University of Wolverhampton

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Confirmed FACULTY QUALITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee meeting held on Wednesday 19th November 2014 at 2.00pm in Room MG008, The George, City Campus.

FSEFQEC/ 14/1 Attendance

Members: Deputies: Dr Ruth Shiner (Associate Dean and Chair)  Dr Colin Brown (Head of Quality and Deputy Chair)  Ms Jennifer Charlson (Architecture & Built Environment)  Dr Gill Conde (FSE Enabling Tutor, Biomedical Science & Physiology)  Dr Catherine Duke (Biology, Chemistry & Forensic Science)  Professor Nduka Ekere (Dean of Faculty) (Ex-Officio)  Ms Lesley Giles (Faculty Administrative Team)  Ms Fay Glendenning (External Faculty Representative, FEHW)  Mr Paul Hampton (Head of Employability) A Ms Zoe Harrison (President, Student Union) (Ex-Officio)  Ms Sheila Hind (Faculty Operating Officer) A Mr Alan Hindle (Pharmacy) A Ms Anna Lebiedziewicz (Faculty Quality Administrator)  Dr Paul Lister (Engineering)  Mr Laxman Majithia (Undergraduate Student Representative)  Mr Chimene Obunwo (Postgraduate Student Representative) X Mr Tony Proctor (Head of Student Experience)  Ms Lynn Redfern (Student Office Manager)  Mr Brendan Riordan (Head of TNE Collaborative Partnerships)  Mr Toby Roy (Officer, Quality Management Division)  Mr Chris Williams (Head of Learning & Teaching)  Ms Arline Wilson (Mathematics & Computer Science)  KEY  = Present A = Apology X = Absent

Noted: Dr R. Shiner (Chair) welcomed Student Union representatives, Ms Zoe Harrison (President, Student Union) and Mr Laxman Majithia (elected undergraduate student representative for Technology), attending the meeting.

Part A: Attendance, Minutes and Standing Items

FSEFQEC/ 14/2 Any Other Business 701 Noted: Dr C. Brown (Head of Quality) reported an exemption from the University Academic Regulations, now endorsed by the University Academic Framework and Regulations Sub-Committee (ARFSC), for students transferring with more that 50% worth of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to Middle East College (MEC), Muscat, Oman, and this was discussed under item FSEFQEC/14/19.1 FSEFQEC/ 14/3 Minutes and matters arising from the last meeting

Agreed: Draft minutes from the last meeting of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee held on Wednesday 4th June 2014 were approved with some typographical amendments.

1 FSEFQEC/ 14/4 Action Checklist

Noted: The Committee noted responses to actions from previous meetings as follows:-

Curriculum Development

Noted: At the meeting of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee held on Wednesday 15th January 2014, it was noted that discussions were proceeding with South Cheshire College about the viability of putting a progression route in place from September 2014 onwards for those completing the University accredited FD (Science) Construction.

Noted: Mr C. Williams (Head of Learning & Teaching) reported that, following planning approval, accreditation of a new BSc (Hons) Construction Management and Surveying (‘top-up’) had now been considered by University Quality Panel (UQP) during an event held at South Cheshire College (SCC) on Tuesday 1st July 2014. It was noted that University accreditation had now been granted, in consultation with an External Adviser (Prof. David Edwards from Birmingham City University), subject to clarification of dissertation supervision arrangements, resource investment and signature of the Memorandum of Co-operation.

Course Journals

Noted: At the meeting of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee held on Wednesday 15th January 2014, it was reported that some Level 4 students in Mathematics & Computer Science had not been attending lectures or engaging in any ‘on-line’ delivery on a regular basis. Other schools were experiencing similar patterns for part-time students.

Noted: Mr T. Proctor (Head of Student Experience) reported that reasons for this drop in student attendance, which is continuing on some Level 4 modules during 2014/2015, had now been referred to FSE Learning & Teaching Sub-Committee and was also being monitored by Course Committees.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)

Noted: At the meeting of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee held on Wednesday 13th November 2013, confirmation was sought that all conditions imposed by the British Computer Society (BCS) during the visit in February 2012 had now been addressed including revisions to learning outcomes for both MSc Computer Science and MSc Computer Systems Security (replaced by MSc Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics from September 2013 onwards).

Noted: It was noted that Dr M. Garvey (Course Team) had recently submitted revised documents to BCS in response to conditions and had been informed that a Professional Body Accreditation Panel was considering this in November 2014.

