Geoscience Diploma

DIPLOMA PRINCIPAL:

JOEL RODERICK M.A. (OXON.)

Joel has worked in the field of education for over twenty-five years since graduating from the University of Oxford, teaching History, English Language and Politics at independent and state schools in the U.K. and overseas. Since 2002, he has formed part of, and led. the senior management team at a number of sixth form colleges in Oxford, specialising in academic mentoring, educational counselling and university placements.

DIPLOMA CO-PRINCIPAL:

CHRISTOPHER UPTON M.A. (OXON.), M.SC. (READING.)

Christopher is a graduate of University College, Oxford. He gained an M.A. in Agriculture and Forest Sciences and an M.Sc. from Reading University in Agricultural Economics. His passion for education and the environment has taken him throughout the world, working extensively for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on rainforest protection in the Congo basin. His publication, ‘The Forest Certification Handbook’ (Earthscan, 1995) has become the standard text for forest managers wishing to implement a sustainable forest management system. Christopher is also an authority on ‘the Southern Beech’ (‘Nothafagus’ sp.) on which he has published papers for the University of Aberdeen and has recently worked as a consultant to a local company researching effective pollination alternatives to the honeybee.

DIPLOMA CO-PRINCIPAL:

ALEX GRAY M.MATH (OXON.)

Alex read for a Masters in Mathematics at Magdalen College, the University of Oxford (where he was a scholar) before going on to undertake doctoral research in Mathematical Physics, specialising, in particular, in the geometry of space-times that locally resemble doughnuts (known mathematically as ‘tori’). He has taught and tutored extensively at sixth form, undergraduate and Masters level. A passionate believer in the unique advantages of the Oxford tutorial method, he still tutors for Greene’s whenever his schedule permits. Alex’s educational research interests lie in the effective use of new and emerging technologies to support and enhance learning process, and he directs the development of the cutting edge, cloud-based student online learning resource, Greene’s Online.

SENIOR COURSE TUTOR:

ALEXANDER MITLEHNER PH.D. (LONDON.), M.SC. (LONDON.), B.A. (LONDON.), PGCE

After a distinguished career in commercial geology, Alex turned to his first love of teaching. He has over 20 years of tutoring experience in Geography, Environmental Science, Marine Science, Geology and Sociology and continues to work as a lecturer for the M.Sc. course in Applied and Exploration Micropalaeontology at the University of Birmingham, U.K.

SENIOR COURSE TUTOR:

DR. ROWENA FLETCHER-WOOD, M.CHEM. (OXON.), PH.D. (BIRM.)

Rowena is a chemist and after having received First Class Honours in Chemistry at the University of Oxford, she went on to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Birmingham on ‘Zeolites and other molecular sieves for chromate remediation’. Rowena has been tutoring in Chemistry for the last ten years and during that time was also a Research Fellow in Physical Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. Rowena is also a fully qualified rock-climbing instructor.

SENIOR COURSE TUTOR:

DR. SAIF BHAM, D.PHIL. (OXON.), B.SC. (MANCHESTER.)

Saif tutors Biology and Chemistry and runs science practical courses. He is a passionate tutor and keen scientific researcher – even building his own artificial coral reef. Saif has a First Class Honours degree in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester, U.K. and a doctorate (D.Phil.) in Medical Oncology from University of Oxford, U.K. One of his many specialities is microscopy.

SENIOR COURSE TUTOR:

ANNE CURTIS, M.A. (CANTAB.) PGCE (CANTAB.)

Anne completed her joint honours postgraduate qualification in Physics and Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge, U.K. in 1995. Since then she has been tutoring Physics and Mathematics at a range of colleges. Anne is a highly experienced professional tutor with a passion for education – a passion which is transmitted by her enthusiastic approach to her students.

DIPLOMA COURSE MANAGER:

JULIA YANG M.CHEM (OXON.), PH.D. (UCL.)

Coming from China to study in England when she was 15 years old, Julia gained a Masters in Chemistry from the University of Oxford. Julia understands the challenges and advantages for Chinese students who choose to study in the U.K., having been awarded a doctorate in Comparative Education from University College, London. She is passionate about supporting overseas students, often drawing upon her current research into ‘high school’ level students outside the U.K., and so helping to develop a cosmopolitan perspective in students’ self-knowledge and views of the world, to maximise their opportunities and realise their goals in the elite education environment of the U.K.

DIPLOMA COURSE ADMINISTRATOR:

HELENA YOUNG M.SC. (OXFORD BROOKES.)

Helena has worked in the international education sector since her graduation from Oxford Brookes University’s Business School (top 12 in the U.K.) in 2008 in International Human Resources Management. She is well-known among overseas students and their parents to be a very experienced, loving and thoughtful administrative head, always available to provide professional support with a good understanding of their needs.