UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
BOARD OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
AGENDA
There will be a meeting of the Board of Undergraduate Studies at 09:30 a.m. on Friday 21st
November 2014 in room CMR 1.0, University House.
Ken Sloan
Registrar and Chief Operating Officer
Note: Questions on agenda items or apologies for this meeting should be directed to the Secretary
to the Board, Dr J A Taylor, email J.A.Taylor@warwick.ac.uk or telephone extension 22633.
_________________________________________________________________________
Items for Consideration by the Board
1. Terms of Reference
TO REPORT:
That Senate, at its meeting on 1st July 2014, approved revised Terms of Reference for the
Board as follows:
(a) To consider academic issues relating to undergraduate provision offered by individual
departments and across departmental boundaries, including matters that may be raised
by academic departments and/or Directors of Undergraduate Studies, and make
recommendations or comment to the Academic Quality and Standards Committee
and/or its sub-groups, the Boards of the Faculties or other appropriate bodies within the
University;
(b) To receive and consider as may be appropriate proposals and reports relating to
undergraduate academic provision from the relevant sub-groups of the Academic
Quality and Standards Committee;
(c) To scrutinise all new undergraduate course proposals and report to the Academic
Quality and Standards Committee on the Board’s consideration and approval of such
proposals;
(d) To consider relevant issues relating to undergraduate academic provision noted in the
Faculty Summary Reports of the Annual Course Review reports, in Strategic
Departmental Reviews or by Student-Staff Liaison Committees and liaise with
departments as may be appropriate regarding any issues of interest or concern;
(e) To advise the Academic Quality and Standards Committee on matters relating to
examinations processes and procedures in undergraduate courses;
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(f) To advise the Academic Quality and Standards Committee on the role of internal and
external examiners for undergraduate courses;
(g) To consider external examiners’ reports and departmental responses relating to all
undergraduate courses, to discuss particular issues of concern with departments and to
report to the Academic Quality and Standards Committee annually on issues raised;
(h) To consider and approve submissions from departments and the Undergraduate Studies
Committees of the Boards of the Faculties for non-standard examination methods
(including seen papers, open-book examinations and reading time);
(i) To consider and approve variations requested on personal grounds in the arrangements
for undergraduate examinations for individual students;
(j) To consider all matters affecting undergraduate admissions practices and policy and
make recommendations to the Academic Quality and Standards Committee where
appropriate;
(k) To consider and approve requests for variations to the University's Accreditation of Prior
Learning (APL) policy for individual students or groups of students;
(l) To monitor the approval process for interdisciplinary undergraduate modules developed
and offered by the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning;
(m) To advise on matters relating to the policy and strategy underpinning the production of
the student Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).
(Senate minute 140 (d) /13-14)
2. Membership 2014/15
TO REPORT:
That the Senate, at its meeting on 1st October 2014, resolved that the membership of the
Board of Undergraduate Studies for the academic year 2014/15 be as follows:
Chair
Professor Roger Leng
Two full-time members of the academic
Staff from each of the Faculties of Arts,
Science and Social Sciences appointed
by the Senate:
Arts
Medicine
Science
Social Sciences
Prof Cathia Jenainati
Mr Evan Stewart
Prof Lesley Roberts
Dr Colin Melville
Dr Jim Robinson
Dr Graham Martin
Prof P Corvi
Dr A Broome
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One member of the Board of
Graduate Studies appointed by
the Senate
Dr Jonathan Pearson
The Chairs of the Undergraduate
Studies Committees of the Boards
of the Faculties of Arts and Social
Sciences and the Chair of the
Sub-Faculty of Science:
Arts
Science
Social Sciences
Prof Cathia Jenainati
Dr David Wood
Mr Peter Brown
One member of staff appointed by
and from the Centre for Lifelong
Learning
Dr Fergus McKay
Two members nominated by the
Union of Students
Ms Maahwish Mirza
TBA
3. Freedom of Information
TO REPORT:
(a)
That the Steering Committee, at its meeting on 29th October 2007, considered a
paper outlining how the Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies to the publication
of minutes of University bodies together with the University Publication Scheme
adopted by the Steering Committee in December 2003 (paper SC 60/07-08), and
resolved that a standard item be included on the agenda of the first meeting of each
University committee at the start of each academic year to inform new members
and to remind continuing members of the University policy on the publication of
minutes.
