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UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Department of Biochemistry
GRADUATE COURSE HANDBOOK (2008-2009) CONTENTS
WELCOME TO THE GRADUATE COURSE page 3
INTRODUCTION page 4
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE GRADUATE COURSE page 5
GRADUATE INDUCTION COURSE
Timetable pages 7-9
Topics covered in the Induction Course Postgraduate Research Supervision page 10
Supervisory Team page 10 Senior Departmental Teaching Associates page 10 Director of Graduate Studies page 10
College Advisors page 10 Formal Meetings with Supervisors and Advisors page 11 Record of Training and Achievement page 11 Graduate Skills Workshop page 11 Career Options After Your Degree page 11 Departmental Safety page 12 Fire Safety page 12 Departmental Facilities page 12 Data Handling and Keeping a Laboratory Notebook page 12 Computing and IT Facilities page 13 The University Counselling Service page 13 Introduction to the Radcliffe Science Library page 14
Departmental Organisation page 14 DPhil Symposia page 15
STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE GRADUATE COURSE page 15
Your Rights and Responsibilities page 15
First Year pages 16
Probationer Status page 16 Graduate Induction Course page 16
Presentation Skills Course page 16 Preparing PowerPoint Presentations page 16 Effective Scientific Writing Skills Course page 17 Undergraduate Lectures (Master of Biochemistry Course) page 17 Research Seminars page 17 Seminar Reports page 18
Transfer to M.Sc. (Research) Status page 18 Transfer to D.Phil. Status page 18 Second Year pages 21 Meetings with Supervisors & Advisors page 21 Career Development page 21 Ethics, Public Understanding of Science & Intellectual Property Rights page 21
Preparation for DPhil Symposium page 21
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Third Year page 21
D.Phil. Symposium page 22 Meetings with Supervisors & Advisors page 22, 11
Poster Presentation page 22 Confirmation of Status page 22 Thesis Submission page 22
RESEARCH INTERESTS IN THE DEPARTMENT pages 23
GENERAL POINTS page 23
Membership of Societies page 23 Oxford University Biochemical Society page 23 Teaching and Demonstrating by Graduates page 23 Attendance at Conferences page 24
English Language Courses page 24 Holiday Allocation for Graduate Students page 25
Appendix 1
List of new postgraduate students (October 2008) page 26
Appendix 2
List of Departmental Gradaute Advisors page 27
Appendix 3
Email aliases of advisor groups and advisee student groups page 28
Appendix 4
List of 2nd year postgraduate students page 29
Appendix 5
List of 3rd year postgraduate students and email addresses page 30
Appendix 6
List of 4th year postgraduate students and email addresses page 31
Appendix 7
Academic integrity: good practice in citation, and the avoidance of plagiarism page 32
Appendix 8
Graduate Skills page 33
Record of Training and Achievement page 33-44
Graduate Skills Checklist page 45-49
Feedback Form page 50
Recommended places for food and drink in Oxford Maps of Oxford and the Science Area
Front cover: Polytene chromosomes from wild-type Drosophila melanogaster immunolabelled with antibodies against Rad21 (green), a subunit of the cohesin complex, and BEAF (red), a well-characterized boundary-associated factor. DNA was visualized with DAPI staining (blue). Note that BEAF and Rad21 localize to distinct interband regions. Pauli A, Althoff F, Oliveira RA, Heidmann S, Schuldiner O, Lehner CF, Dickson BJ, Nasmyth K. “Cell-type-specific TEV protease cleavage reveals cohesin functions in Drosophila neurons.” Dev Cell. 2008 Feb;14(2):239-51.The figure was contributed by Andrea Pauli, a graduate student in Professor Kim Nasmyth’s group.
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WELCOME TO THE GRADUATE COURSE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
The Department introduced a new Graduate Course in October 1996, to help graduates become professional scientists. The course includes workshops and lectures designed to equip you with a broad range of skills that should help you get the most out of your research during your time as a postgraduate student, as well as being helpful in your future career. Research at university is about training, innovation and knowledge. To help you become a professional scientist we want you to: have as wide a range of skills as possible be capable of doing competitive and world-class research acquire knowledge which is wide and deep so that you can make choices in your career be able to communicate your science and your enthusiasm for it be informed of major issues in science and their relevance to society
In the world of science today, Communication, Collaboration and Co-operation are three of the most important skills necessary not only for professional development, but also for the advancement of science and progress of humankind, and its understanding by the public. You will have the opportunity and indeed be required to: Communicate with each other, members of your research groups and throughout the
department, to find out approaches to solving scientific problems. Collaborate with members of your research group and their collaborators Co-operate with members of your research group and other scientists so as to access
research and other skills and resources. In 1996 we introduced a management team, the Senior Departmental Teaching Associates (SDTAs, now known as Departmental Graduate Advisors) whose function is to organise the graduate training programme, provide mentoring for you as required, ensure that all graduates participate in all the components of the Graduate Course, and report this to the Director of Graduate Studies. It is your responsibility to take advantage of this provision, and to meet regularly with your Advisors so that you get to know them and seek their advice when you need it. Your co-operation will also be required in helping us develop and improve your course, by providing feedback to your Advisors or other members of the management team. In 1999, we extended the management structure for graduates, by setting up a Departmental Graduate Studies Office and appointing a Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) who reports directly to the Head of Department. The function of the office is to co-ordinate the graduate course, graduate admissions, deal with course administration, and provide a centre of reference and information for graduates and the University Graduate Office. The DGS can also be consulted in regard to concerns and to provide independent mentoring and advice. The Departmental Graduate Studies office is currently supported by one member of secretarial staff. Throughout your course you will be meeting in small groups with the Advisors. Initially they will organise these meetings for you, but later you are expected to arrange to see them, as necessary. The activities in which you are required to participate as part of your training are summarised on page 5 of this Handbook. We expect all of you to be able to manage this programme alongside your research and personal commitments. If you are making a transition from other disciplines to Biochemistry, together with your supervisor should also devise a programme of lectures and tutorials to give you the opportunity to learn the biochemical basis and background to your research. This is a minimum requirement for the award of your Degree. I wish you success throughout your graduate course and I hope you enjoy the challenges and rewards that this University can offer you.
Professor Kim Nasmyth, FRS, Head of Department, 1st October 2008
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry in Oxford. It is the aim of this Department to be a leading centre of high quality research and scholarship in which postgraduate students make an important and valued contribution. This is one of the largest Departments of Biochemistry in Europe with a total of around 150 postgraduate research students. Teaching and research in Biochemistry reflect the current growth and excitement in the subject. Research in the Department is broadly based and interdisciplinary, with about 30 research groups working in the areas of Structural Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry, Chromosome Biology and Molecular and Developmental Genetics. Research activities extend far beyond these premises, by collaboration with other biomedical departments in Oxford and the surrounding area (e.g. the Departments of Pathology, Physiology, Human Anatomy & Genetics, Chemistry and Physics, the Institute of Molecular Medicine, the MRC Genetics Unit at Harwell, and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics), other universities, research institutes and industry in the UK and abroad. Some graduate research projects involve such collaborations and some of you will have the opportunity to train at other locations as well as in this department. All these collaborative links provide a rich intellectual environment, opportunities for training and accessing research facilities. We hope you benefit as fully as possible from your time here. Although large, the Department has a friendly atmosphere, and a busy scientific and social calendar. In addition to providing fundamental training in biochemical research, which is transferable to a variety of disciplines in the biomedical and biological sciences, the graduate course also offers the opportunity for training in analytical and creative thinking, and in project management and personal development. These skills are highly valued in many spheres of employment, Higher Education, Academic and Industrial Research, Business and Commerce. The Department’s 1996 D.Phil. training course is recognised as one example of best practice in the UK. It includes workshops and lectures designed to equip you with a broad range of skills that should help you get the most out of your research during your time as a postgraduate student, and in your future career. The activities in which you are required to participate as part of your training are summarised on page 5 of this Handbook. We look forward to working with you.
Departmental Graduate Advisors The Director of Graduate Studies
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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE GRADUATE COURSE
All Years Attend Research Skills and other Courses and Research Seminars as required, e.g. M.Biochem courses, Part II Options to fill in any required background, and Postgraduate Programme Courses as advertised.
1st Year All Programmes Michaelmas Term Attend Graduate Induction Course & Annual D.Phil. Symposium
Arrange and hold Initial Formal Meeting with Supervisors and Advisors
Submit a Seminar Report
Hilary Term *Part II & other courses, as required
Submit a Seminar Report
Trinity Term Attend Department of Biochemistry Recess
Attend Presentation Skills Course
Attend Writing Skills Course
Arrange and hold Formal Meeting with Supervisors and Advisors
Attend Annual DPhil Poster Exhibition
Submit a Seminar Report
Prepare Transfer of Status Report & Submit an Application for Transfer of Status using Form GSO.2 MSD on 3rd Friday of July 2008 (except MSDTC and MPLS DTC students)
2nd Year All Programmes Arrange and hold two Formal Meetings with Supervisors & Advisors
Attend Annual D.Phil. Symposium
Attend and participate in Research Seminars
Attend Department of Biochemistry Recess
Attend Annual DPhil Poster Exhibition
*Attend courses & events for generic, transferable skills as required, in areas detailed at http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining
*Attend seminars on Learning and Teaching, Ethics, Media, Public understanding of science, Social Context of Science as advertised
Prepare an oral presentation for the Michaelmas Term Symposium
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3rd Year 3-year Programme Arrange and hold two Formal Meetings with Supervisors & Advisors
Attend Annual D.Phil. Symposium and give presentation
Attend and participate in Research Seminars
3rd Year course only
Apply for Confirmation of D.Phil. Status in 8th Term (form GSO.14 and GSO.14A): Thesis Abstract or Summary of Results and Timetable to Complete Thesis
Attend Department of Biochemistry Recess
Attend courses & events for generic, transferable skills as required, in areas detailed at http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining
Poster Presentation
Submission of D.Phil. Thesis no later than 30 September of 4th year
4th Year 4-year Programmes Arrange and hold two Formal Meetings with Supervisors & Advisors
Attend Annual D.Phil. Symposium
Attend and participate in Research Seminars
Apply for Confirmation of D.Phil. Status in 8th Term (form GSO.14 and GSO.14A): Thesis Abstract or Summary of Results and Timetable to Complete Thesis
Attend Department of Biochemistry Recess
Attend Annual DPhil Poster Exhibition
Attend courses & events for generic, transferable skills as required, in areas detailed at http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining
Submission of D.Phil. Thesis no later than 30 September of 4th year
4th & 5th Years 5-year Programme Term preceding transfer to TSRI
Apply for Confirmation of D.Phil. Status in 8th Term (form GSO.14 and GSO.14A): Thesis Abstract or Summary of Results and Timetable to Complete Thesis
Attend and participate in Research Seminars
Arrange and hold two Formal Meetings with Supervisors & Advisors at TSRI
Attend TSRI/Department of Biochemistry Recess
Attend any TSRI Courses as required
5th Year Submission of D.Phil. Thesis no later than 30 September of 5th year
All responsibilities, except those indicated with an asterisk (*) are absolutely required of all students. The seminars on Teaching and Learning are open to graduates in all years, except Year 1. They will be advertised on the web and by email, and require prior consultation with Supervisors and pre-registration.
