Welcome to The School of Plant Biology The University of Western Australia

Welcome to UWA

• Your first few weeks at UWA will be hectic, exciting and probably a bit daunting. But don’t worry, we are here to help! • Both the University and the School provide a variety of support services that will assist you as you become part of the university community.

• We are all here to help, so please don’t be afraid to ask, even about the simplest things!

• If you need a Buddy to help you or are located off campus, let the School Manager know (2541).

• All UWA phone extensions given here start with 6488!

About this presentation

• Provide information about the City, University, Faculty and the School • Identify contact details, resources and support available to you from the University and the School • You get this information in the “Welcome to Plant Biology” document • You can access all links and URLs also at

http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au

/

About UWA

• UWA is a member of “Group Of Eight” Universities • One Of Australia’s Top Research-intensive Universities • 18,252 Undergraduates • 4,167 Postgraduates • 18% International Students • 3,091 Academic and General Staff • Budget of over A$573 million

At

UWA

we have Nobel Prize Winners!!

• Also the Highest Entry Standards for Undergraduate Science Courses in Australia

UWA promotes a healthy lifestyle in a culturally diverse environment

• Excellent sports, fitness and recreation facilities in a multicultural environment • Medical & religious facilities on campus • LACE: Language & Cultural Exchange • Code of ethics that that advocates equity and justice, respect for people, personal and professional responsibility

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS)

• Ranks in top 50 of world agriculture faculties* •Research Intensive Faculty • More than 300 staff •Over 850 students • 25% postgraduates •Four Schools •Several Centres *Evans, D.J. & White, D.W. (2002). Australian Universities classification by research quality: a question of concentration and quality.

Institute of Agriculture Centre for Land Rehabilitation National Cooperative Research Centre for Future Farm Industries Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis (CMCA)

School of Plant Biology

Western Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative Canola Breeders Western Australia Pty Ltd Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture

Welcome to the School of Plant Biology

• Over 85 staff & 95 postgraduate researchers from all over the world • Annual budget of nearly $14 million, with research income over $8.5 million in 2007 • Over 100 papers in refereed journals annually • Academics among 0.5% on the ISI Highly Cited Researchers list in plant biology worldwide* * Institute for Scientific Information, http://isihighlycited.com

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Welcome to the School of Plant Biology (Contd.) Excellence in three key research areas

• Conservation Biology • Crop Science • Marine and Estuarine Science

University Support & Facilities

After enrolment you must

• Activate your Student Pheme account • Get your ID from Student Administration • Activate your email account • See the Current Student site for “i

point

” “navigate UWA” & “Student Connect” • Learn about Amenities and services fee • See Student Charter of Rights and Responsibilities

UWA Orientation Programmes

• Attend the Graduate Research School Welcome (6488 2807) on 10 th march 2008 • Attend International Student Orientation (6488 2299) on 25 th Feb 2008 • If you need a special or disability orientation then contact 6488 2423.

• Attend School Safety Induction on 5 th March

Graduate Research School Resources

• See the Graduate Research School (GRS) site for the latest policies, guidelines and training programmes •Bookmark the Scholarships site for useful information •International students must visit the International Centre’s website •See Events organised by the GRS •Access FAQ to get answers

University Support and Facilities

• Postgraduate Students Association • Research Resources • Travel Funding and Insurance • Access to FIRST • Student Guild • Counselling Services

Support and Facilities (Contd.)

• Training in Generic Skills • Paper and Grant Writing Workshops • Help with Statistics • Thesis seminars • Research Writing Skills • Grievance Resolution procedures • Presenting your Research

Support and Facilities (Contd.)

Need Housing and Loans?

• Postgraduate Accommodation • Housing Officer (6488 3547) • Find out about Housing Presentations • University Student Loan (6488 3547) • Student Guild Loans (6488 2295) • Centre link Benefits (6488 2295)

GRS Contacts

• Dr Sato Juniper Manager GR&S (3034) [email protected]

• Dr Krystyna Haq Graduate Education Officer Science (3783) [email protected]

School Contacts & Support

Who can you approach for Information and assistance?

Head of School

Professor Hans Lambers

(7381) [email protected]

Postgraduate Representative

Ms. Foteini Hassiotou [email protected]

Deputy Head of School

A/Professor Gary Kendrick (3998) [email protected]

Postgraduate Representative

Mr.

