College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Postgraduate Online Distance Learners Offer-holder eZine
July 2013
Investing in the student experience Also in this issue: • Research news • Online academic language courses • New students website
This eZine is designed for students who have an offer with The University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, to provide you with the latest College updates as well as further details on your journey to the University.
LATEST RESEARCH Scientists make key stem cell discovery Scientists have made a fundamental discovery about how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled. The study, by scientists at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, focuses on the process by which these cells renew and increase in number, and could help research to find new treatments. READ MORE
Study targets costly pig virus Hello, Congratulations on receiving an offer to study your online distance learning degree at The University of Edinburgh.
A fast mutating virus that affects pig herds and costs pork producers millions of pounds each year is being targeted by scientists. Researchers at The Roslin Insitute, at the University of Edinburgh, are working with Iowa State University, which has received a $3 million grant, to find ways to tackle porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. READ MORE
This eZine is designed to keep offer-holders informed of news from the College, as well as providing you with useful information related to postgraduate study here in Edinburgh. If you have any queries about any aspect of your application or programme of study, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best wishes,
Lauren Johnston-Smith Marketing and Communications Manager
Spotlight on child health Childhood deaths from diarrhoea and pneumonia could be eliminated in just over a decade, researchers say. University professors Harry Campbell and Igor Rudan from the Centre for Population Health Sciences say that with a little more investment around half of all child deaths in the world due to diarrhoea and pneumonia could be prevented by 2025. READ MORE
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Online Pre-sessional Academic Language course (OPAL): August-September 2013
In summer 2013, The University of Edinburgh is running a new online pre-sessional academic language course (OPAL) to help international online distance learning Masters students prepare for their programme of study. Places will be available, free of charge, to a maximum of 56 eligible students with English as a second language. READ MORE
Investing in the student experience The University is to invest £4 million over the next three years to enhance the student experience. The ongoing financial commitment will mean that students will benefit from as much support as possible from both staff and fellow students. The money will fund a variety of initiatives, including a strengthening of University-wide student services. Among the initiatives will be a new system of Personal Tutors, which will be rolled out this September for postgraduate taught students. Your Personal Tutor is a member of academic staff from your matriculated School, who is allocated to you at the beginning of the academic year. Their role is to: • help you to review your academic progress • provide opportunities for you to reflect on how your learning can help you pursue your future development • foster in you a sense of belonging to a community of learners Keep a look out in your student handbook for further information. Further information and resources (including FAQs) can be found HERE
The University of Edinburgh has a virtual online campus, Vue, delivered through the virtual world, SecondLife. Vue supports a variety of teaching, research and social activities. The virtual campus is also used for our virtual graduation ceremonies, which is projected live during our corresponding on-campus ceremonies We appreciate that SecondLife isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so it’s not formally used for teaching our online programmes. Some courses host optional tutorials and meet-ups there - the Vet School even has its own virtual stables and farm! If you are already a SecondLife user, or just want to try it out, then this is as good a place to start as any.
Preparing for Your Studies If you’ve not already checked out our website for new students then this is the time to do it. It covers all aspects of pre-arrival (or for distance learners, pre-programme-commencement!). Some of the information is for those relocating to Edinburgh, but there’s also plenty of resources for online students, including: • Support available to online students • Registering as a student • Welcome guide for online students • Accessing e-resources
EXPLORE POSTGRAD
All online students starting their programme in September are warmly invited to watch our College Postgraduate Induction onlibe. Watch it live or later when it suits you!
Live Stream: Monday 9 September 2013 at 10am.
I wish I had known…! on Facebook From where to get a haircut, to how to manage your deadlines, this handy Facebook page run by EUSA (Edinburgh University Student Association) is full of valuable tips from current students. You’ll have to login to Facebook to view this page
Contact Us If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at: Postgraduate Office, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/medicine-vet-medicine/postgraduate/contact-us