#maynooth-university — Public Fediverse posts

After Lectures but before Examinations

This morning I did my last teaching session of the Academic Year 2025-6, an informal revision lecture/tutorial on Computational Physics. It was optional, for the students, as this is officially a study break, and was at 9am, and only a handful of students showed up, but I hope those that did found it useful. As is often the case with optional sessions, I think the students who came were the keenest and probably therefore those who least needed last-minute tips for the examination, but that’s always the way.

In the past such revision classes have been routine, at least for me, but for some reason the University has taken to locking most of the teaching rooms during the study break. This causes huge problems finding a space to do revision sessions. I really don’t understand this. There are constant complaints from students about the lack of study space, and the response from the University is that right before the examinations they lock dozens of empty rooms.

Anyway, the Examination Period starts tomorrow morning, Friday15th, but most of the students who turned up this morning have their first examination on Tuesday 19th May (which happens to be Computational Physics).

take the opportunity to wish all students the best for their examinations:

You shouldn’t really be relying on luck of course, so here are some tips (especially for physics students, but applicable elsewhere).

1. Try to get a good night’s sleep before the examination and arrive in plenty of time before the start. Spending all night cramming is unlikely to help you do well.
2. Prepare well in advance so you’re relaxed when the time comes.
3. Read the entire paper before starting to answer any questions. In particular, make sure you are aware of any supplementary information, formulae, etc, given in the rubric or at the end. You can always ask for log tables if there’s something you can’t remember.
4. Start off by tackling the question you are most confident about answering, even if it’s not Question 1. This will help settle any nerves. You’re under no obligation to answer the questions in the order they are asked.
5. Don’t rush! Students often lose marks by making careless errors. In particular, check all your working out, including numerical results obtained your calculator, at least twice
6. Please remember the UNITS!
7. Don’t panic! You’re not expected to answer everything perfectly. A first-class mark is anything over 70%, so don’t worry if there are bits you can’t do. If you get stuck on a part of a question, don’t waste too much time on it (especially if it’s just a few marks). Just leave it and move on. You can always come back to it later.

After Lectures but before Examinations

This morning I did my last teaching session of the Academic Year 2025-6, an informal revision lecture/tutorial on Computational Physics. It was optional, for the students, as this is officially a study break, and was at 9am, and only a handful of students showed up, but I hope those that did found it useful. As is often the case with optional sessions, I think the students who came were the keenest and probably therefore those who least needed last-minute tips for the examination, but that’s always the way.

In the past such revision classes have been routine, at least for me, but for some reason the University has taken to locking most of the teaching rooms during the study break. This causes huge problems finding a space to do revision sessions. I really don’t understand this. There are constant complaints from students about the lack of study space, and the response from the University is that right before the examinations they lock dozens of empty rooms.

Anyway, the Examination Period starts tomorrow morning, Friday15th, but most of the students who turned up this morning have their first examination on Tuesday 19th May (which happens to be Computational Physics).

take the opportunity to wish all students the best for their examinations:

You shouldn’t really be relying on luck of course, so here are some tips (especially for physics students, but applicable elsewhere).

1. Try to get a good night’s sleep before the examination and arrive in plenty of time before the start. Spending all night cramming is unlikely to help you do well.
2. Prepare well in advance so you’re relaxed when the time comes.
3. Read the entire paper before starting to answer any questions. In particular, make sure you are aware of any supplementary information, formulae, etc, given in the rubric or at the end. You can always ask for log tables if there’s something you can’t remember.
4. Start off by tackling the question you are most confident about answering, even if it’s not Question 1. This will help settle any nerves. You’re under no obligation to answer the questions in the order they are asked.
5. Don’t rush! Students often lose marks by making careless errors. In particular, check all your working out, including numerical results obtained your calculator, at least twice
6. Please remember the UNITS!
7. Don’t panic! You’re not expected to answer everything perfectly. A first-class mark is anything over 70%, so don’t worry if there are bits you can’t do. If you get stuck on a part of a question, don’t waste too much time on it (especially if it’s just a few marks). Just leave it and move on. You can always come back to it later.

