Research Student in Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Division
73
Academic Essentials University of Oxford: Graduate Orientation Andrew Martin October 2014 Research Student in Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Division
Transcript of Research Student in Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Division
Academic Essentials University of Oxford: Graduate Orientation
Andrew Martin October 2014
Research Student in Maths, Physical and
Life Sciences Division
1. A community of scholars
external face • world-leading
• elite
• strong
• showy
• values scholarship and hard work
• human-scale organisations
• protective of people
• inclusive
• can laugh at itself
internal face
Ph
oto
: Cam
pai
gn
fo
r O
xfo
rd
Humorous summaries
“It made sense in the 1200s.”
• (John Perry)
Cast-iron rule: Never do anything for the first time
• (Geoffrey Thomas)
Organising principle: Every rule has an exception
• (including this one)
2. Endless Peculiarities
“third oldest University in the world”
• oldest in English-speaking world
lots of scope to build up odd systems and
nomenclature
has much in common with one other University
• it is unlike most others;
• don’t assume the whole UK is like Oxford
nobody understands it all
Some Academic Posts
College Lecturer
Departmental
Lecturer
CUF Lecturer
University Lecturer
Reader
Professor
College Lecturer
Departmental
Lecturer
CUF Lecturer
University Lecturer
Reader
Professor
Professor
College Lecturer
Departmental
Lecturer
Associate
Professor
Associate
Professor
Associate
Professor
Professor
Professor
Particular Positions
• head: Master or Principal or President or Warden or ...
• officers: Bursar, Dean, Dean of/Tutor for Graduates, ...
• Fellows (except ...)
College
• Head of Department
• Professors and Associate Professors
• PostDocs
• Undergraduates and Graduate Students
Department
• Chairman/Chairwoman/Chair
• Members • Students
Faculty
• Director of Graduate Studies (Department)
• Your Supervisor • (Your Department
Advisor) • College Advisor
(College)
• Graduate Studies Assistant (Department)
Key Contacts
3. Organisation (Approximation)
Ch
ance
llor
(main
ly ce
rem
on
ial)
Vice-Chancellor (chief executive)
Council
Ce
ntral
Ad
min
istration
C
en
tral De
partm
en
ts
Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division
De
partm
en
t of
Co
mp
ute
r Scie
nce
De
partm
en
t of
Ph
ysics
...
Medical Sciences Division
Clin
ical P
harm
acolo
gy
De
partm
en
t of
Psy
chiatry
... Humanities Division
Faculty
of C
lassics
Faculty
of H
istory
...
Social Sciences Division
Bu
sine
ss Sch
oo
l
Law Facu
lty
...
3a. Organisation (More practically)
All S
ou
ls
Co
lleg
e
Ballio
l Co
lleg
e
Brase
no
se
Co
lleg
e
Ch
rist Ch
urch
Co
rpu
s Ch
risti
Co
lleg
e
Exe
ter C
olle
ge
Gre
en
Tem
plte
ton
Co
lleg
e
Harris
Man
che
ster
Co
lleg
e
...
Department of
Computer Science
Department of
Physics
Clinical Pharmacology
Department of
Psychiatry
Faculty of Classics
Faculty of History
Business School
Law Faculty
...
3b. Organisation (even more practically)
4. Rules
Examination Regulations –The ultimate set of rules for your
degree: “The Grey Book”
–The book is also online
–There are lots of sections relating to the DPhil – get the one appropriate to you!
Course Handbook –Usually gives more practical
details
Rules change: make sure you have the right
version, and make sure your supervisor does too
Graduate Studies Assistant will know which
are the right ones!
Notes
most degrees are not ‘modular’
–can’t mix elements from other programmes
each degree programme may operate differently
–both within faculties, and between different ones
even the practical effects of the DPhil rules vary
–especially for the Centres for Doctoral Training
–faculties have ‘special regulations’
(Oxford) ‘University Standard Marks (USM)’
–scale 0-100; 50 as pass; 70 as distinction
– ‘fairly standard’
4a. Some Kinds of Degree
• is not a taught degree Oxford
MA
•undergraduate Master’s degrees
MMath, MChem,
...
