ph.d. manual sctimst

7/27/2019 Ph.d. Manual Sctimst

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Major programs include development of materials for orthopedic and dentalapplications, cardiovascular device fabrication, drug delivery systems,nanomedicine, sensors and tissue engineering scaffolds. Biological researchfocuses on culture and differentiation of adult stem cells for regenerative medicine, invitro tissue engineering, neuronal regeneration, development of bio therapeutics anddiagnostic reagents and tissue response to materials at the cellular and molecularlevel.

Sophisticated analytical equipments are available in this Institute for characterizationof materials which include scanning and transmission electron microscopes, Ramanand Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscope, atomic force microscope,inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction, micro computerized tomography,chromatography systems such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),gas chromatography and liquid chromatography- mass spectrometery (LCMS).Other routinely used and well maintained equipments and facilities are available inall labs.

Important biological research equipments available are confocal microscope,

transmission and scanning electron microscope, fluorescent activated cell sorter(FACS), Thermal cyclers for Reverse transcriptaser polymerase chain reaction(PCR), ultra centrifuge and continuous flow centrifuge, Imaging systems forfluorescence/luminescence/ radioisotope detection, live cell imaging and facilities forproteomic and genomic analysis etc., apart from routinely used equipments that areavailable in almost all cell biology research labs.

The well maintained small and large animal facility with excellent operating theatre,and facilitates the in vivo evaluation of materials, and all biocompatibility studies ofmaterials are carried out under Quality Management System conforming to ISO/IEC17025 accredited by Le Comite Francais dAcreditation (COFRAC) of France.

Tissue analysis is done to evaluate the results of experimental research using state-of-the-art histological/immunochemical/imaging techniques facilitated withsophisticated sample processing and analysis tools.

The Hospi tal Wing

Started as a small medical center, the hospital with 240 beds is currently wellrecognized both in India and abroad as a leading center for the treatment of cardio-vascular and neurological disorders. All the departments and divisions of the hospitalhave kept up with the advances in their respective fields and have also initiatedseveral innovative programs for the first time in the country.

The Department of Neurology extends diagnostic and therapeutic services on asubspecialty basis in stroke, neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, movement disorder,dementia and clinical neurophysiology. Indias first Comprehensive Care Centersfor Epilepsy and Movement Disorders were established in the department. Morethan 1100 successful operations have been completed for patients with intractableepilepsy applying the latest advances in the presurgical evaluation and surgicaltreatment of epilepsies. The Center for Movement Disorders likewise offers allmodalities of treatment for Parkinsons disease including state-of-the-art of deepbrain stimulation. The Centers for Stroke and Sleep Disorders have recently been

started. The department also runs two outreach epilepsy clinics in North Kerala, andmaintains registries for stroke and epilepsy in pregnancy.


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The Department of Neurosurgery is one of the foremost centers of India in the fieldof microvascular neurosurgery. In addition to all common surgeries for intracranialand spinal lesions, the department also specialises in stereotactic surgery,ultrasound and image guided surgeries, awake craniotomies, all of them treated withthe aid of latest diagnostic and monitoring techniques. The department is one ofthe first to start neuro-endoscopic surgery. The faculty of the department interactwith the scientists and technologists of BMT Wing to pioneer the development ofhydrocephalus shunt, burr hole buttons and fibrin glue.

In keeping with the times, the practice in the Department of Cardiology has becomemore intervention oriented with several congenital heart diseases being correctedthrough less invasive catheter based interventional procedures instead of majorsurgery. Similarly electro-anatomic mapping of various conduction abnormalities ofthe heart and magnetic resonance angiography are being undertaken on a regularbasis. The diagnosis of ischemic coronary artery diseases will also soon be basedon non-invasive coronary CT angiogram.

The Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in addition to providing

advanced treatment for congenital, valvular and ischemic heart diseases, anddiseases of the lungs, oesophagus and blood vessel, also assisted in thesuccessful development of heart valves, blood oxygenators and vascular grafts.

One of the first to introduce interventional radiology in the country, the Department ofImaging Sciences and Interventional Radiology has the latest MRI and CT scanners.A large number of interventional procedures including aneurysm coiling,embolization of arterio-venous malformations, carotid stenting, arterial thrombolysis,vertebroplasty and laser discectomy are routinely undertaken in the department.

The hospital is supported by laboratory facilities provided by Departments of

Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pathology.

The Public Health Wing: The Achutha Menon Center for Health Science Studies

The Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies (AMCHSS) was startedwhen public health was not given any importance at the national or state level healthplanning and policy making in India. Recognizing this need, the Institute decided inthe early 1990s to set up a center to address the issues of quality training andresearch in public health. In 1997, a school of public health, the AMCHSS was set upfor research, training and consultation in public health and the countrys first mastersprogram in public health was started. The center also conducts several short courses

in subjects which have growing significance on healthcare, such as research andprofessional ethics, gender sensitization, maternal and child health, etc., in additionto research and providing consultancy services to national and internationalagencies. Within a decade, this model received wide national acceptance and setthe trend for public health education in the country.

