Essential Information for New International Students
Monday 17 – Friday 21 September daily between 16.30–17.00 Devonport Lecture Theatre, Portland Square
This session is delivered by the International Student Advice (ISA) team and is an opportunity for new international students to meet the team and learn about the services they deliver. During this session the team will provide you with essential information designed to help you to settle in to living and studying in Plymouth. They will also advise you of your tier 4 visa responspibilities and answer any questions you may have related to your visa. There is no need to book in advance, you can just turn up.
Medical information – Please read and action urgently
As soon as you have completed online enrolment, please ensure that you complete the online medical questionnaire. You will find the questionnaire at: https://s3.plymouth.ac.uk/s3. Alternatively, you can scroll down on the induction web page where you will see a link for the Medical Questionnaire (You must complete online enrolment first). The information is required solely to enable organisers of field courses, lab work and other activities you may undertake to be alerted to any special requirements or precautions which may be necessary.
Monday 17 September 2018
11.30–12.30 Diving Options – Jill Craigie Lecture Theatre, Roland Levinsky Building
Keiron Fraser
Attend this meeting if you want to know more about the excellent opportunities for diving during your course. We will discuss the practicalities of completing the HSE Professional SCUBA as part of the course and the optional Diving Science module.
12.30–13.00 University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) Registration - UPIC, 15 Portland Villas
Drew Kearney
An introduction to the University of Plymouth International College.
13.00–14.00 - Welcome Party Wristband Collection – Room 605, Rolle Building
You will need to collect your wristband in order to attend your Welcome Party19.00–21.30 Welcome Party - Graduation Marquee Plymouth Hoe
The Welcome Party is your opportunity to meet informally with other students new to The Faculty of Science and Engineering as well as some current students and your academic staff.
Additionally, the evening includes a welcome drink and nibbles, entertainment and a raffle for all attendees with an iPad to be won on the night.
Tuesday 18 September 2018
10.00–10.30 Welcome Meetings – Coxside Marine Station, Room CMS103 – 103a
Meet your course mates and the marine biology subject group team. (Note that it takes about 20 minutes to walk from campus See map
10.00–11.00 Coffee and Cakes
11.00–12.30 Introduction to your Degree Course – Coxside Marine Station, Room CMS103 – 103a
Your Programme Leader will introduce you to the School, the structure of your degree at Plymouth, and important practical information about timetables etc. You will probably have many questions about the course and approaches to study. You will be provided with a Student Handbook that you should study carefully and bring to all further sessions.
14.00–16.00 Team Activity – Room 209, Davy Building
Get to know your course mates while working in a team to solve a classification problem.
Wednesday 19 September 2018
Any time between 9.00–16.00 University Card Collection - Room 015, Ground Floor, Smeaton Building
Your card is used for entry to the Library, some room entry, handing in coursework etc. You must complete online enrolment and upload a photo prior to attending this session. You will need to bring identification with you to this session. The preferred form of identification is a valid current passport. Please refer to our University Card Collection web page for further details.
NB: If you already have a card i.e. because you were previously a student on another course or at a Partner College, you do not need to attend this session.
14.00–15.00 Introduction to the Library – Room 018, Rolle Building
A short presentation from your subject librarian introducing you to the facilities and services of the University library.
Thursday 20 September 2018
10.00–12.00 Introduction to Marine Biology and the Plymouth Plus Modules – Lecture Theatre 2, Roland Levinsky Building
This will be followed by a QI style quiz - your chance to find out how much you know about marine biology before you start the course, with, Prizes!
12.00–13.00 Lecture on Field Work – Room 410, Babbage Building
Clare Embling and Kerry Howell
14.00–17.00 Laboratory Skills Workshop - Room 702 and Labplus, Davy Building
This session provides you with an opportunity to test your command of some basic practical and laboratory skills, such as observation, handling, measurement, and analysis. Prizes!
Friday 21 September 2018
11.30 Introductory Field Trip - Meet at the Mayflower Steps in the Barbican area of Plymouth
We will leave at 11.30 prompt – don’t be late! A boat will take us to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park just across Plymouth Sound on the Cornish side of the Tamar estuary. Here, you will have a brief introduction to the key features of Plymouth Sound and we will spend time examining some of the marine life on the seashore. Afterwards, you can explore the country park on some of the excellent walking trails or relax with fellow students and staff over lunch. You can choose to take your own snack lunch or buy reasonably priced food and drink at a café or pub. You make your own way back to Plymouth on the Cremyll ferry (cost £1.50) which leaves from the Edgcumbe Arms pub and docks close to the west end of Union Street in Plymouth (about 20-30 minutes’ walk to the University).
Please ensure that you have read the fieldwork section in the Safety Handbook and that you come with Wellington boots or other suitable footwear for working on the beach, plus warm, waterproof clothing.