Physics and AstronomyReinduction

Prof. Philip Harris,

Head of Department

Welcome back!

Key academics in Physics & Astronomy

Prof Philip HarrisHead of Department

Prof Barry GarrawaySchool Director of Student Experience

Dr Kathy RomerCareers Tutor

Dr Xavier CalmetSenior Tutor,Foundation Year, Y1, Y2

Prof Peter ColesHead of School

Dr Claudia EberleinSchool Director of Teaching and Learning

Director of Student Experience

MEC assessment, “reasonable adjustment”

Student experience group

Attendance monitoring at school level

SSPC meetings, actions, letters...

Appeals

School elections

DJC management

Senior tutor oversight

Prof. Barry Garraway

Senior tutor

Attendance monitoring; helping students in difficulty.

Queries, from faculty & students (Oversees academic advisors)

Advise course changes (but talk to your academic advisors first)

Liaison with student representatives: Department Joint Committee

meetings

Troubleshooting

Induction/Reinduction

In charge of year 0,1 & 2 students

Year > 2 see DoSE (Barry Garraway)Dr Xavier CalmetSenior Tutor,Foundation Year, Y1, Y2

New faculty this year

Other staff changes

Mike Hardiman has now “retired”.

Temporary lecturer Alessandro Ferraro left us in June.

Dr Steve Churchwell has become Chief Technical Officer.

Gemma Farrell (school office) rep. by Matthew Tiernan

Maths has an additional eight new faculty posts.

Total £2m investment by the University in our School – a very positive

sign of commitment and recognition of our success!

Student intake

Good news – we are becoming ever more sustainable

Challenge – to maintain our special community atmosphere

(ideas please!)

Student satisfaction

2013 NSS – 100% student satisfaction rating

• 100% say staff are enthusiastic about the subject• 100% say course is intellectually stimulating• 100% say course is well organised and runs smoothly• 100% have been able to access specialised equipment when needed• 100% are satisfied with the quality of the course

We have a unique and supportive atmosphere in

P&A at Sussex. If there’s a problem – we want to know.

Assessment and feedback

• Faculty encouraged to follow Sebastian J’s problem-sheet approach• Prob sheets to state: Deadline; lateness penalites; feedback deadline;

marks release date.• Office hours may be referred to as “feedback hours” (to distinguish

from academic advising) – even though most have “open door” policy.• More detailed discussion between ATs and convenors, to improve

quality and consistency of feedback. • Simplified marksheets (where possible).• Faculty encouraged to release lecture notes• Faculty encouraged to video-capture their lectures • Final-year project assessment criteria improved• Undertaking measures to reduce plagiarism

Feedback

We stay high in NSS by listening to our students.

We need your feedback:• To lecturers (on their modules)• MFQs (module-feedback questionnaires – on-line)• To DJC/student reps, and to senior tutors• Any time to the study direct forum PASF: joining key

“PASF”

Help us to help you!

“Meet the HoD” forum

Termly open forum for HoD to update you on what’s going

on, and for you to ask any questions.

Do you want it?

Departmental Joint Committee

• Student rep – faculty forum. Crucial!

• DJC chair currently Tom Workman

Fresh elections: nominations wk 1-2

http://www.sussexstudent.com/studentreps

• Physics & Astronomy Ball:

Sat. 12th April 2014

Speaker: Prof Dave Wark

Student Study Spaces

Please respect these facilities, and take care of them so all can enjoy and make use of them.

Please leave the kitchen

as you’d like to find it!

Future expansion envisioned, or possible

move to Creativity Zone...?

For undergrads:•Gauss house – social space, computing...•Wormhole – quiet group work, self-study, ref. library•Faraday Cage – quiet group work; projector; bookable for activities.•Pascal’s Pad – quiet computing work

If things go wrong...

Seek help if needed:

- Academic Advisor, Senior Tutor

- For minor colds, injury etc: Take care, seek doctor’s advice etc

- More serious: Student Life Centre (SLC). Let us know

immediately so allowance can be made

- Look on website or ask in school office for relevant phone

numbers

- Make sure our records of your contact details are up to date

MEC: More detail...

• Claims filled in online (SD) within 7 days of affected deadline

• Mitigation only applied if situation is sudden, serious, unforeseen

• Needs to be evidence (doctor’s note etc)

More info/instructions on SD

Make sure you notify School Office if away/ill more than 6 days

Careers

Year 2 students

We are running a careers

course this term (within

Scientific Computing)

Sessions are on Wednesdays

from 1 to 2 pm in

Chichester Lecture Theatre

Y3 and Y4 students are also

welcome to attend

Finalists

Deadlines for most graduate

jobs occur this term!

To help you prepare there is a

special session on Monday in

the Careers Centre from 1 to

2 pm (see emails from Kathy)

Dr Kathy Romer Careers Tutor

New! SEPnet Employment Engagement Officer, to be

located within the Department

First-generation scholars: y1 & y2Weds 9th October events

1.       Get Ahead 13.00 – 17.15, Fulton Building

An afternoon of events, workshops and 1-to-1 advice designed to give First-Generation Scholars a head start when

looking for part-time work, internships and jobs after they graduate as well as helping with university study.

Workshops include:

·         How can I find a part-time job?

·         How can I find work experience and internships?

·         Presentation Skills

·         Team working

 

Full details at: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/firstgenerationgetahead

 

 

2.        Welcome Event 17.30 – 19.00, Jubilee Building

A chance for First-Generation Scholars to meet each other, discover what the Student Services team have to offer and to be

officially welcomed to the 2013- 2014 Academic year by Clare Mackie.