Maynooth University Library Cat Update

I thought young Séamus (aka Maynooth University Library Cat) was fast asleep when I saw him under a tree, but I think he was just pretending as he had his beady eye on something…

Maynooth University Library Cat Update

I thought young Séamus (aka Maynooth University Library Cat) was fast asleep when I saw him under a tree, but I think he was just pretending as he had his beady eye on something…

https://www.fogolf.com/1249045/thomas-abom-aces-his-way-to-the-top-of-irish-am/ Thomas Abom aces his way to the top of Irish AM #FlogasIrishMen’sAmateurOpenChampionship #Golf #GolfNews #MaynoothUniversity #SeapointGolfLinks #ThomasAbom

https://www.fogolf.com/1249045/thomas-abom-aces-his-way-to-the-top-of-irish-am/ Thomas Abom aces his way to the top of Irish AM #FlogasIrishMen’sAmateurOpenChampionship #Golf #GolfNews #MaynoothUniversity #SeapointGolfLinks #ThomasAbom

Lectures’ End

At last we’ve made it to the end of term. This morning I delivered my last particle physics lecture. Given that it is the last day of the semester I was half-expecting no students would turn up, but in the end I had about 60% attendance. At the end of my lecture there was even a smattering of applause, which I interpreted as meaning that the students were happy that I’d finished.

I thought I would end this module with some topics that I didn’t have time to cover in any detail, but thought the students should know at least something about. These loose ends included:

• Renormalization
• Grand Unified Theories (GUTS)
• Supersymmetry (SUSY)
• Particle candidates for Dark Matter
• Baryogenesis

I only had time for a superficial treatment of these topics, but felt the class should at least hear the words. There are some very good unanswered research questions under those headings, which I think is an appropriate way to end a final-year module, given that at least some of the class are intending to carry on to further study in physics.

Today was also the deadline for Computational Physics projects. I’ll be grading them next week. Even then the term won’t quite be over – there is the small matter of exam marking to be done – but at least I’ve got no more formal teaching to do until September.

Last night on the way home I decided to buy a nice bottle of white wine and put it in the fridge so I could drink it in celebration of the end of term when I get home, with a nice fish supper.

Lectures’ End

At last we’ve made it to the end of term. This morning I delivered my last particle physics lecture. Given that it is the last day of the semester I was half-expecting no students would turn up, but in the end I had about 60% attendance. At the end of my lecture there was even a smattering of applause, which I interpreted as meaning that the students were happy that I’d finished.

I thought I would end this module with some topics that I didn’t have time to cover in any detail, but thought the students should know at least something about. These loose ends included:

• Renormalization
• Grand Unified Theories (GUTS)
• Supersymmetry (SUSY)
• Particle candidates for Dark Matter
• Baryogenesis

I only had time for a superficial treatment of these topics, but felt the class should at least hear the words. There are some very good unanswered research questions under those headings, which I think is an appropriate way to end a final-year module, given that at least some of the class are intending to carry on to further study in physics.

Today was also the deadline for Computational Physics projects. I’ll be grading them next week. Even then the term won’t quite be over – there is the small matter of exam marking to be done – but at least I’ve got no more formal teaching to do until September.

Last night on the way home I decided to buy a nice bottle of white wine and put it in the fridge so I could drink it in celebration of the end of term when I get home, with a nice fish supper.

Lectures’ End

At last we’ve made it to the end of term. This morning I delivered my last particle physics lecture. Given that it is the last day of the semester I was half-expecting no students would turn up, but in the end I had about 60% attendance. At the end of my lecture there was even a smattering of applause, which I interpreted as meaning that the students were happy that I’d finished.

I thought I would end this module with some topics that I didn’t have time to cover in any detail, but thought the students should know at least something about. These loose ends included:

• Renormalization
• Grand Unified Theories (GUTS)
• Supersymmetry (SUSY)
• Particle candidates for Dark Matter
• Baryogenesis

I only had time for a superficial treatment of these topics, but felt the class should at least hear the words. There are some very good unanswered research questions under those headings, which I think is an appropriate way to end a final-year module, given that at least some of the class are intending to carry on to further study in physics.

Today was also the deadline for Computational Physics projects. I’ll be grading them next week. Even then the term won’t quite be over – there is the small matter of exam marking to be done – but at least I’ve got no more formal teaching to do until September.

Last night on the way home I decided to buy a nice bottle of white wine and put it in the fridge so I could drink it in celebration of the end of term when I get home, with a nice fish supper.

Lectures’ End

At last we’ve made it to the end of term. This morning I delivered my last particle physics lecture. Given that it is the last day of the semester I was half-expecting no students would turn up, but in the end I had about 60% attendance. At the end of my lecture there was even a smattering of applause, which I interpreted as meaning that the students were happy that I’d finished.

