BIRKBECK COLLEGE PROGRAMME PROPOSAL/PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FORM

Transcription

1 BIRKBECK COLLEGE PROGRAMME PROPOSAL/PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FORM Please note that for a proposed new programme all sections of the form should be completed. For an existing programme all sections should be completed in order to produce a programme specification except those marked 'please complete for new programmes only'. NB: This specification needs to be attached to the specification for the BSc Mathematics and Statistics once this has been completed. Registry use only: Prog Code(s) Rec'd DB DC Amend DC App TC TC App ABEX Fee 1. Qualification(s) to be awarded, e.g. BA, MSc, MRes, PG Diploma/MA including all potential stopping-off points College Certificate of Continuing Education 2. Full title(s) of the field of study of the degree(s) or other award(s) Statistics 3. School responsible for this programme 4. Programme Director 5. Other Schools contributing to this programme Economics, Mathematics and Statistics Dr Andris Abakuks None 6. Other institutions contributing to this programme 7. Programme running since (month and year) None October Study mode(s) 9. Duration 10. Attendance FT PT Number of academic/calendar years 1-2 years Approximate hours/week 6 Distance (give details ) State additional fieldwork requirements, where applicable. Other Maximum FT 11. Intake: state annual/biennial/other PT Distance 50 Other Minimum 1 Expected 30 annually 12. Proposed fee (please complete for new programmes only) Standard or other: If other please state proposals for FT (Home), PT, Distance, FT Overseas as appropriate and reasons. None 13. Credit transfer arrangements 14. Supersession (please complete for new programmes only) Does the programme supersede an existing programme? Yes / No If Yes please specify Programme Proposal/Programme Specification Form (revised 04/04/02)

2 Main Aims 15. Main aims, distinctive features and rationale of the programme The course is intended partly for students who wish to study statistics at university level but do not wish to commit themselves to a full degree programme. Mostly, however, students are graduates in a different discipline, who wish to enhance their mathematical and statistical skills, frequently with the aim of going on to take the school's MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational Research or some other MSc in Statistics, Finance or Economics, either at Birkbeck or elsewhere. The certificate course, for most students who take it, functions as a Qualifying Course for the MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational Research. The course consists of a minimum of four half-course units from the units that are also taken by students studying for the BSc Mathematics and Statistics, Statistics and Economics, or Statistics and Management. The core half-units in Statistical Theory and Analysis of Experimental and Survey Data are compulsory, but the other half-units taken can be tailored to the student s interests, previous experience and plans for any further studies. Distinctive Features Part-time, evening, face-to-face study. The course functions as a conversion course that provides a basic training in statistical theory and methods as well as a grounding in the mathematics that is needed to study statistics and allied subjects at a more advanced level. 16. Entry requirements and specific access routes/programmes Students under 21 require a minimum of two A' Levels or equivalent. All other students may be admitted under the mature student regulations. The normal specific admission requirement is A-level Mathematics or equivalent, for example, the Open University Foundation Course in Mathematics or the foundation courses in Mathematics and Further Mathematics that are run by the Birkbeck College Faculty of Continuing Education. Applicants' prior knowledge of mathematics and statistics is discussed in detail at the admissions interview, as are the options for the programme of study for the certificate course. For students whose mathematical background falls below that which is normally required, it may be recommended that they take the certificate course over two years or that they apply to take the foundation courses that are run by Faculty of Continuing Education. Applicants for the MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational Research should normally have a first degree at second class honours level with Mathematics or Statistics as a main field of study or with substantial mathematical or statistical content. Applicants who do not fully satisfy the entrance requirements may be admitted to the certificate course, which then functions as a MSc Qualifying Course. To qualify for entry to the MSc, the examinations for the certificate course must be passed at the level of a second class honours degree. 17. Learning outcomes To gain the qualification the learner will have demonstrated the following skills specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the programme and for the programme as a whole: Please note: The learning outcomes for approved modules in the programme and for the programme as a whole should relate to the overall aims of the programme. Subject Specific A basic knowledge of mathematical calculus and matrix theory and some experience of their applications in the field of statistics. A basic knowledge and understanding of the principles of statistical inference, probability theory, random variables and their distributions. Practical Computing skills, including data entry in appropriate formats and the ability to use a statistical package to analyse the data. The ability to write reports using word-processing or other computer programmes and to integrate the output from a statistical package into them. Knowledge of the statistical package Minitab. The ability to carry out statistical analyses and to draw sensible conclusions from the results. Intellectual The ability to formulate practical problems in a structured way, e.g., to set up hypotheses in such a way that they may be tested using the available data. Personal and Social The ability to work independently and in small groups. The ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing. The ability to incorporate the results of a technical analysis into a clearly written report that may be understood by a non-specialist. 2