(b)
That all non-reserved minutes and agendas of the Board are published on the
University’s Governance website at:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/gov/committees/bugs/
4. Conflicts of Interest
TO REPORT:
That, should any members or attendees of the Board have any conflicts of interest relating
to agenda items for the meeting, they should be declared in accordance with the CUC Guide
for Members of Higher Education Governing Bodies in the UK.
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5. Minutes
TO CONSIDER:
The minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2014 (copy available at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse#)
6. Matters Arising on the Minutes:
(a) Intermediate-year Undergraduate Progression Conventions (minute 23(d)/13-14 refers)
TO CONSIDER:
(i)
A paper from the Chair of the Board setting out Draft Undergraduate
Progression Requirements for Intermediate Years of Study, considered by the
Undergraduate Studies Committees of the Boards of the Faculties at their
meetings in the Autumn Term 2014 (paper QAWG 19/13-14, copy available at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# );
(ii)
The resolution of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the
Faculty of Social Sciences, at its meeting on 15th October, 2014:
“That the implications of the increased progression hurdle of 90 credits in the
interim year of study be mapped against current University Undergraduate
degree classification conventions, namely paragraph 2(b) in Section II
(http://warwick.ac.uk/quality/categories/examinations/conventions/ug13)”
(UFSS minute 11/14-15)
(iii)
The recommendations of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of
the Faculty of Science, from its meeting held on 15th October 2014, that:
(1) The progression CATS level for intermediate-year progression be set at 80, in
line with the first-year requirement, instead of the proposed 90 CATS;
(2) That item 3 in the paper be made clearer with regards to required optional
core modules;
(3) That item 17 should offer more prescriptive guidance about examples
where this “exceptionally” clause could be used;
(4) That item 5 should clarify what exactly a “deemed” mark means [the
Committee noting that a final mark for a number of modules with many
small pieces of assessment may use a “deemed” mark for pieces of
assessment that have been missed].
(SUGS minute 8/14-15
[unconfirmed])
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(iv)
The resolutions of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the
Faculty of Arts, at its meeting held on 15th October 2014, as follows:
(1) That following close scrutiny of the Draft Intermediate-year Undergraduate
Progression Conventions, concerns were noted regarding the requirements
to introduce resits;
(2) That the Secretariat would circulate the draft document with key questions
and points raised at the meeting for members to consult with colleagues in
their departments on the proposed changes and provide feedback to the
Secretariat, [noting] that the deadline to submit feedback on the proposed
changes would need to be submitted to the Secretariat by Friday 31st
October 2014.
(AUSC minute 15/14-15
[unconfirmed])
(v)
Further comments from individual academic departments on the Draft
Undergraduate Progression Requirements for Intermediate Years of Study,
drawn together by the Assistant Registrar (Teaching Quality) /Secretary to the
Quality Assurance Working Group of the Academic Quality and Standards
Committee (paper BUGS 1/14-15, copy available at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
(vi)
A report from the Chair of the Board on (ii) – (v) above (paper BUGS 2/14-15,
copy available at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
(b) Postgraduates as Teachers (minute 37(a) /13-14 refers)
TO RECEIVE:
The final report of the BUGS/BGS Working Group on Guidance on the Employment of
Postgraduates as Teachers (paper BUGS 3/14-15, copy available at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
(c) Pass mark for 4th Year Modules on IUMDs (minute 37 (b) /13-14 refers)
TO REPORT:
That the Senate, at its meeting on 2nd July 2014, approved the recommendation of the
Quality Assurance Working Group as set out in paper AQSC 51/13-14 (copy at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ) “that the pass mark on level 7 modules taken
as part of an Integrated Undergraduate /Master’s degree be raised to 50%, and that
other work to implement the changes as set out in the paper be continued”.