As a part of its mandate for training, AMCHSS conducts two-year Master of PublicHealth (MPH) program, one-year Diploma in Public Health (DPH) program(exclusively meant for medical officers from government services) and PhD inaddition to short courses in Ethics, Gender, Reproduction, Child Health andResearch Methodology. PhD Programs are being offered in wide variety of topics inpublic health including Epidemiology, Health Economics, Health Policy, Issues inHealth System and Gender Issues in Health. These training programs are wellaccepted throughout the country and abroad. In fact, the curriculum for the new


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MPH programs being started by the Indian Council for Medical Researchs (ICMR)School of Public Health and Public Health Foundation of India are based on the onethat was developed at AMCHSS. The Institute has undertaken major researchprograms in Epidemiology, Health Economics, Tobacco Cessation, and Genderissues in Health etc., many of them with international collaboration. The AMCHSShas also extended consultancy services to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,Government of India, World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, UNICEF andother national and international agencies. All these courses have attracted studentsnot only from India, but also from South Asian and South African countries. TheAMCHSS also helped in setting up schools of public health in Nepal, Myanmar andSouth Africa. In the ten years of its existence, AMCHSS has proved its significanceto public health in the country so much so that it is proved to be trial blazer andtrendsetter in the field of public health in India.

MAJOR RESEARCH AREAS

Biological Sciences

Biochemistry Cell Biology

Cellular & Molecular Cardiology

Microbiology

Pathology

Thrombosis

Toxicology

Bioengineering and Biomaterial Sciences

Artificial Organs

Bioceramics

Dental Materials

Implant Biology

Material Tissue Interactions

Nanomaterials

Polymer Sciences and Technology

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Health Science Studies

Epidemiology Gender Issues in Health

Health Economics

Health Policy

Health Systems

Medical Sciences

Cardiac sciences

Neurosciences

Imaging Sciences and Interventional Radiology


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ADMISSION

The selection for PhD will be carried out twice in a calendar year, in Novemberand June.

November

The announcement will be made in the Institute website(http://www.sctimst.ac.in) and in leading newspapers in the month of September.The selection of Research Fellows will be based on performance in a written testand interview held in the first week of November.

Those who hold National level Fellowships (UGC/CSIR/ICMR/DBT JuniorResearch Fellowships (JRF) and INSPIRE Fellowships) need to appear onlyfor the interview.

Candidates awarded Senior Research Fellowships from all sources(KSCSTE, UGC,CSIR, ICMR etc.) have to qualify in the written test andinterview conducted by the Institute.

Individual KSCSTE JRF holders have to qualify in written test and interview.

Written test will be held only in November.

June (only for Fellowship holders)

The announcement will be made on the Institutes website only(http://www.sctimst.ac.in) soon after publication of NET results.

Individual Junior research fellowship holders (UGC, CSIR, ICMR, DBT,

Inspire Fellowship) will be selected on the basis of interview. For any area of research under Public Health, candidates will be selected on

the basis of a written test and interview as carried out in the Novemberadmission.

The notification will be made based on the availability of seats and availabilityof research guides at this Institute.

There is no External or Part Time Registration for the PhD program for thosewho are in ful l time job, temporary or permanent.

Educational qualifications for admission

Post-graduate degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, polymerchemistry/ polymer sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Physiology,Zoology or any other branch of life sciences (excluding Plant sciences andBioinformatics). M.Tech in Polymer Engineering/Technology. M.Tech inMaterials science/Biomedical Engineering/Instrumentation/Biotechnology orPost graduate degree in Public Health, Cardiovascular Sciences,Neurosciences and Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Dentistry, Nursing,

Veterinary Sciences, Social Sciences, and Statistics.

Minimum marks required to apply: Consistently GOOD academic record with60% (GPA 6.5/10) marks in undergraduate and postgraduate examinations.


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Candidates applying for PhD in medical specialties must have a post graduatequalification and minimum 60% marks (First Class) in MBBS.

Two letters of reference are required to be enclosed along with the duly filledin application form for PhD admission.

Second year MPH students of the Institute can also apply for the PhDprogram. However, for the November session their admission will be subjectto the outcome of their MPH result and obtaining the minimum percentage ofmarks before the time stipulated for admission.

Method of selection

The selection of research scholars will be based on the performance in writtentest and interview.

Those who have UGC/CSIR/ICMR/ DBT/INSPIRE individual JRF need toappear only for the interview.

Candidates awarded Senior Research Fellowships (SRF) and fellowship fromstate level tests (Eg. KSCSTE) have to qualify in the written test andinterview.

For any area of research under Public Health, candidates have to qualify inthe written test and interview.

The Institute reserves the right to short list candidates based on the number ofseats available every year, academic merit and scientific records of theapplicants, letters of reference, availability of research guide/s etc.

Candidates must provide a write up describing the Research Proposal (300to 400 words) and a Statement of Purpose for undertaking a research career(100 to 150 words).

Age limi t :

There is no age limit for PhD admission.

SCTIMST Fellowship/Contingency Grant:

Five Institute Fellowships are awarded each year, one of which will bereserved for Health Science Studies.The duration of fellowship will be for a maximum period of four years.The Institute fellowship grant for the PhD Institute fellows will be on par withthe rates of CSIR for JRF/SRF including HRA and Contingency Grant. Thesame assessment criteria will be followed.

The unspent balance of contingency grant at the end of a year may be carriedforward to the next year.


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REGISTRATION FOR THE PhD PROGRAMME:

Candidates who have qualified in the entrance examination for admission toPhD are encouraged to meet the recognized guides and fix up with one ofthem based on area of interest and the available facilities. The list ofResearch Guides along with their areas of specialization is available in theInstitute website. A topic of research that falls in line with the interests of theInstitute may be submitted to the Division of Academic Affairs along with theAcceptance Letter of the Research Guide for the process of registration.

