Confirmation of CandidatureProgress Reports

Felicity Roddick

Associate Dean

Research and Innovation

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 2

The Timetable and ProcessE

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RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 3

Confirmation of Candidature

• Candidate must satisfy panel that progress justifies continuation

• Oral presentation

• Full written research proposal using Confirmation of Candidature form from College website

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 4

Confirmation of Candidature

• Master Candidates

• Within 6 months of enrolment

• Panel comprises (as minimum):

–Senior supervisor

–School Higher Degrees by Research Coordinator (or nominee) as chairman

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 5

Confirmation of Candidature

• PhD candidates

• Within 12 months of enrolment

• Panel comprises (as minimum)

–Senior supervisor

–2 further academic staff members

–School Higher Degrees by Research Coordinator (or nominee) as chairman

• Optional

–Member external to RMIT University….desirable

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 6

Research Proposal for Confirmation of Candidature Form

• Candidate data

• Research Program– Description of proposed research: scope, objectives, expected

deliverables, research questions. Cite major references.– Rationale for research: how build on current knowledge, contribute– Research methods: research steps and activity, show how address the

RQs– Timelines

• Ethics approval

• Intellectual property: external party, part of larger project…Student Participation Agreement needed?

• Student induction sessions

• Needs analysis form and supervisor cvs (NB: use one page proforma for cvs!!)

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 7

Confirmation of Candidature: CriteriaDemonstration (at appropriate level) of:

• Planning of research program

–Full written proposal

• Critical review of relevant literature

–Fully referenced literature review

• Practical conduct of the research

–Research achievements to date

• Presentation and defence of program and its progress as an oral presentation

–Content and delivery of presentation and responses to resultant questions

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 8

Confirmation of Candidature

• Panel must meet and make a recommendation to the school, to either:

• Confirm candidature

• or

• Deny confirmation of candidature

• If confirmation denied, then candidate has one month to re-present material to satisfy the panel

• If material not re-presented, or deemed unsatisfactory, candidate is placed “At risk”.

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 9

Progress Reports

• Every 6 months

• Both student and supervisors see the comments

• Extremely important!

• Vital that both supervisor and student accurately reflect the situation!

• Tool for reflection and improvement

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 10RMIT University©2009 College of Science, Engineering and Technology 10

Student Relationship With Supervisor

• Keep regular contact with supervisor (eg, weekly meetings)

• Maintain the progress of work in accordance with the stages as discussed and agreed with supervisor

• Take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties encountered in research and in proposing and discussing solutions to these with supervisor

• Discuss any plans to take leave with supervisor and obtain approval in advance

• Manage up the Supervisor!!

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 11

Completion Seminar

• For PhD candidates

• Approx. 3 months before submission of thesis

• Hurdle for PhD thesis submission

• Assist you in writing up your thesis

• Mechanism for reflection on work and contributions to knowledge

• Key points of thesis

• Bouncing it off peer audience….

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 12

Graduate Capabilities

• Able to learn from new situations

• Knowledge and capability to deal with new situations in working life

• Able to behave appropriately in different social and professional situations

• Enhanced communication skills: verbal and written

• Able to work with others

• Able to undertake independent research

• Have problem-solving ability

• Give critical evaluation, and be critically evaluated

• Have a global, environmentally aware perspective

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 13

Don’t sit back and expect the world to come to you ... • Higher Degrees are about moving from undergraduate studies to ‘you’ leading

and determining what and where you are going

• But with great power comes great responsibility.............

• That means that YOU are responsible for the direction, achievements, milestones

• Travel to conferences but think about the quality and which ones will give the most benefit

• Think about resources, plan ahead – YOU are the researcher and you have the best insight

• Use the opportunity as training for YOUR future

RMIT University© College of Science Engineering and Health 14

Good luck

...... But you make your own luck!