(Senate minute 135 (b)/13-14)
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(d) Review of Section 6.1 of the HEAR (minute 42/13-14 refers)
TO CONSIDER:
The membership of the sub-group of the Board to review the content of section 6.1 of
the HEAR.
7. New Teaching and Learning Building
TO RECEIVE:
A paper on the new Teaching and Learning Building that was tabled at the meeting of the
Academic Quality and Standards Committee held on 30th October 2014 (paper AQSC 16/1415, copy at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse#) , together with an oral report from
the Senior Assistant Registrar (Space Management and Timetabling) and the Senior Project
Manager (Estates Office).
8. Chair’s Business
9. New Undergraduate Courses of Study
TO CONSIDER:
(a) BA in History and Philosophy
The recommendation of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the
Faculty of Arts, from its meeting on 15th October 2014, that the proposal from the
Departments of History and Philosophy for a new BA (Hons) degree in History and
Philosophy, to commence in October 2016, be approved as set out in paper AUSC
11/14-15 (copy at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
(b) FdA and BA in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy (revised) .
The recommendation of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the
Faculty of Social Sciences, from its meeting on 15th October 2014, that the proposals
from the Centre for Lifelong Learning to revise the FdA and BA degrees in PersonCentred Counselling and Psychotherapy as set out in papers UFSS 4-7/14-15 (copies at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ), be approved.
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(c) BA in Liberal Arts
The recommendation from the Academic Director for the proposed BA in Liberal Arts
for the introduction of a BA degree in Liberal Arts to commence in October 2016
(papers BUGS 4a-c/14-15, copies at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ), it being
noted that:
(i)
The Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the Faculty of Social
Sciences, at its meeting on 15th October 2014, has recommended that the
Academic Director for the proposed course consider the implications of the
structure of the programme regarding module options, compatibility of
assessment methods and the introduction of a part-time variant (UFSS minute
7/14-15);
(ii)
The Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the Faculty of Science,
at its meeting on 15th October 2014, has recommended the following to the
Academic Director for the proposed course:
(1) That the proposal to include research methods in year 1 is reconsidered as
it was felt this was too early in the degree programme to introduce these
concepts;
(2) That consideration is given to how the quality of the “Big Question” is
ensured;
(3) That more consideration is given to basing the Warwick degree on a model
degree from elsewhere, rather than trying to develop something unique;
(4) That more consideration is given to building a degree around existing
modules rather than looking for a fundamental and philosophical difference
in the way that teaching is currently delivered (SUGS minute 11/14-15
[unconfirmed]);
(iii)
The Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the Faculty of Arts, at its
meeting on 15th October 2014, resolved that “members be invited to provide
to the Academic Director details of international institutions either in the USA
or Europe that teach in English [and] which may be able to host students for the
intercalated year abroad” (AUSC minute 8(a)/14-15 [unconfirmed]).
10. Undergraduate External Examiners’ Reports for 2013/14
TO REPORT:
That Sub-groups of the Board, at meetings held on 28th and 29th October 2014, considered:
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(a)
The reports of External Examiners for Undergraduate courses for 2013/14
(b)
Pro-forma responses to the External Examiners’ reports for 2013/14 received from
departments by the time of the meetings of the Board Sub-groups
and compiled a report summarising key points in the reports for 2013-14 and
matters for further action and enquiry (paper BUGS 5/14-15, copy available at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
TO RECEIVE:
A report from the Chair summarizing particular themes and issues arising from the
Undergraduate External Examiners’ Reports for 2013/14 (Studies (paper BUGS 6/14-15,
copy will be available at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
11. Amendments to Regulation 8.10 (Regulations for the Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and
Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and for the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci))
TO CONSIDER:
The recommendation of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the Faculty
of Medicine, from its meeting on 21st October 2014, that amendments to Regulation 8.10
(Regulations for the Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and
for the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci)) be approved as set out in paper
MUSC.61/13-14 (revised) (copy available at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
12. Amendment to Regulation 11 (Procedure to be Adopted in the Event of Suspected Cheating
in a University Test)
TO CONSIDER:
The recommendation of the Board of Graduate Studies, from its meeting on 10th October
2014, that an amendment to Regulation 11 (Procedure to be Adopted in the Event of
Suspected Cheating in a University Test) be approved as set out in paper BGS 8/14/15 (copy
available at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
13. Amendment to Regulation 8.13 (Regulations for the Part-time Degree of BEng in Applied
Engineering)
TO REPORT:
That the Chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Science, acting on
behalf of the Committee, has approved a request from the Warwick Manufacturing Group
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for Regulation 8.13 (3) (c) and (4) (d) (Regulations for the Part-time Degree of BEng in
Applied Engineering) to be amended as set out in paper SUGS.2/14-15 .
