Present:
Mr Sudad Abbas (Second year BSE), Prof David Abramson (HOS - Chair), Dr David Albrecht, Mr Ashwini Alluri (Third year BSE), Ms Nadejda Antanovskii (Second year BSE), Dr Peter Atkinson, Mr Blair Bethwaite (Second year BCS), Ms Nandita Bhattacharjee, Mr Stanley Breshkin (First year BSE), Ms Amanda Crawford (Third year BCS), Prof John Crossley, Mr Rupak Dad (Third year BSE), AssocProf Trevor Dix, Dr Alan Dorin, Dr David Dowe, Dr Graham Farr, Mrs Karen Fenwick, Mr Steve Gardner, Ms Edwina Goh, Mr Charles Greif, Mr Michael Ha (First year BCS), Ms Zeana Haider (Honours BSE), Mr Edgar Kherlopian (Third year BDS), Dr Carlo Kopp, Dr Kevin Korb, Dr Chris Ling, Mr Abhishek Madhekar (First year BSE), Ms Melissa Mantel (First year BCS), Dr Linda McIver, Dr Bernd Meyer, AssocProf Christine Mingins, Mr Oliver Ng (Second year BDS), Ms Alice Ngan (BSc/BCompSc), Mr Andre Oboler (Honours BCS), Dr Andrew Paplinski, Ms Debbie Pickett, Dr Ronald Pose, Dr Sita Ramakrishnan, Dr Sid Ray, Mr Joel Reicher, Mr Steve Roberts (FIT Client Services), Mr David Siljanovski (FIT Client Services), Mr Stewart Smith (Third year BCS), Dr David Squire, Mr Hayden Stainsby (First year BDS), Dr Peter Tischer, Dr Cristina Varsavsky (Maths)

Apologies:
Dr Lloyd Allison, AssocProf John Hurst, Dr Annya Requile, Ms Vi Tran (BA/BCompSc)

Welcome
The Head of School, Prof David Abramson opened the meeting and welcomed the new student representatives for 2002. He thanked both student reps and staff for attending and stressed the importance of such a meeting to both CSSE and students.

Feedback from student reps was taken in year order with input from each degree.

FIRST YEAR

CSE1301 Computer Programming - Students asked if lectures could be recorded. Lecturers advised that CSE1301 lecture theatres are not set up for this. The University is working towards having this facility available in all theatres. Some students in CSE1301 asked for at least one more complex example. Dr Farr noted these comments.

CSE1401 Introduction to Software Engineering - Students raised the following concerns: the slides needed more details; the lecturer speaks too fast; the way time is spent by some tutors in tutorials, and Java programming in practicals. These comments were noted and will be followed up by the lecturer Dr Ling.

BSc/BCompSc student rep asked if there is a possibility of more flexibility in the set Mathematics core for this degree. Action: The school will take up this matter with the Science Faculty. (Dr D Dowe)

SECOND YEAR

CSE2304 Algorithms and Data Structures - Students reported that pracs had been hard to interpret and some students had trouble knowing what to do. Some changes have been made in the last couple of weeks and the issue is now resolved.

CSE2201 Software Engineering Practice - Students were happy with this subject and reported that they liked the tutors and the lecturer, Dr Annya Requile. Tutor, Daniel Rowley, is very helpful. They didn't like coding in Eiffel but now it is o.k.

Students asked if anything can be done about cleanliness of toilet facilities in building 19. Action: To be brought to the attention of the cleaners. (Mr M Richardson)

CSE2131 Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing - Students raised inconsistency of prac notes and software. The lecturer reported that prac notes are currently being updated.

Second year Digital Systems students raised the concerns about the change to the course structure and confusion by some students as to which structure to follow. Students were advised to seek guidance from the Course Co-ordinator, Dr Andrew Paplinski.

THIRD YEAR

CSE3301 Project - Software for Prof Abramson's project not available. Prof Abramson advised he is working on it.

Lab, PC and availability problems were raised. Concerned students are advised to contact the third year rep Mr Stewart Smith.

Students queried the overlap of content in CSE1401, CSE3308 and BUS2176. Staff advised that CSE1401 introduces, CSE3308 extends, and project management is very different. Where there may be overlap it is intentional.

CSE3308 Software Engineering: Analysis and Design - Following feedback from students in 2001, tutorials were introduced for this subject. Students asked if there could be more tutors and advised that 90% of students were attending on Thursdays and the rest on Fridays. Students suggest an alternative time if possible. Concerns were raised about consistency of opinion between tutors and lecturers. The lecturer advised that he has meetings with tutors where such items are discussed and asked students to advise him of areas of conflicting opinions. Dr Squire advised that the nature of the subject is that there will be different solutions. Students are experiencing the pressure of group assignments and individual assignments, and advised that management of group work is a problem. One suggestion was allocation of a room for group meetings. The anonymous feedback is working nicely. Students reported that SmartDraw does not work for CSE3308 - Dr Squire said it was not meant to be used but that since there was interest, he will lookinto it. Students asked for a case study or sample project. These comments were noted by the lecturer and will be followed up.

CSE3313 Computer Graphics - Students reported that many people were asking the same questions and suggested anonymous feedback. Dr Tischer advised that he had 2 hours for consultation which is not well attended. Over Easter students had no access to Linux and an assignment was due just after Easter.

CSSE staff advised that the availability of Linux in the break, after hours and weekends has always been a problem. Portable 1 should be dual bootable. Action: ITS will be approached about this problem. (FIT reps) FIT reps advised that the situation will be reviewed before Easter next year and there will be more information in the next couple of months concerning access.

CSE3305 Formal Methods I - Students asked for a newsgroup for CSE3305. Students commented on the need to take notes during lectures, and complimented both the lecturer, Prof John Crossley and Mr Joel Reicher for their efforts.

The issue of detailed lecture notes and taking notes was discussed.

Digital Systems reps raised concerns about the facilities in room 139. They were advised that it is a project lab not a general purpose lab. Action: CSSE will look at these labs. (Ms N Bhattacharjee) Peter Atkinson is very helpful. Room 208(63) has a computer not working - this has been reported to Nandita Bhattacharjee. Everything else is fantastic.

FOURTH YEAR - HONOURS

BSE reps reported that there have been complaints about the organisation of CSE417 for Software Engineering students, and BSE students not being advised of procedures. Students were advised that there are two streams for CSE417. Action: Better communication to BSE students. (Dr Lloyd Allison) They now have a printer and weekend access after 7 weeks.

Computer Science reps reported that access and facilities are great.

CSE454 Learning and Prediction I: Data Mining - lecture notes on the web are not accessible off campus. Action: To be checked. (Dr L Allison)

Network
Problems with the network were discussed. Ideas were put forward to the Faculty reps with some possible solutions. Problems are experienced with downtime, and Linux not being good enough. It is apparent that it is not clear how to get this solved. Faculty reps report that they are looking at the Linux situation but they need specific examples. As soon as they have a solution they will provide it. The Faculty will be taking a proactive role and will report back to the School.

The meeting closed at 2.00p.m.