BEng (Hons) Electronics and Electrical
Engineering
2015/16 Undergraduate Students
Award title
BEng (Hons) Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Programme code(s)
BSEEE
Faculty of
Arts, Environment and Technology
School of
2015/16 Handbook 2
Leeds Beckett University Student Charter
Working together for successLeeds Beckett University and our Students’ Union are committed to working in partnership with our students to ensure that our University is an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for its students and work life for its staff.
Our Student Charter sets out how we aim to achieve this by working together to understand and fulfil our commitments to one another. Our Student Charter has been produced jointly with the Students’ Union and we will review it, together, every year. Our University’s Vision seeks to put students at the centre of all our activities and this Student Charter is a contribution towards that goal. The Leeds Beckett Student Charter is not a contractual document, but provides a guide to what members of the Leeds Beckett Community can expect of each other in terms of engagement and behaviour.
_________________________________
We work to shape and sustain a supportive, safe, inclusive community for active learning and the building of skills for life.
We will
Work together within a progressive, independent, and active environment which promotes lifelong learning.
Support a culture of personal and academic resilience.
Collaborate to build partnerships for learning.
Work together to sustain our bold, industrious spirit.
We forge an environment which builds trust, accountability and transparency.
We will
2015/16 Handbook 3
Promote the availability of information and support for all.
Ask each other for help when we need it.
Be honest, clear and assertive with each other.
Use the means available to give a compliment, raise a concern or make a complaint.
Take advantage of opportunities for formal and informal learning.
We foster inclusive academic, cultural, social, emotional and creative development for all.
We will
Share an exciting and challenging curriculum which is contemporary and relevant.
Promote a culture of critical enquiry and rigorous scholarship.
Support participation in extracurricular opportunities which enhance career and personal development
Enable one another to plan, develop, and drive forward our individual educational and career goals.
Acknowledge and celebrate our joint and separate successes.
We are responsible, diligent, reliable and considerate in our academic and professional actions and behaviours.
We will
Act with academic integrity.
Listen to, and respect, differing perspectives, including those from different cultures and backgrounds.
Work together within a positive collaborative learning and working environment, wherever, and however, we engage.
Take care with our personal and professional digital identity and recognise the impact it may have on us and others.
We seek active engagement, feedback and participation in the issues that affect us.
We will
Work together to enhance our experience of our University.
Collaborate to promote learning and support enhancement, through mutual reflection and feedback.
Build partnerships to enable our University communities to engage with our external stakeholders.
2015/16 Handbook 4
Support the development of courses which prepare our graduates to be ready for work, ready for life and ready to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
Use our knowledge of local and world issues to strengthen our global outlook and build a sustainable environment for a thriving future for all.
2015/16 Handbook 5
Our Student Entitlements
As a full-time or part-time campus-based student you are entitled to:
1. Access online learning materials and resources for every module through a virtual learning environment and have access to the resources and information of an up to date library.
2. Opportunities for on-going feedback on your work and progress towards your assessments in every year of your course.
3. Participate in a course induction, which will be provided at the beginning of each year of your course.
4. A meeting with your personal tutor once per semester. [All new and first year students will be invited to a meeting with their personal tutor within four weeks of the start of their studies].
5. A course that has been informed in its development by external stakeholders (e.g. employers, professional bodies).
6. Participate in Personal Development Planning within the context of your course.
7. Have the opportunity to engage in embedded activities within your course which develop and enhance your graduate employability and lifelong learning.
8. Receive clear dates at the beginning of each module about your assessment, submission dates, when and how you receive formative feedback on assessment during every module, and how you will receive feedback on marked assessments within the 4 week feedback period.
9. Receive clear and easy to understand information about your course and the services available to you.
10. Be engaged, via your course student representative, in your course review, evaluation and development processes.
11. Have your questions to our University’s services responded to within the advertised timescales in our corporate service standards.
12. Normally be given your course timetable no later than four weeks before the beginning of each semester.
2015/16 Handbook 6
Contents
1 Welcome to the Course ... 7
2 Studying on this Course ... 11
3 Assessment and Feedback ... 15
4 Where to Get Help ... 19
5 What to do if you… ... 23
6 Relevant Policies ... 25
2015/16 Handbook 7
1 Welcome to the Course
1.1 Message from the Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor
Whether you are joining us as a new student or returning to continue your studies, we hope you will enjoy your experience with us and find your studies interesting, challenging and relevant to your development and future career plans.
The Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology, is one of the largest faculties within Leeds Beckett University and covers a wide range of subjects areas. The faculty is divided into the following five academic schools:
• Art, Architecture, and Design • Built Environment and Engineering
• Computing, Creative Technologies and Engineering • Cultural Studies and Humanities
• Film, Music and Performing Arts
Our aim is to provide students with a research- informed, innovative and relevant
curriculum that is linked to current industry practices and standards. Our courses are highly valued by employers, professional bodies and other stakeholders. Through our approach to student support and to teaching and learning we aim to place you, our students, at the heart of everything we do. You will experience a diverse range of teaching approaches. We also use a variety of different methods of assessment and attach considerable importance to providing you feedback on your assessments. We will be organising dedicated, School based feedback weeks for you to ensure that you receive feedback that would help with your future learning.
As a faculty we strive to be student-centred and value your opinions and feedback. We want to hear about the things you enjoy and that you think we do well, but also want to know when you think there are ways in which we can improve your experience. There are many ways in which you can provide feedback including through your student academic
representatives, through written or on-line module evaluation feedback forms and through student open meetings, forums with staff, and student representative meetings with me. The courses in the Faculty of Arts Environment and Technology are based at both City Campus and Headingley Campus. Our City Campus courses are situated in the heart of the
2015/16 Handbook 8
city, where our accommodation includes the award-winning Broadcasting Place
development, our Built Environment laboratories, film and performing arts studios and extensive IT facilities. Our University’s Headingley Campus is a leafy parkland setting housing our industry standard music performance studios, visual media, IT labs and dedicated
Computing facilities.
