Each year the student body elects, in advance of the first meeting (see Terms of Reference), representatives to the Student/Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC). This provides a forum for discussion about the nature and quality of the programmes and modules as well as any problems that might arise.
Elected representatives are expected to inform themselves about matters of general concern to the student body and to represent these views at the committee meetings. Minutes of these meetings are prepared and will be displayed on the Student Notice Board. Two student representatives (the SSLC Chair, and one other chosen from among themselves) attend and report to the School Meeting. In addition, one of the representatives is elected to serve on the School Teaching Committee. All these committees provide an opportunity for students to inform themselves about the facets involved in running the School and to express their views on matters that directly concern them. (See also the relevant University Code of Good Practice.)
Unanticipated problems affecting the first cohort of students taking the radiography programme (B821) are likely to arise more frequently than is normal for an established programme. Therefore, during the start-up period, a separate Radiography Working Group, reporting to the full SSLC, will deal the programme-specific issues in the first instance.
During the year, the University's Module And Course Evaluation (MACE) system will be used to enable students to provide their views upon the quality of the teaching provision by completing on-line questionnaires. Students are encouraged to take this exercise seriously by participating, giving considered answers to the structured questions and making constructive responses in the free-format sections. The general rule is that there should be one set of questionnaires for each module, irrespective of how many instructors share the module or of how many students attend the module. (It is possible for the instructor to negotiate exceptions to this, subject to the prior agreement of the Chair of Teaching Committee, if there is a particularly compelling reason.)
The analysed results of these questionnaires are used to inform the Annual Monitoring and Review process.
Students' views on how things are going should be sought when a module is approximately 20% through. This consultation is important as can help to avoid later problems. An overhead projector transparency has been designed (lecturers can borrow copy from School Student Services office) to stimulate students into providing brief written comments on any difficulties that they may be experiencing.
Tutorials provide a valuable communication channel between students and instructors. Students can raise any matter of concern about the teaching or management of the School with their Tutor. Instructors will often ask tutors for feedback about how students are handling particular modules. (See also the Guidelines for Tutorials.)
All students studying in the School of Physics, are encouraged to join, and participate in the running and activities of, either PhysSoc or the Medical Imaging Society. These societies are sponsored by the Guild (the Student Union) and there will be an opportunity to join during the 'Welcome Week' period.