1. Physics and Astronomy Reinduction Prof. Philip Harris, Head of Department Welcome back!

2. Key academics in Physics & Astronomy Prof Philip Harris Head of Department Prof Barry Garraway School Director of Student Experience Dr Kathy Romer Careers Tutor Dr Xavier Calmet Senior Tutor, Foundation Year, Y1, Y2 Prof Peter Coles Head of School Dr Claudia Eberlein School Director of Teaching and Learning

3. Director of Student Experience MEC assessment, “reasonable adjustment” Student experience group Attendance monitoring at school level SSPC meetings, actions, letters... Appeals School elections DJC management Senior tutor oversight Prof. Barry Garraway

4. Senior tutor Attendance monitoring; helping students in difficulty. Queries, from faculty & students (Oversees academic advisors) Advise course changes (but talk to your academic advisors first) Liaison with student representatives: Department Joint Committee meetings Troubleshooting Induction/Reinduction In charge of year 0,1 & 2 students Year > 2 see DoSE (Barry Garraway) Dr Xavier Calmet Senior Tutor, Foundation Year, Y1, Y2

5. New faculty this year AMO/QT: Dr Jacob Dunningham Dr Alessia Pasquazi Dr Marco Peccianti Dr Diego Porras Astro: Dr Mark Sargent Dr Christian Byrnes Dr Robert Smith Dr Stephen Wilkins EPP: Dr Iacopo Vivarelli, EPP Dr Alex Cerri, EPP Dr Clark Griffith, EPP TPP: Dr Veronica Sanz Dr Andrea Banfi Plus an extra post approved.

6. Other staff changes Mike Hardiman has now “retired”. Temporary lecturer Alessandro Ferraro left us in June. Dr Steve Churchwell has become Chief Technical Officer. Gemma Farrell (school office) rep. by Matthew Tiernan Maths has an additional eight new faculty posts. Total £2m investment by the University in our School – a very positive sign of commitment and recognition of our success!

7. Student intake Good news – we are becoming ever more sustainable Challenge – to maintain our special community atmosphere (ideas please!)

8. Student satisfaction 2013 NSS – 100% student satisfaction rating 100% say staff are enthusiastic about the subject 100% say course is intellectually stimulating 100% say course is well organised and runs smoothly 100% have been able to access specialised equipment when needed 100% are satisfied with the quality of the course We have a unique and supportive atmosphere in P&A at Sussex. If there’s a problem – we want to know.

9. Assessment and feedback Faculty encouraged to follow Sebastian J’s problem-sheet approach Prob sheets to state: Deadline; lateness penalites; feedback deadline; marks release date. Office hours may be referred to as “feedback hours” (to distinguish from academic advising) – even though most have “open door” policy. More detailed discussion between ATs and convenors, to improve quality and consistency of feedback. Simplified marksheets (where possible). Faculty encouraged to release lecture notes Faculty encouraged to video-capture their lectures Final-year project assessment criteria improved Undertaking measures to reduce plagiarism

10. Feedback We stay high in NSS by listening to our students. We need your feedback: To lecturers (on their modules) MFQs (module-feedback questionnaires – on-line) To DJC/student reps, and to senior tutors Any time to the study direct forum PASF: joining key “PASF” Help us to help you!

11. “Meet the HoD” forum Termly open forum for HoD to update you on what’s going on, and for you to ask any questions. Do you want it?

12. Departmental Joint Committee Student rep – faculty forum. Crucial! DJC chair currently Tom Workman  Fresh elections: nominations wk 1-2 http://www.sussexstudent.com/studentreps Physics & Astronomy Ball: Sat. 12 th April 2014  Speaker: Prof Dave Wark

13. Student Study Spaces Please respect these facilities, and take care of them so all can enjoy and make use of them. Please leave the kitchen as you’d like to find it! Future expansion envisioned, or possible move to Creativity Zone...? For undergrads: Gauss house – social space, computing... Wormhole – quiet group work, self-study, ref. library Faraday Cage – quiet group work; projector; bookable for activities. Pascal’s Pad – quiet computing work

14. If things go wrong... Seek help if needed: -Academic Advisor, Senior Tutor -For minor colds, injury etc: Take care, seek doctor’s advice etc -More serious: Student Life Centre (SLC). Let us know immediately so allowance can be made -Look on website or ask in school office for relevant phone numbers -Make sure our records of your contact details are up to date

15. MEC: More detail... Claims filled in online (SD) within 7 days of affected deadline Mitigation only applied if situation is sudden, serious, unforeseen Needs to be evidence (doctor’s note etc) More info/instructions on SD Make sure you notify School Office if away/ill more than 6 days

16. Careers Year 2 students We are running a careers course this term (within Scientific Computing) Sessions are on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 pm in Chichester Lecture Theatre Y3 and Y4 students are also welcome to attend Finalists Deadlines for most graduate jobs occur this term! To help you prepare there is a special session on Monday in the Careers Centre from 1 to 2 pm (see emails from Kathy) Dr Kathy Romer Careers Tutor New! SEPnet Employment Engagement Officer, to be located within the Department