In joining the Electronics and Electrical Engineering course, you become part of the Faculty’s community. I would like to wish you well in your chosen studies and hope you have an enjoyable and successful year.
Professor Mohammad Dastbaz
Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology
1.2 Message from your Course Leader
This handbook provides you with information that you will need to succeed on your course. You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a Module Handbook for each module you study on your course.
The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful.
On behalf of our University and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your studies.
Duncan Folley
9
1.3 Academic Calendar and Timetable
Our standard student academic calendar is summarised below: Week Commencing Monday Student Calendar
24.08.15
31.08.15 Bank Holiday 31.08.15
07.09.15 14.09.15
21.09.15 Student Welcome and Induction Week
28.09.15 Semester 1 Teaching Starts
05.10.15 12.10.15 19.10.15 26.10.15 02.11.15 09.11.15 16.11.15 23.11.15 30.11.15 07.12.15 14.12.15 21.12.15 - 08.01.16 UG Christmas Break 11.01.16 - 22.01.16 Formal Examinations Period
25.01.16 Student Welcome and Induction Week
01.02.16 Semester 2 Teaching Starts
08.02.16 15.02.16 22.02.16 29.02.16 07.03.16 14.03.16 21.03.16 UG Easter Break 28.03.16 Bank Holiday 04.04.16 11.04.16 18.04.16 25.04.16 02.05.16 Bank Holiday 02.05.16
09.05.16 - 20.05.16 Formal Examinations Period 23.05.16
30.05.16 Spring Bank Holiday 30.05.16
06.06.16 13.06.16 20.06.16 27.06.16 04.07.16 11.07.16 28.07.16 25.07.16 01.08.16 08.08.16 15.08.16
10 Full details of this and future standard student academic calendars are available at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/about-our-university/term-dates.
Once you have enrolled, you will have a student login. You can then find confirmation of your personal timetable by selecting the appropriate link after logging on the Student Hub from www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
1.4 Key Contacts
Personal Tutors
Personal Tutors provide academic and pastoral support to students. They are allocated annually and chosen from the group of tutors who teach you and therefore meet you
regularly. Personal Tutors are updated through the year on the academic progress of each of their students and meet with them at key points.
Student Liaison Officers
Student Liaison Officers (SLOs) are recent Leeds Beckett graduates who are there to support students throughout their time at the University and to make sure students have access to and are aware of the support, opportunities and services our University provides. Each faculty has at least one SLO to offer confidential advice and help with:
Personal problems & academic issues
Advice on mitigation, appeals & complaints procedure
Links to services that can assist with a variety of issues (Financial Advice, Disability Support, Course Administration, Accommodation, Counselling, Careers Advice, Students' Union, Skills for Learning, Volunteering and much more)
Recruitment and co-ordination of faculty and course Student Academic Representatives (Course Reps) who they can put you in contact with
Finding out what's going on at our University and how you can get involved
Course Representative
Course Representatives are student volunteers who represent your views at course-level, at Faculty Forums and in meetings with academic and administrative staff. Details about being a Course Representative are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/course-representatives.htm and on the Students’ Union website www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk.
11
Student Administrator Academic Librarian
1.5 Keeping in Touch
Academic and administrative staff at our University use your student email address to contact you. It is important that you check this account regularly. You can forward emails from your student email address to a preferred personal email address, however, quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that emails sent from external email addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your student email address is the only email address that you use to contact University staff. You can find how to forward your student email address to a preferred personal email address or mobile device from: https://support.google.com/mail.
We will inform you of cancelled classes/activities/course notices as soon as possible via the VLE and noticeboards. For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you.
Please make sure that you inform your Student Administration team whenever you change your address and contact details. It is important that you also update your records yourself. You can do this via the My Account/Update my Data tab on MyBeckett. This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University communications that we may need to send you.
2 Studying on this Course
The course is aimed at students who wish to undertake a study that has a strong
technological and applied focus, with the emphasis of illuminating theory through practical laboratories. One of the main objectives of the course is to enable students to design and implement electronic products and systems.
12
2.1 Programme Specification
The programme specification is a concise description of your course's aims and objectives and how you will be taught and assessed to achieve the required learning outcomes. It includes information on course structure and the maintenance of academic standards. The full programme specification for this course can be found in appendix A of this handbook.
Course Structure
The course structure outlines the modules that will be delivered on this course. Full details of the structure for this course can be found in the programme specification.
Course Learning Outcomes
All courses are benchmarked against the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (FHEQ-DAB). The FHEQ-DAB can be viewed on the Quality Assurance Agency website: www.qaa.ac.uk. For more details on the Course Learning Outcomes specific to this course please view the programme specification.
2.2 Course Resources
The programme specification specifies the physical and online resources available to students on this course.
13
2.3 Skills you will Gain during the Course
Skills Developed
On completion of the course, you will possess the core knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methods necessary for electronic and electrical engineers; enabling their appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of historical, current, and future developments and technologies.
You will develop an ability analyse a system through appropriate tools, methods and techniques, developing appropriate quantitative solutions and communicate the results of those analyses in an form appropriate to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
On completion of the course you will be able creatively design innovative solutions to problems including an investigation and identification of the appropriate legal, economic, social, aesthetic and environmental constraints where applicable.
