University of Glamorgan

From the 1st August, the university will have academic structures based on Faculties. Our web site will start to reflect this change in structure and this series of blog style messages will be refreshed with a news and announcements section linked from the Faculty's home page. I will continue to give you information during August, but it will be through this new interface. I hope your examinations went well and that you will be able to join us soon. We will get our confirmation of offers letters sent to you as soon as we receive the input of your results from UCAS.

Looking forward to meeting you at the start of the new academic year.

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

The School of Computing, graded 4 in RAE 2001, has a number of full-time PhD studentships for graduates with a good honours degree in a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification.

A studentship is full-time for three years, and has a value of £9,000 per year plus the possibility of paid demonstrating duties of up to six hours per week. The studentship also includes tuition fees to UK/UE nationals, or an equivalent fee contribution to non UK/EU nationals.

A number of research projects are available in the disciplines of the School's research groups:

• AI Technologies Modelling
• Computer based Teaching and Learning
• Digital Imaging Data Compression
• Geographical Information Systems
• Hypermedia
• Information Security Research Group
• Medical Computing
• Mobile Computing and Networking
• Division of Mathematics and Statistics

Applications are also welcome from those with their own project proposals.

The Closing date for applications is 22 June 2006 and interviews will be held in early July 2006. Expected start date, 2 October 2006.

Click here for further information and to download an application form

Click here to find out more about Possible Research Projects

Send the completed application marked for the attention of Professor George Taylor, School of Computing.

Posted by pjhodson | 2 comments

As the examination sessions start, we know that this is a demanding time for you. Can we wish you the best of luck with your examinations. We hope that you will be successful in gaining the grades you are seeking for entry to university, and look forward to confirming your place here when you meet the conditions for entry. I will write again in the summer, outlining the process we will follow once your results are available.

Wishing everybody every success.

Peter Hodson

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

The next national survey of students is about to take place. Last year we were voted by the students as the best computing department in Wales. We also finished in the top quartile on every section on a UK wide level. Hence students who left us last year graduated from what the market saw as a high profile department and the value and status of their degrees was enhanced.

You now have the chance of responding to this survey for the current year. I would encourage all those students that have been selected by the national system to use this opportunity. You must of course respond honestly to the questions. I hope you will also respond positively, so we can keep and improve our current status. I will make sure you get feedback on the outcome, once the national results are published.

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

As you will no doubt have seen from the home page of the university web site, the university is running a scholarship scheme this year for UCAS applicants. This replaces the scheme which we operated in the school last year. The university wide scholarship scheme is more generous than the school’s approach so I am sure you will welcome the increased opportunities that it offers. However, you do need to make an application for the scholarship. Details are found at http://www.glam.ac.uk/money/1197 I would encourage every honours degree UCAS applicant to make an application for a university scholarship. You have nothing to loose and potentially a lot to gain.

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

Once again we are all delighted with the increased number of UCAS applications from students wishing to study one of our computing courses. The combination of being voted the best Computing School in Wales by existing students in the national survey, having British Computer Society recognition for our single honours degree programmes, our scholarship scheme and a modern, up-to-date range of programmes have all contributed to Glamorgan being recognised by applicants as one of the best institutions in which to study computing.

The university-wide Open Days have also been tremendously popular, with record numbers of students visiting the campus. If you have not yet had a chance to visit, the School has several Applicant Days available over the coming months. Visit http://www.glam.ac.uk/soc/1301/ to book a slot and see for yourself what we have on offer.

Can I wish you all a Happy New Year and every success with your current studies. I look forward to meeting with many of you in October when the courses here commence.

Peter Hodson

Posted by pjhodson | 1 comment

The Vice Chancellor has announced the new Faculty structure that will be implemented from August 2006. The School of Computing will merge with parts of the School of Technology and School of Electronics to form the Faculty of Advanced Technology. I will be taking up post as the first Dean of the Faculty. The new arrangement will give staff even greater opportunities to work with colleagues in these cognate areas in the future. For you as students, most of the changes that occur will be transparent and your course will operate and be delivered in exactly the same way as now. Perhaps the biggest change will be the creation of a Faculty Office and Student Advice Shop, which will probably be located in Rhondda Building (G block!). When the location is finalised I will write a new blog. This new administration office will combine the existing school offices to hopefully offer an even better service than is currently provided. If you have any questions over these new arrangements I will be pleased to answer them.

