MySuccess Modules

MySuccess Modules

Please find below the descriptions of the MySuccess modules available. All MySuccess modules are offered during the Spring semester/2nd semester (January - May) only.

These micro-credential modules are designed to give students an introduction to a subject, based on no prior knowledge of the subject area. If you want to learn something new, then one of these modules could be for you!

MySuccess modules are all based online, there is no contact (classroom) time, the content is delivered by recorded lectures, online quizzes, online discussions, videos, drop-in sessions etc.

There is a mixture of 10 credit and 5 credit MySuccess modules as shown below. 

You need to take a full semester's worth of modules which is 60 SCQF credits (=30 ECTS Credits/ 12-16 North American Credits) therefore, MySuccess modules can be taken in the following groupings: 

- Two 20 credit pathway modules, one 10 credit MySuccess module, two 5 credit MySuccess modules

- Two 20 credit pathway modules, two 10 credit MySuccess modules

- Two 20 credit pathway modules, one 10 credit pathway modules (only for certain pathways,) one 10 credit MySuccess module

- Two 20 credit pathway modules, four 5 credit MySuccess modules

- One 40 credit pathway module (only available for DES310), one 10 credit MySuccess module

- One 40 credit pathway module (only available for DES310), two 5 credit MySuccess modules

ABE202 Co-Create (Negotiated Studies) - 10 Credits

In society we face many big challenges, from climate change to the impact of technology. This microcredential will challenge you to respond to one of the many issues we are facing. Using your subject knowledge and other personal interests you will think creatively as you produce an artefact responding to the challenge presented.

This microcredential provides you with the space and time to develop your skills in designing, planning, delivering, and showcasing an artefact responding to the societal issue. The microcredential is flexible and you will have a choice of what and how you create your response. You could volunteer, gain part time employment, complete an additional placement, undertake a small-scale research project, make a video, create a campaign this microcredential is flexible. You can produce your response in a way that suits you. For example, your produced artefact could be a:

  • 15-minute podcast
  • poster presentation
  • concept for a video game
  • marketing strategy
  • Cartoon
  • TEDx inspired talk

The opportunities are endless, your artefact is up to you. However, you will receive regular peer-to-peer and tutor feedback in relation to your artefact. At the end of the microcredential you will showcase your artefact at a peer-assessed event presenting how you have responded to the challenge. The microcredential is built on the foundations of the Abertay Attributes. You will be required to reflect on how you have developed skills relating to the attributes in striving to become an active citizen. By undertaking this module, you will develop the Abertay Attributes by:

  • Personal: Developing transferable skills such as project management, creativity as you independently develop your artefact.
  • Active Citizen: Become more globally aware of societal issues and the impact on you personally and professionally.

Aims

You will develop a range of transferable skills whilst responding to a big societal issue through producing an artefact of your choice.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Produce an artefact in response to a societal issue
2. Justify and present an artefact at a showcase event

Indicative Content
1. The big issue

You will be introduced to the big society issue that will be the focus of your artefact response. Learning materials available will help you consider your response to the challenge.
2. Developing Ideas

You will think creatively as to how you will respond to the big issue. You will consider your intended artefact aims, outcomes and target audience.
3. Responding to the challenge

Resources and guidance will be available as you respond to the challenge and create your artefact.
4. Preparing for the showcase

Guidance will be available on how best to showcase your artefact for the assessment. You will develop your presentation skills to support you in showcasing the artefact.
5. Showcase Event
You will attend a showcase event and present your artefact.

ABE203 Anti-Racism in Professional Communications - 10 Credits

Communication|Team Work|Problem Solving|Self Evaluation|Interpersonal|Leadership |Professionalism

Aims

This module aims to support you in understanding how to adopt anti-racist approaches in professional communications and contexts.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Explain the nature of racial bias in its various forms in society and the need for proactive approaches in addressing bias.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of anti-racist approaches and their application in professional communications/settings.