I thought I would end this module with some topics that I didn’t have time to cover in any detail, but thought the students should know at least something about. These loose ends included:

• Renormalization
• Grand Unified Theories (GUTS)
• Supersymmetry (SUSY)
• Particle candidates for Dark Matter
• Baryogenesis

I only had time for a superficial treatment of these topics, but felt the class should at least hear the words. There are some very good unanswered research questions under those headings, which I think is an appropriate way to end a final-year module, given that at least some of the class are intending to carry on to further study in physics.

Today was also the deadline for Computational Physics projects. I’ll be grading them next week. Even then the term won’t quite be over – there is the small matter of exam marking to be done – but at least I’ve got no more formal teaching to do until September.

Last night on the way home I decided to buy a nice bottle of white wine and put it in the fridge so I could drink it in celebration of the end of term when I get home, with a nice fish supper.

Lectures’ End

At last we’ve made it to the end of term. This morning I delivered my last particle physics lecture. Given that it is the last day of the semester I was half-expecting no students would turn up, but in the end I had about 60% attendance. At the end of my lecture there was even a smattering of applause, which I interpreted as meaning that the students were happy that I’d finished.

I thought I would end this module with some topics that I didn’t have time to cover in any detail, but thought the students should know at least something about. These loose ends included:

• Renormalization
• Grand Unified Theories (GUTS)
• Supersymmetry (SUSY)
• Particle candidates for Dark Matter
• Baryogenesis

I only had time for a superficial treatment of these topics, but felt the class should at least hear the words. There are some very good unanswered research questions under those headings, which I think is an appropriate way to end a final-year module, given that at least some of the class are intending to carry on to further study in physics.

Today was also the deadline for Computational Physics projects. I’ll be grading them next week. Even then the term won’t quite be over – there is the small matter of exam marking to be done – but at least I’ve got no more formal teaching to do until September.

Last night on the way home I decided to buy a nice bottle of white wine and put it in the fridge so I could drink it in celebration of the end of term when I get home, with a nice fish supper.

A fine example of the grandeur of a Horse Chestnut tree in bloom at the Moyglare entrance to the #MaynoothUniversity campus. #Bloomscrolling

A fine example of the grandeur of a Horse Chestnut tree in bloom at the Moyglare entrance to the #MaynoothUniversity campus. #Bloomscrolling

A fine example of the grandeur of a Horse Chestnut tree in bloom at the Moyglare entrance to the #MaynoothUniversity campus. #Bloomscrolling

A fine example of the grandeur of a Horse Chestnut tree in bloom at the Moyglare entrance to the #MaynoothUniversity campus. #Bloomscrolling

A fine example of the grandeur of a Horse Chestnut tree in bloom at the Moyglare entrance to the #MaynoothUniversity campus. #Bloomscrolling

Last Chance Lab

Today is the penultimate day of teaching in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University and I’m here in the Computer Lab for the last time. This afternoon’s session is just a drop-in consultation session for Computational Physics students doing their projects and although it has been busier than previous weeks it has not exactly been a hive of activity. The deadline for project submissions is tomorrow afternoon, so I was expecting a bit of a rush at this session, which is the last of its type, and also at my office hour this morning. I did have one student attend this morning, and a couple of others this afternoon, but other than for them it has been quiet.

On the other hand, over a day before the deadline, three students have already submitted their project reports and code. I’m impressed with that, but also a little surprised. I’ve come to expect just-in-time delivery for such things.

Yesterday I did my last particle physics tutorial of the year and followed that immediately afterwards I attended a long session of final-year project talks, from 3pm to just after 6pm. It is obvious that some students find these presentations a bit of an ordeal but it is important to learn how to present your work so such things are part of the rite of passage. It is good for staff to get an overview of the all projects being done in the Department too.

In previous years the final project presentations for students in the Departments of Theoretical Physics and Experimental Physics were done separately, the former having a somewhat smaller audience than the latter. The two previous Departments having merged into a single Department of Physics, this time round we had all the talks together (though spread over two days, yesterday and the Wednesday before). I think the combined sessions worked quite well and we will probably do it this way next year.

After the session of talks there was a small drinks party in the foyer of the Science Building. That was a nice occasion, and it struck me that it would have been the last time this group of students would all meet together until their graduation. Tomorrow I do my last particle physics lecture and it will be the last time I see quite a few of the students in that class until graduation too. They’ve been a nice group to work with, very engaged and easy to interact with. It is a great pleasure to be teaching students who are eager to learn . That’s the aspect of academic life I’ll miss the most when I retire.

