September 2004 Stage 1 CS Stage 1 Computing Studying at University

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Taking notes … … is an essential skill –Skills are acquired through practice Practice this one now –All important information can be found In Stage 1 handbook On CSWeb BUT your notes will be easier to understand will be only of relevance to you will have all the information in one place Try to pick out just the key points

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Structure of Year Past names Michaelmas term –Christmas vacation Lent term –Easter vacation Trinity term –Summer vacation New names Autumn term –Winter vacation Spring term –Spring vacation Summer term –Summer vacation

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Structure of Year Normally –Autumn term– 12 weeks –Spring term– 12 weeks –Summer term – 6 weeks This year –Autumn term– 12 weeks –Spring term– 10 weeks –Summer term – 8 weeks Because Easter is early in 2005

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Structure of Year Autumn: 27 September – 17 December –Weeks 1 – 12 –Week 7 (8 – 12 Nov) is project week Spring: 10 January – 18 March –Weeks 13 – 22 Summer: 18 April – 10 June –Weeks 23 – 30 –Weeks 23 & 24 (18 – 29 April) are project weeks –Exam period is weeks 25 – 30 (3 May – 10 June)

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Project Weeks Two project weeks per year –Weeks 7, 23 & 24 (usually 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!

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Autumn Project Week Study skills workshops –Run by Duncan Langford Treasure hunt –By tutor group –Prize Further details nearer the time Non-CO/CB modules may continue as normal

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Spring Project Week Monday & Tuesday –Careers sessions –CV writing –applying for Year In Industry placements Wednesday onwards –Revision sessions for Spring term modules Non-CO/CB modules may continue as normal

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Time Management You want to: –Get a degree –Have fun You may need to: –Do paid work –Look after children Time planning is essential to fit it all in

September 2004 Stage 1 CS

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Concentration span Initial distractions Concentration peak Time for a break TIME

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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 in Trinity and on CSWeb –Past papers are available on the web Re-sit exams are in August

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Assessment and Examination (2) 20% Assess 80% Exam –CO324 –CO326 –CO327 –CO357 –AC303 –CB586 –EC305/6 –EC309 30% Assess 70% Exam –CO320 –CO322 –CO325 –CO520 –CB300 40% Assess 60% Exam –CB302 50% Assess 50% Exam –CO321

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Assessment and Examination (3) 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%

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Assessment and Examination (4) Computer Science –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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Assessment and Examination (4) Computer Science & Business Admin –To pass: At least 40% in every module –To progress: An average ≥ 40% A mark ≥ 40% in CB300 ≥ 40% in 4 CS modules ≥ 30% in 2 CS modules CB300 is not compensatable or condonable

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Assessment and Examination (4) Computer Science & Man Science –To pass: At least 40% in every module –To progress: An average ≥ 40% ≥ 40% in CB586 ≥ 40% in 5 other modules ≥ 30% in 2 other modules CB586 is not compensatable or condonable

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Assessment and Examination (4) Computing & Business Admin –To pass: At least 40% in every module –To progress: 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Progression Correlation: r = 0.7

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Illness You may not always be able to attend lectures or classes or submit work on time –Illness, family emergency, … Let us know – tutor, class supervisors, lecturers Try to provide some sort of evidence –Note from GP, letter from family member, …

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS 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

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Keeping Up To date Notice boards – read it regularly CS Web – Electronic newsgroups –ukc.cs.announce –ukc.cs.cs1 –ukc.cs.applied Pigeon holes

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Transfers Collect a blue transfer form from the CAS office CS, CSBA, CSMS –Swap between the 3 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 2005

September 2004 Stage 1 CS Where to go for Help Tutor Class supervisors, Lecturers & Convenors Stage Director The Learning Resources Centre Student Representatives (volunteers needed) Staff-Student Liaison Committee Go sooner rather than later!

September 2004 Stage 1 CS