other modules may have some teaching

• A variety of different activities– projects– workshops– tests

Not a holiday!


Autumn Project Week

• Stage 1– Study skills workshops

• Run by Duncan Langford– Talk on PDP (Personal development plan)

• Run by placement officer

• Stage 2– Possible trip to IBM???


Spring Project Week

• Stage 1– Monday & Tuesday

• Careers sessions• CV writing• applying for Year In Industry placements

• Stage 2– Project work


Time Management

• You want to:– Get a degree– Have fun

• You may need to:– Do paid work– Commute – Look after children

• Time planning is essential to fit it all in



Concentration span

Initial distractions

Concentration peak

Time for a break

TIME


Assessment and Examination (1)

• Each module is assessed separately by continuous assessment and examination

• Weighting varies from module to module• Exams are in May

– Each module has a separate exam paper– Rubrics and exam lengths are displayed on

notice-boards and on CSWeb– Past papers are available on the web

• Re-sit exams are in August


Assessment and Examination (2)stage 1

• 20% Assess 80% Exam– CO324

– CO326

– CO327

– CB586

– EC305/6

– EC309


– EL333


• 30% Assess 70% Exam – CO320

– CO322

– CO325

– CO520

– CB300

– CB302

– AC303

• 100% Assess NO exam– EL331

– EL336


Assessment and Examination (2)stage 2


– CO525

– CO526

– CO527

– CO528

– CO531

– CO631

– CO532

– CO639



• 100% Assess NO exam– CO523



To pass: At least 40% in every module• If you don’t quite manage to pass:

If your average over all modules is ≥ 40%You may be allowed to progress

• Compensation: • Up to 2 modules allowed to be < 40% but ≥ 30%

A mark < 30% in any module means a fail overall

• Condonement:• Module specific • For illness/exceptional circumstances• Up to 2 modules allowed to be < 40%



• Computer Science / Web Computing– To pass:

• At least 40% in every module– To progress:

• An average ≥ 40%• ≥ 40% in 6 modules • ≥ 30% in 2 modules

• Any module compensatable or condonable



• Business Computing– To pass:


• An average ≥ 40%• A mark ≥ 40% in CB300• ≥ 40% in 4 CS modules • ≥ 30% in 2 CS modules

• CB300 is not compensatable or condonable



• Computer Science & Man Science– To pass:


• An average ≥ 40%• ≥ 40% in CB586• ≥ 40% in 5 other modules • ≥ 30% in 2 other modules

• CB586 is not compensatable or condonable



• Computing & Business Admin– To pass:


• An average ≥ 40%• A mark ≥ 40% in CB300• A mark ≥ 40% in CO357 (if taken)• ≥ 30% in 2 modules and ≥ 40% in rest

• CB300 and CO357 are not compensatable or condonable


Maximising Final Outcome

• Stage 1 marks do not count towards final degree classification

• Stage 1 learning does• Higher stage 1 marks lead to higher

stage 2 & 3 marks


Progression

Stage 1 v Stage 2

0102030405060708090

100

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

stage 1

sta

ge

2

Correlation: r = 0.7


Doing the work

• Do attend lectures– Not simply following the handouts– Do take notes

• Do attend classes– They are compulsory– Attendance is checked

• Do attempt the assessments– They count towards the module mark– They are compulsory


Doing the work?

• Progress monitoring– Occurs several times throughout the year– Class attendance is checked– Coursework submission is checked

• Poor attendance and submission could lead to formal warnings

• Most consistent factor in not passing– Poor coursework submission


Illness

• You may not always be able to attend lectures or classes or submit work on time – Illness, family emergency, …

• Let us know– Email tutor, class supervisors, lecturers

• Try to provide some sort of evidence– Note from GP, letter from family member, …


Taking notes …

• Have you noted?– Project week dates– What you will be doing during project weeks– When exams occur– Non-compensatable modules you are taking– Who to contact if you are ill


Plagiarism

• What is it?– Copying the work of another and presenting it

as your own– Working jointly on a piece of work and then

submitting it as if it is all your own work– Copying work from outside sources (books,

internet) without attribution


Plagiarism

• Possible penalties– A mark of zero to be awarded for the (part of

the) piece of work in which the plagiarism occurs

– Situations in which students appear to have collaborated to an unacceptable degree: marks may be divided between the students


Keeping Up To date

• Notice boards• Email – read it regularly• CS Web – www.cs.kent.ac.uk

• Electronic newsgroups – ukc.cs.announce – ukc.cs.cs1– ukc.cs.cs2– ukc.cs.applied

• Pigeon holes


Transfers

Collect a blue transfer form from the CAS office• CS, BCo, CSMS,WCo

– Swap between the 4 CS programmes– To add/remove a Year in Industry

David Barnes

• CoBA– CS* CoBA– To add/remove a Year in Industry

Nick Ryan

Adding a Year in Industry must be done before September 2006


Where to go for Help

• Tutor• Class supervisors, Lecturers & Convenors• Stage Director • Senior Tutor• The Learning Resources Centre • Student Representatives• Staff-Student Liaison Committee

Go sooner rather than later!


Documents

September 2005 Computing induction Computer Science Studying at University