Indicative Content
1. Theme 1: Racial Bias in society

Using case studies and scenarios to discuss various forms of racism in society, you will explore the need for anti-racist practice in professional communications.
2. Theme 2: Classification of anti-racist practice

This section compares different anti-racists approaches applied across several contexts. You will discuss the challenges and benefits of each approach. You will identify barriers to implementation of anti-racist practice.
3. Theme 3: Discuss anti-racist approaches for successful professional communications

You will be introduced to various communications frameworks (e.g. the humanity-centric framework) and will explore scenarios for the application of these frameworks in a range of professional contexts.
4. Theme 4: Embedding Anti-racism in digital and social media communications
How can you discuss matters of race and anti-racism on digital and social media while maintaining a professional persona. We will examine cases for best practices and explore ways to avoid bigoted language in digital communications.

ABE204 Mind Your Language - 10 Credits

Mind Your Language: Text Mining and Qualitative Approaches to Language Analysis

In this module you will study two ways of analysing language: (i) a basic introduction to conversation analysis and discourse analysis as applied to ordinary talk/texting, and (ii) and introduction text mining, based on identifying patterns and developing insights from text-based data available on the Internet (e.g., social media data, online texts, online reviews etc.). You do not require any previous knowledge of the qualitative or quantitative analysis of spoken or textual material and you do not require an understanding of computer programming. The module promotes the development of Abertay Attributes, particularly intellectual and personal development while encouraging students to reflect on language use and how it can be examined, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Aims

By the end of this module students will be able to understand how people engage in actions through their utterances and text as well as developing an appreciation of text data mining techniques as applied to internet data.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Evaluate the nature of conversation analysis and the way in which this perspective explains how people engage in actions with their utterances and texting.
2. Evaluate and apply text mining techniques to Internet data.

Indicative Content
1. Conversation Analysis and talk and text as action

A brief overview of the CA focus on language as action; an examination of how people talk in terms of questions, answers, invitations, excuses, justifications etc.; an examination of texting, emojis, misunderstandings
2. Text mining
Introduction to text mining and its uses in a social sciences and business context; Online data sources; The text mining process: data collection, pre-processing and analysis; effectively communicating and visualising insights from textual data

 

ABE205 AWS Academy Machine Learning Foundation - 10 Credits

AWS Academy Machine Learning Foundations will introduce you to the concepts and terminology of AI and machine learning. By the end of this microcredential, you will be able to evaluate and select machine learning algorithms and AWS services to be appropriately applied to different business problems. You will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills to build a full machine learning pipeline, from data collection, data cleaning, and feature engineering to model training, and model deployment using industry-grade AWS tools and libraries. The module helps you to develop Digital Abertay Attributes.

Aims

This microcredential aims to provide a multidisciplinary introduction to machine learning algorithms and applications to you from different areas based on AWS services. AI and Machine Learning have substantially altered methods and strategies across many disciplines and industries including business, law, psychology, cybersecurity, health, etc. This microcredential provides professional development opportunities for you with different backgrounds through equipping them with Machine Learning knowledge and skills which can be applied to your own discipline and make you ready for your future career. Machine Learning skills can be leveraged as a robust tool to tackle complex issues across different disciplines and enhance your problem-solving abilities to meet the modern industry requirements.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. To understand and describe fundamental machine learning methods and their applications.
2. To be able to implement a machine learning pipeline, from data collection and pre-processing to model training and deployment, as well as solving problems in forecasting, computer vision and language processing with AWS services.