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GRADUATE INDUCTION COURSE (2008) The Induction Course aims to:
• Welcome you to graduate study in Oxford • Introduce you to new and more experienced students on the same or related
programmes • Introduce local research areas, facilities, support and safety systems, • Highlight the importance of graduate skills and raise awareness of training
opportunities Attendance is a course requirement by all programmes. Please arrive at all sessions on time, as a register will be taken at the start of each session. On Monday morning 6th October you may complete any outstanding organisational tasks relating to your admission, college, funding, banking and accommodation or meet with your supervisors if you have had supervisors formally allocated to you already. If your programme requires you to meet your supervisor or potential rotation supervisors or members of their research groups at this time, please arrange meeting time(s) with your supervisors at mutually convenient times.
Key to venues - see map at the back of the Graduate Handbook: CR Common Room, Hans Krebs Building (Biochemistry Tower), 7th Floor HS Howard Schneiderman Room, Rodney Porter Building, 3rd Floor LR1 Lecture Room 1, Hans Krebs Building (Biochemistry Tower), Ground Floor OUCS LLR Oxford University Computing Services, 13 Banbury Road, Large Lecture Room
New Biochemistry Reception South-west end of New Biochemistry, Ground Floor - For Biochemistry computer accounts see Dr J. Elder, New Building Basement Room number 00-070, Tel (6)13333 - For key cards and proximity cards see Mr Terry Clarke, New Building Lower Ground Floor Room No 10-017, Tel (6)13302 - For Biological safety forms see Dr Susan Robertson, New Building Lower Ground Floor Room No 10-017, Tel (6)13301 - For scholarship payments administered by Biochemistry see Mr Paul Miles Level 3 Room No. 50-006, Tel (6)13208 - Tea and coffee breaks will be in the Hans Krebs Building (Biochemistry Tower), 7th floor Common Room, except for those during sessions held in the Howard Schneiderman Room.
Programme Overview 1 Wednesday 1 October a.m. Welcome - Introduction to Graduate Study & Induction Course
2 Wednesday 1 October a.m. & p.m. Skills & Personal Development Workshop
Wednesday 1 noon Group Photograph
3 Thursday 2 October a.m. Services, Research Skills, Departmental IT, WebLearn, Safety
4 Thursday 2 DPhil p.m. Symposia I
5 Friday 3 October a.m. Computing, IT & Library Services (OUCS)
6 Friday 3 October p.m. DPhil Symposia II
7 Monday 6 October p.m. DPhil Symposia III
8 Monday 6 October p.m. Cheese & Wine Reception
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Wednesday 1 October
1 Welcome - Introduction to Graduate Study & Induction Course Time Venue
9:00-9:15 Arrival & Register Dr Mary Gregoriou HS 9:15-9:30 Introduction Dr Mary Gregoriou HS 9:30-9:50 Welcome by the Head of Department Prof. Kim Nasmyth HS
9:50-10:20 Overview of the Graduate Induction Course Dr Christina Redfield HS
10:20-10:45 Coffee/Tea
2 10:45-12:45 Graduate Skills & Personal Development Workshop HS
Ms Charlie Welch, Facilitators: P Roversi, (tba), M Gregoriou 12:45-13:30 Lunch Meeting (Lunch provided) HS 13:30 Graduate 2008 Group Photograph 13:50-17:30 Graduate Skills & Personal Development Workshop HS
Ms Charlie Welch, Facilitators: Drs P Roversi, (tba), M Gregoriou Coffee/Tea at convenient times during the workshop HS
Thursday 2 October 3 Career Management, Research Skills, IT – WebLearn, Health and Safety
Time Venue 9:00-9:15 Career options after your degree Ms Tracey Wells LR1
9:15-10:00 Departmental Safety & Research Facilities Mr Terry Clarke LR1
Dr Susan Robertson 10:00-10:45 Fire Safety Lecture and Video Mr John Hewitt LR1
10:45-11:10 Tea/Coffee 11:10-11:55 Data Handling & Keeping A Laboratory Notebook Dr David A Harris LR1 11:55-12:05 Departmental Computing, IT Facilities, WebLearn Mr Julian Jordan LR1 12:05-12:15 Questions from New Graduate Students Dr Mary Gregoriou LR1 12:15- Activate Biochemistry network account CR, etc Lunch (Lunch NOT provided but refreshments/sandwiches can be bought in CR)
4 DPhil Symposia I Chair: Dr Phil Biggin DPhil Symposia Programme and Abstracts: included in your arrival pack; also at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/graduate/dphil_symposia.html.
Time Venue 13:30- Introduction Prof I.D. Campbell, FRS LR1 13:45-14:45 Research Talks by 3rd Year D.Phil. students. LR1 14:45 15:15 Tea/coffee CR
15:15- t.b.a. Research Talks by 3rd Year D.Phil. students LR1
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Friday 3 October 5 Computing, IT & Library Services (OUCS) Coordinator: Dr Mary Gregoriou
Time Venue 09:15 Meet M. Gregoriou ahead of visit to OUCS New Biochemistry Reception
9:30-11:30 Introduction to OUCS, IT & Computing Services Ms Grazyna Cooper OUCS LLR Literature Searches using Medline, Web of Science, etc Ms Juliet Ralph OUCS LLR Intute, etc tba OUCS LLR Demonstration of the Referencing programme Endnote tba OUCS LLR Practical session OUCS LLR
6 DPhil Symposia II Chair: Dr Christina Redfield Time Venue
13:30 - Introduction Prof Stuart Ferguson LR1 13:45-14:45 Research Talks by 3rd Year D.Phil. students. LR1
14:45 15:15 Tea/coffee CR
15:15- t.b.a. Research Talks by 3rd Year D.Phil. students LR1
Monday 6 October 7 DPhil Symposia III Chair: Dr Terry Butters
Time Venue
13:30- Introduction Prof J. A. Hodgkin, FRS LR1 13:45-14:45 Research Talks by 3rd Year D.Phil. students. LR1
14:45 15:15 Tea/coffee CR
15:15- t.b.a. Research Talks by 3rd Year D.Phil. students LR1
8 Cheese & Wine Reception
17:00-18:00 Organiser: Dr David Staunton HS Invited: D.Phil. Students, Supervisors, Advisors, Staff
Graduate Induction course feedback PLEASE return your feedback on the Induction course to Mary Gregoriou by Monday evening 6th October. End of Graduate Induction Course
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A. TOPICS COVERED IN THE INDUCTION COURSE
1. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SUPERVISION The supervisory team: Supervisors, Departmental and College Advisors, the Director of Graduate Studies Supervisors http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/Graduate/policy/CodeofPracticeforSupervisorsMSD2007.pdfYour direct supervisor is responsible for your academic guidance. You may be allocated a co-supervisor who can advise about your research and experimental methods, initially on a day-to-day basis. Your broader supervision team also includes either a Departmental or a Programme Advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies, and are independent of your supervisors. You are expected to have regular meetings with your principal supervisor to discuss your progress. Your supervisor will read and advise on your transfer to DPhil status report and your thesis before submission. It is very important that students communicate without delay any concerns or difficulties that may negatively impact on their progress. In the first instance, these should be referred to the supervisors, independent advisors or the DGS. Students should meet their Advisors and the DGS during the Induction Course, and are free to discuss with them any part of the course, any issues or concerns at any time during their course. Departmental Advisors Departmental Advisors are a group of senior research staff responsible for running the graduate course (see Appendix 2). They are closely involved in the mentoring of graduate students. Throughout the course, Advisors are available to meet both informally and formally with students, regarding their progress and training. Students are required to arrange and hold two formal meetings per year with their Advisors and supervisors. In the first year Advisors also read students’ reports on seminars and provide feedback on these and on oral and poster presentations at the writing and communication workshops. Each graduate student will be assigned to a group consisting of 2 to 3 Advisors and about eight students. These small groups are to facilitate networking at the beginning of the course, and can meet together from time to time as required by students, to provide course feedback to Avisors. You may contact your Departmental Advisors at any time to arrange meetings. They will be happy to discuss with you, in confidence, any difficulties that you may encounter during you course.
Director of Graduate Studies The Advisors work closely with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to update the graduate course and to assist students encountering difficulties. The DGS also monitors the progress of students via Supervisors’ Term reports and Assessors’ transfer of status reports. Where there is cause for concern about an individual’s progress, the DGS may be required to consult with the student and/or their supervisor(s) in confidence. The DGS also advises on matters that may concern a student, and is part of the student supervisory team. Dr Mary Gregoriou can be contacted directly on [email protected] or phone (6)13210. College Advisors In addition to your supervisor(s) you will have an independent advisor appointed by your College. The role of these individuals is to offer independent guidance and support if you encounter any problems that you do not wish to discuss with your departmental supervisors and advisors.
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Formal Meetings with Supervisors and Advisors Students will arrange to meet regularly with their supervisors. In addition to informal meetings they are also expected to have at least 2 formal meetings each year, when a written record is made by the student. Initially, students will consider possible research topics, decide which to attempt, and identify any training needs. By the end of the first four weeks (normally end of October), students will have set up their first formal meeting with their supervisor(s) and agreed a Research and Training Plan for the first six months. The Initial Meeting Form (p.34) can be downloaded from http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=364 and filled in ahead of the meeting, submitted to supervisors for discussion, updated with any changes agreed during the meeting, and re-submitted to supervisors and advisors for their signatures. These indicate that supervisors and advisors are satisfied that research goals, training and resources, and skills to develop further have been discussed and agreed. A copy of the form will be forwarded to the DGS for the student’s departmental file.
Regular formal Meetings with Supervisors and Advisors A second formal meeting needs to take place after six months and a revised plan should be submitted at the end of March for the next six months (for Meeting Forms see link above). Students are expected to arrange two meetings per year, throughout their course. Third and subsequent meetings may be arranged at or following regular student research talks, to which advisors may be invited by the student. Record of Training and Achievement The purpose of keeping this record is to document the progress of your research and training and your participation in the graduate training programme. This record is to help confirm that you are on track or require further advice, and should be brought to all your formal meetings with your supervisor and advisor. Record forms are provided in Appendix 9 of this Handbook for the following activities: 1. Initial Meeting with supervisors and advisor 2. Regular Meetings with supervisors and advisor 3. Publications/Research Reports/Thesis Chapters 4. Formal skills training (e.g. training workshops & training) 5. Presentations given 6. Journal Club presentations 7. Research Seminars and lectures attended 8. Conferences attended 9. Computational Skills 10. Teaching/Supervising 11. Skills checklist 12. Feedback on the Graduate Training Programme 2. GRADUATE SKILLS WORKSHOP Charlie Welch As a Research Scientist you are likely to devote much of your time to your own project and it is important to be able to work independently. However, good teamwork and co-operation between members of a lab is vital, for example where safety is concerned, and to facilitate learning and research. You may need to develop new skills in order to succeed in your DPhil and future career. The workshop will raise awareness about the importance of skills such as communication, teamwork, personal effectiveness, leadership, networking and others (see Appendix 9 for Graduate Skills). During your first year the research and study you are required to identify any skills that you may need to develop, discuss with your supervisors and advisors, and take up opportunities to do so.
