NMH - Postgraduate courses

General information for research degree candidates


Orientation workshops Faculty research degree student seminars Doctoral and Master's (Honours) schools Reading lists Satisfactory progress The purpose of this information is to assist research candidates within the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health's Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Nursing (Honours), Master of Midwifery (Honours), Doctor of Nursing and Doctor of Midwifery programs to understand clearly their rights and responsibilities once they enter such programs. Candidates should attempt to remain abreast of changes and developments within the University and the Faculty by referring to departmental noticeboards, keeping in close contact with their supervisors and attending Graduate Seminar Days where information may be passed on to research candidates. The Research and Project Officer can be contacted on telephone (02) 9514 5727. Any inquiries of a non-administrative nature should, in the first instance, be directed through the candidate's supervisor(s). If this is not possible or is inappropriate, these should be addressed to the Director of Research. By the completion of a full-time PhD candidate's first year of study (two semesters), he or she is required to undertake a Doctoral Assessment. A part-time PhD candidate is required to undertake a Doctoral Assessment by the completion of three semesters of study. For full details of this requirement see the section titled 'Satisfactory progress' below. By the completion of a full-time Master of Nursing (Honours) or Master of Midwifery (Honours) candidate's first year of study (two semesters), he or she is required to undertake a Master's Degree (Honours) Assessment. A part-time Master of Nursing (Honours) or Master of Midwifery (Honours) candidate is required to undertake a Master's Assessment by the completion of three semesters of study. At the completion of either a Master of Nursing (Honours), Master of Midwifery (Honours) or Doctoral program, candidates must submit a thesis. The guidelines for the format of the completed thesis are outlined in the UTS: Calendar (Rule 3.4.10 and 3.5.10 respectively). As with all UTS courses, research candidates must be extremely diligent in acknowledging all sources used. Plagiarism is, even at this level, sufficient cause for exclusion from the course. Guidelines regarding acceptable referencing techniques within the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health are set out in the section titled Intellectual property below. Orientation workshops The University Graduate School organises induction workshops throughout the year for newly enrolled research degree students. These workshops are an excellent opportunity to learn about research degree administrative procedures and support, roles and responsibilities of supervisors and candidates and research methodologies. Faculty research degree student seminars PhD and Master's candidates are required to present a seminar each semester for full-time candidates, or yearly for part-time candidates. Candidates are not required to present a seminar in their first semester of candidature. In addition to presenting a seminar each semester, it is recommended that candidates attend any research seminars scheduled throughout the year, as these provide an ideal opportunity to gain insight into other research being conducted; to learn new methodologies being employed; and to form a network with peers and academic staff. The importance of these seminars to the academic development of research candidates should not be underestimated. Doctoral and Master's (Honours) schools Professional Doctorate candidates are required to attend a four- to five-day school each semester while enrolled in the coursework aspects of the program. When all subject requirements have been fulfilled candidates attend Faculty Graduate Seminars. Schools and Seminars are scheduled such that all research degree students come together to hear from visiting scholars. Reading lists The nature of research study is such that each candidate has specific reading requirements. Candidates are advised to consult with their supervisors and/or liaison librarians for information about generic aspects of research work and thesis preparation. Candidates should consult closely with their supervisor prior to submission of their thesis, as appropriate presentation is important. Guidelines regarding the submission of theses are available from the University Graduate School, telephone (02) 9514 1526. Satisfactory progress Following are the guidelines adopted by the Faculty for the determination of satisfactory progress for research programs. The following factors must be taken into account when assessing the progress of research candidates. These are guidelines relating to normal progression during the period of candidature only, and must be read in conjunction with the University Rules. Other rules relate to admission, registration, the presentation of theses and eligibility for the award, etc., and all staff and candidates should familiarise themselves with the relevant rules (Rule 3.4 for Master's degrees by thesis and Rule 3.5 for Doctoral programs). A copy of the Rules of the University relating to students is published in both the UTS: Calendar and online at: www.uts.edu.au/div/publications/policies/rules/contents.html Master of Nursing (Honours) and Master of Midwifery (Honours) candidates *Minimum duration of course (Rule 3.4.4.1)* Full time = two semesters Part time = three semesters *Maximum duration of course (Rule 3.4.4.2)* Full time = four semesters Part time = six semesters Note: These periods do not include periods of approved leave of absence (Rule 3.4.4.2 (c)). The maximum period may only be extended with the approval of the University Graduate School Board (Rule 3.4.4.2). The minimum duration can be reduced only with the approval of the University Graduate School Board, and only in a situation where a candidate is 'specially qualified' in the relevant discipline (Rule 3.4.4.1). *Progress by semester* It is the responsibility of each candidate and supervisor to discuss, at the