School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science MCB … · 2017-03-16 · School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science MCB RULES AND STANDING ORDERS FOR THE DEGREES

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MCB R&SO M&D_16 March 2017

School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science MCB RULES AND STANDING ORDERS FOR THE DEGREES OF MSc AND PhD

Contents

TERMS/ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 4

1. APPLICATION FOR AND ADMISSION TO HIGHER DEGREE CANDIDATURE 5

1.1. Application ................................................................................................................. 5

1.2. Admission to Degree of Master of Science .......................................................... 5

1.3. Admission to Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) .......................................... 6

1.4. Recommendations by Heads of School ................................................................ 6

1.4.1 Qualifications and Capabilities of Applicant (G4.5) ..................................... 7

1.4.2 Adequacy of Research, Research Facilities and Supervision ................... 7

2. REGISTRATION FOR A HIGHER DEGREE (G5) .................................................... 7

2.1. Initial Registration (G5.1) ....................................................................................... 7

2.2. Renewal of Registration (G5.1) ............................................................................ 7

2.3 Lapse of Registration ............................................................................................... 7

2.4 Minimum and Maximum Periods of Registration (A.15.2) ................................. 8

2.5 Extension of Registration ........................................................................................ 8

2.6 Financial Implications for Exceeding Maximum Periods of Registration ......... 8

2.7 Cancellation of Registration as a Result of Unsatisfactory Progress ............... 8

2.8 Change of rules during a student’s registration (G3, G7.5) ............................... 9

2.9 Amendment to Registration .................................................................................... 9

2.10 Registration after first submission of thesis/dissertation/research report .... 9

2.11 Transgression of Registration Rules .................................................................. 9

3. CONVERSION OF CANDIDATURE FROM MSc TO PhD .................................... 11

3.1 In terms of Rule G12.2 (a) ..................................................................................... 11

3.2 In Terms of Rule G12.2 (b) ................................................................................... 12

4. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FACULTY GSC ..................................... 12

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4.1 Approval of the Title of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report ............... 12

4.2 Abeyance ................................................................................................................. 13

4.3 Closing date for receipt of applications and other items for consideration by the GSC .............................................................................................................................. 13

5. SUPERVISION .............................................................................................................. 13

5.1 Duties of Supervisors and Students (Statement of Principle of Postgraduate Supervision) ....................................................................................................................... 13

5.2 Absence of a Supervisor ....................................................................................... 13

5.3 External Supervision .............................................................................................. 13

5.4 Appointment of Co-Supervisors ........................................................................... 13

5.5 Changes in Supervision ......................................................................................... 13

6. ADVISORS ..................................................................................................................... 14

7. STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) ............................................................ 14

8. MATTERS RELATING TO CANDIDATURE ............................................................. 14

8.1 Approaching end of the maximum period of registration ................................. 14

8.2 A person whose candidature has been extended ............................................. 14

8.3 A person whose candidature has been placed in abeyance ........................... 14

8.4 In all cases of termination of candidature ........................................................... 14

9. SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL ........................................................... 15

9.1 Confirmation of Candidature ................................................................................. 15

9.2 Preparing a Research Proposal ........................................................................... 15

9.3 Requirements for the Submission of a Research Proposal ............................. 15

9.4 Research Proposal Seminar ................................................................................. 16

9.5 Cancellation of Registration as a Result of Unsatisfactory Progress ............. 17

10. ETHICS ........................................................................................................................ 17

10.1 Clearance of research being conducted on human participants, animals or genetically modified organisms/substances ................................................................. 17

10.2 Animal experimentation ..................................................................................... 17

10.3 Research on human subjects ........................................................................... 18

10.4 Online submissions for non-medical ethics clearance (InfoEd/RIMS) ....... 19

10.5 Research with genetically modified organisms/substances ......................... 19

11. Monitoring of a Candidate’s Progress ..................................................................... 19

12. RESEARCH SEMINARS .......................................................................................... 21

13. FIRST SUBMISSION OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS FOR EXAMINATION ............................................................................................................ 21

13.1 Procedure and requirements for the First Submission for examination ..... 21

13.2 Formal Declaration (G9.7, G10.3) .................................................................... 22

13.3 Submission of an MSc dissertation: research outputs .................................. 22

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13.4 Submission of a PhD Thesis ............................................................................. 23

13.5 Submission of a Supervisor’s report ................................................................ 24

13.6 Submission of a Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report against the Advice of a Supervisor ................................................................................................................... 24

13.7 Registration after submission of thesis/dissertation/research report .......... 24

14. EXAMINATION OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS ...... 24

14.1 Nomination of Examiners................................................................................... 24

14.2 Confidentiality of names of Examiners (both external and internal) ........... 25

14.3 Consultations during the examination process .............................................. 25

14.4 Examiners’ Reports ............................................................................................ 25

14.4.2 MSc by Course Work and Research Report (G1.22, G8, G9) ............. 25

14.4.3 PhD (thesis/publication) (G1.29, G8, G10) .............................................. 26

14.5 Examiners’ Recommendations ......................................................................... 26

14.5.1 MSc Dissertation .......................................................................................... 26

14.5.2 MSc Research Report ................................................................................ 26

14.5.3 PhD Thesis ................................................................................................... 27

14.6 Availability of Reports to Supervisors and Candidates ................................. 27

14.7 Re-examination of a Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report ......................... 27

14.8 Unfavourable Examiners’ Reports ................................................................... 28

14.9 Disclosure of names of examiners to candidates .......................................... 28

14.10 Awarding a MSc by Coursework and Research Report ............................... 28

14.11 Master of Science with distinction .................................................................... 28

14.11.1 MSc by Dissertation .................................................................................... 28

14.11.2 MSc by Coursework and Research Report ............................................. 28

14.12 AD HOC Committee Meeting ............................................................................ 28

15. REVISIONS OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS AND TIME FRAMES ...................................................................................................................... 28

16. FINAL SUBMISSION OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS 29

17. Postgraduate Exit level Outcomes .......................................................................... 29

17.1 Master of Science (by dissertation) .................................................................. 29

17.2 PhD (by thesis or publication) ........................................................................... 30

18. POSTGRADUATE PUBLICATION INCENTIVE ................................................... 30

APPENDIX I: Research Proposal ....................................................................................... 31

APPENDIX II: MCB RESEARCH SEMINARS ................................................................. 33

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TERMS/ABBREVIATIONS “School”: Unless indicated otherwise, ”School” should be taken to include departments or divisions where these exist within Schools. “Faculty Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)”: This is a Faculty Committee which deals with all matters pertaining to postgraduate studies. “Faculty Registrar”: Where the term ”Faculty Registrar” is used this may refer to the work carried out by a member of the Faculty Registrar’s staff, but the accountability will rest with the Faculty Registrar. “Thesis” is the term reserved for an extended piece of writing based on research that makes an original and significant contribution to knowledge that may incorporate creative work or publications integral to the overall argument, and is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy qualification. “Dissertation” is the term reserved for a Master’s qualification by research, which is an extended piece of written work, which may incorporate creative work or publications. “Research report” is the term reserved for the written document which forms the research component of a Master’s qualification by coursework and research report. “Senior Doctorate” A significant body of work that makes a distinguished contribution to the advancement of knowledge in a field is required for the award of a senior doctorate. “Supervisor” is the person who takes primary responsibility for the supervision of the candidate, and is responsible for more than 50% of the supervision. “Co-Supervisor” is the person who is responsible for more than 10%, and less than 50% of the supervision of a candidate. “Postgraduate Coordinator” is the person appointed by the Head of School who is responsible for postgraduate matters at School level. “Advisor” is an academic person who is not involved in the student’s project and who can advise the student independently re his/her studies and postgraduate development. “Research and Graduate Affairs Committee (R&GAC)”: This is the MCB Committee which deals with all matters pertaining to postgraduate studies and research. “Student Advisory Committee” (SAC): This is the MCB Committee, consisting of the student’s supervisor, co-supervisor, advisor, a member of the R&GAC and, when necessary, an independent reviewer.

INTRODUCTION Higher degrees awarded by the Faculty of Science are PhD, MSc (Dissertation) and MSc (Coursework and Research Report). These rules and standing orders, based on those of Senate and the Faculty of Science, are intended to serve as guidelines for the Head of School, the Postgraduate Coordinator, Supervisors, Postgraduate Students, and the MCB Research and Graduate Affairs Committee. They should be read in conjunction with the Senate and Faculty standing orders on higher degrees. In the Faculty of Science, all Heads of Schools have appointed Postgraduate Coordinators to be responsible for higher degree matters within the School.

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1. APPLICATION FOR AND ADMISSION TO HIGHER DEGREE CANDIDATURE

1.1. Application An applicant who wishes to be admitted as a candidate for a higher degree must apply online or submit the hard copy of the application form to SENC, and must indicate the line of research which he/she wishes to conduct. Application forms are available from the Student Enrolment Centre and online (http//www.wits.ac.za). The application is then forwarded to the Head of the School/Postgraduate Coordinator who will make a recommendation regarding admission. The application will then be approved by the Assistant Dean of Postgraduate Studies. A supervisor/s will normally be approved by the Head of School/Postgraduate Coordinator at the time of submission of the application form. For MSc (Dissertation) and PhD qualifications the supervisor must give his/her consent to supervise the candidate by signing the application form.

