Information for Natural Sciences Freshers

Hi,

This section of the Natural Sciences web site is for those of you who have been met the conditions of their offer and been accepted for Natural Sciences at Durham for entry in October 2012.

You will be arriving in Durham on Sunday 30th September 2012 and you start your lectures on Monday 8th October 2012. Those days are very busy and in order that you can be inducted into your main science department(s) you should make tentative choice of modules before you arrive in Durham. Once I have received your tentative module choices via the web form which is further on in these web pages, I will look at your selection and comment on it from the point of view of what options this choice will give you at the end of your first year. Please allow some time for me to get back to you about this, so that you can settle on a choice by Thursday 21st September 2012.

Induction (which includes registration) takes place between Monday 1st and Friday 5th October

Note that your module choices will determine your induction programme (check back in the week before term starts for more information such as the overarching webpage which informs you of the rooms being used. Links to individual departments/schools induction plans can be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/welcome.  The University has three slots on Monday and Tuesday in Departments and our plan was based on having two streams for students majoring in two subjects (Maths-Physics-Chemistry) and (Psychology-Biology-Chemistry.)

If you have chosen your modules already

• Why haven't my modules been approved? This could be because Departments are waiting to see you or that there is a problem with your choices. Wait until at least Thursday morning before you take action because that will give time for Departments to register you and for me to contact you at your Durham email address if there is a problem. The registration sessions above are designed as surgeries for students to resolve their choices.
• How can I get overarching academic advice? During induction week, my door is open all week 09:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00. In normal term-time I operate an open door policy every day 8:45-13:00, except Wednesday when it is 11:00-14:00.  Note that I need to keep afternoons clear. My room is at CG307A - top floor of the Chemistry Department.
• How can I get subject specific academic advice? For Science subjects you will be given an advisor where you take at least two modules in that subject - this might take a couple of weeks to happen as you need registration to go through. In addition Liaison Officers can offer expert for Natural Sciences students (not just in Science).
• What happens if I want to change my modules once I am registered? You need to figure out a set of modules which satisfy the rules I apply (see Section 3 of the Handbook) and then a paper Change of Registration Form which can be collect from CG307A (or any good Department) where the process will be explained.  You don't need to see me in person and I will check that all changes adhere to the rules.
• If I have got a general question what should I do? Go to DUO > Natural Sciences Info and browse. If you can't find the answer there come and talk to me in CG307A (see above.)
• If I missed the introductory talk, what should I do? Read the slides (pptx | pdf) and engage with the induction activities going on in Departments. Then there were the slides from the Careers talk bt CEEC

If you have yet to select your modules

Follow the instructions on how to choose your modules and if you have any queries, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. The degree programme is complicated so don't worry if you have any difficulties, just give me a ring and I will try and explain the system ! It is easier if you ring me rather than email me!

I have built a page of reading lists for the core modules in the subjects that contribute to the Natural Sciences degree programme. This page is here

Move to the Step 1 of module selection

Best wishes

James Blowey 
Deputy Head of Faculty

Natural Sciences web site
Tel: 0191 334 1014

For more information about the Natural Sciences degree programme, please contact:

Dr. James Blowey
Deputy Head of Faculty
Faculty of Science Office
Level 3 Chemistry Building
Durham University
DH1 3LE
UK

Tel: 0191 334 1014
Fax: 0191 334 1018
Email: natural.sciences-director@durham.ac.uk

WWW: Natural Sciences home page

The Natural Sciences web pages are maintained by James Blowey