By the end of the course you will have develop the skills to undertake projects to a professional standard by the consistent application and review of development, management and evaluation methods and techniques.
On completion of the course you will have an understanding of the context of engineering knowledge; the characteristic tools, equipment, processes and products of the discipline of electronic and electrical engineering, and be able to use the technical literature and other information sources to develop that understanding over the course of their professional careers.
Additional Activities/Recognition
You will have opportunities to gain recognition during your time at Leeds Beckett University for the extra activities you do in addition to your studies, including volunteering, student societies, playing in our University sports teams and being a Course Representative.
14
2.4 Graduate Attributes
All graduates from our University will be enterprising, digitally literate and have a global outlook. These three graduate attributes are developed with specific, appropriate emphasis in each course and you will be assessed about each of them at every academic level. They will provide you with capabilities which are essential for your employability and wider life as you move on from your studies here. A summary of how graduate attributes are developed and assessed on this course is provided in the programme specification.
2.5 Work-Related Activities and Employability
The programme specification outlines what work-related activities are associated with this course, and for individual modules. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a placement between the second and final year of the course, and we would encourage you to keep looking at MyHub for relevant opportunities. However all students on this course also undertake a short placement in the Research and Analysis Project module in the second year (Level 5). We will provide support and placement opportunities for the Research and
Analysis Project module, but we would also encourage you to make use of the contacts and
links to the industry that you may have developed yourself.
2.6 Opportunities for Graduates
The programme specification includes details of any accreditations, career paths, further study options and other opportunities for graduates. A course area on MyHub is also being developed for the 2015/16 academic year, and you are strongly encouraged to refer to MyHub on a regular basis.
2.7 External Examiner
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the United Kingdom. As a new course, the External Examiner for Electronics and Electrical Engineering has yet to be appointed: however we expect that to happen by the end of October 2015. As soon as
15 the appointment has been confirmed, we will send to the details to you via the Student Representatives and at the regular course meetings.
3 Assessment and Feedback
3.1 Assessment
Assessment Strategy
Information on the various methods of assessment can be found in the programme specification (appendix A).
University Assessment Regulations
Our University’s assessment regulations are contained within the Academic Principles and Regulations (sections C3 and C4 in particular). The regulations are available at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations.
Assessment Schedule
Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar (see Section 1) and make sure that you are available during those periods.
Examination
Details of all the examinations for the course will be posted on My Beckett, as soon as the exam schedule for the semester has been finalised.
Coursework
Coursework schedules are always available via My Beckett, and can also be found in the relevant Module Handbook. In exceptional circumstances we may have to alter the
published assessment schedule, in which case the up-to-date version will always be posted to My Beckett. Any alterations to the published schedule will be posted as message on My Beckett, and will also be communicated via the Module Leader.
16
Submitting Assignments
The normal process for submitting assignment on the Electronics and Electrical Engineering course is electronically via My Beckett. Please pat attention to any submission guidelines given in the submission area on My Beckett – the module teaching team may well reject assignments that have not been submitted in the requested format. Late submissions will also be allowed via My Beckett, but will be subject to the usual penalties (described below). It is important for your progression and achievement that you submit all work for all assignments in a timely manner. It is also important that you keep copies of all work submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so, your work will not be marked.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of section 3.6 of this handbook. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. These range from 5% to 100% of the possible total mark, depending on the number of days late. Full details (section C1.5) of the penalties for late submission of course work are available at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/academic-regulations/.
3.2 Giving your Feedback about this Course
We are keen to work with you to enhance your course. Opportunities for you to feedback to us formally include: course meetings, end of module evaluation, mid module review, internal student experience surveys, Course Rep forums (through MyVoice in MyBeckett), the National Student Survey and other student surveys. Informal feedback is also welcome at any time either via your personal or module tutor or via your Couse Representative.
3.3 What Happens with your Feedback about this Course?
Your feedback helps us to continually enhance this course. You can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the
17 Students’ Union, your tutors or through the Library. Your Faculty also provides updates on action taken through the “Better Beckett” posters prominently displayed around our University.
3.4 Getting Feedback on your Assessed Work
Our University has committed to a four week turnaround for feedback. Each Module Handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive this. The programme specification explains how feedback will be provided on both formative and summative assessments (see appendix A). For most modules requiring course work, there will be associated labs and tutorials where the majority of the formative feedback on your work will be given. Once you work has been submitted, we will give summative feedback as quickly as we can: but this will usually be delayed until the associated mark has also been given and moderated.
3.5 How do I Get my Results?
For most modules, you will normally receive some indication of your grade via My Beckett. However, please note this grade is not the final grade for the module, and may change following both internal and external moderation: or via an action of the Exam Board itself. The only official source of marks will be Results Online, where you can find results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (eg from level 4 to level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level). The Results
Online system can be found at
www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/results-online.htm.
Results will only appear within Results Online five working days after the date of the Board of Examiners’ meeting (the meeting where your end of year outcome will be decided) or the Examination Committee meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided). If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Student Administrator.
18
3.6 Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation
If you are experiencing problems which are adversely affecting your ability to study (called 'extenuating circumstances'), then you can apply for mitigation. The University operates a fit to sit/fit to submit approach to extenuating circumstances which means students who take their assessment are declaring themselves fit to do so.
Examples of extenuating circumstances include personal or family illness, bereavement, family problems or being a victim of crime. You will need to provide evidence to prove your situation; the Students’ Union Advice Service can offer guidance on what evidence you will need to present.
Further information can be found at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation.