Faculty Collaborative Management Committee (FCMC) Update

Noted: At the meeting of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee held on Wednesday 12th March 2014, Mr B. Riordan (Head of TNE Partnerships) reported on international partnership issues and overseas curriculum development activity being conducted during 2013/2014.

2 Noted: Members received a Deletion Plan for the withdrawal of ten undergraduate and postgraduate awards currently delivered in collaboration with the Institute of Data Management (IDM) in Sri Lanka. It was confirmed that exit strategies were now in place for the existing 95 students to continue their studies at other partner institutions (to be delivered by ‘flying faculty’ at either BCAS or CINEC in Sri Lanka).

Noted: Mr B. Riordan (Head of TNE Partnerships) reported that approval for existing programmes to run by supported delivery at BCAS and CINEC were pending confirmation of actions completed by University Quality Panel (UQP) as follows;

 BSc (Hons) Computing (‘top-up’) (at BCAS)  BSc (Hons) Management of Information Technology (‘top-up’) (at BCAS)  MSc Information Technology Management (at BCAS)  MSc Strategic Information Technology Management (at BCAS)  MSc Construction Project Management (at BCAS).

 BSc (Hons) Computer Networks (‘top-up’) (at CINEC)  BSc (Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (‘top-up’) (at CINEC)  BSc (Hons) Computing Software Development (‘top-up’) (at CINEC)  MSc Environmental Management (at CINEC)  MSc Environmental Technology (at CINEC)  MSc Waste and Resource Management (at CINEC).

FSEFQEC/ 14/5 Course Journals

Noted: School representative reported no items of concern or good practice from Course Journals so far during 2014/2015 because very few Course Committees had met yet in Semester 1. However, Mr B. Riordan (Head of TNE Partnerships) re- iterated the need for Course Leaders to ensure that collaborative programmes are covered by relevant Course Journals, and that students are invited to attend Course Committees as queried by Ms Z. Harrison (President, Student Union).

Part B: Priority items for discussion

FSEFQEC/ 14/6 Curriculum Planning

Noted: Members noted the progress of curriculum development proposals in 2014/2015;

 Validation of Science and Engineering Foundation Year (ADP submitted)  Validation of FD (Science) Equine Behaviour, Training and Performance (with South Staffordshire College) (awaiting validation)  Validation of integrated Masters in Biology (MBiol Hons) (now validated)  Review of Pharmacy Portfolio (no ADPs required)  Review/Re-validation of Engineering Portfolio (ADPs approved)  Re-validation of Built Environment Portfolio (ADPs submitted).

Noted: It was noted that University Quality Panel (UQP) were conducting periodic reviews of provision in Engineering and Pharmacy during 2014/2015 and meetings were currently being arranged with staff, stakeholders and students on Friday 9th January 2015 and Thursday 15th January 2015 respectively in order to discuss the findings of Self Evaluation Document (SEDs).

3 Agreed: The Committee received and discussed a copy of the Deletion Plan and exit strategy for withdrawal of the existing BSc (Hons) Rehabilitation Studies. It was noted that applications had fallen and there had been no recruitment for over three years. One continuing part-time student was expected to finish their studies by the end of the 2014/2015 academic year and the Course Leader was reminded of the need to inform FQEC when all those enrolled had completed.

FQEC Item: Dr C. Brown (Head of Quality) reported that another Deletion Plan was currently being prepared for three under recruiting bracketed titles as part of the existing MSc Pharmaceutical Science award (Pharmaceutical Analysis/Pharmaceutical Manufacturing/Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance) and this was being submitted to Planning Unit shortly prior to consideration at the next FQEC meeting. FSEFQEC/ 14/7 External Examiners

Noted: Members received and discussed a copy of the revised FSE Assessment Board structure and noted the majority of vacancies from 1st September 2014 onwards had now been filled with the exception of two undergraduate External Examiners on the Mathematics and Computer Science Module Results Board who are expected to be extended for 12 months. Three replacements were also being sought in Biomedical Science, Engineering and Pharmacy.

Noted: Ms L. Giles (Faculty Administrative Team) reported that External Examiners covering undergraduate and postgraduate awards in Civil Engineering were now being moved from the School of Engineering to the School of Architecture and the Built Environment following confirmation of the decision to relocate courses.

Noted: Mr B. Riordan (Head of TNE Partnerships) reported that a new cross-University TNE External Examiner (Dr Geoffrey Cook replacing Dr Gelareh Roushan) had now been appointed by the UQEC External Examining Sub Group (EESG) until 30th September 2016.