1.2. Admission to Degree of Master of Science 1. Any of the following may be admitted by the Senate as a candidate for the degree of Master of Science if the Senate is satisfied that the applicant is qualified to undertake the line of study or research proposed (or both):

a) A Bachelor of Science with Honours of this or another university; b) A graduate of this or another university who holds a degree in another faculty whose curriculum has ordinarily extended over not less than four academic years of full-time study; c) A person other than a graduate who has in any other manner satisfied the Senate that s/he is so qualified; d) A Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Science in Education of the University who has produced evidence to the satisfaction of the Senate that s/he has:

i) for a period of at least two years subsequent to his/her admission to the award of the degree of Bachelor pursued a course of study or research in the branch of science in which s/he proposes to read for his/her Master’s degree and prior to its completion satisfies the Senate by means of a written examination that s/he has attained an Honours standard in that branch of science; or ii) attained an Honours standard in the branch of science in which s/he proposes to read for his/her degree of Master by having, for a period of at least five years subsequent to his/her admission to the degree of Bachelor, pursued a course of study or research in that branch of science;

e) A person who has been accepted as a candidate for the degree of Master of Science by virtue of having obtained at any other university or institution such qualification as is, in the opinion of the Senate, equivalent to or higher than the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours in the University; f) A Bachelor of Science of another university or a person who has obtained at another university or institution deemed by the Senate to be of university standing, such qualifications as is, in the opinion of the Senate, equivalent to the degree of Bachelor of Science of the University and who, in addition, has produced evidence to the satisfaction of the Senate that s/he has:

i) for a period of at least two years subsequent to his/her admission to the degree of Bachelor or other qualification, pursued a course of study or research in the branch of science in which s/he proposes to read for his/her degree of Master and who has satisfied the Senate by means of written assessment that s/he has attained an Honours standard in that branch of science, or ii) attained an Honours standard in that branch of science in which s/he proposes to read for his/her degree of Master by having, for a period of at least five years subsequent to his/her admission to the

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degree of Bachelor or other qualification, pursued a course of study or research in that branch of science.

2. A person who has been admitted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy may, at his/her request and on the recommendation of the Senate to proceed instead to the degree of Master of Science. Applicants from other Universities are required to submit the following documentation together with the application form:

a) Certified copy(ies) of original degree certificate(s); b) Official academic record/transcript and certificate of good conduct (G4.6);

and c) Curriculum Vitae.

Foreign candidate applicants are required to pay an application fee and submit the following documentation together with the application form:

a) Certified copy(ies) of original degree certificate (s); b) Official academic record/transcript and certificate of good conduct (G4.6); c) Curriculum Vitae; d) SAQA evaluation; and e) Proof of English proficiency (G4.4).

1.3. Admission to Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 1. Any of the following may be admitted by the Senate as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy if the Senate is satisfied that the applicant is qualified to undertake the line of study or research proposed (or both):

a) a Master of Science of this or another university; b) by permission of the Senate, a Bachelor of Science with Honours or equivalent, with distinction, of this or another university; However, MCB has approved that a final mark of at least 85% and a strong motivation are required. c) a person other than a graduate who has in any other manner satisfied the Senate that s/he is so qualified; d) a person who has been accepted as a candidate to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by virtue of having obtained at any other university or institution such awards as is, in the opinion of the Senate, equivalent to or higher than the qualification of Master of Science at the University.

2. A person who has been admitted as a candidate for the Master of Science may, on the recommendation of the supervisor and the head of the school concerned, be permitted by the Senate to proceed instead to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Applicants from other Universities are required to submit the following documentation together with the application form:

(i) Certified copy(ies) of original degree certificate(s); (ii) Official academic record/transcript and certificate of good conduct; and (iii) Curriculum Vitae.

Foreign candidate applicants are required to pay an application fee and submit the following documentation together with the application form: (i) Certified copy(ies) of original degree certificate (s); (ii) Official academic record/transcript and certificate of good conduct; (iii) Curriculum Vitae; (iv) SAQA evaluation; and (v) Proof of English proficiency (G4.4).

1.4. Recommendations by Heads of School The Senate’s powers in respect of higher degree matters have largely been delegated by the Faculty Board to the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) which, in turn, relies heavily on the recommendations of the Heads of School/Postgraduate Coordinators.

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Heads of School are under no obligation to recommend the admission of any person who wishes to pursue research for a higher degree – the fact that an applicant may be qualified for admission in terms of the rules is NOT in itself grounds for admission. Only those applicants found to be satisfactory in all respects should be recommended to the GSC. This includes the appointment of supervisors for MSc (Dissertation) and PhD applicants. The Head of School/Postgraduate Coordinator and the supervisor should satisfy themselves fully on the following points and indicate this on the form provided:

1.4.1 Qualifications and Capabilities of Applicant (G4.5) a) The applicant should have the necessary academic qualifications, in terms of the

rules, for admission to the candidature which s/he seeks. An applicant for admission as an MSc candidate is usually expected to have at least 65% at Honours level. For MCB, a candidate with a final mark of at least 85% at the Honours level and a strong motivation from the supervisor may register directly for a PhD (S24.1b).

b) The applicant should have the necessary training and background and the intellectual ability to carry out the research project s/he proposes.

1.4.2 Adequacy of Research, Research Facilities and Supervision a) The proposed research should show clear promise of a sufficient contribution to

knowledge to fulfil the requirements of the degree concerned; b) The proposed research should be feasible – i.e. adequate laboratory and/or

library facilities should exist, and the requisite research materials or data should be readily accessible; and

c) Effective and appropriate supervision should be available for the minimum period of registration.

2. REGISTRATION FOR A HIGHER DEGREE (G5)

On registering at this University the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that s/he is familiar with the rules applicable to her/his registration. Ignorance of these rules will not be accepted as an excuse.

2.1. Initial Registration (G5.1) A candidate for a Higher Degree in the Faculty of Science is required to register when the application is approved by the Head of School/Postgraduate Coordinator and signed by the Chairperson of the GSC.

2.2. Renewal of Registration (G5.1) All candidates are required to renew their registration annually before the end of February.

2.3 Lapse of Registration From the second year of registration to completion, candidates are required to register in the specified period for each subsequent year of registration. It is the responsibility of the Faculty Registrar to ensure that all candidates are duly registered, and to report unregistered candidates to the Head of School or Postgraduate Coordinator. The Head of School or Coordinator shall then investigate, through the supervisors, the reasons for non-registration. Any candidate not registered by the end of April, provided that they are in good standing, will be assumed to have allowed their registration to lapse and will be required to apply de novo.

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2.4 Minimum and Maximum Periods of Registration (A.15.2) A FULL-TIME candidate is a candidate who is working full-time on his research.

A PART-TIME candidate is normally in other full-time or part-time employment. A member of the University staff may register as a full-time candidate. This decision should be made in consultation with the Head of School and should be related to the actual time spent carrying out research. The normal minimum and maximum periods (years) of registration are as follows: Degree Minimum (n) HEQSF Wits (n+1) Maximum MSc (Full-time) 1 2 3 MSc (Part-time) 1 3 4 PhD (Full-time) 2 3 4 PhD (Part-time) 2 4 5

A candidate exceeding the maximum period of study will incur a penalty fee. The fees of candidates exceeding the maximum period of study will escalate by 20% for each additional year.

2.5 Extension of Registration Only TWO extensions are permissible for the entire duration of a candidate’s candidature. Extensions can be approved by the GSC either during the research proposal preparation stage, or to extend the maximum period of registration. Once candidates have completed the minimum (n+1) Wits period of study they must apply for an extension to the Faculty GSC, which will not be granted unless there is a convincing motivation; extensions should be the exception rather than the rule. The Faculty reserves the right to terminate protracted registration once the maximum period of study has been exceeded. Extensions can be applied for by completing the Faculty Amendment Form.

2.6 Financial Implications for Exceeding Maximum Periods of Registration A candidate exceeding the maximum period of study will incur a penalty fee. The fees of candidates exceeding the maximum period of study will escalate by 20% for each additional year (as stipulated by the Fees Office) (A.15.2).

The maximum lengths of the MSc and PhD programmes do not take the maximum funding periods for students into account which usually is 2 years for a full-time MSc, 3 years for a full-time PhD, and 4 years for a conversion from a full-time MSc to PhD. Should Faculty agree to extending the registration of a student beyond these timeframes, the student and supervisor will have to consider the financial implications of the extension.

2.7 Cancellation of Registration as a Result of Unsatisfactory Progress (G5.8.2) The Senate may cancel the registration of a postgraduate student registered for a programme by research if a higher degrees committee (or equivalent), on the recommendation of the relevant supervisor(s) and head of school, has considered the research proposal and/or other milestones of the research of that student and has judged the research proposal or the progress towards the milestones to be academically unsatisfactory or, in material aspects, incomplete. The higher degrees committee may appoint a panel comprising one member of the higher degrees committee, the relevant supervisor and the relevant head of school for the purpose of advising the higher degrees committee. Reasons must be given when such registration is cancelled and an appeal against such cancellation may be made to the Dean of the Faculty, who will then propose membership of an ad hoc committee to review the case. The three-person ad hoc committee will be chaired by the Dean. The Chairperson of the higher degrees committee; the Head of School and/or the Supervisor (or equivalent); may be in attendance. If the ad hoc committee does not permit renewal of registration the student has the right to submit a further appeal to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Academic, who may consult with the Dean. The decision of the DVC:

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Academic, acting on behalf of the Council, shall be final. Fee implications associated with the cancellation of registrations are outlined in the Schedule of Fees books. G5.8.3 The process set out in 5.8.2 will also apply to a postgraduate student registered for a programme which includes coursework.

2.8 Change of rules during a student’s registration (G3, G7.5) If the rules governing a qualification are changed, a student who registered under the old rules and who has obtained sufficient credits to enable her/him to proceed to the next year of study in terms of those rules, may proceed on the old curriculum unless s/he elects to proceed on the new curriculum. However where there are, in the opinion of the Senate, compelling reasons for doing so, which may include failure in one or more courses, or where a student does not register for the next year of study in the ensuing academic year or where at her/his request, a student is permitted by the Senate to register in the ensuing year on a special curriculum, that student may be required by the Senate to proceed on new rules or on interim rules or on a special curriculum laid down for her/him by the Senate.