Indicative Content
1. Introduction to Machine Learning

What is ML? ML process, business problem solved with ML, ML tools, Amazon SageMaker, ML challenges, supervised learning (regression, classification), unsupervised learning (clustering, dimensionality reduction), reinforcement learning, etc
2. Implementing a ML pipeline using Amazon Sage Maker

Formulating ML problems, collecting and securing data, extracting, transferring and loading data, evaluating your data, finding correlation, feature engineering, data cleaning, dealing with outliers, training, deployment, performance evaluation, hyperparameters and model tuning
3. Forecasting

Time series analysis, Amazon Forecast, Implementing a forecast model, Stock Predictions
4. Computer Vision

Facial Recognition, Image and Video Analysis, Dataset Preparation
5. Natural Language Processing
Amazon Comprehend, Polly, Translate, and Lex, Creating a chatbot, Alexa, etc

ABE104 Dundee and Me - 5 Credits

Get to know Dundee, the ‘coolest little city in Britain’. This amazing city has lots to offer. Find out for yourself why GQ magazine thinks we are ‘cool’, and why actor/comedian/author Stephen Fry said: “Dundee’s setting is probably more extraordinary than any other city in the UK. It is about as ideal – ludicrously ideal – as any setting could be.” Take a guided tour of our location, heritage, culture, industry and innovations, find out how you can get involved, and what’s on our horizon. #sunnydundee Through engaging with this module you will develop the Active Citizen, Intellectual and Digital Abertay Attributes

Aims

To foster awareness of Dundee and help you gain a sense of belonging to somewhere great!

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Demonstrate your knowledge of the City of Dundee

Indicative Content
1. Location

We will explore the geography that makes Dundee’s setting “probably more extraordinary than any other city in the UK. It is about as ideal – ludicrously ideal – as any setting could be.” – Stephen Fry Did you know there is an extinct volcano in the city centre? and why our city is known as #SunnyDundee (one of the sunniest cities in Scotland)… It’s all down to geography
2. Heritage

The 3 ‘J’s – Jute, jam and journalism… the industrial foundations of modern Dundee – our link with the world through international trade (e.g. Dundee does not grow oranges – so how did we get to be famous for our Dundee marmalade?). Dennis the menace and his Beano pals will have a tale to tell you … and the McManus galleries hold many a local secret for you to uncover (find the Tay Whale).
3. Industry and Innovation

A city of innovation and reinvention… with lots of innovation over the centuries in Dundee, we will explore the Recent: Biomed, computer games… And the Future: MSIP, Eden project, E-Games arena One of the first places in the UK to have Green health prescriptions (and we have lots of parks!)
4. CultureTake a ‘virtual’ trip to Antarctica on RRS Discovery, explore the history of industry at Verdant works, marvel at the displays in the V&A, dance at the Dundee rep, soak in culture at Dundee Contemporary Arts, and marvel at developments in medicine, engineering, environment and more at Dundee science centre…
5. Take part
Dundee is a friendly city, we say hello we help each other, we have lots of communities large and small. Discover how Abertay fits into the city and how you can too.

ABE206 Sustainability 101 - 5 Credits

Sustainability101 will help you to get the facts about climate change and sustainability. This online module will introduce you to tools that can help you to understand and reduce your climate impact. By increasing your sustainability self-awareness, you will be able to make a positive difference in your own life, and in the organisations and communities around you. This module will support you to make a real contribution to society locally, to be globally conscientious and socially respectful, to be self-reflective, and to develop awareness of your civic, ethical, and environmental responsibilities. Therefore, this module will support you in developing the Active Citizen and Personal Abertay Attributes.

Aims

To enhance awareness of sustainability, climate change, and carbon emissions, allowing you to make positive changes that contribute to local and global solutions.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Understand sustainability and learn how to improve your personal impact.

Indicative Content
1. What is sustainability and how is it linked to Climate change?

We define sustainability, as enhancing our understanding of the links between society, economy, and the environment. Climate change is explained and linked to sustainability. We provide clear accessible information about the reliable science of climate change. We describe the efforts towards limiting human-induced global warming (limiting cumulative CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions).
2. Global sustainability

We introduce the United Nations Sustainability Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
3. Personal sustainability

The WWF environmental footprint tool is a great way to start your personal sustainability journey. The planet is in crisis - from climate change to the pollution in our oceans and devastation of our forests. It's up to all of us to fix it. Take your first step with our environmental footprint calculator.
4. Community sustainability and climate resilience

Community climate resilience comes in many forms. In this topic we introduce ideas which can provide multiple benefits of people, planet, and prosperity. We showcase inspiring examples whereby working with natural processes (Biophilic design, blue and green infrastructure) we can connect people with nature to improve their well-being and quality of life, whilst simultaneously tackling climate change and storing carbon.
5. Global solutions

What is the world doing about it? What impact do Global Climate and Biodiversity agreements (COP26 etc) really have? What’s happening here? Where are the challenges and the good news stories? We showcase positive initiatives focussed on progress.