3. CAREER OPTIONS AFTER YOUR DEGREE Ms Tracey Wells, Careers Adviser: The University Careers Service, www.careers.ox.ac.uk. Where will your D.Phil./M.Sc. training take you? How will it equip you for your future career?
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The Careers Service is free and open to all our students, recent graduates and researchers. It provides careers guidance and information, a series of careers skills and information events throughout term time, and holds a library of useful information on areas such as working in different countries, different professions, and vacancies. This talk will give you an introduction to the Careers Service and give you the opportunity to find out how to make use of it to help you to meet you career aims.
4. DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY Dr Susan Robertson - Area Safety Officer, Biochemistry, 10-017 New Biochemistry (6)13301 Mr Terry Clarke - Assistant Safety Officer, Biochemistry, 10-017 New Biochemistry (6)13302 All work carried out within the Biochemistry Department must be in accordance with the University’s Health and Safety Policy, which is in three parts:- (i) The Statement of Health and Safety Policy: a brief document that sets out the general
safety principles by which the University operates; (ii) Individual Safety Policy Statements: these provide detailed information and advice on
specific subjects; (iii) The Departmental Statement of Health and Safety Organisation: this explains the roles
of people who are responsible for various aspects of safety management in Biochemistry.
There is a copy of the Health and Safety Policy in the Departmental Safety Office (10-017 New Biochemistry building) and it is also available online at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/safety/. Your lab safety file should include a copy of the Departmental Statement of Health and Safety Organisation. This file should also contain risk assessments for any hazardous work carried out in the lab, including COSHH assessments that describe safe handling and disposal procedures for chemical reagents and micro-organisms. Whenever you are working in the lab it is your responsibility to follow the correct procedures, so as to minimise any risks to yourself and to those working around you. Before undertaking any experimental work you should make sure: that you have adequate supervision; that you have any necessary authorisation, e.g. a Home Office licence for animal work, or registration as a radiation worker; that you have been vaccinated against Hepatitis B if you are working with human blood products or cells; that the lab where you are working is of the appropriate category; and that you will be able to properly dispose of any waste produced. Mr Terry Clarke and Dr Susan Robertson will describe the Departmental safety management structure and outline the basic principles of the University’s safety policy as they apply to laboratory staff. FIRE SAFETY. Mr John Hewitt - University Safety Office. This session will comprise a lecture and video on the action that should be taken in the event of a fire. 5. DEPARTMENTAL FACILITIES Research and core facilities have recently been re-organised with the move to the New Biochemistry Building. Information will be provided to you in the coming weeks. Facilities exist for Tissue Culture, Protein Sequencing, DNA Sequencing etc, macromolecule purification and characterisation, imaging and macromolecular structure determination, bioinformatics, etc. Training will be provided for the use of equipment. Information about accessing core facilities is provided on the website: http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?sectionid=services 6. DATA HANDLING & KEEPING A LABORATORY NOTEBOOK Dr David Harris – Director of Teaching, Department of Biochemistry
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This session is designed to outline the methods and importance of keeping a laboratory notebook and, in particular, how to record data clearly, precisely and in a secure manner. It will also outline the role of statistics in the analysis and presentation of biochemical data, with particular emphasis on the handling of experimental errors. An appreciation of how to represent various types of data in a quantitative way will be given and simple statistical principles will be explained, emphasising the use of confidence limits, least square analysis and non-parametric analysis. Common pitfalls will be discussed. 7. COMPUTING & IT FACILITIES
University Regulations governing the use of IT facilities can be found at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/regulations/196-052.shtml. Please read these! You will be assigned a Herald email account by OUCS (Oxford University Computing Services) when your University Card becomes active. Information on the University email service is available at www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/email. You will be introduced to the Univeristy IT and computing services during a special session at OUCS on Friday 3rd October. The Departmental computing facilities are managed by the IT staff who are located in the New Biochemistry Building: Dr John Elder, Infrastructure & Security Officer 00-070 ext13333 [email protected] Dr Jeremy Rowntree, IT Systems Manager 10-027 ext13309 [email protected] Mr Martin Ackland, Support Team Manager 10-026 text13307 [email protected] Mr Julian Jordan, Web & Macintosh Officer 10-027 ext13310 [email protected] Computer network accounts are available to all members of the Department and provide personal disc space for secure storage of files. In your arrival pack you are provided with a temporary password. Please log in using your username and change your password in order to activate your access to the Biochemistry network. You will need to do this in order to access some course information. If you are experiencing any difficulties with access please contact Dr John Elder. The Department’s web site, www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/, is regularly updated with information on computing facilities (www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/computing/) and other aspects of the Department. OUCS runs many training courses covering both introductory and specialised uses. Further information can be obtained from www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/courses/. 8. THE UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING SERVICE
Graduate students are expected to make a significant contribution to their field and this can be a very challenging experience. Students are responsible for becoming well informed about current knowledge and methods of study and must also become experts in specialised techniques and learn how to apply these. They need to take initiative in learning and suggest experiments and develop good working relationships with their supervisors and others in the lab, where many technical and research skills are employed. Students will learn to cope with failures and difficulties, and find ways to overcome problems. The University Counselling Service is available for students talk about their problems when life gets tough! The website http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/shw/counserv.shtml lists resources available to graduate students and how to access them.
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9. INTRODUCTION TO THE RADCLIFFE SCIENCE LIBRARY
The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL), which constitutes part of the Bodleian Library (http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/bodley,), is situated on Parks Road (Building 44 on Science Area Map – see back of this Handbook). It is available, upon registration, to all members of the University - you must show your University Identity Card to enter the RSL. For opening times see http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/bodley/library/hours. The RSL carries a very extensive range of current journals and text books as well as providing access to many journals on-line. Electronic journals can be accessed from all University workstations (see also recently installed journal management system http://sfx7.exlibrisgroup.com/oxford/az. Further information can be found at http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/rsl/e-resources/biochemistry_guide The OLIS system, which has recently been updated and improved, is accessible from computers in the RSL as well as via the University network. This system allows journals and books in any library in Oxford to be located. Bibliographic databases, such as Medline and Pubmed, can be accessed through the University network. Another useful resource, which allows access to abstracts and full journal articles is the Web of Science http://wok.mimas.ac.uk/ . Photocopies of articles not held in the RSL can be obtained from other libraries in Oxford (if available) or from the British Library, through the RSL. There will be a teaching session (approx. 1 hour at the OUCS on Friday morning) where you will gain hands-on experience of using the facilities available at the RSL to carry out literature searches and locate references. Please remember to take your University Identity Card with you to the RSL (if you have had one issued) and indeed carry it with you at all times in the University. 10. DEPARTMENTAL ORGANISATION See powerpoint presentation: WebLearn: http://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/site/medsci/bioch/postgrad/. For administration of departmental studentships please see Mr Paul Miles, 50-006 New Biochemistry, ext13208. The New Biochemistry Stores, run by Mr John Hill and Mr Mike Onions 20-010, ext13280, keeps minimal stocks of commonly used consumables and cleaning materials. To obtain items from Stores you will require an appropriate requisition form, prepared through the web-based requisition system, signed by a senior member of staff. Stores are open between 08:00 and 16:30, Monday - Thursday and between 08:00 and 16:00 on Friday. External orders are administered by Accounts Office staff in 50-005 New Biochemistry ext13206. To order equipment or materials from external suppliers a requisition form must be completed, signed by a senior member of staff and placed in the order box. Requisitions are placed through the web-based system, (details of which can be found in “Help” of the Purchasing area of the departmental webpage), and these are processed on the same day they are collected from the order box. The Order Box is emptied each day at 16:30. Incoming and outgoing mail is dealt with by the Reception/Janitorial staff 20-020 ext 13200, at the Reception Desk in the New Biochemistry building. Incoming mail can be collected from the mail boxes by the Reception. The University operates a Messenger Service, which can be used to send items to other Departments and Colleges within Oxford. Mail for this service should be marked MESSENGER and placed in the appropriate box in the Reception. All other post, both internal (i.e. within the Department) and external, should be posted in the box labelled "All Other Post". Mail is collected at 15:00 h. Your supervisor or a senior member of staff must annotate all external mail that requires franking with your group’s allocated reference number. Urgent mail can be sent by the Courier Service. Items, accompanied by the
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appropriate requisition form and courier request form, should be taken to the Reception desk before 15:00. DPHIL SYMPOSIA Dr Terry Butters The DPhil Symposia is an annual event, forming part of the graduate training programme, at which graduate students entering their third year present their work to the Department. The Symposium is spread over three afternoon sessions. Each session will be preceded by an overview of research in the relevant area, given by a senior member of the Department. The DPhil Symposia are a unique event in this department. They present a large volume of research done by graduate students associated with the Deaprtment of Biochemistry, and form a very important part of graduate training in the areas of presenting and discussing research. The speakers would appreciate any questions you may have for them, and there are prizes for best questions asked by 1st year students. DPhil Symposia programme details and abstracts are normally included in your arrival packs, and can also be found at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/graduate/dphil_symposia.html)
B. STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF THE GRADUATE COURSE
Much of the content of this Handbook, together with additional information is available and regularly updated at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=364. Details of further guidance and courses can be found in the Divisional Notes for the Guidance of Graduate Students, distributed in the beginning of Michaelmas Term.
YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES A full list of your rights and responsibilities and those of your supervisors’ are detailed in the handbook ‘Notes for the Guidance of Graduate Students, Michaelmas Term 2008’, which is circulated during or shortly after the Induction Course. Here we give a Departmental Charter introduced by Professor Raymond Dwek in 1996: Students have a right to know: 1. The aims of their project and where it is leading. 2. A rough time scale in which to operate. 3. That they have a right to their supervisor's time and input. 4. Where to turn to should they have concerns regarding their project/supervisor/personal problems. A number of avenues for help and discussion are available. The earlier they make an approach the sooner these issues will be resolved. No problem is too small to be discussed, and no problem is too big to be resolved. 5. That they are a vital part of this department and they have the right, and the responsibility, to make the most of the excellent facilities and opportunities that are available to them - in terms of seminars, discussion groups, libraries, visiting scholars and distinguished speakers, techniques, etc. 6. That they can take the initiative and explore! 7. That all information given in confidence is kept strictly confidential. 8. That they are entitled to 38 days holiday per annum, inclusive of 8 statutory bank holidays and the time at Christmas when the Department is closed. Please note: (a) Your report for transfer to D.Phil. status (or M.Sc. status, if required) should be submitted
by the third Friday of July in your third term. (b) Transfer of status is conditional upon fulfilling the compulsory modules (see page 5).
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(c) Successful completion of a D.Phil. will require you to develop a knowledge and understanding of your field of research as well as training in experimental methods. By the time of your transfer of status viva you should be able to discuss any techniques you have used as well as related/alternative procedures. You should also be able to demonstrate an appreciation of work carried out by others in your own and related fields. To recommend transfer of status your assessors must be satisfied that the work that you have carried out forms the basis of a D.Phil. thesis, that you have made appropriate future plans and that you are developing the ability to work independently.
(d) You have a responsibility to your research group and you must therefore negotiate with your supervisor when you wish to take your holiday leave, for which you should give at least one month’s notice.
