Part 16: Thesis examination

Appointment of examiners

The examiners may be internal to the university but must not be part of the same research group or have any direct relation to the research undertaken by the candidate.

Expectations of the minor thesis

Master degrees in the Faculty of Science generally have the objective of training candidates in research methodology and techniques and in their critical evaluation, appropriate to their field of study, and in the application of such methodology by conducting a program of research under appropriate supervision.

The minor thesis will normally describe a research project conducted in the appropriate discipline and reinforcing the principles and concepts covered by the coursework. However, the minor thesis may not necessarily involve original research.

The abilities that should be demonstrated by a good thesis include:

• a command of the knowledge and skills pertinent to the area;
• an ability to communicate in correct English and present the information in a form consistent with scientific conventions;
• an ability to survey critically the relevant literature;
• an ability to state objectives clearly, to pursue them methodically and to argue clearly and critically;
• a critical appreciation and understanding of the relationship of the candidate's own work to that of others; and
• an ability to contribute to the knowledge of the subject, which may include critical assessment of existing knowledge and reinterpreting it with respect to new situations.

In addition to the minor thesis, candidates complete such coursework units as may be prescribed by the head of school with an expected average H2A grade.

Examination

The head of school shall determine, for advice to the examiners, the weight to be attached to the thesis in assessing the candidate's overall performance. Each examiner shall evaluate the thesis and report the evaluation to the school.

Each internal examiner shall receive a report from the head of school on the performance of the candidate in the units completed and shall recommend to the Research Degrees Committee through the head of school whether or not the work of the candidate merits the award of the degree.

The school will notify the Faculty of Science office of the result of the examination.

Notification of result by the Faculty of Science office

The Faculty of Science office will notify candidates of the completion of the examination. Enquires about the progress of the examination should be directed to the Graduate Studies Officer in the first instance and not to the candidate's school or supervisor.

Liability for fees when rewriting the thesis

Candidates must be enrolled to rewrite their thesis, and will be liable for any fees for the period concerned. The appropriate advice will be forwarded to the candidate when the results of the examination are announced.