•the main taught degree in science and engineering
•coursework plus dissertation
•one year full-time
MSc
•similar to MSc; typically in Arts and Humanities MSt
•typically two years
•substantial coursework
•substantial dissertation MPhil
•various subject-specific Master’s degrees
MTh, MBA,
MFA, ...
•research degree
•PhD by another name
•MLitt and MSc by research are shorter research degrees
DPhil
•“higher doctorates”
DSc, DD,
DLitt, ...
other Oxford peculiarities, such as BPhil
Progression
Probationer Research
Student (PRS)
“Transfer of Status”
DPhil Student “Confirmation
of Status”
Submission Viva
[corrections/
resubmission]
“Leave to Supplicate”
• there’s a deadline for every step
• there’s usually a second chance:
but beware the ‘hard’ deadlines
• be sure of which deadlines apply
to you
Progression
Probationer Research
Student (PRS)
“Transfer of Status”
DPhil Student “Confirmation
of Status”
Submission Viva
[corrections/
resubmission]
“Leave to Supplicate”
MSc by Research
(“MRes”) Student
“Confirmation of Status”
Submission Viva
[corrections/
resubmission]
“Leave to Supplicate”
University Schedule
Academic Year Simplified: 8 weeks on, 6 weeks off—repeat
– weeks numbered 0-8, no classes in week 0 (‘noughth week’)
– gaps are called ‘vacations’ – but you almost certainly shouldn’t treat them as 6-week breaks from study
– most/all graduate degree programmes expect structured work during the vacations
– you are expected to be in Oxford during term time (‘full term’) – your course may require longer periods of residence also.
Long Vacation
(Summer)
Trinity Term (Spring)
Hilary Term (Winter)
Michaelmas Term
(Autumn)
5. Evaluation & Examinations
Formal Examinations
– written exams, and vivas
but not the ‘interview’ for transfer of status, etc.
– Attire: subfusc
Past exam papers
– OXAM.ox.ac.uk
Papers, Dissertations/Theses
– course handbook should tell you what is assessed
for the degree, and what is ‘merely’ a progress
check
– lots of diversity: exams, take-home assignments,
assessed practical work, ...
Graduate Supervision System (GSS)
Tutorials, Classes, Seminars, Lectures
Undergraduate vs Graduate Study
• 9 – 5 timetable; own work at various times
• Different courses
• Examinations and assignments
Undergraduate study is often
externally driven & highly
structured
• Work the hours required (wise to treat like a demanding job)
• No defined start and end points to experiments
• No set short-term deadlines
• Easy to feel overwhelmed by the task ahead
Graduate study is self driven and
often unstructured
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Supervisors should: plan your research and set your milestones discuss your training needs report on your progress via GSS
Establish who else will be involved in your supervision (post-doc, co-supervisor, external supervisor) and what their role is
Review work plans and establish how much time & help you should expect from your supervisor
Have meetings to discuss progress
Establish the main framework for your work as soon as possible during the first term
This is the most crucial thing to get right
Interaction with your supervisor
•Understand what this means to your study
•Take the online course
•http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/integrity/ Plagiarism
•Facebook Procrastination
•Stress, panic and late nights in the lab Leaving things to the
last minute
•Please talk to your lab mates and others Isolation
•Research is a long slog, it can be repetitive and unrewarding for long periods
•The successes make up for all of the pain Defeat
Things to avoid........
•College Hardship Funding
•http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/graduates/sources/
Funding issues
•Supervisors, DGS, departmental graduate studies committee
•University Occupational Health Service
Scientific problems
•Childcare Services, Counselling Service, Disability Advisory Service, Equality and Diversity, Harassment, Health and Welfare, OUSU Student Advice Service, Nightline
•http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/welfaresupport/
Personal issues
•http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/
Careers guidance
Many Sources of Support
6. Research
Libraries – Bodleian
several sites; reference only
plus Radcliffe Science Library
– College
– Faculty/Divisional
IT Resources – Central IT Services
– Department and Faculty IT
– College
– online publications some locked to campus;
some require login
Academic Good Practice – Avoiding Plagiarism
– Ethics, ...