FIRST YEAR Probationer Status All new graduate students admitted to D.Phil. or M.Sc. in Biochemistry initially hold the Probationer Research Student (P.R.S.) status. Subject to satisfactory progress you should transfer to D.Phil. or M.Sc. Status in your third term of study (see guidelines on pages 24 - 26). In the course of your research you should develop an awareness of skills you may need to develop in order to learn how to do high quality research and communicate your work to your research group and wider audiences (Appendix 9). You should discuss any such needs with your supervisors and advisors and take opportunities for skills development. You will need to report on the progress of your training on the application form for transfer of Status (Form GSO2MSD - see below). The graduate course is designed to assist with the awareness and practice of some essential skills, whch can be furher developed through the following course requriements: Graduate Induction, Presentation Skills, Writing Skills Courses, and submission of three short reports, normally on Departmental Seminars, one per term during your first year. Graduate Induction Course Michaelmas Term, is designed to raise awareness of Graduate Skills Training, the Oxford Research Environment, Facilities and Services, Networking within the department and related graduate programmes. Presentation Skills Course Dr Jane Fraser (Jane Fraser Associates, www.janefraser.com) The ability to give high quality oral presentations is essential to a career in scientific research and also represents a valuable transferable skill. The following are examples of areas to be covered: Planning your presentation, Being invited to speak, Defining your audience, How to construct an exciting presentation, Planning tips and techniques, Basic rules for slides and overheads, Tips for using Powerpoint effectively, The importance of non-verbal communication. Before attending the Presentation Skills course you are advised to attend a course in preparing PowerPoint presentations if you are unfamiliar with this approach – see below. You will also be advised of preparation that may be required a few weeks before the course. The Presentation Skills and Writing Skills course will be held on Thu 23 April 2009. Preparing PowerPoint Presentations The Oxford University Computer Services (13 Banbury Road) offer courses on preparing presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. Attendance at one, or both, of these courses is strongly recommended, prior to the Oral Presentation Skills course, for those unfamiliar with
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PowerPoint. For details such as course dates and registration, please contact OUCS by phone (73200), email [email protected], or via the web www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/learning/ Effective Scientific Writing Course Dr Jane Fraser (Jane Fraser Associates, www.janefraser.com) Effective scientific writing is an essential skill for scientific research and is also readily transferable to many other careers. The writing skills course will be on Wed 22 April 2009, ahead of your preparation of the Transfer of status report, and will cover topics such as Good style in scientific writing, Preparing scientific papers, theses and reports, Focus on abstracts and summaries, Illustrating your writing, Perfecting your draft. Undergraduate Lectures (Master of Biochemistry Course) General Lectures If you do not have a good background in Biochemistry or in your particular field of graduate study, you may wish to attend some of the lectures provided for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates in the Department. Lecture lists are available in the University Gazette, on the Department’s Web page (www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/lectures/) and in your arrival packs. You should discuss your attendance at such lectures with your supervisor and also email the lecturer concerned.
F.H.S Molecular And Cellular Biochemistry Part II Lecture Series The Part II options are provided by the Department for fourth year undergraduates reading Biochemistry. Each option consists of a series of twelve specialist lectures held in Hilary Term (see www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/lectures/). First year graduate students are encouraged to attend relevant Part II options if this is considered appropriate after discussion with their supervisor. The following Lecture Series will be offered by the Department in the academic year 2008-2009: Bionanotechnology, Prof A Watts Human Disease, Dr A Russ Membrane Transport, Prof S J Ferguson Neuropharmacology, Dr C Akerman Signalling and coordination in Plants, Dr L. Sweetlove Virology, Dr N. Zitzmann Structural Proteomics, Prof J. Endicott and Dr R. Gilbert Seminars related to Virology, Prof G. Nabel Systems Biology, Professors J P Armitage and M S P Sansom
Research Seminars Departmental colloquia take place on Mondays at 4:00 pm as advertised along with other seminars at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?sectionid=seminars. The Departmental seminar committee and OUBS organise the seminar programme jointly and the aim is to represent a broad range of topics at a level suited to a general audience. See http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/whatsnew/seminars/colloquiaTT07.pdf . The Medical Sciences Division and the Department of Biochemistry attaches a high priority to your attendance at seminars. They provide an important part of your course and you should endeavour to attend as many departmental seminars as possible. All members of the Department, both staff and students, are welcome to propose future speakers. Please send suggestions to OUBS.
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Other seminar notices will be posted throughout the Department and reminders will be sent by email. In addition the subject areas have their own seminar programmes, which are open for you to attend see http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?sectionid=seminars. Seminars held in the following departments may also be of interest, see links for updates on times and venues at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=460. Seminar Reports As part of your assessment, you are required to write a short report (approx. 300-400 words) on one seminar you have attended during each term of your first year (i.e. three essays in total). Although you may attend seminars in any of the departments or sub-departments listed above, your reports should be written on one of the Departmental colloquia (Mondays, 4:00 pm, Lecture Theatre 1) but not one that closely relates to your own research topic. If you work outside the South Parks Road Science area, you may write a report on a seminar in your institution/department/unit. The following guidelines may be helpful: (i) Word limit – 300-400 words i.e. 1-2 pages of type. Looking at abstracts of published
papers may help you to write your report in a concise style. (ii) Points to include
(a) An introductory sentence. (b) Main points from the seminar. (c) Final summary. (d) A personal comment.
Your reports should be submitted to your Advisors as an email attachment – please use rich text format (RTF) (see Appendix 1 for Advisor group lists and Appendix 3 for email aliases). Your reports will be read by your Advisors and returned to you, with comments/suggestions. The deadlines for submission are on Friday of 8th week each term - i.e. Friday 5th December 2008 (Michaelmas Term), Friday 13th March 2009 (Hilary Term) and Friday 19th June 2009 (Trinity Term). See http://groups.physics.ox.ac.uk/cmphys/correlated/2008.png for details of Oxford Term dates. Transfer of Student Status The Department of Biochemistry require Probationer Research Students to transfer status by the end of their third term. Students must apply to the University for transfer using form GSO.2MSD, downloadable from http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gso/forms/. Transfer to M.Sc. (Research) Status Students should submit a completed GSO.2 MSD form together with an outline of their project of no than 500 words, and a timetable leading to thesis submission. They will be asked to give a presentation on their work. Students should consult the Notes for the Guidance of Graduate students in the Medical Sciences Division corresponding to the year of their admission to the course, for further details. Transfer to D.Phil. Status Students must submit a completed GSO.2 MSD form and a report of no more than 3000 words (If necessary, an additional 2000 words may be added in an appendix.) Students applying for transfer from PRS to DPhil status will be assessed by two independent assessors on the basis of their report and formal interview. Two independent senior staff, invited by the supervisor(s), will assess the students first year’s work and proposed thesis plan. Students must write a report on their research and provide each assessor with a soft bound copy, by the third Friday of July (or 10th week of your 3rd Term). If your programme involves rotations in the 1st year, please find out your programme’s special requirements about transfer to DPhil status.
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Guidelines for students' Transfer Reports The aims of the transfer report and interview are: 1. to assess the standard of the work performed 2. to assess whether the student is capable of completing a higher degree 3. to test that the student is able to defend his/her work and has a clear plan for future work 4. to determine whether the proposed work can be completed in time 5. to provide constructive advice and criticism
Physical aspects of the report. The report should be 3000 words in length which should include an abstract, introduction, results, discussion and a proposed timetable leading to submission. Appendices of up to a further 2000 words which may include methods, figure legends and references can be added. Tables and Figures are not counted in theses word limits. Please specify the number of words on the Title page. Assessors may refuse to read reports longer than 3,000 words. You should prepare 3 copies of the report to take with you in interview: one for yourself and one for each of the two assessors and one for the Graduate Office. The text should be 1.5 or double line spaced, single (not double) sided and pages should be numbered. 1. Figures should be included to present results and provide clarity. No limit is placed on the
number of diagrams allowable, but they should only be used where necessary. 2. The introduction should not exceed 20% of the total report. 3. There is no limit on the number of references cited but it advisable to cite not more than
100. The titles of the papers cited must be presented in the Reference section. 4. A final section describing your future work in about 500 words, including a time scale and
outline of proposed experiments should be included. 5. Collaboration with other research groups is encouraged and if you have made a contribution
to other researchers' work, this can be included in your report with your colleagues’ permission.
6. Past transfer reports are normally available to current students within their research group. There should be examples available within your research group. In addition, the Departmental Graduate Office will ensure that a number of transfer reports are available for reference through the Director of Graduate Studies. The guidelines for preparation of transfer reports have been revised several times recently, therefore, the criteria listed here should be followed irrespective of the format adopted in past reports.
7. Details of deadlines, together with these guidelines are posted on the website. If a candidate has published work on their current project, as a co-author prior to the transfer report, this will be taken into account in the interview. However, the student should not present a multi-author paper with minor modifications as their transfer report. In the exceptional circumstance that a candidate has written a full peer reviewed paper as first author (published or ‘in press’), before the deadline for submission of the transfer report, then the paper (instead of a transfer report) may be submitted for assessment and discussion in the interview for the transfer of status. Transfer from PRS to DPhil status interview The supervisor should invite two assessors, not from the student's immediate working group. The assessors will ask questions relating to the specific work undertaken and proposed. It is expected that the student will have good general background knowledge of the biochemistry related to his/her work and the assessors may also test this. In particular, the assessors will be looking for the following in a good transfer report and interview. The interview will not normally exceed 1 hour in length.
1) A clear understanding of what the student is doing and why, and evidence of the student’s own input into the project.
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2) The project is likely to yield sufficient results in the time available. 3) Evidence that the student is getting adequate supervision. 4) The student’s ability to express his/her ideas clearly, both in writing and orally. 5) The student’s ability to defend the work presented. 6) A comprehensive knowledge of the literature relating to the student’s subject.
If the student’s first language is not English and he/she feels that this may cause a disadvantage in interviews, it is strongly recommended that the student attends the university English language classes to gain confidence in speaking. If the student experiences a bad interview and feels he/she was unfairly treated, the student may speak with the Director of Graduate Studies who can advise on options. Mock interviews can be arranged on an informal basis by your supervisor. Completion of the interview will result in one of the following:
1. Transfer to DPhil status without reservations 2. Transfer to DPhil status but with minor reservations 3. Transfer to DPhil status, but with major reservations. Recommendation that a written
response to assessors’ report be obtained from supervisor and/or student with planned milestones
4. Transfer to MSc. status in the interim 5. Student should not continue
The transfer report should be submitted by the third Friday in July. The deadline for those who started their course in either Hilary or Trinity term is Friday of 10th week of their 3rd term, i.e. Michaelmas or Hilary, respectively (see university Term dates or university diary). Checklist for transfer of status Students: Prepare a written report in their third term (normally Trinity Term of their 1st year) A
supervisor would normally see a first and last draft, and be given reasonable time to advise as necessary.
Complete their section of Form GSO.2 MSD (from http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gso/forms/), ask their supervisor and college to complete their sections and forward to the Director of Graduate Studies in Biochemistry.
Attend an interview at a date agreed with their assessors. Supervisors:
Ask two suitably qualified members of the University to act as assessors. Assessors should not normally be from the student’s supervisory team, but at least one should be able to authoritatively evaluate the student’s work.
