PG SSLC Minutes (15/06/07)
Physics Postgraduate Student-Staff Liaison
Committee Meeting
Minutes
Date: Friday 12th October, 2007
Time: 1.00pm
Venue: P523
1. Welcome and Apologies
Present:
David Leadly, Valery Nakariakov, Oleg Petrenko, Geetha Balakrishnan,
Helen Ireland (Library), Andrew Edmonds (Chair), Stephanie Liggins
(Secretary), Bianca Barbu, Nathan Barrow, Matt Brown, Catherine Fleck,
Martin Haigh, Jose Francisco Hernandez-Valle, Thomas Hayes, Ulrika
D’Haenens-Johansson, Ruth Nicol, Robin Orman, Phillip Petcher, Lieke
van Spaandonk, Karl Svensson, Kathrin Wünsch
Apologies:
Jenny O’Leary
2. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes from 15th June, 2007 were agreed.
3. Library
The remodelling is ongoing. Science books and journals have now been moved
permanently to the 2nd floor extension and staff are on hand to show people to where
they need to be. The main part of the second floor is now completely closed along
with the Woolfson Room. PC’s have been relocated to the 3rd floor extension.
The first floor is almost ready for opening on time in the next few weeks. The
temporary entrance will remain on the north side opposite humanities. The website
will continue to be updated on developments.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/main/remodel/
It was asked whether new students would benefit from specific training on the library
and the use of journal databases. It was commented that this would be subject
specific to physics and generally thought that more information on the different
journal databases and their specific strengths would be useful.
ACTION
The secretary will email all first year students investigating their requirements for
this.
4. Annual Report
This had been circulated to all PG SSLC committee members previously for review.
The only unresolved issue concerned a potential physics specific careers event for
postgraduate students. This could potentially be similar in design to the current
Chemistry event. The careers service would be supportive in helping to structure such
an event.
PG SSLC Minutes (15/06/07)
ACTION
For the committee of 2007 / 2008 to create a suitable event to meet the needs of the
postgraduate community.
5. Academic Matters
i.
Progress Reports
All students are required to produce a progress report for submission by the 22nd
October, 2007. Details can be found through the departmental website.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/postgraduate/current/regs/timetable/
ii.
Midland Physics Alliance Graduate Schools
The Graduate School is now up and running with lectures beginning this week. A
launch event will be held on 31st October, 2007 at Nottingham University. Transport
will be provided and it will be a useful event to network with other students. All
those interested in attending should inform Jan Spencer as soon as is possible.
Initial lectures have been successful although there are occasional problems with
regards to quality of the multimedia. This has been put down to teething problems but
comments concerning poor sound and audio quality has been noted. It is hoped that
this will not deter students from future lectures. Comments were made as to a lack
of understanding of the learning outcomes of the lectures and requested that these
were better defined on the website. It was requested that information was provided as
to the level of existing knowledge required for the course. Also, it was commented
that handouts of slides would be useful for use during the lecture as a back up to the
multimedia.
http://mpags.nottingham.ac.uk/mpags/
ACTION
To review the development in information provision and AV quality of the MPAGS
lectures at future meetings as the courses progress.
iii.
Postgraduate Skills Certificate
Various University DTCs have produced training schemes in generic skills to run
alongside PhD training. This is a certificate in transferable skills to demonstrate to
employees skills developed in addition to the degree. By completing half a
certificate, a postgraduate award can be achieved.
iv.
Travel Funding Notifications
The committee were asked as to whether monthly emails including travel budgets, to
remind students to check their financial status would be problematic, as an alternative
to posting information on the website. It was suggested that a reminder with a link to
the website would be best.
Furthermore, it was commented that there are a number of grants available for
specific travel events which students should make full use of. Information of these
can be found on the departmental pages with the travel budget spreadsheet.
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/postgraduate/current/funding/
PG SSLC Minutes (15/06/07)
ACTION
To report back to Mark Hadley as to the feelings of the PG SSLC.
v.
Data Analysis Course
Following comments made last year, it was mentioned that current second years
should have received a course on Data Analysis. However, this was never delivered.
This has now been incorporated into the Experimental Methods for Physicists course.
All first years are required to attend this and the workshop on the 17th/18th December
at Birmingham University and if space becomes available 2nd years will also be
invited. Future years should see the development of the workshop for all years
individually.
6. Social Events
i.
Colloquium and Pizza Event
The first colloquium of term was well attended by new and existing students alike.
The next seminar (18th October, 2007) will be followed by a social including pizza
and refreshments. Further details will follow by email.
ACTION
For group representatives to encourage their group members to attend.
7. Safety
Comments were made over the quantity of information provided to students during
their safety training. Whilst they felt it was unnecessary, it was explained that
provision of this information was required for all students despite their research
group. Students are reminded that suitable training is required for all laboratory
activities and that the first point of contact with regards to safety and additional
training should be the supervisor.
