Part 12: Variations to candidature

Applications for variations to candidature must be made on the appropriate form (available from the Faculty of Science website or the Graduate Studies Officer) and be accompanied by a recommendation from the supervisor and endorsement from the head of school .

Applications must be submitted to the Faculty of Science office for consideration by the Research Degrees Committee. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates are notified by the Faculty of Science office of the approval or otherwise of their application.

Variations to candidature include:

Intermission

The Research Degrees Committee may grant masters candidates periods of intermission of up to 12 months if there are valid grounds (for example, extended illness). A written application for intermission, supported by the supervisor, must be submitted to the Research Degrees Committee via the Graduate Studies Officer.

Candidates should not continue research on, or writing of the thesis during any period of intermission.

Scholarship awardees are reminded that where they are granted intermission with respect to their candidature, a request for suspension of scholarship must also be made.

Extension

Applications for extension of candidature are usually only approved in cases where research progress has been delayed by circumstances beyond the candidate's control. Applications must include details of the nature of the delay, and be accompanied by details of the status of the experimental work and thesis writing and a schedule for completion.

Conversion from full-time to part-time

Candidates wishing to convert from full-time to part-time enrolment will be required to convince the Research Degrees Committee that they will be able to devote at least two full working days per week or its equivalent to their research project. Candidates will need to provide a letter from their employer detailing the time available to pursue their course requirements.

Change of supervisor

The Research Degrees Committee must approve any change of supervisor. An application to change supervision arrangements must be made on the on the appropriate form (available from the Faculty of Science website or the Graduate Studies Officer) and be accompanied by a recommendation from the supervisor and endorsement from the head of school .

Writing-up away

Approval to write the thesis away from the university may be sought by candidates who have been enrolled for at least the minimum time specified in the regulations providing their supervisor has sighted the first draft of the thesis. A maximum of six months writing-up away may be approved in the first instance.

Candidates should note that the writing-up away period is not additional to that of the length of candidature.

Absences overseas for study and study-related purposes (including attendance at conferences) to be reported

All absences overseas that relate to the research program (including attendance at conferences), for whatever period, are to be reported in writing to the Research Degrees Committee via the school with the endorsement of the supervisor. International candidates must also report to Monash International as required.

Periods of annual leave taken overseas need not be reported.

Travel warnings issued by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Candidates should consult the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website and heed any travel warnings before electing to travel overseas.