University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Master of Philosophy

The degree may be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. The minimum period of candidature will be one year with a maximum of two years for students enrolled on a full-time basis. For students enrolled on a part-time basis, the minimum period of candidature is two years, and four years maximum.

Candidates complete a 6 credit point unit of study on research methods plus courses or units of study which may be prescribed by the head of the discipline. You will carry out supervised research on a topic approved by the faculty on the recommendation of the postgraduate coordinator and write a thesis embodying the results of this research that passes examination. The degree is awarded on the successful examination of a thesis based on original research.

 

Master of Philosophy


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies.

Course resolutions

Part 1: Preliminary

1 Course codes

Code

Course and stream title

RMPHLPHA

Master of Philosophy

 

Part 2: Admission requirements

2 Eligibility for admission to candidature

(1)
To be eligible to be admitted to candidature by the Dean or Associate Dean, an applicant must hold or have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or other approved institution, in a subject area related to the proposed course of advanced study and research, with:
(a)
first or second class honours; or
(b)
a result of at least a Credit grade in the highest relevant unit of study.
(2)
The Dean or Associate Dean may admit to candidature an applicant who does not meet the requirements of sub-clause (1), provided that the applicant holds a qualification or qualifications that, in the opinion of the Board of Postgraduate Studies are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).

3 Application for admission to candidature

(1)
An applicant for admission to candidature must submit to the Faculty:
(a)
satisfactory evidence of the applicant's eligibility for admission;
(b)
a proposed course of research and advanced study, approved by the Postgraduate Coordinator in which the work is to be undertaken; and
(c)
a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.
(2)
In addition, an applicant for admission to part-time candidature must submit a statement that he or she will have sufficient time available to complete the requirements of the degree in accordance with these resolutions.

4 Credit transfer

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the granting of credit for previous studies, including the effect on completion times.

Part 3: Candidature

5 Appointment of supervisor

The Chair of the Board of Postgraduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Coordinator, will appoint a supervisor and associate supervisor for each candidate in accordance with the HDR Rule and Academic Board policies for postgraduate research higher degree supervision.

6 Control of candidature

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the control of candidature by the University.

7 Location of candidature and attendance

The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the location of candidature and attendance by candidates at the University.

Part 4: Requirements

8 Degree requirements

(1)
To satisfy the requirements of the degree candidates must:
(a)
successfully complete any specified probationary requirements and conditions of candidature;
(b)
successfully complete prescribed units of study;
(c)
conduct research on the approved topic; and
(d)
write a thesis embodying the results of the research that passes the examination.

9 The thesis

(1)
A candidate shall produce a thesis that meets the requirements specified in the HDR Rule.
(2)
The thesis will be no more than 60,000 words, except with the permission of the postgraduate coordinator.

Part 5: Enrolment and progression

10 Probation

(1)
A candidate is normally accepted for candidature on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding one year according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.
(2)
In the probationary period each candidate must:
(a)
complete a 6 credit point research methods unit of study as required by the postgraduate coordinator;
(b)
develop and present a refined research proposal to the satisfaction of the supervisor and postgraduate coordinator;
(c)
demonstrate adequate English language competency for the completion of the degree; and
(d)
meet any conditions set by the Board of Postgraduate Studies and the Faculty.

11 Time limits, earliest and latest submission dates

The HDR Rule specifies the allowable completion times and submission dates available for full- and part-time candidates in this course.

12 Mode of attendance

The attendance pattern for this course is full-time or part-time according to candidate choice but is subject to approval by the Board of Postgraduate Studies.

13 Discontinuation of candidature

A candidate may discontinue enrolment in a unit of study or the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

14 Suspension of candidature

A candidate may suspend enrolment from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

15 Leave of absence

A candidate may take leave of absence from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.

16 Progress

A candidate is required to maintain satisfactory progress towards the timely completion of the degree. Progress will be reviewed annually according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.

Part 6: Examination

17 Form of the thesis

A candidate must ensure that the thesis prepared for examination is typewritten and bound according to the Academic Board resolutions of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

18 Examination of the thesis

(1)
Examination of the thesis will be conducted in general accordance with standards prescribed by Academic Board for the Doctor of Philosophy, except that:
(a)
three copies of the thesis shall be submitted by the candidate;
(b)
two examiners will be appointed by the Faculty, at least one of whom shall be external to the University and not a clinical academic title-holder of the Faculty; and
(c)
the Board of Postgraduate Studies will act in place of the PhD Award Sub-Committee.

19 Award of the degree

The thesis will be graded by the examiners and the thesis grade will be recorded on the academic transcript.

Part 7: Other

20 Transitional provisions

(1)
These course resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2017.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2017 shall complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed within the time limits specified in those resolutions. The Dean or Associate Dean may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.