Faculty of Information Technology

School of Computer Science and Software Engineering

Clayton Campus

Student/Staff Meeting 2/2002 of the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering Clayton Campus, held on Friday 30 August at 1 pm in the Seminar Room 135, Clayton Campus.

Present:

Prof David Abramson (HOS - Chair), Assoc Prof Kim Marriott, Mr Jon McCormack, Dr David Albrecht, Dr Peter Atkinson, Assoc Prof John Hurst, Ms Nandita Bhattacharjee, Mr Gordon Lowe, Dr Alan Dorin, Dr Ann Nicholson, Dr Bernd Meyer, Dr David Dowe, Dr Graham Farr, Ms Merrie Welsh (Minute Secretary), Ms Edwina Goh, Mr Charles Greif, Mr Michael Ha (First year BCS), Ms Zeana Haider (Honours BSE), Mr Edgar Kherlopian (Third year BDS), Mr Blair Bethwaite (Second year BCS), Mr Stanley Breshkin (First year BSE), Dr Carlo Kopp, Dr Kevin Korb, Ms Melissa Mantel (First year BCS), Mr Oliver Ng (Second year BDS), Mr Andre Obler (Honours BCS), Dr Andrew Paplinski, Ms Debbie Pickett, Dr Ronald Pose, Dr Sita Ramakrishnan, Dr Sid Ray, Mr Joel Reicher, Mr Stewart Smith (Third year BCS), Dr Peter Tischer, Dr Cristina Varsavsky (Maths) Ms Caroline McGregor, Ms Harriet Searcy, Ms Kym Fergusson, AssocProf Trevor Dix

Apologies:

Dr Lloyd Allison, Prof John Crossley, Dr Annya Requile, Ms Vi Tran (BA/BCompSc), Dr Linda McIver, Mrs Karen Fenwick

WELCOME

The Head of School, Professor David Abramson opened the meeting at 1:10pm and thanked everybody for coming and remarked that we would have to get a bigger room as there were more and more attending each meeting. The first minutes were posted and accepted

ACTION FROM THE LAST MINUTES

Bachelor of Computer Science:

A student said that there seemed to be a lack of flexibility regarding the Maths subject MAT1841. Dr Christina Varsavsky from the Maths department assured the student that she would look into this matter.

There was a complaint about the cleanliness of the toilet facilities in building 19 and Professor Abramson responded that these facilities had now been painted and cleaned. There was also a concern at the lack of computers in Room 139 of building 63 and Dr Peter Atkinson responded that there were now 10 new machines installed.

Bachelor of Software Engineering

Students were not able to download the online CSE454 lecture notes. Dr Lloyd Allison was not able to attend the meeting but he has advised that somethat the lecture notes were only available to those "enrolled" in CSE454.

FIRST YEAR

Computer Science

Bar B Que

There was a concern about the BBQ at the orientation. It was thought that there were not enough students attending it. Professor Abramson responded that he had encouraged staff to attend and, that the School had also contributed funds towards this event.

The student suggested that it could be made compulsory. Professor Abramson responded that was not possible. Ms Kymberly Fergusson suggested that it could be incorporated into the welcome orientation at the start of Semester 1.

Students in CSE1301 and CSE1303 said they were often waiting for the demonstrators to mark their pracs in the session and the time waited was too long. Professor Abramson and Ms Debbie Pickett responded that this matter could be raised in the Tutors' meeting.

Digital Systems

It was thought there was a big gap between the standard of the students in Digital Technology II, CSE1102. Dr Atkinson responded that Prac 2 was meant to spread the students according to those who could do the work easily and those who could not. Although this does cause a gap, it shows the lecturer those students who have grasped the concept and those who have not. Also, the students are having trouble with the Electronics side of this subject too. The question asked is how can we help them? Professor Abramson suggested it be discussed in the Tutor’s meeting.

Software Engineering

The student suggested that the 2 to 2.5 hour pracs for CSE1402 were too short and could they have 3 to 3.5 hour pracs? It was also noted that some pracs are out of sequence. Ms Pickett and Professor Abramson responded that they would look into it, but that there were times when there were clashes between the tutes and pracs. A comment was passed that the Maths lecturer for MAT1830 was very good.

