PAPER 12/13 03
University of Bath
Faculty of Science
_________________________________________________________________________
Meeting
FACULTY OF SCIENCE RESEARCH STUDENTS’ COMMITTEE
Place
Wessex House 3.36
Date and time 12.15pm on Friday 22nd June 2012
_______________________________________________________________________
Present
Professor S Wonnacott (Chair)
Dr Paul Whitley
Dr K Edler
Dr R James
Dr S Lewis
Professor G McCusker
Professor E P Ryan
Dr M Watson
Mr A Masters
Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)
Department of Biology and Biochemistry
Department of Chemistry
Department of Physics
Department of Chemistry
Department of Computer Science
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Student representative, Department of
Mathematical Sciences
In attendance
Miss S Alston
Mrs J Parker
Dr C Yeomans (Secretary)
Graduate School Administrator
Graduate School Manager
Deputy Graduate School Manager
Apologies
Dr J Doughty
Dr I Eggleston
Department of Biology and Biochemistry
Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Action
Apologies, welcome and introductions
Apologies had been received from Dr James Doughty and Dr Ian Eggleston and
Professor Wonnacott thanked their alternates, Dr Paul Whitley and Dr Malcolm
Watson for attending the meeting. Dr Simon Lewis, who will be replacing Dr
Karen Edler as Director of Studies for the Department of Chemistry, was
introduced.
737
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting held on 11th May 2012 (paper 41) were approved.
738
MATTERS ARISING
M727 Utilisation of students’ achievements
Professor Wonnacott informed the Committee that the Graduate School
powerpoint presentation will be updated to include a summary of students’
achievements and the presentation will be posted on the Graduate School wiki
pages, which are currently under construction. Recent student achievements will
also be posted on the Graduate School webpages and members were asked to
send Mrs Jill Parker details of student achievements.
M729 PGR Framework Document
This was discussed under Chair’s business.
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CHAIR’S BUSINESS
Graduate School seminar
Professor Wonnacott reported that the Graduate School seminar by Professor
Russell Foster "Light and Time - the Discovery of a New Photoreceptor System
within the Eye" was excellent. The attendance was disappointing and the
Committee discussed how to improve engagement between the Graduate School
and Departments to improve participation in future events. Suggestions included
emailing students directly, advertising more effectively in departments, and
reminding students that participation in Graduate School events contributes
towards their skills training log. The next Graduate School seminar is due to take
place next Spring with a Physical Sciences theme.
Graduate School Research Afternoon
The Committee was reminded that the Graduate School Research afternoon
would take place on Tuesday 26th June. Dr James and Dr Doughty were thanked
for agreeing to chair sessions. Directors of Studies will be asked to provide
feedback on the research afternoon in order to develop this aa an annual event to
showcase the variety of student research activities within the faculty.
PGR Framework Document
The PGR Framework document was discussed by Senate on April 18th and at
URSC on 24th May. The relevant Regulations/QA documents are currently being
updated for approval by Senate, with the expectation that postgraduate research
students arriving on or after October 1st will be registered directly for a PhD, with
confirmation at 12-18 months. Changes will have to be made to progression
forms (e.g. candidature form). The committee expressed concern over a potential
lack of concordance between supervisor and assessors at the PhD confirmation
stage. It was agreed that QA documents/regulations must take this into account
and Mrs Parker will raise this issue with Dr Lisa Isted.
The approval process for the appointment of the confirmation panel still has to be
determined and will be discussed at the next FRSC meeting.
740
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STUDENTS’ COMMITTEE
The Committee noted the minutes of the URSC held on 24th May 2012.
741
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Professor Wonnacott informed the Committee about the NERC preannouncement for a cross-institutional DTP call to allocate studentships.
Directors of Studies were asked to let Professor Wonnacott know of any current
NERC studentships.
Dr Karen Edler and Anthony Masters were thanked for their contributions to the
FRSC as their membership has now come to an end. The meeting closed at
1.15pm.
JDP
November
FRSC
DoS