Those candidates who qualify in the entrance examination but, do not have aFellowship can join guides who have externally funded projects matching withtheir area of interest.

Validity of the list

The maximum period allowed to the provisionally selected candidates forAdmission is until the announcement for the next entrance test to be held

during November/June of each year.

Duration of the Programme

Minimum duration of the doctoral work shall be three years after joining andmaximum duration is five years. In exceptional cases, it may be extended bysix months. For those who have passed the M.Phil/MPH Degree course fromthis Institute and select the similar area of research for PhD program, theminimum period can be reduced to Two and a Half years.

STRUCTURE OF THE PhD PROGRAMME

Course work

i) Course work will be an integral part of the Ph.D. programme.

BMT and Hospital Wing:a) Mandatory- The Course in Research Methodology offered as part of theM.Phil. programme of the Institute will be mandatory. This course covers 6credits.b) Optional- In addition to the Research Methodology course, studentsshould attend courses related to their field of research. The course work shouldcover a minimum of 4 credits. The students may select modules from one of the

following:(i) The courses offered for M.Phil students at the BMT Wing(ii) Courses in Cardiac Sciences and Neurosciences conducted at the

Hospital Wing.AMCHSS

The students registered for Ph.D. in areas of Public Health may select the modulesfrom the courses offered as part of the MPH programme.

CMC, Vellore Students registered at CMC Vellore can opt for course work in Clinical Hematology

or Stem Cell Research.

ii) Seminars:


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Six seminars related to the topic of research will be presented by the student.The schedule of the 6 seminars will be decided by the DAC. The student willgain 2 credits through seminars.

iii) Evaluation:a) Log book - Details of the courses attended, seminars presented and

examinations passed will be recordedb) Course work- The student has to score a minimum of 50% for each module to

qualify for the credits of that module.c) Seminars- Objective evaluation system will be introduced for seminars, and

the evaluation will be done by the DAC.

A student may acquire a minimum of 12 credits (10 credits through courses & 2credits through seminars) within the first 2 years of the Ph.D. programme.The Guide and Doctoral Advisory Committee may encourage the student to attendmore courses as per the requirement of the specific research area.

The details of the courses selected and a soft copy of the seminars may be

submitted to the Division of Academic Affairs prior to the comprehensiveexamination. Based on the recommendations of the DAC and the Dean, the Directorcan waive the entire Course work, mandatory and optional courses, if the studenthas good score in the M.Phil. or MPH courses offered at this Institute.

Semi-annual reports have to be submitted by the student to the Academic Divisionthrough the DAC.

Comprehensive examination:

Within 24 months after joining, the student shall take a Comprehensive

examination which will be a written test and Oral examination to assesshis/her grasp of the subject and research methodology. The Guide mayinitiate the process for the conduct of the comprehensive examination. Aminimum score of 60% is required to pass the written test before the Oralexamination is conducted. A pass in Comprehensive examination may entitlehim/her to a Senior Research Fellowship.

In the event of failure in the comprehensive examination, a second attemptwill be allowed within one year.

Change of Title of Thesis:

Modification of the title of thesis may be effected on the recommendations ofthe research guide and the DAC members with the approval of the Directorany time before the submission of Synopsis.

Change of Research Area is not allowed. Under exceptional circumstancesonly it may be allowed with the approval of the Dean and Director.

Change of Research Guide:

Change of Research Guide is not encouraged. In extraordinary cases, changeof Research guide may be permitted with the approval of the AcademicCommittee on the recommendation of the Head of the Department and TheDirector.


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THESIS SUBMISSION:

Procedure:

(i) There shall be a colloquium at which the student presents his/her workbefore the DAC, PhD Guide, PhD students and interested faculty from theInstitute. Relevant suggestions may be incorporated into the thesis.

(ii) Four copies of synopsis may be submitted three months beforesubmission of thesis. The synopsis of the work done will have to receiverecommendation of the Doctoral Advisory Committee before submission tothe Division of Academic Affairs.

(iii) A candidate is expected to have either one publication with impact factornot less than 3 OR 2 publications in indexed journals. In case the impactfactor of the publication is below 3, and the candidate has 2 publications,he/she should be the first author in one paper and at least 2nd author in theother paper. The publications shall be related to the subject of the thesis.The articles may be publishes/ accepted for publication before the viva-voce examination.

(iv) Four softbound copies of thesis may be submitted to the Division ofAcademic Affairs and one copy to the Research Guide for evaluationpurpose.

(v) After receiving the evaluation reports on the thesis from the examiners, thecandidate takes viva voce examination.

(vi) Two hardbound copies need to be submitted to the Division of AcademicAffairs within two weeks after the final viva voce examination. TheResearch Guide and Co-guide may also be given the corrected copies. If

any soft bound copies submitted for evaluation are available in the Divisionof Academic Affairs, they may be returned to the candidate.

(vii) Thesis should be prepared as per the style manual published in theInstitute website.

BOARD OF THESIS EXAMINATION

To evaluate the thesis and submit the report, the Institute Director will appointa minimum 2 external examiners from the panel proposed by the Research

Guide. The Guide/Guides will also be asked to submit a report on the thesis.

