Information for Postgraduate Students (Research)

This information is intended for current and incoming PhD and Masters by Research students in the School of Molecular Bioscience (SMB). All such students should familiarize themselves with the reporting and seminar requirements of PhD and Masters by Research candidates.

Postgraduate Committee Members

• Postgraduate Coordinator and Chair, Postgraduate Committee: A/Prof. Kevin Downard

Committee members from the School's Disciplines:

• A/Prof Kevin Downard (Biotechnology)
• A/Prof Dee Carter (Microbiology)
• Dr Sue Mithieux (Structural Biology)
• Prof Peter Waterhouse (Molecular Biology)
• A/Prof Samir Samman (Nutrition)

Student members:

• Amoeba Representative: Pearl Lee
• Kavya Swaminathan

Contact a member by email to : firstname.lastname@sydney.edu.au

Provide your full name, SID, supervisor's name and include your comment with an appropriate subject line. Current students should use their University email address in all correspondence.

Meetings of the Postgraduate Committee

The Committee meets every four months. To table an issue or problem, you should contact the Chair of the Committee at least two weeks prior to the meetings:

• late March
• mid-June
• mid-November

Annual Progress Reports

Annual Progress Reports are to be completed by ALL students. Form available: here
Interviews will also be arranged with the student, associate supervisor and supervisor to review progress.

School Seminars

School seminars are held at 12.00 noon every Friday in Room 471 during semester. All post-graduate and honours students are required to attend these seminars.

First Year Postgraduate Students

The University of Sydney holds a Postgraduate Induction Program in March and July for all new postgraduate students. You should attend this session in your first year of study. Click here for more information.

A welcome to SMB postgraduate student afternoon, organised by the Postgraduate Committee Student Representatives, is held in early May. Short presentations will be given to provide information on: PRSS, Annual Progress Report & Interview process, Library Services, SUPRA and research activities in the School. Food and drinks are provided.

Post Graduate Induction 2012

The 2012 SMB Postgraduate Induction Afternoon was held on Tuesday 8th May, 2012, 2 to 4.00pm in the Level 4 Common Room. The event consisted of a variety of introductions to key support services from academics and staff members, followed by presentations from postgraduate students introducing their labs.

The information presented at the event is available below:

Postgraduate (Research) Student - Resources & Responsibilities
Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Kevin Downard
PDF

An Introduction to the Sydney University Proteome Research Unit
Speaker: Dr Ben Crosset
Powerpoint Presentation

Teaching Opportunities in SMB
Speaker: Dr Dale Hancock
Powerpoint Presentation

SMB Postgraduate Induction Day: Amoeba
Speaker: Meng-Ping Hsu
Powerpoint Presentation

Safety Presentation
Speaker: Dr Nick Coleman
PDF

University of Sydney Library
Speaker: Rod Dyson
Powerpoint Presentation

Second Year Postgraduate Students

Seminars by second year students are held during the annual ProGResS symposium.

Final Year Postgraduate Students

All third year PhD students will present a seminar to the School during the year as scheduled. The seminars are usually held in Room 471. Talks are approximately 30 min in duration including questions.

Students will receive valuable feedback from Academics and Research Staff in the School ahead of submitting their thesis.

Forms for Postgraduate Students (Faculty of Science)

Forms to extend candidature, intent to submit thesis, etc. are available here

Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS)

There will be one PRSS round in the School of MMB to be held in October or November. A call for applications will be sent out some time in September or early October. All receipts should be retained until the time of application.

Major features of the scheme include:

• a maximum of one application per year
• a maximum of three payments per candidature
• applications will normally be considered for approved receipts totalling $200 - $1,200
• In the event that a student has been accepted to present at an international conference, an application can be made instead for up to $2,000 for assistance towards conference expenses
• approved receipts in the past have included: conference travel, accommodation and/or registration, visits to interstate laboratories or facilities, contributions to computer hardware or software, relevant books.

Intellectual Property

The University has produced a policy document on Intellectual Property. All students are asked to familiarise themselves with the key features of this policy (especially as it relates to students) before they start work.

Useful Websites

The following websites may be useful during your candidature: