Minutes - Academic Planning Unit - University of Ulster

UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
ACADEMIC PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE
Unreserved Minutes of a meeting held on 25 January 2007 at the
Jordanstown campus.
PRESENT
CONFIRMED
Professor ND Black (Chairman), Dr SDA Barnhill, Mr AG Faulkner,
Mr J Kennedy, Mr D McGivern, Professor R Millar, Professor C Mulholland,
Mrs EE Urquhart, Mr RN Wilson
APOLOGIES
Professor A Moran
IN ATTENDANCE
Mrs AJ Cairns, Dr S Edge (Minutes 07.07, 07.09 and 07.10),
Professor EM Lillie (Minutes 07.08), Professor R Welch (Minutes 07.08 and
07.09), Mr P Fleming (Minutes 07.16, 07.17, 07.18 and 07.19)
07.01 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2006 were approved.
MATTERS ARISING
07.02 Proposed BArch Hons Architecture (FT/PT) (BT/JN) (Min 06.98)
It was noted that:
a) DEL had been requested to clarify whether students would be University of
Ulster students during Part 3;
b) the Faculty had not yet reported back on how it would facilitate the
programme within the existing MaSN allocation, if additional was not
available and if the title of the programme should be classified as
postgraduate;
c) discussions had taken place between the faculties of Arts and
Engineering on the subject of MaSN.
AGREED that:
i) the Faculty of Arts again be asked for clarification on MaSN (Dean of
Engineering to be copied into the communication) and programme title
issues;

ii) faculties, when proposing new undergraduate programmes of study,
identify how the programme will fit in with the existing MaSN or if
additional is required.
07.03 Proposed BA Hons Photography (FT/PT) (BT) (Min 06.99)
The Committee noted that no response had been received from the Faculty
concerning MaSN and that equipping the space within the existing resource
allocation was the subject of ongoing discussion.
AGREED that a response be sought from the Faculty.
07.04 Proposed PgCert Forensic Studies (PT) (DL) (Min 06.105)
It was noted that the Faculty of Social Sciences had identified and agreed a
resource within the Faculty of Engineering to deliver the Law modules.
07.05 CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications from the Chair.
COURSE PLANNING
07.06 The Committee considered business from the Faculties (Papers
APSC/07/01 to APSC/07/04).
FACULTY OF ARTS (APSC/07/01)
07.07 Proposed BA Hons Photo Imaging: Minor (FT/PT) (CE) (APSC/07/01a)
The Committee received a CA1 proposal and noted that:
a) the programme would start to address the skills gap identified by
industry related bodies in the area of Photo Imaging;
b) full-time numbers were estimated to rise from 25 in the first year of
intake to a total of 68 in year six;
c) no additional resources were required.
The Committee discussed potential part-time interest and agreed that there
could be a significant market. It was thought, however, for the part-time mode
to be successful, the mode of delivery and location required serious
consideration. It was suggested that it would best be located at the Belfast
campus.
It was reported that the Faculty had established a working group to consider
various part-time issues.
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AGREED that it be recommended to the Academic Development and Student
Services Committee that the proposal proceed to planning and evaluation with
a view to entry in September 2008.
07.08 Proposed MRes Cultural Heritages (FT/PT) (ME) (APSC/07/01b)
The Committee received a CA1 proposal and noted that:
a) the proposal responds to policies of key funding bodies such as the
AHRC’s emphasis on the sound provision of advanced research
methods, tools and skills, and a correlated knowledge base promoting
the creation of viable enhanced pathways towards research at PhD
level, as anticipated in the AHRC’s new emphasis on block grant
funding for postgraduates, and equivalent high level enquiry and
consultancy outside academia;
b) NI domiciled students would be eligible for ARHC funding;
c) the programme is unique in the whole of Ireland with its closest
equivalent being the MA by Directed Research in Literatures at
Liverpool;
d) full-time numbers were estimated to rise from 6+ in the first year of
intake to a total of 18+ in year six;
e) in the medium/long term, space needs to be created to accommodate a
Faculty Postgraduate Centre with its respective campus hubs;
f) as the use of WebCT increases, additional support staff will be
required;
g) the need to enhance the library into a research-led resource should be
taken into account as part of normal library upgrading;
h) additional space is planned for Magee and it is anticipated that this will
be suitably equipped.
AGREED that
i) it be recommended to the Academic Development and Student
Services Committee that the proposal proceed to planning and
evaluation;
ii) Faculty to agree a start date of January 2008;
iii) Faculty to undertake a market review to include the part-time element
iv) Faculty to liaise with Physical Resources, Human Resources and
Information Services to ensure adequate resources are available.
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07.09 Proposed BA Hons Journalism, Major (FT/PT) (CE) (APSC/07/01c)
The Committee received a CA1 proposal and noted that:
a) the proposal was a revision of an existing subject strand of Journalism
from a Main to a Major;
b) revising the programme into a Major subject strand would allow the
Faculty to best meet NCTJ requirements for full accreditation over the
next 3-5 years;
c) no additional resources would be required
AGREED that it be recommended to the Academic Development and Student
Services Committee that the proposal be approved with a view to entry in
September 2007, subject to submission of the required external evidence that
the programme represents an appropriate and coherent programme of study,
as specified at D23 of the CA1 form. The Committee recognised the potential
for part-time mode of delivery and recommended that the Faculty should
develop and enhance the part-time elements of the programme.