THESIS EVALUATION:

The thesis should reflect substantial work for the advancement of scientificknowledge or design and development or applied work of an innovativenature. It should show competence in critical analysis of scientific data aswell as thorough familiarity with background literature.

1) The evaluation of the thesis will consist of:

(a) Evaluation by the two external examiners and the ResearchGuide/s.


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(b) The final viva-voce of the candidate on the thesis by one of theexternal examiners and the research guide/s.

(c) Consolidated recommendation based on the reports of the twoexternal examiners and the viva-voce.

2) The Evaluation Report submitted by the external examiners shouldhighlight the salient features of the thesis and make a clear

recommendation regarding its acceptance or rejection for Ph.DDegree. Out of the three evaluators (2 external examiners andResearch Guide), if any one gives a definite recommendation againstand two for the award of the degree, reference to a fourth examiner willbe made. If the report from the fourth examiner is positive, the viva-voce will be held. If the fourth examiners report is negative, the thesiswill be rejected. Likewise, if the first two external examiners, in the firstinstant itself, recommend against the award of the degree, the thesiswill be rejected. If a thesis is rejected, the candidate will be allowed tore-submit the thesis within one year, after addressing the issues raisedby the examiners.

Evaluation Report from Examiners

1. Each examiner will be requested to send his report to the Registrar/DeputyRegistrar within two months of receipt of the thesis.

The Research Guide/s may also send the report within this period.

The reports must contain a critical evaluation of the thesis and clear

recommendation.

2. In case the examiners are unable to make a definite recommendation, theyshould indicate one of the following alternatives:

a) Minor revision/clarifications not involving retyping of the thesis. Thismay be effected and the approval of the examiner may be obtained atthe time of the viva voce.

b) Major revision involving rewriting of one or more sections, but notinvolving additional research. In this case the thesis will be sent back tothe examiner.

Thesis Defense and Viva-voce Examination

There shall be an open defense of the thesis in the presence of theexaminers, the faculty and the students of the Institute.

The viva-voce examination is closed and is designed to assess the generalscientific background of the candidate and his/her own particular contributionembodied in the thesis. In instances where the thesis involvesinstrumentation/devices, the candidate will be expected to demonstrate them

and explain their features.


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1. Viva-voce examination will be conducted at the Institute after the thesishas been adjudged to be satisfactory. This examination in which a pass isobligatory shall be conducted by a Board, which will consist of:

a) One of the external examiners who evaluated the thesis.b) Research Guide.

If the examiner cannot be present for the viva-voce, the Director willappoint substitutes.

2. Members of the Board for viva voce should report to the Registrar /DeputyRegistrar as to whether the candidates performance in the examinationwas satisfactory or not. No marks are allotted in the viva voceexamination.

3. If a candidate fails in the Viva voce examination, he/she may be permittedto appear again between 3 to 12 months (second attempt). If he/she failsin the second attempt, he/she will not be permitted to continue with thePhD programme.

4. The members of the viva voce examination board shall forward to theRegistrar/Deputy Registrar a consolidated recommendation consisting ofthe reports of the examiners who evaluated the thesis and the reports onthe candidates performance in the viva voce. Before submitting theconsolidated recommendation they must ensure that the thesis iscorrected and ready for placement in its final form in the library.

ADMISSION AND EXAMINATION FEES

Admission Fee : Rs.1000/-

Tuition Fee : Rs. 5000/- per yearCaution Deposit : Rs.2000/-Library : Rs.500/-Identity Card : Rs.220/-Student Welfare Fund : Rs.500/-Certificates : Rs.1000/-Comprehensive Exam. Fee : Rs.2000/-Thesis Evaluation Fee : Rs.5000/-Hostel fee : as per the rules of the Institute.

MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT

PhD students (not their family members) may be permitted medicalreimbursement as per the rules of the Institute.

CANDIDATES LEAVING THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME MIDWAY

All candidates selected for the PhD programme shall be required to give anundertaking/execute a bond to the effect that he/she would not leave thecourse midway and if he/she leaves the Institute, he/she has to pay thepenalty to the Institute.Institute fellows who resign without completing the programme shall return the

whole amount of scholarship received by him/her till the time of resignationOR emoluments for 6 months, whichever is higher.


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He/She must have been the Principal Investigator of at least one majorresearch project funded by external agencies after receiving thePhD/MD Degree in the concerned subject.

Must have published at least five papers in standard indexed journals(not review articles) as a first or a corresponding author after obtainingthe PhD/MD degree and the papers so published should not be fromthe thesis.

Must have had five years of post-doctoral experience.

The maximum number of students who could be registered at anygiven time under a guide will be four.

A guide may be co-guide for another candidate of an externaluniversity with the approval of the Academic Committee of the Instituteprovided the area of research of the external candidate is similar to thearea of work of the faculty at this Institute. He/she may also go throughthe formalities of the external University to be a co-guide on his ownand the Institute will not take any liability, financial or otherwise.

The number of new students in a year may be restricted to 2 for

each guide.

OBLIGATION OF THE RESEARCH GUIDE

The Guide is expected to supervise the progress of the student at every stageof the programme. He is expected to inculcate ethics in research. The otherresponsibilities include:

1. Constitution of the DAC.2. Conducting courses and Seminars and the submission of the minutes

of DAC meetings.