Last Chance Lab

Today is the penultimate day of teaching in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University and I’m here in the Computer Lab for the last time. This afternoon’s session is just a drop-in consultation session for Computational Physics students doing their projects and although it has been busier than previous weeks it has not exactly been a hive of activity. The deadline for project submissions is tomorrow afternoon, so I was expecting a bit of a rush at this session, which is the last of its type, and also at my office hour this morning. I did have one student attend this morning, and a couple of others this afternoon, but other than for them it has been quiet.

On the other hand, over a day before the deadline, three students have already submitted their project reports and code. I’m impressed with that, but also a little surprised. I’ve come to expect just-in-time delivery for such things.

Yesterday I did my last particle physics tutorial of the year and followed that immediately afterwards I attended a long session of final-year project talks, from 3pm to just after 6pm. It is obvious that some students find these presentations a bit of an ordeal but it is important to learn how to present your work so such things are part of the rite of passage. It is good for staff to get an overview of the all projects being done in the Department too.

In previous years the final project presentations for students in the Departments of Theoretical Physics and Experimental Physics were done separately, the former having a somewhat smaller audience than the latter. The two previous Departments having merged into a single Department of Physics, this time round we had all the talks together (though spread over two days, yesterday and the Wednesday before). I think the combined sessions worked quite well and we will probably do it this way next year.

After the session of talks there was a small drinks party in the foyer of the Science Building. That was a nice occasion, and it struck me that it would have been the last time this group of students would all meet together until their graduation. Tomorrow I do my last particle physics lecture and it will be the last time I see quite a few of the students in that class until graduation too. They’ve been a nice group to work with, very engaged and easy to interact with. It is a great pleasure to be teaching students who are eager to learn . That’s the aspect of academic life I’ll miss the most when I retire.

Thoughts on 1st May

Today, 1st May, Beltane (Bealtaine in Irish), is an old Celtic festival that marks the mid-point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. It’s one of the so-called Cross-Quarter Days that lie exactly halfway between the equinoxes and solstices. These ancient festivals have been moved so that they take place earlier in the modern calendar than the astronomical events that represent their origin: the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice is actually next week. Anyway, “May Day”, Lá Bealtaine in Irish, is today – the name Bealtaine applies to the whole month of May.

In Ireland the Bank Holiday assocliated with Bealtaine is on Monday 4th May, so another long weekend beckons.

Workwise, after today we will have completed the penultimate teaching week of Semester 2 so after Monday’s Bank Holiday we will have just four official days of teaching left, before a Study Week and the start of examinations. Yesterday I correctedthe last of my Computational Physics class tests so I am up to date with the continuous assessment and feedback of both my modules. I now have a week before the Computational Physics projects are submitted, and another week before the exam period starts.On Wednesday last we had project presentations for about half of the final year class; the other half do their things next Wednesday.

Now, I have a particle physics lecture to give – the antepenultimate one of the semester – after which I’ll be launching myself into the long weekend.

Lá Bealtaine shona daoibh go leir!

Thoughts on 1st May

Today, 1st May, Beltane (Bealtaine in Irish), is an old Celtic festival that marks the mid-point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. It’s one of the so-called Cross-Quarter Days that lie exactly halfway between the equinoxes and solstices. These ancient festivals have been moved so that they take place earlier in the modern calendar than the astronomical events that represent their origin: the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice is actually next week. Anyway, “May Day”, Lá Bealtaine in Irish, is today – the name Bealtaine applies to the whole month of May.

In Ireland the Bank Holiday assocliated with Bealtaine is on Monday 4th May, so another long weekend beckons.

Workwise, after today we will have completed the penultimate teaching week of Semester 2 so after Monday’s Bank Holiday we will have just four official days of teaching left, before a Study Week and the start of examinations. Yesterday I correctedthe last of my Computational Physics class tests so I am up to date with the continuous assessment and feedback of both my modules. I now have a week before the Computational Physics projects are submitted, and another week before the exam period starts.On Wednesday last we had project presentations for about half of the final year class; the other half do their things next Wednesday.

Now, I have a particle physics lecture to give – the antepenultimate one of the semester – after which I’ll be launching myself into the long weekend.

