Minor Specification
Web Science
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the minor and the learning outcomes
that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of
the learning opportunities that are provided.
Awarding Institution
Teaching Institution
Name of minor
FHEQ level of final award
QAA Subject Benchmark or other
external reference
Faculty that owns the minor
Minor Leader
Date specification was written
University of Southampton
University of Southampton
Web Science
As for the Major programme
N/A
Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences
Professor Susan Halford
18-06-2014
Overview of Minor
1
Brief outline of the minor
This minor offers an overview of Web Science: a new discipline that aims to provide a thorough understanding
of the Web as both a social and technical phenomenon. It will develop transferable research skills and
interdisciplinary knowledge for a wide range of information and technology, research and policy careers. Its
strong interdisciplinary foundations allow exploration of both the social and technical aspects of the World
Wide Web, and the relations between these.
2
Learning and teaching
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•
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Staff-led lectures, demonstrations, laboratories and seminars
Directed reading
Student-led seminars and presentations
Written assessments, including literature searches and surveys
Group work exercises, presentations and reports
Revision for written examinations
3
Assessment
•
In the case of staff-led lectures and seminars, your knowledge and understanding is assessed through
written examinations and assessments.
Your understanding of research methods and your ability to locate and present theoretical approaches
is assessed through student-led presentations, written assessments and written examinations
1
Educational Aims of the Minor
The aims of the minor are to:
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•
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Provide you with knowledge of Web Science.
Provide an opportunity to study in an interdisciplinary and research-intensive environment.
Develop your transferable research skills and interdisciplinary knowledge for a wide range of
information and technology, research and policy careers.
Learning Outcomes for the Minor
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this minor you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
A1.
A2.
A3.
Social and technological approaches to understanding the web.
The range of disciplines, research methods and theoretical approaches required to analyse, critique and
develop the Web.
Current and emerging research questions for Web Science.
Teaching and Learning Methods
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Staff-led lectures, demonstrations, laboratories and seminars.
Directed reading.
Student-led seminars and presentations.
Written assessments, including literature searches and surveys.
Groupwork exercises, presentations and reports.
Revision for written examinations.
Assessment methods
•
•
•
In the case of staff-led lectures and seminars, your knowledge and understanding (outcomes A1-A2) is
assessed through written examinations and assessments.
Your understanding of research methods and your ability to locate and present theoretical approaches
(outcome A2) is assessed through student-led presentations, written assessments and written
examinations.
Your knowledge and understanding of current and emerging research questions (outcome A3) will be
assessed in all the methods used by the specific WEBS modules (exam, essay, classroom tests) and by
your dissertation, which will comprise an in-depth research-led investigation of a specific web topic. .
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this minor you will be able to:
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
Describe the technical infrastructure and architecture of the web.
Critically appraise and integrate knowledge from a range of social and technical approaches to the web.
Acquire and assess different ways of thinking and problem solving within and across disciplinary
boundaries.
Apply your knowledge and understanding to specific problems and research questions about the Web.
2
Teaching and Learning Methods
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•
Staff-led lectures, demonstrations, laboratories and seminars.
Directed reading.
Student-led seminars and presentations.
Written assessments, including literature searches and surveys.
Groupwork exercises, presentations and reports.
Revision for written examinations.
Assessment methods
Your ability to employ and integrate knowledge from technical and social disciplines (outcomes B1, B2) will be
assessed through written assessments and examinations.
Your understanding of research methods, ability to locate, critique and present information (outcomes B3, B4)
will be assessed through student-led presentations, written assessments and your dissertation.
Your ability to think critically, appraise information and apply knowledge (outcomes B2, B3) will be assessed
through problem solving exercises, presentations and written assessments.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this minor you will be able to:
C1.
C2.
C3.
Use a range of sources, including the web, to locate relevant information, and critically appraise that
information.
Present specialist information in different written and verbal formats, tailored to a variety of
audiences.
Work efficiently and effectively as a member of a team.
Teaching and Learning Methods
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•
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Directed reading.
Student-led seminars and presentations.
Technical reports, essays, including literature searches and surveys.
Group design exercises, presentations and reports.