3. Submit Syllabus and Panel of Examiners (4 names with contact details)6 months before the oral comprehensive examination with the approvalof DAC

4. After the Oral comprehensive examination and 6 months before thesubmission of Thesis a panel of 5 external examiners may besubmitted with the approval of DAC for Thesis Evaluation.

APPOINTMENT OF CO-GUIDE

Co-guide can be appointed if necessary, provided that he/she contributessubstantially to the programme. However, the appointment of Co-guide willnot be a temporary arrangement or alternate to the Guide when the Guide ison leave for small/long duration.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF DAC MEMBERS

There should be a minimum of 2 DAC members excluding the ResearchGuide. At least one of the DAC members should be a recognized guide.


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3) Minimum five years post doctoral experience in conducting andguiding research.

4) Active involvement in research activities at least 3 years prior to theexamination.

REGISTRATION OF INTERNAL CANDIDATES:

There is no External or Part Time Registration for PhD programme for thosewho are in full time job, temporary or permanent. Permanent Faculty ofSCTIMST can apply as Internal Candidates, and are exempted from thisrule.

1. Academic staff having MSc/MTech/MD/MPH degree with First Class and whohave satisfactorily completed probation in the Institute can be consideredeligible to apply.

2. Applications (prescribed format) could be considered along with the admission

to the full time PhD programme.3. The applicant should write the Institutes PhD Entrance examination and

score a minimum of 60% or qualify in any of the National examinations. Theywill not be ranked with other open candidates.

4. The same committee interviewing the regular PhD candidates will interviewthese applicants.

5. The recognized guide who accepts responsibility to guide any internalcandidate should not exceed the existing ceiling of 4 students under his/ herresearch guide ship.

6. It is expected that like in regular PhD registrations, the guide has the requisitequalifications to supervise the student in the proposed area of research.

7. The guide has to certify that facilities and resources are available with him orher for the Ph.D work of the student.

8. The HOD has to certify and report at regular intervals during the Ph.Dprogramme that, the Ph.D work is not affecting the regular work for which thestaff member was originally recruited to the Institute.

9. The staff member (student) shall use only original data accumulated by himand not data he or she collected as part of the routine services rendered forsome one elses project or commissioned by an outside agency to theInstitute.

10. The criteria for assessing aptitude should be same as for other regularcandidates and academic staff should be encouraged to register for PhD at anearly stage of their career.

CANDIDATES REGISTERED AT CMC, VELLORE UNDER THE JOINT PhDPROGRAMME

The same rules are applicable for students registered for the SCTIMST PhDprogramme at CMC, Vellore.


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GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION AND SUBMISSIONOF PhD THESIS

SREE CHITRA TIRUNAL INSTITUTEFOR MEDICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, TRIVANDRUM

Thiruvananthapuram

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PREFACE

The Thesis is a treatise that represents the fulfillment of the scholarly aspiration of

the student. A good thesis should be clear and unambiguous and have a logical

structure that should assist the readers understanding of the argument being

presented and not obscure it. In order to achieve this objective, the layout and

physical appearance of the thesis should conform to a set pattern.

The purpose of this handbook is to outline the guidelines that a PhD thesis

submitted to the Institute should adhere to. This manual provides an overview of the

format for the preparation of the PhD dissertation and guidelines for the submission

of the thesis. For details regarding the PhD program, the students are advised toconsult the PhD manual available at the website: http://www.sctimst.ac.in

I wish to thank Dr. Renuka Nair, Dr. Chandra Prakash Sharma and

Dr. Jayasingh for their valuable input in the preparation of the handbook. I encourage

the students and the faculty members to give their valuable suggestions, which will

help us in updating the handbook every year.


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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

On completion of the research work, the PhD Thesis is prepared according tothe format provided.

The Thesis not conforming to the format may be sent back to the student forrevision and resubmission causing delays.

Four copies of the Synopsis should be submitted three months prior to thesubmission ofThesis.

The length of the Thesis should preferably be restricted to 250 printed pages.

The students are advised to restrict the total number of References to less than200.

Foursoftbound copies of the Thesis have to be submitted for evaluation.

If the Thesis is declared eligible for award of the PhD degree, two hardboundcopies of the Thesis have to be submitted to the Academic Division within onemonth of the viva-voce examination, after incorporating the correctionssuggested by the examiners.

The Guide and Co-guides have to be given a final copy of the Thesis. A final copy of the Thesis should also be given to the Institute Library.

LAYOUT AND FORMAT

One of the most important requisites in preparation of the Thesis is consistency offormat and adherence to the specific instructions given below.

Font

The Thesis should be written in English. It must be typewritten on A4 size paper(21 cm x 29.7 cm) in a clear and legible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12 or Arial 10).

As far as possible, use the same font for the entire thesis but, if necessary, differentfonts may be used within Tables, Figures, and Appendices. The Thesis has to beprinted single-sided. Double-spacing should be used in the Abstract and text of theThesis. Single spacing should be used in long Tables, block quotations separatedfrom the text, footnotes, and bibliographical entries. Paragraphs should be indented,or an empty line left between paragraphs.Larger size type may be used for the title of the Thesis and for Chapter headings, aslong as it is not larger than 18 point. Boldface type may also be used on the titlepage and for headings, as well as in the text for special symbols or for emphasis.Reduced type may be used within Tables, Figures, and Appendices, but it should beat least 9 point in size (partly because of microfilming requirements) and must becompletely legible.

