Module Edits

A module is a self-contained unit of learning conveyed in terms of learning outcomes. The required elements of a module descriptor are specified in the Academic Regulations, section 3.16.

A module descriptor provides information to students and is published to the UCD Course Search in June each year ahead of the upcoming academic year. Any changes made to the module descriptor throughout the year will be updated on the Course Search.

Certain module details are also key to operational processes such as registration, timetabling and assessment & remediation. Therefore, because of the above, it is important that information recorded in a module descriptor is accurate and up to date. 

When can Module Descriptors be edited?

Module Descriptors can be edited at various times of the academic year via the My Modules menu in the Curriculum Management System (CMS). Please refer to the Module Descriptor Edit Timelines 2023/24 for further details. 

Who can edit Module Descriptors?

As per section 3.14 of the Academic Regulations, it is the responsibility of the module coordinator to ensure that the information included in the module descriptor is complete and accurate. As a module coordinator you will automatically have access to edit the module descriptor for your modules during edit timelines, as outlined above.

Staff and faculty with School/College level access to the CMS have access to all modules associated with their School/Unit.

How to edit Module Descriptors

Please refer to our How to edit the Module Descriptor guide, Module Descriptor Checklist or (opens in a new window)Editing the Module Descriptor video guide.

The Curriculum Team runs information sessions from February-April/May each year to provide guidance to Module Coordinators on editing their Module Descriptors ahead of the upcoming academic year. Communication regarding these information sessions are circulated in February or you can check in with your Curriculum College Liaison for details.

Here are some key ways to ensure accuracy and completion of your Module Descriptors:

• Refer to the Module Descriptor Checklist for helpful tips and prompts
  
• A module 'pending' status will indicate that your module descriptor is missing mandatory data (as outlined in the academic regs)
  
• Refer to Mandatory Data Completion Status in the module descriptor, as seen in the screenshot below
  
• If your module descriptor is incomplete due to some mandatory data missing, the Completion Status will show as 'Mandatory Data Incomplete' and the text will appear in red
• You can then click on the 'View' button, circled below

A pop up box, such as the one seen in the screenshot below, will appear and will give you the list of sections that are missing mandatory data. You can then click into those sections directly to update them.

When all of the mandatory data has been completed, you will see the Completion Status change to 'Mandatory Data Complete' and the text will appear in green

         Your module status will then change from 'pending' to 'active'.

Modules will appear in the Curriculum Management System (CMS) with a particular status. Further details of each are provided below:

• Continuing: module descriptor information/details rolled forward from previous academic year. Some mandatory fields are missing (refer to ‘Mandatory Data Completion Status’ for further details). Modules can be edited during CMS edit timelines.
• Active: All mandatory elements have been completed. Module can be edited during CMS edit timelines.
• Inactive: Details have not been rolled forward from the previous academic year or the module is no longer on offer.
• Pending: New Module; mandatory requirements not yet complete. Modules can be edited during CMS edit timelines.

If you are a Module Coordinator and would like to make a module inactive or to reactivate it, please get in touch with your School Administrator with school-level access.

If you are a School Administrator with school-level access, please refer to the Module List Management section for more information about making a module inactive or reactivating it.