        

       Full details at: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/firstgenerationwelcome

 

Your responsibilities,our expectations

You are responsible for your own learning.

Buying gym membership doesn’t make you fit!

Help yourself:

• Learn the subject

• Go to lectures; study the material (beforehand if possible)

• Attempt all of your assignments (not just those for assessment)

• Make sure your writing is legible

• Understand and avoid plagiarism and collusion – they are serious offences.

• Check e-mail and post every day.

Studying is a full-time job. You should aim to spend at least 40 hours per week

on it.

Plagiarism

A serious offence – don’t do it. Penalties are severe.

Check it out on Uni web pages: type “Plagiarism” in search box.

See, e.g., “Cite Them Right” for appropriate rules. Basically, if you copy

anything or use any result from anywhere, cite it.

People of different academic backgrounds have different notions of

plagiarism. Think: and if unsure – ask.

Always make clear which parts of the work you

present are your own.

“Cite them right” by Richard Pears and Graham Shields, pub. Pear Tree Books

Collusion

• Distinct from plagiarism, but equally serious offence

• Don’t work too closely with other students on assessed

coursework

• OK to discuss problems and work out algorithms together, but

tear up joint notes – be sure to work out and write up your

solutions independently.

Try this test:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=34 

Institute of Physics

The professional body actively working to promote developments in physics

• careers information and resources

• Members’ room at 76 Portland Place

• MyIOP, social networking for physicists

• Nexus – for 10,000 student members

• www.physicsworld.com magazine

• All for FREE

• Paper copy of Physics World magazine £15/year

SAFETY INDUCTION

Introduction: Responsibilities & Risk Assessments

Lasers

Chemicals

Cryogenics

Electricity

Emergency procedures

With acknowledgements to Malcolm Strong

Health & Safety

Health and safety is all about preventing people from being

harmed at work or becoming ill through work.

Legislation states that we must not put ourselves, other workers or

the public in danger.

The University is responsible for providing a safe working

environment. You are responsible for your own actions and

inactions within that environment.

Your responsibilities

• To take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of yourselves & others affected by your acts or omissions.

• To co-operate with the requirements and duties imposed on the employer, to enable those requirements and duties to be complied with.

• Not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety reasons.

Emergency Procedures

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES FOR ALL EMERGENCIES

DIAL 3333 DIAL 3333 (Campus ‘phones) (Campus ‘phones) Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile)Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile)

DIAL 999 DIAL 999 (Off Campus)(Off Campus)

This applies to:• Fire• First Aid/Medical• To report serious hazards, threatening or

suspicious behaviour• Escort across campus after dark• etc...

Emergency EvacuationEmergency Evacuation

If you discoverdiscover a fire• Operate the fire alarm• Call emergency number 3333 (or 01273 873333)3333 (or 01273 873333)

(NB don’t dial 999 when on campus)(NB don’t dial 999 when on campus)

If you hear the fire alarmhear the fire alarm• Leave the building by the nearest exit• Do not stop to pick up belongings• Report to the nearest assembly point

•away from the building

Emergency EvacuationEmergency Evacuation

Do notDo not tackle a fire unless you are trained in the use of fire extinguishers

Do notDo not use lifts

Do notDo not re-enter the building until instructed to do so by the person in charge

Risk Assessments

All practical project work must be risk assessed.

Any task: identify hazards and assess risks.

Record the risks, inform users.

Implement the measures required to remove or minimise the risk before starting work.

Laboratory experiments have been assessed; scripts contain safety instructions. Ensure you are familiar with them and follow them.

You may not work in a lab until you have had the relevant safety training from the person responsible for that lab.

Lasers

Lasers in teaching laboratories are safe low power, but the research labs have high power class 3R and 4 lasers.

These labs are restricted areas for access by authorised persons only.

Staff and students in these areas must see the laser Safety Video before commencing work.

Research lasers are not always in the visible wavelengths so the beam is not obvious.

Chemicals

• Keep quantities you are working with to the minimum required.

• Transport with care, in proper containers.

• Always label containers

• Always wash your hands after handling chemicals. Do not eat, drink in the labs.

• Always dispose of waste correctly.

Cryogenic Liquids

Liquid Nitrogen: very cold, –196o C. Liquid Helium: even colder –269o C.

• Loose fitting insulated gloves, where appropriate

• Appropriate clothing – no sandals/open shoes

• Safety goggles when transferring cryogenic liquids - always!

• Never travel in a lift with dewars of any cryogenic liquid.

Electricity

Check that equipment has been tested for electrical safety (PAT).

Special care when using portable tools, and HV equipment.

May need RCCB (residual current circuit breaker)

Further Information

The University web site gives access to copies of:

• Safety Policy documents.

• Safety Procedures and Guidance.

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/hso/1-2.htmlSee also lab scripts and lab safety folders

Reminder:Reminder:FOR ALL EMERGENCIES FOR ALL EMERGENCIES

DIAL 3333DIAL 3333 (Campus ‘phones) (Campus ‘phones)

Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile)Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile)

DIAL 999 DIAL 999 (Off Campus)(Off Campus)

Prizes

Outstanding Achievement in Year 1 – Lucio Maria Milanese

 

Outstanding Achievement in Year 2 – Samuel Jones

 

Outstanding Achievement in Year 3 – Will Astill

Outstanding Year-on-Year Improvement in Performance

  Nathan Bayley 

Arran Graham-Shaw

Mark Davies

Ryan Hicks 

And finally...

Work hard

Good luck

Have a great year!