Faculty of Science and Technology
School of
Biomedical & Biological Sciences
and
School of Marine Science & Engineering
2010 Induction Handbook
for New Students
Arrangements for entry to the following programmes:
Course Title / Course CodeBSc (Hons) Animal Science (Behaviour and Welfare) / 1853
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences / 0004
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences / 3628
BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology / 2552
BSc (Hons) Exercise Nutrition and Health / 3638
BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences / 1391
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology / 0732
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology / 1199
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography / 2055
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation / 1854
BSc (Hons) Applied Biosciences (Plant Sciences) (Final year only) / 3115
BSc (Hons) Applied Biosciences (Aquaculture) (Final year only / 3113
BSc (Hons) Health and Fitness (Final year only) / 2703
PLEASE BRING THIS BOOKLET WITH YOU TO ALL YOUR INDUCTION SESSIONS
Welcome
Dear Student
Congratulations on winning your place here at the University of Plymouth. We are delighted that you will be joining us in the School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences and the School of Marine Science and Engineering, and we look forward to meeting you during the Induction Week which starts on 20th September 2010. We hope your time with us will be enjoyable and successful.
We have organised a range of informal activities during the induction week to enable you to meet other students on your course and the lecturers, and to help you to find your way around the campus and our School’s facilities. Please read this 2010 Induction Handbook for New Students carefully so that you are aware of the appropriate time and location of the activities.
The first few weeks as an undergraduate can be a little daunting as there is so much new information to assimilate. Our staff are friendly and approachable, and they will be pleased to offer help and guidance, if needed. Our objective is to help you make the most of your studies at Plymouth and to give you a firm foundation on which to build your future career.
I look forward to welcoming you to the University and wish you every success for the future.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Gibb
Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology
CONTENTS
Page No.
Welcoming letter from the Dean of Science and Technology 2
Contents page 3
How to use this handbook 4
International Student Orientation Programme 4
Introduction to the Faculty of Science and Technology 5
Induction Programme
Letter to Stage 1 students from the 7
Chair of the Biology Programmes Committee
Induction programme for Stage 1 students 8-12
Letter to Stage 2/Final Stage students from the 13
Chair of the Biology Programmes Committee
Induction programme for Stage 2 students 14
Induction programme for Final Stage students 15
Final Stage FDSC Bridging Module Induction programme 16
Payment of Tuition Fees 18
Student Loan details 19-20
On-Line Enrolment Guidance Notes 21-27
On-Line Enrolment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 28-30
Useful Information 31-32
Checklist 33
How to use this handbook
This handbook should contain all the information you need during your first week at the University of Plymouth. Please take the time to read it carefully.
At the front of the book you will find general advice and information, which should be relevant to you, whatever your chosen programme. Use the checklist at the back of the book to ensure that you have done everything you need to do during your first week.
Each subject area has put together a timetable of events. The schedules for some programmes are busier than others but all should leave you with enough time to find out where the supermarkets and pubs are and visit other areas of the University such as the Students' Union.
If you are unsure about where you need to go – please ask. Faculty of Science and Technology staff will be available throughout the Induction Week in Student Reception based in 015 Smeaton Building. Alternatively, you can ask for advice from staff at your University Registration session.
There is space at the back of this handbook for you to record your modules and make notes.
We hope you find the Induction Week informative and useful and that your time at Plymouth will be enjoyable.
International Student Orientation Programme
If you have registered for the International Student Orientation Programme, the agenda for this event will start on 13th September 2010. Information about the International Orientation Programme is not included in this handbook, but will be provided separately by the International Office.
If you have not registered for the International Student Orientation Programme and would like further details please see the leaflet enclosed in your confirmation pack or contact:
International Student Advisory Service
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, PL4 8AA
United Kingdom
Fax +44 (0) 1752 586377
E-Mail:
Alternatively, you can visit our website at www.plymouth.ac.uk/isas
Introduction to the Faculty of Science and
Technology Induction Programme
Your first week at Plymouth should be used for two purposes. Firstly, you should use it to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings, meet other students and find out a bit more about your course. Secondly, you need to register with the university and with the Students' Union. University registration consists of several elements and you will be asked to fill out various forms, some of which may require the same information from you. We have done our best to keep this to a minimum, but unfortunately some duplication is unavoidable.
What is University Registration?
This is when you officially register as a University of Plymouth student. University registration is a three-stage process. The stages must be completed in the following order.
1. On-line Enrolment (OLE) - The first stage is where we collect information from you about your personal details and the course you are studying. The University collects this data on-line.
Section 6 of OLE will require you to confirm how you are paying your tuition fees. You will need to know what arrangements are in place before you complete this section. The payment options available can be found in this section of OLE or on our Essential Information pages on the web - see enclosed postcard for details.
If you are in receipt of a tuition fee loan you will be asked to provide your SLC (Student Loans Company) Student Support Number. If you have not yet received your Student Support Number (SSN) you will be able to proceed with online enrolment and provide the SSN later.
If your fees are paid by a sponsor, you will need to send us written confirmation of the agreement.
All this information is detailed in Section 6 of the OLE forms. Please read this section carefully and follow the instructions on screen.
We have enclosed separate instructions detailing how to access on-line enrolment and a guide through the process. It is recommended that on-line enrolment is completed prior to your arrival. Alternatively you can use one of the computers in a designated open access room on campus, but there will be queues which may delay you.