17. First-generation scholars: y1 & y2 Weds 9 th October events 1. Get Ahead 13.00 – 17.15, Fulton Building An afternoon of events, workshops and 1-to-1 advice designed to give First-Generation Scholars a head start when looking for part-time work, internships and jobs after they graduate as well as helping with university study. Workshops include: · How can I find a part-time job? · How can I find work experience and internships? · Presentation Skills · Team working Full details at: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/firstgenerationgetahead 2. Welcome Event 17.30 – 19.00, Jubilee Building A chance for First-Generation Scholars to meet each other, discover what the Student Services team have to offer and to be officially welcomed to the 2013- 2014 Academic year by Clare Mackie. Full details at: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/firstgenerationwelcome

18. Your responsibilities, our expectations You are responsible for your own learning. Buying gym membership doesn’t make you fit! Help yourself: Learn the subject Go to lectures; study the material (beforehand if possible) Attempt all of your assignments (not just those for assessment) Make sure your writing is legible Understand and avoid plagiarism and collusion – they are serious offences. Check e-mail and post every day. Studying is a full-time job. You should aim to spend at least 40 hours per week on it.

19. Plagiarism A serious offence – don’t do it. Penalties are severe. Check it out on Uni web pages: type “Plagiarism” in search box. See, e.g., “Cite Them Right” for appropriate rules. Basically, if you copy anything or use any result from anywhere, cite it. People of different academic backgrounds have different notions of plagiarism. Think: and if unsure – ask. Always make clear which parts of the work you present are your own. “Cite them right” by Richard Pears and Graham Shields, pub. Pear Tree Books

20. Collusion Distinct from plagiarism, but equally serious offence Don’t work too closely with other students on assessed coursework OK to discuss problems and work out algorithms together, but tear up joint notes – be sure to work out and write up your solutions independently. Try this test: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=34

21. Institute of Physics The professional body actively working to promote developments in physics careers information and resources Members’ room at 76 Portland Place MyIOP, social networking for physicists Nexus – for 10,000 student members www.physicsworld.com magazinewww.physicsworld.com All for FREE Paper copy of Physics World magazine £15/year

22. SAFETY INDUCTION Introduction: Responsibilities & Risk Assessments Lasers Chemicals Cryogenics Electricity Emergency procedures With acknowledgements to Malcolm Strong

23. Health & Safety Health and safety is all about preventing people from being harmed at work or becoming ill through work. Legislation states that we must not put ourselves, other workers or the public in danger. The University is responsible for providing a safe working environment. You are responsible for your own actions and inactions within that environment.

24. Your responsibilities To take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of yourselves & others affected by your acts or omissions. To co-operate with the requirements and duties imposed on the employer, to enable those requirements and duties to be complied with. Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety reasons.

25. Emergency Procedures FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 3333 (Campus ‘phones) Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile) Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile) DIAL 999 (Off Campus) This applies to: Fire First Aid/Medical To report serious hazards, threatening or suspicious behaviour Escort across campus after dark etc...

26. Emergency Evacuation discover If you discover a fire Operate the fire alarm 3333 (or 01273 873333) (NB don’t dial 999 when on campus)Call emergency number 3333 (or 01273 873333) (NB don’t dial 999 when on campus) hear the fire alarm If you hear the fire alarm Leave the building by the nearest exit Do not stop to pick up belongings Report to the nearest assembly point away from the building

27. Emergency Evacuation Do not Do not tackle a fire unless you are trained in the use of fire extinguishers Do not Do not use lifts Do not Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by the person in charge

28. Risk Assessments All practical project work must be risk assessed. Any task: identify hazards and assess risks. Record the risks, inform users. Implement the measures required to remove or minimise the risk before starting work. Laboratory experiments have been assessed; scripts contain safety instructions. Ensure you are familiar with them and follow them. You may not work in a lab until you have had the relevant safety training from the person responsible for that lab.

29. Lasers Lasers in teaching laboratories are safe low power, but the research labs have high power class 3R and 4 lasers. These labs are restricted areas for access by authorised persons only. Staff and students in these areas must see the laser Safety Video before commencing work. Research lasers are not always in the visible wavelengths so the beam is not obvious.

30. Chemicals Keep quantities you are working with to the minimum required. Transport with care, in proper containers. Always label containers Always wash your hands after handling chemicals. Do not eat, drink in the labs. Always dispose of waste correctly.

31. Cryogenic Liquids Liquid Nitrogen: very cold, –196 o C. Liquid Helium: even colder –269 o C. Loose fitting insulated gloves, where appropriate Appropriate clothing – no sandals/open shoes Safety goggles when transferring cryogenic liquids - always! Never travel in a lift with dewars of any cryogenic liquid.

32. Electricity Check that equipment has been tested for electrical safety (PAT). Special care when using portable tools, and HV equipment. May need RCCB (residual current circuit breaker)

33. Further Information The University web site gives access to copies of: Safety Policy documents. Safety Procedures and Guidance. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/hso/1-2.html See also lab scripts and lab safety folders Reminder: FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 3333 (Campus ‘phones) Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile) Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile) DIAL 999 (Off Campus)

34. Prizes Outstanding Achievement in Year 1 – Lucio Maria Milanese Outstanding Achievement in Year 2 – Samuel Jones Outstanding Achievement in Year 3 – Will Astill Outstanding Year-on-Year Improvement in Performance Nathan Bayley Arran Graham-Shaw Mark Davies Ryan Hicks

35. And finally... Work hard Good luck Have a great year!