2.9 Amendment to Registration A postgraduate candidate must complete a Postgraduate Studies Amendment form for the following: a) Change of address. b) Change in title of Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. c) Change in supervisor. d) Conversion from one degree to another. e) Conversion from full-time to part-time. f) Extension for submission of research proposal or first submission of

Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. g) Request for abeyance. h) Adding or dropping of units.

Forms are available from the Faculty of Science reception or can be downloaded from http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/postgraduate/13903/amendment_to_registration.html A candidate is required to complete the form and obtain signatures from the supervisor and Postgraduate Coordinator before submission to the Faculty.

2.10 Registration after first submission of thesis/dissertation/research report A candidate who has submitted his or her thesis/dissertation/research report for examination is required to remain registered until he or she has met all the requirements for the degree. If the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee or Board of the Faculty decides that substantial revisions to the thesis are required, then the candidate will be liable for a re-examination fee, as per A.33.3.3 of these Standing Orders. Subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, a candidate may be permitted to register for a further higher degree while awaiting the outcome of the examination for another higher degree.

2.11 Transgression of Registration Rules In recent years some students have participated in academic activities without complying with the registration rules. The practice of illegally providing tuition or supervision to unregistered students cannot be permitted. Rule G5.2 states: “Except with the permission of the Senate, no person may attend any course or proceed as a candidate for any qualification unless he/she is registered as a student at the University at the material time”. This means that students must have complied with all the requirements for registration which include producing necessary documentation and paying the stipulated fees. Academic staff are requested to work only from officially produced class lists and not to permit students who have not been formally registered with the University to participate in academic activities. Where there are apparent gaps or omissions in the class lists please draw the names of the students in question to the attention of the Faculty and School offices for them

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science/postgraduate/13903/amendment_to_registration.html

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to be followed up. Academic staff are requested to ensure that anomalies are addressed as soon as they arise. It is equally important not to supervise the work of postgraduate students who are not registered. Please note that the transgression of registration rules is considered in a serious light by the University. Implementing the above procedures avoids awkward, unnecessary and unpleasant issues, and will eliminate the risk of legal steps being instituted against the University. The assistance of all staff is requested in this endeavour, and thank you in advance for your co-operation. Carol Crosley University Registrar 21

st February 2017

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3. CONVERSION OF CANDIDATURE FROM MSc TO PhD

3.1 In terms of Rule G12.2 (a) A person who has been admitted as a candidate for the degree of master by dissertation and

who has been registered for twelve months or longer may, in certain circumstances, which include exceptional research outputs, such as where the person is first author on at least one accepted publication

1 in an accredited journal, at her/his request and on the

recommendation of the supervisor and of the Head of the School concerned, on the basis of work towards the dissertation be allowed, by permission of the Senate, to proceed instead to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Provided further that the degree of master shall NOT be conferred on her/him in the event of her/his–

a) withdrawing her/his candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy; or b) having her/his candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy cancelled

in terms G5.7; or c) failing to satisfy the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

A Postgraduate Amendment to Registration form must be completed when applying for a conversion and must contain a letter of motivation (including rule used for the conversion) from the candidate’s supervisor/s supported by the Postgraduate Coordinator, a progress report on the research performed during the master’s candidature, and a PhD Research Proposal. The application requires approval by the School before being submitted to the GSC for the consideration and approval of the conversion.

The Rule for the upgrade (G12.2a) must be indicated in the supervisor’s motivation. The motivation should address the following:

a) Does the candidate show acquaintance with the methods of research in that he/she (i) understands the nature and purpose of the investigations? (ii) is sufficiently acquainted with the relevant literature? (iii) has mastered the necessary techniques? (iv) has acquired a thorough understanding of appropriate scientific methods? (v) is capable of assessing the significance of the findings? (vi) Is the candidate of PhD calibre? (vii) Is the research project of PhD standard? (viii) Does the candidate show independent and original thought and strong

motivation towards the research? b) Reference should be made to any relevant papers published or presented at

conferences by the candidate.

In terms of Rule G12.2 (a), the MSc Dissertation is neither written nor submitted for examination.

A person who is permitted to change her/his candidature in terms of G12.2 (a) above will be

deemed to have been admitted to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the date of her/his admission to candidature for the degree of master, or at such later date as the Senate may determine in her/his case, but will be subject, in all other respects, to the rules for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and such other conditions as the Senate may determine in her/his case.

Format of PhD Thesis: The whole project shall be incorporated in an integrated form for the PhD Thesis and not submitted as separate volumes (i.e. the MSc Dissertation plus the results of the extended research in another volume).

1 The publication should be on the work covered in the project

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3.2 In Terms of Rule G12.2 (b) A person who has completed the requirements for the degree of master, at her/his request and on the recommendation of the Head of the School concerned, may be permitted by the Senate not to have the qualification conferred on her/him, but to conduct, for not less than one academic year of further full-time study, or not less than two academic years of further part-time study, additional research for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which shall be a significant extension of the research already completed by her/him: Provided that the period of additional research may be waived or reduced in a case considered by the Senate to be exceptional. Provided further that the degree of master shall be conferred on her/him in the event of her/his –

a) withdrawing her/his candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy; or b) having her/his candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy cancelled in terms

G5.7; or c) failing to satisfy the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

If a candidate wishes to convert his candidature in terms of Rule G12.2 (b), then an application with motivations, progress report and a PhD proposal, as set out in 3.1 above, with the approval of the School, must be submitted to the GSC before submission of the MSc Dissertation for examination. In terms of Rule G12.2 (b), the MSc Dissertation is both written and submitted for examination. A person who is permitted to change her/his candidature in terms of G12.2 (b) above will be deemed to have been admitted to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the date of her/his admission to candidature for the degree of master, or at such later date as the Senate may determine in her/his case, but will be subject, in all other respects, to the rules for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and such other conditions as the Senate may determine in her/his case. If the Examiners’ reports on the MSc dissertation are favourable, and the GSC agrees that the candidate may proceed to the degree of PhD, the candidature shall be confirmed. If the Examiners’ reports are unfavourable, the PhD candidature shall not be confirmed.

Format of PhD Thesis: The whole project shall be incorporated in an integrated form for the PhD Thesis and not submitted as separate volumes (i.e. the MSc Dissertation plus the results of the extended research in another volume).

External Examiners of PhD Theses: The same external examiner shall not normally be appointed to examine the MSc Dissertation and the PhD Thesis. In the case where the same examiner is appointed, a strong motivation must be submitted.

4. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FACULTY GSC All matters relating to Master’s and Doctoral degrees must be approved by the GSC or, in

urgent and controversial cases, the Board of the Faculty of Science, or the Senate. All higher degree matters, such as applications for admission to candidature, approval of research proposals, nomination and approval of Examiners, approval and changes of supervisor(s), extension of candidature, cancellation of candidature, requests for abeyance, conversions, changes in registration such as title or line of research, or approval of examiners’ reports, must be submitted for approval to the GSC. The minutes of the GSC meetings form part of the Faculty Board documentation. Applications or requests will not normally be considered unless they are recommended in writing by the Head of the School/Postgraduate Coordinator concerned and have the support of the supervisor/s.

4.1 Approval of the Title of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report Candidates should not submit their Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report before the final title of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report has been approved by the GSC (see item 2.9).

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4.2 Abeyance This is applicable to all MSc and PhD candidates. In exceptional circumstances candidates may apply to have their candidature put into abeyance, i.e. where their circumstances prevent them from continuing their research. The maximum period of abeyance is two years (non-continuous). Abeyance must be for a pre-specified length of time. If a candidate does not apply for re-instatement before the abeyance period expires, his candidature will be cancelled (see item 2.9)

4.3 Closing date for receipt of applications and other items for consideration by the GSC The deadline for receipt by the Faculty Office of applications and other items for consideration by the GSC is 10 working days before the date of each GSC meeting. Any urgent matters may be circulated to members of the GSC.

5. SUPERVISION

5.1 Duties of Supervisors and Students (Statement of Principle of Postgraduate Supervision) The duties of supervisors and postgraduate students are laid down in the Senate standing orders. A Statement of Principle for Postgraduate Supervision, outlining guidelines to the candidate, supervisor and Head of School is given to all new higher degree candidates on registration in the Faculty. This document must be signed and returned to the Faculty together with the submission of the research proposal.

5.2 Absence of a Supervisor A supervisor of a higher degree candidate who is granted leave of absence for more than six months from the University shall, through the Head of his School, inform the Faculty Office what arrangements are to be made for the candidate’s supervision during his absence. These arrangements may be subject to approval by the GSC.

5.3 External Supervision In terms of the Senate standing orders, supervision by a member of staff of another University, or by a member of staff of a research organisation or industry, must be motivated for and approved by the GSC.

5.4 Appointment of Co-Supervisors The appointment may take place in the following circumstances: a) Where a supervisor proposed for a new candidate is due to retire in a year or less; b) Where a proposed supervisor is supervising a higher degree candidate for the first

time; c) Where an external supervisor is appointed, in which case the principal supervisor

must be from the relevant School at this University; and d) Where a valid case can be made for a particular research topic (e.g. in an

interdisciplinary area of research) which includes aspects of two different fields of study.

Co-supervisors of a higher degree candidate are required to consult each other at regular intervals concerning the progress of their candidate.

5.5 Changes in Supervision Any change in supervisory arrangements for a candidate must be approved by the GSC. The Head of the School/Postgraduate Coordinator concerned should submit to the GSC an amendment form stating brief reasons for the change (see item 2.9).

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6. ADVISORS This is an academic person for each student who is not involved in the student’s project and who can advise the student independently re his/her studies and postgraduate development.

7. STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) This is an MCB Committee for each student, consisting of the student’s supervisor, co- supervisor, advisor, a member of the R&GAC and, when necessary, an independent reviewer. See item 9.4.