ABE207 Food for thought - 5 Credits

How healthy do you think your diet is? What helps you to eat well, and what stops you doing so? In this module you will learn about nutrition and why it is important for your health and wellbeing. You will be able to self-assess and reflect on your current diet and you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to make healthier food choices. By the end of the module, you will know more about key aspects of nutrition and health and be better equipped to identify and tackle the barriers that prevent you from eating well. In line with Abertay attributes, this module will support you to develop personal and intellectual skills and recognise how what has been learned can be applied. You will be able to understand how to evaluate information and tackle uncertainty and information gaps with confidence. It will also help you become more self-reflective and understand and embody self-awareness.

Aims

This module will provide you with an understanding of the benefits of a healthy diet on your health and wellbeing and how you can overcome any barriers to achieving this.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Apply knowledge and understanding to help you make informed food choices to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Indicative Content
1. Healthy eating on a budget

This topic will show you that healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive! You will be given basic nutritional knowledge and practical tips to be able to eat a healthy diet on a budget. You will then be able to develop your own healthy eating menu with budget in mind.
2. Prebiotics, probiotics and health

You will learn about the importance of our microbiota on health, and how what we eat can modulate it. You will be provided with cooking tips and will be guided to develop your own fermented foods for better gut health.
3. Fat or sugar, which is worse?

You may have heard that fats are bad for your health, or perhaps you have heard it is all about the sugars? You will learn about the role of both sugars and fats in our diet; what makes them good or bad for health and the science behind it. You will be given the tools to assess your own sugar and fat intake as well as tips to implement the changes you need to eat better.
4. The British diet vs Mediterranean diet

What is a Mediterranean diet and what are its real benefits? Is it just a diet or a pattern? Can we get the same benefits as those living in Mediterranean countries? In this topic, you will explore how feasible it is for those living in Britain to adopt the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, taking into account the seasonality of ingredients as well as sustainability.
5. What drives our food choices?

How healthy do you think your diet is? Do you find it easy to eat well? With this topic you will become more aware of our obesogenic environment, of how the food industry talks to us, and how the media report nutritional claims. You will learn to look more closely and more critically at your environment, so you can make healthier decisions.

ABE208 Optimising your professional written communication - 5 Credits

The ability to express yourself clearly and concisely is vital, at university and in your professional life. This skill is frequently measured through your writing, particularly in academic study, but this can be challenging as you will be expected to communicate through a variety of methods, from traditional essays to reports to personal reflections, each of which require different styles of communication. This microcredential will help you to refine your current writing skills through the analysis and discussion of a range of texts and exercises, enabling you to then apply these techniques to assignments for your other modules. We will cover how to use assigned reading to improve your communication skills in different areas, from making your meaning clear to how to understand (and meet!) the requirements of the different types of writing you’ll need to do as a student and as a graduate; we’ll review some key grammatical areas and test your knowledge of punctuation rules so that you can be more confident in your ability to proofread your own writing; and finally, we’ll look again at the complexities of incorporating and citing sources, from quotations and images to summarising key points in your own words.

Aims

To enable you to understand and appropriately use academic and professional language, to create texts in an appropriate format and style, and to present your ideas clearly and ethically in your assignments. You’ll do this through practice and evaluation in various forms.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Identify and implement specific writing techniques to appropriately complete academic and professional writing tasks.

