Teaching and demonstrating by postgraduate students for the School of Biomedical Sciences
A component of a full-time PhD student's training in the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS)at Newcastle University may include the provision of undergraduate teaching as a seminar leader and/or practical demonstrator for the School of Biomedical Sciences. This document outlines FMSGraduateSchool policy on postgraduate students teaching undergraduates.
- Teaching and demonstrating by postgraduate students for the School of Biomedical Sciences will be in accordance with the requirements stated in the NewcastleUniversity document “Good Practice in Provision for Doctoral Students” (Section 11), as below:
While their principal status is that of registered student, full-time doctoral students undertake paid teaching and demonstrating jobs with the agreement of their main supervisor (which should not be unreasonably withheld). Opportunities to take on a particular job must be made fairly available to those doctoral students with the necessary knowledge, competence (including English language competence), skills and availability to undertake it.
Doctoral students can expect to receive free training for undertaking these jobs. Such training may be required[1]. They should be provided with the necessary resources to undertake the teaching or demonstrating, and should not be expected to purchase these resources themselves.
Doctoral students undertaking such jobs will be under the direct supervision of a named member of academic staff who will retain ultimate responsibility for the quality of the learning and teaching which takes place. The nominated member of academic staff will:
• Ensure that the doctoral student has received the appropriate training and any guidance necessary[2].
• Ensure that the doctoral student has adequate materials, resources and equipment to discharge the teaching function appropriately.
• Observe the doctoral student and provide constructive feedback on his/her teaching etc as appropriate.
• Moderate marking and assessment carried out by the doctoral student as appropriate[3].
A Doctoral student undertaking teaching/demonstrating duties may not undertake any teaching or assessment of immediate peers, nor may he/she undertake marking or assessment of any student’s work without mechanisms for moderation by a member of academic staff being in place.
A Doctoral student undertaking such a job can expect to receive a letter from the HR Section of the University appointing them to undertake post graduate teaching and demonstrating duties, as a postgraduate demonstrator, on an occasional basis, and outlining the hourly rates of pay. In addition each student will receive a role profile describing the activities that a postgraduate demonstrator may be asked to undertake. Prior to undertaking such work, the School will ensure that the Doctoral student is informed of the specific duties to be undertaken, including the total hours that they are expected to work, taking full account of realistic time for preparation and for marking, where required, and with reference to the role profile. Such opportunities for demonstrating duties will vary from School to School and should not be relied on in advance as a guaranteed source of income. The number of hours worked in this way may also be subject to restrictions set by Research Councils, sponsors and/or HM Immigration Service.
- The document “Good Practice in Provision for Doctoral Students”states that each student undertaking teaching or demonstrating duties should be provided with a role profile (see above). This requirement is met in the School of Biomedical Sciences by providing each student involved in these duties with a copy of the School of Biomedical Sciences Demonstrating Handbook.
- PhD students in the fourth year of a course funded for three years may undertake teaching and demonstrating duties if they are registered as FULL-TIME students.
- Students may only undertake teaching and demonstrating duties on completion of the appropriate sections of Part 1 of the course “Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education”, run by the Staff Development Unit. Students wishing to demonstrate in practical classes must attend the section of the course (2 days) “Teaching through Demonstrating/Practical Teaching”. Students wishing to lead seminars/tutorials must attend the section of the course (2 days) “Seminars and Discussions”. Individuals with previous, relevant experience may apply for an exception to this requirement. In addition to the generic training, demonstrators are also required to attend briefing sessions in relation to specific classes.
- Supervisors and students should note that undertaking teaching and demonstrating duties, and attendance at the appropriate courses,contributes towards training, as outlined in the document “Good Practice in Provision for Doctoral Students” (Section 3), as below:
Each doctoral student will be offered a training programme covering the specific skills and knowledge needed for the agreed research project, and generic skills and competencies associated with his/her personal and career development, in line with the Research Councils’ training requirements. Fulfilment of any training requirement will be monitored through the student’s Research Training Portfolio and will be discussed at the regular progress panels. Doctoral students are expected to participate in the research culture of the University, including membership of research groups, where appropriate. They should be invited to seminars, special lectures and internal conferences relevant to their study. Where appropriate, they will have the opportunity to attend, and may be required to attend, modules at Masters’ level relevant to their study.
[1] Note that training is a requirement for teaching and demonstrating for the School of Biomedical Sciences (see Section 4 of this document).
[2] In the School of Biomedical Sciences, this requirement is met centrally, on behalf of the Board of Studies, by Louise Campbell working under Dr Nick Morris.
[3] In the School of Biomedical Sciences, academics responsible for specific sessions must provide a clear marking scheme to all postgraduate students who are required to carry out marking.