Fields
Subject coordinators can only edit the fields appearing in the following table. Changes to data in any other fields can be requested either via the workflow system under the Change Request tab in the 'Default' instance of a subject, or via your faculty's usual procedures.
The table describes the data format required for these fields and guides subject coordinators in how to make their subject outline compliant (see the Subject Descriptions and Outlines Policy for details of the minimum information required in subject outlines). All the following fields appear in the Subject Outline PDF and are directly editable by subject coordinators.
These fields do not require APO approval. This means that APO does NOT read or edit any of the data in these fields so as soon as you click the [Save] button the data can be published.
Note: Information must be written in the present tense, third person, using full sentences (unless the field does not require full sentences). Marketing speak, unsubstantiated non-factual claims, and jargon should be avoided.
Subject Outline PDF
See the complete list of fields used in the Subject Outline PDF and where each field can be updated.
See the schedule for when Subject Outline PDFs are due and when the subject sites are available in Canvas.
Detailed subject description
The 'Detailed subject description' is a webpage linked to from the subject description in the online handbook. Data in it is therefore publicly available (the online handbook is republished weekly, every Sunday, from September to July). See the complete list of all subject fields used in the Detailed subject description and where each field can be updated.
| Field name | Description and format | Where to update | Requires APO: CIS approval | Publications that display this data |
| n/a | This data appears in the Subject Outline PDF under the 'Delivery' heading. It comes from the options chosen and the instance you're in when you create the Subject Outline PDF, e.g. If you are in the Default instance and you choose: Mode: 'Standard', Teaching period: 'Autumn', Year: '2011', Location: 'City' the 'Delivery' display on the PDF will be: 'Autumn 2011; standard mode; City'. Full details are available in the documentation at PDF naming conventions. | n/a | Subject Outlines PDF | |
| Field group: Subject coordinator and teaching staff | The name and contact details for the subject coordinator and teaching staff must be provided in each subject outline. When the subject coordinator is the sole member of the teaching staff you can add these details to the 'Subject coordinator and contact details' field and leave the 'Teaching staff and contact details' field blank. Similarly, when the subject coordinator is a member of a larger teaching team, it is acceptable to leave the 'Subject coordinator and contact details' field blank and identify the coordinator instead in the staff listing in the 'Teaching staff and contacts details' field. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | n/a | Subject Outlines PDF | |
| Subject coordinator and contact details | Provide details in the following format, as required; each component optional. [Subject coordinator's name in full, including any academic title, e.g. 'Dr John Smith', 'John Smith (Lecturer)' [Position] UTS: [xxxx] [Building ID location details] telephone (02) 9514 [xxxx] fax (02) 9514 [xxxx] email [xxxx]@uts.edu.au [Descriptive sentence about preferred means of contact.] Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Teaching staff and contact details | Provide details in the following format, as required; each component optional. [Title][first name][surname] [Position] UTS: [xxxx] [Building ID location details] telephone (02) 9514 [xxxx] fax (02) 9514 [xxxx] email [xxxx]@uts.edu.au [Descriptive sentence about each staff member and preferred means of contact.] Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Additional subject costs | Include a brief sentence about additional costs that students undertaking this subject incur, such as cost of field trips, materials, excursions, travel, accommodation, etc., e.g. Subject notes cost $20 (purchase number: CN12345) and are available from the UTS Union shop, level 3, building 1, City campus. Limit of 60 words (450 characters) Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Field trips | Outline details of field trips required as a component of this subject. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Field group: Texts and references | There a four fields available for specifying resources that students are either expected to use, or may find useful in undertaking the subject. These fields are: 'Required texts', 'Recommended texts', 'References' and 'Other resources'. At least one of the fields is required to have some content, unless all resource information is specified in the week-by-week 'Program' table in the outline. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | n/a | Subject Outlines PDF | |
| Required texts | This field is for resources that students are expected to use. The resources may take the form of notes prepared by the coordinator, or text books that the student is expected to have access to, either by purchase or through the library. The data in this field is normally a short list of resources, each of which will be of value to students for a substantial part of the subject's coverage. Resources that are relevant to a very specific area of the subject are better placed in the 'References' field. Add the list of set texts and other learning resources required for the subject. Citations must be written using the referencing system preferred by your faculty, e.g. Hill, C, Maritime Law, 3rd edn, Lloyds, 1989 Australian Industrial Law Reports, loose-leaf, CCH Pearson, G & Fisher, S, Commercial Law Commentary and Materials, LBC Information Services, 1999 Van den Berg, J (ed.), Yearbook of Commercial Arbitration, Vol 1 & 2, Kluwer, 1976 Limit of 150 words (1,125 characters) Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF Detailed Subject Description |
