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Michael D Smith Director of Graduate Studies, SPS University of Kent September 2011

Michael D Smith Director of Graduate Studies, SPS University of Kent September 2011. SPS Graduate School. SEPnet Research. Faculty Grad School. Euromasters Programme. It’s a long uncertain story…… Centuries: idea of swirling, turbulent gas as the origin of our solar system.

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Michael D Smith Director of Graduate Studies, SPS University of Kent September 2011

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  1. Michael D Smith Director of Graduate Studies, SPS University of Kent September 2011 SPS Graduate School SEPnet Research Faculty Grad School Euromasters Programme

  2. It’s a long uncertain story…… Centuries: idea of swirling, turbulent gas as the origin of our solar system. Descartes, Kant, Laplace: vortices, nebular hypothesis: importance of angular momentum. How did you get here?

  3. Books

  4. Where are you? Humanities Social Sciences Sciences

  5. Reminder Biosciences Computing Mathematical Sciences Physical Sciences Pharmacy Engineering & Digital Arts

  6. What are you doing here? Masters? PhD?What will you get?……………a certificate?……………a little prestige?……………amore interesting job?……………a deeper understanding?……………a challenge?……………satisfaction of contribution to knowledge ……………a Eureka moment What else? Training Training for what? What skills?

  7. The transition year begins.......... Research students : Your success in graduate school depends on your active interaction with others in the community. The emphasis is as much on asking the right questions and engaging in enlightening discussion as it is on finding the answers. Although a basic knowledge of physics is important, you will need to adopt approaches that are considerably different from those required to solve problem sets from a textbook. Sceptical thinking

  8. The Ultimate Skills for the employer ……. .more than just numerate and literate ……… You will be able to analyse critically, and use your initiative You will be teachable, educable Your vices will be curable You will be durable, have stamina You will be supervisable: capable of following advice. You will be endurable, especially in the face of boredom You will be able to persist at seemingly pointless tasks ……. What you do may not be relevant, but what you can do is.

  9. PhDs are needed :- • Pipeline to lecturers • Sustain University research • Build careers • Build knowledge economy • Highly skilled HR to attract industry Job prospects Royal Society: The Scientific Century, 2010 100% = all science PhD students

  10. Skills Training: practical skills Research Training General Training Record: Milestones, PDP This provides details for: CV and for Reference Letters

  11. EBGS & Feedback Reps: SPS and Faculty? Feedback: Milestone reports….. Problems encountered Illnesses ………..absences Data loss, equipment breakdown Supervision problem Time management & Demonstrating I am stuck Money

  12. Help Supervisor. Research Group. Associate supervisor. Director of Graduate Studies. Head of Department. Student representation on committees

  13. Action 1. Read Handbook 2. Bother your Supervisor 3. Define your project: Milestone M1 4. Determine your deadlines: Skills, M3, M4 4. See your Associate Supervisor 5. ?????? Courses...teaching...skills training... seminars....research ...THESIS

  14. Questions? When can I take holidays? Is my supervisor normal? How hard should I work? How do I do research? How do I do a literature review? http://astro.kent.ac.uk/mds/Modules/modules.htm

  15. Responsibilities? Milestones PDP Fast communication https://www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences /local/postgrad/index.html

  16. Responsibilities Monthly Meeting Forms:Record of Supervisory Interaction Students must complete a form, obtaining the supervisor's signature and submit it to Emmi in Room 205(?) Ingram on the last working day of every month. For details about the template for recording supervisory interaction, see under Annex H (supervision). If you prefer, you can use the electronic form instead Record of Supervisory Interaction (electronic).

  17. SEPnet Grad School resources http://astro.kent.ac.uk/SEPNET/gradschool/

  18. SEPnet-Astro Synergies 16a, 8r, 15s 25a, 37r, 45s Queen Mary, London 5a, 2r, 12s Oxford Solar System Kent Cosmology Stars & Planets Radio Portsmouth Galaxies 11a, 13r, 16s Sussex Southampton RAL/Chilbolton 10a, 10r, 25s 11a, 9r, 22s

  19. Key People – Supervisor(s) • Mentors and guides for your project • Providing or facilitating access to • necessary resources • Providing opportunities for networking • Giving you general support in many ways • A professional working relationship!

  20. Key PG People • Sarah Saunderts - The best PG Administrator! Sophie Godfrey + Emmi Itaranta Russell Weeks (PGT) Kim Harty (PGT)

  21. Key PGT info • Contact Programme Director • Establish/check the Modules • Relevant Handbooks: • https://www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/handbooks/index.html • http://www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/pgt-landing.html • Workshops, training, awards, …..

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