Indicative Content
1. Speaking the language

How to develop your academic and professional vocabulary: understanding the genre; understanding your reader’s expectations
2. Meeting expectations

Why different assignments have different requirements: decoding instructions; selecting appropriate writing techniques
3. Tightening up the nuts and bolts

How to improve your writing accuracy: reviewing key grammar and punctuation issues; improving your editing and proofreading
4. Standing on the shoulders of giants

How to borrow from the greats: reviewing the principles of citing sources; using writing techniques to incorporate research into writing

ABE209 Mythbusters: Separating Breakthroughs from Fake News - 5 Credits

Have you ever thought a news story sounded too good to be true? This module will help you develop a better understanding of the difference between media reporting and scientific evaluation. It will equip you with the skills to look beyond sensational stories related to human behaviour and dig deeper into a topic area to validate the evidence.

This module has a particular focus on the “Intellectual” Abertay Attribute and completing it will contribute to students’ ability to:

  • Understand how knowledge is evolving, appreciate the importance of interdisciplinarity and recognise how what has been learned can be applied.
  • Understand how knowledge is generated, processed and disseminated, and actively apply knowledge in order to recognise problems and solutions.
  • Be able to evaluate information, and tackle uncertainty and information gaps with confidence and self-awareness.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide you with the ability to look beyond the headlines.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Identify and appraise the scientific evidence surrounding a key myth about the mind and behaviour.

Indicative Content
1. Paranormal Beliefs and Experiences

Is Extrasensory Perception Real? Is there really evidence that we can predict the future?
2. Myths about the Brain

Can repressed memories be recovered in therapy? How easily are false memories created? What are the implications for the justice system?
3. Myths about our Mind and Body

Is the key to success in everyday life simply a case of posing like a powerful superhero?
4. Myths about Language

Does being bilingual make you smarter and keep your brain younger? Are bilingual people less likely to get dementia as a result of this lifelong brain training?

ABE210 The Future in Work - 5 Credits

Through this microcredential you will gain an insight into what the world of work may look like in the (near) future. This includes developing a knowledge of how the economy and labour market evolves and why individual skills-sets and employability are so important and intrinsically linked to this process. We will look at what the economy of the future will look like and what skills will become more highly valued and sought after. By learning about the future economy and skills as well as highlighting key options open to you after university, this microcredential will offer you the opportunity to further develop your personal and professional attributes that are important to students and graduates.

Aims

Providing you with an understanding what the world of work will look like in future and how to make sense of the changes. Preparing you with the insight and knowledge to help ensure you will be a success in the graduate economy of the future.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Understand how the world of work continually evolves and changes, why this happens and what it means for employability.

Indicative Content
1. The future of work

What will the future of work look like? What is used to predict how the world or work will change? Can the future of the economy and of work be accurately predicted?
2. Key Factors that influence change

Identifying some of the key factors that influence how the world of work and our economy evolves and changes.
3. The key role of skills and personal employability

The emergence and decline of skills: skills are fundamental to the economy (and graduate employers) What skills will be most in demand and/or be most valuable to our economy in future and why? Understand the importance of skills to the economy (and to graduate employers) at both the macro and micro level. Know what specific new skills are emerging and becoming more valuable and sought after, (as others are in decline) for our modern economy and graduate labour market.
4. Labour market Information- what is it for?

Labour market Information is hugely important to our understanding of our economy at any given time: and also, in looking at the present and past to help predict future growth, opportunities, shortages and skills gaps. Recognise the importance of key Labour Market Information (LMI). Have the ability to source and use key Labour Market Information (LMI). Understand how to use accurate Labour Market Information as a tool to help their own personal development and future career planning.
5. What now?

Some help and steer – suggestions to you may wish to use your new knowledge and insight to help with your own career aspirations, planning and personal/professional development while at university.

ABE211 Social Enterprise: What, How and Why? - 5 Credits

Enterprise|Research

Aims

To educate around the role of a social enterprise and how they are created. Offering an insight into the processes involved in developing an idea for a social enterprise.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Identify a social enterprise and understand its mission and objectives.