The Thesis should be free from grammatical, lexical and punctuation errors. Inaddition to the computer spellchecker, a thesis should be proof-read to check thaterrors do not remain that are not detected by the spellchecker. The thesis shouldconsistently use either American or British spelling but should not alternate betweenthe two. When using numbers in the text, if the first word of a sentence is a number,it should be written in words. Writers not fluent in English are encouraged to havetheir manuscript professionally edited before submission, to improve the English.


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Chapter and Page Layout

Begin each Chapter on a new page. Do the same with each element of the frontmatter (list of Tables, Acknowledgments, etc.), the Reference section, and eachAppendix. Avoid typing a heading near the bottom of a page unless there is room forat least two lines of text following the heading. The Chapters should begin on a newpage, but sections and subsections should not. A "display" page (a page that shows

only the Chapter title) can be placed at the beginning of Chapters or Appendices.

Pages should be numbered at the bottom in the centre, using Arabic numerals(1, 2, 3) beginning with 1 on the first page of the Introduction and continuingconsecutively to the end of the manuscript including References. The preliminarypages are numbered in lower-case Roman numerals, beginning with the declarationpage.

Margins

A margin of at least 4.0 cm must be left at the top and left side of each page and amargin of at least 2.5 cm on the right and bottom. The last letter or character in thelongest line on the page determines the margin.

Captions and numbering (Tables and Figures)

Each Table should carry a number and a title clearly describing the data presented.Similarly each Figure / Illustration should carry a number and caption that clearlydescribes the nature of data presented. The caption should be at the bottom of theFigure. Number them consecutively throughout, in the order in which they are placedin the text. The Figures, Graphs, Tables should be embedded in the text of the

thesis, immediately after the first mention of it in the text, on the same page if there isroom, or on the following page.Captions and titles of Figures and Tables should appear on the same page as thematerial itself. Tables should be numbered consecutively with Arabic numeralsthroughout the thesis. Figures and Illustrations should also be numberedconsecutively in the order of presentation. All Tables and Figures must be referred toin the text by numbers and not by a phrase such as "the following table".Tables or Figures of peripheral importance to the text may be placed in an Appendix.

Appropriate use of headings and subheadings

Headings should be distinguished from the surrounding text by a larger font size, adifferent font, bolding, italics, or a combination of these. All headings of the samelevel should use the same style, and headings at lower levels should be lessprominent than those at higher levels.

Example:Chapter Title (Arial 14 point/ Times New Roman 16 point -Bold Small caps)Heading for section (Arial 12 point/ Times New Roman 14 point - Bold Italic)Heading for sub-section (Arial 10 point /Times New Roman 12 point - Bold)Heading for part of subsection- (Arial 10 point/ Times New Roman 12 point-

Bold Italic)


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All headings should be left aligned, except chapter headings, which may becentered. The headings and subheadings can be numbered, if necessary.

FORMAT OF THESIS

The manuscript consists of three main parts: The Preliminaries, The Text, and TheAnnexure. It is to be arranged in the following sequence:

The Preliminaries

Cover PageTitle PageDeclarations by StudentCertificate by Research GuideApproval of ThesisAcknowledgementsTable of ContentsList of Figures, Tables or Illustrations

List of Abbreviations (optional)Synopsis

The Text

IntroductionLiterature ReviewMaterials and MethodsResultsDiscussion

Summary and ConclusionBibliography

The Annexure

STRUCTURE OF THE PRELIMINARY PARTS

OUTER COVER (Lay out given inAppendix-I)

The outer cover should carry the following details:

The full title of the thesis

The candidates name

Ph.D Thesis - Year

Institutes Emblem

Name of the Institute

Thiruvananthapuram

TITLE PAGE (Lay out given inAppendix II)

The title page should provide the following information in the following order:The full title of the thesis

The statement- A thesis presented by


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Candidates name, to

Institutes name

The statement: In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of

Philosophy

The year of submission

Type the title of the thesis using capital letters throughout. If it occupies more thanone line, double space between lines and arrange in inverted pyramid form. Express

formulas, symbols, and abbreviations in words on the title page, even if the

"shorthand" forms are conventional and widely accepted.

DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP (Format given inAppendix III)

The student should make this declaration.

CERTIFICATE BY THE RESEARCH GUIDE (Format given inAppendix IV)

The guide has to provide a certificate and if Co-guide is present, separate certificates

have to be given by the Guide and Co-guide.

APPROVAL OF THESIS (Format given inAppendix V)

To be signed by Guide, Co-guide and External examiner

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The acknowledgement of the thesis is written in gratitude to all those who were

instrumental in bringing the thesis to fruition. The language used should be formal.

Acknowledge those who have assisted technically (including materials, supplies),

intellectually (assistance, advice) and financially (for example, funding agency

institutional support, travel grants)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The thesis must have a table of contents page listing chapter headings, section

headings and sub-headings as well as appendices and their corresponding page

number, as illustrated below. Indent subheadings as shown below


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Declaration by student i

Certificate of guide ii

Approval of thesis iii

Acknowledgements iv

List of FiguresList of Tables

Abbreviations

Synopsis xxx

IntroductionSubheads ...

1

Literature ReviewSubheads

Materials and MethodsSubheads ...

ResultsSubheads ...

DiscussionSubheads ...

Summary and Conclusion

Bibliography

List of publication from thesis

Curriculum vitae

AppendicesTitle..