Law/Computer Science

The student representative was not at the meeting. One of the students at the meeting commented that he had not been able to enroll into the Computer Science/Law Degree. He said the rules were harsh and that for him to be eligible, he had to first do a Graduate Diploma. Both Associate Professor John Hurst and Professor Abramson responded that he needed to enroll into a Double Degree first. If students enroll for a Single Degree, the next one is regarded as a Second Degree. It is not in the School’s domain, but a University Policy.

SECOND YEAR

Computer Science

The student said that the Software Engineering unit, CSE1402 had no problems and that it was conducted very professionally. But in the Operating Systems (CSE2302) classes the unit information had not been updated and the students did not know what was examinable within the subject. Mr Charles Grief responded that he had taken the subject over from Assoc Prof Hurst and he was using information out of two books as this covered much of the material necessary. Mr Grief would also ensure that the students know which areas would be examinable. The student then asked "whether the pracs meant anything?" to which Assoc Prof Hurst said they did and that the pracs must be done and passed as they represented 50% of their marks and were a hurdle. The student suggested that the subject material could be ready before the start of the Semester. It would be helpful for students.

Digital Systems

The students asked about introducing an Industry Experience Program into their degree to which Professor Abramson responded that the school has a working party looking into it. The students perceived that their assessments in Digital Design II pracs were marked on their ability to use the software and not on their understanding of the program.

Software Engineering

The student advised that the feedback received on pracs and tutes for CSE2201 was positive. However, the Thursday students asked if they could have the same due date to hand in their assignments as those in the Friday class. A compliment was given to both Mr Jon McCormack and Dr Alan Dorin for their subject of World Wide Web and Multi Programming (CSE2325).

THIRD YEAR

Computer Science

The student asked if the timetable could be spread across the week. He commented that they had about 6-8 contact hours only and could something be done about this? Professor Abramson responded that this is a timetable issue.

Digital Systems

Dr Atkinson is organizing keys for the students to access the labs to do their work. The student said that at each practical for DSP, software has to be installed as the labs are being used for another unit. He is also trying to streamline the computers so that the students can set them up a lot easier. Mr Daniel Schmidt is looking into this. Dr Andrew Paplinski will also investigate this matter.

Action: Andrew Paplinski

Software Engineering

Ms Zeanna Haider said the students would like 24 hour access for the studio labs. She said she has emailed and spoken with Security about the weekend labs not being open in Bldg 19 between the hours of 9am to 6pm, and that sometimes she had to go and find a security guard to let her in and this was as late as 11am or so. Mr Muhamad Bekir and Dr Sita Ramakrishnan are both aware of this issue. Ms Haider also said there is a problem with the padlock device used to secure the door to the labs. People can look over your shoulder and see what combination is being keyed in and then can access it later without permission. This is not good for security. Professor Abramson responded that Ms Goh could speak with Mr Bekir about the 24-hour access and the security issue.

Action: Edwina Goh

She also said that the assignment workload was too heavy and can the students have examinable units instead. Prof Abramson suggested this be discussed offline.

FOURTH YEAR

Graduate Diploma

There was a timetable clash between CSE 3314 and CSE2305. Could the lectures be tape recorded and put online to help ease the clash? Ms Goh will check whether the lecture theatres had the capability to record.

Action: Edwina Goh

BCS Honours

Mr Andre Obler asked if the logbook for Computer Science and Digital Systems could be submitted at the same time. Dr Bernd Meyer said he would look into this. Mr Oboler also mentioned that the three-point workload is of concern as its requirement is the same as 6 points.

Mr Obler also asked when was the software on the Honours Lab computers being upgraded, as he had been told this would be happening. Professor Abramson responded that he had not heard of any upgrading of their computers to which Mr Obler replied that there had been a proposal put forward. Professor Abramson was not aware of this.

Action: Dr Meyer to follow up

General Business

Mr Obler tabled a document on student rights to computer access. He requested staff feedback on this document. Professor Abramson suggested that this matter should be discussed at the forthcoming Staff Meeting. Ms Goh to invite Mr Obloer to Staff Meeting on 6 September 2002.

Action: Ms Edwina Goh

Being no other business, the meeting closed at 2.10pm