5. Postgraduate degree regulations and policies
Resolutions of the Senate
Postgraduate resolutions
Master of Herbal Medicines
Master of Philosophy
1.1.1
complete a 6 credit point unit of study on research methods plus such courses or units of study, if any, as may be prescribed by the head of the discipline concerned;
Resolutions of the Faculty
Faculty resolutions
Master of Philosophy
1.1
Except as provided in Part 9, section 47 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999, the Faculty of Pharmacy may, admit to candidature for the degree of Master of Philosophy:
1.1.2
an applicant who holds the degree of bachelor of the University of Sydney or other approved institution without first or second class honours after the applicant has passed a qualifying examination at a standard equivalent to the bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours, provided that a 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.
1.2
The qualifying exam may include completion of a period of relevant full-time or part-time advanced study and/or research towards a postgraduate award course in the University of Sydney, at such a standard as would demonstrate to the satisfaction of the faculty that the candidate is suitably prepared in the particular field of study to undertake candidature for the degree of Master of Philosophy.
1.3
The faculty may admit as a candidate for the degree an applicant holding qualifications which, in the opinion of the faculty concerned, are equivalent to those prescribed in 1.1 above and such candidate shall proceed to the degree under such conditions as the Faculty may prescribe.
1.4
The faculty may require a candidate, as part of the evidence of the candidate’s training and ability to pursue the proposed course, to pass a special examination or assessment.
1.5
An applicant, for admission to candidature, shall submit to the Faculty a research proposal as part of the application. This proposal will detail a course of advanced study and research, in which the work is to be carried out to be undertaken by the applicant in a discipline of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
1.6
Admission to candidature will be conditional upon the appointment of an appropriate supervisor and associate supervisor as stipulated in the Academic Board Policy entitled "Postgraduate Research Higher Degree Training Supervision at the University of Sydney".
2.1
A candidate for the Master of Philosophy shall proceed by completing a 6 credit point unit of study on research methods and by research and thesis.
2.2
A full-time candidate shall not keep the normal academic year but shall pursue candidature for the degree continuously throughout the year except for a period of 4 weeks recreation leave and shall dedicate a minimum of 35 hours per week to their candidature.
3.1.2
complete such other assessments or units of study, if any, as may be prescribed by the head of the discipline concerned;
3.1.3
carry out supervised research on a topic approved by the Faculty on the recommendation of the Dean;
3.3
The candidate may include in the thesis published papers of which the candidate is sole or joint author, provided that:
3.3.3
the papers are compatible with the overall coherence and organisation of the text of the thesis; and
3.3.4
the candidate provides evidence to identify satisfactorily the sections of work for which the candidate is responsible, such as assigned, written statements from all authors attesting to the contribution of the candidate.
3.4
Any other papers of which the candidate is sole or joint author may be lodged in support of the thesis.
3.6
The thesis shall be accompanied by a statement from the supervisor stating whether, in the supervisor's opinion, the form of presentation of the thesis is satisfactory.
3.7
A candidate may not present as the thesis a work which has been presented for a degree in this or another university, but will not be precluded from incorporating such in the thesis provided that in presenting the thesis the candidate indicates the part of the work which has been so incorporated.
3.8
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
4.1
A candidate will normally be accepted by the Faculty on a probationary basis for a period not exceeding twelve months.
4.2
The provision to waive probationary acceptance would only be exercised in exceptional circumstances. All requests to waive probation will need to be approved by the Chair of the Board of Postgraduate Studies.
4.3
A Probation Review Report must be completed by the candidate's supervisor in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator and submitted to the Faculty at least four weeks before the end of probation.
4.4
The Faculty will write to the candidate to advise of the outcome of the probation review, either confirming the candidate's status, extending the probationary period or terminating the candidature.
4.5
In the case of a candidate accepted on a probationary basis under section 4.1, the candidature shall be deemed to have commenced from the date of such acceptance.
5.1
A student must be enrolled in each semester in which he or she is actively pursuing the requirements for the award course.
