Our state of the art Teaching Laboratory is located on the ground floor with full access for wheelchair users. Seating 70 students, the teaching experience is enhanced by six high definition wall-mounted screens enabling display of teaching materials or visualising techniques. Modified benches are available for students with disabilities and cupboard space is provided for students' personal effects. The lab is temperature controlled and fitted out to work with GM plants. An adjacent prep room staffed by our Teaching Technicians ensures swift turn-around of practicals and ongoing support.
As well as being home to our Undergrads, the Teaching Lab hosts a range of outreach activities to encourage participation and train the next generation of Plant Scientists. We work with Science and Plants for Schools, the Sutton Trust, various University outreach and training programmes to support diversity and inclusivity in our discipline. The Teaching lab is also available for commercial exhibitions. Short-term equipment loan is also possible. Please direct enquiries to the Chief teaching Technician, Barbara Landamore (bmb10@cam.ac.uk).
Teaching Coordinator
Has responsibility for co-ordinating, maintaining and improving the Department's teaching - whether that be in lectures, practicals or the arrangement of supervisions. Advises individual academics on the content and presentation of lectures, handouts, audio-visual material, and course guides, and assists in monitoring the quality of the Department's teaching using departmental and University quality assurance procedures.
Undergraduate Teaching Administrator
Assists with the day-to-day co-ordination of teaching activities in the Department including preparation, distribution and collation of student questionnaires, student recruitment and publicity activities, organization of field trips, updating lecture and practical timetables, and keeping records of demonstrating; provides assistance with the day-to-day co-ordination of joint teaching activities and initiatives with other Departments, including liaison with academic staff in other Departments as necessary; produces agendas for the Teaching and Management Committees, attends meetings and takes minutes, providing assistance in drawing up and circulating resulting action lists.
Teaching Associate
This is a new post provided to provide support to academic staff such as delivering many of the practicals, organising demonstrators, marking and feedback, where requested.
Chief Teaching Technician
Responsible for practical preparation. Prepares media and equipment for all the departments teaching needs. Grows plant material in the teaching greenhouse and also use the Plant Growth Facility for practicals, in conjunction with the teaching and management committee's.
Deals with all the safety aspects regarding student practicals, provide chemical and practical risk assessments, liaising with Academic staff over what is required for their practicals over the coming academic year. Organises printing of lectures and practical handouts in conjunction with academic staff. Supply the Cyanide for the department.
Teaching Technicians
There are two Teaching Technicians with others helping out when needed.
Teaching Assistant
Assists with the continued development of teaching material for IA and IB via creation of new resources for lectures, practicals and supervisions. Coordinates supervisor allocations and delivers the training and development for supervisors within the Department. Supports the Teaching Coordinator in a range of other tasks to maintain teaching quality as required.