Handbook

This is the main Masters level research program for postgraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine. Candidates must demonstrate ability to undertake research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation.

The degree of Master of Science by research may be awarded by the Council on the recommendation of the Higher Degree Committee of the appropriate faculty (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who has demonstrated ability to undertake research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation. See UNSW Higher Degree Research Learning Outcomes.

Location

The candidate may undertake the research as an internal student i.e. at a campus, teaching hospital, or other research facility with which the University is associated. Enrollment as an external student not in attendance at the University may be considered in special circumstances as prescribed by the Committee.

The approved applicant may undertake their enrollment with a part-time or full-time load at the University, at one of its teaching hospitals or a research facility with which the University is associated; the Committee may permit a candidate to spend a period in the field, within another institution or elsewhere away from the University if it is satisfied that this is necessary to the research program and provided that the work can be supervised in a manner satisfactory to the Committee.

If the candidate's research work is based externally, there must be a minimum acceptable level of supervision that will be determined by the Committee. Normally an external candidate within another organisation or institution will have a co-supervisor at that institution.

Candidature

An approved candidate shall be enrolled in one of the following categories:

• full-time attendance at the University;
• part-time attendance at the University;
• external - not in regular attendance at the University and using research facilities external to the University.

A candidate shall be required to undertake an original investigation or design on an approved topic. The candidate may also be required to undergo such examination and perform such other work as may be prescribed by the Committee.

The work shall be carried out under the direction of a supervisor appointed from the full-time members of the University staff.

The progress of a candidate shall be reviewed annually by the Committee following a report by the candidate, the supervisor and the head of the school and as a result of such review the Committee may cancel enrollment or take such other action as it considers appropriate.

A candidate shall be enrolled for a minimum of 96 units of credit (uoc) and up to a maximum of 144uoc.