CoS Induction for Structured PhDs

CoS Induction for
Structured PhDs
Dr. Ger O’Connor
Vice Dean for Graduate Studies,
College of Science
1st September 2014
Induction – Outline
Introduction & Welcome
What is a PhD?
PhD programmes at the College of Science
Responsibilities ..interactive session
Registration
Modules
Solving problems ..interactive session
Wrap up and close
College of Science
4 Schools
• School of Physics
• School of Chemistry
• School of Natural Sciences
• School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics
2 Research Institutes
• National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES)
• Ryan Institute - Environmental, Marine and Energy Research.
1. What is a PhD?
• A significant contribution to knowledge and scholarship
• Original and critical thought
• Depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of the
relevant field
• Expertise in relevant methodologies and techniques
Thesis should be worthy of publication as a work of serious
scholarship
A Ph.D. is a “level 10” degree
• ECTS = european credit transfer system
• 90 ECTS = 1 year of a full-time PhD
• 1 ECTS = 20-25 hours of student effort
• 5 ECTS = 100-125 hours
4 year PhD = 360 ECTS
College of Science
• All PhD students to be enrolled in Structured PhDs (1SPS1)
• Module selection and registration
– 30-45 ECTS over 4 years
• Details of programmes and discipline specific courses
• http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/rgroups.html
PhD programmes in College of Science
http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/rgroups.html
Registration -An evolving imperfect system
http://www.nuigalway.ie/registration/
Assistance: Cora Costello, College of Science
To the best of your ability…..
• Select modules, in consultation with your supervisor, which
you plan to complete this year.
• Only modules listed on syllabus file are available for
registration…feel free to propose others !
• Register for numbers of modules and the appropriate research
dissertation
• # credits for research module components =
90 – total credits for modules.
Modules
Pick modules carefully; they will appear on your transcipt.
– Core modules eg. GS530, GS506
– GS modules http://www.nuigalway.ie/graduatestudies/module_table.html
– Discipline specific – eg. PH506, CH508
– External modules are available at other Universities.
• www.flexilearn.ie
Taking modules in another Irish University
Module registration at Host University
NUI
Galway
student
identifies
PhD
module (s)
in other
Irish
University
Student
seeks
approval of
own
supervisor
Student
confirms
place with
external
module
programme
coordinator
Module /
programme
coordinator
sends NUI
Galway student
details of
module time
table &
location
NUI Galway
student completes
& submits
visiting student
registration form
to host University
Initiative required by student
Host University
registers student &
forwards ID and
network log in
Student is formally
added to class list
for module
Taking modules in another Irish University
Credit Record & Transfer on Module Completion
Module /
programme
coordinator
enters student’s
results into the
examination
system of host
University
Examination
board confirms
results at host
University
Registry at host
University
automatically
sends hard copy
of results to NUI
Galway students
Responsibility of student
Visiting student is responsible for
bringing module results to Cora
Costello in the College of Science
for addition to their NUI Galway
student record
GS modules where Supervisor is Responsible
New CoS Policy
• Credits will only be awarded in cases where the student
assessment exercises and supervisor reports are filed with the
School Administrator before end of June.
Student decides
with supervisor
to complete
module
Student
registers for GS
module if it is
expected to be
completed in
academic year.
Student
supported by
supervisor
completes GS
module’s
learning and
assessment
exercises.
Supervisor and
any other
responsible
persons writes
short report on
students learning
activities.
The responsibility rests solely with
the supervisor to forward student
and other assessment reports to the
School Administrator.
If no reports received by June, no
credits awarded, student is deregistered for GS module
Annual Progress Reports
Every year May-June (time-frame)
• Student provides report and may give a presentation to GRC
• Supervisor provides written report to your GRC
• Student meets with GRC
• Supervisor meets with GRC
• GRC makes recommendation re: progress
• Exam board convened to approve progression
Responsibilities
• Student
• Supervisor
• Graduate Research Committee
• Head of School
• College of Science
– Vice Dean for Graduate Studies
• School / College Administrators
Part 2
Dr. Lucy Byrnes
Responding to challenges
•
Supervisor has no time to see me.
•
Advice from supervisor not clear
•
No access to equipment needed in Laboratory
•
Original research direction changed
•
Module not as anticipated
•
No access to appropriate scientific literature/
•
Equipment malfunction
•
Personality conflict with Supervisor
•
•
I don’t have any confidence that my research will
lead to a PhD Degree
Only opportunity to do real research is out of
hours when alone in the laboratory
•
My demonstration and teaching duties take up
too much time for my research
•
No financial resources to go to conferences
•
I have too many assignments for modules which
prevent me from doing my research
•
No opportunities for me to get peer to peer
feedback for my research
In summary
A MSc / PhD is first and foremost about
research.......scholarship, innovation, and critical analysis......
......but the real value of these skills are in the transferable nature
of the skills.
MSc / PhD training is an opportunity, hopefully what we present
today will help you grasp it.
Aspire to a breakthrough
• “Big breakthroughs happen when what is suddenly possible
meets what is desperately necessary”
• Thomas Freidman in the NY Times, 15 May 2012
NUI Galway
University Guidelines
for Research Degree
Programmes
But remember...
Each PhD is an individual journey
You must take a proactive role
Thank you
Vice Dean Graduate Studies, College of Science
[email protected]
Assistance
Physics, Chemistry, SNS, [email protected]
MSAM –[email protected]
NCBES/RYAN – TBA or appropriate School contact.
Registration / transcripts: [email protected]

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