School of Chemistry, UNSW

Introduction

Undertaking a higher degree by research is a big project. As a research student you might view your higher degree program as being relatively unstructured compared to the undergraduate programs from which you may have come. The MSc and in particular the PhD are often seen as relatively long periods of focused work that lead to a point in time when a thesis can be written. Without careful planning and consistent work, the sessions can pass by without adequate progress to meet completion time expectations. You and your supervisor, for different reasons, may lose track of the rate of progress to completion.

In recognition of this, and in the absence of tangible and differentiated markers of progress towards completion, a number of stages have been defined to mark out your path. These can be regarded by supervisors and students as crucial stages (islands) in the crossing of the 'ocean'. These stages will be used as a time-line to measure progress The stages are defined as follows:

Application
Induction
Mid-project
Completing
Writing up and countdown
Examination

Stage 0: Application

This comprises Enquiry, Formal Application, Offer, Acceptance and Enrolment.

Stage 1: Induction (6-12 months)

This follows immediately from enrolment and the main task is to develop a clear proposal for the thesis, undertake a thorough literature review, gain the main experimental techniques, and become familiar with the resources of the School and the University. Students with English language needs would be expected to undertake concurrent English programs during this stage. The stage ends after about one to two sessions* of full-time enrolment, with the progress review step of the research proposal.

The Learning Centre provides assistance to students in preparing research proposal. Please visit the learning centre web site for details or go directly to a page giving excellent guidelines on preparation of a research proposal.

* We use the time unit of 'sessions' because this is used as the basis for enrolment. For postgraduate research students there are 2 sessions in a year so each equates to about six months.

Stage 2: Mid-project (12-18 months)

The project is defined and the main skills have been acquired. Research can now begin in earnest. This stage is the longest and for a PhD would be expected to take a minimum of three sessions (i.e., until at least the end of the fourth session).

Stage 3: Completing (6-12 months)

Enough of the project has been undertaken to be able to describe the contents of the thesis. By the end of the fifth session, it should be possible to write the chapter headings and most of the sub section titles for the chapters. The sections of work yet to be done should be clearly recognisable and there should be a plan of not more than two sessions of full-time research to complete the experiments.

Stage 4: Writing up and Countdown (3-6 months)

The experimental work appears to have now been completed, and the focus shifts to the preparation of the thesis. As the results are documented in the emerging thesis, it may become apparent that some additional experiments need to be undertaken. During this stage the student would normally be expected to signal her/his intention to submit the thesis within two months. The writing up and countdown stage would normally require a minimum of 1 session.

The Learning Centre provides assistance to students in theses. Please visit the learning centre web site for details.

Stage 5: Examination

The thesis is submitted and examined. Depending on the results of examination, the student may have to attend to corrections or undertake additional work.