A IAII

A separate list of Figures, Tables, or Illustrations should be included on a separate

page immediately following the table of contents.

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Caption Page

LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title Page

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS: (optional)

If a large number of abbreviations are used in the thesis, which may be unfamiliar toa reader, a list of abbreviations may be useful.

SYNOPSIS

The synopsis is a summary of the contents of the thesis. The synopsis is submittedprior to the submission of the thesis and will carry a cover page (format given inAppendix-VI)It should be concise, and comprehensive, and should have the following details: Thebackground and objectives, hypothesis, methods, major findings and significance/implication of the findings.


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The results can include quantitative data. Citations are generally not included in thesynopsis. The synopsis should not include internal headings, diagrams or otherillustrations. Like the text, it must be double-spaced.The length of the Synopsis should not exceed 6 pages.In the Thesis, the synopsis should be placed before the main text and when it formspart of the thesis, it should carry the heading SYNOPSIS.

THE TEXT OF THE THESIS

The text of the thesis is usually divided into chapters with subheadings within thechapters to indicate the orderly progression of topics and their relation to each other.All chapter headings should be typed consistently. When there are subheadings,each level of heading should be clearly distinguished typographically from the otherlevels, and the variations should be selected so as to reflect in an obvious way thehierarchy of headings (that is, higher level headings should look more important).Always allow at least one extra line of space above subheadings, and preferablybelow as well.

INTRODUCTION:

The thesis should normally begin with a general introduction presenting an overviewof the purpose and significance of the study. The introduction should show why thetopic selected is worth investigating. This will normally be done with reference toexisting research, identifying areas that have not been explored, need to be exploredfurther, or where new research findings justify a reconsideration of establishedknowledge. Having precisely defined the research problem, the introduction shouldpropose a solution to this problem. This response should make explicit the objectiveof the research, not simply state an intention to explore or discuss. The study shouldbe based on a well-defined hypothesis, which should be clearly stated. How theresearch makes an original contribution to the theoretical body of knowledge andalso the study's practical significance should be mentioned. It is especially criticalthat the Introduction is well written. Without a clearly defined purpose and strongtheoretical grounding, the thesis or dissertation is fundamentally flawed from theoutset.

The final section of the Introduction should provide a brief overview of each of themain chapters that the reader will encounter.

LITERATURE REVIEW:

It is called the Literature Review because the contents of this chapter are based onpublished material. The purpose of the literature review is to summarize, evaluateand compare the main developments and current debates in the field, which arespecifically relevant to the subject of research embodied in the thesis. Literaturereview should also aim at and ways to address these issues with the presentresearch program.

A critical review of the available solutions to the problem that was addressed andidentifying the knowledge gaps in the current literature would establish benchmarksagainst which the contributions of the study can be assessed. Therefore, the mostrecent information relating to the field of study has to be presented.


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DESIGN OF STUDY:

The following information is meant to serve as a general suggestion and not as arigid prescription. The supervisor and the student may decide how this part of thedissertation should be structured.

Although this section varies depending on method and analysis technique chosen,the chapter describes and justifies the methods chosen for the study and why thismethod was the most appropriate.

Following description of the research design, provide a detailed description of theprocedure followed. Citations in this section should be limited to data sources andreferences of where to find more complete descriptions of procedure.Description of the statistical analysis and tests performed are also to be given

RESULTS:

The results are actual statements of observations, including statistics, tables andgraphs. Mention negative results as well as positive. Use S.I. units throughout thethesis. Break up results into logical segments by using subheadings. Key resultsshould be stated in clear sentences. Do not repeat in the text all the values given intables. Do not present the same data as graph as well as table. Use one of theappropriate styles of presentation.

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this chapter is not just to reiterate the findings, but discuss the

observations in relation to the theoretical body of knowledge on the topic. Thischapter should also address the implication of the findings. Interpret results in termsof the background laid out in the introduction. Include the evidence or line ofreasoning supporting each interpretation Break up the section into logical segmentsby using subheads.

Outline the limitations of the study, and propose areas for future research.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Start with a few sentences that summarize the most important results and conclude

by giving the strongest and most important statement that highlights the outcome ofthe study. The conclusion should provide answers or solutions to the questions orproblems raised in the introduction. The argumentation of the thesis should besummarized briefly, and if appropriate, elaborate on how the research findings andresults will contribute to the field in general and what sort of broader implicationsthese may have. Suggestions may be made for further research where appropriate,but this is not a requirement

LIST OF REFERENCES:

All publications cited in the thesis should be presented in a list of referencesfollowing the text. Students are advised to restrict the total number of referencesto 200.


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The student is responsible for the accuracy of the References. References shouldfollow the Harvard-like format. Citation of References in the text should be given byauthors last name (no initials) followed by the year. When two or more citations aregiven, list them in chronological order. When there are two authors, include bothnames, separated by &; when there are three or more names, give only the firstauthor followed by et al. If there are two or more papers by the same author(s) inthe same year, identify them by a, b, etc. (and be sure to include the identifyingletters in the Reference List). All References cited in the text (including thoseincluded in figure legends and tables) should be listed in References.

Start the References on a separate page, and arrange citations in alphabetical orderby the first authors last name; do not number the citations. List all the authors (donot use et al. in the reference list). When there are two or more references to thesame author(s), list them in chronological order.

