Australian Maritime College Higher Degrees by Research Rules (17/03/2000)

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AUSTRALIAN MARITIME COLLEGE

HIGHER DEGREES BY RESEARCH RULES

pursuant to the Courses and Awards Statute, the Council hereby:

(a) repeals the “Research Master’s Degree Rules” made on 11 September 1991; and

(b) makes the following Rules.

Given under the Seal of the Australian Maritime College this seventeenth day of March 2000

N.J.Otway

_______________________

Principal

Andrew Neeson

_______________________

Registrar

___________________________________________________________________________

1 Citation

These Rules may be cited as the Higher Degrees by Research Rules.

2 Definitions

In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears:

“Degree” means any one of the following degrees by research:

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Philosophy

Master of Applied Science (Fisheries)

“Candidate” means a person enrolled at the AMC as a candidate for a Degree.

“Committee” means the Research and Higher Degrees Committee constituted by the Academic Board.

“Council” means the AMC Council.

“Program Head” means the Head of the academic area in which the Candidate is enrolled.

“Recognised tertiary institution” means a tertiary institution, in Australia or elsewhere, awarding degrees which, in the opinion of the Council, are comparable in standard to degrees awarded by the AMC.

“Thesis” means the collection of materials submitted for examination by a Candidate.

“Registrar” means the Registrar of the AMC or nominee.

“Appeals” see AMC Courses and Awards Rules.

3 Thesis

3.1 A Candidate shall pursue a program of research and advanced study on a subject approved by the Committee, and shall present for examination a Thesis embodying the results of the research and which, unless the Committee otherwise determines, shall include substantial written work.

3.2 A Candidate may not present for examination for the Degree any work which has been accepted for a degree by the AMC or any other institution.

3.3 Notwithstanding 3.2, a Candidate may include in a Thesis by way of background information, work which has been accepted for a degree by the AMC or another institution provided that it is clearly identified as such.

3.4 A Degree is awarded for a substantial original contribution at the best contemporary international standard as judged by impartial experts.

4 Qualifications of Candidates

4.1 The Committee may admit as a Candidate for the Degree of PhD, a person who has satisfied at least one of the following requirements:

(a) has qualified for admission to any degree of Bachelor with first class honours or second class honours upper division at a recognised tertiary institution;

(b) has qualified for admission to a degree of Master at a recognised tertiary institution, which degree required the completion and external examination of substantial work which the Committee considers to be of an acceptable standard;

(c) has qualifications which, in the opinion of the Committee, are a satisfactory substitute for any of the qualifications prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this subrule;

(d) has completed the equivalent of at least twelve months of full-time research towards a degree of Master by research within the AMC or other approved institution. The supervisors shall consult with the Program Head and/or Director of the Faculty who may arrange an oral examination or require other evidence of fitness to transfer before recommending to the Committee that:

(i) the transfer should be permitted, or

(ii) that a decision be deferred, or

(iii) that the transfer should not be permitted.

4.2 The Committee may admit as a Candidate for the Degree of Master Philosophy or Master of Applied Science (Fisheries), a person who has satisfied at least one of the following requirements:

(a) has qualified for admission to a degree of Bachelor or a postgraduate diploma with first or second class honours at a recognised tertiary institution in a field relevant to the Master’s Degree in which the Candidate proposes to enrol;

(b) has qualified for admission to a degree of Bachelor at a recognised tertiary institution and who has satisfactorily completed a qualifying program as assessed by the Program Head who subsequently so recommends to the Committee for approval;

(c) has qualified for admission to a degree of Bachelor at a recognised tertiary institution, has completed a minimum of two years’ postgraduate work and has publications and reports which the Committee considers to be suitable evidence of research potential; or

(d) has qualifications which, in the opinion of the Committee, are equivalent to those prescribed in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this subrule.

5 Supervisors

5.1 For each Candidate, the Committee shall appoint a supervisor for the period of the candidature.

5.2 The supervisor shall be a member of staff of the AMC and shall provide guidance, direction and advice on all aspects of the candidature. On enrolment, AMC will appoint one principal supervisor and one assistant supervisor from AMC staff. Both supervisors must have qualifications which are equivalent or higher to the degree being supervised.

5.3 The Committee may appoint research supervisors to provide specialist technical expertise for supervision of the research program or to assist the supervisor.

5.4 A Candidate who has a complaint or grievance regarding supervision, shall have the right to apply to the Committee to determine the matter.

6 Period of Candidature

6.1 The Committee may approve full-time or part-time candidature for a Degree.

6.2 Unless the Committee in any particular case determines otherwise, the full-time period of candidature shall be:

(a) for PhD candidates, a minimum of three years (after successful completion of a Master of Philosophy or Master of Applied Science (Fisheries) – two years) and a maximum of five years;

(b) for Masters candidates, a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years.

6.3 Unless the Committee in any particular case determines otherwise, a period of part-time candidature shall be counted as being the equivalent of full-time candidature for one half of that period.