8. MATTERS RELATING TO CANDIDATURE Procedure is to be followed when higher degree candidates are approaching the maximum permitted period of registration. The normal maximum periods allowed for completion of higher degrees are set out in item 2.4.

8.1 Approaching end of the maximum period of registration The Faculty Office, as a matter of routine, writes to all candidates and their supervisors who are approaching the end of the maximum period of registration (i.e. n + 2) asking them to report on their progress and state when they are likely to submit the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. Depending on the candidate’s reaction, one of the following results: a) The candidate submits his Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report within the required

period. b) The candidate, supported by his supervisor and the Head of the School/Postgraduate

Coordinator, applies for an extension of his registration for a maximum period of one year. This extension request will be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

c) The candidate, supported by his supervisor and the Head of the School/Postgraduate Coordinator, requests the Faculty to place his candidature in abeyance for a maximum period of two years (non-continuous – see 5.3).

d) In the case of the candidate not responding, s/he will be sent a letter by registered post at the time of the expiry of the maximum period advising him that unless s/he submits his Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report or applies for an extension/abeyance within the next three months, his candidature will be terminated.

8.2 A person whose candidature has been extended (see item 2.5) should be reminded

by the Faculty Office that s/he is required to submit before the end of the extension period. Depending on the candidate’s response, one of the following results: a) The candidate submits his Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. b) In exceptional circumstances, if the maximum period of candidature plus the

extension period of one year has expired, the candidate, strongly supported by the supervisor and the Head of the School/Postgraduate Coordinator, requests the GSC to allow one further extension or to place his candidature in abeyance.

c) The candidature is terminated.

8.3 A person whose candidature has been placed in abeyance (see item 4.3) should be

informed by the Faculty Office that the period of abeyance is about to end. Depending on the candidate’s reaction, one of the following results:

a) Reinstatement may be applied for and granted; in this case the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report must be submitted within three months of the date of re-instatement. Only in very exceptional circumstances would a candidate be granted an extension;

b) Reinstatement is not applied for and the candidature is terminated.

8.4 In all cases of termination of candidature, the candidate will be advised that if, at a

future date, s/he is able to provide evidence of completion of his Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report (in particular by giving the supervisor a draft thesis which meets the requirements of the degree) s/he may apply to the Faculty for reinstatement.

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The candidate should also be advised that other candidates may well undertake research in the field of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report topic, so that the results obtained by the candidate may become outdated and no longer satisfy the requirements for the higher degree. In such exceptional circumstances, if the Faculty agrees to reinstatement, the candidate will be required to pay the accumulated fees for the period between the date of termination and the date of reinstatement.

a) If the candidature is terminated by the Faculty, the candidate shall have the right to appeal against this decision, but the GSC will only support such appeals if there are very exceptional circumstances. Reinstatement would be for a maximum period of six months;

b) A candidate is only allowed to appeal once against termination.

9. SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

9.1 Confirmation of Candidature The submission and approval of a research proposal by the GSC are required to confirm the candidature of a postgraduate student.

9.2 Preparing a Research Proposal All candidates are required to prepare a carefully written and argued research proposal which must:

a) have a cover page with: (i) a title (this should be brief and precise and avoid redundancies and

unnecessary phrases such as “A study of”’, “An investigation to establish whether”, etc);

(ii) the candidate’s name, person number and signature (iii) the candidate’s physical work/research address and alternative email

address if the candidate is not located at Wits, (iv) the supervisor’s name and signature(s) (v) the co-supervisor’s name (if applicable) and signature(s) (vi) the co-supervisor’s physical work/research address and alternative

email address if the co-supervisor is not in MCB, (vii) the advisor’s name and signature (viii) the Postgraduate Coordinator’s name and signature

b) Give a focussed review of the relevant literature; c) State concisely and specifically the aim and objectives of the research/the specific

problem(s) to be investigated/the specific hypotheses to be tested; d) State what experiments will be done and their design, describe the methods that

will be used to process, assess and analyse the data, and what controls will be used;

e) Describe the subjects (human or animal) to be used and indicate how many there will be and how they will be obtained;

f) In the case of human, animal or GMO subjects, the research proposal must be cleared by the relevant Ethics/Biosafety Committee prior to its commencement (see item 10);

g) Any research using genetically modified organisms or substances must be cleared by the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the laboratory facility must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (http://www.daff.gov.za) prior to its commencement (see item 10.5). Registration number to be included;

h) Include a timeline with clearly defined milestones.

Matters to consider when preparing a research proposal are available in APPENDIX I.

9.3 Requirements for the Submission of a Research Proposal Prior to the submission of a research proposal for approval by MCB, it must be presented by the candidate at an MCB Proposal Seminar for comment and approval by the candidate’s

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SAC (see item 9.4). Following this, an electronic copy of the proposal must be submitted to the Postgraduate Coordinator for approval and submission to the Faculty Office within a specified timeframe (see below). The following must be included with each copy of the proposal:

a) A signed Submission of Research Proposal form (available on the Faculty of Science Website http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science).

b) A signed Statement of Principles for Postgraduate Supervision form. c) A signed declaration stating the following:

I, NAME (PERSON NUMBER), am a student registered for the degree of _______ in the academic year ______. I hereby declare the following:

I am aware that plagiarism (the use of someone else’s work without their permission and/or without acknowledging the original source) is wrong.

I confirm that the research proposal submitted for assessment for the above degree is my own unaided work except where explicitly indicated otherwise and acknowledged.

I have followed the required conventions in referencing the thoughts and ideas of others.

I understand that the University of the Witwatersrand may take disciplinary action against me if there is a belief that this is not my own unaided work or that I have failed to acknowledge the source of the ideas or words in my writing.

signature___________ ____ day of __________ YEAR

d) A Turn-it-in report (Supervisor needs to motivate in case the similarity percentage

exceeds 15%). These reports need to include the following sections: abstract, introduction, results and discussion.

e) A signed Registration for a Higher Degree in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology and Teaching Assistant Duties form (available from Ms. Gadi Selepe, Admin Office MCB).

f) Presentation of a satisfactory research proposal seminar (see item 9.4). g) Ethics clearance if applicable (see item 10): If a research candidate wishes to carry

out research of any kind on human or animal subjects or with genetically modified organisms, the University has to scrutinize proposals on ethical grounds, and various procedures must be complied with, depending on the type of research. Any research using genetically modified organisms or substances must be cleared by the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the laboratory facility must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (http://www.daff.gov.za) prior to its commencement. (http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/researchsupport/19110/ethics_and_research_integrity.html)

If a candidate has not submitted a research proposal within the following periods after registration, the registration shall be cancelled, unless the GSC is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist for an extension (see item 2.5):

- Full-time masters (dissertation) – four months - Part-time (dissertation) – eight months - Full-time doctorate – six months - Part-time doctorate – twelve months

9.4 Research Proposal Seminar A research proposal is a critical tool in assessing the scientific and technical concepts of a research project in addition to its feasibility. All masters and doctoral students in MCB must present their research proposals to their Student Advisory Committee (SAC) within the timeframe in which the written proposal is to be submitted to the Faculty (i.e. 4 months for an MSc FT and 6 months for a PhD FT; see item 9.3). The presentation can be attended by additional and independent academics that could provide valuable insight into and comment

http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science

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about a specific project. These seminars will enable the proposed research to be evaluated in terms of:

1. Scientific and technical merit 2. Scope 3. Risk assessment/mitigation 4. Milestones, timeframes and budget 5. Feasibility e.g. available expertise, infrastructure etc. 6. Other matters indicated in APPENDIX I

A proposal is a flexible document and the presentation of a proposal seminar does not intend to enforce a particular research path but to enable both the postgraduate student AND the supervisor(s) to take ownership of their research projects in terms of project planning and management.

9.5 Cancellation of Registration as a Result of Unsatisfactory Progress G5.8.2 The Senate may cancel the registration of a postgraduate student registered for a programme by research if a higher degrees committee (or equivalent), on the recommendation of the relevant supervisor(s) and head of school, has considered the research proposal and/or other milestones of the research of that student and has judged the research proposal or the progress towards the milestones to be academically unsatisfactory or, in material aspects, incomplete. The higher degrees committee may appoint a panel comprising one member of the higher degrees committee, the relevant supervisor and the relevant head of school for the purpose of advising the higher degrees committee. Reasons must be given when such registration is cancelled and an appeal against such cancellation may be made to the Dean of the Faculty, who will then propose membership of an ad hoc committee to review the case. The three-person ad hoc committee will be chaired by the Dean. The Chairperson of the higher degrees committee; the Head of School and/or the Supervisor (or equivalent); may be in attendance. If the ad hoc committee does not permit renewal of registration the student has the right to submit a further appeal to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Academic, who may consult with the Dean. The decision of the DVC: Academic, acting on behalf of the Council, shall be final. Fee implications associated with the cancellation of registrations are outlined in the Schedule of Fees books. G5.8.3 The process set out in 5.8.2 will also apply to a postgraduate student registered for a programme which includes coursework.

10. ETHICS

10.1 Clearance of research being conducted on human participants, animals or genetically modified organisms/substances If a research candidate wishes to carry out research of any kind on human or animal subjects or with genetically modified organisms, the University has to scrutinise proposals on ethical grounds, and various procedures must be complied with, depending on the type of research: (http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/researchsupport/19110/ethics_and_research_integrity.html; http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/researchsupport/19112/ethics_application_forms_guidance_notes_and_policy_documents.html)

10.2 Animal experimentation 1. All experiments performed on non-human vertebrates, vertebrate foetuses, vertebrate

embryos and cephalopods by staff or candidates are to be scrutinised by the Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC, a sub-committee of the University Research Committee) prior to the commencement of such studies, irrespective of the origin or ownership of the animals, or source of funding.

