LONDON’S GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Department of Mechanical Engineering
STAFF STUDENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Wednesday 5th March 2014
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Minute
Action required
Person(s) responsible
Due date
4A.1
Put together list of missing
laboratory feedback and send to
VC and YV
LC
As soon as possible
4A.1
Reiterate the importance of timely
feedback for work
YV
Report to next SSCC
4A.5
Investigate disparity in grades on
Moodle and grades on hardcopy
and determine whether this is a
Moodle error
JM
Report to next SSCC
4B.2
Speak to PK about lack of chairs in
VC
410
Report to next SSCC
4B.3
Speak to MI about missing
computer mice in Roberts 410
Report to next SSCC
4B.4
Reduce noise levels in computer
suite in basement. Student
Student Representatives
representatives to canvas students
for solutions and e-mail to YV
Report to next SSCC
4C.1
Investigate issues around 3rd Year
Applied Mechanics due to missed
sessions and teaching style. RS to YV
be asked for suggestions for
improvement.
Report to next SSCC
4C.3
Determine status of allocations for
second laboratory sessions for
VC
Thermopower and the
Environment.
Report to next SSCC
4C.5
Speak to MI re the return of the A3
printer to sub- basement computer VC
room
Report to next SSCC
4C.6
Ask PK to report lack of shades for
the windows in Room 422 and
YV
Room 508 in the Roberts Building
As soon as possible
4D.1
E-mail YV and VC with list of
missing fourth year notes for
Moodle
RK
Report to next SSCC
5A.2
Review number of choices for MSc
MZ
projects
Report to next SSCC
5A.3
Review the number of MSc projects
specific to Bioengineering and
MZ
Tissue Engineering, specifically
Report to next SSCC
VC
projects offering cell work, to help
students on this MSc secure
relevant projects.
5A.4
Remind AW to upload Materials
postgraduate notes to Moodle and YV
make syllabus available
Report to next SSCC
5A.5
Speak to module co-ordinator
about introducing peer assessment
RN
forms for group design project
work.
Report to next SSCC
5B.1
Organise meeting with YV and
research students to discuss issues
FB
such as a lack of desks/office
space and PCs.
Report to next SSCC
5B.2
Speak to PK about mouse
infestation in Roberts Building,
particularly in the basement and
laboratories
Report to next SSCC
VC
STAFF STUDENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Wednesday 5th March 2014
Gower Street 302
DRAFT minutes
PRESENT:
Miss Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte, (Student Representative for 2nd year MEng Mechanical Engineering)
[G.B.S]
Mr Francis Brako, (Student Representative, Postgraduate Research) [F.B]
Mr Leo Cheung, (Student Representative 1st year BEng Mechanical with Business Finance) [L.C]
Mr Vince Clark, (Senior Teaching and Learning Administrator) [V.C]
Mr Jamie Cook, (Student Representative 3rd year BEng Mechanical Engineering) [J.C]
Miss Eseelle Hendow, (Student Representative MSc Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering) [E.H]
AI (Mr Andres Igea, Student Representative, 1st year MEng Engineering with Business Finance)
Miss Vicki Kimmins, (Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Administrator) [V.K]
Mr Nicholas Koh, (Representative of the Mechanical Engineering Society) [N.K]
Mr Robert Koustas, (Student Representative, 4th year MEng Mechanical Engineering) [R.K]
Mr Mykal Riley (Senior Communications, Marketing and Events Officer) [MR]
Mr Andreas Nikolakais, (Student Representative, MSc Engineering with Finance) [A.N]
Rehan Shah, (Student Representative, 3rd year BEng Mechanical Engineering with Business Finance) [R.S]
Dr William Suen, (Graduate Tutor, Research) [W.S]
Miss Emma Vendola, (Student Representative, MSc Power Systems Engineering) [E.V]
Prof Yiannis Ventikos, (Head of Department)
Apologies for absence were received from Dr Ben Hanson
Key to abbreviations
SSCC Staff Student Consultative Committee
GBS (Miss Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte, Student Representative for 2nd year MEng Mechanical
Engineering)
FB (Mr Francis Brako, Student Representative, Postgraduate Research)
LC (Mr Leo Cheung, Student Representative 1st year BEng Mechanical with Business Finance)
VC (Mr Vince Clark, Senior Teaching and Learning Administrator)
JC (Mr Jamie Cook, Student Representative 3rd year BEng Mechanical Engineering)
BH (Dr Ben Hanson, Undergraduate Tutor)
EH (Miss Eseelle Hendow, Student Representative MSc Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering)
AI (Mr Andres Igea, Student Representative, 1st year MEng Engineering with Business Finance)
