School of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Caulfield Campus

Student/Staff Meeting

Meeting 2/2004 for the Caulfield campus was held on 20th August at 2.30pm in B5.50A

Staff:
Professor Srini Balavasan, Ms Dianne Hagan, Dr Matt Mitchell, Ms Kelsey Van Haaster, Ms Laura Williamson

Students:
Tat Thang Dang (1st year)
Ben Carmichael (2nd year)
Simon Fernleigh (2nd year)
Michael Shimmins (2nd year)

Apologies:
Mr Jason Ceddia, Mr Andy Cheng, Ms Jan Miller, Mr Rob Redpath, Ms Judy Sheard, Ms Sylvia Tucker

Meeting opened at 2.30pm

Professor Bala Srinivasan opened the meeting and welcomed staff and student representatives.

1st Year:

Tat Thang Dang reported that he is generally happy with how things are going in first year BComp and had nothing more to add.

2nd Year:

The 2nd year students explained that they are really impressed with the units that they are currently studying this semester. They mentioned CSE3030 and CSE3211 as being exceptionally good units.

They feel that the comp labs upstairs on the 5th floor are slightly old and in need of updating, but other than that, they currently have no lab problems. Andy Cheng informed the students that the labs for CSE3211 will be moving as of week 6 and will all be in B122.

They also express problems with the teaching of CSE2203. They feel as though the assistant lecturer is very unapproachable and as a result feel uncomfortable going to him with any questions or queries that they may have about the unit.
Action: Srini to talk with the lecturer regarding this issue.

There is a problem with encumbrance whereby the students can't access database systems which includes things such as course materials etc… if their fees have not been paid. This is a major problem as often the unit will have an online exam which the student can not get access to.

Action: Kelsey Van Haaster to look into this.

The students still expressed concerns with CSE2318 - Data Communications and Networks. They feel that the specs and the assignment requirements/specifications are too vague. The student will speak with Peter Granville about this.

Action: Dianne Hagan to speak to Peter also.

A group of students are still waiting for the CSE2201 Sem 1 assignment mark and breakdown. Laura has a copy of all unit marks breakdown that the students can come and have a look at.

Action: Laura Williamson to look for their breakdowns.

The students are still finding that the labs in B block are way too hot. They are finding it hard to concentrate and would like the problem to be fixed.

Action: Di Hagan to talk to ITS.

Some students would like 'cookies' to be installed in the computer labs. The idea was discussed, but it was decided that there were good reasons for this not to happen.

Students would like to see more units to be offered per year. They feel that the lack of units offered make the degree different from that advertised at the beginning of their degree. They have been told that electives are to be offered once a year now instead of twice a year.

Action: Di Hagan to put up sem 1 and 2 offerings for 2005 on the website for students to look at now.

Another staff meeting to be held in week 10 of Sem 2.

3rd Year

No students to comment.

Meeting closed at 3.11pm