2. If the Animal Research Ethics Committee approves the experiment, it may prescribe restrictions or conditions under which the activity may be conducted, define substantial changes in the research plans, and/or request reports on the progress of the experiment.

3. The Director or Veterinary Director of the Central Animal Service (CAS) is required to submit a written report on any irregularities relating to the use of animals in approved


http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/researchsupport/19112/ethics_application_forms_guidance_notes_and_policy_documents.html

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studies, which are brought to his or her notice. Such reports will be investigated by the Animal Research Ethics Committee.

4. The regulations apply to all staff members (academic, non-academic and honorary) and to all candidates (undergraduate and postgraduate), irrespective of where the experiment is carried out, and with whom it is conducted.

5. The Faculty Board, Faculty Graduate Studies Committee of a Faculty, panel, or Chairperson of the Graduate Studies Committee, when scrutinising a research proposal, is required to draw the attention of a candidate to the need for clearance to be sought by the candidate from the Animal Research Ethics Committee, through the office of the Deputy Registrar (Academic and Research), and for a Protocol Number to be obtained by the candidate before commencement of research. Such a number must appear on any publication resulting from the research.

6. Very strict controls and procedures must be complied with throughout the period of research. (As prescribed by the National Code, the Veterinary Director of CAS has ultimate responsibility for the clinical care of animals, and can withdraw any animal from an experiment at any time for clinical reasons.)

7. The candidate must submit to the Faculty Registrar a clearance certificate/number from the University Research Office before commencing his research.

10.3 Research on human subjects There are two sub-committees of the University Research Committee: a Medical Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), and a Humanities HREC:

a) The HREC (Medical) has been constituted to monitor the ethics of research to be carried

out on human subjects, primarily in the Faculty of Health Sciences whether or not physically invasive techniques are used

The HREC (Medical) is charged with ensuring that all research in which human subjects are involved (excluding that in (b) below) carried out in the University, by undergraduates, postgraduates, staff or affiliated staff, in the name of the University, using University resources or University property, is ethical and, in particular, safe, soundly based, respects the rights of individuals, and includes informed consent. The research protocols that require screening include all therapeutic and diagnostic research on patients, as well as research on healthy subjects/participants, whether through physical research, questionnaires or examination of records. Therapeutic research involving drug trials must first be cleared by the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Committee of the relevant hospital. If the Chairperson of the HREC (Medical) feels that the Committee is not the appropriate one, s/he will refer the proposal to the HREC (Humanities). The Head of School, supervisor and/or Chairperson of the relevant Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, when scrutinising a research proposal, is required to draw the attention of a candidate to the need for clearance to be sought by the candidate from the HREC (Medical), through the office of the University Research Office, and for a clearance certificate and Protocol Number to be obtained by the candidate before commencement of research. This number must appear on any publication resulting from the research. It is the responsibility of the Faculty Registrar to obtain from the candidate a copy of the clearance certificate issued by the relevant HREC before commencement of the research

The Committee may delegate to the Chairperson the power to act in urgent cases. b) The HREC (Humanities) has been constituted to monitor the ethics of research protocols

primarily in the Humanities and Social Sciences, including the risks and benefits to the informant or subject or participant.

The HREC (Humanities) is required to provide a set of guidelines for Faculties against which the need to refer proposals to the HREC (Humanities) can be assessed.

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(i) It is the Committee’s responsibility to look at critical factors such as the extent to

which research could be socially or psychologically invasive or damaging. (Research involving physically invasive techniques is scrutinised by the HREC (Medical) as set out in (a) above). The Committee’s role is to ensure that all research in which humans are involved, either as informants or subjects, carried out by undergraduates, postgraduates, staff or affiliated staff in the name of the University, respects the rights of individuals.

The Committee’s procedures should include the scrutinising of any protocols referred to it. The Committee must also vet any research instrument (e.g. a questionnaire) planned by the researcher and referred to the Committee to preclude the use of questions likely to violate the rights of participants. The Faculty Board, Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, supervisor, panel or Chairperson of a Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, when scrutinising a research proposal, is required, where necessary, to draw the attention of a candidate to the need for clearance to be sought by the candidate from the HREC (Humanities), through the University Research Office, and for a clearance certificate (which includes a Protocol Number) to be obtained by the candidate before commencement of research. The supervisor is accountable in the first instance for raising issues of concern with regard to ethics with the candidate.

It is the responsibility of the Faculty Registrar to obtain from the candidate a copy of the clearance certificate/ number from the HREC (Humanities) prior to the commencement of the research. If the Chairperson of the HREC (Humanities) feels that the proposal referred to that Committee is more relevant to the HREC (Medical), s/he will refer it to that Committee.

The Committee may delegate responsibility for ethics clearance to a properly constituted sub-committee. The Committee may delegate to the Chairperson the power to act in urgent cases.

10.4 Online submissions for non-medical ethics clearance (InfoEd/RIMS) The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC non-medical) will, from January 2015, only accept online submissions via InfoEd/RIMS however one original hard copy with the relevant signatures must be submitted to the Secretariat of the HREC (non-medical). The hard copy MUST be submitted before the monthly closing date. Online applications without the hard copy will not be considered by the HREC (non-medical). The Secretariat is based in Room 10000, 10th Floor Senate House. The online system will result in huge saving of paper and many other benefits such as tracking the status of an online submission.

A copy of the User Guide is available on the website of the Research Office at: http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/researchsupport/25278/. Please contact Mr Sidney Engelbrecht at [email protected]; 0117171408 or Mr Mamello Mafisa at [email protected]; 0117171112 to obtain login details.

The 2015 submission dates are also available on the website of the Research Office at: http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/researchsupport/23873/.

10.5 Research with genetically modified organisms/substances Any research using genetically modified organisms or substances must be cleared by the Bio-Safety Review Board and the laboratory facility must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (http://www.daff.gov.za) prior to its commencement.

11. Monitoring of a Candidate’s Progress

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The successful completion of an MSc and PhD degree within the expected timeframe is dependent on the progress made by the candidate regarding his/her research proposal and research activities from the time of his/her registration. During the monitoring process, which should be continuous, the following criteria can be applied to establish the level of progress made by the candidate regarding his/her research project:

a) Has effective and appropriate supervision been made available to the candidate? (comments required from the supervisor/s, advisor and the candidate)

b) Do adequate laboratory facilities exist, and are the requisite research materials and/or data readily accessible?

c) Are the data/results collected of suitable quality and have the experimental methods been carried out properly with appropriate controls?

d) Have the data/results been analysed correctly and to sufficient depth? e) Is the interpretation of the data/results consistent and supported by the data/results? f) Do the different data/results display coherence? g) How do the data/results obtained correspond to the proposed objective/research

question? h) Have the data/results been placed into context with respect to what is known about

the field? i) What deficiencies in the data/results have been identified and how will these be

addressed? j) What milestones have been achieved and how do they relate to the proposed

timeline? k) What risks/problems have been encountered/identified and how have these been or

will be resolved? l) Is the research project still feasible/suitable/appropriate for the candidate to complete

it successfully within the expected timeframe for the degree? m) What project planning and management tools have been put in place by the

supervisor to continuously assess the progress of the candidate and feasibility/suitability/appropriateness of the research for the degree?

n) Is the candidate capable of successfully completing the research project? o) Did the candidate present satisfactory Research Proposal and Research seminars?

(see items 9.4 and 12) p) What measures have the candidate put in place for continuous monitoring and

adaptation of own performance as required or recommended by supervision and/or peers?

q) Has the candidate evaluated his/her own learning during the research and identified strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement?

r) Will/can the candidate achieve the expected exit level outcomes for the degree for which he/she is registered? (see item 17 )

In addition to the continuous assessment of a candidate’s progress by his/her supervisor(s) and advisor, separate Annual Progress Reports are issued for each student by MCB and the Faculty in July of each calendar year. Depending on the level of progress made by the student, the following decisions with a motivation will be recommended by the supervisor with comments supplied by the advisor and the candidate: (i) An extension (item 2.5) (ii) A conversion (item 3) (iii) A warning (iv) Abeyance (item 4.3) (v) Cancellation/termination (item 2.7)

All progress reports must be screened and pre-approved by the Postgraduate Coordinator before being forwarded to MCB or the Faculty of Science for final approval. Procedures will then be followed regarding matters relating to candidature (see item 8).

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12. RESEARCH SEMINARS As part of their progress assessment, all masters and doctoral students registered in MCB are required to present research seminars, in addition to their Research Proposal seminar (see item 9.4), as follows:

(i) One seminar for an MSc degree anytime during the term of registration. (ii) Two seminars for a PhD degree, one of which is presented anytime in the final year

of registration. (iii) Students that convert from an MSc to a PhD will be required to present their first

seminar before the conversion is finalised, and the second seminar during their final year of registration.

Failure to meet this requirement before the final submission of their Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report for examination will result in non-acceptance of the submission by the Postgraduate Coordinator (see item 13.1 for submission requirements, and APPENDIX II for guidelines regarding Research Seminars).

13. FIRST SUBMISSION OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS FOR EXAMINATION

13.1 Procedure and requirements for the First Submission for examination The candidate is required to complete and submit a Faculty Declaration of Intent to Submit for Examination form to the MCB Postgraduate Coordinator three months prior to the submission of the research. The Faculty will notify the supervisor that the candidate is intending to submit for examination and examiners should be nominated and approved before the first submission. If the Faculty has a different title or supervisor on their records, the Faculty will inform the candidate accordingly to complete a Postgraduate Amendment to Registration form. Only if the documentation (see below) is completed correctly and the examiners have been approved by the GSC, will the Faculty accept the submission for examination.