Closing Remark
The University is Academic and Rigorous
–you’ve come here to work hard, and that’s expected.
Ideas flourish through other interactions, too
–special lectures outside your discipline
–sport and games
–music; the arts
–religious and cultural societies
–political and charitable activity
–dining, drinking, parties
don’t neglect these!
do make the most of your College.
Academic Essentials for Research Students in Medical Sciences Division
Dr Sarah Norman Director of Skills Training
Medical Sciences Division
Introductory session for graduate research students of the Medical Sciences Division of the University
University structure and nomenclature
The administrative framework of a graduate degree
Some of the potential opportunities
Some of the potential problems of a graduate course in Oxford
Sources of advice and support available for graduate students
Welcome
Where are you studying?
Michaelmas Term: October – December
Hilary Term: January – April
Trinity Term: May – September
Weeks: Fresher’s week (0th week), Term weeks 1 – 8 (possible 9/10)
When are you studying?
MT 2015 HT 2016 TT 2016
MT 2016 HT 2017 TT 2017
MT 2014 HT 2015 TT 2015 1st year
3rd year
2nd year
MT 2017 HT 2018 TT 2018 4th year
What do you need to do now and later?
Becoming a registered student with the University: – Complete a self-service online registration form
– Attend a matriculation ceremony
How long are you on the register as a graduate student:
– Initially on the register as a PRS (Probationary Research Student)
– Transfer to DPhil status (in 4th term) 12 terms total
– Transfers to MSc (by Research - MRes) status (in 3rd to 4th term) 6 terms total
4 year programmes in the Doctoral Training Centre :
– >4 terms as PRS before transfer, 12 terms total
The University residence requirement; minimum amount of time to
complete a DPhil/MRes: – DPhil is minimum six terms (for MRes three)
We like forms: GSO forms
ttp://www.ox.ac.uk/students/
course_guidance_supervisi
on/
graduates/forms/
Department: – Supervisor / University Lecturer / Principal Investigator / Group Leader
– Co-supervisor?
– Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) College:
– Advisor – more pastoral care
– Tutor for Graduates Division:
– Graduate Studies Assistants
– Graduate Joint Consultative Committee (GJCC)
Administrative changes to your:
– course / supervisor / thesis title / status (transfer/suspension/confirmation) / appointment of examiners
Who’s who in the Department/College?
Study?
Gain professional and transferrable skills
Things to avoid......
What to do when you are here?
Undergraduate vs Graduate Study
Undergraduate study is often externally driven & highly structured
– 9 – 5 timetable
– Different courses
– Examinations and assignments
Graduate study is self driven and often unstructured
– Work the hours required
– No defined start and end points to experiments
– No set short-term deadlines
– Easy to feel overwhelmed by the task ahead
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Establish the main framework for your work as soon as possible during the first term
Have meetings to discuss progress Review work plans and establish how much time &
help you should expect from your supervisor Establish who else will be involved in your supervision
(post-doc, co-supervisor, external supervisor) and what their role is
Supervisors should: – plan your research and set your milestones
– discuss your training needs
– report on your progress via GSS
Interaction with your supervisor
training in scientific methods
undertake novel research
create a thesis containing an original
contribution to the literature
take part in the life of the department
present your research
publish
Graduate student’s role
working full-time
take holidays, the MSD policy is up to 38 days
of holiday leave per annum
sufficient free time to benefit from the wider
University and College resources
ten days per annum for transferable skills
training
What to expect day-to-day
Graduate Skills Training
As a research student, you may well be pursuing your studies as an essential step towards realising your career goals
‘the student must accept his or her obligation to act as a responsible member of the University’s academic community’
‘he or she should make appropriate use of the teaching and learning facilities available within the University’
The Research Councils issued a Joint Statement on what skills a graduate research student should acquire
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University & Divisional Skills Training Programme
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Free to all Graduate Research Students and Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Research Assistants
– more effective in your work
– to develop and move towards your future aspirations
There are two sources of training available to you – Divisional Courses (face-to-face)
– University of Oxford (online)
Professional development, training and skills – Communication/Presentation Skills
– Writing Skills
– Plagiarism
– Ethics
University Online Courses
Online course takes between 60 and 90 mins to complete:
Avoiding Plagiarism 1 Avoiding Plagiarism 2 Entrepreneurship 1: Are you an Entrepreneur? Entrepreneurship 2: Opportunity Recognition, Creation and Evaluation Entrepreneurship 3: Resources (People, Teams, Finance)
Online course broken down into many modules:
Research Integrity: Biomedical Sciences
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/skills/ricourses/biomed
Research Integrity
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/skills
Skills Hub
Plagiarism – Understand what this means to your study
– Take the online course
– http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/integrity/ Procrastination
– Facebook Leaving things to the last minute
– Stress, panic and late nights in the lab Isolation
– Please talk to your lab mates and others Defeat
– Research is a long slog, it can be repetitive and unrewarding for long periods
– The successes make up for all of the pain
Things to avoid........
