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

2. 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

3. Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD Where are you studying?

4. 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 2011 1 st year 3 rd year 2 nd year MT 2013HT 2014TT 2014 4 th year

5. 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)

6. Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD We like forms: GSO forms ttp://www.ox.ac.uk/students/ course_guidance_supervision/ graduates/forms/

7. 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?

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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 www.skillsportal.ox.ac.uk

17. 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 www.aspire.ox.ac.uk

18. Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Plagiarism  Understand what this means to your study  Take the online course  http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/integrity/ 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........

19. Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD  Funding issues  College Hardship Funding  http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/graduates/sources/ 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/ http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new/welfaresupport/  Careers guidance  http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/ http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/ Many Sources of Support

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

21. Academic Essentials MPLS & MSD http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/skillstraining 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

23. 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  http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining/wanttoteach2/ http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining/wanttoteach2/  take up the skills training opportunities available  http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining  practise your English (if your spoken or written English is poor)  http://www.lang.ox.ac.uk http://www.lang.ox.ac.uk Transferrable skills