Ok, I have this presentation to do on Monday - which is why I'm here and not getting on with it! Its only for the department so not too high powered. The thing is I'd like to do something different rather than just ppt, or writing on the board. I'm about 4th and after the tea break. they want me to say something about my methods and methodology, but I think they need to understand the context of the work and want to make them sit up and take notice and not be just put to sleep - so- my daughter has made this diarama which I hope to use to enact the beginning of a Royal Institute lecture given by Faraday and present it via a small video clip, (this might sound odd, but she had produced similar things for assessed presentaions which have gone down really well)which together with his biography and other stuff will help put practical science work in schools in context. I have performed some small but spectacular practicals before, which went down well, but not this time. What do you think? Has anyone done this sort of thing?

Then I changed tack entirely and studied arts and crafts, later I taught adults (IT)whilst also working in a school (back to science), and I'm still there and doing my research part-time. I'm not looking to further my career which is quite busy enough, thank you! However I hope my research will run in parallel and actually be listened to by those who are making changes without thinking about the possible results.

Well I am much older than you lot, but then this is really my third, maybe fourth, career change. I worked for several years in a research position (science)where the qualifications were via the associations own progression scheme, and PhDs didn't come into it, highest qualification was fellowship which I obtained, and a lot of other training in and adapting of cutting edge technology to my particualr field (nowadays that work would have been suitable for writing up for a PhD, but then it was just done and I never even thought of doing that).

you could try a hospital, haematology might know, or a vets. Otherwise a company like Blades may be able to help, they provide all sorts of stuff, from rats to eyes and everything in between.

i would ignore it, don't send anything back, you may find you need support/help later on (maybe post PhD)from this person and being rude is just as unprofessional and may cause you more harm in the long run, academia is a small pool and everyone knows everyone else (or nearly so)so an adverse comment by this person could affect you more than him.

i don't know what your supervisor is involved in at the uni, that is with other teaching to do, but if like mine they lecture across the board, it is a very busy time for them with marking and suchlike. I would take anytihng said by others with a pinch of salt as you can't really tell who said what, but you could send another e-mail asking for some feedback. If you know he is dong other things as well, just start with 'I know this is a very busy timne for you, but i wonder if you have had time to look at the chapter I sent you, I would really appreciate your feedback so that I know I am heading in the right direction' kind of thing, be a bit humble, costs nothing but may make him inclined to look at it if he hasn't managed to do so yet!

What sort of blood?

I would just like to add.....WELL DONE!!!! Thanks for all the info too, it is good to know what sort of thing they ask. Hope you will still look kindly on the rext of us, and chip in occasionally. oh, and a quick WooHooo

May not be fair, but thats how it works sometimes. I've missed may personal deadline for getting something in because of someone not signing the form in time. check your uni rules, this should give you a timeline and show you where you should be. If they are talking amongst themselves perhaps you need to go in to sort things out?

I have several backups, and also e-mail myself the work. One thing I would say though is make sure you change the name of your save several times. In the last year a couple of times I have pressed 'save' only for a notice to come up saying that the work cannot be saved because it is invalid, and it has turned my precious work into gobbledygook. Thank heavens for regular savingand different names, at least I only lost a little bit, not the whole thing

This happens all the time doesn't it? I'm sure it happens to me because I'm not full time. I've waited three, getting on for four weeks now for one person to get back to my supervisor with comments on something that has to be in TODAY or it won't get looked at until September. Looks like it won't be getting in and I am sooo cross, others who are full time and getting funding are well on their way and I am just stuck waiting and I am paying for it myself, and what is more they know that I want to do a lot of work during the school hols as I have a very bust time coming up in September and won't have a lot of time to deal with other things.

i think it depends a bit on the uni,and also on the subject area and whether or not you are going for a funded place or are self-fundng. I had the prof of the dept, a senior lecturer and not sure of the title of the other one, but they were all from the dept, and I knew them from my MA days. It was formally informal if you see what I mean but quite rigorous, luckily I had done some extra reading by that stage which came in handy as I could bring in other bits and pieces.

I have just been told I am to give a seminar on the methods of my study. Has ANYONE got a succinct definition of these two things. Every time I think I have got them sorted I read something else which turns it on its head. One book I have just read says these two things are often confused - and then goes to write one of the most confusing explanations I have ever come across. (I've got away with it so far as I've just been taking notes and things, but this looks like its crunch time)

today I got a message from supervisor about some comments made by one of the other people, which I have answered, even though they were the questions I knew would be asked, but had to leave out because of the word count however person was not the right one, that person hasn't replied after getting the thing 3 weeks ago. He is the important one, and I can't get the thing in without his comment, so that means I'm going to have to wait until September! I am, shall we say disappointed.

I don't us 'I' because basically I'm not sure if my work warrants it yet! Think you have to be well up the tree to be able to use that in my area (education)and I'm used to using the 'it was noted that' kind of style. I wouldn't wnat to risk it as you never know if the examiner is going to approve.