Assessors: Read the student's written report and hold an interview with the student, as required by
Statutes, for about 30-60 minutes. There is no need for formal dress. Write a recommendation concerning transfer of the student to D.Phil. or M.Sc. status. The
recommendation may be written jointly or separately and can be brief, except for those cases where there is reason for extensive details of problems and remedial suggestions to be given. The recommended outcome should be clear and unambiguous. Also fill in an Assessment Form (http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/graduate/TransferAssessmentForm06.doc)
Send a signed copy of their report and Form to the DGS in Biochemsitry.
The Director of Graduate Studies will review the student's progress, taking into account the assessors' report, supervisor's recommendation, and the Advisors’ reports on the student's progress in the broader graduate programme. In favourable cases the DGS will approve the application on behalf of the Department. In addition, the application requires the approval of
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the Medical Sciences Board Graduate Studies committee. Copies of the assessors' report will be forwarded to the student and the supervisor(s). SECOND YEAR Meetings with Supervisors and Advisors (see earlier) Career Development Careers advice can be obtained from the University Careers Service (56, Banbury Road). The service offers a wide variety of careers information and resources, including the Prospects Planner computerised careers guidance system. It is important to consider the options available at as early a stage as possible, particularly if you wish to apply for funding for postdoctoral research in academia, in order to meet application deadlines. OUBS hold a Careers Day each year, which includes presentations by representatives from industry and postdoctoral grant/Fellowship awarding bodies to provide guidance for students intending to pursue a career in research or elsewhere. There are many Careers Fairs in the University, workshops and opportunities to learn how to manage one’s career. These are regularly advertised by email and listed on the Divisional Skills portal. Ethics, Public Understanding of Science, Social Context of Science, Intellectual Property, Entrepreneurship You should attend the series of lectures on Ethics, which form part of the Master in Biochemistry course (see www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/lectures/, http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=358 , http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=364 ). Intellectual Property (IP) refers to ideas, information and knowledge and, in the University context, can be viewed as the results and outcomes of research: ‘Intellectual’ because it is creative output and ‘Property’ because it is a tradable commodity. The University's Intellectual Property Policy in relation to students can be found at www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/policy/ipnewstu.shtml. The Division lists training opportunities for awareness of IP, entrepreneurship, social context and public understanding of science, and you should attend as many of these as your research and thesis timetables allow (http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/portal/skillstraining). Preparation for DPhil Symposium – oral presentation (see below)
THIRD YEAR
D.Phil. Symposium Dr Terry Butters – Department of Biochemistry The D.Phil. Symposium provides an opportunity for graduate students to present their work to all members of the Department and is held in conjunction with the Graduate Induction week during early October. Participation in the Symposium is an essential component of graduate training. Whilst 3rd year students are required to give a talk, ALL graduate students must attend the whole Symposium. Talks will last for 15 min, including question time, and any appropriate media for presentation can be used. Speakers are required to submit an abstract of about 200 words, including speaker's name, supervisor(s), abstract title and text, to Dr Terry Butters ([email protected]). The abstracts will be published on the Department's web site (http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=372) unless students specify otherwise.
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There are book token prizes for presentations voted best. Meetings with Supervisors and Advisors (see p. 11)
Confirmation of status This is different from the Transfer of status. D.Phil. students are required to apply for confirmation of D.Phil. status, normally by the end of the 8th term from their admission to the University. You must complete GSO.14 and GSO.14A Forms which can be downloaded from the website: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gso/forms/. You must also submit a 500 word account of the status of your thesis or, alternatively, an abstract, together with a detailed timetable for completion of each section of your thesis. Poster Presentation Dr Terry Butters – Department of Biochemistry During the Departmental Annual Recess, a poster session will be held for third year graduate students. All 3rd year students are required to contribute to this event, which will be advertised by email. Abstracts will be accessible via the Department's web page at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=372. All members of the Department are invited to view the posters. Presenters should be available during the session to discuss their posters. Prizes will be awarded for posters voted best. Guidelines for processing a poster through the Physics Photographic Unit or OUCS can be found at http://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/site/medsci/bioch/postgrad/. THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR Thesis Submission All students on 3- or 4- year programmes must submit their Thesis by 30 September of the 4th year from admission to the University. Most Research Studentships or other awards are awarded for three years and you should aim to complete your practical work and write up your thesis by the end of your third year. Four-year studentships (e.g. those awarded by the Wellcome Trust or UK Research Councils) require thesis submission by the end of the fourth year from commencement of your funding. If you are following a 4-year course, you must start writing after 3.5 years, if you are on a 3-year course you must writing after 2.5 years, i.e. six months before it is due for submission. Guidelines for thesis preparation and details of the submission procedure can be downloaded from the website: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gso/forms/. A summary is also provided at http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=362.
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RESEARCH INTERESTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY Current research interests in the Department can be found on the Department’s web page (http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=73).
C. GENERAL POINTS
MEMBERSHIP OF SOCIETIES Membership of learned societies (e.g. the Biochemical Society, the Genetics Society, the Society for General Microbiology, the British Society of Immunology, the British Crystallographic Association, the British Society for Developmental Biology and the Society for Cell Biology, The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), The Royal Society of Chemistry) offers important opportunities. Most societies organise pre-doctoral meetings as well as major symposia, which are often free for members, and many offer bursaries for attendance at International meetings. In addition Society Newsletters are an important source of information. All graduate students are encouraged to join at least one Society. Most offer reduced registration fees for students. You should seek advice from other members of your lab as to the most appropriate Society to join. THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY (OUBS) OUBS is a student-run society that aims to promote biochemistry at all levels in the University. The society arranges a number of seminars each term (as part of the Departmental colloquia series), covering a wide variety of current topics in biochemistry and molecular biology. Each talk is followed by an informal reception where the audience is invited to meet the speakers. OUBS arranges a Careers Day each year to provide all members of the Department with insight into some of the careers available outside academic research. Presentations are given by representatives from various companies and institutions and there are opportunities to meet with the speakers during the day. The funding for OUBS comes predominantly from corporate sponsorship, allowing the society to be open to all members of the University with no subscription fees. More information can be obtained from the OUBS web page: www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/~oubs. TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATING http://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/site/medsci/bioch/undergrads/teachertrain/ The Department provides lectures, problems classes and practical classes for all undergraduate students studying Biochemistry. There may be opportunities for graduate students to participate in teaching problems classes and supervising practicals. Additional undergraduate teaching is provided by the individual Colleges for their own students and is mostly in the form of tutorials, for one to four students. College Tutors do much of this teaching, but they may enlist outside tuition for particular subject areas. As a graduate student you are encouraged, but not expected, to participate in undergraduate teaching. Before undertaking any teaching you must seek and obtain advice from your supervisor whether your research is on track for timely publications and your thesis will be submitted within the timescale of your funding and be within 4 years from starting your graduate course. Before getting involved in any teaching, you must seek your supervisors’ permission. In any case, according to University Guidelines you must not spend more than an average of 5 hours per week teaching (including marking) during term time and you should not undertake teaching during your first year or the last term of your final year of study. You should be careful not to take on too much teaching, to the detriment of your research. As a general rule it is best not to undertake teaching until your second year.
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The Department provides support for anyone involved in teaching. This can range from advice and guidance on an individual level, to instruction on how to teach specific practical or problems classes, to more general courses on how to give tutorials and classes organised by the Department together with the University Learning Institute. The LI also provides a much wider range of courses and available to anyone within the University. A course on Teaching Undergraduates is available for graduate students (organised by Dr David Harris & Dr Mark Wormald). Course dates will be publicized via the Web and pre-registration will be required: http://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/site/medsci/bioch/undergrads/teachertrain/ ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES Attendance at conferences, as well as providing valuable experience in presenting your research, also offers the opportunity to meet others who work in your own, and related, fields and hence the possibility of establishing collaborations. Most UK funding bodies provide an allocation for attendance at conferences. The amounts available and application procedures vary and you should discuss this with your supervisor well in advance of attending a conference. All applications for funding should be submitted in good time. Contributions towards conference travel can also be obtained from individual Colleges. The Department receives a conference allowance for each graduate student funded by the MRC and the BBSRC. In the case of the BBSRC this is £190 per year, whilst the MRC gives £300 per year. This funding can be used to attend several conferences or can be accumulated and claimed as a single amount. If your supervisor approves attendance at a particular conference, you should download a travel and subsistence claim form from http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?sectionid=adminforms to claim agianst provision of your scholarship and submit the form to Mr Paul Miles in the Accounts office, to recover costs towards the conference. Please note that only expenses for which you can provide receipts may be claimed. Other major sources of funding for students are the various scientific societies (see page 32). The Biochemical Society has quite a lot of funding for travel to meetings etc. The British Society for Developmental Biology, and the Society for Cell Biology are also quite generous and will give up to £400. You will need to check the Web pages of each Society for their criteria. Of course, you will need to join the Society and usually, the longer you have been a member, the more likely you are to get funding. Some meeting organisers offer bursaries or scholarships to assist student delegates. For example, the Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology provides a yearly average of 400 student scholarships. These scholarships, of $1000 each, can be used to help defray the expenses associated with conference attendance. Abstracts submitted for poster presentation are used as the basis for awarding the scholarships. Conference organisers will select the scholarship recipients based solely on the quality of science of the abstract and the relevance of the abstract to the conference topic. Please visit www.keystonesymposia.org for more information on scholarships and how to apply, or email [email protected]. See also http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?pageid=514. ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES The University of Oxford Language Centre was established to help members of the University who need foreign languages for their study or research. Classes in English for Academic Studies are also available. The Department encourages participation in these classes, as involvement usually results in students enjoying their studies far more and they usually see a marked improvement in the quality of their written work.
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Full details can be obtained from the University of Oxford Language Centre at 12 Woodstock Road (tel. 283360; fax 283366, E-mail [email protected]). Alternatively, you can get these details from the web (www.lang.ox.ac.uk). If you are a postgraduate student at Oxford University for whom English is a foreign or additional language, you are entitled to take two free courses in English (Academic Writing and one other listed below) and you have priority. How to Register You must go to the Language Centre reception in person to register and complete a registration form. Registration takes place in 0th Week of Michaelmas Term and continues until courses are full. You can join the waiting list for courses at any time during the academic year and will be contacted by email as soon as a place becomes available. You should only register for a class when you know that you will be able to attend the class regularly. Some of the Year-round courses are: Academic Writing; Advanced English; English for Social and Academic Purposes Recommended Books for all courses (available from Blackwells): Instead of relying on a bilingual dictionary, you should buy a monolingual dictionary for learners of English. There are several good ones to choose from (e.g. Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners, Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Collins COBUILD English Dictionary for Advanced Learners or Cambridge International Dictionary of English). These are available in paperback or hardback, and the most recent editions include CD-ROMs You should also have an English reference grammar. Look through the grammars in the library to decide which would be most suitable for you. We suggest Carter, R., Hughes, R. and McCarthy, M. (2000) Exploring Grammar in Context. Upper Intermediate and Advanced. (CUP) or Swan, M. (1995) Practical English Usage. (OUP) or Vince, M. (1994) Advanced Language Practice (with key) Macmillan Heinemann ELT. HOLIDAY ALLOCATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS The amount of holiday you are entitled to is 38 days per year. This is inclusive of Bank Holidays (usually 8 days per year) and 5 days at Christmas when the Department is closed. When you take a holiday or a few days off work is a matter for you to discuss with your supervisor, ensuring you give sufficient advance notice. It is advisable that you take at least 2 weeks break each year. If your work dictates that you are unable to take any of the "statutory'" days holiday, you may take time off in lieu subject to discussion with your supervisor. Students from abroad who wish to take a long single holiday, rather than a number of shorter breaks, should make suitable arrangements with their supervisor. When planning your holidays you should try to avoid dates that have been assigned for components of the graduate course.