2. Module Enrolment - The second stage is where we confirm your programme of study for the year. If you have no option modules you will not have to undertake this stage of the enrolment process. For information on the modules offered in 2010/2011, please refer to the Biology handbook available from the Departmental office, 4th floor, Portland Square. The number of compulsory and option modules varies from course to course. Some of you will find that you have a full compulsory programme.
If your course does have option modules you will need to attend a Module Enrolment Session where Academic staff will be present to give guidance.
You will be required to complete a Module Choice Form where we will check that you are enrolled on a full 120 credits (if you are a full time student).
Times and venues of the module enrolment sessions are detailed in your Induction Programme.
3. University Registration - This is the final stage of the registration process where we check that you have completed stages 1 and 2 of the registration process and give you your University Card. You will need your University Card to hand in coursework, access the Library and register with the Medical Centre and the Students' Union.
Please refer to your Induction Programme for your allocated time slot. It is very important that you attend at the correct time. This is a busy day and unfortunately you may have to queue for a while. Please be patient - our staff will be working as quickly as they can.
What do I need to bring with me in September· A note of your module choices (if applicable).
· If applicable, proof of sponsorship (if you haven’t sent this to us already).
· If self fee paying, cheque or credit card to make your tuition fee payment. Alternatively, you can pay on-line as part of the online enrolment process.
· Your medical card (UK students only)
Letter to Stage 1 students from the
Chair of the Biology Programmes Committee
Dear First Year Student
Welcome to your chosen programme within the Biology Undergraduate Degree Scheme (BUDS). BUDS is operated by two schools, the School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences and the School of Marine Sciences and Engineering.
We are very proud of our teaching and research facilities on a modern, city-centre campus which will continue to expand this coming year. Our University has recently been awarded four Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) and we have pioneered a new type of laboratory environment called ‘Lab Plus’ which facilitates new approaches to learning and enables biology students to prepare better for field work and improve their ‘hands on’ skills.
However, ultimately it is the people and not the physical resources that determine the quality of your learning environment. Degree programmes within BUDS are all taught by enthusiastic and dedicated staff who are very approachable and supportive. We take great pride in providing you with the opportunity of a quality education in a relaxed and research-rich environment. Nevertheless, you should not mistake this friendly approach for lack of ambition. We will challenge you to set high targets and expect you to meet our demanding intellectual aspirations. What you get out of your University education will depend upon what you are prepared to put in. Always remember that you alone are responsible for your own learning. It is your responsibility to take up the challenges we put before you, to be respectful in dealings with fellow students and staff, and to be committed to achieving your full potential.
Please do read your copy of the BUDS Student Handbook (this will be given to you during induction) and you may even like to help coordinate your programme as a student representative on the Biology Programmes Committee. I wish you every success during your time as a student at the University of Plymouth.
Dr Graham Bradley
Chair of the Biology Programmes Committee
INDUCTION PROGRAMME FOR STAGE 1
BSc (Hons) Animal Science (Behaviour and Welfare)
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences,
BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology, BSc (Hons) Exercise Nutrition and Health,
BSc (Hons) Human Biosciences, BSc (Hons) Marine Biology,
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology,
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography,
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation
Tuesday 21 September
9.00am - 9.30am9.30am -11.30am / Welcome and Refreshments
Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Biology, Exercise Nutrition and Health, Human Biosciences, Wildlife Conservation
Sherwell Lower
Marine Programmes
Stonehouse Lecture Theatre, Portland Square Building
Introduction to your Degree Course
Animal Behaviour and Welfare: Babbage 002
Biological Sciences: Babbage 003
Biomedical Sciences: Babbage 005
Environmental Biology: Portland Square B5
Exercise Nutrition and Health: Babbage 319
Human Biosciences: Davy 508
Marine Biology: Scott 101
Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology: Roland Levinsky 302
Marine Biology and Oceanography: Rolle 209
Wildlife Conservation: Roland Levinsky 210
This meeting is a very important one. It is your first formal contact with the staff who are most involved with your degree course, and your fellow students. The session will be led by your Subject Tutor, who will introduce you to the school, the structure of degrees at Plymouth, brief details of what topics you might cover during your time here, and so on. You will also be told what we expect of you. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions. You will be provided with a ring-binder in which you should collect all the relevant inserts. Bring this information to all further sessions.
Each degree has a slightly different programme and sequence of events, so be sure to collect the correct documentation for your course. You will also need to bring TWO passport photos of yourself with your name PRINTED clearly on the reverse. During this meeting you will be allocated to a personal tutor.
1.00pm -
2.00pm / Diving Options
Portland Square, Devonport Lecture Theatre
Marine Biology/Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology/Marine Biology and Oceanography
(plus any other student interested in diving)
2.00pm -
5.00pm / Laboratory Skills Workshop
Davy Building 304
Human Biosciences/Biological Science/Biomedical Sciences/
Exercise Nutrition and Health
This session provides you with an opportunity to test your command of basic laboratory skills (eg observation, handling, measurement and analysis skills). Join up with 5 other students and try to win a prize (presented to the best groups).
Wednesday 22 September
9.00am - 11.00am11.00am -
1.00pm
1.00pm – 3.00pm
9.00am -
12.00pm
1.00pm -
2.00pm / Workshops on Microscopes
Davy Building 301
Human Biosciences
Biomedical Sciences group A*
Davy Building 301
Biomedical Sciences Group B*/Exercise Nutrition and Health
Davy Building 301
*Groups will be allocated during your introductory session on Tuesday afternoon.
By the end of this 2-hour laboratory session you should be able to use microscopes effectively. This is essential background for some of the practical work you will carry out later in the year. If you already have a lab coat, you should bring it to this session.