Teaching in a Research University
Teaching Quality Assessment
The five-year cycle of Teaching Quality Assessment (TQA) conducted by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council has now been completed. Our initial results in this assessment exercise were disappointing largely because of our inexperience in preparing for assessors' visits. Once we addressed this by creating a Quality Advisory Unit headed by Mr Alan Davidson and former Deputy Principal, Chris Carter, our results improved dramatically.
Here is a complete list of the undergraduate TQA gradings awarded by the Scottish Higher Education Council.
| Subject Area | Year of Assessment | Outcome |
| Economics | 1992/93 | Satisfactory |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 1992/93 | Satisfactory |
| Chemistry | 1993/94 | Satisfactory |
| Civil Engineering | 1993/94 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Computer Studies | 1993/94 | Satisfactory |
| Environmental Science | 1993/94 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Geography | 1993/94 | Satisfactory |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 1993/94 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Physics | 1993/94 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Architecture | 1994/95 | Satisfactory |
| Consumer Studies | 1994/95 | Satisfactory |
| Fine Art, Printmaking, Sculpture and Painting | 1994/95 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Graphic Design and Textile Design | 1994/95 | Excellent |
| Hospitality Studies | 1994/95 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Finance and Accounting | 1995/96 | Excellent |
| History | 1995/96 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Law | 1995/96 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Philosophy | 1995/96 | Satisfactory |
| Politics | 1995/96 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Social Work | 1995/96 | Highly Satisfactory |
| Biology - Cellular and Molecular | 1996/97 | Excellent |
| Biology - Organismal | 1996/97 | Excellent |
| Dentistry | 1996/97 | Highly Satisfactory |
| English | 1996/97 | Excellent |
| Medicine | 1996/97 | Excellent |
| Psychology | 1997/98 | Excellent |
Quality Assessment 'Scales'
In 1992/93 a three point scale was used - Excellent, Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory.
From 1993 to 1998 a four point scale was in use - Excellent, Highly Satisfactory, Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory.
In 1997/98 a new methodology was piloted in the Town and Regional Planning cognate area. This used a two point scale: Quality Approved or Quality Not Approved supplemented by a 'quality profile' on a scale of 1 (low) to 4 (high) for each of six aspects covered by the new framework. A score of 22 or more out of 24 was equivalent to 'Excellent' on the previous scale. Our School of Town and Regional Planning was 'Approved' with a score of 21, the highest achieved by any of the departments assessed.
Wider Access
The University is one of the largest providers of 'Lifelong Learning' in Scotland via its Continuing Professional Development, traditional 'extra-mural' and extensive Distance Learning programmes. In this market the University is able to respond more quickly to customers' needs by establishing appropriate courses whereas the introduction of a conventional four-year full-time degree involves considerably longer lead-times.
Developments in lifelong learning during the last year have included:
Institute for Education and Lifelong Learning
The creation of this Department will provide a focus both for the study of Education at postgraduate level and for the delivery of a wide range of continuing professional development courses. The highly popular courses for adults programme which regularly attracts an enthusiastic audience of several thousands of local people will also come within the new Institute as will the successful Summer School which this year enabled more than 50 young people without the usual entry qualification to start degree courses.
The establishment of the Institute is very much in line with current government thinking on lifelong learning - wider participation in higher education. The Institute will also address the government's wish to see higher education teaching become a profession in its own right.
Continuing Professional Development
The annual grant from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (worth £130,000 for 1997/98) gives an indication of both the University's and the Council's priorities in continuing professional development. Grants were awarded to help establish the following courses:
· an accredited distance learning postgraduate diploma in German/French/Spanish for secondary teachers
· further development of courses by the Concrete Technology Unit on applications of pulverised-fuel ash technologies in civil engineering
· market research for CPD courses in design
· delivering existing courses in Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy on a distance learning basis
· a training course in education for doctors
· development of a Master's degree in endoscopic surgery by the Surgical Skills Unit
· development of courses for teachers, primarily in Fife and Tayside, and for courses for staff in further and higher education.
Elitism to Inclusion
The University's Access Summer School was in the national spotlight at a major conference in London on 'Elitism to Inclusion'. The Summer School was selected as an example of best practice and its Director, Dr John Blicharski, addressed delegates on its aims, its content and its method of delivery.
Twilight Academic Studies
This new evening course is designed for those in day-time employment or with caring responsibilities to develop skills and confidence in preparation for entry to higher or further education. The one evening per week programme concentrates on the City from different perspectives - history, economics, geography, literature, etc.
Open University Course Launched
The University in conjunction with the Open University has launched a distance learning course in Modern Scottish History (from 1707 to the present day). It is the first major collaboration between the Open University and another institution. The course brings together five specially-commissioned course books featuring 28 authorities on aspects of Scottish History.
Distance Learning Degrees
The past year has seen the introduction of two new Masters' degrees by distance learning:
· an MSc in Primary Care co-ordinated by the Department of General Practice in partnership with the University of Aberdeen and Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh
· a Master's in Nursing has been added to the Centre for Medical Education's portfolio of courses. The programme is in three distinct parts with an academic exit point for each. Students can choose to complete a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or the full Master's degree.
New Undergraduate Degrees
A new BEng/MEng in Semiconductor Engineering - reflecting the University's pioneering role in silicon chip research - was introduced by the Department of Applied Physics and Electronic and Mechanical Engineering. The Faculty of Law and Accountancy has launched 'niche' versions of the LLB. The LLB will now be available with Languages (French, German or Spanish) and as a joint degree with Accountancy leading to professional accreditation in England with both the Law Society and Accounting bodies.
Transferable Skills Website
Advance@Dundee is the name of the new website providing information and advice on personal transferable skills. Kathleen McMillan, Applied Language Studies, and Dr Jonathan Weyers, Director of the Life Sciences Teaching Unit, are co-ordinating the site's development with Rebecca Linford, University Web Administrator.
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Comments to i.m.gerrie@dundee.ac.uk