Indicative Content
1. What is a social enterprise and how does it function?

What the definition of a social enterprise is with examples from different sectors.
2. How do social enterprises identify problems to tackle?

How social enterprises decide on what they will tackle and how they will do it.
3. How do you gather evidence that there is a problem requiring a solution?

Way in which you can gather evidence and data to validate the idea for a social enterprise. Determining needs and wants within a category.
4. How to identify skills and knowledge gaps.

Understanding the skillsets within a founding team to fulfil the tasks required to start a social enterprise.
5. How to understand the problem you are trying to solve.

Knowing the problem, you are trying to solve and how this effects the target customers the social enterprise is aimed at. Looking at the issues in a customer-focussed way.
6. How to develop a social impact plan.

What is involved in a social impact plan and how to put one together.

ABE212 Artificial Intelligence and Society - 5 Credits

This module will introduce you to the study of AI and Society.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a set of technologies and concepts and can be understood as using computers and software to denote problem-solving capacities and knowledge acquisition (intelligence) which otherwise we believe only belongs to natural beings such as humans.

AI is having profound impact on contemporary societies, with effects encompassing many different sectors (e.g. medical, care, policing, education, industry, agriculture) and applications (e.g. self-driving cars, smart-homes, conversational bots, drones). AIs are reshaping the ways in which we work, learn, age and more generally interact.

This module intersects with the following Abertay Attributes:

  • Digital, with the acquisition of new knowledge about current digital technologies
  • Intellectual, with the acquisition of new critical skills for understanding AI in Society
  • Professional, with the acquisition of knowledge about the complexity of contemporary Society

Aims

Using a perspective from social sciences, this module will introduce you to some of the issues intersecting AIs and Society.

Aims:

  • 1) To Introduce you to some of the current debates and concepts surrounding AI and Society
  • 2) To discuss some relevant examples of the impact of AI on Society
  • 3) To reflect on the risks and benefits that AI is bringing to Society

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Acquire an initial set of critical skills to evaluate the impact of AI on Society

Indicative Content
1. Introduction to the core concepts

A brief introduction to the concepts of “artificial”, “intelligence” and “society”.
2. Introduction to the problem of AI and Society

A discussion of where the problem of the impact of AI on Society comes from, presentation of some of the original debates and examples
3. Contemporary debates

A discussion of the contemporary debates about the impact of AI on Society, with examples

ABE213 My AI: Past, Present and Future - 5 Credits

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how has it shaped our past and present? These are questions we will explore on a guided tour of AI from the past to the present and the future. You will develop a better understanding of what AI is and isn’t. In today’s world understanding the many forms of AI will help you in your professional development, and you will begin to appreciate how AI will affect your Future in terms of work and play.

This microcredential will help you to develop your AI knowledge. You will learn about different types of AI and reflect on applications in your own area of study. You will gain insight into different applications of AI – e.g., Health, Sport, Games, Engineering, Business, Law and Computing. Finally, you will learn about the current challenges in AI e.g., generalisation, explainable and ethical AI. The module provides professional development opportunities by enabling you to identify AI use cases and applications in your subject discipline.

This module is aligned with development of the following Abertay Attributes across the intellectual, professional and digital dimensions:

  • Master their subject, understand how it is evolving, appreciate the importance of interdisciplinarity and recognise how what has been learned can be applied.
  • Understand how knowledge is generated, processed and disseminated, and actively apply knowledge in order to recognise problems and solutions.
  • Develop digital fluency, giving them knowledge, skills and confidence to embrace digital solutions.
  • Be equipped for workforce transitions and lifelong learning, including the ability to learn online.
  • Be equipped and motivated to continue learning and professional development throughout their careers.

Aims

To understand key concepts of Artificial Intelligence and its relevance to your professional future.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Describe basic concepts of Artificial Intelligence and understand applications in various sectors, now and into future.