Noted: The Committee received and discussed an External Examiner response, following some unsatisfactory issues raised by Mr Christopher Casey during 2013/2014, regarding poor standards of student performance on the undergraduate Computing Module Results Board. However, it was noted that a response had now been returned with a number of measures being put in place ready for 2014/2015 including remedial tutorial support for students.

Noted: The Committee also received and discussed a response to Ms Lorraine Laverty, regarding internal and external moderation procedures on the undergraduate Built Environment Module Results Board, during 2013/2014. It was noted that actions plans had now been prepared to address this and that Mr C. Williams (Head of Learning & Teaching) visited South Cheshire College twice (on Thursday 16th October 2014 and Thursday 13th November 2014) in order to resolve timescales and mechanisms for moderating work had been arranged with two link tutors for the accredited FD (Science) Construction Management and the BSc (Hons) Construction Management and Surveying (‘top-up’). FSEFQEC/ 14/8 Module Guides

Noted: Members noted timescales for publishing draft Module Guides as follows;

 For modules running in Semester 1 & 2, 2014/2015, the Module Guide Editing task in e:Vision will close on Monday 13th October 2014.

 For modules running in Semester 2, 2014/2015, the Module Guide editing

4 task in e:Vision will open again on Monday 5th January 2015 and close again on Monday 26th January 2015.

 For modules running in Semester 1 & 2, 2015/2016, the Module Guide editing task in e:Vision will open again on Monday 1st June 2015 and close again on Monday 5th October 2015.

 For modules running in Semester 2, 2015/2016, the Module Guide editing task in e:Vision will open again on Monday 4th January 2016 and close again on Monday 25th January 2016.

Noted: Mr M. Williams (Directorate for Academic Support) queried the short three week lead time for Module Leaders publishing Module Guides ready for Semester 2 because Learning & Information Services (LIS) need to know any new books at least two months in advance for ordering purposes. However, it was reported that Module Guides can also be published during the four month Summer period and if Module Leaders are not going to meet these deadlines they were advised to contact liaison librarians directly rather than rely on published Module Guides.

Part C: Items for approval

FSEFQEC/ 14/9 Partner staff Curriculum Vitae (CVs)

Noted: Members also received and considered revised Curriculum Vitae (CVs), submitted again on the standard University template following discussion at the last FQEC meeting held on Wednesday 4th June 2014, for the following two new tutors being proposed to deliver the existing BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering and BSc (Hons) Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC);

 Mr Dulan Nalaka Gunasekara

 Dr Mohamed Careem Mohamed Nasvi.

Agreed: The Committee felt that Dr Mohamed Nasvi was adequately qualified and experienced. However, there was insufficient evidence of relevant expertise for Mr Dulan Gunasekara and it was therefore decided to ask Mr Panos Georgakis (Course Team) to request further information from CINEC.

FCMC Item: Additional details in support of the application for Mr Dulan Gunasekara are to be considered at the next FCMC meeting.

Part D: Items to receive for information

FSEFQEC/ 14/10 Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs)

Noted: Members received and noted a summary of PSRB activity expected for FSE during 2014/2015 plus a verbal report from Dr P. Lister (School of Engineering) on the conclusions of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) consultation meeting held on Tuesday 28th October 2014 in order to discuss the re- accreditation of BEng/MEng programmes at which it had been reported that new PSRB guidelines were unlikely to require as many regulatory exemptions.

Noted: Members also noted a letter from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) confirming the continued Professional Body accreditation (until 2016) following 5 annual monitoring of both the existing BSc (Hons) Construction Management and BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying.

Noted: The Committee received a letter from the Institute of Mathematics (IMA) confirming Professional Body accreditation for a period of five years (until 2020) for the newly validated BSc (Hons) Industrial Mathematics programme and the existing BSc (Hons) Mathematical Sciences and BSc (Hons) Mathematics.

Noted: Members also received a letter from the Society of Biology (SoB) confirming Professional Body recognition for a period of five years (until 2020), of the existing BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, BSc (Hons) Biotechnology, BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences, BSc (Hons) Microbiology, BSc (Hons) Genetics and Molecular Biology and BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservation.

Noted: The Committee received letters from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), confirming the continued Statutory Body recognition following annual monitoring of the existing BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, and from the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), following the visit on 1st May 2014, confirming re-accreditation for a period of five years (until 2020), for the existing BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (Pathology Laboratory Based) programmes.

Noted: Finally, members received a copy of the letter and report on the findings of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), following the visit on 5th/6th June 2014, to consider accreditation of the MPharm (Hons) programme. It was noted that one condition had been set and this had now been addressed satisfactorily by the Course Team with some exemptions in place (as confirmed by ARFSC), for student progression and retrieval on 120 credit modules at each level of study.