8. Other Matters
i.
Careers
A hand out containing a list of forthcoming events was circulated (attached to
minutes). It is important that students wishing to attend should sign up for the
seminars so as the course can be suitably targeted to the audience.
There are currently no plans for a physics specific event as previously organised
sessions have been poorly attended. However, if a specific need arises and people
will commit to attending, one can be organised through Jenny O’Leary. It should be
noted that one-to-one meetings can be arranged and specific needs can be raised prior
to the meeting.
ii.
Elections – 2007 / 2008 Committee
Chair:
Bianca Barbu
Secretary:
Ruth Nicol
Condensed Matter 1:
Matt Brown
Space and Astrophysics 1:
Leike van Spaandonk
PG SSLC Minutes (15/06/07)
Seminar Organiser:
Dan Baker
International:
Ulrika D’Haenens-Johansson
Particle Group:
Martin Haigh
The social secretary, condensed matter 2, space and astrophysics 2 and NMR
representative positions remain unfilled.
ACTION:
For the committee to decide if this is still an appropriate representation for the
growing physics postgraduate community and to elect remaining positions.
iii.
PG Notice Board
Currently, information is distributed by email and pigeon holes. A central notice
board would be useful for the display of information relevant to postgraduates
including careers events, departmental events and other activities relevant to all
students. The notice board will be located in the 5th floor stairwell (near to the coffee
room).
A request was also made for a postgraduate news page under the current students page
of the departmental site where similar information could be grouped. Additionally, a
diary page could be made.
ACTION
For the chair to inform Jan Spencer as to the location of the new notice board. Also,
to look into the development of a suitable news page.
iv.
PG Open Day
This will be held on the 21st November, 2007. Few students are expected to attend
but a request has been made for people to show potential students around the
department for 15 – 20 minutes. All those interested should contact Geetha
Balakrishnan.
The departmental postgraduate open day will be 22nd November, 2007. Following a
talk at 4pm, refreshments for all will be provided during a poster display on the
concourse at 5pm to talk to potential applicants.
9. Any Other Business
None
10. Next Meeting
23rd November, 2007 at 1pm.
PG SSLC Minutes (15/06/07)
One to one Careers Guidance Interviews
40 minute appointments with Dr Jenny O’Leary, Careers Consultant for PhD Students and
Research Staff in Science and Engineering. The sessions are confidential and impartial,
giving you an opportunity to discuss your career options, receive feedback on CVs and
application forms or to have a practice job interview.
To make an appointment, please email Jenny at j.s.o-leary@warwick.ac.uk
Researcher Website
Especially developed for PhD students and research staff, with resources to help you in career
planning, making applications and finding jobs and fellowships.
www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/researchers
Career Workshops
Run on behalf of the Graduate School. Students will need to register for these online. See full
programme details at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/csde/gsp/sessions.
Making the most of your PhD - Thinking about the future
First year PhDs
November 7th, 13.00 – 15.00
How to take a realistic and proactive view of career planning and management. Includes taking a personal
skills audit, developing an action plan for career development during the PhD and finding out about the
realities about career destinations.
Making an Impact in Written Applications
February 16th 12.00 – 14.00
Focuses on CV/cover letter formulation and application form completion for both academic and nonacademic jobs, cover letters – structure & content, written applications and how to ‘sell’ your skills and
experience.
Career Seminar 2 - Science and Medicine
March 12th 12.00 – 14.00
Don’t know what to do after your PhD? Looking for your next post after a postdoc fellowship? This is an
opportunity to meet scientists in different professions and hear from them first hand what it is really like
Academic Jobs
May 6th, 12.00 – 13.00
Find out the pros and cons of this demanding career and what you need to do to be successful responsibilities beyond research, career progression, salaries and where to look for jobs and fellowships.
Networking Event
May 15th 16.30 – 20.30
An inaugural event for 2008. This will be your opportunity to meet employers and talk to alumni of
Warwick PhD programmes about their own career paths. Further details will be available nearer the time
but we hope to attract a range of employers, keen to meet PhD students and discuss employment
opportunities and recruitment strategies within their own sectors
Succeed at Interviews - Science and Medicine
May 21st 14.00 – 16.00
Do you know how to impress a potential employer? Find out what you can do to make the most of an
interview opportunity and practice your interview skills in this interactive workshop.
Introduction to Assessment Centres
June 4th 14.00 – 16.00
This workshop will cover: individual exercises, group exercises, scenarios you may encounter, how to
present yourself, what assessors are looking for.
Dr Jenny O’Leary,
Careers Consultant for PhD Students and Research Staff in Science and Engineering.