THESIS REVIEW
All research higher degree candidates are required to undergo a pre-submission review of their thesis outline, three months before the expected date of submission. Its purpose is to ensure the work will be of sufficient content and quality for the submission to be successful.
The process: The advisory team will select and obtain the agreement of a reviewer external to the advisory team and arrange a time for the thesis review panel to meet with the candidate. The panel will comprise the advisory team, the reviewer, and a representative of the RHD Committee (chair). The candidate will submit the following written work to the SPH RHD Administrative Officer at least two weeks before the date of the thesis review. S/he will distribute to the panel.
Written work
A coversheet used for school purposes
- A brief summary setting out what remains to be done prior to submission (including a time-line).
- Outline of thesis structure, including chapter headings.
- Copy of Mid-Candidature Review document
- At least one of:
- Completed or draft results and discussion chapter
- Journal papers, and/or conference presentations which are to be included in the thesis. If journal papers are included, the candidate and advisors must be able to justify that the candidate has contributed in a substantial way to the piece of work.
Presentation and Interview
The candidate will give an brief oral presentation (15-20 minutes) covering the content of their thesis, followed by a discussion. This should contain an outline of each chapter and a sample of any results presentation, where appropriate. The presentation must contain sufficient detail of the individual sections within each chapter for the panel to assess the quantity and quality of thesis work to be submitted for assessment.
The panel and candidate will discuss any issues relating to progress of the research towards a satisfactory completion on time. The expected date of submission will be identified.
Written Feedback
The chair of the panel will
summarise the main points raised in relation to written materials, oral presentation and interview and summary recommendations and enter these on the SPH thesis review proforma
- complete sections 1-4 of the Milestone Attainment Form
- email these to the RHD Administrative Officer
The RHD coordinator will forward the final recommendation to the Graduate School and the candidate will receive notification of the final outcome from the Graduate School.
Outcomes
The School may recommend
that the milestone has been achieved,
- an extension of the due date (usually of up to 3 months FTE) for achieving the milestone, or
- that the candidate has not achieved the milestone after more than one attempt and is liable for termination of candidature.
Candidates who do not achieve this milestone after 48 months (PhD) or 24 months (MPhil) of FTE candidature may be liable for termination of candidature:
Expedited Thesis Review
In a case where a substantial portion (at least 75%) of the primary thesis material has been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and has also been presented at scientific meetings, the candidate may apply for an expedited thesis review. This will require submitting the written work as described, with substantiation of the publications and presentations, to his/her principal advisor. With principal advisor endorsement, this material is then submitted to the RHD Coordinator for approval as completion of the thesis review milestone. The RHD Coordinator may either (a) forward a recommendation to the Graduate School for milestone completion or (b) require a full thesis review with interview as described above.
Useful Links
Forms
Extension of attainment of Milestone Form
Termination of Candidature Form
Policy and Procedures
University Policy on Research Higher Degree candidature Progression and Development
Information for Advisors of International Research Higher Degree Students
Policy on inclusion of published material in theses
