Employability Skills Portfolio for Computer Science Graduates

This assignment is part of the BSc (Hons) Computer Networking and Systems Support program at Teesside University. Students are required to create a portfolio of evidence that showcases their skills, techniques, and knowledge acquired during the course. The portfolio should include a critical appraisal of current trends and techniques in computer science, a development plan for future study and research, and a presentation on the same topic. The assignment is worth 100% and must be submitted online via Moodle by March 1st, 2017.

Bradford College
School of Computing
Assignment Brief - Teesside University Awards
Course: BSc (Hons) COMPUTER NETWORKING AND SYSTEMS SUPPORT
BSc (Hons) COMPUTING & INFORMATION SYSTEMS
BSc (Hons) COMPUTING (TOP-UP)
BSc (Hons) GAMES & DIGITAL MEDIA
Stage: 3 (NQF/FHEQ Level 6)
Module: EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS FOR COMPUTER GRADUATES
Assignment
Title
EVIDENCE PORTFOLIO
Number of
Components
1
Component 1
Weighting
70% Portfolio of evidence Submission Date: 01/03/2017
by 23:55
Wk 13
Component 2
Weighting
30% Presentation on current trends
and techniques within your
chosen specialist area
Presentation Date:
(Rota on Moodle)
w/c
01/03/17
Wks 11 & 12
Assignment
Submission On-line via Moodle
Re-submission
Possible?
Yes
Teesside University Assessment Regulations
The overall pass mark for this module is 40%
There is no automatic re-assessment
Late submission:
Within 7 calendar days of the submission date(s) – Maximum mark of 40%
After 7 calendar days of the submission date(s) – Your work will not be marked or graded
Mitigating circumstances and extensions
You can apply for an extension or mitigating circumstances for all modules. If you know that you
will have problems with submitting on time you should talk to your tutor at the earliest
opportunity.
Re-submission
Re-submission is not reassessment. You must achieve a mark of at least 20% on first submission.
You will then be given a minimum of 4 weeks to re-submit. The maximum mark you can achieve
is 40%
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Assignment Brief
Introduction
This module provides the link between the skills, techniques and knowledge acquired on the course
and future employment and study. Computing is a fast-changing discipline. There is a need
amongst all those involved in the industry to be aware of current developments and to adapt to
them in a timely manner. This module encourages students to consider these developments and to
evaluate and reflect upon how they will respond to these in the future.
Students will consider their own current skill set and prepare a CV that reflects this. Students will
then carry out research in their chosen specialist area and identify and explore current and future
trends. This research will form the basis of a development plan that will identify future training and
development needs.
This module will also provide students with an opportunity to review the portfolio that they have
created during the course and align this to the needs of employers.
The overall word count is 2,500 – 3,000
Component 1 Instructions
Evidence File – 70%
The evidence file will contain the following elements – each of which will be equally
weighted:
Element 2: A hard copy of your presentation (see Component 2 instructions below) on your
critical appraisal and evaluation of current trends and techniques within your chosen
specialist computing area (Game level designer
Element 3: An identification of the legal and ethical issues associated with employment in
your chosen specialist area
Element 4: Material and evidence to support future employment and/or study (eg a CV, a
Skills Gap Analysis, assets and artefacts created which demonstrate the skills you possess)
Element 5: A development plan identifying 3 key areas and timescales for future study,
research, personal development and skills development
Element 6: A rationale for the development plan based upon the evidence presented within
the evidence file
Component 2 Instructions
Presentation – 30%
A 15-minute presentation (in Weeks 11 & 12, at the time designated on the rota on Moodle), based
on Element 2 above.
The presentation will consist of:
 An identification of the contents list for your portfolio
 A Critical Appraisal and Evaluation of current trends and techniques within your chosen
specialist area (game level deisgn)
 Make sure to create notes on what you will say for the presentation

You are required to supply a hard copy of your presentation – instructions for printing on
Moodle
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Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge & Understanding 1. Draw together material, assets and artefacts produced during
the course into a portfolio that evidences a comprehensive
knowledge of the skills, tools and techniques required by those
seeking employment within the computing industry (K3)
2. Critically appraise the current trends in a chosen specialist
area (K5)
Cognitive & Intellectual Skills 3. Evaluate current theory and knowledge within the chosen
field of study and develop a coherent Development plan for
future study and research (C2)
Practical & Professional Skills 4. Identify the legal and ethical issues associated with a chosen
specialist area and propose a strategy for resolving these (P1)
5. Demonstrate an ability to work autonomously with minimum
supervision and guidance (P2)
Key Transferable Skills 6. Create an Development plan that contains a coherent and
accurate appraisal of current skills and identifies a series of
realistic and meaningful future targets (T2, T5)
7. Prepare coherent material, suitable for a range of audiences
that could be used when seeking employment and/or applying
for further study. This could include: CVs, personal statements,
advertising copy, letters of application etc. (T1, T3)
Assessment Criteria:
Component 1:
Marking will be based on how well you have demonstrated the following criteria:
 Independence and autonomy shown when developing the evidence file
 Coherence, accuracy and appropriateness of material and evidence presented to support future
employment
 Accuracy, relevance and appropriateness of personal development plan
 Ability to relate and synthesise research findings with development plan
Component 2:
Marking will be based on how well you have demonstrated the following criteria:
 Depth and breadth of research into current trends, knowledge, techniques and legal/ ethical
issues
 Quality of critical appraisal of sources and the evaluation of research findings
Plagiarism
PLAGIARISM IS CHEATING AND CAN RESULT IN EXPULSION FROM THE COURSE AND COLLEGE
Plagiarism is copying from a published text or another student, and passing the work off as your
own. You must acknowledge all sources. In text, use the HARVARD METHOD with quotation and
page numbers for quotes.
Full reference details should be given in the bibliography
Unacknowledged paraphrasing may also be plagiarism
IF IN DOUBT, SEEK ADVICE. For further information please see Bradford College's Guidelines On
Referencing In Academic Writing.
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