Dear all,
At today's OKTR meeting agreed to make changes to Orientation to Research
Work. While the formal changes will not take effect immediately (lots of
paperwork at departmental and faculty levels) I thought it worthwhile
letting you know what changes will (probably) take place.
Currently MSc students must take between 12-20op of Orientation to Research
Work. This comprises a mixture of "old style Biokemia II-type" works and 1
month placements in different research groups, with the emphasis on the
later.
While this has been well received by students and future employers it puts a
major emphasis on preparing students for a career in research.
We have now agreed that in parallel to Orientation to Research Work we will
introduce a new course called Orientation to Biochemical Work. This would
have the same format and restrictions as the original course, but it would
be for placements undertaken in a non-research group environment. An example
would be if somebody wanted to work in pharmaceutical marketing in future
and they were able to get an internship in a suitable company, they would be
able to count up to 6op for 1 month (or more) work as Orientation to
Biochemical Work
Under this scheme MSc students would be required to take the same number of
total credits as currently undertaken in Orientation to Research Work, but
to be split as they choose between Orientation to Research Work and
Orientation to Biochemical Work.
Since there are a much greater variety of possible work placements in
Orientation to Biochemical Work each placement must be agreed in advance
with the departmental Amanuensis if it is to receive credits. For this you
would need to prepare a short document detailed what you plan to do, where
and when.
Note this change is not definite until agreed by faculty, this is just a
"heads-up".
Best wishes,
Lloyd