I'm starting a PhD a week tomorrow, and have heard about journal clubs - I think I have a vague idea of what these are, but could you give me more of an idea of what they are, how they work, etc etc? Thanks! :-)

In my opinion, yes, it matters a lot. These rankings usually take into account undergrad-relevant things such as %1st/2:1s, teaching staff:student ratios, and other more postgrad relevant things, such as library spend, research funding etc. However, while there will always be universities which are dire but have a couple of very good depts, and vice versa, I think the general tread is that better universities are higher up. It's no coincidence that Oxbridge and the Russell Group universities are at the top end, while those which are easy to get into, provide more vocational qualifications, and generally have lower entry requirements, are nearer the bottom.

That said, I think the Shanghai-Jiaotong ranking provides a better idea of research-only ranking, maybe more for sciences than arts (it allegedly weights science research above arts research).

That would be great if true, Laura. However, I heard it was from 12.3k to 12.6k (probably a cost of living increase).

I have heard that this is institution-dependent, but I was wondering how and when stipends are paid. I'm guessing it's either one month in advance, at the end of each month, or three months in advance, but I'd be interested to hear if there are variations in this. If it makes any difference, I'll be funded by the MRC.

Vagrant_fish, I've applied for three projects in total, and all three have entailed only one round of interviews. I would presume that, prior to that, there is some filtering depending on CVs, references etc. There probably are some PhDs with two or more rounds of interviews but, in my area at least, I've never come across them.

Two things - first, if mine is wrong, please please tell me, as (a) I don't want to mess someone's work up, and (b) it would get me to do more practice for my own stuff!

Also, lastsamurai, your method appears right. However, you suggest taking 5x10^-6ml of the stock. This is 5nl, and I don't know of any pipette which could accurately dispense such a small amount - I've only gone down to P2 pipettes in the past, which are only really accurate down to about 0.2ul, if that. I think...

My own method would be as follows (although it would be a bit easier to do if I knew what volumes of your final solutions you wanted). Anyway...

For the 1mM -- 50pM dilution, calculate that 1mM = 1,000,000,000pM. I'm not using standard form as it looks untidy on this. Anyway, you're therefore doing a 1 in 20,000,000 dilution. I've always been told that pippetting minute volumes isn't as accurate as adding extra steps, and also the exact way I'd do this depends on how much final volume you want. However, a suggestion is...

First, make up 10ul of your original 1mM solution to 100ml (in water, buffer, or whatever else you use), a 1 in 10,000 dilution, giving you a new conc of 100nM solution.

Then, take 50ul of this second solution, and make up to 100ml with your water/buffer/etc, a 1 in 2,000 dilution. You will then have a 100ml solution of concentration of 50pM (a final dilution from the original of 1 in (10,000 x 2,000) = 1 in 20,000,000.

Hey Sylvester, I was wondering the same as the OP, so thanks for that. And it's great to see that someone is enjoying it after a year - I really hope I'm in your position come 12 months' time!

"That is really worrying, I have to say. I wanted to do a PhD because I thought I would earn respect and recognition for my work - in this country."

I would love to think that this is the case, SoxonWhittle, but in reality, the best way to gain respect and recognition is to act like a vacuous bimbo/yob, drink too much, commit minor crime, take lots of hard drugs, revel in your ignorance, and generally act like an idiot. If you try to make something of yourself the proper way, you'll be cut down...

Part of the letter alludes to the real issue, and the real reason why the government is so keen to push people into university - they don't count as unemployed, and they can swell government coffers.

That's what you get when you have a government which can't make its mind up about its position, so just takes the worst parts of socialism and the worst parts of capitalism.

Hey DanT, I'm starting my PhD in a couple of weeks to, and have thought about the same question actually. Probably quite a similar area to yours too - good luck!!

Congratulations! I'm in the same position, so good luck to you

It's funny, because about three days ago, I had a chat with a friend who is a teacher and thinking of taking time off to do a PhD. According to him, a PhD isn't at all necessary to become a teacher, and may even put some employers off (apparently, they think PhDs know so much that they can't explain the basics in ways a schoolchild would understand). However, he said that, once you get a job, it's a lot easier to become head of department, and to climb the ladder further if you want. Also, I would expect that you might find it easier to gain a job at more "exclusive" schools with a PhD, if that's your wish.

Good question, Goods. I once posted on this and didn't receive a reply. I'm guessing it's not too easy!

Sourapple, if there's anything you can send them (within reason) that they haven't asked for, but that might help your application, then send it. Things I'm mean are copies of degree certificate, or even better an offical statement of your module results from your uni, if you think this would help. Maybe a CV or covering letter, as suggested previously, if you think these might work. Remember, you're trying to sell yourself to them, and as long as you are truthful, I don't think you have anything to lose