Module Information

Module Identifier
CS18010
Module Title
Professional and Personal Development
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Mutually Exclusive
Pre-Requisite
Only available to level 1 Computer Science students
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture approximately 17 lectures
Seminars / Tutorials 10 x 1 hr
Other Activity weekend
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment CV and covering letter  25%
Semester Assessment Group presentation and tutorial participation  25%
Semester Assessment Individual Presentation (assessed by staff and peers)  25%
Semester Assessment Writing exercise (1000 words) incorporating feedback and reflection  25%
Supplementary Assessment CV and covering letter  50%
Supplementary Assessment Individual presentation  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

construct an appropriate CV

demonstrate the basic skills of time management, team working and academic writing

critically review their own performance

use computer-based tools to support university study

design and give a technical presentation

Aims

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 a crucial part of this module.

Brief description

The module's lectures cover material to promote the development of students as professionals in their field. A range of personal transferable skills of general value are highlighted 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 Activity Weekend is designed to enhance the student's team working skills and to develop their interpersonal and communication skills. Through a series of varied tasks held over the weekend, and supported by further project work, students will be exercised in their problem solving abilities and team work.
Weekly tutorials in semester 2 encourage students to focus on transferable skills, such as writing, researching and making presentations.

Content

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

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

3. What is the PDP process and why will it help your Employability? - 1 Lecture


ACTIVITY TEAM SKILLS WEEKEND
Team roles; Belbin methodology and self assessment. Interpersonal skills.

4. Managing a group - 1 Lecture
Working effectively as a team and reflecting on weekend

5. Citation - 1 Lecture
Using existing material. Correct and appropriate citation practice. Plagiarism. The Library.

6. Examination Technique - 1 Lecture
Standard rubrics. Use of time, planning. Question styles.

SEMESTER 2

1. Planning a Presentation - 1 Lecture
An introduction to the importance of structure, timing and content of presentations.

2. How to write Good English - 1 Lecture
An introduction to styles and techniques for writing good English.

3. Presentation of documents - 1 Lecture
ad hoc vs. structured. Latex and other document systems

4. Version Control - 1 Lecture
Why is it important? Examples github, svn etc.

5. User Interface Issues - 1 Lecture
User centred design. Schneidermann's rules. Norman's principles

6. Producing a high quality a Curriculum Vitae and Marketing yourself effectively - 1 Lecture
A presentation jointly with the careers service

7. Planning your industrial year and summer placements - 1 Lecture
A presentation jointly with the careers service

8. Planning your University course - 1 Lecture
Advice on next year's modules. Your degree scheme.

9. Other topics - up to 3 lectures

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication in writing exercise and CV
Improving own Learning and Performance In CV
Information Technology Inherent to module
Personal Development and Career planning In CV
Research skills In presentations
Team work In presentation

Reading List

Recommended Text
Cottrell, Stella. (2011.) Critical thinking skills :developing effective analysis and argument /Stella Cottrell. 2nd edition Palgrave Macmillan Primo search John W. Davies (2011) Communication Skills: A Guide for Engineering and Applied Science Students 3rd edition Pearson Education Primo search Stella Cottrell (2013) The Study Skills Handbook 4th edition Palgrave Macmillan Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4