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Rusangu University GRADUATE STUDIES BULLETIN PUBLISHED BY SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH & RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT 2017 — 2021 1 FOREWORD A bulletin is an authoritative source of information for an outsider who desires to know more about an institution and its programmes. It is a reference document, which students and staff alike must consult in order to be properly informed on a particular programme. Ideally, therefore, a bulletin should contain up-to-date information on the curriculum and the enabling regulations. This means that a bulletin should be revised regularly to take care of recent advances in knowledge in the various disciplines and periodic changes in regulations. In this regard, I am pleased to note that the leadership of the School of Graduate Studies, Professional Growth and Research Development has come up with an academic structure guiding our Postgraduate Studies Programmes. The production of this current edition of the Graduate Studies Bulletin, is evident enough to show that the School has endeavored to successfully execute its mandate in furtherance of its goals. With the publication of this bulletin, postgraduate students and faculty no longer have any ground to claim ignorance of the regulations and curricula of their respective programmes. This is more so as the regulations, curricula, and guidelines are now in one single volume. The comprehensive nature of the publication will no doubt also facilitate the work of Postgraduate Studies, Professional Growth and Research Development Committee and other University organs, which are charged with formulation, and or execution of policies and regulations on postgraduate studies. The School will therefore continue to review this bulletin for an improved version of the next edition. Dr. P.K Mwansa VICE-CHANCELLOR 2 PREFACE This edition of Graduate Studies Bulletin is for the period 2017 – 2021. The present edition is a revised version of the last one and focuses on the academic advances that have taken place in our postgraduate programmes and training since 2003. It highlights the programmes expansion from existing approved ones to the developments of new programmes, and the changes in some of the rules and regulations governing the award of higher degrees. The School of Education continues to offer an MA degree in Educational Administration & Curriculum Development and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education under the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. The Department of Curriculum and Teaching has also introduced a new degree in MA Primary Education which has been included in this Bulletin. A PhD programme in Education has also been newly introduced in the School of Eduaction The School of Religious Studies and Theology, under its Department of Religious Studies continues to offer an MA degree in Religious Studies with Education. I has also just introduced a PhD in Religious Studies. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences on the other hand continues to offer two programmes; MA degree in Applied Linguistics with Education under its Department of Languages and Literature and an MA degree in Psychology with Education under its Department of Behavioural Sciences. The School of Business also continues to offer an MSc degree in Software Engineering. The School of Health Sciences has on the other hand introduced an MSc in Nursing, under its Department of Nursing. As the University continues to grow, its School of Science and Technology has introduced new MSc degrees in Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Food & Nutrition and Family Sciences, Geography & Environment, Mathematics and Physics. All these degrees have an education component in them. At PhD level, under the Department of Agriculture and Technology, the School of Science and Technology has introduced a PhD in Agriculture in order to guarantee food security in the country and beyond. The School of Health Sciences has also introduced an MSc degree in Nursing. The present edition, like the earlier ones, incorporates the regulations and curricula of the various approved programmes. This edition also contains the guidelines for the preparation and submission of Theses or Dissertations for Higher Degrees. It is also hoped that the publication of this version of the Graduate Studies Bulletin will facilitate better compliance with the regulations and approved curricula on the part of staff and students. Dr. C. Kamunda 3 DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH & RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES RUNNING THE AFFAIRS OF THE SCHOOL 1. Graduate Studies, Professional Growth & Research Development Committee Functions: 1. To consider and recommend to Deans Council all matters relating to Graduate programmes, Professional Growth and Research Development Members: Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Chairperson Director of Graduate Studies, Professional Growth & Research Development –Secretary Deans of Schools Chairpersons of Departments Registrar ICT Manager Any other appointee of the Vice-Chancellor 2. Graduate Studies Sub- Committee Functions: 1. Be responsible for all academic aspects of graduate studies and to report to the Graduate Studies, Professional Growth & Research Development Committee; 2. Maintain the University’s academic standards and recommend to Graduate Studies, Professional Growth & Research Development Committee on related academic matters; 3. Approve the academic content, delivery and administrative arrangements for new and modified graduate programmes and courses in consultation with Deans and Heads; 4. Approve the appointment of Thesis Supervisors, Internal and External Examiners for postgraduate programmes and research degrees 5. Approve recommendations for the award of research degrees; 6. Recommend to the Professional Growth & Research Development Committee modifications to the University’s Regulations relating to graduate programmes. 4 Members: A professor or senior lecturer who demonstrates interest and competence in graduate studies – Chair Director, Graduate Studies, Professional Growth & Research Development – Secretary Any other faculty as nominated by Schools (provided the number does not exceed ten) 3. Thesis Committee The Thesis Committee consists of a group of experienced researchers and scholars composed of a candidate’s supervisor and at least two other researchers that form the Advisory Committee. Any member of the faculty appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies, Professional Growth & Research Development in consultation with the Supervisor and the student can be a member of the Advisory Committee. Advisory Committee members may also be external to the Faculty or the University and, in some situations from industry. The purpose of having an Advisory Committee is to improve the educational experience of our graduate students by providing access to a broader range of people committed to student’s research progress. Candidates will be required to meet with their Supervisors regularly as part of their progress review. Supervisors are in turn expected to provide the candidates with feedback and an opportunity to raise any issues pertaining to their research. PhD candidates are strongly encouraged to organize a meeting of their Supervisor once every six months of full- time enrolment. The Supervisor remains the person with whom candidates will have most contact and who will guide candidates’ research. Supervisors are the readers of thesis drafts and the main source of ongoing advice. The responsibility of the Advisory Committee is to ensure that the overall progress of the thesis is on track and that any issues affecting progress are identified and addressed. An Advisory Committee member may be asked to act as an interim supervisor when the principal supervisor is absent for extended periods, e.g. sabbatical leave. However, apart from this, Advisory Committee members are not expected to review drafts of the thesis nor provide ongoing supervision and advice to the candidate on their research. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 REGULATIONS GOVERNING HIGHER DEGREES I. INTRODUCTION Refining the scholar’s analytical and problem-solving skills as a prelude to a life of further study, independent research is a primary goal of graduate study, and the process of producing a thesis is intended to help the graduate scholar achieve that goal. The ultimate aim of graduate study at the Rusangu University is to produce a scholar who is able to create independent, original and excellent research. At the end of his/her period of study he/she would have acquired the requisite skills to share his/her research findings in both written and oral presentations. In order to accomplish this goal, the bulletin provides the graduate scholar with the basic regulations and guidelines to complete a commendable scholarly thesis. The bulletin is intended as a guide in writing term papers, research projects, theses, and any other written work in connection with course work or degree requirements. It sets forth requirements that are unique to Rusangu University. Individual departments of the University may have additional requirements or may specify requirements in greater detail. You must counsel with your adviser/supervisor concerning any special departmental requirements that may apply. All projects, theses, and dissertations should be prepared in the format specified in this bulletin and in accordance with any other special requirements. The School of Graduate Studies, Professional Growth and Research Development, guided by the Graduate Studies, Professional Growth and Research Development Committee,