1. Midlands Integrative Bioscience Training Partnership (MIBTP)
Training the next generation of quantitative bioscientists
new tools, new technologies

2. MIBTP support team
Vardis Ntoukakis School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick Bridget Penman Chris Thomas School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham Tim Knowles School of Bioscience, University of Birmingham Jonathan McDearmid Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Julian Ketley Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester Kerry Davies Doctoral Training Partnership Administrator

3. 2019 COHORT
MIBTP 69 Students Birmingham 25 Students Leicester 13 Students Warwick 31 students

4. warwick.ac.uk/mibtp
updated handbook on website

5. MIBTP a four year training programme
Years 2 to 4
Systems + Stats/Prog modules
Master classes
Mini-projects
PIPs
PhD progress reports
Advisory Committee
Supervisor meetings
PIPs
How we do it
Year 1 training in quantitative skills, techniques, miniprojects.
Yr 2-4, PhD project, Research skills, option to take MSc modules
Transferable skills PG certificate in transferrable skills. Take a formal certificate that
e.g. Teamwork skills at Coniston organised by Birmingham, science communication, decision making and leadership modules at Warwick
DTP Annual Conference organised by the students, site rotation
Maintain contact with the students in all years throughout
Training activities as a whole group – e.g careers symposia, ethics, interview techniques ….

6. Your Schedule for this week (Week 0)
lunch
Computer set up
R training
Posters and social
Monday 23th Sept
Welcome
Speed PhD
Tuesday 24th Sept
Maths
Wednesday 25th Sept
Speed PhD
Speed PhD
Thursday
26th Sept
Speed PhD
Gibbet Hill GLT3
Speed PhD
ICLS
Maths
Free time
Friday
27th Sept
Atrium

8. Laptops Collect in IT suite instructions for installing Matlab
Mac introduction
Eduroam
Data back up and QA, good scientific practice
University property, return at end of PhD!
Support sessions at Birmingham and Leicester in first few weeks

9. Interactive First Year
Induction week & Speed PhD
Training in core quantitative skills
Statistics/Programming/Data analysis
Master Classes
Mini-projects
Start with an Induction week
Poster session with higher years
Group preparation for quantitative modules
Social events
Term of taught modules and masterclasses
Speed PhD - reviewing the literature, project planning, poster presentation, paper writing, applying for jobs, thesis writing and finally defending the thesis in a viva.
Miniprojects Two 12 week projects, Two disciplines, Two institutions
Students will select based on a range of topics

10. MIBTP CASE Speed PhD Taught Modules Master classes Mini-project 1
(Away University) OR OR
PhD Project
Includes Industrial
Partner Placement
PIPs
Mini-project 2 OR
PhD Project
Includes PIPs
Mini-project 2
PhD Project

11. Training Schedule in Term 1

12. Master class choices
The list will be sent to you There are none in the first few weeks due to heavy stats/programming.
Can be booked on line (Skills Forge) You need to book 12 days of master class activity This may be for example, 6 x 2 day events, 4 x 2 and 1 x 3 and one or more one day events.
First come first served; all institutions
Engagement and assessment
Master classes will incorporate an exercise that all students complete – assessment of the learning outcomes.  This will be a pass/fail assessment. 

13. The schedule of choices will be presented by theme, site and duration
Master classes:
The schedule of choices will be presented by theme, site and duration
Warwick
Leic
B’ham

14. Mini-projects
Discuss and design mini-project that will train you for your PhD
Or, choose something that really interest you and you want to learn
We encourage different disciplines- BEST to try
one “wet” and one “dry”
One MUST be at a partner University
Decisions November
Start January

15. PIPS – Professional Internships for PhD Students
Non academic, not science research
Can be taken at any time following the training period.
You will all need to complete a report for BBSRC at the end of the PIPS – reflect honestly
Chance to test a career option with no obligation, Learn new professional skills
Be led by your interest, so if you have contacts, or you know who you need to contact, please do so
If you have no suitable contacts, or are at a loss for choices, please talk to directors. We have list of previous PIPS partners and a list of professional offices within each University willing to host interns
iCASE students should aim to gain equivalent experience from Industrial Partner.

16. Assessments Overall pass mark 60%
Pass mark for individual assessments 50% (but we expect higher scores)
Ultimately, those who fail will be asked to leave MIBTP
(mitigating circumstances – evidence based)
PIPS are not assessed

17. PhD Project
Choice of project, selected or confirmed towards end of Year 1
Many will use mini-project as a starting point
Three years research
Regular advisory panel meetings and reporting structure
You MUST submit thesis within 4 years of starting your PhD training – end September 2023
PhD proposals should aim to “exploit new ways of working” and have two supervisors – preferably from different disciplines

18. Transferable Skills Training
Warwick Postgraduate Certificate in Transferable Skills
B’ham Leicester transferable skills programme
Over 3 years, 3 PhD modules, 3 career skills modules
Reflective learning
Evidence of employability.
Time out, but minimal impact if planned
Much will be covered through MIBTP cohort activities
Student Skills and Careers. Training workshops also available.

19. Cohort activities
Activities concentrated in Year 1 but maintained throughout 4 year programme
Induction week
Poster session with all years
Group preparation for quantitative modules
Speed PhD
Training together in Year 1
Workshops and colleague support
Master classes with different groups
PIPS de-briefing
DTP Annual Conference organised by the students - April
Transferable skills
e.g. Teamwork skills at Coniston Y2), science communication, Entrepreneurship
Careers symposia

20. Travel, stipends, fees… Travel Stipend enhancement Accommodation
Parking very difficult
Rail and bus recommended
Lift share?
Stipend enhancement
Accommodation
Fees - Paid at source. If you get any letters demanding payment, get in touch with Kerry
Funds
Consumable budget for mini-project (£750) and PhD project (£4300 pa)
Travel budget (£920 per student)
PIPS funding (supported by receipts)

21. What if I’m struggling with something or need extra support ?
You can speak to your supervisor You can speak to your advisory panel / advisory committee You can speak to us ! (MIBTP directors) Warwick = Vardis Ntoukakis and Bridget Penman Birmingham = Chris Thomas and Tim Knowles Leicester = Jonathan McDearmid and Julian Ketley
And remember you are not alone:

22. What if I’m struggling with something or need extra support ?
You can contact your Departmental director of student wellbeing or Postgraduate tutor, or the welfare representative in your graduate school.
E.g. in Warwick School of Life Sciences Leanne Williams is the director of Student Wellbeing and Kevin Leppard is the Postgraduate Tutor.
At Birmingham you can find a student wellbeing contact for each School here: officers.aspx
At Leicester Martin Coffey is your contact in the Doctoral College and you will also have a Postgraduate Tutor in your Department.

23. What if I’m struggling with something or need extra support ?
Each university offers student support services Note also that University of Leicester graduate students can access services via Validium.

24. What if I’m struggling with something or need extra support ?
Your Student Union is another organisation which can provide support, and each university runs a NightLine - peer-to-peer support listening service

25. Maps Travel to Warwick Library Bus Bus Bus X17
Kenilworth road (direct from Station)
Bus X17

26. What you should be doing now….
Enjoy Induction week
Plan your work and keep up with taught modules
Decide on Master classes
Think about mini-projects and PIPS options
Learn as much as you can about the research environment you are in
go to seminars
talk to other students
MIBTP is a great opportunity
World class research, publication, community, transferable skills, friendships (some for life) . Make the most of it and enjoy!
seminars - departments, IFSTAL,