Lá Bealtaine shona daoibh go leir!

https://www.europesays.com/ie/457621/ School dropout turned educator helps open doors for disadvantaged students – The Irish Times #Business #CAO #DeisSchools #DepartmentOfEducation #Éire #Fitness #HealthWellness #IE #Ireland #JuniorCert #KatrionaOSullivan #MaynoothUniversity #PrimaryLevel #SecondLevel #stem #youthreach

Two Weeks To Go…

There are just two weeks of teaching left in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University. Actually slightly less than that because next Monday (May 4th) is another bank holiday. That day doesn’t make any difference to my own teaching, however, as I have no teaching sessions on Mondays anyway.

As I mentioned last week, the formal teaching part of one of my modules (Computational Physics) is already over and the students are now – or should be – busy doing mini-projects.

My other module, Particle Physics, has four remaining lectures. That means that I’m on schedule, despite missing one lecture on Good Friday. The very last lecture for this module is on the last day of term, May 8th, so I don’t know how many students will be there. Come to think of it, because this is a final-year module, it may actually be the last lecture of all at Maynooth for some students…

The end of teaching does not mean the end of the term, however. We have a short “break” and then, on May 15th, the examinations start. In the break I’ll have to mark a stack of Computational Physics projects. That’s always quite hard work as I have to run the codes and check the results as well as read and grade the written reports.

This week and next we also have the final presentations for project students. That will take up two whole full afternoons (this Wednesday and next Wednesday). There’s usually a bit of a do after these to give the students a send-off, as these are projects done by the graduating class. I have been supervising two students this year, plus an MSc student (though the latter will not finish until August).

People sometimes ask me why we have such heavy teaching loads at Maynooth University. Four modules a year – other staff do five (as I did a few years ago when was also Head of Department) – plus projects is far more than one would expect of a “research-led” University outside Ireland. Part of the reason is what I mentioned yesterday – that the University (along with most others) spends far too much of its income on Management salaries and projects that have nothing to do with research or teaching. Other than that I can’t comment. According to this document, Maynooth University has committed to

Introduce a University Workload Allocation Model (WAM) enhancing transparent processes and procedures in the allocation of work.

If there is such a model, it is news to me…

P.S. There’s an even older document here (dated 2014) that says:

The University is committed to ensuring that the allocation of work is reasonable and fair across and within academic units. It is also required to exercise oversight of the implementation of academic workload management. In support of this, the Head of Department / School / Institute will monitor and record workload allocations and will provide to the university, via the Faculty Dean, an annual report on the procedure and model used to allocate workloads, and also an anonymised summary of the average and range of workload distributions between teaching, research and service among all academic staff in the Department/School/Institute.

The design and implementation of workload allocation models will be undertaken by Departments/Schools/Institutes in accordance with the general principles outlined above.

Will it? When?

Two Weeks To Go…

There are just two weeks of teaching left in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University. Actually slightly less than that because next Monday (May 4th) is another bank holiday. That day doesn’t make any difference to my own teaching, however, as I have no teaching sessions on Mondays anyway.

As I mentioned last week, the formal teaching part of one of my modules (Computational Physics) is already over and the students are now – or should be – busy doing mini-projects.

My other module, Particle Physics, has four remaining lectures. That means that I’m on schedule, despite missing one lecture on Good Friday. The very last lecture for this module is on the last day of term, May 8th, so I don’t know how many students will be there. Come to think of it, because this is a final-year module, it may actually be the last lecture of all at Maynooth for some students…

The end of teaching does not mean the end of the term, however. We have a short “break” and then, on May 5th, the examinations start. In the break I’ll have to mark a stack of Computational Physics projects. That’s always quite hard work as I have to run the codes and check the results as well as read and grade the written reports.

This week and next we also have the final presentations for project students. That will take up two whole full afternoons (this Wednesday and next Wednesday). There’s usually a bit of a do after these to give the students a send-off, as these are projects done by the graduating class.

Incidentally, people sometimes ask me why we have such heavy teaching loads at Maynooth University. Four modules a year – other staff do five (as I did a few years ago when was also Head of Department) – plus projects is far more than one would expect of a “research-led” University outside Ireland. Part of the reason is what I mentioned yesterday – that the University spends far too much of its income on Management. Other than that I can’t comment. According to this document, Maynooth University has committed to:

Introduce a University Workload Allocation Model (WAM) enhancing transparent processes and procedures in the allocation of work.

If there is such a model, it is news to me.

Two Weeks To Go…

There are just two weeks of teaching left in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University. Actually slightly less than that because next Monday (May 4th) is another bank holiday. That day doesn’t make any difference to my own teaching, however, as I have no teaching sessions on Mondays anyway.

As I mentioned last week, the formal teaching part of one of my modules (Computational Physics) is already over and the students are now – or should be – busy doing mini-projects.