3.7 Re-assessment
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g. whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). Details of the re-assessment work will be posted to My Beckett, and must be submitted using the guidelines posted with the re-assessment work itself. You are advised to contact your Course Leader, Student Administrator or personal tutor for any necessary clarification.
3.8 Student Appeals
If you feel that you have in some way been disadvantaged during your studies and this is reflected in your results, then you may have grounds for an academic appeal.
After your results are available on Results Online you have 15 working days to submit a request for an appeal hearing. You will find the information you need, including grounds for appeal, when and how to appeal and frequently asked questions at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/appeals.htm.
19 You are strongly advised to seek guidance from the Students’ Union Advice Service on whether you have grounds for an appeal and the completion of the paperwork – see Section 4 for Students’ Union Advice Service contact details.
3.9 Academic Integrity
Our University wants to give you credit for your learning and for work which you have done yourself. Unfair practice occurs when you have not done the work yourself.
Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage, whether intentional or unintentional, is a matter of academic judgement and may be considered to be unfair practice. Examples of unfair practice include, but are not limited to cheating, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, ghostwriting and falsification of data. Definitions of these offences and the serious consequences of unfair practice can be found in our Academic Principles and Regulations, Section C9: Academic Integrity: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/academic-regulations.
There are a range of resources available to help you understand what is and what is not permitted and how to use other people’s ideas in your assessed work. These include the Skills for Learning website which can be found at http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk. If you are unsure on how to reference your work correctly please seek advice from your tutors or access the Skills for Learning resources online (see section 4).
4 Where to Get Help
4.1 Personal Tutors
Your personal tutor (see Key contacts in Section 1) will usually be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Leader will make sure that you are given the name and contact details of your personal tutor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Normally, your tutor will aim to follow you right through the duration of your course.
20 Your personal tutor has an important role to play in supporting you in academic and personal matters while you are studying on this course. The meetings will include discussion about career aspirations, your course, your progress, and your academic results. You may want to set objectives for academic and life goals which you can store on your e-portfolio. Personal tutors are not trained counsellors and will signpost you to other University services if they can’t help you. These services may, for example, be the Students’ Union, the counselling service or the Student Hub.
In the first year your tutor will probably initiate communication to request a meeting at a mutually convenient time, but later in your course it should be your responsibility to set up the meeting. If you ask information to be kept confidential it will be and a note will be kept securely in your University notes with an indication of who can access the information. You are entitled to have one meeting per semester with your personal tutor in each year of your course. But your personal tutor may ask you to come to see them more frequently and you should feel free to contact them if you need to see them urgently.
Please see Section 6 for details of our personal tutor policy.
4.2 Student Hub
If you have any questions about or problems with life at our University, the first place to call, email or pop into is the Student Hub. The team can help with a broad range of enquiries including: funding and money advice, being an international student, disability, counselling and wellbeing support, student cards, accommodation, fee payments, support from the Students’ Union, how to access on-line services, getting help with your CV, preparing for an interview, careers guidance and getting a part-time job. Details of these and other services are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub.
There is a Student Hub on the ground floor of the Rose Bowl at City Campus and one also in Campus Central at Headingley. Their telephone number is 0113 812 3000 and their e-mail address is [email protected]. They work closely with Faculties, the Students’ Union, all University Services and external organisations to make sure that if they don’t know the answer to your question they will know who will.
21 You can also use 'my Hub' https://myhub.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/students/login?ReturnUrl=%2f which is an online resource available 24/7 where you can access information and guidance about a range of services, register and make appointments with Services, register for workshops and employability tutorials, search for job vacancies and use a range of careers resources.
4.3 Disability Support
Disability Support is available from our Disability Advice Team. The Disability Advisers will work with students to ensure support is provided to meet their individual needs: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/disability-services.htm.
Disabled students can also access the Disability Resource Areas in each library and the support provided by the Library Learning Support Officer, more information is available at http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/using_the_library/disabled_and_dyslexic_users.
4.4 Library Help
The Library
There are two Libraries at Leeds Beckett, Sheila Silver at City Campus and Headingley Library, both open 24/7, 365 days a year. You can use either Library, although the book stock reflects the courses taught at each campus. The website (library.leedsbeckett.ac.uk) also provides access to thousands of resources and information about Library services.
Academic Librarian
Your academic librarian (see contacts in Section 1) liaises with your lecturers to ensure physical and electronic information resources for your subject are available in the Library and they work with you throughout your time here to help you develop information and digital literacy skills.
Help and Information Points
If you have any questions about using the library or need IT support you can get help: • from the Help and Information Point on the ground floor of each library • online: library.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/contact-us
22 • by phone - 0113 812 1000 (including 24/7 IT support).
Distance Learners
If you are registered on a distance-learning course, you may be eligible for the Library’s Offsite service. This offers help with accessing electronic resources, access to other libraries, postal book loans and journal article supply. See the Library website for details of eligibility and more information.
Skills for Learning
Skills for Learning provides a wide range of web resources and publications on topics including plagiarism, group skills, research, maths, Harvard referencing, essay writing and time management. Information about workshops and one-to-one tutorials can be found at http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/.
MyBeckett
MyBeckett, the portal and virtual learning environment, is the gateway to all the information you will need to support your studies during your time at University. It provides access to your modules and timetables; your email account; your personal storage area on our University IT servers and a wide range of other information.
4.5 Students’ Union Advice Service
The Students’ Union advice service offers free, independent and confidential advice and representation to students. Professional advisers are employed directly by the Students’ Union to represent your interests – even if you are in dispute with our University. Advice is available on a large number of issues, for example:
Academic Problems including: mitigation, complaints, appeals, disciplinary
procedures & academic misconduct.