5.2
The candidature of a student who has not re-enrolled and who has not obtained approval from the Faculty for a suspension of candidature for the relevant semester will be deemed to have lapsed.
6.1
Admission to candidature may be limited by a quota. In determining the quota the Faculty will take into account:
7.1
A candidate who wishes to discontinue enrolment from the Master of Philosophy must notify the Faculty in writing and will be presumed to have discontinued enrolment from the date of that notification, unless evidence is produced showing:
8.2
The application must be received by the Faculty prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
8.3
A candidate may only apply for a period of suspension for one semester at any one time. Should a candidate wish to suspend their candidature for more than one semester another application must be made to the Faculty for each subsequent semester, prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
8.5
Where the candidate has previously had two semesters of suspension the application will be considered by the Board of Postgraduate Studies for the Faculty.
9.2
A student whose candidature has lapsed must apply for re-admission in accordance with procedures determined by the Faculty.
10.1
At the end of each year each candidate shall complete an Annual Progress Report providing evidence of progress to the satisfaction of the supervisor, Dean, any postgraduate review committee and the Board of Postgraduate Studies.
10.2
On the basis of evidence provided, the Dean or the Chair of the Board of Postgraduate Studies shall recommend the conditions of candidature to apply for the following year and may require the candidate to provide further evidence of progress at the end of one semester or such other period as the Dean or the Chair of the Board of Postgraduate Studies considers appropriate.
10.3
If a candidate fails to submit evidence of progress or if the Dean considers that the evidence submitted does not indicate satisfactory progress, the Board of Postgraduate Studies may, on the Dean's recommendation, call upon that candidate to show cause why that candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards completion of the degree and where, in the opinion of the Board of Postgraduate Studies, the candidate does not show good cause, the Board of Postgraduate Studies may terminate that candidature or may impose conditions on the continuation of that candidature.
11.1
A candidate who, before admission to candidature, has spent time in advanced study in the University of Sydney, or in another university, or in another institution whose courses are deemed by the Faculty to be equivalent, may be deemed by the Faculty to have spent such time after admission to candidature.
12.1
Except with the permission of the Faculty on the recommendation of the Dean, a full-time research candidate shall complete the requirements for the degree not earlier than the end of the second semester of candidature and not later than the end of the fourth semester of candidature.
12.2
Except with the permission of the Faculty on the recommendation of the Dean, a part-time research candidate shall complete the requirements for either degree not earlier than the end of the fourth semester of candidature and not later than the end of the eighth semester of candidature.
13.1
Subject to approval of the supervisor, Dean and Board of Postgraduate Studies, the candidate may request a period of time away to pursue the course of advanced study and research within industrial laboratories or research institutions or other institutions considered by the Board of Postgraduate Studies on the recommendation of the Dean to provide adequate facilities and appropriate supervision for that candidature.
13.2
A candidate pursuing candidature outside Australia must also complete a minimum of one semester of candidature within the University before submission [but not necessarily immediately before submission] of the thesis.
14.1
The examination of a thesis for the degree of Master of Philosophy shall follow closely the examination process as stipulated by the Resolutions of the Academic Board for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (with any reference to the PhD Award Subcommittee being substituted by the Board of Postgraduate Studies) except for the following variations:
14.1.1
The Dean shall recommend the appointment of two examiners of the thesis of whom at least one shall be an external to the Faculty, not being a member of staff or a clinical academic title holder of the Faculty. Approval of the examiners is the responsibility of the Board of Postgraduate Studies.
Faculty resolutions
Master of Pharmacy
1.1.2
successful completion of the GAMSAT for local applicants or MCAT for international applicants;
1.2
Admission to candidature will be limited by quota. In determining the quota the Faculty will take into account:
3.1.1
gain a minimum of 96 credit points by successfully completing all first year and second year units of study as set out in the Faculty Handbook.
