CS2IY: Industrial Year

Module code: CS2IY

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 120

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Xiaomin Chen, email: xiaomin.chen@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Maxi placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides students with the opportunity to apply the computing knowledge and skills gained from their studies in a real-world environment. The placement is completed in one academic year. The students carry out computing work within a company. The students are assessed on the basis of written and oral presentations of their work and experience during the placement. Student will experience industrial practices, which will help them in both their applications and selection procedures for jobs when they graduate.

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.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Apply critical thinking and methodological approaches in the assigned project where to develop a fit-for-purpose solution; 
2. Further enhance the knowledge gained and skills developed in real-world problem-solving environment; 
3. Practise effective communication skills with diverse audience, such as customers and colleagues;  
4. Carry out development work independently and also within a team, through which to gain project management and time management skills. 

Module content

• Day-to-day work and expectations will be set by the company. 
• The university provides placement preparation resources to help prepare for placement. 
• The school also provides a series of training and workshop sessions during Part 2 studies, such as: write CV, covering letter, preparation for interview. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will attend a series of training sessions and workshops alongside with the academic studies in Part 2 to prepare their transition into the workplace.

Students during the placement year will be further supported through dedicated visits to the workplace and a number of scheduled online meetings (e.g. degree project kick-off, consultation for final year module selection, update on changes in the department) via MS Teams as well as communications through email. 

Study hours

This module is a placement or study abroad module and therefore the teaching and learning activities will predominantly, or entirely, take place away from the University of Reading. Your host organisation will normally advise you of the associated hours of your placement or year abroad. If the module includes any in-person activities at the University of Reading, these will be confirmed to you before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

This module is marked on a pass/fail basis. Students must pass each item of assessment to pass the module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There will be site visits during which the student, the employer and tutors from UoR can exchange views and feedback.

Reassessment

Additional costs