FSEFQEC/ 14/11 University Quality Enhancement Committee (UQEC) Update

Noted: Members received verbal update from Dr R. Shiner (Chair) issues arising from the recent UQEC meeting held on Thursday 9th October 2014 and it was noted that a final version of the University Self Evaluation Document (SED) with supporting evidence had now been submitted to Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for the Higher Education Review (HER) visit during week commencing Monday 2nd February 2015. The QAA HER Working Group is now briefing key staff in advance who are likely to meet auditors with mock reviews planned for 10th/11th December 2014 and on 14th January 2015. QAA are then expected to notify the University again on Wednesday 3rd December 2014 of any other evidence they require (for return within 16 days).

Noted: The Committee also received copies of the new Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Handbook, the ASQ Quality for Students (Q4S) Project Plan and report on the work of the University Validation and Accreditation Services including proposals for a new cross-University Assessment Board in 2014/2015.

Noted: Members also noted that a UQEC has discussed a progress update on the use of anonymous marking, following University-wide introduction from 2013/2014 onwards, and had asked the University PL Learning & Teaching Group to consider a process for seeking exemption for assessment methods which cannot be anonymised (such as presentations and practical based work).

Noted: Ms L. Redfern (Student Office) confirmed that student names had now been removed from bar coded cover sheets and that student numbers were now used

6 for written submissions (Module Teams also enter marks on SITS anonymously and can activate mechanisms for e:Submission via WOLF anonymously).

Agreed: Ms Z. Harrison (President, Student Union) emphasised the need for Module Leaders to be pro-active in notifying current students about their anonymous marking entitlements.

Action: Dr R. Shiner (Chair) agreed to draft a statement for dissemination by E-mail and on WOLF to inform students about anonymous marking processes.

Noted: Members received a copy of the Continuous Monitoring and Course Journal Action Plan, following a UQEC review of procedures during 2013/2014, and noted the process was now being referred to as ‘Continuous Monitoring and Enhancement’ from 2014/2015 onwards.

Noted: The Committee also noted that a UQEC Working Group was currently reviewing the implementation of percentage marking schemes and that Dr Alex Hopkins (Associate Dean, Culture Change) was chairing another during 2014/2015 to review the ‘fitness for purpose’ of current academic regulations as follows;

9th October 2014 Proposals for review of regulations presented to UQEC. 20th October 2014 First meeting of Working Group to agree work streams. November 2014 Research of regulations used by other HEIs. January 2015 Issues for regulatory consultation to be agreed. February 2015 Regulatory consultation roadshows. March 2015 Proposals presented to FQECs. 10th April 2015 Proposals agreed by Working Group 23rd April 2015 Proposals presented to UQEC. 11th May 2015 Final proposals presented to Academic Board. 15th June 2015 Final sign-off by Academic Board. October 2015 Revised regulations become ‘live’ for 2015/2016. Autumn 2015 Compulsory staff briefing sessions on regulation changes.

Agreed: It was confirmed that every aspect of the University framework and regulations was being considered including credit weightings, classification algorithms, compensation, condonement and mitigation arrangements. Prof. N. Ekere (Dean) requested that regulations governing direct entry and placements on integrated masters programmes be considered as part of this review, as this had generated some unnecessary exemptions, and Dr C. Brown (Head of Quality) agreed to represent FSE on the UQEC Working Group.

FSEFQEC/ 14/12 Faculty Collaborative Management Committee (FCMC) Update

Noted: Members received a verbal update from Mr B. Riordan (Head of TNE Partnerships) on issues arising from the recent FCMC meeting held on Monday 10th November 2014. It was noted that a Head of U.K. Partnerships was being appointed by the Faculty to manage U.K. links and responsibility for TNE course advertising were currently being discussed with Marketing & Communications.

Noted: It was also noted that lines of communication between overseas Module Teams and home based Module Teams were inconsistent and it was suggested that blog forums on WOLF topics be used more widely.

Noted: The Committee noted a new tutor approved by FCMC at the for delivery of the existing MSc Programme and Project Management at Auston Institute of Management (AIM), Singapore, from 2014/2015 onwards;

7  Mr Himani Grover

Noted: Members also noted four new tutors approved by FCMC for delivery of the existing BSc (Hons) Construction Management and BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at SCOPE, City University Hong Kong, from 2014/2015 onwards;

 Mr Ricky Chan.  Mr David Chen.  Mr Peter Cheung.  Mr Chung Tat Yeung.

