Master of Philosophy in the Sydney Dental School
Overview
The Master of Philosophy is a research degree and is aimed at those who intend to pursue research careers in oral health or a related field or who wish to upgrade their qualifications to give them a competitive edge in their employment by demonstrating superior ability and some research experience. It may also be used as a stepping stone to commencing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
During this degree, students undertake supervised research leading to the production of a thesis. The word limit for a thesis submitted to the Faculty of Dentistry is 80,000 words. Students may be required to attend classes or undertake coursework units of study, and the thesis is the only or major examinable assessment requirement for the degree.
Course rules
Master of Philosophy
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2014, the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended), the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016. Up to date versions of all such documents are available from the Policy Register: http://sydney.edu.au/policies.
Part 2: Admission requirements
2 Eligibility for admission to candidature
(1)
To be eligible to be admitted to candidature by the Dean or Associate Dean, an applicant must hold or have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, in a subject area related to the proposed course of advanced study and research, with -
(2)
The Dean or Associate Dean may admit to candidature an applicant who does not meet the requirements of sub-clause (1), provided that the applicant holds a qualification or qualifications that, in the opinion of the Combined Board of Postgraduate Studies are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).
3 Application for admission to candidature
(b)
a proposed course of research and advanced study, approved by the Head of the Discipline in which the work is to be undertaken; and
(c)
a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.
(2)
In addition, an applicant for admission to part-time candidature must submit a statement that he or she will have sufficient time available to complete the requirements of the degree in accordance with these resolutions.
4 Credit transfer
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the granting of credit for previous studies, including the effect on completion times.
Part 3: Candidature
5 Appointment of supervisor
0.
The Head of Discipline will appoint a supervisor and associate supervisor for each candidate in accordance with the HDR Rule and Academic Board policies for postgraduate research higher degree supervision.
6 Control of candidature
7 Location of candidature and attendance
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the conditions for the location of candidature and attendance by candidates at the University.
Part 5: Enrolment and progression
10 Probation
(1)
A candidate is normally accepted for candidature on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding one year according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.
(b)
develop and present a refined research proposal to the satisfaction of the Supervisor and Head of Discipline; and
11 Time limits, earliest and latest submission dates
0.
The HDR Rule specifies the allowable completion times and submission dates available for full- and part-time candidates in this course.
12 Mode of attendance
0.
The attendance pattern for this course is full-time or part-time according to candidate choice. Visa requirements commonly restrict international students to full-time study only.
13 Discontinuation of candidature
0.
A candidate may discontinue enrolment in a unit of study or the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
14 Suspension of candidature
(1)
A candidate may suspend enrolment from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule, except that:
(a)
the application must be received by the Faculty prior to the commencement of the relevant semester;
(b)
a candidate may only apply for a period of suspension of one semester at any one time, and should the candidate wish to suspend for more than one semester another application must be made to the Faculty for each subsequent semester prior to the commencement of that relevant semester; and
15 Leave of absence
0.
A candidate may take leave of absence from the degree subject to the conditions specified by the HDR Rule.
16 Progress
0.
A candidate is required to maintain satisfactory progress towards the timely completion of the degree. Progress will be reviewed annually according to the provisions of the HDR Rule.
Part 6: Examination
17 Examination of the thesis
Examination of the thesis will be conducted in general accordance with standards prescribed by Academic Board for the Doctor of Philosophy, except that:
(b)
two examiners will be appointed by the Faculty, at least one of whom shall be external to the University and not a clinical academic title-holder of the Faculty; and
(c)
the Joint Board of Postgraduate Studies in Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy will act in place of the PhD Award Sub-Committee.
18 Award of the degree
0.
The thesis will be graded by the examiners and the thesis grade will be recorded on the academic transcript.
Part 7: Other
19 Transitional provisions
(1)
These course resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2017 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2017 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2017 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed within the time limits specified in those resolutions. The Dean or Associate Dean may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.