| Recommended texts | This field is for resources that students may find useful but it is left to the student to decide. The data in this field is normally a short list of resources each of which are of value to students for a substantial part of the subject's coverage. Resources that are relevant to a very specific area of the subject are better placed in the 'References' field. List any recommended texts and other learning resources which students would benefit from buying, but which are available in the UTS: Library, via UTS: Online or as reading materials prepared by the subject coordinator. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF Detailed Subject Description |
| References | This field is used to list the resources that the student is either expected or may wish to access in order to achieve the subject aims in specific topics or to meet specific objectives. However, there are three acceptable fields in which to specify references: 1. They can be listed with full bibliographic information in this field. The advantage of this method is that a code or abbreviation can be used when specifying what references are to be used in specific weeks in the Program section of the outline. A key to the codes used can be given in the 'Content: additional' field. 2. The 'References' field can be left blank and instead full bibliographic details can be provided in the 'Description' field in the week/session of the Program where the materials will be used. 3. Where the reference list is very long, or there is an extensive array of readings for each week, it is acceptable in this field to refer to a separate document, such as a study guide, where full reference information is provided. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF Detailed Subject Description |
| Other resources | This field can be used in addition to, or instead of, the 'References' field. It is provided to enable the separate listing of text-based and other types of resources, as required. The guidelines for the 'References' field also apply to this field as well. Add the list or details of other resources available for the subject, e.g. websites, journals, library resources, etc. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF Detailed Subject Description |
| Assessment: generic information | It is a requirement that subject outlines have a brief description of each assessment task, its percentage worth, and when it is due. The 'Assessment: generic information' field is provided so subject coordinators can use it to avoid repetition of information in the individual task entries that applies to all tasks, e.g. information on the means of submission or the penalty for late submission which may be the same for all tasks. There are also five other assessment-related fields that should be used for specific information that applies to all (relevant) assessment tasks. The five fields are: 'Plagiarism detection software', 'Moderation of marks', 'Assessment feedback', 'Examination material and equipment' and 'Supplementary assessments'. The requirement to have an entry in any of these five fields depends on the nature of the subject and its assessment regime. This field and the five other assessment-related fields should only be used where the arrangements for the subject are different from the default arrangements that apply to all subjects as described in the faculty generic information that is appended to the outline (in some faculties) or published as a faculty study guide (in others). A reference to this study guide should be part of each subject outline disclaimer (the 'Disclaimer' field is editable in CIS). The information in the 'Assessment: generic information' field should not cover topics that are covered by the five other assessment-related fields. Information should cover specific subject requirements on matters such as assignments, late penalties, provisions for student negotiation of assessment tasks, etc., that go beyond or are exceptions to the faculty-specific assessment information. This information should apply to all assessment tasks in the specific subject only. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Use of plagiarism detection software | If plagiarism detection software is used, there should be a statement to that effect in the outline. It can either be made here to cover all relevant assessment tasks, or it can be made in the 'Further information' field of each relevant task. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Edit Main tab CIS: CI, Subjects | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Moderation of marks | This field is provided to give subject coordinators a place to make a statement about mark moderation. It can be left blank. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Edit Main tab CIS: CI, Subjects | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Assessment feedback | Some information should be provided covering when feedback will be given and what form it will take. This field can be used if a generic statement is appropriate, otherwise the information can be provided in the 'Further information' field of each separate task. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Edit Main tab CIS: CI, Subjects | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Examination material or equipment | Students need to be clear about what they are permitted to take into the examination room. This field can be used if a generic statement is appropriate, otherwise the information can be provided in the 'Further information' or 'Task' field of each separate task. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Supplementary assessments | Use this field to make a statement about supplementary assessments or examinations. It can be left blank. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Content: additional | The text entered in this field appears without a heading immediately below the Program table or below the heading if no data has been added to the table fields. It can be used, for example, to explain the division of material between the Description and Notes fields, to give a key to abbreviations used in the Program table, to explain why there is no Program table, or to refer students to further documentation. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Additional information for students | An entry in this field is not normally necessary and is discouraged given the array of specific information fields available. If required, provide details of any additional information for students that isn't covered by any of the other fields. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: CI, Subjects CIS: SO, Edit Main tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Field group: Assessment tasks | Each assessment task is made up of a number of fields. Subject coordinators can edit four of them ('Task', 'Length', 'Due date', 'Further information'). The other fields are approved at faculty board and subject coordinators cannot edit them (changes can be requested via the online workflow process, i.e. via the 'Change request' tab). | n/a | Subject Outlines PDF | |