Housing Problems including: disrepair, problems with your landlord, checking your
tenancy agreement before you sign.
Money Issues including: problems with your student loan & Debt
23 Tel: (0113) 812 8400
E-mail: [email protected]
There are full details of all services available at: www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice
5 What to do if you…
5.1 …are absent for more than one day
You must notify your Student Administrator if you are absent for more than one day (for example for an interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate leave). If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence (see section 3).
International Students
Please be aware that our University fully complies with United Kingdom Visas & Immigration (UKVI) policy at all times. There are legal reporting requirements for all students in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa, and full attendance is mandatory for all Tier 4 students. Failure to meet UKVI attendance requirements could lead to your academic sponsorship being withdrawn and your visa being revoked. Tier 4 students need to be aware of their responsibilities whilst in the UK, please see www.ukcisa.org.uk for full information.
For up to date information about visas, immigration issues and other matters relating to international students, please contact the International Student Advice Centre at [email protected].
5.2 …are ill
If you are absent because of illness for more than seven consecutive days (including weekends), you must provide us with a Fit Note. You can hand in or send a Fit Note to your Student Administrator. Further information is available in the General Regulations (section 6) at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations.
24 If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details and any available evidence as soon as possible. Contact your Student Administrator to get a copy of the appropriate extenuating circumstances form. For more details on mitigation please visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation.htm.
5.3 …have a comment, compliment or complaint
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your course representative or directly with your personal tutor.
If you have a specific complaint about an act or omission of our University, you may be able to make a complaint under the Student Complaints Procedure. In the first instance, you should raise the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff most directly concerned, or with the person who can best resolve it. If this does not resolve the matter, or if the complaint is too serious to be addressed in this way, then you should make a formal complaint in writing. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available online at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/complaints.htm.
5.4 …are considering suspending studies or withdrawing from the course
If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor, a member of staff at our Student Hub or the Students’ Union to discuss your reasons. If there is a problem, University or Students’ Union staff may be able to help. It may be possible to arrange suspension of studies from your course.
If you are considering withdrawing, permanently or temporarily, you must complete a withdrawal form. This form must be submitted as soon as possible to your faculty office as withdrawals cannot normally be backdated. For further details see General Student Regulations at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations/.
25
6 Relevant Policies
6.1 Student Charter
Our University and Students’ Union recently agreed upon the Student Charter, which outlines what, is expected of students of Leeds Beckett University and what students can expect from our University. The most recent version of our Student Charter is at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/student-charter.htm.
6.2 Student Entitlements
Our student entitlements, listed at the front of this handbook, will help to ensure the student charter is embedded as part of our approach to providing a good quality, consistent learning experience for all our full-time and part-time undergraduate students.
6.3 Personal Tutors
You are entitled to have one meeting per semester with your personal tutor in each year of your course. See Key Contacts in Section 1 for details of how to contact your personal tutor. See Section 4 for an overview of the support you can expect from your personal tutor. You can find full details of our personal tutor policy from the Student Hub webpages: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/.
6.4 Safety, Health and Wellbeing
Policy Statement
Our University is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable working environment that values wellbeing and diversity. This commitment exists alongside our wider legal and moral obligations to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our staff, students and members of the public who may be affected by our activities. There are further details at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/partners/safety-health-and-wellbeing-a-z.htm (see H - Health and Safety Policy – Policy Statement).
26
Smoking
No smoking is permitted in any of our University buildings, this includes the use of vapour cigarettes (or other similar devices); if you do smoke outside our buildings please make sure that you stand at least five metres way from building entrances and boundaries.
Use of Laptops within our University
If you need to charge your laptop battery, please make sure that the battery charger/lead are undamaged, and only plug it into a designated power socket – if you are unsure of where these are, please ask a member of staff. Please make sure your battery charger cables do not create a trip hazard.
Fire Safety Procedures
Fire information is present on Fire Action Notices displayed in all our University buildings. These are normally present in corridors. Please read and follow the instructions.
All fire exit routes are clearly identified. You should familiarise yourself with the location of fire exit routes and fire assembly points for the buildings that you may use in the course of your studies.
If you discover a fire, you should sound the alarm by operating the Fire Alarm Call Point. You should report the circumstances and site of fire using the emergency number 4444 - indicated on the Fire Action Notice.
Do not tackle the fire unless you have been trained to do so. Evacuate the building to the fire assembly point indicated on the Fire Action Notice.
Do not re-enter the building until officially authorised to do so.
On hearing the Fire Alarm, everyone should proceed calmly to the nearest available safe fire exit, as indicated by the green and white fire exit signage. Take appropriate action to assist visitors and mobility-impaired persons or wheelchair users to a safe refuge.
Upon exiting the building, continue on to the fire assembly point so as not to impede the remaining evacuees exiting the building. Evacuation is practised through fire drills. However,
27 you should regard any continuous sounding of the alarm as a fire incident and act accordingly.
Disabled Students
You are expected to declare any disability that would affect your safety in the event of a fire, e.g. hearing impairment or the use of a wheelchair. If you are referred to the Disability Adviser, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be developed for you as appropriate.
Disabled students must declare their disability, to the University, for it to be taken into consideration. You can find further information about the support available to disabled students studying at our University and contact details on our website: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/disability-services.htm.
First Aid
First Aid Notices (green and white) are displayed in all University buildings alongside the Fire Action Notices (predominantly blue and white) and alongside, or adjacent to, each First Aid box. First Aid Notices provide all the information you may require to seek and summon assistance.
First Aider contact details can also be obtained from the Student Hub or from Security: City Campus, internal ext. 23154 or Headingley Campus, internal ext. 23165.
