COURSE UNIT SURVEYS. The semester 2 course unit surveys are now open and will run until the 5th May 2024. Please complete the surveys for your course units and provide us with feedback on how they have gone. Any feedback provided by you is anonymous. We find feedback, particularly comments, extremely useful to understand what you feel about our teaching and we do listen to it and make changes as a result. Please provide us with written comments to explain why you rated course units as you did. Without these comments it’s difficult to make informed decisions on how to change and improve how we teach. Please be detailed with your feedback - if your comments are general, such as `I would like to see more examples', or `I found some of the material confusing', you're not telling us where exactly we should aim to make improvements. You can only complete the surveys via personal links sent to you by email. If you haven’t received an email, or are having problems completing the surveys then please contact teachingandlearningsurveys@manchester.ac.uk.

NOMINATE YOURSELF TO BE A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE. This from Tom Carroll, Chair of the UG Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC):  Are you interested in making a change, developing your programme and working with staff to close the feedback loop? Sign up or to be a Course Representative today! If you are returning next year and have never been a student rep before, or if you are already a rep and want to continue in the role, then please also sign-up. Reps are student leaders who gather feedback & work with staff to make positive change in their programme. Within the Department, Student reps have helped to bring about positive changes and an improved student experience, such as:

• Areas for relaxing, such as the Turing Lounge with table tennis table
• Updated Kilburn LF Student area: bean bags, pods, power points etc
• Kettle and microwave in the kitchen are on Kilburn LF
• Improved lab and study spaces, including LF8, which is not used for teaching
• New furniture for use by students throughout Kilburn
• Updated PCs with larger screens
• Changes to teaching in some course units, such as changes to examples classes, changes to teaching styles and introducing sessions to help support revision.

The role counts towards the STELLIFY award “step up and lead” and you’ll gain great experience through attending meetings, gathering feedback from your course mates & working on projects to enact change. Interested? To sign up, head to this form and input your details by 12 o’clock (noon) Monday 20th May 2024 After this we’ll get back in touch with the next steps! Please contact me if you have any questions.

NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY. The National Student Survey (NSS) will be running until the 30th April (Tuesday). If you haven’t done so already, please consider completing it. NSS offers final year students the opportunity to reflect on their time at Manchester and allows you to provide feedback on how, overall, you found your experience of studying at Manchester. Any feedback you provide is important to us as it can help us improve what we do. NSS is anonymous, so you can be open and honest in your feedback. We want your views - tell us what was good and what was bad! You can complete NSS directly via the NSS website. 

MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES DEADLINE. The deadline for reporting any mitigating circumstances that have impacted you in semester 2 (coursework or exams) is Friday 7th June 2024 at 4:00pm. This is a strict deadline and no applications will be considered after this date. You can find information on the mitigating circumstances process in the undergraduate handbook, or in the CS UG Community Blackboard space. If you are experiencing any problems then you can speak to your year tutor (contact details below), or you can speak to a member of the Student Support and Wellbeing Team, Maria Sloan and Ben Herbert. 

THIRD YEAR PROJECT Q&A. If you are a 3rd year student then the project Q&As take place from this week, until the end of week 12. The Q&A is an informal chat between you and the 2nd marker of your project. It gives you the opportunity to discuss your project and show what you have achieved. It also gives the 2nd marker the opportunity to learn more about your project, beyonds what’s in the report and screencast, and ask you questions. You will also find the process useful for job interviews, as you will gain experience about talking about your project and answering questions. You can find out what’s involved in the COMP30030&30040 Blackboard pages. You should be contacted by your second marker to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. If you do not hear from your 2nd marker then please contact Terry Morley.

UPDATED STUDENT RESOURCES. We have been relocating content from the Department intranet pages to the CS UG Community space in Blackboard. Here, you can find a wide range of resources, which will continue to be updated, for example information about mitigating circumstances processes, how to get help, the UG handbook, as well as other points of information. Please use this as your go to place for up-to-date information.

BIG SISTERS IN STEM PODCAST. A recent Big Sisters in STEM podcast featured our very own Zahra Montazeri talking about ‘Role models, unlocking creativity and shedding stereotypes’. From Star Wars to Avatar... you can find pieces of Zahra and her work throughout some of your favourite films. Today she explains not only how she employs science to create such magical results, but how important it is to believe in your abilities on your journey. From Iran to Turkey, and from California to the UK – Zahra knows talent, hard work, and self-belief can take you anywhere and everywhere. Make sure you have a listen - it’s Episode 4 (April 17th) - listen on Spotify, or YouTube. Follow @bigsistersinstem on Instagram!