TO CONSIDER:
The proposed amendment to Regulation 8.13 (3) (c) and (4) (d) as set out in paper
SUGS.2/14-15 (copy available at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
14. Faculty of Social Studies First-year Board of Examiners
TO REPORT:
That, at its meeting on 19th February 2014, the Board of Undergraduate Studies resolved:
“That after consideration of paper BUGS 16 (a)/13-14, it was the Board’s view that the
current arrangements for students wishing to take their September examinations overseas
were satisfactory, there being no sufficient evidence which would justify the inclusion of any
additional centres” [BUGS minute 23(f)/13-14].
TO CONSIDER:
A paper from the Secretary to the Faculty of Social Studies First-year Board of Examiners
concerning (a) delivery of September examination scripts from overseas and (b) overseas
centres (paper BUGS 7 14-15, copy available at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ).
15. National Student Survey
TO RECEIVE:
Paper S.5/14-15 (copy at http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# ) on the National Student
Survey 2014, considered by the Senate at its meeting on 1st October 2014.
16. Any Other Business.
Items to Report and Approve Without Further Discussion
The Chair and Secretary consider that the following items are non-controversial and/or can be
accepted with a minimum of explanation. Members of the Board may, however, ask for any of
the following items to be transferred to the agenda for discussion by contacting the Secretary in
advance of the meeting or by raising the item at the commencement of the meeting. Any papers
referred to are available online at the Board of Undergraduate Studies filestore at:
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse#.
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17. Chair’s Action
TO REPORT:
That the Chair, acting on behalf of the Board, has approved the following:
(a) Variations of module assessment methods on grounds of disability for:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Three named students in the Centre for Lifelong Learning;
One named student in the Department of Philosophy;
One named student in the Department of English;
(b) Variation of assessment method for module LA366 first sits in September 2014 on
grounds of staff illness;
(c) An application for Accredited Prior Learning for a named student in the Centre for
Lifelong Learning comprising 120 credits of Warwick modules taken between 2002- 05
to count towards a part-time BA degree in English and Cultural Studies;
(d) A proposal from the Centre for Lifelong Learning for the introduction of a full-time
variant of the Part-time BA in Social Studies (paper UFSS 10/14-15, copy at
http://files.warwick.ac.uk/bugs/browse# );
(e) Proposals from the Department of Economics for non-credit-bearing modules relating to
(i) an undergraduate Mentor Scheme and (ii) Personal Development, and from the
Sports Centre for a Sports Scholarship (Warwick Focus), for the inclusion in Section 6.1
of the HEAR;
(f) A proposal from the Warwick Medical School for the introduction of a variant of the
undergraduate Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy for non-UK participants from the EU (to
distinguish them from participants registered and able to practise in the UK) with the
title Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy (EU), noting that in all other respects the content
and assessment is the same as the UK variant.
18. Technology Enhanced Learning
TO REPORT:
(a) That a strategy has been developed by the Technology Enhanced Learning Steering
Group which is available for consultation by all members of the University;
(b) Members of the Board are encouraged to view the strategy document available at:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/its/servicessupport/academictechnology/teaching
/telstrategy.
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19. Date of Directors of Undergraduate Studies Spring Term Lunch 2015
TO REPORT:
That the Directors of Undergraduate Studies’ Spring Term 2015 lunch will take place on
Friday 13th March 2015 from 12.00 to 14.00 pm in room CMR 1.0, University House.
jat 11.11.14
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