Department of Chemistry course timetable

Science is a strikingly successful and powerful feature of contemporary human cultures: it has transformed lives, enabled great technological feats and often revealed the world to be a much stranger place than appearances suggest. But what is science, really, and how and why has it been so successful?

An introduction on how to give effective research presentations.

Part 1: This session will provide guidance on how to prepare research presentations for a range of audiences (including group meeting talks and conference talks). We will discuss (i) how to structure a presentation, (ii) how to design slides, and (iii) how to practice giving presentations.

Part 2: Making and presenting an effective research poster Blurb: This session offers practical advice on how to design and present a clear, engaging scientific poster. We’ll look at how to choose a focused story, tailor your message to different audiences, as well as tips for a visually appealing layout and avoiding common pitfalls. We’ll also discuss how to approach conversations during poster sessions and adapt your explanations on the fly to make the most of one-on-one interactions. Aimed at those who may be preparing for an upcoming conference or showcase, or just want to improve their presentation skills.

Science is a strikingly successful and powerful feature of contemporary human cultures: it has transformed lives, enabled great technological feats and often revealed the world to be a much stranger place than appearances suggest. But what is science, really, and how and why has it been so successful?

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Public engagement is an increasingly important part of your research career, offering valuable skills and insights that enhance the relevance, quality, and impact of your work. In this session we’ll help you explore why you want to engage, who it would be most valuable for you to engage with and why. We’ll also examine different formats for engagement and consider the role of place in creating meaningful interactions. Using a logic model approach, we’ll equip you with tools to plan and deliver engagement activities that are impact-focused, evidence-based, and grounded in best practice. You’ll also be signposted to further training, support, and engagement platforms across the University and beyond. This course will be delivered by Dr Lucinda Spokes and Dr Claudia Antolini from the central Public Engagement Team.

As part of our Characterisation Facilities training, Electron Microscopy Staff will be running small-group lab tours throughout the year on a sign-up basis. These sessions will include a live demonstration of the equipment using pre-prepared samples, covering essential theory and basic sample preparation techniques. The tours are designed to give you a practical introduction to the facility and provides an opportunity to ask questions specific to your own research needs. Materials Science department offer a comprehensive UG lecture series, covering in-depth theory of EM. To access, please contact postgraduate.education@ch.cam.ac.uk.

Do you think your future career opportunities are solely determined by luck and being in the right place at the right time? Think again! Learning the art of strategic networking is one of the most crucial factors in shaping your career. It’s never too early (or too late) to start!

Join our workshop to:

• Master the optimal mindset for increasing your 'luck' through relationship building.

• Explore various strategies for growing and maintaining a powerful network.

• Create a personalised plan for elevating your networking game to the next level.

Have you ever struggled with other students' or colleagues' styles of working? Have you wondered why some people seem to be more direct than others, some don’t seem to be interested in socialising, or perhaps others are more relaxed about deadlines? Culture, and not only the national aspect of it, plays a significant role in how we learn to communicate and collaborate. Adjusting to cultural communication norms is more about shared values and expectations than speaking the same language. It requires a specific set of awareness, attitudes, and skills.

The workshop will:

• Discuss cultural preferences for working.

• Develop self-awareness of your working preferences.

• Learn strategies for developing the right skills that will help you develop cultural intelligence.

Have you ever struggled with other students' or colleagues' styles of working? Have you wondered why some people seem to be more direct than others, some don’t seem to be interested in socialising, or perhaps others are more relaxed about deadlines? Culture, and not only the national aspect of it, plays a significant role in how we learn to communicate and collaborate. Adjusting to cultural communication norms is more about shared values and expectations than speaking the same language. It requires a specific set of awareness, attitudes, and skills.

The workshop will:

1. Discuss cultural preferences for working.

2. Develop self-awareness of your working preferences.

3. Learn strategies for developing the right skills that will help you develop cultural intelligence.

TBC

How to Write Scientific Papers (and your thesis): This session will provide guidance on how to write a research paper (or thesis chapter), and will present a systematic approach for breaking down the process into steps. We will talk about (i) working out the story/narrative, (ii) sketching out figures and preparing a "paper outline", (iii) creating professional figures and structured paragraphs in a full draft.

Suggested pre-reading: https://perkin.web.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/perkin/documents/media/how_to_write.pdf

A session on the preparing for your first year viva covering key topics regarding what to expect during your viva and how to prepare for it.

A session on the preparing for your MPhil and/or PhD viva covering key topics regarding what to expect during your viva and how to prepare for it.

As part of our Characterisation Facilities training, Electron Microscopy Staff will be running small-group lab tours throughout the year on a sign-up basis. These sessions will include a live demonstration of the equipment using pre-prepared samples, covering essential theory and basic sample preparation techniques. The tours are designed to give you a practical introduction to the facility and provides an opportunity to ask questions specific to your own research needs. Materials Science department offer a comprehensive UG lecture series, covering in-depth theory of EM. To access, please contact postgraduate.education@ch.cam.ac.uk.

A workshop allowing students to put into practice reading skills and presenting skills learnt in earlier lectures. A paper on Green Chemistry: Principles and Practice will be provided. Each group is required to present an elevated pitch on one chosen principle of Green Chemistry. They will be required to research the principle and looking at further citations and work together. The material and group assignment will be provided, following registered interest.