07.10 Proposed BA Hons Film Studies, Major (FT/PT) (CE)
The Committee noted that:
a) Student Recruitment Services had received text and suggested
combinations for Film Studies for inclusion in the 2008 prospectus,
however, no CA1 proposal had as yet been considered by the
Committee;
b) a CA1 had been prepared but too late for submission of papers;
c) it was proposed that Film Studies, in addition to being offered as a
Main and a Minor, also be offered as a Major;
AGREED that the CA1 be submitted for Professor Black’s consideration and
Chair’s Action taken, if appropriate.
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT (APSC/07/02)
07.11 Proposed Foundation Degree in Hospitality and Tourism at East Down
IFHE (APSC/07/02a)
The Committee received a revised CA2 proposal to offer the part-time
provision at the Downpatrick campus of the East Down Institute.
It was noted that:
a) the original proposal had been referred back because of concerns
about market demand and library resources;
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) the course duration would be 2.5-3 years;
c) inadequate library stock existed.
AGREED that before the proposal would be approved to proceed to planning
and evaluation, the Faculty be asked to comment on the following specific
issues.
i) the course duration: would students working in industry be exempt from
the work based learning element in year 3;
ii) entry requirements and alternative to GCSE Mathematics;
iii) the issue of financial agreement;
iv) the proposed start date – unlikely to be September 2007;
v) library resources.
07.12 Programme Withdrawals
It was noted that the following programme had been withdrawn:
FdSc e-Commerce
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING (APSC/07/03)
07.13 FdSc Building Technology and Management (PT) at Causeway
Institute of FHE
The Committee received a request from the Institute to increase the part-time
student intake to a maximum of 28.
The Committee noted that:
a) the request had the approval of the Faculty, for the 2007/08 intake
only;
b) the Institute had confirmed that sufficient resources were available to
accommodate the increase.
AGREED that the increase in part-time numbers be approved for the 2007/08
academic year only.
07.14 BEng Hons Electronics, Communications and Software
The Committee noted the following correction to Minute 06.31 (April 2006):
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Due to incorrect information on the submitted CA5 form, the above
programme was recorded as withdrawn in error. The programme that was
actually withdrawn was the BEng Hons Electronics and Software (Pilot) (PT).
Student Recruitment Services and Planning Department have confirmed that
BEng Hons Electronics, Communications and Software had remained ‘live’.
07.15 Programme Withdrawals
It was noted that the following programme had been withdrawn:
HNC Computing (Software Engineering) at Omagh College (PT).
FACULTY OF LIFE AND HEALTH SCIENCES (APSC/07/04)
07.16 Proposed PgCert Veterinary Studies (Veterinary Public Health) (DL)
with University College Dublin (APSC/07/04a)
The Committee received a CA2 proposal and Faculty Assessment and noted
that:
a) recent changes in the EU regulatory framework in terms of Food Safety
require that Official Veterinarians in all EU Member States undergo a
formal course of training in Veterinary Public Health;
b) Professor Mulholland had met with colleagues from Dublin and had
some concerns around identifying the market and any additional costs
for the University;
AGREED that:
i) the Faculty submit to the Committee a Business Plan and a revised
Market Analysis;
ii) as this is a joint programme the Faculty is required to submit a CA1;
iii) a CA9 is required as UCD is not an existing partner in course delivery;
07.17 Proposed FdSc Applied and Medical Sciences (FT/PT) at Belfast IFHE,
Newry IFHE and North West IFHE (APSC/07/04b)
The Committee received a CA2 proposal and Faculty Assessment.
AGREED that the proposal be referred back to the Faculty for further
clarification on:
a) the financial agreement and credit arrangements;
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) what, if any, impact the proposal would have on current Faculty
provision.
07.18 Proposed PgDip/MSc Bioanalytical Science (DL) APSC/07/04c)
The Committee received a CA1 proposal and noted that:
a) the programme would target a specific market in which student
numbers are low;
b) Professor Mulholland had not been consulted.
Members agreed that it was difficult to fully consider the proposal because it
was presented in isolation and would perhaps have been better looked at if it
had been presented as part of a business package.
AGREED that the Faculty be asked to submit a revised proposal addressing
the Committee’s comments.
07.19 Proposed PgDip/MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences (FT/PT) (CE)
(APSC/07/04d)
The Committee received a CA1 proposal.
Members agreed that the rise in student numbers from 10 in the first year of
intake to a total of 30 in year six did not look achievable and that the financial
model did not seem viable, as it did not take into account issues such as
depreciation and the additional resources required beyond initial capital
investment.
AGREED that the Faculty be asked to submit a revised proposal addressing
the Committee’s comments.
Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes
Approved: ________________________________ Date: ______________
Professor N D Black (Chair)
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