My other module, Particle Physics, has four remaining lectures. That means that I’m on schedule, despite missing one lecture on Good Friday. The very last lecture for this module is on the last day of term, May 8th, so I don’t know how many students will be there. Come to think of it, because this is a final-year module, it may actually be the last lecture of all at Maynooth for some students…

The end of teaching does not mean the end of the term, however. We have a short “break” and then, on May 5th, the examinations start. In the break I’ll have to mark a stack of Computational Physics projects. That’s always quite hard work as I have to run the codes and check the results as well as read and grade the written reports.

This week and next we also have the final presentations for project students. That will take up two whole full afternoons (this Wednesday and next Wednesday). There’s usually a bit of a do after these to give the students a send-off, as these are projects done by the graduating class.

Incidentally, people sometimes ask me why we have such heavy teaching loads at Maynooth University. Four modules a year – other staff do five (as I did a few years ago when was also Head of Department) – plus projects is far more than one would expect of a “research-led” University outside Ireland. Part of the reason is what I mentioned yesterday – that the University spends far too much of its income on Management. Other than that I can’t comment. According to this document, Maynooth University has committed to:

Introduce a University Workload Allocation Model (WAM) enhancing transparent processes and procedures in the allocation of work.

If there is such a model, it is news to me.

Two Weeks To Go…

There are just two weeks of teaching left in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University. Actually slightly less than that because next Monday (May 4th) is another bank holiday. That day doesn’t make any difference to my own teaching, however, as I have no teaching sessions on Mondays anyway.

As I mentioned last week, the formal teaching part of one of my modules (Computational Physics) is already over and the students are now – or should be – busy doing mini-projects.

My other module, Particle Physics, has four remaining lectures. That means that I’m on schedule, despite missing one lecture on Good Friday. The very last lecture for this module is on the last day of term, May 8th, so I don’t know how many students will be there. Come to think of it, because this is a final-year module, it may actually be the last lecture of all at Maynooth for some students…

The end of teaching does not mean the end of the term, however. We have a short “break” and then, on May 15th, the examinations start. In the break I’ll have to mark a stack of Computational Physics projects. That’s always quite hard work as I have to run the codes and check the results as well as read and grade the written reports.

This week and next we also have the final presentations for project students. That will take up two whole full afternoons (this Wednesday and next Wednesday). There’s usually a bit of a do after these to give the students a send-off, as these are projects done by the graduating class. I have been supervising two students this year, plus an MSc student (though the latter will not finish until August).

People sometimes ask me why we have such heavy teaching loads at Maynooth University. Four modules a year – other staff do five (as I did a few years ago when was also Head of Department) – plus projects is far more than one would expect of a “research-led” University outside Ireland. Part of the reason is what I mentioned yesterday – that the University (along with most others) spends far too much of its income on Management salaries and projects that have nothing to do with research or teaching. Other than that I can’t comment. According to this document, Maynooth University has committed to

Introduce a University Workload Allocation Model (WAM) enhancing transparent processes and procedures in the allocation of work.

If there is such a model, it is news to me…

P.S. There’s an even older document here (dated 2014) that says:

The University is committed to ensuring that the allocation of work is reasonable and fair across and within academic units. It is also required to exercise oversight of the implementation of academic workload management. In support of this, the Head of Department / School / Institute will monitor and record workload allocations and will provide to the university, via the Faculty Dean, an annual report on the procedure and model used to allocate workloads, and also an anonymised summary of the average and range of workload distributions between teaching, research and service among all academic staff in the Department/School/Institute.

The design and implementation of workload allocation models will be undertaken by Departments/Schools/Institutes in accordance with the general principles outlined above.

Will it? When?

Two Weeks To Go…

There are just two weeks of teaching left in the Spring Semester at Maynooth University. Actually slightly less than that because next Monday (May 4th) is another bank holiday. That day doesn’t make any difference to my own teaching, however, as I have no teaching sessions on Mondays anyway.

As I mentioned last week, the formal teaching part of one of my modules (Computational Physics) is already over and the students are now – or should be – busy doing mini-projects.

My other module, Particle Physics, has four remaining lectures. That means that I’m on schedule, despite missing one lecture on Good Friday. The very last lecture for this module is on the last day of term, May 8th, so I don’t know how many students will be there. Come to think of it, because this is a final-year module, it may actually be the last lecture of all at Maynooth for some students…

The end of teaching does not mean the end of the term, however. We have a short “break” and then, on May 5th, the examinations start. In the break I’ll have to mark a stack of Computational Physics projects. That’s always quite hard work as I have to run the codes and check the results as well as read and grade the written reports.

