Minutes of the Learning Community Forum Meeting

Faculty of Science School of Computer Science Minutes of the Learning Community Forum Meeting Spring 2010 – 2011

Date: 17 March 2011 (Thursday) Time: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Venue: Room BA43, Faculty of Science Staff Members: Chairman: 1. Mr Ho Sooi Hock - Associate Professor (HSH)

Staff Representatives 1. Dr Tim Braislford – Director Of Studies (TB) 2. Mr K.R Selvaraj - Assistant Professor (KRS) 3. Dr. VP Kallimani (VP) 4. Salma Abd Kadir (SAK)

Student Year 1: Representatives: 1. Jayaweera Arachchige Bhagya Jayaweera (JABJ) 2. Muhammadh Khairul Amry (MKA)

Year 2: 1. Khaw Hwee Aun (KHA) 2. Sabesan Mahalingam (SM)

Year 3: 1. Piyumi Narmada Jayawardana (PNJ) 2. Abdullahi Shuaibu Adamu (ASA)

MSc : 1. Kiran Kumar Alle (KKA)

Secretary: Puan Sabariah Amin (SA)

Item Particulars Action by

1 Welcome & Introduction 1.1 The meeting was called to order at 2.00 pm. Chairman welcomed all staff and student representatives who were present in the meeting. 2 Confirmation of the Minutes of the previous meeting 2.1 The minutes of the Learning Community Forum Meeting (LCF) for School of Computer Science which was held on 11 November 2010 were confirmed to be accurate and accepted by all members.

3 Matters Arising from Minutes 3.1 Item 4.1 – G52ADS A detailed report was received and items discussed with the module convenor. Teaching support was changed and adjusted, e.g. providing more examples, for the benefits of the students. Done

3.2 Item 4.2 – G52APR Sample codes were posted separately from the lecture materials to reduce the number of powerpoint slides. Done

3.3 Item 4.3 – G52IFR Lectures were moved to the CS teaching lab and solutions to

1 assignments were provided before new assignments were given. Done 3.4 Item 5.1 – G51PRG Lecture slides were uploaded to course web site before lecture. Done

3.5 Item 6.2 - Postgraduate Meeting Room To provide a fan in BB61 for use by students after 6:00pm when air- condition is switched off.

Although BB61 has been renovated for about 3 months now, it is not ready to use as digital lock is not installed yet.

Action 1: To schedule digital lock installation by end March. SA

Action 2: To purchase a desk top fan using petty cash when the room is ready. SA

3.6 Item 6.5 – Softcopy Lecture Slides from Business Modules Negotiation was done with the Business School but was only successful for one module convenor out of the 2 Business modules affected. Done

4 MSc 4.1 G64SWE - Software Engineering KKA informed that the scope of this module is too broad and deliverables, assessment criteria are not defined clearly. MSc students are facing difficulties as currently the module convenor is recommending topics that can be extended for the summer projects, with considerations of business plans. No common understanding is given regarding evaluation of project difficulty levels, and milestone to be achieved at the end of this semester.

Action 1: Relook at the module specifications and confirm with the UK module convenor that the current module aim is not too ambitious. VP

Action 2: To exclude business aspects as this is strictly a software engineering module. VP

Action 3: Provide a standardized deliverables and assessment criteria. VP

G54PDC – Parallel and Distributed Computing 4.2 KKA conveyed the message that this module is handled well so far but would like to request help from the module convenor, i.e. to spend some extra time to cover some basic principles and explanation of the Erlang programming language as generally the students may not have the necessary pre-requisites.

Action: To explain to the module convenor that this problem arises due to the limited electives offered and make provisions for extra coverage of basic principles and programming requested. HSH

5 Year 3 5.1 Courseworks PNJ brought up the issue of too many courseworks, i.e. 2 for G53SEC, 4 for G52HCI, 2 for G53NMD and 1 for G53DSM, to be handled by the final year students, especially at a time when they are struggling to submit their final year individual dissertations.

Action: To discuss with the lecturer concerned for any possibility for restructuring and re-scheduling of submission dates. KRS/HSH

5.2 Exam Timetables PNJ is concerned about the starting date of the examination being

2 brought forward due to the change of Wesak public holiday from May 10th to May 17th. This might cause clashes of dissertation demonstration and first final year module exam dates.

Action 1: Bring forward the date for dissertation demonstration to give more lead time for preparation of the first examination paper. KRS

Action 2: Check the draft exam timetables and feedback to examination office if necessary if the gap between the project demonstration and first examination date is too close. KRS/HSH

6 Year 2 6.1 G52MAL – Machines and their Languages KHA informed that due to the block delivery arrangement of this module by Henrik (6 weeks), 2 lectures were conducted and 2 courseworks have to be submitted every week. Students find that it can be very stressful at times.

Action: Discuss with Henrik to give some flexibilities on coursework submission dates, e.g. courseworks submitted when he is no more here can be scanned and emailed to him in UK. HSH

7 Year 1 6.1 Classroom Allocations MKA suggested that classes be arranged in Block B if the following is a practical class in the CS Lab, e.g. G51FUN and G51PRG, to avoid long walking time between lectures.

HSH explained that this problem can be avoided if lecturers wrap up 10 minutes before time, which is the recommended practice for all lecturers. Moreover, classrooms in Block B are not as good as other blocks as the whiteboard is usually covered when projector is used.

ASA added that a long walk might actually help to refresh the minds in preparation for the next lecture.

6.2 G51OOP – Object-Oriented Programming JABJ brought up issues with laboratory support for this module. It is highlighted that scheduled laboratory hours were used only for assessment and no exercise sessions were provided. Students are finding that they have difficulty in catching up.

Action 1: To ensure that the module convenor follows the module specifications and uses the structure, schedule of instructions provided in UK, with appropriate laboratory support and feedback on marked assessment questions. TB

Action 2: To compile a list of urgent problems that students have and hold tutoring sessions with different lecturers as tutors so as to resolve the programming problems identified. JABJ/HSH

6.3 Use of CS Lab KHA suggested that CS Lab hours be extended due to heavy usage in other University Labs.

HSH explained that extended Lab hours implies that additional manpower is needed due to security reasons. This had been requested many times before and the agreed solution is to extend hours for specific labs that are manned by assigned security personnel. There being no other matters the chairman thanked the staff and students. The meeting adjourned at 4:30pm.