How do I get to know other people in the Department?
Out induction week for the first semester includes a welcome party where you will be able to meet staff as well as other first-year students. You will soon get to know other members of your year through tutorials and practical classes.
What is a typical week like?
A typical week in the first and second year will involve around 9 hours of lectures and 6 hours of support classes such as practicals and tutorials. There is less formal contact time in the final year as students are working on their individual project under the guidance of a project supervisor. In between formal classes, students have plenty of time to complete their coursework and, due to the compact nature of both campuses, even play sport.
Is there tutorial support?
Teaching support is provided in a variety of ways, as appropriate to each module. For example, several tutorial sessions, or examples classes, may be organised per week, each for a subset of students. Alternatively, open-door ‘clinic’ sessions may be provided to give practical support with laboratory work or coursework assignments.
How do I decide which modules to choose?
Each year you will receive an Undergraduate Programme Document which gives full details of each module and shows the compulsory and optional modules for each degree programme. In addition your supervisor is available to help you.
How are my modules assessed?
The Undergraduate Programme Document outlines the method of assessment for each module, normally a mix of coursework and written examination at the end of the semester in which it is studied.
What happens if I fail a module? Do I have to leave?
No. You may have a chance to retake the failed module in the following August. Most students pass the resit; but if you find you are unable to maintain the level required for an Honours degree, you may be able to transfer to an Ordinary degree.
Can I get help if I am having problems with a module?
Our open-door policy means that you can call at any time on any member of staff and seek their help. Staff are busy, of course, but you will find we are approachable and genuinely willing to help.
Who can I turn to for help and advice after I’ve started?
Throughout your time here, one member of academic staff is nominated as your supervisor. This ensures that there is at least one person you can turn to for advice on any matter, academic or personal. The Counselling Service, hall wardens and their assistants, tutors in charge of student houses and the Students’ Union Advice Centre are also concerned, in different ways, with your welfare.
Can I comment on the teaching I receive?
Yes. At the end of each module we collect your comments on aspects of the teaching. A summary of the feedback is reviewed by staff and a report presented to the next staff meeting and Staff–Student Committee meeting. Comments of an academic nature can be made in many other ways too – through our Quality Incident Book, the Quality Officer, your Staff–Student representative, the Staff–Student Committee, your supervisor, the Director of Undergraduate Studies and/or the Head of Department.
Where do I buy books?
There is a bookshop on the Hull Campus which stocks all essential and recommended titles on our booklists. Second-hand copies can sometimes be bought from other students. Books can also be ordered from local bookshops in Hull and Scarborough.
How easy is it to change degree course?
It is usually possible to change registration from one degree programme to another up to the end of your first year and sometimes up to the end of your second year, depending on the optional modules you have chosen.
Is there any time for sport or leisure activities?
Wednesday afternoons are free for all undergraduate students. The compact nature of both campuses means that you won’t spend much time travelling around, and if you are feeling energetic you could even fit in a game of squash between lectures!
Can I transfer from a different institution?
One benefit of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) is that it facilitates such transfers. However, in a technological subject such as computer science, the particular syllabus content represented by transfer credits – especially its coverage of programming languages – is critically important. If you wish to explore the possibility of such a transfer, please contact us to discuss this – even if your present institution is not operating CATS.
Why do the degree courses encompass professional development?
Our courses are technical in nature, but it is no longer enough to be just a good ‘techie’ for the vast majority of careers. Computing professionals must be able to communicate on a one-to-one basis at different technical and organisational levels, be able to work in teams, be comfortable giving presentations and be able to use modern communications technology effectively. In addition to such transferable skills we believe it is important that our graduates have a firm understanding of the legal, moral and social implications of their future activities in order to act as true professionals.
Do you expect that your graduates will have good employment prospects?
Students who have worked hard and attained a good degree should be very well positioned to take advantage of the many exciting opportunities that careers in computing offer. Like many other computing courses, all our degrees provide a grounding in programming and software engineering which constitutes a solid foundation for traditional computing careers. Depending on the degree you study for, you can also gain a deep understanding of specific areas of computing such as internet technology and software engineering.
