Department of Mathematical Sciences

------------PGR Staff-Student Activities----------

PGR Student Reps (Session 2015-16):

Staff Reps:

2015-16 Meeting Dates

• Thur 8th Oct 2015 AGENDA
  1. Talk: Palacios Baldeon (recently passed viva) -- "How to do a PhD in Maths?"
     Rough Guide to key steps in a PhD - Don't forget to relax by Vladimir
  2. Talk: Dr. Thomas Teubner - "A supervisor's prospective"
     Be professional
     Make the most of time given to research
     Plan your time; Establish your own research network
     Find a balance - become an expert and need to do new research
  3. Talk: Jack Spencer (Final Year PhD) -- " First Year Advice "
     Communication ) Be comfortable presenting, overcome
     Conferences ) nerves
     Organisation - Keep track of what papers are relevant etc; Document everything
  4. Talk: Prof. Lasse Rempe-Gillen - "Tips for a PhD"
     Trust your supervisor! Enough material to give you a PhD
     Always more theorems; Don't be afraid to ask questions
     Don't rely on your supervisor for everything; Work hard. Work smart.
     Talk to people about your work Trust yourself; Fun until you start writing up
     Practice early. Keep backups!
  5. PGR Student Staff Committee - Election
  6. Stationary: pads circulated.
  7. Further advice: Engage with Representatives. Attend Seminars and Colloquiataff Reps.
  8. AOB. No issues raised.

2014-15 Meeting Dates

• 15 Oct 2014 -- AGM (how to do research): Speakers: Siraj Khan, Panagiotis Athanasopoulos, Dr Rakow and Dr Nair
  
• Weekly coffer hour meetings: 11am Wednesdays @ Math 304 or Physc Cm or Chem PGR rm
  
• Weekly colloquium: 4pm Fridays @ G16
  
• 25 Feb 2015 -- How to prepare a research poster (Room 211 @ 12:30)
  Speakers: Joe Palacios Baldeon and Dr Martin Gorbahn
• 23 Apr 2015 -- Semester 2 PGR committee meeting (Room 027 @ 12:30)
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  Attended by
  Siraj Khan, Alexander Keshavarzi, Johar Ashfaque, Prof Ke Chen (chair), Dr Nair and Dr K Liu.

  MINUTES + Actions

  i) Emerging issues: PGRs are no longer supplied with simple stationery and this is not convenient. (Action: KC)

  Followed up Report by KC:
  Report this to the HoD, who said that (a) the School gave no budget for any stationery; (b) however he can help in other ways. Any PGR can buy small amount of stationery individually and he can sign claims form. If the claim is too excessive or unreasonable, it cannot be signed.

  ii) Emerging issues: payment from Semester 1 teaching (Before mid-December) is still not paid up to 23 April due to delay AND is not acceptable, though already reported to the school.

  Action: AK will inform the chair if the issue is resolved soon and if the issue (delay) is repeated in May/Jun. If yes, shall ask School for an overhaul / review of financial procedures.

  iii) Coffee hour: Reported that it has been very successful mainly due to active participation of Maths and Chemistry. Physics PGRs were not pro-active.

  Action: Consider expanding and explore new activities e.g. short talks etc to make these more attractive. For Maths, IFAM has many PGRs but few were active in dept activities.
  Need to enlarge the Committee's membership in next year.

  iv) Colloquium attendance: the number of attendees varies a lot. PGRs must attend at least 4 each semester.

  Action: Create a new form for next session where a PGR need to get each attendance signed. The form should be returned to Shirley or Marj at the end of the year.

  v) AOB. the idea of off-campus trips or short excursions is discussed but travel insurance is a major issue. Need to consult people a bit more.

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PGR Student Reps (Session 2014-15):

Staff Reps:

2013-14 Meeting Dates

• 06 November 2013 -- AGM (how to do research): Speakers: David Hughes, Prof Chen and Prof Faraggi
  
• 20 February 2014 -- Poster day Talks (how to present Maths): Speakers: Stephen Jones and Dr Bearon
• 2014-15 Meeting Dates Weekly meetings: 11am Wednesdays @ 304