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APPENDIX 1
New Postgraduate Students (October 2008)
Title Forename Surname Course Supervisor1 Supervisor2 Advisor Group Alias
Ms Elizabeth R. Armstrong 1380 J Endicott M Noble grad2008_1 Mr Jonathan Ayling 1380 J Mellor grad2008_1 Ms Anjana Badrinarayanan 1380 D Sherratt grad2008_1 Ms Kavitha Baruah 1380 P Wentworth grad2008_1 Ms Sonali Bhattacharjee 1380 M Whitby grad2008_1 Ms Pragya Chohan 1380 M Sansom grad2008_3 Ms Paula Freire 1380 B Novak grad2008_2 Mr Nikolay Kukushkin 1380 T Butters grad2008_2 Mr Craig N. Lumb 1380 M Sansom grad2008_4 Ms Fatma M. H. Mansab 1380 C Scanlan N Zitzmann grad2008_3 Ms Shweta Sinha 1380 M Leake grad2008_2 Ms Ligia M. D. S. Tavares 1380 N Brockdorff grad2008_2 Ms Cynthia KW Tso 1380 J McDonnell grad2008_4 Ms Amanda J. Unsworth 1380 C Pears grad2008_3 Mr William R. Upcher 1380 K Nasmyth grad2008_4 Mr Philip C. Weisshuhn 1380 P Handford C Redfield grad2008_4 Mr Bijan Zakeri 1380 M Howarth grad2008_4 Mr Jin Chuan Zhou 1380 R Klose grad2008_2 Ms Anna Boleininger 2560b rotation rotation grad2008_5 Ms Alice Bowen 3550b rotation rotation grad2008_5 Mr James E. Reeve 2530b rotation rotation grad2008_5 Mr Ian B. Robertson 1380b rotation rotation grad2008_3 Mr Paul B. Taylor 1380b rotation rotation grad2008_2 Mr Keary M. Engle 1390 TSRI TSRI grad2008_5 Mr John L. Kiappes 1390 TSRI TSRI grad2008_5 Mr Joseph K. Rogel 1400 P Wentworth grad2008_3 Mr Marton Munz 3700 P Biggin grad2007_1 Ms Maria Rosa Domingo Sananes 3700 B Novak grad2007_2 Mr Ahmed Rattani 3700 B Novak grad2007_4 Mr Gareth Davies 3700 G Wadhams grad2007_5 Mr Antreas Kalli 3910 rotation rotation grad2008_1 Ms Ellen C. Kempston 3910 rotation rotation grad2008_2 Mr Abhay Kotecha 3910 rotation rotation grad2008_3 Ms Melanie A. McDowell 3910 rotation rotation grad2008_4 Mr David A. Yadin 3910 rotation rotation grad2008_5 Mr James M. Halstead 3940 rotation rotation grad2008_CDB Ms Francoise S. Howe 3940 rotation rotation grad2008_CDB Ms Maria-Elena Mogni 3940 rotation rotation grad2008_CDB Mr Edgar A. Pogna 3940 rotation rotation grad2008_CDB Ms Konstantina Skourti-Stathaki 3940 rotation rotation grad2008_CDB
27
APPENDIX 2 Departmental Graduate Advisors
Advisor Group
Research Area Email
Group 1
Christina Redfield Structural Biology [email protected] Wadhams Molecular/Systems Biology [email protected]
Group 2
Phil Biggin Structural Bioinformatics [email protected] Whitby Molecular/Chromosome Biology [email protected]
Group 3
Terry Butters Glycobiology [email protected] Allen Molecular Biology/Biochemistry [email protected]
Group 4
Stephen Porter Molecular/Systems Biology [email protected] Kate Wegener Structural Biology [email protected]
Group 5
Nicole Zitzmann Glycobiology/Molecular Virology
David Staunton Molecular/Structural Biology [email protected] Roversi Structural Biology [email protected]
Director of Graduate Studies Graduate Studies Office
Mary Gregoriou [email protected] Daisy Li [email protected] Graduate Studies Office email [email protected]
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APPENDIX 3
Email Aliases (2008)
Address Recipients
[email protected] All Advisorss
[email protected] Group 1 Advisors
[email protected] Group 2 Advisors
[email protected] Group 3 Advisors
[email protected] Group 4 Advisors
[email protected] Group 5 Advisors
4th year graduate students
[email protected] Advisor Group 1
[email protected] Advisor Group 2
[email protected] Advisor Group 3
[email protected] Advisor Group 4
[email protected] Advisor Group 5
3rd year graduate students
[email protected] Advisor Group 1
[email protected] Advisor Group 2
[email protected] Advisor Group 3
[email protected] Advisor Group 4
[email protected] Advisor Group 5
2nd year graduate students
[email protected] Advisor Group 1
[email protected] Advisor Group 2
[email protected] Advisor Group 3
[email protected] Advisor Group 4
[email protected] Advisor Group 5
1st year graduate students
[email protected] Advisor Group 1
[email protected] Advisor Group 2
[email protected] Advisor Group 3
[email protected] Advisor Group 4
[email protected] Advisor Group 5
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APPENDIX 4 1st/2nd Year Postgraduate Students (Oct 2008)
New Postgraduates Hilary Term 2008 Title
First Name
Surname
Supervisor (s)
Ms Shee Chien Yong Berks, B
Title
First Name
Surname
Supervisor (s)
Mr Mark Chang Armitage, J Papachristodoulou, A
Ms Stuti Mehta Brown, G Peters, J
Ms Lamia Mestek Russ, A
Mrs Azizah Mohd Asi Sansom, M Biggin, P
Ms Simone Prömel Russ, A
Mr Christoph Loernarz Schofield, C
Mr Mohd Norhakim Yahya McDonnell, J
Ms Eleanor Bagg Sansom, M
Mr Christian Bell Campbell, I
Ms Olivia Berthoumieu Watts, A
Mr Charles Brabin Woollard, A
Ms Rachel Brixey Pears, C Dean, C
Mr Alan Chetwynd Sansom, M
Ms Claire Chivers Sansom, M
Ms Claudia Couto Lakin, N
Ms Elizabeth Crabtree Butters, T Fleet, G
Mr Gareth Davies*** Sansom, M
Ms Maria Demidova Nasmyth, K
Mr Dilan Fernando Ligoxygakis, P
Ms Stephanie Grice Brown, G
Mr Leon Harrington* Bayley, H
Ms Alison Hole Sansom, M
Mr Richard Hopkinson* Bayley, H
Ms Sarah Iqbal Handford, P
Mr Ben Lee Campbell, I
Mr Marvin Lee Zitzmann, N
Ms Bing Li Sherratt, D
Ms Aime Lopez Aguilar Wentworth, P
Ms Christina Mayer Campbell, I
Mr Saikat Nandi Whitby, I
Mr Mani Narayanan Rudenko, G
Mr Nuno Nunes Furger, A
Mr Derrick Ong** Campbell, I
Ms Marcella Orwick Watts, A
Mr Daniel Parton Sansom, M Akhmatskaya, E
Ms Katy Patzel Butters, T
Ms Sarah Rogers* Bayley, H
Ms Sarah Rouse Sansom, M
Ms Michelle Sahai Sansom, M Biggin, P
Mr Owen Siggs** Hodgkin, J Denny, P
Mr David Stoddart Sansom, M
Mr Murray Tipping Sansom, M
Ms Pelin Uluocak Nasmyth, K
Ms Nadina Vasileva Sansom, M
Ms Emma Wallace* Bayley, H
Ms Muhan Wang Campbell, I
Ms Laura Yates Handford, P Dean, C
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APPENDIX 5
2nd/3rd Year Postgraduate Students (October 2008) Michaelmas Term 2006
Title
First Name
Surname
Supervisor (s)
Advisor Group
Mr Jussi Aittoniemi Sansom, M 1 [email protected] Jonas Boehringer Endicott, J 1 [email protected] Sushmita Borthakur McDonnell, J 1 [email protected] Jason Chang Wentworth, P Offer, J 3 [email protected] Chee (Henry) Chew Sansom, M Zitzmann, N 1 [email protected] Christopher Church Brown, G 2 [email protected] Michael Cole Wentworth, P 2 [email protected] Charlotte Coles Jones, Y 1 [email protected] Samuel Cooper Zitzmann, N Wallace, M 2 [email protected] Nicholas Crump Mahadevan, L 5 [email protected] Natalie Cygan Wentworth, P 5 [email protected] Octavio Espinosa Hodgkin, J 2 [email protected] Victoria Folkyte Whitby, M 1 [email protected] Yating Han Mahadevan, L 4 [email protected] Zoe Katsimitsoulia Taylor, W Sansom, M 3 [email protected] Marina Kolesnichenko Furger, A 3 [email protected]
Mr Manish Kushwaha Rudenko, G 3 [email protected] Sally Latham Zitzmann, N Dwek, R 2 [email protected] Elisabeth Le Strange Brown, G 4 [email protected] Philipp Luik Zitzmann, N 3 [email protected] Michael Lukey Ferguson, S Berks, B 4 [email protected] Prapasiri Pongprayoon Sansom, M Biggin, P 4 [email protected] Kanlaya Prapainop Wentworth, P 4 [email protected] Jan Vorel Sansom, M Biggin, P 4 [email protected] David Wilkinson Armitage, J Bayley, H 5 [email protected] Aleksandra Wozniak Stuart, D Grimes, J 5 [email protected] Kerstin Zechner Furger, A 5 [email protected]
Hilary Term 2006
Title First Name Surname Supervisor(s) Advisor Group
Mr Bulent Cetin Nasmyth, K 1 [email protected]
Ms Ana-Maria Farcas Nasmyth, K 2 [email protected]
Mr Barry McGuiness Nasmyth, K 3 [email protected]
Ms Naurelle Maugeri Mellor, J Knight, J 4 [email protected]
Mr Ajay Mishra Nasmyth, K 3 [email protected]
Mr Rhodri Morgan Endicott, J 3 [email protected]
Ms Andrea Pauli Nasmyth, K 4 [email protected]
Mr Venkatraman Girija
Umakhanth Reid, K 5 [email protected]
Trinity Term 2006
Title
First Name
Surname
Supervisor (s)
Advisor Group
Ms Maria Carroll Sim, B Sim, E 1 [email protected] Anne Jakel Reid, K Clark, H 2 [email protected]
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APPENDIX 6
3rd/4th Year Postgraduate Students (October 2008)
Michaelmas Term 2005
Title First Name Surname Supervisor(s) Advisor Group
Mr Nicholas Anthis Campbell, I 1 [email protected]
Mr Michael Barnes Dwek, R 1 [email protected]
Ms Stephanie Boomkamp Butters, T, Dwek, R 1 [email protected]
Mr Thomas Bowden Stuart, D, Jones, Y 1 [email protected]
Mr Tobias Braun Woollard, A 1 [email protected]
Mr Mostyn Brown Armitage, J 2 [email protected]
Mr Tim Carpenter Sansom, M 1 [email protected]
Ms Shuyun Chen Berks, B 1 [email protected]
Mr Nicolas Delalez Armitage, J 2 [email protected]
Mr Cameron Dunlop Zitzmann, N 2 [email protected]
Ms Sarah Field Brown, G 2 [email protected]
Mr James Graham Sherratt, D 2 [email protected]
Ms Alicia Izharuddin Wentworth, P Offer, J 4 [email protected]
Mr Tobias Langenhan Russ, A 5 [email protected]
Ms Kirstin Leath Lea, S, Campbell, I 3 [email protected]
Mr Lin Li-Ko Endicott, J 3 [email protected]
Ms Yee Hwee Lim Gouverneur, V, Armitage, J 3 [email protected]
Ms Charlotte Ottway Hodgkin, J 3 [email protected]
Ms Camilla Oxley Campbell, I 5 [email protected]
Mr Rodrigo Reyes Sherratt, D 4 [email protected]
Ms Cheryl Ridout Brown, G 4 [email protected]
Ms Johanna Scheinost Wentworth, P; Offer, J 4 [email protected]
Mr Ralf Schneider Handford,P 4 [email protected]
Ms Sevil Sofueva Whitby, M 4 [email protected]
Ms Weili Sun Whitby, M 5 [email protected]
Ms Satita Tapaneeyakorn Watts, A 4 [email protected]
Mr Phillip Tait Sherratt, D, Dianov, G 5 [email protected]
Mr Michael Youdell Mellor, J 5 [email protected]
Ms Helen Waller Russ, A 5 [email protected]
Mr Chze-Ling Wee Sansom, M 5 [email protected]
Hilary Term 2005
Title First Name Surname Supervisor(s) Advisor Group
Mr Xun Liu Sherratt, D 2 [email protected]
Trinity Term 2005
Title First Name Surname Supervisor(s) Advisor Group
Mr Alexander Kurze Nasmyth, K 2 [email protected]
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APPENDIX 7
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: GOOD PRACTICE IN CITATION, AND THE AVOIDANCE OF PLAGIARISM