This week and next we also have the final presentations for project students. That will take up two whole full afternoons (this Wednesday and next Wednesday). There’s usually a bit of a do after these to give the students a send-off, as these are projects done by the graduating class.

Incidentally, people sometimes ask me why we have such heavy teaching loads at Maynooth University. Four modules a year – other staff do five (as I did a few years ago when was also Head of Department) – plus projects is far more than one would expect of a “research-led” University outside Ireland. Part of the reason is what I mentioned yesterday – that the University spends far too much of its income on Management. Other than that I can’t comment. According to this document, Maynooth University has committed to:

Introduce a University Workload Allocation Model (WAM) enhancing transparent processes and procedures in the allocation of work.

If there is such a model, it is news to me.

The Sharp End of Term

So here I am, sitting in the (empty) Physics Computer Lab. The formal Computational Physics lab sessions are over, but I’m on duty to provide help the students with their project work, which will take up the remaining two-and-a-bit weeks of term. It’s a lovely day outside which explains why there are very few people in the lab, and none of them have asked for help so I’ve been busy getting on with some work. Past experience with these sessions suggests that they’ll all come just before the project deadline, which is May 8th.

Up until last week I had a Computational Physics lecture at 9am on Thursdays, but the last one of those happened last Thursday. It was nice to have a more leisurely start this morning. I did think I might get a haircut on the way to work but when I passed my usual barber’s I saw it was full of people waiting their turn so I walked on. It seems that the good weather

Yesterday was the last Class Test for my other class, Particle Physics, and I’ve taken the opportunity to correct all the scripts for that. I even had time to type up the solutions all neatly and tidily in Latex (including doing Feynman diagrams, which is fun).The end of that job means no more grading for that module until the main examination, which is about a month away. I do however, have lectures and tutorials still to do, including two at 9am on Tuesdays.

The finest weather is usually reserved for the exam period, of course, to maximize the annoyance of students. In my memory all my undergraduate examinations took place in very fine weather, with the exception of my Physics practical the night before which there was an enormous thunderstorm. Come to think of it, that could well have been a portent that warned me off experiments and made me become a theorist.

The Sharp End of Term

So here I am, sitting in the (empty) Physics Computer Lab. The formal Computational Physics lab sessions are over, but I’m on duty to provide help the students with their project work, which will take up the remaining two-and-a-bit weeks of term. It’s a lovely day outside which explains why there are very few people in the lab, and none of them have asked for help so I’ve been busy getting on with some work. Past experience with these sessions suggests that they’ll all come just before the project deadline, which is May 8th.

Up until last week I had a Computational Physics lecture at 9am on Thursdays, but the last one of those happened last Thursday. It was nice to have a more leisurely start this morning. I did think I might get a haircut on the way to work but when I passed my usual barber’s I saw it was full of people waiting their turn so I walked on. It seems that the good weather

Yesterday was the last Class Test for my other class, Particle Physics, and I’ve taken the opportunity to correct all the scripts for that. I even had time to type up the solutions all neatly and tidily in Latex (including doing Feynman diagrams, which is fun).The end of that job means no more grading for that module until the main examination, which is about a month away. I do however, have lectures and tutorials still to do, including two at 9am on Tuesdays.

The finest weather is usually reserved for the exam period, of course, to maximize the annoyance of students. In my memory all my undergraduate examinations took place in very fine weather, with the exception of my Physics practical the night before which there was an enormous thunderstorm. Come to think of it, that could well have been a portent that warned me off experiments and made me become a theorist.

Maynooth University Library Cat Update

This week at Maynooth University numerous parties of schoolkids have been, and are being, shown around the campus. Naturally an important stop on this tour is the abode of Séamus the Library Cat. The weather has been nice this week so far, as it was today, so said feline has generally been out and about and making himself available to be admired. On my way to lunch I managed to bypass a large coach party of schoolgirls and reach the cat’s spot ahead of them. I found Séamus giving himself a good wash and brush-up in anticipation of the arrival of the visitors.

Maynooth University Library Cat Update

This week at Maynooth University numerous parties of schoolkids have been, and are being, shown around the campus. Naturally an important stop on this tour is the abode of Séamus the Library Cat. The weather has been nice this week so far, as it was today, so said feline has generally been out and about and making himself available to be admired. On my way to lunch I managed to bypass a large coach party of schoolgirls and reach the cat’s spot ahead of them. I found Séamus giving himself a good wash and brush-up in anticipation of the arrival of the visitors.