Registration after first submission of thesis/dissertation/research report (A.23, see item 2.10)

A candidate who has submitted his or her thesis/dissertation/research report for examination is required to remain registered until s/he has met all the requirements for the degree. Submission between 1 January - 28 February Candidates are required to re-register as an awaiting examiner student and will only be required to pay the copyright fee. A letter confirming the candidate’s status (awaiting examiners; exempt fees) will be issued by the Faculty Office when the first submission is done. Submission between 1 March - 31 December A candidate is required to re-register by 28 February of that calendar year and pay the required registration fee.

Documentation: The completed Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report, together with the documents listed below, must be submitted to the MCB Postgraduate Coordinator for pre-approval before submission to the Faculty Office:

a) First submission form

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b) Confidential letter from Faculty stating that the examiners have been approved by the GSC (to be submitted by the supervisor and not by the candidate)

c) Confidential supervisor's report (to be submitted by the supervisor and not by the candidate)

d) Acquiescence form e) Plagiarism TurnItIn check report (not to exceed 15% similarity) f) The necessary ethics clearance if applicable. Faculty will not accept any

submissions if they do not have the required ethics/biosafety clearance (see item 10)

g) PDF of submission on a CD – file must be less than 5 MB and the thesis/dissertation/research report must include a signed declaration (item 13.2)

h) The candidate is required to check with the Faculty regarding the number of bound copies required for examination. This would normally be 2 bound copies for a master’s dissertation and 3 bound copies of a doctoral thesis.

The bound copies or the PDF are sent to the examiners. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the bound copies and the PDF are complete, readable and identical, and that the formal declaration (item 13.2) in ALL copies is signed by him/her. Forms are available from the Faculty of Science Reception or can be downloaded from the Faculty website (http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science). Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

13.2 Formal Declaration (G9.7, G10.3) A candidate must include in his/her Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report, a formal declaration stating the following:

I, NAME (PERSON NUMBER), am a student registered for the degree of _______ in the academic year ______. I hereby declare the following:

I am aware that plagiarism (the use of someone else’s work without their permission and/or without acknowledging the original source) is wrong.

I confirm that the work submitted for assessment for the above degree is my own unaided work except where explicitly indicated otherwise and acknowledged.

I have not submitted this work before for any other degree or examination at this or any other University.

The information used in the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report HAS/HAS NOT (delete one) been obtained by me while employed by, or working under the aegis of, any person or organisation other than the University.

I have followed the required conventions in referencing the thoughts and ideas of others.

I understand that the University of the Witwatersrand may take disciplinary action against me if there is a belief that this is not my own unaided work or that I have failed to acknowledge the source of the ideas or words in my writing.

signature___________ ____ day of __________ YEAR

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the formal declaration in all hard copies and in the PDF is signed by him/her.

13.3 Submission of an MSc dissertation: research outputs G1.11, G8, G9: A person who is admitted as a candidate for the MSc degree by research must present a Dissertation on a subject approved by the Senate. The degree is usually awarded solely on the Dissertation, which must show acquaintance with the methods of research but need not involve original or publishable research. In the event that research outputs do originate from the work undertaken during the period of the MSc candidature, the dissertation must have a research output page indicating the bibliographical details of the outputs listed below separating the outputs produced for the MSc degree from the others:


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Original articles(s): published, in press, revised, accepted, submitted (no manuscripts in preparation to be included). Review articles: published, in press, revised, accepted, submitted (no manuscripts in preparation to be included). Patents: title, inventors, application number. Conference outputs: oral/poster presentations, authors, title, conference details.

In the case of joint research outputs, the candidate’s share in such work must be indicated.

13.4 Submission of a PhD Thesis The G1.29 Senate Standing Rules and Orders for Higher Degrees defines a PhD Thesis as an extended piece of writing based on research that makes an original and significant contribution to knowledge, that may incorporate creative work or publications integral to the overall argument and is submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Doctor of Philosophy qualification. G10: The Faculty requires submission for publication of a paper to a peer-reviewed journal prior to the submission of the PhD thesis for examination. If there is a compelling reason for waiving this requirement, the supervisor would have to motivate, and the Head of School will use his/her discretion in the matter. S26.2(a): At the close of the period of research every candidate for the PhD degree shall present for the approval of the Senate a thesis which must constitute a substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the subject chosen, and which must be satisfactory as regards literary presentation and in a form suitable for publication, (Note: When presenting his/her thesis a candidate may include published results of publications, provided that this work was undertaken during the period of the candidature. In the case of joint publications, the candidate’s share in such work must be indicated.)

MCB Standing Order (as of 1 January 2013): All PhD candidates are expected to submit a

PhD thesis by publication. MCB’s guidelines for a PhD thesis by publication are as follows: (i) The thesis must contain at least one accepted peer-reviewed original

publication in an ISI rated journal for which the candidate is the first author. (ii) It must have a research output page indicating the bibliographical details of

the outputs listed below separating the outputs produced for the PhD degree from the others:

a) Original articles(s): published, in press, revised, accepted, submitted (no manuscripts in preparation to be included).

b) Reviews articles: published, in press, revised, accepted, submitted (no manuscripts in preparation to be included).

c) Patents: title, inventors, application number. d) Conference outputs: oral/poster presentations), authors, title, conference

details. (iii) It must have an Introduction chapter that includes a critical review of the

literature that places the proposed research into context with respect to relevant published work leading to and justifying the research question/aim of the study.

(iv) All accepted/published original publications, reviews and patents, and manuscripts in preparation/submitted for publication, must be included as separate chapters each of which must have a cover page stating briefly the manuscripts main contribution to the overall aim of the thesis as well as declaring the individual contributions by the candidate and any co-authors to the work.

(v) Additional results that alone may not comprise a publication may be included as a separate chapter.

(vi) It must have a Discussion chapter that synthesises the preceding publication/results chapters providing a coherent argument for how together they have made an integrated and original contribution to existing knowledge in the field.

(vii) The thesis must have a reference list of all the material referred to in the Introduction, additional results and Discussion chapters. References already cited in the published/accepted for publication/submitted for publication/in preparation for publication manuscripts need not be included.

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(viii) All the results presented in the thesis must have originated from the work undertaken by the candidate during the period of his/her candidature for the PhD degree (S26.2(a)).

(ix) See items 13.1 and 13.2.

Examination of a PhD Thesis by Publication While the publication in peer reviewed journals will contribute to the standing of the Thesis it does not replace the assessment of the Examiners. The examiners’ assessment of the Thesis will continue to be governed by the University’s guidelines to Examiners.

13.5 Submission of a Supervisor’s report A supervisor’s report is submitted with the candidate’s submission of the Thesis/Dissertation/ Research Report. The report will only be seen by the GSC for quality assurance purposes and will also form part of documentation if an ad hoc committee meeting is called. The report should be short and should comment on the supervision process as well as briefly assess the quality of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. The supervisor’s report will NOT be sent to the examiners.

13.6 Submission of a Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report against the Advice of a Supervisor In terms of the Senate standing orders, a candidate is entitled to submit his/her Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report for examination against the advice of his Supervisor/s.

Submission of a Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report against the advice of a Supervisor should be recorded in the minutes of the GSC and in the annual report to the Registrar.

The Faculty’s policy in such cases is that the supervisor should submit in the supervisor’s report to the Chairman of the GSC his reasons for advising the candidate against the submission of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. The Head of the School/Postgraduate Coordinator should be asked to nominate examiners. No internal examiner is nominated. If necessary, the GSC shall appoint an ad hoc committee to consider the appointment of Examiners.

13.7 Registration after submission of thesis/dissertation/research report A candidate who has submitted his or her thesis/dissertation/research report is required to remain registered until s/he has met all the requirements for the degree. If the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee or Board of the Faculty decides that substantial revisions to the thesis are required, then the candidate will be liable for a re-examination fee, as per A.33.3.3 of these Standing Orders. Subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, a candidate may be permitted to register for a further higher degree while awaiting the outcome of the examination for another higher degree.

14. EXAMINATION OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS

14.1 Nomination of Examiners Examiners should be nominated at least three months prior to a candidate handing in his/her Thesis/ Dissertation/Research Report for examination. This process is strictly confidential. The supervisor completes the Nomination of Examiners form, which is signed off by the Postgraduate Coordinator of the School, for approval by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. Two examiners are needed for an MSc, one internal examiner and one external examiner and three examiners are needed for a PhD, one internal examiner and two external

examiners. The internal examiner shall normally be a member of staff of the University and

may NOT be the supervisor of the candidate. In the event of there being no suitable internal examiner available, an additional external examiner shall be nominated. Internal and external examiners should not be nominated if they have been supervised, worked with or published with the supervisor within the last 5 years and they must not have supervised that person in the last ten years. A short motivation should be given as to why the examiners are

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appropriate. The typed completed Nomination of Examiners form in hard copy and electronically, together with all the examiners’ CVs must be sent to the faculty office. These CVs must contain details of their qualification/s, evidence of disciplinary knowledge, experience of postgraduate supervision and a list of publications.

For the purposes of these Standing Orders, an external examiner is defined as a person who has not in any way been involved in the preparation of the work, and who is preferably not a member of the University staff. If the external examiner is a member of the University staff, this must be motivated and approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. Possible examiners are approached by the supervisor before nominating them officially for consideration by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. They should be informed that the expected turn-around time is six weeks from the day they receive the research report, dissertation or thesis. At the discretion of the supervisor, examiners should be asked if they are willing to be sent the dissertation or thesis in a secure electronic format to complete the examination process within six weeks.

14.2 Confidentiality of names of Examiners (both external and internal) The names of the Examiners should be confidential during the examination process but should be revealed to the candidates when the candidate is qualified. Examiners should be advised of this at the point at which they are approached to examine the research.

14.3 Consultations during the examination process Examiners shall not consult one another except by permission of the Dean and Chairperson of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, usually in response to a request for further information, until the examination process is completed. The Head of School and Chairperson, if they consider that the circumstances are exceptional, may give permission for Examiners to confer with one another in writing, provided copies of the correspondence are made available to the Chairperson of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. Examiners, supervisors and the candidate may NOT consult during the examination process.