7 Enrolment

7.1 Following approval of candidature, an applicant must enrol as a Candidate within the time prescribed by the Committee.

7.2 During candidature, a Candidate must comply with such enrolment requirements as are prescribed by the Registrar from time to time.

7.3 If an applicant or a Candidate fails to comply with 7.1 or 7.2, the candidature shall lapse.

8 Submission of Thesis

8.1 The Committee shall determine a final date for submission of the Thesis.

8.2 If the Thesis is not submitted by the date determined under 8.1, the candidature shall lapse.

8.3 Notwithstanding 8.2, in appropriate circumstances, and on the advice of the Program Head, the Committee may extend the final date by which the Thesis must be submitted whether or not that date has already passed and whether or not it has been extended previously.

9 Suspension of Program

9.1 The Committee may, at the request of a Candidate and on the advice of the Program Head, temporarily suspend the Candidate’s program for a specified period.

9.2 The Candidate must lodge with the Committee, a notice of reactivation of the candidature following a period of approved suspension.

9.3 If the Candidate fails to lodge such notice within two weeks of the end of the approved period of suspension, the candidature shall lapse.

9.4 Any approved period of suspension shall not be taken into account in calculating any period for the purposes of Rule 6.

10 Place of Candidature

10.1 Subject to the provisions of this Rule, the program for the Degree shall normally be pursued within the AMC.

10.2 The Committee may permit a Candidate to pursue part of the program other than within the AMC under exceptional circumstances, provided that suitable arrangements are made for the program and supervision.

11 Termination of Candidature

11.1 If, in the opinion of the supervisor, the performance of a Candidate is unsatisfactory and the candidature should be terminated, the supervisor shall inform the Candidate and report to the Program Head who shall make a recommendation to the Committee.

11.2 A Candidate whose standard of work is satisfactory, but whose rate of progress is such that it is unlikely that the Thesis will be completed within the maximum time allowed by the Committee, may be the subject of a recommendation under 11.1.

11.3 On such a recommendation that the candidature be terminated being received, the matter shall be investigated by the Committee.

11.4 After the Committee has carried out the preliminary investigation under 11.3, the Candidate shall be informed of the recommendation to the Committee and, unless the Committee determines to take no action, of the substance of the report made by the supervisor.

11.5 The Candidate may, within fourteen days of being so informed, make relevant representations and submissions in writing for consideration by the Committee.

11.6 The Committee shall consider the report from the Program Head and the Candidate’s representations and submissions, if any, and shall then determine whether or not the candidature ought to be terminated.

11.7 If the Committee determines that the candidature ought to be terminated, that decision shall be conveyed to the Candidate who, within fourteen days, may appeal by notice in writing using the Appeals process.

11.8 If no notice of appeal is given within such period of fourteen days, then the candidature is deemed to have been terminated at the expiration of that period.

11.9 If a notice of appeal is given within such period of fourteen days, then the Appeals Committee, after hearing from the Candidate and other appropriate persons:

(a) may determine that the candidature be terminated;

(b) may determine that the candidature not be terminated;

11.10 If a member of the Appeals Committee is the supervisor of the Candidate, or the Program Head, or is for any other reason unable to act, then the Faculty Director shall appoint a person to act on the Appeals Committee in place of that member.

12 Notice of Submission of Thesis

12.1 A Candidate shall give three months prior notice in writing of the date of the submission of the Thesis with a covering letter from the supervisor.

12.2 At the time of giving such notice, the Candidate may submit a reasoned statement why any specified person ought not be appointed an examiner of the Thesis.

13 Submission of Thesis

13.1 The Candidate shall submit to the Committee, such number of copies of the Thesis as the Committee may require from time to time.

13.2 The Thesis shall be presented in such form as the Committee may require.

14 Appointment of Examiners

14.1 Upon the Committee being satisfied that all requirements of the candidature have been met, it shall appoint two examiners of the Thesis.

15 Examination of the Thesis

15.1 Each examiner shall make an independent report on the merits of the Thesis to the Committee.

15.2 An examiner may require the Candidate to answer questions (written/oral) concerning the Thesis.

15.3 After considering all relevant reports on the Thesis, the Committee shall determine whether the Candidate has:

(a) satisfied the requirements for the award of the Degree;

(b) satisfied the requirements for the award of the Degree subject to specified conditions being met;

15.4 If the Committee does not determine that the Candidate has satisfied the
requirements for the award of the Degree, it may:

(a) allow the Candidate to revise the Thesis and submit it for re-examination under such conditions as it may prescribe, or

(b) in the case of PhD Candidates:

(i) determine that the Candidate has satisfied the requirements for the award of a degree of Master, or

(ii) allow the Candidate to revise the Thesis and submit it for re-examination for the degree of Master.

