Academic Essentials for Research Students in Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Division & Medical Sciences Division Dr Sarah Norman Gray Institute

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Introductory session for graduate research students of the Maths, Physical and Life Sciences & Medical Sciences Divisions 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

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD Where are you studying?

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Michaelmas Term: October – December  Hilary Term: January – April  Trinity Term: May – September  Weeks: Fresher’s week (0 th week), Term weeks 1 – 8 (possible 9/10) When are you studying? MT 2011HT 2012TT 2012MT 2012HT 2013TT 2013MT 2010HT 2011TT st year 3 rd year 2 nd year MT 2013HT 2014TT th year

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD 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 4 th – 6 th term) 12 terms total  Transfers to MSc (by Research - MRes) status (in 3 rd to 6 th term) 6 terms total  4 year programmes in the Doctoral Training Centre :  Seven terms as PRS before transfer, 12 terms total  The University residence requirement; minimum amount of time to complete a DPhil/MRes; and fee liability:  DPhil is minimum six terms (for MRes three)

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD We like forms: GSO forms ttp:// course_guidance_supervision/ graduates/forms/

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  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?

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Study?  Gain professional and transferrable skills  Things to avoid What to do when you are here?

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD 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 Page 9

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  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

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  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

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  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

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD 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 Page 13

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD University & Divisional Skills Training Programme Page 14  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

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD University Online Courses Each online course takes between 60 and 90 mins to complete  Publishing in Arts  Publishing in Sciences  Project Management in the Research Context  Good Practice in Citation and the Avoidance of Plagiarism  Intellectual Property in the Research Context  Ethics 1 - Good Research Practice  Ethics 2 - Working with Human Subjects  Career Planning in the Sciences  Career Planning in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences  Managing Your Research Supervisor / Principal Investigator  Selecting a Conference, Presenting & Networking  Entrepreneurship 1: Are you an Entrepreneur?  Entrepreneurship 2: Opportunity Recognition, Creation and Evaluation  Entrepreneurship 3: Resources (People, Teams, Finance)

Searchable database of skills training opportunities Articles on subjects such as project management, teaching and career planning News of national events and competitions Careers Case Studies – see what other researchers have gone on to do

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD Online personal development planning tool Specific version for researchers Tools for skills analysis, planning and recording progress Reports – help compile your CV Links to development resources

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Plagiarism  Understand what this means to your study  Take the online course   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

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Funding issues  College Hardship Funding   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   Careers guidance  Many Sources of Support

Enjoy your time in Oxford Make the most of the opportunities it can provide Page 20

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD Recommended Courses:  for 1st years  for 2nd years  for 3rd years  for Graduate and Postdoctoral research assistants Courses for First Year Courses relevant to first year DPhil students:  Communication/Presentation Skills  Writing Skills  Ethics Page 21

Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD University regulations state:  ‘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’  take up the teaching opportunities available   take up the skills training opportunities available   practise your English (if your spoken or written English is poor)  Transferrable skills