14.4 Examiners’ Reports Examiners are requested to frame their reports according to the requirements for the degree for which the candidate is registered:

14.4.1 MSc by Dissertation (G1.11, G8, G9) A person who is admitted as a candidate for the degree must present a Dissertation on a subject approved by the Senate. The degree is usually awarded solely on the Dissertation, which must show acquaintance with the methods of research but need not involve original or publishable research. The candidate is required to show acquaintance with the methods of research in that he/she

a) understands the nature and purpose of the investigations; b) is sufficiently acquainted with the relevant literature; c) has mastered the necessary techniques; d) has acquired a thorough understanding of appropriate scientific methods; e) is capable of assessing the significance of the findings.

The literary style and presentation of the Dissertation must be satisfactory.

14.4.2 MSc by Course Work and Research Report (G1.22, G8, G9) Both the marks awarded for the coursework and that awarded for the Research Report contribute to the final mark for the degree. Courses must be completed at the first attempt. The Research Report the examiners are asked to examine counts 50% of the total mark. The Research Report must show acquaintance with the methods of research but need not involve original research. The work for the Research Report is normally carried out over a period of six to seven months, which includes the write-up. An MSc Research Report is not equivalent to an MSc Dissertation which would take a minimum of one year full-time research and be submitted by candidates as the sole requirement for the award of an MSc degree. The candidate is required to show that he/she

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a) understands the nature and purpose of the investigations; b) is sufficiently acquainted with the relevant literature; c) has mastered the necessary techniques; d) has acquired a thorough understanding of scientific method; e) is capable of assessing the significance of the findings.

The literary style and presentation of the Research Report must be satisfactory. 14.4.3 PhD (thesis/publication) (G1.29, G8, G10)

At the close of the period of research the candidate has to present a Thesis which must constitute a substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the subject chosen and which must be satisfactory as regards literary presentation and in a form suitable for lodging in the University Library. The substance of the Thesis is normally required to be of a standard suitable for publication. A candidate is to demonstrate the capability of independent and original research. When presenting the Thesis, a candidate may include published results or publications, provided that this work was undertaken during the course of the candidature (S26.2(a)). In the case of joint publications, the candidate’s share in such work must be indicated. The literary style and presentation of the Research Report must be satisfactory.

14.5 Examiners’ Recommendations Examiners are requested to indicate their recommendations by completing the Examiner’s Report Form and compiling a written report. In the section detailing their assessment of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report, they are requested to be specific and make clear any corrections, revisions or extensions that they may require to make the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report acceptable. As a rule the correction of typographical and other minor errors as recommended by the examiner is supervised by the candidate’s supervisor and completed to the satisfaction of the Head of School.

Examiners are required to make the following recommendations in their report:

14.5.1 MSc Dissertation 1. Does the Dissertation reveal an adequate acquaintance with the methods of

research? 2. Is the Dissertation/Research Report satisfactory regards the literary style and

presentation? 3. Does the Dissertation constitute a contribution to the advancement of knowledge in

the subject chosen? 4. (a) Do you recommend the award of the degree of PhD/MSc for the

Thesis/Dissertation as it stands? (b) Do you recommend the award of the degree subject to: i) correction of minor errors, and/or ii) revision involving, for example, rewriting of certain sections, and/or iii) extension, for example, additions of sections and/or provision of

additional data? (c) If the answer to 4b) ii or 4b) iii is yes, i) Are you satisfied to leave the checking of the revised

Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report to the Head of the School? ii) Do you wish to re-examine the revised Thesis/Dissertation/Research

Report? (d) Do you recommend the award of the degree with distinction?

(e) Do you recommend outright rejection?

14.5.2 MSc Research Report 1. Does the Research Report reveal an adequate acquaintance with the methods of

research? 2. Is the Research Report satisfactory regards the literary style and presentation? 3. (a) Do you recommend acceptance of the Research Report as it stands?

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(b) Do you recommend acceptance of the Research Report subject to: i) correction of minor errors, and/or ii) rewriting and/or addition of sections? (c) If the answer to 3 b) i or 3 b) ii is yes, i) Are you satisfied to leave the checking of the revised Research

Report to the Head of the School? ii) Do you wish to re-examine the revised Research Report? (d) Do you recommend outright rejection?

4. Please indicate the percentage mark awarded to this Research Report

14.5.3 PhD Thesis 1. Does the Thesis constitute a definite contribution to the advancement of knowledge in

the subject chosen? 2. Does it show originality? 3. Is the substance of the Thesis worthy of publication? 4. Is the literary presentation of the Thesis satisfactory? 5. (a) Do you recommend the award of the degree of PhD for the Thesis as it stands?

(b) Do you recommend the award of the degree subject to: i) correction of minor errors, and/or ii) revision involving, for example, rewriting of certain sections, and/or iii) extension, for example, additions of sections and/or provision of

additional data? (c) If the answer to 5b) ii or 5b) iii is yes, i) Are you satisfied to leave the checking of the revised Thesis to the

Head of the School? ii) Do you wish to re-examine the revised Thesis? (d) Do you recommend outright rejection?

14.6 Availability of Reports to Supervisors and Candidates The examiners shall send their reports to the Faculty Registrar only. The reports are scrutinised by the Chairperson of the GSC who prepares a recommendation. The recommendation, together with the reports, is then circulated to the GSC for approval. Thereafter, the reports are made available to the MCB Postgraduate Coordinator who then passes the material onto the supervisor. The supervisor is then responsible for contacting the candidates and implementing the recommendation of the GSC. Examination reports may not be released to the supervisor or the candidate until the GSC has finalised the recommendations based on an assessment of all the reports.

14.7 Re-examination of a Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report In the event that an examiner(s) requests to re-examine a Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report after the first examination process, the candidate is required to submit the following to the MCB Postgraduate Coordinator for preapproval before submission to the Faculty:

a) A detailed list of the candidate’s response to ALL the corrections/revisions made to the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report as recommended in the report(s) of the examiner(s) requesting the re-examination.

b) A letter from the supervisor stating that the corrections/revisions have been done to his/her satisfaction.

c) Bound copies of the revised Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report with current date and signed declaration with current date (The candidate is required to check with the Faculty regarding the number of bound copies required for examination. This would normally be 2 bound copies for a master’s dissertation and 3 bound copies of a doctoral thesis.)

d) A PDF of the revised submission on a CD – the file must be identical to the hard copy, be less than 5 MB, and must include a signed declaration with current date.

e) A letter from the Head of School stating that the corrections/revisions have been done to his/her satisfaction (only issued after an interview with MCB Postgraduate Coordinator)

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The bound copies or the PDF are sent to the examiner(s) requesting to re-examine the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the bound copies and the PDF are complete, readable and identical, and that the formal declaration (item 13.2) in ALL copies is signed by him/her. Should the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report require revision, candidates will be entitled to appropriate supervision while revising his/her Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report in response to the examiner’s reports. Revision should be done within a maximum period of six months, unless application for a further extension is supported by the Faculty GSC. Faculties will not require candidates to pay additional fees if revision is completed within three months. Beyond that, candidates will be required to pay all fees. Failure to submit at the end of the period allowed for revision may result in termination of candidature (Senate Standing Orders on Higher Degrees A34 Revision). A candidate will be liable for a re-examination fee, as per A.33.3.3 of the Standing Orders.

14.8 Unfavourable Examiners’ Reports An ad hoc committee meeting will be held if a candidate receives any unfavourable Examiners’ reports (see item 14.12).

14.9 Disclosure of names of examiners to candidates In terms of the Senate Standing orders, the names of Examiners are confidential, but should be disclosed to successful candidates if the Examiners consent to this after the examination process.

14.10 Awarding a MSc by Coursework and Research Report For the award of the degree a candidate must pass both the Coursework and Research Report components with a minimum of 50%.

14.11 Master of Science with distinction

14.11.1 MSc by Dissertation The degree of MSc shall be awarded with distinction only when the examiners are unanimous in their recommendations. If only the external examiner has recommended the awarded of the degree with distinction then the GSC may consult the internal examiner on this issue.

14.11.2 MSc by Coursework and Research Report For the award of the degree a candidate must pass both the coursework and research report components with a minimum of 75%.

14.12 AD HOC Committee Meeting If the examiners are not unanimous in recommending the award of the degree, or if there is a 15% or more discrepancy in the marks awarded by the Examiners of a Research report, or if a candidate receives an unfavourable Examiner’s report, or if the Chairperson of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee considers that the Examiners’ reports are inconclusive, an ad hoc Committee shall be appointed to consider the reports in the first instance.

Refer to Senate Standing Orders on Higher Degrees for further details regarding ad hoc committee meetings (see item 9.5). Minutes from these meetings are noted at the GSC.

15. REVISIONS OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS AND TIME FRAMES

Once the examiners’ reports with a finalised recommendation by the GSC are made available to the supervisor by the MCB Postgraduate Coordinator, the supervisor is then responsible for contacting the candidate and implementing the recommendation of the GSC. GSC recommendations can include, amongst others, acceptance of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report as it stands (no revision required), or, acceptance of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report after the completion of minor/major revisions to the

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satisfaction of the Head of School/Postgraduate Coordinator, or, re-examination of the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report after completion of the revisions. Should the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report require revision, candidates will be entitled to appropriate supervision while revising his/her Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report in response to the examiner’s reports. Revision should be done within a maximum period of six months, unless application for a further extension is supported by the Faculty GSC. Faculties will not require candidates to pay additional fees if revision is completed within three months. Beyond that, candidates will be required to pay all fees. Failure to submit at the end of the period allowed for revision may result in termination of candidature (Senate Standing Orders on Higher Degrees A34 Revision).