Indicative Content
1. Historical AI

Tracing the historical development of “traditional” AI systems including aircraft autopilots, expert systems, and accounting/financial software.
2. Current AI

Covering the contemporary generation of AI technologies in areas such as speech recognition (e.g., Alexa, Siri) and recommendation systems (e.g., Amazon, YouTube). Examples will be drawn from Health, Sport, Games, Engineering, Business, Law and Computing.
3. Future AI

Exploring the limitations of today’s AI when it comes to general intelligence and contextual adaptation. Examples will be drawn from Health, Sport, Games, Engineering, Business, Law and Computing.
4. My AI

How AI will impact your future, and how you can use AI to help you achieve your career goals. Reflection on how AI may inform your subject area going forward.

ABE214 Digital Safety and Cybersecurity - 5 Credits

Digital Safety and Cybersecurity skills are paramount skills to have in the modern digital age. This microcredential is aimed at you, if you have an interest in technology but are not experts.

The microcredential will develop your digital safety and how to stay safe online. The microcredential delivers this through a range of contemporary topics that aim to educate you on cybersecurity threats and how to protect yourself against them.

Developing your Abertay Attributes:

  • Intellectual: you’ll be able to critically evaluate information and tackle uncertainty around cybersecurity topics.
  • Professional: this module is a self-study module, encouraging independent learning and research on a range of cybersecurity topics.
  • Personal: as part of this module, you’ll be asked to reflect and build resilience on your own cybersecurity practices and behaviour online.
  • Digital: you’ll develop digital fluency and confidence around a range of cybersecurity topics and understand the impacts of cybersecurity threats and attacks.
  • Be active citizens: from completing the module, you will have the knowledge and confidence to influence and educate others on good cybersecurity practice.

Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking students are unable to choose this microcredential.

Aims

The aim of this microcredential is to provide you with knowledge of modern personal, technical, and societal cybersecurity threats and countermeasures to protect against them.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Understand and implement appropriate techniques to stay safe online.

Indicative Content
1. Threat Landscape

Cyberattacks and online threats. System vulnerabilities. Social Engineering. Rights and computer laws.
2. Authentication

Password security. Biometrics. MFA and Password managers. Good practices for authentication.
3. Secure Communication

Web browser security. Certificates and trust. Effective encryption. Secure communication methods.
4. Personal Information Privacy

Information leakage. Personal information privacy and open-source intelligence. Device encryption and security. Security mindfulness.
5. Malware

Types of malware. Identifying malicious software. Malware propagation techniques. Malware removal and preventative measures.

ABE215 Numbers for Success - 5 Credits

Being confident in your ability to work with numbers and understanding how to use them is a fundamental skill at University and in life! In today’s world, being able work with numbers is vital to help you navigate your own finances, understand numerical information available to you and to apply numeracy skills confidently to fit your personal needs, be able to succeed in your university course and in the world of work beyond!

This micro-credential will help you to develop and build your own confidence in applying numeracy skills in real world situations. This module is aligned with development of the following Abertay Attributes across the intellectual and digital dimensions:

  • Understand how knowledge is evolving, appreciate the importance of interdisciplinarity and recognise how what has been learned can be applied.
  • Understand how knowledge is generated, processed and disseminated, and actively apply knowledge in order to recognise problems and solutions.
  • Develop digital fluency, giving them knowledge, skills and confidence to embrace digital solutions.
  • Be equipped for workforce transitions and lifelong learning, including the ability to learn online.

Aims

To enable you to understand and apply numeracy skills appropriately to real world situations.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Identify and apply key numerical skills to support success at university.