Funding issues – College Hardship Funding
– http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/graduates/sources/
Scientific problems
– Supervisors, DGS, departmental graduate studies committee
– University Occupational Health Service
Personal issues
– Childcare Services, Counselling Service, Disability Advisory Service, Equality and Diversity, Harassment, Health and Welfare, OUSU Student Advice Service, Nightline
– http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/welfaresupport/
Careers guidance
– http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/
Many Sources of Support
Enjoy your time in Oxford
Make the most of the opportunities it can provide
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Academic Essentials for Taught Students in
Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Division &
Medical Sciences Division
Dr Afsie Sabokbar Director of Graduate Studies, Medical Science Division
MSc Programme Director Fellow of Wolfson College
useful Info:
Fresh
ers’
Fair-
Organi
sed by
The
Oxford
Univer
sity
Studen
t
Union
(OUSU
) at
Exam
School
–
8/10/
2014-
10/10
/2014
Oxford University Newcomers' Club- Every Wednesday, 10.30-12.00,
The University Club, 11 Mansfield Road
Student Gateway- http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life
Welcome to the oldest University in the English-
speaking world-
Established 1167
38 colleges, of them 8 are graduate colleges
Every student a member of a college
4 academic Divisions (Humanities, Medical Sciences, MPLS, Social Sciences)
Each Division has a number of (around 14) Departments/Faculties
For graduate students, Department is your main academic ‘home’: But your College also plays a major role in your success!
University itself
Various Divisions
University academic terms
University terminology
Matriculation & subfusc
Structure of teaching & examinations Support What to avoid
Proctors
Outline of talk
Where are you studying?
Michaelmas Term (MT-14): – 12th October – 6th December
Hilary Term (HT-15): – 18th January 2015 – 14th March 2015
Trinity Term (TT-15):
– 26th April 2015 – 20th June 2015
Academic Terms?
Department: – Supervisor / University Lecturer / Principal Investigator / Group Leader
– Co-supervisor?
– Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) College:
– Advisor – more pastoral care
– Tutor for Graduates Division:
– Graduate Studies Assistants (GSA)
– Graduate Joint Consultative Committee (GJCC)
Administrative changes to your:
– course / supervisor / thesis title / status (transfer/suspension/confirmation) / appointment of examiners
Who’s who in the Department/College?
What do you need to do now and later?
Becoming a registered student within the University:
1. Visit Student Self Service & complete online registration form by the end of 1st week of term (University Card, via Dept. or College)
2. Attend a matriculation ceremony
3. Visit Student Gateway on:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/
Matriculation
This is a ceremony at which new students are
entered into the register of the university (Latin for
Matricula)
Cambridge, Durham and Bristol
At Oxford, matriculation has to be done in subfusc
Subfusc (Academic dress) Subfusc comes from the Latin for "of a dark/dusky colour",
and refers to the clothes worn with full academic dress in
Oxford.
