Part 2 Research Degree Programs

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD degree is an essential prerequisite for research and academic careers in most disciplines. At James Cook University, the PhD is a University degree. That is, it is awarded by the University, not by the faculties as are undergraduate degrees. This means that all students have to comply with the same requirements, be they in Science, Engineering, Humanities, Law etc. As the PhD is a University degree there is a set of procedures to ensure that all students across all disciplines receive equal treatment under the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements. (Appendix A)

Professional Doctorate

The term Professional Doctorate is taken to mean a program of research, scholarship and advanced study which enables students to make a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in their professional context. Professional Doctorates may be awarded by research or by coursework (see relevant faculty handbook for details). To be regarded as a research degree, a Professional Doctorate must comprise at least two-thirds research. Professional Doctorates are faculty degrees administered at James Cook University through the Board of Higher Degrees by Research. Faculty requirements for Professional Doctorates can be found in the postgraduate section of the JCU Courses & Subject Handbook.

Higher Doctorate

Higher Doctorates are faculty degrees which are awarded to very distinguished, established researchers for original work of distinction which constitutes a substantial contribution to the knowledge and understanding of any branch or branches of learning with which the corresponding faculty is concerned. Higher Doctorates are administered at James Cook University through the relevant faculty. Requirements for the degree can be found in the postgraduate section of the JCU Course & Subject Handbook. Application for the degree is normally made in writing to the relevant Faculty.

Masters by Research Degree

A Masters Degree by Research is a research higher degree which is smaller in scope than a PhD and has less stringent entry requirements. Masters by Research degrees are faculty degrees administered at James Cook University through the Board of Higher Degrees by Research. Faculty requirements for Masters by Research can be found in the postgraduate section of the JCU Course & Subject Handbook. The University has generic requirements for the degree of Masters by Research. (Appendix B)

Role of the School and Supervisors

Degree requirements are there to guide progress and to protect the student. The bulk of student contact with the University will be via Supervisors and the home school.

The Principal Supervisor

“Principal Supervisor” means a person who meets the criteria for full supervision status as recognised by the Register of Supervisors; and is a member (or adjunct member) of the academic and research staff of the University in a school in which the candidate is enrolled

This is the person with whom students have the most contact. Supervisors will help with the choice of research topic, with the design of the investigations which are involved in seeking the answers to the questions posed, and in the writing of the thesis which will be submitted at the end of the process. The conduct of research for a higher degree is a very personal experience, with a close working relationship between student and Supervisor being most desirable. If any difficulties arise in the progress of the research then in the first instance they should be discussed with the Principal Supervisor.

The Register of Supervisors

“Register of Supervisors” means a list of academic and research staff of the University and other persons who are qualified to be appointed as Supervisors of candidates undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy or Masters by Research degree.

Principal Supervisors, Co-supervisors and Associate Supervisors are staff members who have been accredited by the University as people with the appropriate training and experience to supervise research higher degree students in various defined capacities appropriate to their expertise, experience and institutional affiliation (see Part 8 for details). All qualified staff members are listed on the Register of Supervisors which is regularly updated and monitored by the Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee.

Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee

“Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee” (BHDRC) means a group appointed to monitor the supervision of research higher degree candidates and to report to the Board of Higher Degrees by Research (BHDR).

This is the central University committee which oversees the workings of research higher degrees, formulates policy relating to the provision of supervision of the degrees and ratifies the various decision points during research higher degree candidature. The Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee comprises the Associate Dean of Research & Research Training from each of the faculties, the Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), two postgraduate student representatives (from Townsville and Cairns campuses), the Associate Dean of Graduate Research Studies at the Cairns Campus, the Dean of Graduate Research Studies (Chair) and two Deputy Deans (from Townsville and Cairns campuses).

Research Student Monitors

“Research Student Monitor” means a person qualified to be a Level One Supervisor on the Register of Supervisors, from a school other than that of the candidate, who is appointed to the Supervisory Committee by the HDRSC, to ensure that all procedures relating to the candidature are fulfilled, especially with respect to the confirmation of candidature and pre-completion seminar processes. (See Section 4. Terms of Candidature)

The Supervisory Committee

“Supervisory Committee” means a group convened to support the Principal Supervisor and the Head of the School in their supervision of a candidate

When a research higher degree student commences candidature, the school appoints a Principal Supervisor and one or more Co-supervisors and/or Associate Supervisors, appointed at the level appropriate to their expertise and institutional affiliation. At least one member of the Supervisory Committee must be a Level One Supervisor on the Register of Supervisors. In consultation with the Head of School, the Dean of Graduate Research Studies appoints to the Supervisory Committee a Research Student Monitor who is not a member of the student's school.

Postgraduate Liaison Officer (PLO)

Every school has a Postgraduate Liaison Officer and some of the larger schools have a PLO in each discipline and/or campus. The PLO is normally the person who arranges the various seminars that research higher degree students have to give during their candidature. This is the person students should contact if they perceive that there are problems with Supervisors over any issues in their research. If the Supervisor is the PLO, and students feel the need to discuss an issue or problem, they can go to their Head of School. The PLO is also responsible for the school induction program as outlined in the University’s Minimum Resources Policy. (Appendix D)

Head of School

From the point of view of a research higher degree student, the Head of School is the person who takes responsibility for allowing the enrolment of the student, as this is essentially based upon the availability of resources, human, physical and financial, to allow the research to proceed. The Head of School is responsible for allocating those resources. The Head of School is also the person who is responsible for the final choice of examiners of a thesis and, in conjunction with the Principal Supervisor, in making recommendations to the Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee on the final award of the degree after the examination process has been completed. The Head of School may also be a Supervisor. The Head of School should not normally be a PLO. This arrangement means that if there are perceived problems with a Supervisor it should be possible to find one person to whom that problem may be taken. In the unusual case where the Head of School may be both Principal Supervisor and PLO, then students can go to their Research Student Monitor or the Dean of Graduate Research Studies for advice.

The Graduate Research School

The Graduate Research School is charged with the process of admission and enrolment. It is also concerned with the maintenance of all student files kept by the University on the progress of research candidature and with the process of examination of theses.

Dean of Graduate Research Studies

This person chairs the Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee and oversees, through the Graduate Research School, all the academic decision making duties concerned with research higher degree students and liaises closely on all matters of admissions, progress and examinations. The Dean is also the person with whom candidates have direct access if problems or concerns with the process of supervision or progress cannot be resolved at school level.

Appeals

At all points in the progress towards the degree there are processes to allow a candidate to appeal against any decision by the Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee. These procedures are provided for the candidate's benefit and the candidate should be aware of them. (See relevant degree requirements for details)