Slowly crossing the campus — a slug inching their way across a footpath in front of Logic House in #MaynoothUniversity 🐌

Slowly crossing the campus — a slug inching their way across a footpath in front of Logic House in #MaynoothUniversity 🐌

Slowly crossing the campus — a slug inching their way across a footpath in front of Logic House in #MaynoothUniversity 🐌

Slowly crossing the campus — a slug inching their way across a footpath in front of Logic House in #MaynoothUniversity 🐌

Slowly crossing the campus — a slug inching their way across a footpath in front of Logic House in #MaynoothUniversity 🐌

https://www.europesays.com/ie/419734/ ‘I was freaking out about my voice. I did two weeks where I didn’t speak’ – The Irish Times #AvivaStadium #CormacBegley #DermotKennedy #Éire #Entertainment #GlenHansard #HarryStyles #hozier #IE #Ireland #magazine #MaynoothUniversity #MichaelDHiggins #Music #PaulMescal #SamFender #SimonCowell #Spotify #TaylorSwift

https://www.fogolf.com/1209172/calum-ward-three-back-ahead-of-student-series-finale/ Calum Ward three back ahead of Student Series finale #Golf #GolfNews #MaynoothUniversity #R&AStudentTourSeries #ucd

https://www.fogolf.com/1209172/calum-ward-three-back-ahead-of-student-series-finale/ Calum Ward three back ahead of Student Series finale #Golf #GolfNews #MaynoothUniversity #R&AStudentTourSeries #ucd

Daffodils at the ‘Freedom’ sculpture by Alexandra Wejchert in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

Daffodils at the ‘Freedom’ sculpture by Alexandra Wejchert in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

Daffodils at the ‘Freedom’ sculpture by Alexandra Wejchert in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

Daffodils at the ‘Freedom’ sculpture by Alexandra Wejchert in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

Daffodils at the ‘Freedom’ sculpture by Alexandra Wejchert in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

The cherry blossoms around the #MaynoothUniversity village apartments are always so stunning! #Bloomscrolling

The cherry blossoms around the #MaynoothUniversity village apartments are always so stunning! #Bloomscrolling

The cherry blossoms around the #MaynoothUniversity village apartments are always so stunning! #Bloomscrolling

The cherry blossoms around the #MaynoothUniversity village apartments are always so stunning! #Bloomscrolling

The cherry blossoms around the #MaynoothUniversity village apartments are always so stunning! #Bloomscrolling

The “evening star” Venus setting over the silhouette of the #MaynoothUniversity student apartments seen from some distance away at the edge of #Maynooth suburbia on the bridge at Mariavilla. #Astrophotography

The “evening star” Venus setting over the silhouette of the #MaynoothUniversity student apartments seen from some distance away at the edge of #Maynooth suburbia on the bridge at Mariavilla. #Astrophotography

The “evening star” Venus setting over the silhouette of the #MaynoothUniversity student apartments seen from some distance away at the edge of #Maynooth suburbia on the bridge at Mariavilla. #Astrophotography

The “evening star” Venus setting over the silhouette of the #MaynoothUniversity student apartments seen from some distance away at the edge of #Maynooth suburbia on the bridge at Mariavilla. #Astrophotography

The “evening star” Venus setting over the silhouette of the #MaynoothUniversity student apartments seen from some distance away at the edge of #Maynooth suburbia on the bridge at Mariavilla. #Astrophotography

These pure white traditionally shaped daffodils really grab the eye as you walk towards the library in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

These pure white traditionally shaped daffodils really grab the eye as you walk towards the library in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

These pure white traditionally shaped daffodils really grab the eye as you walk towards the library in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

These pure white traditionally shaped daffodils really grab the eye as you walk towards the library in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

These pure white traditionally shaped daffodils really grab the eye as you walk towards the library in #MaynoothUniversity. #Bloomscrolling

It’s such a joy to walk around the #MaynoothUniversity campus in spring, so many flowers everywhere, like these somewhat pompous frilly daffodils at the Library. (Complete with giant branding in the background 😉) #Bloomscrolling

It’s such a joy to walk around the #MaynoothUniversity campus in spring, so many flowers everywhere, like these somewhat pompous frilly daffodils at the Library. (Complete with giant branding in the background 😉) #Bloomscrolling