3.1.2
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
5.1
Except with the permission of the Faculty, candidates may not take a second year unit of study until they have:
5.1.1
satisfactorily completed all outstanding entry criteria prerequisites, as outlined in the admission criteria for the Master of Pharmacy;
5.1.3
completed the first year units of study, if any, prescribed by the Faculty as qualifying units of study or prerequisites for the second year of study, as set out in the Faculty Handbook.
5.2
Students who have failed 12 or more credit points in Year 1 will not be permitted to progress to Year 2 until they have successfully gained credit for 48 credit points in Year 1 units of study.
5.3
Candidates may not take a higher unit of study in any subject area without having previously completed the lower unit of study, if any, in the same subject.
5.4
The enrolment of candidates in units of study shall be limited by the exigencies of the timetable.
7.2
The application must be received by the Faculty prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
7.4
Should a candidate wish to suspend their candidature for more than one semester another application must be made to the Faculty for each subsequent semester, prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
7.6
Where a student has previously enrolled for the relevant semester, a suspension of enrolment may be recorded as Withdrawn (W) or Discontinued – Not to count as failure (DNF):
7.6.1
where that application is received within the time-frames specified by the University and published by the Student Centre; or
7.7
Where the candidate has previously had two semesters of suspension the application will be considered by the Faculty.
8.1.1
a student whose candidature has lapsed must apply for re-admission in accordance with procedures determined by the Faculty.
9.1.1
call upon any candidate to show cause why that candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards the completion of the degree; and
10.1
A candidate will proceed on a full-time basis and shall complete the requirements for the Master of Pharmacy degree:
11.1.2
a student in his or her final year of study fails a single compulsory assessment resulting in a grade of fail in only that unit preventing him or her from completing the degree that year.
Faculty resolutions
Master of Herbal Medicines
1.1
Except as provided in Part 9, section 47 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 the Faculty may admit to candidature an applicant who:
1.1.1
has successfully completed a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Chinese Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Science, Veterinary Science, Agriculture or other appropriate disciplines from approved universities or;
3.1.1
successfully complete 48 credit points of coursework covering material new to the candidate, selected from units of study prescribed by the Faculty;
3.1.2
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
4.1
A candidate for the Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours) proceeding by coursework and dissertation shall:
4.1.1
have achieved a minimum weighted average mark of 65 in at least 24 credit points of the degree prior to admission.
5.1
A candidate for the Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours) proceeding by coursework and dissertation shall:
5.1.1
successfully complete 48 credit points of coursework covering material new to the candidate, selected from units of study prescribed by the Faculty;
5.1.3
successfully carry out a supervised research project and complete the Dissertation on a topic approved by the course coordinator;
5.1.4
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
7.1
The degree of Master of Herbal Medicines shall be awarded in either a pass grade, pass with merit or honours grade.
7.2.1.1
has enrolled for and successfully completed 48 credit points of coursework and 12 credit points of research resulting in a successfully completed dissertation;
7.3.1
A candidate may be awarded pass with merit at graduation where the candidate has achieved a minimum weighted average mark of 75 upon completion of all units of study.
7.3.2
If a pass level degree has already been awarded, the testamur will be replaced by the honours level degree testamur after completing all requirements.
7.3.3
Not more than five years shall have elapsed between being awarded the pass level degree and beginning requirements for the Honours level degree.
9.2
The application must be received by the Faculty prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
9.4
Should a candidate wish to suspend their candidature for more than one semester another application must be made to the Faculty for each subsequent semester, prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
9.6
Where a student has previously enrolled for the relevant semester, a suspension of enrolment may be recorded as Withdrawn (W) or Discontinued – Not to count as failure (DNF):
9.6.1
where that application is received within the time-frames specified by the University and published by the Student Centre; or
9.7
Where the candidate has previously had two semesters of suspension the application will be considered by the Faculty.
10.1.1
a student whose candidature has lapsed must apply for re-admission in accordance with procedures determined by the Faculty.