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

We were delighted with the success of the school's scholarship scheme that we operated last year. It was viewed positively by all those involved, especially the students who enrolled in October and are about to receive their first cheque. This year the scholarship scheme is becoming a campus wide feature, and the offer looks even better. So check this out at www.glam.ac.uk/money

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

The existing degree programmes are currently being reviewed and updated, with a couple of new and exciting routes being offered. This means that students applying for entry in October 2006 will be starting on a course which has been freshly validated and represents some of the current evolutions in computing. Of course we will apply much of this fresh thinking to our exciting modules for students taking the current programme.

The option to take a year of your study in an overseas university and the new Information Systems Audit degree are just two of the new features being introduced. We hope you find something of interest to you, and look forward to you choosing Glamorgan as your choice.

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

We have agreed a new deal this year for our students to enjoy the extended, campus-wide software licence for virus detection software. The Students Union have agreed to be the distribution point, for this new facility. To cover their cost, I understand a small fee of £4.50 will be charged by the SU. We see this as an excellent deal for students to keep their systems secure, with properly licensed software. This facility was raised as a request in one of the student forum meetings last year, and a positive outcome has been achieved. Well done course reps!

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

Last academic year we posted on the blog that plans were well advanced for the installation of a wireless network in the halls of residence on the campus. During the stage when contracts were being drawn up, the specification was switched to this being a wired network. I am pleased to say that this was completed by the beginning of October, and that students in the halls of residence this year now have Internet access. Since our student data storage is based on a network storage device (NAS) with a browser interface, accessing your files is now easy when you are off campus

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

According to the recent National Student Survey, our students gave us the best rating among universities in Wales for Computer Science.

Final year students were asked to provide feedback on their academic experiences by taking part in the first National Student Survey across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Topic areas included teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources and personal development.

Full time students provided scores placing the School of Computing in first or second place of each category, with a cumulative total higher than the other universities in Wales.

Already recognised as one of the top six new universities in the UK for teaching computer science, the School of Computing seems set to continue to defy the national trend of declining applications to computing courses.

Full details can be found on the Teaching Quality Information website at www.tqi.ac.uk

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

As we come towards the end of this year’s recruitment, we are looking forward to the start of the academic year, and welcoming all of you who have chosen Glamorgan for your studies. There are two sets of information being posted to you at this time.

Firstly, the central part of the University will be sending you a copy of the ‘First Experience’ pack. This will be supplemented by a smaller set of information from the School, which will give you precise details in the times and dates for enrolment. We have also written to those of you who have qualified for a scholarship from the School, so many congratulations to those of you who obtained the grades we set.

The induction period in the first week is an important activity. It helps you understand how the course will operate, what is expected of you, and explains what you can expect from us. Your active participation will make the transition to university life as smooth as possible. The enrolment stage within the induction week is perhaps the least enjoyable bit of the process. Take the opportunity of talking to other students who are going through the enrolment process. It’s a great chance to start making new friends.

I look forward to meeting you soon

Peter Hodson

Posted by pjhodson | 0 comments

It is congratulations to one of our longest serving research students, Antonio Sanchez, who has successfully defended his Thesis yesterday with his examiners recommending to award of PhD subject to minor amendments.

Posted by pjhodson | 1 comment

We are delighted this year that so many UCAS applicants have chosen to apply to the School. The big increase in applications and the even bigger increase in those of you making us your first choice this year reflects all the positive news we have received over recent years, including the professional body (British Computer Society) accreditation visit earlier this year.

Hopefully your examinations have gone well for you. The School should receive your results automatically from UCAS and will process them immediately. If you have a query on your status once you have received your results, please contact us by phone or email. We should be able to answer any academic question you may have at that time. However, we are not permitted by UCAS to give you your results if you do not know them. Once your place is confirmed, we will be writing to you again with information to enable your start here at Glamorgan go smoothly.

We look forward to seeing you here soon

Peter Hodson

Posted by pjhodson | 1 comment