The GSEPS BULLETIN
Master’s Students’ Edition
Issue 4: Tuesday 27th October 2009
Winner of the Times Higher Award 2008
Courses of the Week
GSEPS MaSterClass: Note-Taking & Reading Effectively
Good notes are crucial when studying, preparing for exams, and during the research process for
coursework and dissertations. Developing good note-taking techniques will save you time, and ensure
that you have instant access to the relevant information when needed.
To ensure that you are making the most appropriate use of time when studying, you need to be very
selective about your reading material. There is always a strong temptation to read everything you
possibly can, but this could mean you waste valuable time.
This session will outline techniques for improving your reading and note-taking skills. You will learn
how to read efficiently and effectively and how to make clear and useful notes.
All students attending will receive a workbook to accompany the session.
Thursday 5th November 3pm-5pm
Interpersonal Skills for MSc Students (B List)
This session will help participants to: Understand key interpersonal communication skills; Be aware of
what influences interpersonal relations; Consider strategies for working assertively with others;
Consider how to give and receive criticism constructively
The course contains some practical exercises in which participants react to a variety of video triggers.
Monday 30th November, 10am-1pm
Download the GSEPS 2009-10 Courses Booklet Now!
Thursday 5th November
GSEPS MaSterClass: Note-taking and Reading Effectively
Friday 6th November
10am-1pm Time Management Made Simple (A List)
2pm-5pm Effective Communication (A List)
Wednesday 11th November
4pm-5pm Working in the UK for International Students (B List)
Tuesday 17th November
10am-1pm Efficient Reading (A List)
2pm-4pm Tackling a Literature Review (A List)
Wednesday 18th November
2pm-5pm Technical Presentations Masterclass (A List) –observer places
Friday 20th November
10am-1.30pm Myers Briggs: Introduction (A List)
Monday 23rd November
3pm-4pm Introducing ISI Web of Knowledge (B List)
Wednesday 25th November
10am-1pm Stress Management (A List)
1pm-2pm Information Retrieval (A List)
1pm-5pm Technical Writing Lecture Series (A List)
Friday 27th November
10am-1pm Assertiveness (A List)
1.15pm-2.30pm Job Search with a Difference (B List)
3pm-5pm Relax About Writing (B List)
Monday 30th November
10am-1pm Interpersonal Skills for MSc Students (B List)
2pm-5pm Negotiation & Influencing Skills for MSc Students (B List)
For full course descriptions and the full 09-10 timetable, please see the Blackboard site.
Cancellation Policy: Please note that we require 3 working days notice for all cancellations to avoid
a fine of £30 payable by your Department. Cancellation periods and charges for the RSD and FUMO
courses are higher so please check course descriptions on the Blackboard site for details.
Special Event Series: GSEPS MaSterClasses
GSEPS is holding a series of special lectures for Master’s students throughout the academic year.
This series of masterclasses will introduce you to a variety of research skills such effective notetaking, reference management, career planning and motivation.
The following dates have been scheduled:
Thursday 5th November, 3pm-5pm – Note Taking & Reading Effectively
Thursday 26th November, 3pm-5pm - Motivation & Independent Working
Thursday 25th February 3pm-5pm – Writing Skills
Thursday 18th March, 3pm-5pm – Research Skills and Reference Managing
Thursday 27th May, 3pm-5pm Topic to be confirmed
Thursday 17th June - Topic to be confirmed
Note-taking and Reading Effectively – 5th November, 3pm-5pm
Good notes are crucial when studying, preparing for exams, and during the research process for
coursework and dissertations. Developing good note-taking techniques will save you time, and
ensure that you have instant access to the relevant information when needed. To ensure that you are
making the most appropriate use of time when studying, you need to be very selective about your
reading material. There is always a strong temptation to read everything you possibly can, but this
could mean you waste valuable time.
This session will outline techniques for improving your reading and note-taking skills. You will learn
how to read efficiently and effectively and how to make clear and useful notes.
