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