For journal references, the names of authors (last name and initials) should befollowed by the date (in parentheses), title of the article, journal name (in italics-usePubMed abbreviations), volume number (followed by a colon) and pages (first - last

page numbers). Reference to electronic material should include author name(s),date, article title, and journal (as above); where volume and/or page numbers are notavailable, substitute Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number.

Illustrative examples of entries in a Bibliography or list of References are givenbelow:

Journal

Example:Gopinath B, Radhakrishnan K, Sarma PS, Jayachandran D, Alexander A (2000) A

questionnaire survey about doctor-patient communication, compliance and locus ofcontrol among South Indian people with epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 39: 73-82.

Chapter in a Book

Wenzel HJ, Schwartzkroin PA (2006) Morphologic approaches to thecharacterization of epilepsy models. In: Pitkanen A, Schwartzkroin PA, Moshe SL(eds) Models of seizures and epilepsy, Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego, pp.629-652.

Book

Example:Pechenik JA (1987)A short guide to writing about biology. Harper Collins Publishers,New York.

Book in a seriesBhattacharjee M (1998) Notes of infinite permutation groups, Lecture notes in mathematicsno.1698, Springer, New York.


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Encyclopedia articles

Varley DH, Immelman RFM (1972) Libraries.Standard Encyclopaedia of SouthernAfrica, vol.6, p.618-619

Thesis/dissertationSmithers RHN (1997) The mammals of Botswana. DSc thesis. University of Pretoria.Conference proceedings

Bourassa S (1999) Effects of child care on young children, Proceedings of the third annualmeeting of the International Society for Child Psychology, International Society for ChildPsychology, Atlanta, Georgia, pp. 44-6.

Citations from Internet

The following elements in sequence must be considered: Author (if known), Date ofpublication/last updated, Title of article or document on website Type of medium

[Online], Available from (website), Access date in brackets

Harris P (2005) Reaching the top of the mountain. [Online]. Oxford University Press:Oxford. Available: http://www.netLibrary.com/openbook/093456/html[Accessed 8 January 2008]

Useful tips for referencing. [Online]. Available: http://www.referencetips.org.za[Accessed 5 November 2008].

Lawrence JJ (2005) Cholera epidemics in central Africa. The Times, 26 June 2005.[Online]. Available: [Accessed 27 June 2005].

PatentsAuthor(s) of patent surname and initials Year of issue, Title of patent- italicised,Number of patent including country of issueCookson AH (1985) Particle trap for compressed gas insulated transmissionsystems, US Patent 4554399.

THE ANNEXURE

List of publications:List of publications obtained by the student from the PhD work should be included inthe Thesis. Students are strongly encouraged to place the accepted versions of themanuscripts (maximum two), which were integral part of thesis work.

Curriculum vitae (optional):Provideone page giving academic qualifications, academic achievements and list of

publications.

Appendices (optional):

Appendices may include the formulas, diagrams, protocols, or any similar data thatare not contained in the body of the thesis. The number can be given as A-1,A-2 andlisted as such in the table of contents.


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ANNEXURE

Appendix I- Layout of Outer cover

TITLE OF THESIS(Capitals, bold and inverted pyramid form)

NAME

Ph.D. THESIS

Year

(Institute Emblem)

SREE CHITRA TIRUNAL INSTITUTEFOR

MEDICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, TRIVANDRUMThiruvananthapuram


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Appendix II Layout of title page

TITLE OF THESIS(Capitals, bold and inverted pyramid form)

A THESIS PRESENTED BY(NAME)

TO

THE SREE CHITRA TIRUNAL INSTITUTE FORMEDICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, TRIVANDRUMThiruvananthapuram

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTSFOR THE AWARD OF

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

YEAR


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Appendix III - Format for declaration by student

CERTIFICATE

I.. hereby certify that I had personally carried out the work depicted in the

thesis entitled, .., except*..

No part of the thesis has been submitted for the award of any other degree or

diploma prior to this date.

Signature

Date Name of the Candidate

(* If external help was sought declare and acknowledge)


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Appendix IV - Format for declaration by Guide:

Name of the guideDivision/Department

This is to certify that ..in the

department/division of .of this Institute has fulfilled

the requirements prescribed for the PhD degree of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute

for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum.

The thesis entitled, .. was carried out under my

direct supervision. No part of the thesis was submitted for the award of any degree

or diploma prior to this date.

*Clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee/ Institutional Animal

Ethics for carrying out the study

SignatureDate

* As and when applicable.If an external/ Coguide was present a similar declaration should be given


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Appendix V - Format for approval of thesis

The thesis entitled

Submitted by

..

for the degree ofDoctor of Philosophy

of

SREE CHITRA TIRUNAL INSTITUTE

FORMEDICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, TRIVANDRUMThiruvananthapuran

Is evaluated and approved by

.Name of the guide. Name of thesis examiner


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Appendix VI - Cover page of synopsis

TITLE OF THESIS(Capitals, bold, inverted pyramid form)

SYNOPSIS

by

NAME

for Ph.D. Degree

of

THE SREE CHITRA TIRUNAL INSTITUTE FORMEDICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, TRIVANDRUM

Thiruvananthapuram

(The typed pages may be stapled and submitted 3 months prior to thesubmission of thesis. When synopsis forms part of the thesis the cover pageneed not be included)


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ph.d. manual sctimst

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