Accident and Incident Reporting
All accidents and incidents and dangerous occurrences, must be reported to, and recorded by University staff. Accident report forms (HS1) are available at faculty reception offices, Security and Student Hubs.
Infectious Disease
Campus-based students who have been diagnosed with a serious infectious disease such as TB, measles, meningitis or chicken pox should notify their Course Leader or Student Administrator as soon as possible giving information regarding which groups of students (and/or colleagues and clients on placements) you have been in contact with and when. For
28 diseases such as TB or meningitis, the West Yorkshire Health Protection Team may also wish to speak to you (or your family) to determine if others require screening or medication. You should follow advice given by the hospital or your GP about when it is safe to return to University.
6.5 University Regulations
There are two sets of regulations you need to be aware of, the University Academic Principles and Regulations and the General Regulations: Leeds Beckett University Students. The Academic Principles and Regulations relate specifically to your studies and your course. They cover issues such as assessment, progression and award requirements amongst a range of other issues.
The General Student Regulations deal with a range of issues which apply to all students of our University.
6.6 Academic Principles and Regulations
Our University Academic Principles and Regulations can be found at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/academic-regulations.
You should familiarise yourself with the Academic Principles and Regulations. The following sections are of particular relevance to your course:
• Assurance of Academic Standards: Assessment (C1) • Achievement of Credit (C2)
• Student Progression (C3) • Conferment of Awards (C4) • Management of Assessment (C5)
• Conduct of Assessment: Coursework and Other Assessed Work (C6) • Administration and Conduct of Examinations (C7)
• Written Examinations: Regulations for Candidates (C8) • Academic Integrity (C9)
• Disabled Students (C10)
29 • Disclosure of Assessment Results (C14)
• Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation (C15) • Request for an Appeal Hearing (C16)
The Students’ Union Advice service (www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk) is able to offer advice and guidance on how to understand and use the Academic Principles and Regulations.
Where students are undertaking any form of research project, reference should be made to the Research Ethics Policy and Research Ethics Procedures which can be found at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/research-ethics.htm.
6.7 General Regulations
The General Student Regulations are available at the following web link: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information/student-regulations/. You should familiarise yourself with the student regulations relevant to you.
30
Appendix A –Programme Specification
Overview and Aims
The course is aimed at students who wish to undertake a study that has a strong technological and applied focus. With the emphasis of illuminating theory through practical laboratories. One of the main objectives of the course is to enable students to design and implement electronic products and systems. The drive to produce students who are very employable by industries in this field is one of the main drivers for this course. (see links below)
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/engineering_manufacturing_sector.htm
http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/current_projects_graduate_market_trends_archive.htm Students will be introduced to the simulations tools currently available to an engineering to support them within a electronic design, device simulation, engineering control, and bespoke device control systems. Allowing them to be conversant with these (or similar) tools and appreciates their use within the engineering field. Engineering managers are also required to have a strong understanding of project management; finance and accounting which is within the course.
Course Aims:-
1. To facilitate the provision of a quality learning experience for each student that fosters engagement with their programme of study and promotes independent study and life-long learning.
2. To maintain a high quality, comprehensive and coherent Electronic and Electrical focussed curriculum which develops Electronic and Electrical underpinning principles, management, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and offers a global appeal, informed by research, scholarly activity and practice to enhance each participant’s career prospects.
31 3. To develop professionals with a sound understanding of both Electronic
and Electrical engineering, in a holistic approach and understanding the key features that link the two subject areas.
4. To encourage the creative and appropriate application of technology to promote innovation and enterprise through the research project whilst enhancing students' employability skills.
5. To promote ethical and eco business awareness and professionalism supported by a strong appreciation of industry focussed skills and practice.
Employability and Professional Context
Accreditation from the IET is in progress for graduates to use this programme as partial accreditation for Charted Engineer (CEng) status (further study at
Masters level is required for a CEng, alongside substantial industrial experience). You may also choose to use the language courses available at Leeds Beckett during your degree to build a foundation for registration as a
European Engineer (Eur Ing) status, following a successful chartership application. Whatever your path forward, all graduates from this course will
have demonstrated a systematic understanding of the subject, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the field. This puts you in place to exploit a wide
range of careers in electronics engineering, electrical engineering and related disciplines.
Students potential for employment is thus huge and global — from a role in the quality process, manufacturing, electronics and process industry, to a position managing structures for retailers, plant design, car manufacture, automation— students will be equipped to make a real impact in this industry. The course has
32 a direct PG path onto the MSc Advanced Engineering Management award,
building the skills required by the masters level component of an application to Charted Engineer status.
http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/assets/assets/documents/WDGD_Oct_2012.pdf
Course Learning Outcomes
1 On completion of the course, students will possess the core knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methods necessary for electronic and electrical engineers; enabling their appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of historical, current, and future developments and technologies.
2 To develop an ability analyse a system through appropriate tools, methods and techniques, developing appropriate quantitative solutions and communicate the results of those analyses in an form appropriate to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 3 On completion of the course students will be able creatively
design innovative solutions to problems including an investigation and identification of the appropriate legal,
economic, social, aesthetic and environmental constraints where applicable.
4 By the end of the course students will have develop the skills to undertake projects to a professional standard by the consistent application and review of development, management and
33 evaluation methods and techniques.
5 On completion of the course students will have an understanding of the context of engineering knowledge; the characteristic tools, equipment, processes and products of the discipline of electronic and electrical engineering, and be able to use the technical literature and other information sources to develop that understanding over the course of their professional careers.