15.5 A Thesis submitted for re-examination as provided in 15.4 may not be re-submitted for a further re-examination.

16 Copies of Accepted Thesis

16.1 On acceptance of the Thesis for the award of the Degree, the Candidate is required to lodge with the Committee, two copies of the written work of the Thesis and such number of copies of the other materials in the Thesis and in such form as the Committee may determine.

16.2 One copy of the written work of the Thesis shall be deposited in the Library and one in the relevant Faculty.

16.3 Copies of the materials in the Thesis other than the written work shall be deposited in such place or places as the Committee may determine.

16.4 The conditions of access to the Thesis shall be determined prior to enrolment by the AMC and the Candidate. This can be varied at any time of the candidature by mutual agreement.

17 Procedures

17.1 The Academic Board may determine Procedures for administering these Rules.

Overview

The Australian Maritime College Higher Degrees by Research Rules were made in 2000, providing a framework for the governance of higher degrees by research at the Australian Maritime College (AMC). These Rules were enacted by the AMC Council and were created to repeal the previous "Research Master’s Degree Rules" from 1991 and to streamline the process for the award of higher degrees by research. The policy objective of these Rules is to ensure that the degrees awarded meet the highest standards of research and scholarship, while providing a clear structure and process for candidates, supervisors, and the academic committee overseeing the research. These Rules establish requirements for candidature, the role of supervisors, submission and examination of theses, and the overall administration of the research degrees at the AMC. These Rules also detail the qualifications required for admission to the various degrees, the process for appointing supervisors, the permissible duration of candidature, and the steps for submission, examination, and acceptance of theses. Additionally, the Rules outline the procedures for the suspension and termination of candidature, as well as the conditions for the deposit and access to accepted theses. By providing a comprehensive set of guidelines, these Rules aim to maintain the integrity and quality of research conducted at the AMC, while supporting the development of research skills and expertise among its candidates.

Scope and Application

The Australian Maritime College Higher Degrees by Research Rules, made under the Courses and Awards Statute, apply to individuals and institutions involved in the candidature and completion of higher degrees by research at the Australian Maritime College (AMC). These degrees include the Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy, and Master of Applied Science (Fisheries). The Rules outline the criteria for admission, the responsibilities of candidates and their supervisors, the duration and conditions of candidature, and the submission, examination, and acceptance of theses. The AMC Council, through its Research and Higher Degrees Committee, has the authority to admit candidates, appoint supervisors, and determine the terms and conditions of candidature. The Rules also establish procedures for the submission and examination of theses, as well as the requirements for the award of degrees. These Rules are applicable within the jurisdiction of the AMC and are subject to any applicable Commonwealth, state, or territory laws. They do not specify exclusions or exemptions, but it is implied that they would conform to broader legal standards and requirements concerning higher education and research. Subordinate instruments may be used to further specify procedures and conditions as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Australian Maritime College Higher Degrees by Research Rules (2000) detail the regulations for higher degrees by research at the institution. According to these Rules, the degree programs governed include the Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy, and Master of Applied Science (Fisheries). These Rules repealed the previous "Research Master's Degree Rules" (1991). The Rules outline the requirements for candidates, the qualifications for admission, the role and appointment of supervisors, the duration of candidature, enrolment procedures, thesis submission, and the examination process. Candidates must pursue a program of research and present a thesis embodying the results of the research, which must be original and meet the best contemporary international standards. Candidates are prohibited from submitting work that has already been accepted for a degree by the AMC or any other institution, though background information may be included if clearly identified. The Committee is responsible for approving candidature, determining the final date for thesis submission, and appointing examiners. Supervisors must be AMC staff members who provide guidance and direction to candidates. The Committee may permit a candidate to pursue part of the program outside the AMC under exceptional circumstances. Candidates must meet specific qualifications for admission to the degree programs, which vary depending on the degree sought. For example, PhD candidates must have qualifications equivalent to a Bachelor's degree with first-class or second-class honours upper division or a Master's degree with substantial work of an acceptable standard. The Committee has the authority to approve full-time or part-time candidature, with specific durations outlined for each degree program. Candidates must comply with enrolment requirements and submit their thesis by the determined final date. The Rules also outline procedures for the suspension and termination of candidature. If a candidate's performance is unsatisfactory, the supervisor may recommend termination of the candidature, subject to investigation and potential appeal. The Rules establish the process for appointing examiners, conducting the examination of the thesis, and determining whether the candidate has satisfied the requirements for the award of the degree. If a candidate does not meet the requirements, the Committee may allow the candidate to revise the thesis and submit it for re-examination or, in the case of PhD candidates, determine that the candidate has satisfied the requirements for the award of a Master's degree. The Rules do not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences for breach. However, the termination of candidature and the denial of a degree for non-compliance with the Rules could have significant consequences for the candidate. Additionally, the institution may have internal disciplinary procedures for addressing breaches of the Rules or other misconduct by candidates or staff.

Area of Law: Education Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Enrollment; Thesis Submission

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