3 18. Internal and External factors considered in developing the learning outcomes Because of staffing constraints, the course units that are included in the certificate programme are chosen from the course units in the school's BSc programme in Mathematics and Statistics. The learning outcomes are, therefore, those of the corresponding BSc units. The units chosen are such that the learning outcomes in mathematics are those required for study of the core statistics units and for further study at postgraduate level of statistics and allied disciplines. The core statistics units are chosen so as to have learning outcomes that are relevant (i) to students' immediate needs in their work and (ii) to students' plans for further study at postgraduate level. In particular, the content of the more immediately applicable aspects of the course is influenced by what computational and statistical skills may be useful to students whose work involves statistical analysis. In as much as the course is mainly used as a qualifying course for the MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational Research, its overall content is largely determined by the mathematical and statistical prerequisites for the MSc course. The MSc course is itself accredited by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), so that its syllabus is subject to approval by the Professional Affairs Committee of the RSS. 19. Teaching and learning methods The course units are taught mainly through lectures, in the course of which comprehensive lecture notes are distributed to the students. Exercise sheets and corresponding solutions sheets are distributed to students in all course units. In addition, there are workstation sessions associated with some course units. The principal example here is the course unit, Analysis of Experimental and Survey Data, in which the first half of each evening consists of a lecture and the second half of a workstation session, in which students carry out practical work. There are always one or two members of staff present to help students with their computational work and to give advice on statistical problems. 20. Main subjects, levels and qualifications Level 4 Module(PG)/Course-Unit(UG) [Please indicate compulsory modules/course-units with *] Mathematical Techniques Linear Systems Introductory Statistics Cross-reference to learning outcomes Basic knowledge of mathematical calculus Basic knowledge of matrix theory Introduction to probability theory and statistical inference Level 5 Advanced Calculus Statistical Theory * Analysis of Experimental and Survey Data * Note: most students will take the course over one year, including the units, Linear Systems and Advanced Calculus, as well as the compulsory units. Some students take the course over two years, in which case they often take more than the minimum four half-units that are required for the certificate. Occasionally, students take other units from our BSc programme. More advanced knowledge of mathematical calculus, as required for the MSc programme. A basic knowledge of probability and distribution theory together with the principles of statistical inference. The ability to carry out statistical analysis of data, including use of the statistical package Minitab. 21. Assessment Assessment methods used and rationale (please attach details of the assessment scheme) All course units are assessed by an unseen examination in June, which carries 80% of the mark, and by two pieces of assessed coursework, which carry 20% of the mark. NOTE: For a rationale of the assessment scheme for individual units, see the Programme Specification for the BSc programme in Mathematics and Statistics. Students who pass four half-units are awarded the College Certificate of Continuing Education in Statistics. Students who pass each of Linear Systems and Advanced Calculus and the compulsory units at second class honours level are deemed to have passed the MSc Qualifying Course at a level sufficient for admission to the MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational Research. 3

