99.12 Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Dr Godsill, Ms James and Ms McDonald

99.13 Presentation of the SSJC 1997-98 Best Lecturer Award

Ms Galletly presented the 1997-98 SSJC Best Lecturer Awards to Dr Travis, Dr Prager, Professor Calladine, Dr Guest, Dr Gee and Mr Wallace. On behalf of the staff, Mr Wallace thanked the student members of the SSJC for organising the award and said how pleased they were to receive these awards.

99.14 Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 February 1999

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

99.15 Matters Arising from the Minutes

99.16 Review of the 4th Year

Mr Wallace summarised the issues that were considered by the 4th year review committee. In the future it will be suggested that students should try to take 5 modules in the Michaelmas term and 3 modules in the Lent Term. The teaching subject groups will try to increase the number of coursework modules in the Lent term, and reduce the number of examinations at the start of the Easter term. It is proposed that from the year 2000-2001 the rank order of students' performance in each module will be published. No overall order will be published nor will a rank order of projects be produced. Further information will be provided to students in the form of transcripts. The transcripts will be made available via Directors of Studies.

99.17 Visiting Professors in Engineering Design for Sustainable Development

Mr Wallace reported that Ben Todd and Thomas Counsell wrote a paper last year on Environmental Issues in the Engineering Tripos. The Department was recently given an opportunity to apply for a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Design for Sustainable Development. The SSJC paper was attached as an appendix to the application. The application was successful and Peter Guthrie of Scott, Wilson, Kirkpatrick & Co has been appointed.

99.18 Standard Credit

Ms Galletly summarised the main points in her paper that highlights two weaknesses of the standard credit system. The committee discussed the issues raised. Mr Wallace agreed to take the issues into consideration when the detailed structure of the standard credit system is revised. Mr Wallace thanked Ms Galletly for producing the paper.

99.19 Foreign Exchanges

Mr Wallace summarised the structure of the French 'n+1' exchange scheme. If the Department is able to join the scheme:

• English students will have the opportunity of going to France for one, two, or two and a half years at the end of the Cambridge engineering course. After one year they would earn a French certificate. After two years they would earn a 'Diplom'. After two and a half years they would earn a 'Diplom' and an 'n+1' qualification.
• French students will have the opportunity of taking the fourth year of the Cambridge engineering course instead of their third year at a Grande Ecole (replacing S5 and S6). They would work in a British company over the summer, and would earn either a certificate of diligent study or, possibly, an MPhil degree.

99.20 Seat Cushions for Lecture Theatres

It was felt that students could bring their own cushions with them to lectures if required.

99.21 Any Other Business

1. Moderation of Marks in the Third Year

Mr Lopez asked whether bright EIST students were at a disadvantage. Mr Wallace replied that this issue had been carefully considered by the 3rd year examiners.

2. First Year Materials lectures

99.22 Date of Next Meeting

Monday 25 October 1999, 2.15 pm Board room.