VK (Miss Vicki Kimmins, Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Administrator)
NK (Mr Nicholas Koh, Representative of the Mechanical Engineering Society)
RK (Mr Robert Koustas, Student Representative, 4th year MEng Mechanical Engineering)
MR (Mr Mykal Riley, Senior Communications, Marketing and Events Officer)
AN (Mr Andreas Nikolakais, Student Representative, MSc Engineering with Finance)
RS (Rehan Shah, Student Representative, 3rd year BEng Mechanical Engineering with Business
Finance)
WS (Dr William Suen, Graduate Tutor, Research)
EV( Miss Emma Vendola, Student Representative, MSc Power Systems Engineering)
YV (Prof Yiannis Ventikos, Head of Department)
Preliminary Business
1
2013-14 MEMBERSHIP; TERMS OF REFERENCE
Noted:
1.1
SSCC(13-14) the terms of reference and membership of the committee.
Reported:
1.2
The Chair received apologies for absence from Dr Ben Hanson (BH)
2
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 14 NOVEMBER 2013
Confirmed:
2.1
The Minutes of the meeting of the SSCC held on 14th November 2013 [SSCC Mins.111, 14.11.13].
3
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
3A
2.0 c VC and VK to liaise with Prof Zangeneh to ensure adequate deadlines for the
mathematics test. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3A.1
Item completed
3B
3.0 SSCC committee members to form Christmas committee to help planning for
Christmas party in liaison with VK (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3B.1
Item completed
3C
4.0 BH to ask Dr Vanessa Diaz to explain to students that Fluids quiz does not count
towards final mark. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3C.1
Item completed
3D
5.0 (a) VC to liaise with Dr Adam Wojcik regarding the return of the materials
coursework to students. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3D.1
Item completed
3E
5.0 (b) VC to look into providing numerical break down of examination and
coursework results (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3E.1
Item completed. It is not possible to provide numerical results.
3F
6.0 (a) YV to action a water cooler for Room 410. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3F.1 Item ongoing. A water cooler will be installed as part of the refurbishment being
carried out in the department.
3G
6.0 (b) BH to liaise with Dr Rebecca Shipley regarding a more realistic distribution
and allocation of coursework deadlines. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3G.1
Item complete. An attempt has been made to spread out deadlines. All deadlines
can be viewed on the Virtual Office.
3H
6.0 (c) VC to investigate whether Mechanical Engineering students can use
computers in Room 503. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3H.1
Item completed. MSc students can use the room when it is not in use by Naval
Architecture students.
3I
6.0 (d) YV to speak to Peter Kelly, Laboratory Superintendent and Safety Officer,
regarding access for third year students after 1900 hrs. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3I.1
Item completed, third year students can access the building after 1900 hrs. until
19:45 hrs. and at weekends.
3J
8.0 YV to investigate the numbers on the MSc modules and investigate whether
lectures can be delivered twice instead of only once. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
Item ongoing
3K
8.0 (c) VC to refer the issue of a lack of specialised MSc projects in MSc Power
Systems, Engineering with Finance and Engineering with Innovation &
Entrepreneurship to MSc Co-ordinators. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3K.1
Item completed. The MSc Project Planning meeting was notified of these issues.
3L
8.0 (e) BH to speak to Careers Liaison Tutor about increasing careers events for
Bioengineers (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3L.1
Item ongoing. Opportunities for all aspects of engineering to be incorporated into
future careers events. Professor Mohan Edirisinghe (ME) also arranged for UCL
partners to speak to students.
3M
8.0 (f) VC to raise the issue with Dr S Balabani (programme director MSc
Engineering with Finance and MSc Engineering with Innovation &
Entrepreneurship) and Prof M Edirisinghe (programme director MSc Biomaterials
Engineering) regarding the similarities of the ‘Applications for Biomaterials’ and
‘Tissue Engineering’ modules. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3M.1
Item completed. ME has raised this with his students and emphasised that students
need to check on different aspects in different modules.