The University’s code of conduct concerning academic integrity is set out on the website at www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/policy/conduct.shtml, and, while the code’s principles relate specifically to the conduct of research, all graduate students are advised to make themselves aware of the document’s contents. The code of conduct mentions plagiarism, and in this context it is important for all taught course and research students within the division’s subject areas, to be aware of, and to follow, good practice in the use of sources and making appropriate reference. You will need to exercise judgement in determining when reference is required, and when material may be taken to be so much a part of the ‘general knowledge’ of your subject that formal citation would not be expected. The basis on which such judgements are made is likely to vary slightly between subject areas, as may also the style and format of making references, and your supervisor, or course organiser where appropriate, will be in the best position to advise you on such matters; in addition, these may be covered, along with other aspects of academic writing, in your induction training. By following the citation principles and practices in place in your subject area, you will develop a rigorous approach to academic referencing, and avoid inadvertent plagiarism. Cases of apparently deliberate plagiarism, while happily infrequent in the University, are taken extremely seriously, and where examiners suspect that this has occurred, they bring the matter to the attention of the Proctors. Your attention is drawn to the Proctors’ and Assessor’s Memorandum, Section 9.5, ‘Conduct in Examinations’, and in particular to sections 4 and 5 and the concluding paragraph of the section: 4 No candidate shall present for an examination as his or her own work any part or the substance of any part of another person’s work. 5 In any written work (whether thesis, dissertation, essay, coursework, or written examinations) passages quoted or closely paraphrased from another person’s work must be identified as quotations or paraphrases, and the source of the quoted or paraphrased material must be clearly acknowledged. The University employs a series of sophisticated software applications to detect plagiarism in submitted examination work, both in terms of copying and collusion. It regularly monitors on-line essay banks, essay-writing services, and other potential sources of material. It reserves the right to check samples of submitted essays for plagiarism. Although the University strongly encourages the use of electronic resources by students in their academic work, any attempt to draw on third-party material without proper attribution may well attract severe disciplinary sanctions. G:\COMMITTEES\Gsc\Graduate studies documentation\Academic integrity.doc
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APPENDIX 8: Graduate skills
Students are actively encouraged to make appropriate use of the teaching and learning facilities available within the University, which has a wealth of expertise and opportunities to further one’s professional development, training and skills, as expressed in the joint statement of the Research Councils. These skills may be present on commencement, explicitly taught, or developed during the course of the research. Different mechanisms support learning as appropriate, including self-direction, supervisor support and mentoring, departmental support, workshops, conferences, elective training courses, assessed courses and informal opportunities.
Record of Training and Achievement
Biochemistry Graduate Training Programme
The purpose of keeping this record is to document the progress of your research and
training and your participation in the graduate training programme. This record is to
help confirm that you are on track or require further advice, and should be brought to
all your formal meetings with your supervisor and advisor.
Record forms are provided here for the following activities: 1. Initial Meeting with the supervisor and advisor
2. Regular Meetings with the supervisor and advisor
3. Publications/Research Reports/Thesis Chapters
4. Formal skills training (e.g. training workshops & training)
5. Presentations given
6. Journal Club presentations
7. Research Seminars and lectures attended
8. Conferences attended
9. Computational Skills
10. Teaching/Supervising
11. Skills checklist
12. Feedback on the Graduate Training Programme
Copies of the following should also be stored in this folder: 1. Term supervisors reports, when received
2. D.Phil. transfer assessment, when received
3. Copies of GSO applications, when submitted (forms GSO.2 & .2A, GSO.14 & .14A,
etc)
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Record Form: Initial Supervisor/Advisor Meeting (1st Term) Graduate Students frequently discuss their research and training with their Supervisors informally. In addition, they must meet formally with Supervisors and Advisors (either separately or together) in the 1st Term and end of 2nd Term, and keep formal records of formal meetings. Ahead of formal meetings, Students fill in and submit this form to Supervisors for discussion. After the meeting, Students update the form with any changes agreed, and re-submit the form for signatures, first to Supervisors and then to Advisors. The signatures indicate that Supervisors and Advisors are satisfied that
• students know their research goals, • have appropriate training programmes, • know how to access necessary research training/ resources, • know that they need take the initiative and responsibility for their own training • are aware of skills they may need to further develop.
The Form also allows Students to report on their own progress. Copies of the form will be kept in the student’s departmental file, in addition to Supervisor Term reports. Date of meeting with Supervisor(s): ……………… Date of meeting with Advisor: ……………………
RESEARCH PROJECT (to be completed by the Student following discussion with Supervisor prior to the meeting and should be made available to the Supervisor and Advisor prior to the meeting.) Synopsis and overall aims:
Key initial objectives:
We have discussed this report and agree with its content: Name & Signature of Student........................................................ Date …………… Name & Signature of Supervisor................................................... Date…………… Name & Signature of Advisor........................................................ Date…………...
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Record Form: Supervisor/Advisor Meeting Please duplicate the forms as needed
Graduate students need to arrange two meetings per year, including that of the initial Term. Please duplicate form as needed. Date of meeting with Supervisor(s): ………………… Date of meeting with Advisor: ………...........
PROGRESS REPORT – To be completed by the Student after the meeting. Should include comments on progress in training as well as progress in research.
We have discussed this report and agree with its content: Name & Signature of Student............................................................. Date …………… Name & Signature of Supervisor ..................................................... Date …………… Name & Signature of Advisor ...…..................................................... Date ……………
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RECORD OF PUBLICATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS/THESIS CHAPTERS Record Form: Publications. Students are expected to carry out high quality research leading to publications in reputable journals.
Type (e.g. Research
paper or Review)
Title, Authors, Journal (or book) name, volume, pages,
year
Status (In preparation, Submitted, accepted,
published)
37
SKILLS TRAINING
Record Forms: TRAINING WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING SEMINARS ATTENDED
Date(s) Title/Topic/Skill
38
PRESENTATIONS Record Forms: All presentations (including abstracts) that you give should be recorded here
Date Title of presentation Nature of presentation (poster, seminar) & audience
39
JOURNAL CLUB
Record Forms: All presentations by you to a Journal Club should be recorded here
Date Paper(s) discussed Comment
40
SEMINARS/LECTURES Record Form: Seminars/lectures attended. Students are expected to attend as many seminars in their general and specialised fields as they can. It is recommended that they should attend, on average, 1 seminar per week. Please duplicate the form as needed)
Date Speaker Title
41
CONFERENCES/MEETINGS Record Form: Conferences/scientific meetings attended. Students are expected to attend at least two national or international meetings, and to present at meetings in the second and third or fourth years. Date(s) Title and venue Comment (including contribution)
42
COMPUTATIONAL SKILLS
COMPUTATIONAL SKILLS (indicating training received and level of competency) Excellent IT training course at all level are provided by the OUCS for free (www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/courses/) throughout the year.
(a) word processing (e.g. WORD)
(b) bibliography software (e.g. ENDNOTE)
(c) data processing, curve fitting, statistical and presentation software (e.g. EXCEL)
(d) presentation software (e.g. POWERPOINT)
(e) internet communication (e.g. Email, Internet explorer)
(f) bioinformatics software (e.g.GCG, Vector NTI))
(g) Other (e.g. other applications include project-specific applications, computer programming, experience of different operating systems)
43
TEACHING/SUPERVISING Teaching: Teaching is optional and aims to introduce graduate students to practical demonstrating, small group tutoring or leading problems classes. Students require permission from their supervisors before they undertake teaching responsibilities. Name: Supervisor(s): Date(s)
Activity (tutorials, demonstrating, supervising research students)
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General Transferable Skills Below is a comprehensive list of general transferable skills that a graduate student would be expected to acquire. It was compiled by Research Councils and has been adopted by HEFCE (The Higher Education Funding Council for England).
• These skills may be present on commencement, explicitly taught, or developed during the course of the research.
• You should use it with the guidance of your Supervisors and Advisors as a checklist to
identify gaps/deficiencies in your training and prioritize your training programme.
• Please note that skills training should facilitate, not hinder your research or research training, which must lead to thesis submission, normally within 4 years from starting your degree.
• The core components of the Biochemistry Graduate Training Programme, as outlined
on Page 5 of the Departmental Graduate Handbook, are mandatory and address key training requirements. Most of the training below is also acquired in the normal course of doing a DPhil, other can be accessed from the Graduate Training Programmes organised by the Medical Sciences or other Divisions within the University of Oxford, according to individual needs and preferences.
