Allocation of teaching
Allocation of teaching in Biochemistry
We aim to ensure consistency and continuity in the delivery of all courses in Biochemistry, but also provide opportunities for innovation and change. To achieve this goal, it is vital that UTOs are engaged in all aspects of our teaching, including course organisation, delivery of lectures, and examining.
Outline of teaching responsibilities to be allocated
| Part I Teaching | Part II/III Teaching |
| Part I lectures | Part II Lectures |
| Part I Practical teaching | Part II Workshops – e.g. Bioinformatics |
| Part I Small Group Teaching – e.g. Journal Clubs, Experimental Design Sessions, Problem Based Learning (PBLs) etc. | Part II Lectures |
| Part III Workshops – e.g. Bioinformatics | |
| Part II/III Peer Group Leaders/Participants | |
| Postgrad teaching will be under auspices of Director of PG Teaching/PG Committee but also needs to be considered. For instance, UTOs are typically asked to take the responsibility for leading either a Post-graduate Peer Research Group (PRG) or a Part II or III Peer Group. Allocation to these tasks is generally by rotation. | |
Annual Allocation of Teaching
- Course Organisers to liaise with Director of Teaching (DoT)/Deputy Director of Teaching (dDoT) to discuss proposed changes/needs.
- DoT/dDoT to finalise changes in teaching allocation and to update timetables. Changes will take into account sabbatical cover, changes to courses, new staff etc.. Teaching allocation will take overall workload into consideration, using Biochemistry WAMS (Workload Allocation Management System, Simitive ).
- Director of Teaching brings to April Teaching Committee draft timetables and proposals, along with any other proposals for allocation of teaching duties/administration.
- Once approved by Teaching Committee, staff are expected to fulfil the allocated duties
- Allocated duties will be communicated to individual staff members electronically using WAMS (implemented October 2021).
allocation of other Teaching Roles
Additional teaching roles are allocated to UTOs within the Department, typically on a rotational basis. This ensures equitable distribution of responsibility for all academic staff, whilst also taking into account prior experience, other commitments, workload, sabbatical leave, lectures etc.
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Examining Responsibilities
UTOs will be allocated to examining roles according to the departmental rota, which is updated by the Director of Teaching/Assistant Director of Teaching. The rota includes examination of courses in the NST/MST/VST that are ‘owned’ by Biochemistry or shared by multiple departments within SBS. Also included are other examining tasks that are shared between departments across SBS (e.g. Chair of Senior Examiners for Part II & 1B and for Part IA).
- UTOs are generally assigned to a specific examining role for a three-year stint, where they will be Senior Examiner during their second year.
- UTOs will typically be asked to examine a different course in successive stints, thereby ensuring a broad understanding of both courses and examination processes.
- UTOs are generally appointed as Assistant Chair of Senior Examiners/Chair of Senior Examiners for a 4-year term, where they are the Chair of Senior Examiners during the second and third years.
Course Organisation
UTOs will be asked to take on the responsibility of being Course Organiser for a course delivered by Biochemistry or a shared course within SBS.
- Allocation to the role of Course Organiser for each course will generally be for a 3-4 year term.
- Course Organisers will work closely with the Director of Teaching/Assistant Director of Teaching and will be supported by the Undergraduate Teaching Administrator