3N
9.0 YV to initiate discussion with KS and Francis Brako regarding the streamlining
of the register of teaching for research students. (SSCC 14/11/13)
Noted:
3N.1
Item is ongoing. Personal and research profiles can now be uploaded to the
website. Thanks were given to Mykal Riley (MK) and Jamie Maher (JM) for their
help in coordinating profiles.
3N.2
The response to Teaching Assistant training has been extremely positive.
Business for Discussion
4
Issues raised by undergraduate students
Discussed:
4A
First Year Matters
4A.1
There is a lack of feedback on laboratory reports beyond the initial Torsional
Pendulum report leaving students without a clear understanding of how their
performance can be improved.
Action: LC to provide list of outstanding laboratory feedback to VC and YV
Action: VC and YV to speak to tutors and reiterate importance of feedback.
4A. 2 The workload for Mechanical Engineering programmes is felt to be extremely heavy
but it was recognised that this is integral to the degree.
4A.3
A request was made to reduce the number of students in each tutorial group. It was
noted that the interaction with students and students’ pro-activity were more
important factors in a positive tutorial experience than small group sizes.
4A.4
A request was made to review the number of laboratory sessions as many do not
seem relevant to later parts of the course.
W.S pointed out that many skills gained in laboratory work will be useful to students
on entering employment in a related field. It was also noted that a degree in
mechanical engineering must cover a wide range of topics.
4A.5
Very little feedback is given via Moodle with most of it being noted on the hard copy
of work. Also there is a disparity in the grade displayed on Moodle and the actual
grade received by the student which may be due to a Moodle error.
Action: JM to look into whether this disparity is caused by a Moodle software error
and attempt to resolve this.
4A.6
Numerical grades were requested by students. The response re: UCL policy on this
issue was reiterated. (Minute 3E.1 refers)
4.B
Second Year Matters
4B.1
Some tutors wait until all students have submitted a piece of work before providing
feedback which means many students can wait up to three months to receive
feedback.
Action: Please see 4A.1, action on VC and YV.
4B.2
There are insufficient chairs in Roberts 410
Action: DS to speak to Peter Kelly (PK) for assistance.
4B.3
Computer mice are often missing from the PCs in Roberts 410.
Action: Mark Iline (MI) to investigate.
4B.4
The computer suite in the basement is too noisy making it extremely difficult for
students to focus. A suggestion of glass screens to separate sections of the room
was put forward. It was noted that part of the noise level is due a lack of a common
room to allow students to socialise away from work areas.
Action: Student representatives to canvas the opinion of other students and
feedback to YV on improvements to the computer areas.
4.C
Third Year Matters
4C.1
Lectures for Applied Mechanics were missed due to staff absence. Dr Rebecca
Shipley was praised for her efforts in covering missed work. However, concerns
were raised regarding the currently delivery of these lectures and a low attendance at
tutorials. It was felt that tutorials could be more engaging.
Action: YV to speak to RS and request her suggestions for improvement.
4C.2
Students would prefer to spend more time reviewing possible exam questions in
tutorials to help them to apply their knowledge to exam questions.
4C.3
The allocations for the second laboratory session of Thermopower and the
Environment have not yet taken place.
Action: VC to investigate and find out status of allocations.
4C.4
A request was made for a document outlining the specialisms of all staff members to
help support innovation by students. YV noted that there was no document currently
available but staff profiles can be found online. Students were recommended to
contact the UCL Advances Department for advice on taking forward innovations.
More information can be found here: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/advances. It was also
noted that with the introduction of the IEP programme next year there will be more
opportunity for students to form cross-disciplinary links.
4C.5
The A3 printer has been removed from the sub-basement.
Action: VC to speak to Mark Iline (MI) about returning printer.
4C.6
Shades were requested for the windows in Room 422 and Room 508 in the Roberts
Building.
Action: YV will speak to PK urgently to resolve this issue.
4C.7
Third year presentations were running late. YV emphasised the importance of
students being prepared for their presentations to avoid this delay. There was one
occasion of invigilators seeking clarification of marks scheme but this was an isolated
incident.
