
Arrival Checklist for New Postgraduate Students
October 2023
Task | Details | When to complete it |
---|---|---|
Complete University Registration | This is required to access your Cambridge email and collect IT passwords. Details are on the UIS website. | After admission is confirmed and registration email is received |
Complete the Demonstrating Sign Up Form |
You should have already received information about Demonstrating, and filled in a form with your information. If you haven't completed the form, please do so now. Demonstrating is a compulsory element of 1st and 2nd year PhD studies (except SynTech students**). **Demonstrating is optional for SynTech students due to commitments to an extensive training program but is highly recommended if your schedule allows and you are based in Chemistry for your PhD studies. |
By 3 September |
Collect University card for access to the Department |
Check your College's arrival information for details on how to collect your card. Your card should allow you limited access to the Department from the first Monday of October for induction attendance. Full access will be granted on completion of registration (see below). If your card does not allow you access to the induction from October, contact MifareAdmin [at] ch.cam.ac.uk or see Reception immediately. In order to maintain continuous access you must register by the end of 14 October. If registration is not completed within this timeframe you will lose access to the Chemistry Department |
On arrival |
Department Registration |
You will be sent a registration link by email by 1 October. Please complete your registration with 14 days of receiving the link. For any information you do not know, please wait until you have been inducted in your research group. Students currently registered with the Department as MPhil/visitor status will not be required to register again. We will create a new record for you. |
1-14 October |
Safety Training with Quiz |
Your Department Safety training will be accessible from the registration link. There is a general Safety training course with Quiz that everyone must complete and second link with further training and a second quiz for experimentalists. In order to complete your registration and gain access to the Chemistry labs you need to get 80% or more on the relevant quiz(zes). |
1-14 October |
Photo | As part of the Department Registration, our Repographics Team will take your photo. You should book a time slot online during the registration process. | 1-14 October |
Lab Management Induction |
You should arrange this with your Lab Manager. If you do not have a lab, please ask you supervisor if there is any other relevant induction you need to attend. |
1-14 October |
University Safety Course |
In addition to the Department saftey training, you are also required to complete University Safety training. It can be accessed online here. |
1-14 October |
Fire Training |
All postgraduate students must complete the online fire training. You should also complete the fire safety awareness and use of fire extinguishers training. Live sessions with availability will be circulated during the year. |
1-14 October |
Attend Induction |
The main Induction day will be the 3 October 2023. You should attend all events on this day. The Induction timetable can be found here. |
3 October |
Read the Code of Practice for research students |
Please familiarise yourself with the Code of Practice for research students. You, your Supervisor and Academic Mentor are expected to sign a copy of this Code, in order to confirm that you have read it and discussed its content. |
1-31 October |
Submit your Finance details |
If the Department is covering your maintenance payments, you will be contacted by the Academic Secretary about sending your bank details in the coming weeks. Further information about other payments eg for demonstrating, will be given at the Induction. |
1-7 October |
Add the PG Calendar |
There is an Outlook calendar with all training and events that you will be given access to. Please check your access and either add the whole calendar or individual events to your Outlook so that you are always aware of what is coming up. |
1-4 October |
Sign up to compulsory courses |
At induction you will be given a list of Compulsory courses together with signup links (also available here). Please ensure that you have signed up for these, informed your PI and added the dates to your diary. We also have a wide range of courses we would highly recommend. Please sign up to these as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Links will be available at Induction. |
1-31 October |
iProc training | Email keycontacts [at] ch.cam.ac.uk to be registered for iProc training. | 1-31 October |
Meet with your supervisor |
You should meet with your supervisor on arrival. It is important to keep open communication with them about the courses you need and want to attend. We suggest discussing this and asking if there are courses they would recommend for your particular project. |
1-31 October |
Contact your Academic Mentor |
You will be assigned an Academic Mentor within your first few weeks in Department. Please look out for this communication. This will be someone from your RIG who does not provide formal supervision but acts as a point of contact for academic advice. Once you receive the details, make contact with your mentor to introduce yourself. |
On receipt of mentor information from PG Team |
Check your visa responsibilities (if applicable) |
If you are on a student visa, make sure you are aware of your responsibilities by checking the International Office website. |
1-14 October |
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the Postgraduate Education Team. We will be available to meet in person from the date of induction or are contactable by email, phone or on MS Teams during office hours.