Level Learning Outcomes
Level 4
1 On completion of this level students will have a knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with Electronic and Electrical Engineering and be able to evaluate and interpret these within the context of their course.
2 Students will be able to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, in order to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts within the Electronic and Electrical
Engineering Industry.
Level 5
1 Students will have gained knowledge of and be able to critically appraise well-established principles of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and will be aware of the way in which those principles have developed.
34 2 Students will be able to apply underlying concepts and principles
outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context.
3 Students will have knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in subjects relevant to the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Industry, and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in their field of study. They will also be able to understand the limits of their
knowledge, and how this influences analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge
Level 6
1 Students will have a systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Industry
2 They will be able to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Electronic and Electrical Engineering.
3 Students will have developed a conceptual understanding that enables them to:
Devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of their discipline
35
Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship within Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
4 Students will have the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to electronic and electrical engineering).
Graduate Attributes
The student who graduates from Leeds Beckett University will, in addition to subject specific skills, knowledge and ability have specific attributes: digital literacy, have a global outlook and be enterprising. This course is developed with reference to the Leeds Met graduate attribute definitions and documentation. The following guidelines have been used:
(i) http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/files/UG_Digital_Literacy_Definition.pdf (ii) http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/files/UG_Embedding_Digital_Literacy.pdf (iii) http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/files/UG_Embedding_Enterprise.pdf (iv) http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/files/UG_Embedding_Global_Outlook.pdf
Mapping Graduate Attributes
The graduate attributes are assessed specifically through the levels as follows:
Module Titles Level Co re Y/ N Assessed D igita l Li te racy Gl o ba l O u tloo k En te rpr is e Level 4 Sem 1
Digital Electronics 4 Y Yes
36 Electrical and Electronic Principles 1 4 Y Yes Yes
Level 4 Sem 2
Mathematical Modelling & Simulation 4 Y Yes Engineering Systems and Data
Acquisition 4 Y Yes
Engineering Design Project 1 4 Y Yes Yes Yes
Level 5 Sem 1
Analogue Electronics
5 Y Yes
Embedded Systems
5 Y Yes
Electrical and Electronic Principles 2 5 Y Yes Level 5 Sem 2
Instrumentation and Control 5 Y Yes
Communication Systems Applications 5 Y Yes
Engineering Design Project 2 5 Y Yes Yes Yes
Level 6 Sem 1
Production Project (double Sem 1 &
37 Digital Signal Processing
6 Y Yes Yes
Project Management 6 N Yes Yes Yes
Engineering Simulation 6 N Yes Yes
Level 6 Sem 2
Engineering Control 6 N Yes
Engineering Cost & Management
Accounting 6 Y Yes Yes
Control Engineering Systems Design 6 Y Yes Yes Yes
Advanced Device Applications 6 N Yes
Course Learning Outcomes Mapping
Add additional rows for available option choices. Please link to “Vertical Integration” in the Course Development Principles document
Title and Level CLO 1 CLO 2 CLO 3 CLO 4 CLO 5 Level 4 Mathematical
Modelling and Simulation
X X
Level 4 Engineering Systems and Data Acquisition
X X X
Level 4 Computers in
38 Level 4 Digital
Electronics X X X
Level 4 Electrical and
Electronics Principles 1 X X X Level 4 Engineering Design Project 1 X X X Level 5 Analogue Electronics X X X Level 5 Communication Systems Applications X Level 5 Embedded Systems X X X Level 5 Instrumentation and control X X
Level 5 Electrical and
Electronics Principles 2 X X X Level 5 Engineering Design Project 2 X X X Level 6 Control Engineering System Design X X X
39 Level 6 Advanced
Device Applications
X
Level 6 Digital Signal Processing X X X X Level 6 Project Management X X Level 6 Production Project (Double) X X X Level 6 Engineering Simulation X X Level 6 Engineering Control X X Level 6 Engineering Cost & Management Accounting
X X
Level 6 Engineering Control
X X
Level Learning Outcomes Mapping
Add additional rows for available option choices. Title and Level Core
(Y)
LLO 1 LLO 2 LLO 3 LLO 4 LLO 5 LLO6
Level 4 Mathematical Modelling and
40 Simulation
Level 4 Engineering Systems and Data Acquisition Y X X Level 4 Computers in Engineering Y X X Level 4 Digital Electronics Y X X
Level 4 Electrical and
Electronics Principles 1 Y X X Level 4 Engineering Design Project 1 Y X X Level 5 Analogue Electronics Y X X X Level 5 Communication Systems Applications Y X X Level 5 Embedded Systems Y X X X Level 5 Instrumentation and control Y X X
41 Level 5 Electrical and
Electronics Principles 2 Y X X X Level 5 Engineering Design Project 2 Y X X X Level 6 Control Engineering System Design Y X X X Level 6 Advanced Device Applications N X X X
Level 6 Digital Signal
Processing Y X X X Level 6 Project Management N X X Level 6 Production Project (Double) Y X X X X Level 6 Engineering Simulation N X X X Level 6 Engineering Control N X X X Level 6 Engineering Cost & Management Accounting
Y X X X
42 Placement
Course Structure - UG
Level 4
The professional standards required of engineers working in electronics and electrical fields set a high bar on both practical skills and a comprehensive theoretical understanding of the physics and mathematics underpinning the discipline. To support the non-traditional entry requirements of this course all modules will maintain an applied and practical theme throughout. In addition, at Level 4 the non-credit module Foundations of Maths and Physics 1 will be offered to support the expected majority of students who do not possess relevant maths and physics qualifications at Level 3. There are no attendance requirements for Foundations of Maths and Physics 1, nor will the module be assessed in any way. However, students will be strongly advised and
encouraged to make use of the support offered by Foundations of Maths and
Physics 1 in completing the credit bearing modules at Level 4.
