Introduction

PASS (Peer-Assisted Study Sessions) is a student mentoring scheme in which second and third year undergraduate students run regular study sessions for first year students.  The aim of the scheme is to help new undergraduates make the transition to the more independent style of study expected at university more smoothly, and to make sure that they get a solid grasp of the vital foundational material covered during the first year of their degree course.  Students who may be reluctant to take their questions directly to lecturing staff are given an opportunity to seek help and advice from more experienced students, who have faced and overcome the same problems themselves.

In Computer Science, the first year of study is particularly important as it is at this time that students gain the basic programming and problem solving skills that underpin much of the material covered during the rest of the degree course.  Because of this, the PASS scheme run in this department focuses on providing help for first year students with programming in general, and complements the more usual lectures, lab classes and tutorials in this area.

Of course, first year students are not the only ones who benefit from the scheme.  The second and third year students who run the study sessions also have an opportunity to gain leadership and team-working skills, and to strengthen their own programming skills as a by-product of passing them on to others. And, of course, their experiences can form a very useful topic of conversation in interviews with prospective employers.

Information for First Year Students

PASS Sessions

All first year students are expected to attend the weekly PASS sessions, which last for an hour and run throughout both semesters. For the 2005/2006 academic year, PASS sessions will be held on:

In each session, groups of around 10 first year undergraduates work with two PASS leaders - usually one second year and one third year student - on a small set of exercises. You will be allocated to your group during registration week, and will remain with that group and pair of PASS leaders throughout the year. Check out the links in the sidebar to find out which group you belong to.

A different set of exercises will be set each week, covering topics relating to the introductory Unix labs, and the modules on object-oriented programming in Java (CS1081 and CS1092). The timetable for the current semester tells you which topics will be covered during which PASS sessions. The exercise sheets will be handed out in lecture classes, and you are encouraged to look over them before attending the PASS session. That way, you will know whether you have any problems with any of the material at the start of the session, when there is plenty of time to get help from the PASS leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you'll find the answers to the questions that we are asked most frequently about the PASS scheme. If you don't see the information you need here, then you can ask one of the PASS leaders, the PASS Coordinator, or you can send an anonymous question using the feedback form below.

Who Are the PASS Leaders?

Each PASS session is run by two PASS leaders: usually, one second year student and one third year student. The PASS leaders are chosen from those students who have expressed an interest in volunteering, according to their overall performance in their exams, and their specific performance in the general programming modules. So, the PASS sessions offer you an opportunity to get help from people who know what they are doing, but who remember what it was like to encounter the material for the first time themselves.

Can I Change to a Different PASS Group?

You are allocated to a PASS group at the start of the year, but you do not need to stay with that group if you would prefer to work with another one. If you wish to change to another PASS group, then all you have to do is ask the leaders of that group if they are happy to have you join them. You should also be sure to add your name to the attendance sheet for that group.

Why is a Record of Attendance Taken?

We monitor attendance at PASS sessions so that we can assess whether the scheme is helpful in improving student performance in basic programming. The attendance details for each year are kept strictly confidential and are used only by the PASS Coordinator in order to look for evidence of the success of the scheme. They are not passed to any other member of academic staff, nor are they used to assess the performance of individual students. Any information which is circulated more widely will be in summary form and will be completely anonymous. For example, from the figures for the 2001/2002 session, we produced a graph showing how attendance at PASS sessions correlates with exam performance overall, and in some key courses.

How do I Volunteer to Become a PASS Leader?

PASS leaders are recruited during the last few weeks of the Spring Semester each year. Anyone who is going to be studying as an undergraduate in the Department for the following academic year is eligible to volunteer. Just fill in the application form and your name will be entered as a volunteer for the following academic year.

How are the PASS Leaders selected?

We would usually be looking to take on around 40 PASS leaders each year. Since it is common for us to get many more volunteers than we have places for, we use previous exam marks to help us choose who to offer the places to. There are no hard and fast rules, but someone who has struggled with the exams for CS1081 and CS1092 is probably going to find it very difficult to act as an effective PASS leader.

How will I Know Whether I've Been Selected?

We'll write to you over the summer, to let you know whether you have been selected or not. For those who are offered a place, we also supply more information about the scheme and details of how to apply for the student intern positions. At this point, you still have the opportunity to decide that you don't want to be a PASS leader, if after finding out more about the scheme you decide it's not for you. So, there's no harm in volunteering at this stage, if you're interested but not yet sure you want to make the commitment.

