3. General information
This chapter explains how to find information about aspects of candidature in the Faculty of Medicine and at the University of Sydney in general. You can read about policies governing study at www.usyd.edu.au/policy by either searching for a specific topic or selecting the link 'Study at the University', which brings up relevant links. The Teaching and Learning link provides background policies on courses and many policies are common to both links.
Overarching policies and the policy website
The overarching policy for coursework students is the Coursework Rule. This can be found at www.usyd.edu.au/handbooks (click on 'University Coursework Rule').
There is no equivalent rule for research students but the PhD Rule and the Statutes: Doctor of Philosophy, cover most aspects of the PhD. Both of these resources are available in the 'Related information' box at www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/current/research.php.
Resolutions governing the other research degrees can be found in chapter 30 of this handbook.
The Postgraduate Studies Handbook is another useful resource. See:
www.usyd.edu.au/handbooks/handbooks_admin/postgraduate
Vaccinations, and other requirements by the NSW Department of Health
Many students – such as those in the MBBS, and any postgraduate student working in or with NSW Department of Health institutions – are required to have a complete set of vaccinations, complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration and consent to a Criminal Record Check. See www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/current/enrol.php.
Assessment, special arrangements and special consideration
The general policy on assessment is at the 'Study at the University' link on the Policy Online website (www.usyd.edu.au/policy), which covers, among other things, arrangements for students with disabilities. Students who find their studies, particularly individual assessment items such as exams, have been affected by illness can apply for special consideration, as discussed in the assessment policy. Details for MBBS students are given in chapter 4. Postgraduate students should see www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/policies/index.php for the policy and form.
Students can request special arrangements for assessments for a variety of reasons, including religious commitments and compulsory legal absences. See the Academic Board policy 'Assessment and Examination: Special Arrangements' under the 'Study at the University' link on the policy homepage.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is not acceptable. All students must make themselves familiar with what constitutes plagiarism, so they can avoid it. See
www.usyd.edu.au/secretariat/students/plagiarism_index.
Variations to candidature
During the course of their candidature, circumstances may require students to request changes, such as to take a leave of absence or change their attendance pattern. The types of variations are:
- suspending for a semester – when you need to take a whole semester leave of absence from your studies (note research students can apply for shorter periods of leave of absence)
- changing your attendance pattern from full-time to part-time or vice versa (note, postgraduate coursework students don’t need to ask permission but MBBS and research students must)
- transferring between courses (not applicable to MBBS students)
- requesting an extension (not applicable to MBBS students)
- withdrawing from candidature
- working on research away from the University (research students only)
- changing supervisory arrangements (research students only).
MBBS students should refer to chapter 4 for details on how to apply for these variations and any restrictions.
Postgraduate students should see the 'Candidature variations' form at www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/general/forms.php, and the relevant information for research and coursework students online at www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/current/research_candidature.php & www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/current/coursework_candidature.php.
Students at Risk
The University of Sydney has recently introduced the Students at Risk policy, to identify each semester those coursework students who need assistance to maintain progress through their course. Further information can be found at:
www.usyd.edu.au/secretariat/students/risk_index
Annual progress reports
The similar check on research students is the Annual Progress Report which is due on 1 November each year and includes an interview with discipline staff. Research students on scholarships will only have their scholarships renewed for the following year if they complete an Annual Progress Report and their candidatures are approved for continuation. Students who do not complete an Annual Progress Report will have their scholarships terminated.
Show cause
If a student is identified as not showing satisfactory progress – either through the Students at Risk policy and procedures for coursework students (including MBBS students), or through the Annual Progress Report – they will be asked to show cause why their candidature should not be terminated due to lack of progress.
Student conduct
Students at the University of Sydney are bound by several rules of conduct which can be found at the bottom of the webpage www.usyd.edu.au/secretariat/students/discipline_index.
See also www.usyd.edu.au/ab/policies/Student_code_conduct.pdf (the Code of Conduct for Students), and the Code of Conduct for Responsible Research Practice, which applies to all research students, at www.usyd.edu.au/ab/policies/Rsch_Code_Conduct.pdf.
Appeals
A student may appeal academic decisions, including disciplinary decisions about misconduct.
See www.usyd.edu.au/secretariat/students/AcAppeals_index for details about the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006.
See www.usyd.edu.au/secretariat/students/DiscAppeals_index for information about appeals against discipline determinations.