Type of training

There are a wide range of courses and activities that can contribute to your total required 180 hours of postgraduate training. Below are some suggested activities.

Specific training

Research methods module in the first semester of registration
Researcher Development Team courses
Elective MSc level modules (e.g. 2580032 Spatial Analysis (PDF , 302kb) or languages)
Environment Careers club or Biology Coffee and careers meetings
Research workshops
Specific research methods courses (e.g. statistical analysis with SPSS, Data processing, presentation and analysis in R)
Generic training/skill development (e.g. first aid training and other life skills)
Attendance of external seminars/workshops
Research related activities (e.g. Assistant editing of journals/books)

Team based projects

Science in Schools - a group of students could work together to produce an afternoon's workshop and activity session for school children. Schools that could potentially be involved are the Wheldrake and Copmanthorpe primaries, and the Fulford School.
York College Science Club - there would also be the opportunity to conduct similar activities at York College (at further and higher education level) - there is an existing Science Club programme that runs in June and July.
Turning Science into Policy - an opportunity to get involved in the City of York Council environmental initiatives. Opportunities for projects in 2008 include work on the Ecodepot (web site development, environmental education or monitoring strategies), the Council's Tree or Climate Change Strategies. All of these projects would involve initial research, workshops with different stakeholder groups, presentations to public and private bodies, liaison with different organisations (small and large businesses, emergency services, agencies), identifying sources of additional funding for policy implementation, and drafting sections for input into policy documents. There are also opportunities for educational activities to support the Climate Change Strategy. The Council will provide assistance through regular meetings with the student groups.
Fund for student proposed activities - a fund of £3000 has been set up for student designed outreach activities. Students submit costed proposals for own ideas for team based outreach or dissemination activities. (e.g. organising a workshop or mini-conference, or contributing to a national event such as the BA Festival of Science). Initiatives must have clear training/learning and development focus, and be link explicitly to the UK Research Councils' Joint Skills statement. Topics may either be specific research areas, or broader issues. Successful applicants must submit a short evaluation report on the training initiative, after the event has taken place.
A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for postgraduate training - A team of students could work together to identify how a VLE could best support postgraduate training in the department. A survey of the existing uses of the VLE could be conducted, generating suggestions for content and structure. There is specific training available centrally in the use of the VLE. Collaboration with Hilary Jones (Skills Development Co-ordinator, Biology) would be important, with the aim that a cross-departmental VLE could be developed.

Community involvement and teaching

Demonstrating
Tutoring
Working with community groups
Volunteering work (e.g. conservation, counselling)
Organising workshops/conferences
Outreach activities (e.g. Festival of Science or Science in Schools)
Assisting in Schools/community centres (e.g. Scouts or Guides groups)
Sports coaching