If I'm not Selected this Year, is There any Point Trying Again Next Year?

Absolutely. In some years there are more volunteers, and therefore more competition for places, than in others. And, if your exam results have improved then you will also stand a better chance of getting a place.

I'm on an Industrial Placement next year? Can I still volunteer?

Sorry, you'll have to wait until the following academic year when you resume your studies. In May of your placement year, you'll be able to use the online application form to register your interest, just like everyone else.

Information for Current PASS Leaders

PASS Sessions

As a PASS leader, you will be expected to run regular study sessions for small groups of first year students. Study sessions run weekly during term time and last for an hour. For the 2004/2005 academic year, the study sessions will be held on:

Each study group will be led by two PASS leaders, a second year student and a third year student (in most cases). We currently expect each group to consist of around 10 students, but this number may vary depending on the number of first year students and the number of volunteer PASS leaders in any given year. Each pair of PASS leaders is allocated to a group of students (and a room) at the start of the year, and works with that same group from then onwards. For each session, you will be provided with an exercise sheet, covering topics currently being studied by the first year students. During the study session, you will be expected to take your students through this exercise sheet, helping out with any problems or misunderstandings in the process. It will obviously be necessary for you to spend some time preparing for each study session, to make sure that you fully understand the material yourself and are ready to answer any questions you may get. To help you do this, the lecturers in question will provide you with the study sheets some time in advance of the PASS session. Each study sheet will clearly indicate the lecturer who produced it, and you can contact him or her if you require any assistance or clarification with the exercises. You are also asked to keep a record of which first year students attend your PASS sessions, and to give this to the PASS coordinator after every session. This information will be kept confidential, and will be used for monitoring purposes only.

Training Sessions

Your task as a PASS leader is a challenging one. In running the study sessions, you will need to strike a balance between doing all the work for your tutees and not giving them enough help. So that you are not thrown in at the deep end, several compulsory training sessions have been arranged, to help you develop and practice the necessary skills before your first PASS session. During the sessions, you will receive training in group work methods, such as facilitation skills, and will have the opportunity to practice these skills before you make use of them for real. You will also be able to discuss the different ways in which people learn, your role as a PASS leader and how this differs from the teaching role of academics.

For the 2005/2006 academic year, details of the training sessions are as follows:

There is also a meeting of all Computer Science PASS Leaders on Monday, 26th September at 1.00pm, in IT407. At this session, you will be able to meet with the other PASS leaders, and discuss how the PASS sessions will be run.

Student Enterprise Awards Evening

As a token of recognition for your hard work as a PASS leader, you will be invited to attend the annual Student Enterprise Awards Evening, at which you will be presented with a certificate, confirming your involvement in the PASS scheme. This evening provides an opportunity for student leaders and staff coordinators from all departments which operate a PASS scheme to come together informally to relax after all the hard work of the PASS year. There is also usually a buffet and live music.

Details of the date and venue for this year's award ceremony will be posted here when they become available. The Award Evening is usually held some time early in May.

Summary of PASS Leaders' Responsibilities

• Facilitate PASS sessions, with suitable support from the staff coordinators and fellow student leaders.
• Attend scheduled PASS feedback sessions with the staff coordinators and fellow student leaders.
• Attend all training sessions provided.
• Seek further assistance and training where necessary.
• Collect confidential information on attendance at PASS sessions, for monitoring purposes.

Timetable for Semester 1, 2005/2006 Session

N.B. there is no PASS session in week 1 or Reading Week (week 6).

Timetable for Semester 2, 2005/2006 Session

N.B. There will be no PASS session in weeks 1 and 12.

Contact Details and Feedback Form

If you would like more information on the PASS scheme in Computer Science, or would like to volunteer to act as a student leader in the next academic session, please contact either:

	Suzanne M. Embury (PASS Coordinator)
	Room KB 2.82
	Department of Computer Science
	Telephone (external):	(0161) 275 6128
	Telephone (internal):	56128
	E-Mail:	SEmbury@cs.manchester.ac.uk

or

	Jim Garside (First Year Undergraduate Tutor)
	Room IT 2.11
	Department of Computer Science
	Telephone (external):	(0161) 275 6143
	Telephone (internal):	56143
	E-Mail:	jgarside@cs.manchester.ac.uk

We'll be very pleased to hear from any student who has participated in the scheme, whether as a leader or as a tutee, and who has suggestions for how we could improve it. Either e-mail us at the addresses given above, or use the following (anonymous) feedback form.