11.1.1
call upon any candidate to show cause why that candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards completion of either degree; and
11.1.2
where, in the opinion of the Faculty, the candidate does not show good cause, terminate the candidature.
12.1
A part-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Master of Herbal Medicines pass degree:
12.2
A part-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Master of Herbal Medicines honours degree:
12.3
A full-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Master of Herbal Medicines pass degree:
12.4
A full-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Master of Herbal Medicines honours degree:
13.1
Refer to the Resolutions of the Academic Board relating to Assessment and Examination of Coursework
14.1
On completion of the requirements for the degree, the Faculty shall determine the result of candidature.
14.2.1
The Faculty shall appoint two examiners, of whom at least one shall be an external examiner, who is not a member of the Faculty or a member of the part-time teaching staff of the Faculty.
14.2.2
The reports of the examiners shall be transmitted to the course coordinator who shall make them available to the supervisor.
14.2.3
The course coordinator shall transmit these reports to the Faculty, together with a recommendation concerning the award of the degree, and the Faculty shall determine the result of the candidature.
14.2.4
In special cases the Faculty, on the recommendation of the course coordinator concerned, may require the candidate to take a further examination in the area of the treatise/dissertation.
Faculty resolutions
Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines
1.1
Except as provided in Part 9, section 47 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 the Faculty may admit to candidature an applicant who:
1.1.1
has successfully completed a bachelors degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Chinese Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Science, Veterinary Science, Agriculture or other appropriate disciplines from approved universities or;
3.1.1
successfully complete 36 credit points of coursework covering material new to the candidate, selected from units of study prescribed by the Faculty;
3.1.2
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
6.2
The application must be received by the Faculty prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
6.4
Should a candidate wish to suspend their candidature for more than one semester another application must be made to the Faculty for each subsequent semester, prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
6.6
Where a student has previously enrolled for the relevant semester, a suspension of enrolment may be recorded as Withdrawn (W) or Discontinued - Not to count as failure (DNF):
6.6.1
where that application is received within the time-frames specified by the University and published by the Student Centre; or
6.7
Where the candidate has previously had two semesters of suspension the application will be considered by the Faculty.
7.1.1
A student whose candidature has lapsed must apply for re-admission in accordance with procedures determined by the Faculty.
8.1.1
call upon any candidate to show cause why that candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards completion of either degree; and
8.1.2
where, in the opinion of the Faculty, the candidate does not show good cause, terminate the candidature.
9.1
A part-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines degree:
9.2
A full-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines degree:
10.1
Refer to the Resolutions of the Academic Board relating to Assessment and Examination of Coursework
Faculty resolutions
Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines
1.1
Except as provided in Part 9, section 47 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 the Faculty may admit to candidature an applicant who:
1.1.1
has successfully completed a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Chinese Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Science, Veterinary Science, Agriculture or other appropriate disciplines from approved universities or;
3.1.1
successfully complete 24 credit points of coursework covering material new to the candidate, selected from units of study prescribed by the Faculty;
3.1.2
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
6.2
The application must be received by the Faculty prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
6.4
Should a candidate wish to suspend their candidature for more than one semester another application must be made to the Faculty for each subsequent semester, prior to the commencement of the relevant semester.
6.6
Where a student has previously enrolled for the relevant semester, a suspension of enrolment may be recorded as Withdrawn (W) or Discontinued – Not to count as failure (DNF):
6.6.1
where that application is received within the time-frames specified by the University and published by the Student Centre; or
6.7
Where the candidate has previously had two semesters of suspension the application will be considered by the Faculty.
7.1.1
A student whose candidature has lapsed must apply for re-admission in accordance with procedures determined by the Faculty.
8.1.1
call upon any candidate to show cause why that candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards completion of either degree; and
8.1.2
where, in the opinion of the Faculty, the candidate does not show good cause, terminate the candidature.
9.1
A part-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines degree:
9.2
A full-time candidate shall complete the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines degree:
10.1
Refer to the Resolutions of the Academic Board relating to Assessment and Examination of Coursework.