beginning of each semester, the progress anticipated throughout that semester. As indicated below, each candidate and supervisor will submit a report detailing the progress made during each semester, and while there will be variations due to the nature of the research being undertaken, there are various measures of progress which will be common to all candidates. The initial consultation between candidate and supervisor should include the establishment of a form of agreement, or contract, which identifies certain minimum requirements for that semester. These will of necessity include setting an agenda for regular contact; presenting a Graduate Seminar and attending others; and may include the successful completion of coursework (where appropriate) and the identification of criteria by which to judge the progress of the research being undertaken. It is important that there be explicit agreement reached at this point, as the criteria set during this consultation should be viewed as binding, and it must be realised that these criteria will form the basis of assessment at the end of the semester. The following rules apply to the minimum progress required of all research candidates; other criteria for assessing satisfactory progress should be established in consultation at the first meeting between candidates and supervisors in each semester. At the conclusion of each semester a candidate shall submit a report to his or her supervisor detailing his or her progress throughout the semester (Rule 3.4.8). Under the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health guidelines, full-time research degree candidates are required to present a seminar each semester to their peers and academic staff. The seminar should relate to their research, area of study or methodology. Candidates are also expected to attend their peers' Graduate Seminars. *Thesis topic* By no later than the end of the first semester of candidature, the candidate will submit the subject of his or her thesis topic to the Faculty Research Committee for approval by the University Graduate School Board. Subsequently, the approval of the University Graduate School Board must be sought to change the topic (Rule 3.4.7). *Master's Assessment* By or at the end of a full-time student's first year of study (two semesters) and by or at the end of a part-time student's fourth semester of study, candidature will be assessed. Consistent with the Rules of the University, the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health must provide for a Master's Assessment of the candidate's progression within those time frames regardless of the mode of entry to the Doctoral program. See following for guidelines for the Master's Assessment. Doctoral degree candidates *Minimum duration of course (Rule 3.5.4.1)* Full time = four semesters Part time = six semesters *Maximum duration of course (Rule 3.5.4.2)* Full time = six semesters Part time = nine semesters Note: These periods do not include periods of approved leave of absence (Rule 3.5.4.2 (c)). The maximum time may only be extended with the permission of the University Graduate School Board (Rule 3.5.4.2). The minimum duration can be reduced only with the approval of the Academic Board, and only in a situation where a candidate is 'specially qualified' in the relevant discipline (Rule 3.5.4.1). *Progress by semester* It is the responsibility of each candidate and supervisor to discuss, at the beginning of each semester, the progress anticipated throughout that semester. Each candidate and supervisor will submit a report detailing the progress made during each semester, and while there will be variations due to the nature of the research being undertaken, there are various measures of progress which will be common to all candidates. The initial consultation between candidate and supervisor should include the establishment of a form of agreement, or contract, which identifies certain minimum requirements for that semester. These will of necessity include setting an agenda for regular contact; presenting a Graduate Seminar and attending others; attending Doctoral schools; the identification of criteria by which to judge the progress of the research being undertaken that semester; and may include the successful completion of coursework (where appropriate). It is important that there be explicit agreement reached at this point, as the criteria set during this consultation should be viewed as binding, and it must be realised that these criteria will form the basis of assessment at the end of the semester. The following rules apply to the minimum progress required of all research candidates; other criteria for assessing satisfactory progress should be established in consultation at the first meeting between candidates and supervisors in each semester. At the conclusion of each semester a candidate shall submit a report to his or her supervisor detailing his or her progress throughout the semester (Rule 3.5.8.1(a)). Under the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health guidelines (in conjunction with Rule 3.5.6.2) candidates are required to present a seminar to their peers and academic staff each semester for full-time candidates, or yearly for part-time candidates. The seminar should relate to their research, area of study or methodology. Candidates are also expected to attend their peers' Graduate Seminars. *Thesis topic* By no later than the end of the second semester of candidature, the candidate will submit the subject of his or her thesis for approval by the University Graduate School Board. Subsequently, the approval of the University Graduate School Board must be sought to change the topic (Rule 3.5.7). *Doctoral Assessment* By or at the end of a full-time student's first year of study (two semesters) and by or at the end of a part-time student's fourth semester of study, candidature will be assessed. Consistent with the Rules of the University, the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health must provide for a Doctoral Assessment of the candidate's progression within those time frames regardless of the mode of entry to the Doctoral program. See Guidelines for the Doctoral Assessment.