LEARNING TIPS - DEGREE CLASSIFICATION. At the end of your degree your efforts are measured by a certificate that shows what classification you have achieved. What does this mean and how is your classification arrived at? Your degree classification is determined by your overall degree average, or GPA. The way this mark is calculated depends on the degree programme you are on and differs slightly between those on an MEng programme and those on a 3-year (including wIE) degree programme; you can find more information in the UG Handbook. For now, let’s consider someone on a 3-year programme (including wIE). Their final GPA is calculated from the overall marks from your 2nd and 3rd years weighted 33:67, so the 3rd year is worth twice that of the 2nd year. In each year, the overall mark is calculated as a credit-weighted average across the 120 credits of course units taken in that year, which you can find on the Student System. Your performance will be ranked into one of the following classifications depending on what your overall mark, or GPA, is:

• 1st: your overall degree average is 70% or greater
• 2.1 (upper second class): your degree average is in the range 60-69.9%
• 2.2 (lower second class): your degree average is in the range 50-59.9%
• 3rd: your degree average is in the range 40-49.9%
• Unclassified: your degree average is less than 40%

You have a chance of being promoted to the higher class if your overall mark is in the boundary zone of a higher degree classification

• 1st boundary zone: 68 - 69.9%
• 2.1 boundary zone: 58 - 59.9%
• 2.2 boundary zone: 48 - 49.9%
• 3rd boundary zone: 38 - 39.9%

However, to be promoted you need to have 80 credits at the higher classification in the final year. For example, Bob has an overall mark of 69.3%, but has marks for 72% in the project, and 76%, 70%, 69%, 67%, 67%, 66%, 65% and 64% in his 3rd year course units, each worth 10 credits. As Bob is in the boundary zone for a 1st class degree he needs 80 credits at 1st class level, i.e. 70% or above. However, as he only has 60 credits at first (72% in the project, which is 40 credits, plus 76% and 70% in two 10 credit course units) then he will be awarded a 2.1 degree. If we now consider Wendy, who also has an overall mark of 69.3% and marks of 71% in the project, and 78%, 73%, 72%, 70%, 65%, 65%, 64% and 61% in his 3rd year course units, each worth 10 credits. In this case, as Wendy is in the boundary zone for a 1st and has 80 credits at 1st (71% in the project, plus 78%, 73%, 72%, 70%) so she will be awarded a 1st. It is important to realise that the examination board makes these decisions based on the University’s Undergraduate Degree Regulations. The board does not look at mark profiles to justify promoting students that do not meet the criteria, and first year marks play no role at all in this process. The regulations are formulaic on how degree classifications are awarded. We hope this makes the process of how we award degree classifications clearer and hope that you demonstrate your full potential.

BETTER WORLD INITIATIVES 2024. Better World Initiatives 2024, University funding to support Social Responsibility and Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility (SREDIA) work are still open for applications. We want to  enable and empower staff and students in the Faculty of Science and Engineering to deliver initiatives that drive the (SREDIA) priorities in the three theme areas: 

1. Environmental Sustainability  
2. Equality, diversity inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) 
3. Engagement (includes Civic Engagement, Public Engagement & Schools Outreach)

 There are two routes for funding SREDIA activity this year: 

• Better World Grants - any staff or student from the faculty can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to bring new ideas or initiatives to deliver against the SREDIA priorities.  
• Better World Strategic Call –specific calls relating to one of the three SREDIA theme areas above.. 

  Applications are open until 2 May 2024. For more information, or to apply, please see our Better World Initiative webpages. 

PAID TEACHING OPPORTUNITY. Would you be interested in some work teaching 12-14 year olds that are interested in Science and Technology in June and July? MCS Projects are looking for students to assist leading activities and answer questions about University at some of our Challenge Days. Each event is a regional competition designed to raise enthusiasm for STEM subjects and encourage more young people to consider a career in them. Events run from 8.30-3.15, with activities including E-FIT forensics, medical diagnostics and electric cars. For more information please go to mcsprojectsltd.co.uk.  Successful applicants would be added to a mailing list so they can sign up to any events that they’re available for in the North West. The pay is £84 plus travel expenses per event. A training session would be provided beforehand. To apply, send your CV to John Waterworth by Monday 6th May.

STUDENT SUPPORT HUB EMAIL ADDRESS. If you need to contact a member of the Teaching, Learning and Student Experience team, then the email addresses are as follows:

• soe.hub@manchester.ac.uk: general queries; advice on University policies and services.
• soe.programmes@manchester.ac.uk: student record queries; registration advice and guidance; timetable queries/clashes; ATAS/Visa advice; extension to study period; project topics, allocation and supervisors; change of programme; return to study; professional accreditation
• soe.studentexperience@manchester.ac.uk: student societies support; SSLC/student rep support; employability; graduation; PASS; academic advising; communications; summer internship programme; surveys (course unit and NSS).
• soe.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk: mitigating circumstances; interruptions; disability coordinator support; general wellbeing support (appointments and helping you access the support you need).
• soe.attendance@manchester.ac.uk: attendance and engagement monitoring.
• soe.courseunits@manchester.ac.uk: course unit selection.
• soe.placements@manchester.ac.uk: placement support and coordination.
• soe.assessment@manchester.ac.uk: publication of results, exam queries, assessment queries (including DASS), progression and award queries.
• soe.appealsandconduct@manchester.ac.uk: academic appeals; malpractice and student complaints.