All students attending will receive a workbook to accompany the session.
Motivation and Independent Working - 26th November 3pm-5pm
Motivation and the ability to work independently are both important tools.. But what happens when
motivation is low and the work seems unmanageable This MaSterClass explores the building bricks of
motivation and aims to offer practical suggestions for working towards a Masters degree.
Ann Shearer is a writer, lecturer and Jungian analyst. She has regularly taught psychology students in
different university and vocational settings for many years and has wide experience of working with
both individuals and groups. As Imperial College’s first Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow (2001-3),
she has a particular insight into the rewards and demands it offers its students, both undergraduate
and graduate.
Research Skills and Reference Management - 18th March, 3pm-5pm
You will be expected to use a variety of search tools during the research process, including
bibliographic databases. Only using Google will not be acceptable! We know you have limited time on
an MSc course to develop your skills and knowledge in many areas: becoming an effective
researcher takes practice, and by attending this session you will get access to the research expertise
of Imperial’s experienced library staff
During this session we will: describe the process of writing a search strategy; highlight some key
databases and information sources and introduce you to reference management software packages
you may not be aware of.
You will also learn about using web 2.0 tools and technologies to keep up to date with research
activities and news in your subject field. In addition a number of liaison librarians from your library
support teams will be available to answer any subject-specific queries you have at the end of the
session.
To reserve places on this special event, please email
graduate.schools@imperial.ac.uk
Full course descriptions and a calendar of all future GSEPS courses can be found on our
Blackboard site:
https://learn.imperial.ac.uk*
*If you do not have access to the site, please send us your username and we will add it to your
account.
To reserve a place on any of these courses, please email
graduate.schools@imperial.ac.uk
Rector’s Ambassador Scheme
Are you enthusiastic, social, confident with a strong speaking voice? If so, this could be the role for
you! We are seeking enthusiastic and engaged Imperial students to volunteer as the official Imperial
Student Ambassadors.
Rector's Ambassadors are the official tour guides of Imperial College London. The scheme will involve
guiding official Imperial College London tours, representing the College at Open Days; giving Student
Life talks at schools; meeting and greeting delegations of international visitors; ushering at
special College occasions and attending formal events.
Rector's Ambassadors will also receive training and be given the opportunity to travel to recruitment
fairs, international schools (in the UK and abroad) and other destinations as Ambassadors of Imperial
College London. There will also be group training days and evenings out, as well as occasional paid
work.
This is an ideal opportunity for enthusiastic, engaged students to meet their counterparts from other
departments, whilst volunteering for the university in a visible, high-profile role.
Applicants must be free for interview the first week of November and be free for an all-day training
session on November 7. Please go to
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/international/students/rectorsambassadors for more information.
Closing Date: 30th October 2009
IED Projects
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Do you have a novel idea for a potential product or service and an interest in getting it
to market?
Is there significant uncertainty about the potential market, industry and business
model?
Can you work with us to develop the optimal business strategy and next steps?
'IED Projects' is the practical module of Imperial College Business School's 'Innovation,
Entrepreneurship and Design' course, which takes place from January - June 2010. Operating as
part of a multi-disciplinary team, MBA students work with new technologies, product designs or
business ideas by applying the IED methodology to study and assess the commercial feasibility of
an idea or technology, consider alternative or complementary applications or routes to market,
and prepare a final business case based on their findings
Project ideas are provided from students at Imperial College and other external sources. The
Ideator will play an important role by working with the students on the projects Students follow the
stages in the IED Entrepreneurial Journey and present their findings during 3 monthly IED
workshops, followed by a final presentation, where they receive comments and advice from an
academic and a practitioner coach To read case studies from last year's IED Projects programme,
click here
To apply, complete the relevant Project Proposal form and return to ied.projects@imperial.ac.uk
by:
- 2 November 2009 if your are an RCA student or Imperial College staff or student other than
MBA.