Assessment methods
Your understanding of research methods, ability to locate, critique and present information (outcomes C1, C2,
C3) will be assessed through student-led presentations and written assessments.
Students will be expected to provide documentary evidence of their contribution to group projects and team
work (outcome C3), and these may also be assessed in verbal presentations and group activities.
Structure of Minor
1
Typical content
The Web Science minor offers an interdisciplinary programme taken across Faculties. This is central to the
distinctive approach to Web Science of the University of Southampton, built on strong interdisciplinary
collaborations and the understanding that Web Science is as much about social and organizational behaviour
as about the underpinning technology of the World Wide Web.
The minor offers the theoretical and methodological expertise for specialisation in the different aspects of
understanding and analysis of the Web. The minor demonstrates how Web Science draws on a wide range of
disciplines including anthropology, demography, economics, humanities, geography, law and computer
science.
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2
Special Features of the programme
This minor is part of a flagship cross-faculty educational programme launched as part of the University of
Southampton Curriculum Innovation Programme. Its innovative core modules have been designed and are
taught by web scientists from across the social and computational sciences.
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Details of the minor
You may not select modules that are incorporated as core or compulsory on your Major programme of study.
Back Tracking and Forward Tracking: Back tracking and forward tracking by one level are allowed up to 15
ECTS/30 CATS.
Teaching is research led at all levels. As a result, the modules on offer vary from year to year as staff research
interests and priorities develop and change. The following is an indicative list of the modules on offer to
students wishing to study for the Minor.
The structure of the minor and the modules currently offered are set out below. Against each year, you are
directed to which modules are compulsory. All the modules offered in this minor are modules of 7.5 ECTS
credit value. This means that each module comprises around 150 hours of study divided into contact time (e.g.
lectures, seminars, workshops) and non-contact time when you will be engaged in directed study (preparation
for classes) and independent study when you will be involved in producing assignments and preparing and
taking examinations.
In order to qualify for the minor in Web Science, you will be required to take 5 x 7.5 ECTS modules over your
three years of study. The standard model is that you will take one module in Year 1 and two modules in each
of Years 2 and 3, however there is flexibility in this model.
Two modules (15 ECTS) are compulsory and must be successfully completed to qualify for the Minor
(WEBS1001 may be taken in year 1 or year 2 of the Minor; WEBS2001 may be taken in year 2 or year 3 of the
Minor):
Module Code
WEBS1001
WEBS2001
Module Title
Information, Technology & Social Change
Agents
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 1
ECTS
7.5
7.5
Three further option choice modules (22.5 ECTS) must be successfully completed to qualify for the Minor as
follows:
Either: TWO modules (15 ECTS) from list 1 and ONE module (7.5 ECTS) from list 2
Or:
ONE module (7.5 ECTS) from list 1 and TWO modules (15 ECTS) from list 2:
List 1
Module Code
COMP1215
COMP1056
COMP2213
Module Title
Foundations of Computer Science
Web Design
Interaction Design
Module Code
UOSM2012
WEBS2002
SOCI3073
List 2
Module Title
Online Social Networks
Interdisciplinary Project
Cyberlives: new technologies & social change
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 2
ECTS
7.5
7.5
7.5
Semester
Semester 2
Semester 1
Semester 1
ECTS
7.5
7.5
7.5
4
COMP1215, COMP1056 may be taken in Year 1 or 2 of the Minor
COMP2213, UOSM2012, WEBS2002, SOCI3073 may be taken in Year 2 or 3 of the Minor
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Progression Requirements
The programme of which this minor comprises a part follows the University’s regulations for Progression,
Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes as set out in
the University Calendar (http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionIV/progression-regs.html)
In order to qualify for the minor, students must pass all modules that make up the minor. There is no
provision for students to be referred in a minor module solely for the purpose of qualifying for the minor.
More detailed information can be found on the minor website at
http://www.southampton.ac.uk/cip/information_for_students/minor_subjects/faqs/index.page.
Revision History
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First draft
Second draft
Third draft
Fourth draft
CQA Review
20th June 2014
7th July 2014
18th November 2014
4th December 2014
July 2015
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