Indicative Content
1. What is my GPA and how likely am I to get a First (BASIC NUMERACY)

Calculation and manipulation of data using Percentages, Indices (Powers), Roots, Probability, and simple equations.
2. The power of prediction (GRAPHS)

Straight line graphs, Gradients, Equations of a straight line, Intercepts. Drawing graphs - Linear equations, Distances between points. Simultaneous linear equations.
3. Love a good puzzle (ALGEBRA)

Changing subject of formulae. Factorisation - common factors, Difference of two squares, Trinomials. Solving simultaneous equations by Substitution and Elimination.
4. Advanced power of prediction (FUNCTIONS)

Introduction to functions – Linear and Quadratic and solving quadratic equations. Factorising Quadratic equations.
5. Love a good triangle (TRIGONOMETRY)

Trignometric functions - Sine, cosine and tangent. Trignometric formulae.

ABE216 Creative China: Culture, Regulation and Business - 5 Credits

China boasts one of the largest markets in the world for games and media content and is home to some of the most profitable media companies. However, there are significant differences between the Chinese creative sector and the UK. Commercial obstacles, cultural differences, variation in production processes, differences in business and regulatory environments, and different approaches to education and professional training are all cited as barriers to growth and international collaboration. In this microcredential, you will learn more about how digital media production professionals in the UK and China are working together to reduce barriers and identify new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Aims

The aim of this microcredential is to develop your knowledge and understanding of transnational professional practice in the global digital creative industries, with a focus on China.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Understand the distinctive cultural, regulatory, and business characteristics of the Chinese digital creative industries, and identify the knowledge, skills, and strategies international studios and developers require to succeed in this market.

Indicative Content
1. History and future of videogames in China

Focussing on the videogame sector as a case study of Chinese digital creative industries, how has the videogames market and industry developed in China, how is the Chinese videogames economy currently constituted, and what does the future hold?
2. Consumer trends and audience preferences

What is popular with audiences in China? What can we note about preferences in terms of narrative content, aesthetics, play styles etc. when compared with other markets?
3. Policy and regulation

What unique regulations or limitations are imposed on digital media within China, and what similarities are there with other national and transnational regulations? How is creative content development and publishing shaped by policy in China? What social and ethical challenges are presented by regulation, in China as well as in the UK?
4. Transnational working and co-production

How is digital creative content conceived, developed, and released by professionals working across borders? What are the challenges for small and independent creative studios, compared with multi-nationals with studios based in and outside China?
5. Publishing in China

How do digital media content like videogames make it to market in China? What processes and requirements must creative businesses be aware of, and how do developers find, connect to, and work with Chinese publishers? How do consumers in China access content, including on grey markets?
6. Challenges and success
Hear from UK and Chinese professionals on the China market, co-operation, the hurdles they cleared, and how they found success.

ABE217 Creativity Matters: Engaging resources for Wellbeing - 5 Credits

Increasingly, the role of creativity in supporting and maintaining wellbeing is being researched and celebrated. This module will introduce you to the current theory in this area, as well as a range of creative resources shown to be helpful for both self-care and the support of others. Through the variety of topics covered you will engage with experiential activities to bring your learning to life and to inspire new ways for you to plan and manage your own wellbeing and are expected to partake in discussion boards. Achievement of the module learning outcome will be assessed with an online quiz.

Engagement with this module will develop the Professional, Personal, Digital, and Active Citizen Abertay Attributes. In particular:

  • Be equipped and motivated to continue learning and professional development throughout their careers;
  • Be determined, ambitious, articulate, adaptable, self-reflective, resilient, practical, proactive, innovative and enterprising
  • Understand and embody self-awareness, honesty and integrity in their professional and personal lives.
  • Be equipped for workforce transitions and lifelong learning, including the ability to learn online.
  • Be inclusive, globally conscientious and socially respectful, and self-reflective.

Counselling students are unable to choose this microcredential.

Aims

To prepare students to maintain care for their own and others wellbeing with increased knowledge and awareness of creatives techniques and resources.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :
1. Demonstrate an understanding of how creative resources can be used to support the mental health and wellbeing of the self and others.

Indicative Content
1. Why does creativity matter?

An introduction to why creativity matters when it comes to mental health.
2. Your Brain on Words

The place of stories in their various forms as a resource for wellbeing.
3. Engaging the Senses

The potential of tools such as music and art for self-care.

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