The first year of the course at Level 4 explores the theoretical underpinning required to study this subject, whilst building the necessary practical skills required in designing, building and testing electronic and electrical systems. Hence laboratory and workshop based activities are key features.
Semester 1 of Level 4 will include two modules taught with the BEng Food Engineering degree, to allow an early transfer point for students seeking a more applied engineering qualification.
Semester 1 Core (Y) Semester 2 Core
(Y)
Digital Electronics
Y Mathematical Modelling and
43
Computers in Engineering
Y Engineering Systems and
Data Acquisition Y Electrical and Electronics
Principles 1 Y
Engineering Design Project 1
Y
Foundations of Maths and Physics 1 (non-credit module) Level 5
Level 5 builds on level 4 study by broadening and deepening the core practical skills and theoretical knowledge of students acquired at Level 4. As at Level 4, students will be supported in acquiring the necessary mathematical skills by the non-credit module Foundations of Maths and Physics 2. Again attendance of
Foundations of Maths and Physics 2 by students is not compulsory: nor will
there be any assessments related to the module. However it is expected that most students will benefit from the scheduled support and additional staff time provided by Foundations of Maths and Physics 2.
Additional topics in microprocessor based programming and control are also introduced, and then applied through the study of digital devices and
communication systems. The design and make of electronic devices or systems is encouraged within the team project.
Semester 1 Core (Y) Semester 2 Core
(Y)
Analogue Electronics
Y Communications Systems
Applications Y
Embedded Systems Y Instrumentation and Control Y Electrical and Electronics
Principles 2 Y
Engineering Design Project 2
Y
44 Level 6
Level 6 furthers the previous 2 levels of study to illustrate how these subjects can be applied to devices used within industry. Core professional skills in project management and accounts are also reinforced, and the student introduces an elective to allow further specialism.
Semester 1 Core (Y) Semester 2 Core
(Y)
Digital Signal Processing Y Control Engineering and Systems Design
Y
Engineering Simulation N Engineering Cost and Management Accounting
Y
Project Management N Advanced Device Applications N
Engineering Control N Production Project
45
Work Related Activities (Approximately 200 word explanation of activity)
This course provides practical learning and assessment tasks which require students to actively apply skills and knowledge appropriate to their area of study and future employment.
We aim to develop students as active citizens who are able to perform
meaningful tasks in the real world. For a task to be authentic, students should be able to recognise that the tasks they are being asked to complete have real-world relevance. Challenging tasks will stretch students’ capabilities by
providing “the opportunity for students to examine the task from different
perspectives” (Woo et al, 2007).
Undertaking authentic tasks requires the kinds of activities which lead to deep learning. They develop in students the skills to perform similar tasks in the workplace and authenticate the application of theoretical knowledge to the learner’s real world .Very often authentic tasks are complex tasks investigated by students over a sustained period of time e.g. undertaking their dissertation based on a real professional practice issue, a complex group activity involving multiple roles or a scenario used as a trigger for joined-up thinking on an enquiry based learning course.
It is the intention of the course team to fully engage with industry from guest lectures as well as industrial visits which will play an important part of this course and visits to industrial exhibitions. Where appropriate assignments will be designed on real world industrial data/scenarios that will allow students to experience current issues. This course is fortunate to have close links to Farnell electronics where students will be required to work at Farnell in Leeds and will be given a ID card and will be expected by Farnell staff to work appropriately. Placement or Work Related Activity Level:
After level 5, but can be between terms for internships
46 30 weeks for a placement or 3 weeks for an internship
Type of Placement or work related activity: Industry based work experience or internship
Learning & Teaching Approaches
The assessment strategy is designed to develop and test students’ knowledge, skills, conceptual understanding and application of the modules studied.
The implementation of the strategy is promoted through an appropriate diet of assessment, which includes assignments, presentations, examinations and projects. The Production Project aims to foster independent research and facilitate further development of specialist topics normally introduced earlier in the course.
The aim of the assessment process is not only to assess the level and depth of understanding achieved but also to reinforce the learning process through the application of their studies. Assessment may be both formative and summative and will assist both tutors and students in diagnosing learning needs and in monitoring progress.
Team work will be assessed both at a group and individual level and includes how well each team performs in researching, managing, project planning and producing their final engineering solution.
47 part of one project and each element can then be assessed synoptically
reducing the burden of assessment on students, while at the same time allowing deeper learning through the connection between each topic area. Team work will be assessed both at a group and individual level and includes how well each team performs in researching, managing, project planning and producing their final engineering solution.
The Final Production Project will be assessed mainly through dissertation and presentation showing the research and development work required in order to arrive at the final solution. Other activities include reflection, evaluation and testing.
The Faculty is aware of the dangers of plagiarism inherent in written assessments. Use will be made of plagiarism detecting software and the University reserves the right to viva any student to verify authorship of
submitted work. Students are required to take all reasonable steps to conform to a request to participate in such a viva. Students are required to sign a declaration to the effect that their submitted work has not been the subject of plagiarism.
Assessment Regulations
The Course adopts in full the University Academic Principles and Regulations. Students will be provided with a copy of the University Student Assessment Regulations (a sub-set of the University Academic Regulations) at the point of registration for their award.
Learning and Teaching Activities
The delivery style will encourage independent and collaborative learning through team based activities. This course enables many practical skills to be developed and students are encouraged to develop their personal interest through individual research. Many features of this course include integrative projects which span a number of modules enabling a holistic view of how