If you are unsure which email to use then use soe.hub@manchester.ac.uk for general queries. 

PROJECT ALLOCATION 2024-25. We are hoping to publish the results of the first round of the project allocation for next academic year this week (hopefully Tuesday 30th April). An email will be sent out when the allocation has been published, which will include a link to the allocation webpage. 87% of students were allocated their 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice (60% 1st choice, 21% 2nd, 17% 3rd).  If you failed to submit choices, or were unfortunately not allocated a project in the 1st round, then the 2nd round will open after the allocation has been published. If a project is still advertised that you would prefer, then you may forego your assigned project and enter the 2nd round of allocation. However, you should be aware of the risk involved. You will still be required to choose three projects from those which remain and there is a possibility that you will not receive any of your new choices. The reduction in staff capacity following the 1st round makes this more probable. You should carefully weigh the risk before requesting to forego your assigned project and you should know that this option is not encouraged.

WELFARE WEEKLY - EXAM NERVES SURVIVAL GUIDE. This from Ben Herbert, Student Support and Wellbeing: I have found a very good resource, Student Space from Student Minds, which provides some excellent advice on student wellbeing - I highly recommend you have a look. I’ve taken some of the advice from the website to help produce this week’s piece. Anxiety is a natural response and vital for our survival. In the context of exams, we should not be looking to “cure” anxiety but to overcome it, and also understand that motivational nerves are normal, and even a good thing. Overcoming anxiety is possible with simple steps to reduce stress and enhance performance.

It’s Science, Stupid.

Fear and anxiety are innate defence mechanisms, triggered by the part of your brain called the amygdala. Its job is to identify potential threats and automatically initiate the fight-flight-freeze response, flooding our bodies with adrenaline and impairing rational thinking. Anxiety arises from perceiving exams as threats. This can hinder memory recall and trigger worst-case scenario thinking. Distinguishing between anxiety and motivational nerves is crucial. While both may share symptoms, motivational nerves (e.g. butterflies in the stomach and increase heart rate before your exam) can enhance focus and performance. So let’s overcome anxiety and harness our motivational nerves.

Getting ready

1. Prepare Adequately: Accept anxious feelings as indicators of the exam's importance. Establish a study schedule to regain control and ensure balanced preparation.
2. Prioritise Self-Care: Adequate sleep, good nutrition, hydration, social interactions, and regular exercise are fundamental for managing anxiety and alleviating stress. You may think less time revising and more time exercising is counter-productive, but it really does help.
3. Practical Preparations: Organise exam essentials beforehand, including stationery and knowing where to find the exam venue, to minimise last-minute stressors.
4. Connect with Others: Spending time with friends provides emotional support and helps alleviate stress. However, balance socialising with study commitments.
5. Maintain routines and healthy habits. Avoid last-minute cramming as it disrupts sleep and confuses the brain. Prioritise relaxation and sufficient sleep for optimal performance.
6. Revise in groups to share knowledge - Take advantage of any revision session your tutors arrange, or organise your own revision sessions.

On the Day

Ensure ample time for preparation, travel, finding the room, the frequent toilet trips, and have a nutritious breakfast. Spending time outdoors and listening to calming music can help manage pre-exam nerves. Choose whether to spend time alone or with friends based on personal preference.

During the Exam

Acknowledge normal nerves and employ relaxation techniques like 7/11 breathing (in for count for 7, out for a count of 11). Start with the parts you are confident with, plan your time wisely, and take breaks if needed. Focus on completing answers to the best of your ability. If you get stuck, move on.

After the Exam

Reflect on your achievements and areas for improvement. Spend time with friends or alone as needed, and reward yourself for your efforts. By understanding and implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage exam anxiety and optimise your performance.

For more tips, refer back to my "January Exams - You can do this" piece (Sem 1 Exams Week 1, #23.14), which is full of exam preparation tips. Good luck.

STUDENT-STAFF LIAISON COMMITTEE. This from Tom Carroll, chair of SSLC: Our next SSLC is scheduled for this Wednesday (1st May 2024). In addition to any general issues and positives, we are interested in your opinions on:

• Careers Guidance Provision in Year 2 (Coding Your Future)
• Student behaviour: Are there any issues regarding the behaviour of other students on you and your studies?
• Year 1 Welcome Week activities.

 Please contact your Student Reps if you have any opinion on these matters.

GET MICROSOFT CERTIFIED ON FUNDAMENTALS. Get Microsoft Certified this summer (for free!) on Azure, Cloud, AI, Data, Security, CRM, ERP and 365 this summer. The Department of Computer Science are working with the Flexible Learning Program to pilot the introduction of Microsoft Fundamentals for students at the University of Manchester. These certifications, which would normally cost $99 each, enhance your CV and LinkedIn by validating your existing knowledge and skills in Computer Science. There are eight free qualifications to choose from, each of which require around 20 hours of study between now and the in person exam in Manchester during July. You can register for one (or more than one) exam, and find out more and register by this Friday (3rd May 2024) at https://www.cdyf.me/achieving#microsoft.