september 2004 stage 1 cs stage 1 computing studying at university

Stage 1 CS September 2004

Stage 1 Computing

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 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


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


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


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)


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!


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


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


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


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 in Trinity and on CSWeb– Past papers are available on the web

• Re-sit exams are in August



• 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



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– 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



• Computer Science & Business Admin– 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.applied

• Pigeon holes


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


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 stage 1 computing studying at university

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