7. Postgraduate research studies

Introduction

Postgraduate courses are higher award courses such as graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master’s degrees and doctorates. Information on the graduate-entry University of Sydney Medical Program, which leads to registration as a medical doctor, can be found in chapters 4-6, on undergraduate courses.

Postgraduate study is divided into two categories: research and coursework. Research is the subject of this chapter and coursework is considered in chapters 8-29. Governance, including the resolutions for all postgraduate degrees, is covered in chapter 30.

The information in this chapter is in summary form and is subordinate to the provisions of the relevant degree resolutions, in chapter 30.

Research

What is a research degree?

Research degrees are very different from coursework degrees in that the majority of work is self-directed study with supervision by a group of academics, working on a project that aims to make an original contribution to knowledge. Some degrees require a limited amount of coursework.

Apart from any required coursework, the assessment of a research degree is through the examination of a thesis written by the student. The thesis is sent to a group of examiners and their recommendations form the basis for the outcome of the examination.

The four research degrees currently offered by the Faculty of Medicine are the Master of Philosophy, the Master of Surgery, the Doctor of Philosophy and the Doctor of Medicine.

Financial information about research degrees

With the exception of the Doctor of Medicine, the Federal Government funds a number of places in research higher degrees for local students, currently defined as Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents. This is known as the Research Training Scheme (RTS), and more information can be found at www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/programmes_funding/ programme_categories/professional_skills/research_training_scheme.htm.

This means that tuition fees for local students are covered by RTS for periods defined by the scheme.

International students are required to pay fees for each year they are enrolled for the duration of the degree. See the postgraduate course database for information on the fees for 2009.
www.usyd.edu.au/internationaloffice/publications/fees.shtml

There are a number of scholarships available for local students to assist with living costs, and a limited number for international students. Information about scholarships for local students can be found at www.usyd.edu.au/ro/training.

For information on scholarships for international students, see:
www.usyd.edu.au/fstudent/international/postgrad/costs/scholarships.

Theses: production and examination

Before commencing writing up their thesis, students are strongly urged to read The Thesis Guide published by the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA), which can be found on the SUPRA website www.supra.usyd.edu.au.

Details on the examination process of a thesis for research degrees other than the MD can be found on the Faculty of Medicine’s website
www.foh.usyd.edu.au/postgrad/current/submitthesis.php.

This site covers such information as options for thesis submission, timing of thesis submission, selection of examiners, types of thesis examination, preparing for submission of the thesis, the examination process, possible examination outcomes, appeals, deferment of public availability of theses, submission of corrected thesis and continuation of borrowing privileges after submission of the thesis.

Research degrees

Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is aimed at those who intend to pursue careers in medical or health research or who wish to upgrade their qualifications to give them a competitive edge in their employment by demonstrating superior ability and some research experience. It may also be used as a stepping stone to commencing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The MPhil is a research degree in which students undertake supervised research leading to the production of a thesis. One compulsory unit of study, MEDF5005 Research Methods and Ethics, is undertaken in the first semester of enrolment to provide structured general research training.

Admission normally requires a bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours from the University of Sydney or another approved institution, or equivalent qualification. Applicants who do not have an honours degree may be admitted after the applicant has passed a qualifying examination at a standard equivalent to the bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours.

The faculty may exempt an applicant from the qualifying examination if the applicant has obtained at least a credit in the highest course available in the subject or subjects relevant to the proposed course of advanced study and research.

Full-time MPhil students have a minimum of 1 year and maximum of 2 years to submit a thesis for examination. Part-time students have a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years to submit.

MPhil students are required to complete one six credit point unit of study, MEDF5005 Research Methods and Ethics, early in their candidature to provide them with guidance on areas relating to research such as writing papers and theses, reading and critiquing technical papers and writing literature reviews.

Otherwise, MPhil students are not normally required to attend classes or undertake coursework units of study, with the thesis being the major examinable assessment requirement for the degree.

Major research areas include: anaesthesia, anatomy and histology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and hepatology, general practice, geriatric medicine, haematology, infection and immunity, medical education, medical genetics, neurology, nuclear medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology, clinical ophthalmology and eye health, paediatrics and child health, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, psychological medicine, public health, rehabilitation medicine, renal medicine, respiratory medicine, rheumatology and surgery.

Master of Surgery

The Master of Surgery (MS) is aimed at those who intend to pursue careers in surgical research. The major research areas include: melanoma, neurosurgery, rheumatology and orthopaedic surgery, urology and vascular surgery.

Admission to the MS requires a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Sydney or another approved institution. Candidates must also produce evidence of advanced surgical training, either by:

• possession of a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) or equivalent postgraduate diploma, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the faculty

• or by satisfying the requirements of the Primary Fellowship examination of the RACS or equivalent body, and by being an accredited trainee in surgery, ie by producing evidence of acceptance in or completion of an advanced accredited surgical training scheme of the RACS or equivalent body acceptable to the faculty

• or by being able to pass a clinical examination in surgery as determined by the faculty on the recommendation of the Head of the Discipline of Surgery.

Full-time MS students have a minimum of 2 years and maximum of 3 years to submit a thesis for examination. Part-time students have a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 4 years to submit.

MS students are not normally required to attend classes or undertake coursework units of study, with the thesis being the only or major examinable assessment requirement for the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is different from all the other degrees offered by the University as it is the only degree offered at the University level, with the same regulations governing a PhD student whether the student is in fine arts, medicine or architecture. The Resolutions of the Senate and Academic Board relating to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are printed in the University of Sydney Calendar. See www.usyd.edu.au/calendar.

Major research areas include: anaesthesia, anatomy and histology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and hepatology, general practice, geriatric medicine, haematology, infection and immunity, medical education, medical genetics, neurology, nuclear medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology, clinical ophthalmology and eye health, paediatrics and child health, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, psychological medicine, public health, rehabilitation medicine, renal medicine, respiratory medicine, rheumatology and surgery.

Doctor of Medicine

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a higher doctorate, and unlike the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is not a research training degree. It may be described as an award that one would receive at the end of one's career, rather than the beginning, for an outstanding contribution to knowledge. The MD is awarded by published work which, in the opinion of examiners and the Faculty of Medicine, has been generally recognised by scholars in the particular field of expertise as a distinguished contribution to knowledge.

To be eligible for admission, the applicant must hold the degree of Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Sydney.

Alternatively the Faculty of Medicine must deem a graduate of another institution as having equal standing to that of a graduate of the University of Sydney and the applicant must have been a full-time member of the academic staff of the University of Sydney for at least three years or have had similar significant involvement with teaching and research and the applicant must have been a graduate of the University of Sydney (or an equivalent institution) of at least five years' standing before the degree of Doctor of Medicine can be awarded.

Published work submitted for examination may be regarded as a distinguished contribution to knowledge if:

• it represents a significant advance in knowledge in its chosen field

• or it has given rise to or is a major part of a significant debate in scholarly books and journals among recognised scholars in its chosen field

• or it has directly given rise to significant changes in the direction of research or of practice of a newer generation of recognised scholars in its chosen field.

There is no set number of publications an applicant must have to be awarded the degree. The Prima Facie Committee and the examiners will be asked to judge the work on its quality and based on the criteria stated above, rather than on the quantity of the papers.

People considering applying for an MD are advised to contact the Student Services Unit in the first instance.