| Assessment tasks: Display status checkbox | The checkbox indicates which of the assessment tasks are included in the subject outline. This allows differences instances of a subject (e.g. default, block, short) to use a different set of assessment tasks. All assessment tasks are displayed on the 'Manage tasks' screen in every instance. Tasks can be ticked on or off depending on the instance. Weight validation occurs on the ticked on tasks, so ticked on tasks must total 100. | CIS: SO, Assessment Tasks tab / Manage tasks | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Assessment tasks: Task | In this field provide details about the nature of the assessment task. Students need to be given enough information so they can undertake the task. This can either be provided in this field, or a reference can be made to an ancillary document that contains the information. The information about the task given in the outline can be split between this field and the 'Further information' field. The 'Task' field should not contain information for which a specific field exists. Information about length and assessment criteria can be given here, provided these fields are blank, i.e. so information isn't duplicated in the subject outline. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Assessment Tasks tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Assessment tasks: Length | Add the length of the assessment task, as applicable, e.g. '4000 words', '30 minutes', etc. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Assessment Tasks tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF Detailed Subject Description |
| Assessment tasks: Due date | Add the due date by choosing from a series of drop-down lists. Specify the due date type (i.e. 'Custom', 'Date', 'Date/Time', 'Week', 'Week range', 'In Class', 'Exam period', 'Progressive', 'Negotiated', 'Practicum period'); depending on your choice, you'll then be able to specify the date, time, week, etc., and/or add free text data. Ticking the checkbox beside 'See Further information', will add '; see Further information' to the data, e.g. if you choose 'Negotiated' and tick the checkbox, 'Negotiated; see Further information' will be displayed in the PDF. Any substantial further information about the due data can then be added to the 'Further information' field. Alternatively, you can use the 'Free text' field to add further information about the due date. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Assessment Tasks tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Assessment tasks: Further information | This field can be left blank. If required, add any further information that applies to the assessment item, e.g. further information about the details of the due date, which is not covered in the other assessment task fields. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Assessment Tasks tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Field group: Program | It is highly recommended that these fields are filled in to give students as much information as possible to help them to plan their study. Subjects involving large numbers of students with different cohorts following different sequences of activities, can be covered in this table by having headings for each cohort in the 'Description' field and specifying what that cohort does that week/session, e.g. Group1 Lecture on Renal Anatomy Laboratory Group 2 Lecture on Renal Anatomy Tutorial For subjects where it is not appropriate to have a week-by-week/session-by-session table, e.g. in self-directed learning or project subjects, all fields in the table should be left blank. If it is required, instead add a single statement to the 'Content: additional' field. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | n/a | Subject Outlines PDF | |
| Program: Week/session | The first column of the Program identifies the week/session described in that row (it is not required, but recommended). Add the session week number for weeks other than VC's week; and a '-' for VC's week. Where a subject has two sessions a week they can be labelled 1A and 1B. For block mode subjects the session number can be given, or the time span of the session (the date should be added in the 'Date' field, not here). Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Program tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Program: Date | The second column of the Program allows the date to be specified. The autofill function can be used, or subject coordinators can manually enter the dates. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Program tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Program: Description | This field (column 3) describes what the student will experience for this attendance session. It may be appropriate to have headings such as: Lecture; Laboratory; Tutorial; Pre-reading; References; etc., with text under each heading. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Program tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |
| Program: Notes | Coordinators can use this field (column 3 under 'Description') for the reading list, or for information about tutorials when the description field has been used for lecture descriptions. Assessment task submission dates should not be given here as they should have already been specified under each assessment task. Note(s) • Can contain different data depending on the instance (e.g. default, block, distance, etc.) | CIS: SO, Program tab | No | Subject Outlines PDF |