Ghazi Abu Rumman [email protected]

School Manager

Dr Renu Sharma

(2541) [email protected]

Botany Honours Coordinator

Dr Patrick Finnegan

(8546) [email protected]

Postgraduate Coordinator

Professor Hans Lambers

(7381) [email protected]

Marine Science Coordinator

Assoc/Professor Robert Black

(2232) [email protected]

Who to contact for Administrative Matters Dr Renu Sharma

School Manager (2541) [email protected]

Mrs. Pandy Du Preez

Administrative Officer (Finance) (3863) [email protected]

Mrs. Maja Milosevic

Accounts and Purchasing Officer (2542) [email protected]

Ms. Kirsten Frost

Administrative Assistant (2206) [email protected]

Mrs. Rany Schnell

Personal Assistant (1782) [email protected]

Safety and Health

School Safety Officer Renu Sharma [email protected]

Biological Safety Officer Patrick Finnegan [email protected]

Safety & Health Representative Greg Cawthray [email protected]

Field Safety Officer Hai Ngo [email protected]

Radiation Safety Officer Guijun Yan [email protected]

Field Safety Officer Greg Cawthray [email protected]

Dive Officer, Christy Kistner [email protected]

Chemical Safety Officer Greg Cawthray, [email protected]

PG Safety Representative Need one Now!

School Support

Need $$$? The School allocates •$2,500 p.a. for research operations for 3 years if you do not have access to any operating funds •$1500 towards a new computer and a one-off $500 for travel •For budget allocation fill the budget sheet to access funds •You & your supervisor will be responsible to manage your budget •Any over expenditure will be borne by your supervisor & not the School!!

School Support (Contd.)

• You are encouraged to create your own PG website • You may like to attend School Seminars on Monday afternoons (3700) and marine seminars on Wednesday(2416) • Contact Pandy on 3863 for software • Analytical Instruments: Greg(1789) • Glasshouses: Leon (2549) • Any policies & other information (2541)

Contact Kirsten Frost on Ext: 2206

• Entry keys and access to the building • Code for Photocopier/Fax • Allocation of Room/lab and Work Station • Included in School Email List • Basic Stationery and University Map • Information about the internal mail delivery system • Location of School Safety Guidelines • ID Card from the Student Administration

Need Glasshouse & Field Station Facilities? Contact: Mr. Leon Hodgson

Chief Glasshouse Technician (8549) [email protected]

Mr Stephen Mole

Technician (Horticulture) (2202) [email protected]

Mr. David Gaze

Glasshouse Assistant (2571) [email protected]

Mr. Michael Blair

Field Station 9387 3384 [email protected]

Computer Support & Computer Labs

Ms Davorka Sudac-Rengel (3416) Mr. Sean Grosse (1813) Mr. Alan Mullet (1652), Mr. Crispin Stewart (3416) Computer Support email : [email protected]

Undergraduate Computer Laboratories

South Lab - located in the Zoology Building (20 machines) East Lab - located alongside Botany Annex I (36 Machines) Central Lab - located in the Agriculture North Wing (36 machines) North Lab – located in the Geography Building (30 machines)

Want to Book a Vehicle or Vessel?

Contact

Mrs. Maja Milosevic

Rm. G17 Ext 2542 in Botany Building for: Vehicles, Data Projector, Digital Camera, Satellite Phone and Botany Seminar Room

Using the Ezybook system. Maja to set up your account!

Contact the School Dive Officer, Ms. Christy Kistner (2205) [email protected]

Before Using the School Boat and Before Diving Make Sure You Read the Dive Safety Policy

Your PhD

Safety Induction

•Complete the Lab Safety Induction Checklist •Register with Greg (1789) for School Specific Safety Induction & for the UWA Four Wheel Drive Course •Make sure your supervisor nominates you for the lab safety course run by UWA Safety Office •If you work with radio isotopes or gene technology then enrol for these courses with Safety Office

Good Supervision

• You have access to good supervision. See the Good Supervision guidelines • Schedule regular meetings with your supervisor • Discuss your research and logistic requirements • Find our about the reports that you need to provide to Graduate Research school • For further discussions contact PG Research Coordinator [email protected]

• Give Feedback on supervision!

Ensure Quality of Your PhD Research Projects

• Regular meetings with supervisor • 6-month progress report – thesis proposal • Annual presentation at the Postgraduate Summer School • Annual report to the Dean of the Postgraduate Research School • Supervisory teams (2-3 supervisors) and the PG Coordinator

Attend Plant Biology Postgraduate Summer School

• Held in February each year • Coordinated by students and hosted by the School and no cost to students • Presentations by all postgraduates • Invited international guest speakers • Lectures about how to write a publication, biometrics, equity and diversity • Important social function and great beaches!

• Prize for best post-graduate presentations

Social Events

• School Friday morning tea at 10.30 AM in Faculty common room every week • Socialise at the Rottnest Postgraduate Summer School in February • International Lunch in June • Postgraduate Barbecue in June and December • Christmas Party in December • Your suggestions are welcome!