Academic progress

Programme of study

The programme of study for a postgraduate degree at the School of Biological Sciences involves a period of sustained in-depth study of a specific topic. The aims of PhD study are given below. An MSc by Research is a much shorter programme (1 year instead of 3) and the student is therefore not expected to study in as great a depth as for PhD; at MSc level, there is no requirement to demonstrate originality and creativity or make new discoveries leading to publishable work.

Aims

To provide the opportunity to enlarge the student‘s view of the broad area and to study the theoretical foundations and specific techniques of the subject.
To require the student to uncover and to critically examine the background literature on the topic.
To provide the student with the stimulus required to develop originality and creativity in the research.
To give the student the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses or research questions, in developing new theory, or in planning and conducting experiments to discover new facts or contribute new insights.
To provide, through critical scrutiny of written work and oral presentations, an opportunity for the student to develop skills in writing and presenting results of the research in high grade learned journals.

Postgraduate study in the School is normally by research in the form of a project supervised by a member of staff and forming part of our on-going research programme. Studies, which usually begin in October, normally take three years for a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). The degrees are awarded on the presentation of a thesis and its examination, which includes an oral examination. The examination is conducted by two examiners, an External from another university or research institution who is a specialist in the field covered by the project, and by an Internal, a member of Faculty other than the student's advisor.

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The PhD Degree

Full time - 3 years research training and up to 1 year writing up (48 months from initial registration). Breakdown of Milestones

Part time - 6 years and up to 2 years writing up (96 months from initial registration). Breakdown of Milestones

The MSc by Research Degree

Full time - 1 year research training and up to 2 years writing up (36 months from initial registration). Breakdown of Milestones

Part time - 2 years and up to 4 years writing up. Breakdown of Milestones

Full time PhD progress review

Registration
1 month - Meeting with supervisor and tutor; submit project outline.
4 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
10 months - First year report submitted. Viva with tutor and assessor.
12 months - Upgrade to PhD (if successful). Meeting with supervisor and tutor if necessary to discuss report.
18 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
22 months - Second year report submitted. Viva with tutor and assessor.
33 months - Completion of practical work. Thesis outline and timetable for completion to supervisor.
36 months (or within 48 months) - Submit thesis, viva exam.

Part time PhD progress review

Registration
1 month - Meeting with supervisor and tutor: submit project outline.
4 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
12 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
22 months - First year report submitted. Viva with tutor and assessor.
24 months - Upgrade to PhD (if successful). Meeting with supervisor and tutor if necessary to discuss report.
36 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
46 months - Second year report submitted. Viva with tutor and assessor.
60 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
66 months - Completion of practical work. Thesis outline and timetable for completion to supervisor.
72 months (or within 96 months) - Submit thesis, viva exam.

Full time MSc by Research progress review

Registration
1 month - Meeting with supervisor and tutor: submit project outline
6 months - First year report submitted. Viva with tutor and assessor.
12 months - Completion of practical work. Thesis outline and timetable for completion to supervisor.
Within 36 months - Submit thesis, viva exam.

Part time MSc by Research progress review

Registration
1 month - Meeting with supervisor and tutor: submit project outline.
4 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
10 months - Viva with tutor and assessor.
18 months - Meeting with supervisor and tutor.
24 months - Completion of practical work. Thesis outline and timetable for completion to supervisor.
Within 48 months - Submit thesis, viva exam.