For men: Dark suit, black socks and shoes, white
shirt and collar, white bow tie.
For women: White blouse, black tie, black skirt or
trousers, black stockings or tights, black shoes.
Undergraduate vs. Graduate Study
Undergraduate study is often externally driven & highly structured
– 9 – 5 timetable
– Different courses
– Examinations and assignments
Graduate study is self-driven.
– Work the hours required
– Large number of Assessments/essays/reports for various modules
– Easy to feel overwhelmed by the task ahead
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Time management is essential
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills
Summative (FORMAL) assessment is characterised as assessment of learning (summarizing the development of learners)- involves grading Formative assessment characterised as assessment for learning (determines the students’ attainment)- Does not involve grading
Types of Assessments
Written essay assignment
Group assignments
Individual project report
Short presentation
Written Exam (Essay, SAQ, MCQ, best answer)
Types of Formative Assessment
Written essay assignment
Group assignments
Individual project report
Short presentation
Written Exam (Essay, SAQ, MCQ, best answer)
Types of Formative Assessment
a) Written essay assignment/dissertation
-Must be handed in to the Examination School Clerk by the deadline quoting your candidate number & declaration of authorship. -Submit on time..otherwise not only you will lose marks but also you may have to pay extra for late submission
Rules of Formative Written Assessments
Written essay assignment Group assignment Individual project report Short presentation Written Exam (Essay, SAQ, MCQ, best answer)
Types of Formative Assessment
Rules of Formative Written Assessments
b) Written Exam (Essay, SAQ, MCQ, best answer)
Any written assessments may also be undertaken at Exam School or other sites (Subfusc compulsory) + your University card (form of ID) http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/guidance
Oxford Examination Papers On-line (OXAM)
This website belongs to Oxford University's Examination Schools and was set up to
provide online access for members of the University to the formal examination papers set by the University of Oxford since academic year 1999/2000.
Via Web-Learn
Check the answers with your Tutors https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/oxam
Past papers
Venue for sitting exams now!
But not always!!....
Examination School (A little bit of history!!)
Seminars & Lectures (in various modules) ± practical sessions
Small teaching groups, once a week TUTORIALS (usually at college and no longer than 1 hour).
Significant of self-driven background reading, essay writing & problem solving.
WebLearn hub- course materials etc. are commonly uploaded on this hub (Check with your tutor and/or Dept.). (Visit Student Gateway)
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/selfservice
Structure of Taught courses
Termly GSS reporting
Graduate Supervision System (GSS) is used by Supervisors each term to review, monitor and comment on their student's academic progress and performance.
Students are strongly recommended to contribute to their termly supervision reports by reviewing and commenting on their own academic progress.
Study & use EndNote
Register at computing/statistical courses
English language courses Gain transferrable skills
Avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism is the copying or paraphrasing of other people’s work or ideas without
appropriate acknowledgement
What to do when you are here?
Proctors
Proctors play an important role in the conduct of University Examinations (distinct from colleges). Course conduct Late submission Complaints Special arrangements Plagiarism Responsible for ceremonial duties, e.g. at degree ceremonies.
Plagiarism – Understand what this means to your study
– Take the online course
– http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/integrity/ Procrastination
– Facebook Leaving things to the last minute
– Stress, panic and late nights Isolation
– Please talk to your colleagues Defeat
– Do not be defeated!!- there will be ups and downs
Things to avoid........
Funding issues – College Hardship Funding
Scientific problems
– Supervisors, DGS, departmental graduate studies committee, HoD
Personal issues
– Childcare Services, Counselling Service, Disability Advisory Service, Equality and Diversity, Harassment, Health and Welfare, OUSU Student Advice Service, Nightline
– http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/welfaresupport/
Radcliffe Science Libraries
– http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/science/training
Careers guidance – http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/
Many Sources of Support
Balancing work !
Enjoy this “life-time” opportunity
Balance your work
!!(http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs)
Visit historic sites and learn more about Britain!!!
Enjoy your time in Oxford
Make the most of the opportunities it can provide-
THANK YOU
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