Download - Eps induction assoc dean ge jjm sept2010
Welcome to Manchester
Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences The University of Manchester
Prof Jim MilesAssociate Dean Graduate Education
A 21st Century University
• 35,000 students
• 3,500 postgraduate research students
• 5,800 overseas students from 162 countries
• 3,900 academic staff
• 1,900 research staff
• £650M capital investment
• 3rd highest research
power in UK (RAE 2008)
Moving into the Future
• Manchester 2015 Agenda: a 10 year plan
• “To establish the University of Manchester among the 25 strongest research universities in the world by 2015 ”
• Postgraduate research students are vital for research excellence
• You are at the heart of the University’s ambition for the future
Great Research Achievements
• The University was founded in 1824
• 23 Nobel prize winners associated with the University including:
• J. J. Thomson
– Manchester student 1870-1876
– Discovered the electron and measured its mass
• Ernest Rutherford
– Professor of Physics 1907-1919
– Showed the atom consisted of a nucleus and orbiting electrons
– Split the atom – converting Nitrogen into Oxygen
• James Chadwick
– Manchester student 1908-1913
– Discovered the neutron
The First Stored-Programme Computer
‘The Baby’, 1948
Freddie Williams and Tom Kilburn
Reconstructed for the 50th anniversary – see it in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry
• 240 inventions a year, 15% with commercial potential
Graphene
Origin of the Universe
Continuing Excellence
Direct Biofuel
The Researchers of Tomorrow…are the research students of today.
• Environmental Science PhD student Debrapriya Mondal won the Distinguished Achievement Award for work on the role of rice in chronic exposure to Arsenic in West Bengal
• Mathematics PhD student Awad Al-Mohy won the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Student Paper Prize for his paper on Scaling and Squaring Algorithms for the Matrix Exponential
• Chemical Engineering EngD student Michael Conti-Ramsden won the Industrial Fellowship by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for his project on new applications of water treatment technologies
• Electrical Engineering PhD student Rebecca Robinson won the Women into Science, Engineering and Construction Excellence Award for her enthusiasm and commitment to encouraging girls into science and engineering.
What is a Research Student?
• Not the same as a “taught student”
– you are supervised and advised, not “taught”
– you have one-to-one support
– your work is examined as an individual, with your own examiners
– your aim is to innovate as much as to learn
– you are responsible for your own project…. take control of your own research
• You are supported and guided by a supervisory team:
– your main supervisor,
– possibly with co-supervisors, and
– your advisor
• Your supervisors provide your most important support
• Meet your supervisory team regularly
• Your supervisor will guide you and provide advice…
• …but ultimately the responsibility for your progression is yours.
You and Your Supervisor
What do Supervisors Say?• “Students need to realise that the PhD is their project. It is
their opportunity to come to grips with the specific research, to become the expert.”
• “Set deadlines in agreement with your supervisor and then do your best to meet them.”
• “Do your best to understand and interpret your results before you talk to your supervisor about them. If his or her interpretation is similar, you will gain confidence. If it is different, you will learn something.”
• “We must recognise that nothing is set in stone during a research project and that it should evolve depending on results.”
• “Your success as a postgraduate is your own responsibility, but always remember that your supervisor wants you to succeed.”
What Do Students Say?
• “Be friendly but keep the relationship professional. Set up a regular meeting so you can keep in close contact with your supervisor.”
• “Use supervisors as an asset, do not be over-reliant on their knowledge of your topic, and consult the literature before going to them. Remember it is YOUR PhD.”
• “Whenever you approach your supervisor with a problem, try have some possible solutions and then seek advice.”
• “I always imagine myself being the supervisor and ask what would I expect of me? Be punctual, be organised, lead the conversation, be prepared to ask questions.”
Managing your Research
• Your first plan will not be correct
• …but it will still be useful
• What do you aim to achieve? How do you aim to achieve it? How long will it take? How long have you got?
• The answers to these questions will evolve as your understanding grows
• Periodically evaluating your progress and revisiting your plan will ensure that the scope of your project does not grow out of control
• …and that you will finish your research on time.
Managing your Progression: eProg
• The University requires you to periodically review your progress, and your performance will be assessed annually.
• The process is managed by a new University system ‘eProg’ https://www.eprog.manchester.ac.uk/
• It is described in detail in the Graduate Resource Book.
eProg: What’s it for?• eProg reminds you to periodically review your progress:
• … but ticking all the boxes does not result in a degree
• It’s mostly about you reviewing your progress, reflecting and planning.
• It also helps you choose appropriate skills training
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OVERDUE
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Support and Assistance
Your research group:
Students
Research Assistants
Mentors…
Your School:
Mentors
Advisor, Tutor
Postgraduate Office…
Faculty Graduate Office:
Graduate Development
Thesis submission
Extensions, interruptions…
University Services:
Disability Support, Careers, Counselling, Academic Advisory, Student Services Centre, Students Union…
The Final Word
• This is your chance to contribute to scientific advances that excite and challenge you, and to develop the skills of a professional researcher
• You will be part of a community of international researchers - go out and meet them
• Make the most of the opportunities that your research degree provides