45
SKILLS CHECKLIST (A)
SKILL
COMMENT
(A) RESEARCH SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES – TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE:
1. the ability to recognise and validate problems by e.g.: setting project objectives (if undefined at start of research); solving problems which arise in course of research; ultimately the preparation of the thesis
2. original, independent and critical thinking, and the ability to develop theoretical concepts through e.g.: data analysis; producing a literature review; preparation of the thesis
3. knowledge of recent advances within one's field and in related areas by e.g.: attendance at research seminars and group meetings; membership of cutting-edge research groups; postgraduate reading/discussion groups; literature review
4. understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within one's research field: acquired through work within research group
5. ability to critically analyse and evaluate one's findings and those of others through e.g.: written and oral presentations of findings and dealing with criticism received from others; participation in presentations given by others; literature review; thesis preparation
6. ability to summarise, document, report and reflect on progress through preparation of papers/reports required at transfer and confirmation of status
SKILLS CHECKLIST (B)
46
SKILL COMMENT
(B) RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT – TO BE ABLE TO: 1. show a broad understanding of the context, at the
national and international level, in which research takes place, through eg.: subject specific seminars; student mentoring scheme: practised in research groups
2. demonstrate awareness of issues relating to the rights of other researchers, of research subjects, and of others who may be affected by the research, e.g. confidentiality, ethical issues, attribution, copyright, malpractice, ownership of data and the requirements of the Data Protection Act by attending lectures and courses and reading relevant university literature displayed on the university website, e.g. http://www.isis-innovation.com/ (copyright); http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/policy/intpol.shtml (ownership of data); http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/councilsec/oxonly/dp/ (data protection); http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/ (ethical issues)
3. demonstrate appreciation of standards of good research practice in their institution and discipline: as above
4. understand relevant health and safety issues and demonstrate responsible working practices, e.g.: attend departmental health & safety lectures and meetings; work specific training e.g. use of workshops, specialised equipment; required to complete COSHH forms before carrying out new experiments; easy access to information, e.g. http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/safety/ (University Safety Office)
5. understand the processes for funding and evaluation of research, e.g.:lectures by senior staff from the University Research Services Office (RSO), which processes all grant applications, negotiates research-related contracts, advises researchers e.g. about external research funding opportunities, costing and pricing of research at Oxford, exploitation of intellectual property arising from research. The RSO also contributes to development and implementation of research-related policy and disseminates information about the University's research and related activities. http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/rso/
6. justify the principles and experimental techniques used in one's own research, e.g.: part of thesis, oral presentations, literature review; examined a) in 1st year before transfer to DPhil, b) final viva
7. understand the process of academic or commercial exploitation of research results, e.g. joint Research Council/ISIS training days; easy access to http://www.isis-innovation.com/.
SKILLS CHECKLIST (C,D)
47
SKILL COMMENT
(C) RESEARCH MANAGEMENT – TO BE ABLE TO:
1. apply effective project management through the setting of research goals, intermediate milestones and prioritisation of activities, e.g.: part of regular discussions with supervisors; more formal review at milestones of transfer of status and confirmation of status; sessions on project management and time management as appropriate
2. design and execute systems for the acquisition and collation of information through the effective use of appropriate resources and equipment, e.g. undertaken as part of research project
3. identify and access appropriate bibliographical resources, archives, and other sources of relevant information, e.g.: course on library and information technology resources, undertaken as part of literature review
4. use information technology appropriately for database management, recording and presenting information, e.g.:as above, training also provided by supervisors; general and specialised courses & documentation freely accessible by http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ (University Computing Service)
(D) PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS – TO BE ABLE TO:
1. demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn and acquire knowledge
2. be creative, innovative and original in one's approach to research
3. demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness 4. demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to
identify own training needs demonstrate self-discipline, motivation, and thoroughness
5. recognise boundaries and draw upon/use sources of support as appropriate
6. show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant
7. All of these skills are required to complete a research project and thesis. Effectiveness is monitored by regular meetings with supervisors, who formally report on progress termly, and by independent assessments (milestones)
48
SKILLS CHECKLIST (E,F) SKILL COMMENT
(E) COMMUNICATION SKILLS – TO BE ABLE TO:
1. write clearly and in a style appropriate to purpose, e.g. progress reports, published documents, thesis, e.g.: regular support from supervisor and personal mentors (SDTAs), written seminar reports, literature review, transfer of status reports, thesis
2. construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly to a range of audiences, formally and informally through a variety of techniques, e.g.:mandatory and optional oral, poster and written presentations prepared throughout the three-years of the D.Phil., presentations at transfer and confirmation of status, conferences
3. constructively defend research outcomes at seminars and viva examination, e.g.: weekly participation in research group and departmental seminars, part of assessment procedures and the viva examination
4. contribute to promoting the public understanding of one’s research field, e.g.: as above, also presentation of research to peers in college based seminar series, contribution to SET week, optional participation in promoting science e.g. to schools, museums and broadcasting.
5. effectively support the learning of others when involved in teaching, mentoring or demonstrating activities, e.g.: graduate teaching course/seminars are provided by the IAUL in association with the department.
(F) NETWORKING & TEAMWORKING- TO BE ABLE TO:
1. develop and maintain co-operative networks and working relationships with supervisors, colleagues and peers, within the institution and the wider research community, e.g.: present their work in conferences & local interdepartmental subject groups and form collaborations, talk to visiting seminar speakers, network within college and department
2. understand one's behaviours and impact on others when working in and contributing to the success of formal and informal teams, e.g.: team skills acquired through participation in a research group, attend Research Councils Graduate Student Program (RCGSP), review with supervisor
3. listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others , e.g.:- student presentations/discussion groups
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SKILLS CHECKLIST (G)
SKILL COMMENT (G) CAREER MANAGEMENT – TO BE ABLE TO: 1. appreciate the need for and show commitment to
continued professional development, e.g.: attend RCSGP http://www.gradschools.ac.uk/jfp/future/
2. take ownership for and manage one's career progression, set realistic and achievable career goals, and identify and develop ways to improve employability, e.g.: register with the University Careers Service http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk
3. demonstrate an insight into the transferable nature of research skills to other work environments and the range of career opportunities within and outside academia, e.g.: individual departments may involve potential employers, industrial partners, and previous students in presenting students with a range of career opportunities, the Careers Service provides talks on career planning in departments (if asked to do so)
4. present one's skills, personal attributes and experiences through effective CVs, applications and interviews, e.g.: the University Careers Service offers courses on preparing CVs, preparing for interviews, and practice aptitude tests
CONFIDENTIAL
Feedback on Graduate Training, Advisor, Research Supervision, Information and Administration Systems
Name: …………………………………………………………………………………… Contact address: …………………………………………………………………………………… Please use this opportunity to provide feedback on your graduate studies. This feedback may take the form of: ♦ Major concerns regarding failures in the Supervisor/Student interactions ♦ Information on the effectiveness of the Advisor system ♦ Suggestions/concerns regarding the Graduate Training Programme ♦ Suggestions/concerns regarding administration and information provision about
any aspect of your graduate course
Please describe your concerns in writing below, or tick this box if you would prefer to discuss them with someone in confidence
We are always open to compliments as well as criticisms and will endeavour to respond to both important information of a confidential nature and suggestions for improving our administration in a constructive and efficient manner.
Please duplicate this form as necessary Confidentiality Please mark your envelope as confidential and for the attention of the Director of Graduate Studies and it will be treated in STRICT CONFIDENCE. It will NOT be discussed with your Supervisor or Advisor, or any individuals you specify.
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PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN OXFORD
SANDWICHES CAFES
Oxford probably has more fresh sandwich shops per capita than just about anywhere else in the world. They are generally very good, although some are more pricey than others. Here is a short list of some of the best places:
For something a bit more substantial, why not tof these cafès? Jericho Café, Walton Street A small café serving especially good breakfasts. Queen's Lane Coffee House, Queen's Ln Particularly popular with rowers, the portions are generous and the food is reasonable. Usually pretty crowded in the morning.
Harvey’s, Gloucester Green St. Giles Café, St Giles Harvey’s serves a decent breakfast and prepares a wide variety of sandwiches. Seating is available indoors and out and the prices are reasonable. Harvey's also now owns Taylor's, a delicatessen on the corner of Little Clarendon Street, which is take-away only but has a very good range of breads and fillings.
A typical ‘greasy spoon’ café. Don't let the atmosphere put you off - the breakfasts are
heavenly but not for the faint hearted!
Morton’s, Broad Street, Covered Market & Little Clarendon street Morton’s offers cafe food as well as sandwiches. The small shop on Broad Street has a small back garden for use on fine days. Alternative Tuck Shop, Holywell St A tiny shop serving freshly made sandwiches on ciabatta, olive bread, etc. Good choice of fillings, and the olive bread sandwiches are particularly good value.
PUBS There are so many pubs in Oxford it is impossible to list them all! For the list of the tpubs in Oxford, go to: biop.ox.ac.uk/www/ pub_guide/pubs.html For a very cheap meal drink, try The Goose,
Gloucester Green. It is one of the cheapest places to have a meal in Oxford. It can get very busy, especially weekends but does have a large area outside.
Georgina’s, Covered Market A tiny café upstairs in the Covered Market,
always popular but worth a visit for the atmosphere. Food is a bit more pricey. Brown’s Café, Covered Market Not as unusual as Georgina’s, but serves good cheap food. Beat Café, Little Clarendon St A trendy, lively vegetarian and vegan café, which also serves cocktails and has a happy hour from 7-9pm. George and Davis’, Little Clarendon St An ice cream café that opens late but does not serve alcohol. The atmosphere is good and they also make excellent bagel sandwiches. DRINKS Duke of Cambridge, Little Clarendon St A more classy bar serving excellent Cocktails. Freud’s, Walton St Housed in a renovated church, with live music. Thirst, Park End St Student discounts and happy hours, great atmosphere and good music.
Students also get discount at any of the ‘It’s a Scream’ pubs. Buy a yellow card at the bar fdiscounts for a year! Find them at The Plain or Walton St.
PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN OXFORD
RESTAURANTS
These are Restaurants in Oxford that cater for most tastes, and this list provides examples of sothe better ones, plus some of the more unusual ones!
INDIAN FRENCH The Aziz, Cowley Rd Pierre Victoire, Little Clarendon St An excellent Bangladeshi restaurant. Probably the best curry house in Oxford, although this is a widely contested issue!
French food in a relaxed atmosphere, with a reasonably priced set menu at lunchtime. For a more extensive menu at a slightly higher cost, try Café Rouge next door.
Bombay Restaurant, Walton St A cheap option with a friendly atmosphere. Bring your own drink.
Le Petit Blanc, Walton St
Jamal’s, Walton St Another very popular Indian restaurant serving Tandoori cuisine.
If you want to try something really special, visit Raymond Blanc’s Oxford bistro. You can get 3 courses for £15 so it doesn’t even have to be too expensive!
THAI Chiang Mai, off the High St
ITALIAN QUOD, High St A modern Italian/Mediterranean style restaurant. Good, freshly prepared food made with quality ingredients.
The best Thai food in Oxford. Beautifully housed in an ancient but tiny building, and always busy, so booking is recommended.
Aquavitae, Folly Bridge Oxford Thai, Cowley Rd Modern, stylish Italian dining, right by the river. Not as good as Chiang Mai, but a cheaper
option! Pizza Express,
Golden Cross CHINESE EAMAYL, Park End St Just so you know th
one in Oxford too! atmosphere is prgood, and there
New Chinese Buffet restaurant. Eat as much as you like for about £5 at lunchtime or £10 in the evening. a champagne bar b
where you can wait for a table, or just get a drink.
LEBANESE
Du Liban, Broad St A Lebanese restaurant, situated above Boswell’s, complete with traditional pipes and
belly dancers! A great place for a party, with a good variety of meat and vegetarian dishesand set menus available.
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©2004 U
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