Master of Philosophy Course Regulations
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MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY COURSE REGULATIONS This document sets out the Course Regulations governing the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). These regulations are complementary to QUT’s Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP) which in turn require compliance with Commonwealth and State statutes and laws and the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (2000) regarding compliance with International Student Visa requirements. Index 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 2 2. Award details ................................................................................................................................ 3 3. Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 3 4. Entry requirements ....................................................................................................................... 4 4.1 Domestic and International entry criteria ................................................................................ 4 4.2 English Language requirements ............................................................................................ 4 4.3 QUT’s capacity to support research ....................................................................................... 4 4.4 Application process ............................................................................................................... 5 4.5 Skills Audit ............................................................................................................................. 5 4.6 Advanced standing/academic credit ...................................................................................... 5 4.7 Readmission .......................................................................................................................... 5 5. Attendance requirements ............................................................................................................. 6 5.1 Attendance mode and type .................................................................................................... 6 5.2 Campuses ............................................................................................................................. 6 6. Enrolment and Progression .......................................................................................................... 6 6.1 Faculty affiliation .................................................................................................................... 6 6.2 Research Course requirements ............................................................................................. 7 6.3 End-user engagement and overseas experience ................................................................... 8 6.3 Period of candidature............................................................................................................. 8 6.4 Milestones ............................................................................................................................. 8 6.5 Conditions of Candidature ................................................................................................... 10 7. Examinations .............................................................................................................................. 11 8. Supervision ................................................................................................................................ 11 9. Thesis Guidelines ....................................................................................................................... 12 10. Review of Outcome .................................................................................................................... 13 11. Course Outcomes ...................................................................................................................... 14 1. Introduction The main purpose of higher degree research study is to encourage independence and originality of thought in the quest for knowledge. The Master of Philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of a candidate’s substantial contribution to knowledge. The candidate's research must reveal high critical ability and synthesis, and may be in the form of new knowledge, or of significant and original adaptation, application and interpretation of existing knowledge. COURSE DEFINITION QUT Course code IF80 Award title Master of Philosophy Abbreviated title MPhil Credit Points Up to maximum 48 coursework plus thesis Duration: Standard 12-24 months full time; 24-48 months part time Minimum 12 months full time; 24 months part time Maximum 24 months full time; 48 months part time Entry Entry open all year although restricted intake dates for some faculties. Check requirements with host faculty. Course type Masters by research (postgraduate) Student type Domestic / International Faculties All QUT’s Master of Philosophy is distinguished by its supported student cohorts, and opportunities to promote transdisciplinary research, end-user engagement and international experiences. QUT’s Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Course Regulations are aligned with and meet all relevant external regulatory requirements including the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9 Qualification Specifications. The identified Graduate Attribute Set for AQF Level 9 is detailed in Appendix 1 and includes Research field, Cognitive skills, Communication and Independent and collaborative behaviours. These relate to learning outcomes which will fulfil the MPhil graduate profile: • Demonstration of body of knowledge in relevant discipline that encompasses recent developments and applications; • Advanced understanding of research principles and methods relevant to discipline or field; • Demonstration of mastery of theoretical knowledge and its critical reflection and applications; • Demonstration of the use of cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate and analyse complex information and problems, apply theories to bodies of knowledge and practices, and generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts; • Ability to demonstrate communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results effectively to all audiences; • Ability to demonstrate communication and technical skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research as a contribution to knowledge; • Demonstration of using creativity and initiative to apply knowledge and transferrable skills in new environments and in professional practices, with autonomy or within teams in an accountable manner; and Course Regulations approved by QUT’s University Academic Board (UAB), 26 May 2017 Page 2 of 14 Current @ 9/08/2017 CRICOS No. 00213J • Demonstration of the ability to apply skills and knowledge in the planning and execution of a substantial piece of research. 2. Award details The Master of Philosophy will be awarded subject to: • satisfactory completion of the candidate’s approved course of study; and • satisfactory completion of the candidate’s mandatory milestones and research training; and • the candidate’s certification that they have not studied another tertiary award during the tenure of their Masters of Philosophy candidature without the permission of the Research Degrees Committee; and • a statement by the candidate indicating original authorship of their thesis; and • the satisfactory completion by the candidate of the examination process; and • copies of the thesis submitted as per established guidelines. The award title is Master of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy (major study area). 3. Definitions “Candidate” means any person admitted to the planned course of research leading to a higher degree by research. An “applicant” is any person who is applying for admission. “Candidature” means the period of study towards the higher degree research being the period from the date of admission until all coursework has been successfully passed and the thesis is lodged for examination, after which time the candidate holds the status of 'Under Examination’ or until the candidature is terminated or the candidate withdraws. “Examination” means the formal testing of the candidate's thesis while under examination to critically evaluate whether the conditions for the award of the Higher Degree Research have been met. “Examiners” means the academically qualified specialists appointed to undertake examination of the candidate's thesis. “External candidate” means a candidate who will undertake the majority of their research and study away from QUT research facilities or campuses. “Internal candidate” means a candidate who will complete their study whilst physically attending a campus or research facility of QUT. “Lodgement due date” means the date by which a candidate will have disseminated their research findings at a public presentation and lodged their thesis through Research Degrees Committee for examination. “Masters by research” means a Master's degree, which has a research component comprising two thirds or more of the total course of study. “Milestone” means a mandatory candidature event that is an internal review of a candidate’s progress or a dissemination of research. Course Regulations approved by QUT’s University Academic Board (UAB), 26 May 2017 Page 3 of 14 Current @ 9/08/2017