Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy

1. Welcome to the Department of Physics and Astronomy • Prof. Philip Harris, Head of Department

2. Student opportunities at Sussex • Summer research bursaries: • Junior Research Associates • Research Placements* • Royal Astronomical Society • SEPnet work placements • Summer School teaching • Outreach – take your physics back to school! *Convenor: Diego Porras

3. Study abroadExperience another culture • No extra fees • Extra loan • Uppsala, Sweden is popular: long-standing link • Elsewhere in Europe and in USA also possible • For y3 MPhys: Start thinking about it now! Xavier Calmet Study Abroad Convenor

4. Improving the Student Experience Dedicated student study spaces £0.5m teaching lab refurbishment Dedicated observatories Student input via DJC Study Abroad QSoc – trips to CERN, NASA... Feedback always welcome!

5. Student Study Spaces • Range of spaces provided by MPS(idea being copied elsewhere in Uni) • Students participated in their creation:colour, furnishings, facilities, naming • Kitchen: tea, coffee, milk provided – as well as a dishwasher... • 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 • Please respect these facilities, and take care of them. • Keep the kitchen clean!

6. By students for students • Mentors • Help & advice from experienced students • Departmental Joint Committee • Student voice - money to spend • QSoc • Physics & Astronomy society • Social events • Physics & Astronomy Ball (Sat. 12th April 2014)

7. QSoc • Your physics society! • Talks • Social activities • Newsletter • Trips – CERN, NASA, ILL, ESRF...

8. 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.

9. Assessments • At Sussex, you need to pass every module you take. • Typically, modules will have formal assessments three times per term (plus the summer exam). There will also be non-assessed worksheets that you are expected to do. These: • will make the assessed ones easier for you • build good self-study habits • are essential for learning the material for exams. Don’t be tempted to skip them!

10. Pros Instant feedback Encouragement to go back and find your mistakes Online hints, 24/7 Large bank of problems/solns Fair and anonymous marking Efficient use of resources Textbook subsidized Mastering PhysicsOnline physics tutorial system • Cons • Time needed to enter results • Interface can be awkward (but better than it used to be) • Method not always clear, and not assessed • Doesn’t encourage clear setting out of answers, with units • Artificially high outcomes: false sense of security On balance, we’ve found it’s useful and appropriate for Year 1. In a poll, 65% of students recommended that we should continue to use it – rising to 83% amongst those that used practice problems...

11. 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

12. 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 

13. Your responsibilities,our expectations • “The single thing that makes any man* happiest is the realisation that he has worked up to the limits of his ability.” • Neil Armstrong *or woman

14. 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.

15. Key academics in Physics & Astronomy • Prof Philip Harris • Head of Department Prof Peter Coles Head of School Dr Claudia Eberlein School Director of Teaching and Learning Dr Kathy Romer Careers Tutor Dr Xavier Calmet Senior Tutor, Foundation Year, Y1, Y2 Dr Lesley Onuora Foundation Year convenor Prof Barry Garraway School Director of Student Experience

16. Some more key people In the School Office … • Sally Church • P&A Programme Coordinator Sarah Pelling P&A Programme Assistant Oonagh Caunter School administrator Tom Workman Chair, Department Joint Committee (DJC) Students …

17. Your academic advisor • A lecturer in Physics & Astronomy (P&A) • Will meet with you in small groups and singly – introduces you to University systems • Helps with academic issues • Discusses & monitors your progress – provides perspective & support • Careers, references • Your “agent”! • You should already have met your AA. If not, contact them either directly or via the school office to make an appointment as soon as possible.

18. Director of Teaching & Learning • Responsible for overall structure of courses • Curriculum content and timing • Assessment Dr Claudia Eberlein School Director of Teaching and Learning

19. Senior tutor • Attendance monitoring; see failing students • Queries, from faculty & students (Oversees academic advisors) • Manage program changes • Liaison with student representatives: DJC meetings • Troubleshooting • Induction/Reinduction • In charge of year 0,1 & 2 students Dr Xavier Calmet Senior Tutor, Foundation Year, Y1, Y2

20. Jobs and careers… it’s never too early! • Support for Physics students at Sussex • Vacancies – part time, work experience • Jobs for finalists, jobs for graduates • Careers advisers • Workshops – CVs, interviews • Events – careers advice • Website www.sussex.ac.uk/cec • Careers talk (CEC): part of library tour Dr Kathy Romer Careers Tutor

21. 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 • Mitigating evidence? See next slide... • Look on website or ask in school office for relevant phone numbers • Make sure our records of your contact details are up to date • Make sure you notify School Office if away/ill more than 6 days

22. 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

23. 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

24. SAFETY INDUCTION:Physics specific issues Lasers Chemicals Cryogenics Electricity

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Electricity • Electricity is second most common cause of non-domestic fires! • Involuntary muscle response – unable to let go... • 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)

30. 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.html See also lab scripts and lab safety folders • Reminder: • FOR ALL EMERGENCIES • DIAL 3333(Campus ‘phones) • Or 01273 873333 (from your mobile) • Do not dial 999 from on campus

31. First-generation scholarsWeds 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

32. Maths Diagnostic Test3 pm this afternoon, Pev I – 1A7 Maths Test??????

33. Maths Diagnostic Test3 pm this afternoon, Pev I – 1A7 Maths Test??????

34. Maths Diagnostic Test3 pm this afternoon, Pev I – 1A7 Maths Test?????? Year 1 students only

35. Maths Diagnostic Test3 pm this afternoon, Pev I – 1A7 Maths Test?????? Year 1 students only It’s just for us (and you) to find out what you know

36. 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 tutor • Any time to the study direct forum PASF: joining key “PASF” • “Meet the HoD” open forum - termly • Help us to help you!

37. Term startsTOMORROW, 9AM • All the best • for your time at Sussex!