CS2IY16-Industrial Year

Module Provider: Computer Science
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Maxi placement
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Pat Parslow
Email: p.parslow@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is taken by students entering a placement year in industry. The placement is for a minimum of 9 months (40 weeks) and is completed in one academic year. The students carry out work within the company with which they are placed that is related to Computer Science/IT. The students are assessed on the basis of written and oral presentations of their work and experience during the placement.

Successful completion of a placement does not contribute to the student’s final degree classification but earns them a ‘with Industrial Year’ degree in their subject area.

Aims:

The aims of the placement are to:

1. Provide the student with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the first two years of their undergraduate studies.


2. Extend knowledge with real world practice.


3. Gain knowledge, understanding and skills of working in a business/research environment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will demonstrate their learning outcomes by:

1. Maintain a log book during their placement, in line with any security and intellectual property rules pertaining to their employment.


2. Preparing a written report analysing and evaluating their placement experience within the organisation; rules of governance and other procedures affecting the role and the tools and methodologies being employed. The report will provide an academic appreciation of the placement; and an opportunity to research and evaluate alternative approaches, which should be of value to the employer, university and the placement student. The report will be submitted in the first week of the autumn term of their final year, and include a summary of the log book.Ìý


3. Prepare a poster outlining the benefits of the work placement in the context of the host company.

Additional outcomes:

The student will experience and learn the types of knowledge and skills employers’ value, which will help them in both their applications and selection procedures for jobs when they graduate.

Typically, the student will build their team skills, and enhance their appreciation of deadlines and time management.

Outline content:
The area of work undertaken on the placement will be related to the student's programme in the Department of Computer Science. The day to day content of the work will be set by the company. The work placement should provide the student with the opportunity for independent problem solving and working in a team.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The placement is a three-way partnership between the employer, the student and the university. Every student within their level of competence and training should have their ability stretched when out on placement. The student’s placement tutor will arrange a visit by a member of University staff to the student during the placement to review progress.