4.D
Fourth Year Matters
4D.1
Not all notes for fourth year modules have been uploaded to Moodle. When a print
version of lecture notes has been issued there is some reluctance in uploading an
electronic copy. YV noted that both hard and electronic copies should be made
available to students where possible.
Action: RK to e-mail YV and VC with a list of modules which do not have full notes
available on Moodle.
4D.2
Coursework distribution is felt to be uneven, two smaller pieces of coursework would
be preferred over one larger piece worth 35% of the module marks. A discussion on
this was held, the outcome of which was that coursework is set at the discretion of
the module co-ordinator and reflects the year in which the module is taught so that
fourth year coursework is often more in depth, hence the heavier weighted
coursework.
4D.3
Noise levels in the basement computer area are very high. (See minute 4B.4 for
details).
5
Issues raised by Postgraduate Students
Discussed:
5.A
Postgraduate Taught Student Matters
5A.1
Clarification was requested on when project allocation would be confirmed and as to
when the examination timetable will be available for Bioengineering and Tissue
Engineering.
Outcome: Allocation will be confirmed by the end of the week beginning 03/03/14.
The Bioengineering and Tissues timetable is produced by the Examinations Team
and will be available by the end of March; the timetable for March examinations is
currently available on Portico.
5A.2
A discussion was held on the process of choosing projects. Five choices was felt to
be too many and two weeks was insufficient to speak to all five supervisors, a
request was made to extend this to three weeks for next year.
Action: Prof Mehrdad Zanganeh (MZ) to look into this matter.
5A.3
The range of projects was discussed. While students were pleased with the option to
study projects combining elements of mechanical engineering with business/finance
there were serious concerns over the lack of projects for Bioengineering and Tissue
Engineering. It was particularly difficult to secure a project comprising the essential
cell work necessary for this MSc given the restriction of choosing only one project per
supervisor.
Action: MZ to investigate.
5A.4
Materials notes have not been uploaded to Moodle and the official course syllabus is
not available which is affecting exam preparation.
Action: YV to speak to Dr Adam Wojcik (AW) regarding this.
5A.5
The random allocation of group members for the group design project has led to
some groups with a disparity in the work levels of each group member. YV pointed
out that part of this project is designed to accustom students to a work environment
where colleagues will have different work levels and work rates. Students are
awarded marks based on individual performance. A suggestion was made for peer
assessment forms.
Action: AN to speak to module co-ordinator re: introducing peer assessment forms.
5B
Postgraduate Research Student Matters
5B.1
Some research students do not have adequate office space or working PCs. A PC
pool is available for students who do not have a working computer.
Action: FB to discuss this problem with his supervisor and to arrange with research
students to hold a forum with YV to air these issues.
5B.2
There is a problem with mice in the Roberts Building across all floors but especially in
the basement and laboratories.
Action: VC to speak to PK regarding addressing this issue.
6
Departmental Activities
Discussed:
6.A
Notification of any Departmental changes to teaching, admissions, and
assessment
6A.1
No changes were noted.
6.B
Physical resources within the Department
6B.1
No changes were noted.
Other Business for Approval or Information
7
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Noted:
7.1
A request was made for a postgraduate representative to attend the next
Departmental Teaching Committee.
Action: Interested postgraduate students to contact VC prior to next DTC.
7.2
The Engineering Society is trying to organise a UK wide Engineering Society
Conference for next academic year.
7.3
The following events have been arranged:
A visit to the Mini factory: 9th April
Go-Karting: 19th March
A visit to the Lotus factory: date to be confirmed
7.4
Plans are underway for an Engineering end of year ball
7.5
Thanks were given to NK and the Engineering Society for organising a range of
activities
7.6
An official Facebook group for Mechanical Engineering has been set up and
submissions are invited. The Department are welcome to add content but NK
requested that this be kept to manageable levels to avoid students being
overwhelmed with content.
8
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
Noted:
8.1
The next meeting of the SSCC will be arranged by VK:
VICKI KIMMINS
Teaching and Learning Administrator (Undergraduate)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
[02031087178, EXT: 7178, v.kimmins@ucl.ac.uk]
28th February 2014