FSEFQEC/ 14/13 Faculty Student Experience Committee (FSEC) Update

Noted: Members received a verbal update from Mr T. Proctor (Head of Student Experience) on issues arising from the recent FSEC meeting held on Wednesday 12th November 2014.

Noted: It was noted that FSEC was seeking to encourage greater student engagement in the National Student Survey (NSS) and was monitoring some issues regarding rooming difficulties on City Campus and central facilities on Telford Campus.

Noted: It was noted that Dr R. Shiner (Chair) was leading a Working Group to review policies on academic misconduct, which includes overseas programmes, and that a new Student Charter had recently been published for TNE students.

FSEFQEC/ 14/14 Faculty Research Committee (FRC) Update

Noted: Members received draft minutes from the recent FRC meeting held on Monday 13th October 2014 and it was noted that a cross-Faculty Ethical Review Panel was being established which meets quarterly.

FSEFQEC/ 14/15 Equality and Diversity

Noted: Members received a verbal update from Dr G. Conde (Faculty Enabling Tutor) on equality and diversity issues.

It was noted that Special Needs software previously located on PCs situated in the MA Building (S-Deck area in the old Assembly Hall) was being moved to a secure room in the Harrison Learning Centre on Wolverhampton City Campus.

FSEFQEC/ 14/16 Employability and Placements

Noted: Members received a report from Mr P. Hampton (Head of Employability) on progress towards achieving the objectives of the Employability Action Plan and this was being driven by a new FSE Employability Pod Team members which had already met once in 2014/2015 and contributions toward strategies were also being discussed with the Student Union and the Work Placement Team.

Noted: It was noted that KPI targets were on track with many initiatives moving forward;

Internal projects:-

8  Developing an FSE Employability Facebook page to disseminate opportunities for careers, placements and other vocationally focussed work.

 Contributing toward a wider University Higher Apprenticeship Strategy.

 Engaging with schools, colleges and businesses to support employability (including CPD, Engineering activities, Leonardo/Erasmus Projects and the Young Women into Property and Construction).

 Including the Employability Award scheme within specific modules across 50% of the Faculty during 2014/2015 (following a successful pilot within the School of Architecture and the Built Environment during 2013/2014).

External projects:-

 Steps at Work; A host of teachers have visited regional employers for recruiting to STEM subjects and we are on track to exceed our target numbers. This helps employability as teachers are made aware of STEM subjects and helps inspire future undergraduates to attend University.

 Continuing to work with the SPEED Plus Team and staff are currently in discussions with two graduates about establishing their own companies.

 Ongoing support for Course Teams pursuing accreditation from professional and statutory bodies, convening networking events and inviting speakers from PSRBs to give expert lectures.

FSEFQEC/ 14/17 Student Items

Noted: Members received a verbal update from Mr Laxman Majithia (Undergraduate Student Representative, Technology) and it was noted the four week turnaround had generally been adhered to for summative assessment feedback except for a few modules and students were initially advised to contact their Module Leaders.

Noted: Ms Z. Harrison (President, Student Union) reported that Ms Anita Ballard (Undergraduate Student Representative, Pharmacy) had been now been elected and that all FSE student representatives were in place except for Engineering.

FSEFQEC/ 14/18 Registry Items

Noted: Members received a verbal update from Ms L. Redfern (Student Office) on Student Office issues and it was noted Assessment Board schedules for 2014/2015 were now on the University Web Site.

Agreed: It was also noted that MI Student Office was considering other ways of recording storing assignments submitted by students for marking and in order to avoid confusion it was decided to return to a procedure requiring signature on collection by Module Leaders.

Part E: Any Other Business

FSEFQEC/ 14/19.1 RPL arrangements with Middle East College (MEC), Muscat, Oman.

9 Noted: Dr C. Brown (Head of Quality) reported that AFRSC had recently confirmed that students completing equivalent undergraduate qualifications at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) can be accepted on accredited University of Wolverhampton degree programmes delivered at MEC with more than 50% worth of RPL. A list of students likely to progress (7 at DipHE stages and 29 at BSc stages) has now been sent to both the Faculty Office and the STaR Office by International Centre.

14/19.2 Next Meeting.

Noted: Members noted the remaining dates, times and venues arranged for meetings of the FSE Faculty Quality Enhancement Committee during 2014/2015 as follows;

 Wednesday 28th January 2015, 2.00pm, Room MA112, City Campus.  Wednesday 22nd April 2015, 2.00pm, Room MG008, City Campus.  Wednesday 10th June 2015, 2.00pm, Room MA221, City Campus.