4 22. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards of this Programme The content of the certificate programme is considered in an annual review meeting. Proposals for modifications are discussed and decided at the level of the Mathematics and Statistics section in the school. These are then forwarded for approval to the Science Degrees Sub-Committee and then on to the College Teaching Committee. Scrutiny of external BSc examiners' reports is conducted both within and outside the section. Reports are forwarded by the Registrar's Office for the attention of the Chairman of the Sub-Board of Examiners, with a request for a response to any critical comments. The Sub-Board's response is then passed on, together with the report itself, to the Science Degrees Sub-Committee and the BSc Board of Examiners and any discussion reported to the College Teaching Committee. The section takes note of points raised in student-staff Exchange Meetings. These meetings are publicised in advance, in writing and through student representatives. The agenda for the meetings is circulated in lectures and posted on the student notice board. Student opinion on both the content and delivery of individual courses is obtained through course feedback forms. The responses are compiled by the BSc Course Director and considered formally in the review meetings. This process is wellestablished and encourages staff to reflect on their teaching methodology. There is a College-wide staff appraisal scheme. The teaching performance of a lecturer forms a major component of the appraisal. Members of staff are encouraged to participate in staff development workshops. Standards are scrutinised by the College Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) via annual programme reports, required responses to external examiners reports and internal review visits by a QAC panel. The Certificate course was commended by the QAA as a particularly successful entry route into the MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational Research, enabling students to achieve good MSc passes. The usefulness and success of the Certificate course is also indicated by the steadily increasing numbers of students on the course in recent years and by the increasing numbers of students who then go on to take the MSc. Overall, Mathematics and Statistics was given a QAA rating of Student support and guidance arrangements The course director, who also carries out admissions interviews, is in overall charge of student support and guidance. This occurs in the first instance at the admissions interview, when the nature of the course is explained and the most appropriate course of study is discussed with each prospective student. All new students are invited to an induction evening before commencing their studies. This gives them an opportunity to meet each other and the members of staff, and to be informed about services available to them from the Library, CCS and the Students' Union. Each student in the Mathematics and Statistics section is assigned his or her own personal tutor, who for certificate students is the course director. In case of difficulties over a particular course, students are encouraged in the first instance to talk to the lecturer or to make an appointment to see the lecturer for a more detailed discussion. The section prides itself on the readiness of the staff to make themselves available to students. The personal tutor/course director is also available to give advice and to deal with any problems that arise, especially more wide-ranging or deep-seated ones. A major positive influence on many students' learning experience is the enthusiasm, commitment and support of their fellow-students. Consequently, the section arranges informal gatherings for all students at the end of the autumn and summer terms. After the examinations, the course tutor writes to students inviting them to come to see him, to discuss their progress and to be given guidance as they prepare for any further study. Birkbeck College Students Union (BCSU) provides services for students by students by focusing on Representation, Resources, and Recreation (the 3 R s). BCSU provides a variety of resources ranging from photocopying to the Union Shop. It maintains the Television Room, and holds a file of useful contacts for Clubs & Societies. BCSU operates an Advice Centre 3 nights a week so that students don t have to take time off work when they have a problem and need to find helpful information quickly, and the Counselling Service is being expanded in order to offer help to more students. The Union has also expanded the range of courses offered by its Skills for Study programme to include Saturday workshops. Birkbeck Evening Nursery is available between 5.30pm and 9.00pm (Monday to Friday) during Term time for students and current members of staff and accepts children aged 2 years 10 years. In exceptional circumstances, children up to 12 will be accepted. The College has a 'Disability Statement', a handbook which provides detailed information on the provision for students with disabilities at the College. It advises on applying to the College and outlines the support available from the Disability Co-ordinator, Library Services, Central Computing Services, Students' Union and the Disability Liaison Officers within each School. It also provides details on special examination arrangements and additional financial support for disabled students. The text may be found on the College web site at: Financial support is available for those on low incomes who would otherwise be prevented from entering, or continuing in, higher education. A summary of the types of financial support available can be found on the College web site at: Careers advice is available via the University of London Careers Advisory Service. 24. Staff development (Please complete for new programmes only) 4

5 25. Programme Regulations i) For BA/BSc programmes please supply the scheme for the award of Honours or attach on a separate sheet (ii) For MA/MSc programmes please supply programme regulations or attach on a separate sheet To be awarded a College Certificate of Continuing Education, students have to pass at least two course units, i.e., four half-units. To be awarded the College Certificate of Continuing Education in Statistics, the units passed must include Statistical Theory and Analysis of Experimental and Survey Data. 26. Prospectus entry The prospectus entry may be found at Suggested advertising media (please complete for new programmes only) Name 28. Teaching staff FT or PT School Programme Coordinator Birkbeck teaching staff Sessional teaching staff* Dr Andris Abakuks FT Dr Anthony Brooms FT Mr Lakshman Sinnadurai FT Dr Alvaro Cartea FT Stephen Hodges PT 5