16. FINAL SUBMISSION OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH REPORTS Following the examination process, the date on which the final version of a candidate’s Thesis/Dissertation is submitted to Faculty is the date on which the candidate qualifies for the degree for which he/she is registered. Depending on the GSC’s recommendation regarding the examined Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report, a final version thereof must be submitted together with the documents listed below to the MCB Postgraduate Coordinator for pre-approval before submission to the Faculty Office:

a) Final submission form (http://www.wits.ac.za/academic/science) b) Two unbound copies of the final Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report with current

date and signed declaration with current date c) The required ethics clearance if applicable (see item 10) d) A PDF of the final submission on a CD – the file must be identical to the hard copy,

be less than 5 MB, and must include a signed declaration with current date e) A detailed list of the candidate’s response to ALL the corrections/revisions made to

the Thesis/Dissertation/Research Report as recommended by the examiners’ reports f) A letter from the supervisor stating that the corrections/revisions have been done to

his/her satisfaction g) A letter from the Head of School stating that the corrections/revisions have been done

to his/her satisfaction (only issued after interview with MCB Postgraduate Coordinator)

h) Proof of payment of ETD i) An official fees clearance certificate j) A letter from the MCB Research Seminar Coordinator confirming compliance with the

presentation of research seminars. Incomplete final submissions will not be accepted.

17. Postgraduate Exit level Outcomes The University aspires for its students to achieve the following outcomes upon qualifying. The outcomes and assessment criteria listed are those, for each qualification of the University, as agreed by the Senate.

17.1 Master of Science (by dissertation) The learner must:

a) generate, explore and consider options and possibilities for scope, content and methodology of research leading to a dissertation;

b) identify the most appropriate scope, content and methodology of research commensurate with one or several of interest, research imperatives, resources and supervision available;

c) explain why a particular scope, content and methodology of research has been chosen and what has been taken into account in doing so;


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d) undertake the research and produce the dissertation, while continuously monitoring and adapting own performance as required or recommended by supervision and/or peers;

e) evaluate own learning during the research and identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement;

f) reflect on the ethics of their research and what they have learnt about themselves as a learner and as a researcher;

g) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the boundaries, inter-connections, value and knowledge creation systems of the chosen discipline/s within the sciences and an ability to critically evaluate these;

h) demonstrate an advanced understanding and ability to analyse specified bodies of content and their inter-connectedness in chosen discipline/s.

17.2 PhD (by thesis or publication) The qualifying learner

a) is capable of independent and original research; b) possesses highly specialised, authoritative knowledge and is competent to apply that

knowledge to the solution of problems; c) is self-directed and self-critical.

18. POSTGRADUATE PUBLICATION INCENTIVE PhD candidates are expected to carry out original research that is suitable for publication. MCB has implemented a financial incentive scheme in order to expedite the publication of the research before the final submission of the thesis i.e. candidate must still be registered with MCB. While there is no requirement for honours and masters candidates to carry out original research that is publishable, should publications originate from their research, the scheme will apply to them as well. Application requirements:

1. At the time of application, the student must be registered with MCB (i.e. before the final submission of the Thesis).

2. The paper must be an ‘original’ publication that contains data obtained from the research performed for the degree for which the student is registered. Reviews of the literature that do not contain the candidate’s data will not be considered.

3. Evidence must be provided for the student having made the major contribution to the paper (e.g. first author).

4. The journal in which the paper is published must be subsidy-earning for the University (e.g. ISI accredited).

5. Proof of acceptance for publication must accompany the application.

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APPENDIX I: Research Proposal Student to submit a research proposal to the School/Faculty within 4 or 6 months of first

registration for MSc and PhD, respectively.

The purpose of the proposal is to ensure that:

the candidates have done sufficient preliminary reading/research in the area of their interest

(focus of your research!)

that they have thought about the issues involved (conceptualisation) and are able to provide

more than a broad description of the topic which they are planning to research.

The proposal is not a fixed blueprint. Findings cannot necessarily be predicted beforehand and you should not mechanically stick to an argument since the research could inevitably alter or even unseat your initial expectations – good research planning and management are crucial (student vs supervisor?; ownership?). Your challenge is to convince members of the scientific community (supervisors etc.) that you:

have clearly identified a scientific problem

have a theoretical background and a methodical approach to solve the problem

within a realistic time frame and at reasonable expense.

Submission and approval of a research proposal are required to confirm the candidature of a student.

It is imperative to establish as soon as possible whether or not the student has the necessary training

and background and the intellectual ability to carry out the research project he/she proposes.

Complete a Faculty Submission of Research Proposal cover form

Present research proposal to Student Advisory Committee (SAC)

Assessment criteria:

o Is the title succinct and informative rather than being merely descriptive?

o Are a formal declaration and a TurnItin report included?

o Does the work in the proposal reflect the candidate’s own work and abilities and not

those of other people (supervisor etc.)?

o Does the proposal contain a satisfactory TABLE OF CONTENTS, and LISTS OF

ABBREVIATIONS, TABLES and FIGURES?

o Does the INTRODUCTION section demonstrate that

the candidate is sufficiently acquainted and up-to-date with the literature

relevant to the area of interest?

the candidate has thought about the issues involved (conceptualisation) and

that he/she is able to provide more than a broad description of the topic

which they are planning to research (relevance and focus)?

the candidate demonstrates an understanding of research field in that the

literature review is structured from broader area to a specific research

question?

o Does the AIM AND OBJECTIVES section demonstrate that

the objective and aims are clearly stated?

the research question has been clearly identified and placed into context with

respect to what is known about the field?

why the intended research is important and justifies the research effort by

stating clearly how the research will contribute to the existing research. All

research is part of a larger scholarly enterprise and candidates should be

able to argue for the value and positioning of their work.

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the scope of the project is suitable and realistic for the degree student is

registered for? A masters student is not a doctoral student, and a

doctoral student is not a postdoctoral fellow!

o The MATRIALS AND METHODS/EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES section. This

section is the heart of a research proposal describing how the student will conduct the

research. It must clearly demonstrate that they are fully conversant with the ideas

they are dealing with and that they grasp their methodological implications.

Does this section demonstrate

a research strategy indicating the resources required for the research and the

techniques/methods to be used?

that the research plan is coherent and placed into context with respect to the

objective and aims?

why the techniques and methods are considered to be suitable and

appropriate? A concise description of the principles of techniques/methods

should be provided indicating clearly their limitations/constraints and what

kind of information they provide and how using these techniques/methods will

facilitate achieving the research objective.

how the technique/method will be performed? Have the appropriate controls

been identified? How will the data be analysed?

Has a realistic timeline and time management scheme been developed,

indicating the sequence of research phases with milestones and the time that

will probably be required for each phase? It should be taken into account that

at this stage, that a timeline can only be estimated, but it must indicate that

the student has an idea about the time span that will be needed for each

step. Good research planning and management by both supervisor and

student are crucial to ensure that the research work is successfully

completed in accordance with the expected throughput rate for the degree.

Have risks been identified? (over-ambitious scope of the research project for

a the degree; seasonal dependence for obtaining material; absence of

supervisor; lack of resources, infrastructure etc.). How have/will these risks

be addressed?

Has any necessary ethics clearance been obtained if research involves

animal or human subjects?

o Does the REFERENCES section demonstrate

That the appropriate referencing style has been used?

Have primary references been cited as far as possible?

Has the work by others been acknowledged appropriately?

Have WWW URL addresses been cited in the text only? They should not

appear in the reference list, and should be quoted only when a literature

reference(s) will not suffice. Any MSc or PhD thesis cited should also include

its URL address.

o Are the format and the literary style of the proposal satisfactory?

Has the proposal gone through a careful proofreading and editing stage?

Verify that the title and the other sections of the proposal clearly correspond

to each other.

Does the proposal follow a clear navigational style throughout the document?

Does the proposal conform to institutional and international academic

standards?

Does the proposal contain any grammatical/spelling mistakes or typos?

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APPENDIX II: MCB RESEARCH SEMINARS 1. Any PG student registered for a degree in MCB is required to present a research seminar as

part of their dissertation/thesis submission as follows:

One seminar for an MSc degree anytime during the year of registration.

Two seminars for a PhD degree, one of which is presented anytime in the final year

of registration.

NOTE: Failure to meet this requirement before submission will result in non- acceptance of

the dissertation/thesis by the GS chairperson.

Students that upgrade from an MSc to a PhD will be required to present a seminar

before the upgrade is finalised.

2. A research seminar will consist strictly of 15 mins presentation followed by 5 mins questions

except for a final PhD seminar which will consist of 30 mins presentation.

3. The following must be included in the presentation:

A brief background to the study

An overview of the methodology followed

Most important results

A compact discussion around these results

Take-home message

4. Research seminars are intended as a platform for the following:

The presenter to showcase the research they are involved with

Evaluation of scientific and technical merit of the research by peers (fellow PGs, post-

docs and academic and technical staff)

CONSTRUCTIVE criticism of the research.

“Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions

about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a

friendly manner rather than an oppositional one.” Wikipedia.

Troubleshooting and guidance/advice with regard to difficulties experienced during

research

Dissemination of new and exciting knowledge and sharing ideas

5. Additionally, there is provision for anyone interested in presenting more than the stipulated

number of seminars during the course of their degree. This opportunity should be taken

advantage of when experiencing research challenges or exploring new avenues to maximise

on the expertise available within MCB.

6. Who should attend?

Seminars are compulsory for ALL Honours and PG students (your support is

important to the presenter).

Post-doc fellows, academic and technical staff are encouraged to attend for their

invaluable experience.

Anyone interested in learning more about research at MCB.

Documents

School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science MCB … · 2017-03-16 · School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science MCB RULES AND STANDING ORDERS FOR THE DEGREES