Higher Degrees by Research Orientation Briefing

By Dr Koh Chong Lek

Sub-Dean, Higher Degrees (Research)Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning

5 August 2013

Good Evening

Dr Koh Chong LekSub-Dean

Higher Degrees (Research)GPL, NIE, NTU

Congratulations

Higher degree students in NIE

Higher degree students in NIE as of August 2013*: 1,793

Masters by Research MA and MSc 56

Masters by Coursework

MA and MSc 553

M Ed 836

MEA (International) 54

Master of Teaching 23

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 204

Doctor in Education (EdD Dual Award with the Institute of Education, University of London) 15

NIE Doctor in Education 52

Aug 2013

intake: 185

* Includes August 2013 Research & Coursework intakes (as of July 2013)

PhD: 12MA/MSc:

11

Outline of the briefing

• Basic info on admin, exam matters• Student handbook • Academic progress checklist• Student-supervisor relationship • Code of conduct• Academic/ research integrity • Ethics clearance• Approval from DAC, MOE• Tips

Supervisor Co-supervisor

AG/RC GPL

YouHeadDeputy HeadHDR Coordinator

GSO, NTU

TAC

OAAS

Graduate Studies & Professional LearningOffice of Academic Administration and Services

CeL

LibrisSSC

GPL: DeanProf Paul Teng

Associate Dean (HD)Prof Christine Goh

Sub-Dean [HD (R)]Dr Koh Chong Lek

• Chang-Tan Wey Ling (Head/GPL Admin & SM)• Cindi Chiam LH (PM)• Sharon Low (PM)• Noor Azizah Bte Mokhtar (SPE)• Joanne Lee SY (PE)• Nurhasni Binte Khamis (PE)

GPL (Level 3, Block 7)

Important contacts

Contact point MattersOffice of Academic Administration & Services (OAAS)masterscourse@nie.edu.sg

Course related:- Course registration- Course withdrawal- Course accreditation/exemption

OAASnieadmpp@nie.edu.sg

Student records

Student Services CentreBlk 3b, NIE Student Hub (Level 1)

General services

IT and Infra Services Hub Blk 3b, NIE Student Hub (Level 1) 6790 3033 servicedesk@nie.edu.sg

Computer-related enquires

Contact point Academic areasGPL Office 6790 3929 higherdegrees@nie.edu.sg

Higher degree academic matters

Supervisor

Course Coordinator

Supervision and other academic issuesCoursework matters

Important contacts

Information sources

Information source AreasNIE website General NIE matters

General programme information

NIE Portal Announcements Student Handbook Downloadable forms Updating of your addresses

and phone numbersBlackboard (GeNIEus, the e-learning platform in NIE)

Information and learning materials for individual courses

Student Handbook on Higher Degree Programmes by Research

Go to http://www.nie.edu.sg/ Study@NIE (Tab) NIE Portal Guides and Policies Handbooks Graduate Programmes Student Handbook (Higher Degree by Research)

Student handbook

Important procedural matters

Leave of Absence

Course Registration

Online Add/Drop & Confirmation/Conversion

Course Deferment

Programme/Course Withdrawal

Extension of Candidature

Examination matters

Grade Point Average (GPA) System

Letter grade Grade pointA 5.00B 3.50B- 3.00C+ 2.50F 0.00

Examples:

Term Grade Point Average (TGPA): an average of all courses in any term of study

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): an average of all courses up to the time of calculation of the GPA

Minimum TGPA/ CGPA:

3.00 (B-) Masters3.50 (B) PhD

Examination matters

• Pass CF/CV exercise

• Submit thesis for examination

• Pass PhD oral exam

• Fulfill course requirements

CF = confirmation, CV = conversion

A research student’s progress path

Fulfill course requirements

PhD Masters by Research Complete four graduate level

courses with(i) an overall average

Grade B(ii) all courses C+ and above

Complete three graduate level courses with(i) an overall average

Grade B- (ii) all courses C+ and above

Submit an in-depth literature review

Submit an in-depth literature review

Achieve minimum CGPA of 3.50 (B)

Achieve minimum CGPA of 3.00 (B-)

Poor academic performance in coursework

• TGPA below the required grade point: Academic reminder

• TGPA below the required grade point for two consecutive terms of study: Termination

Fulfill course requirements

Pass confirmation/conversion exercise

PhD Masters by Research Submit CF/CV report on

research work within stipulated timeframe

Submit confirmation report on research work within stipulated timeframe

Student’s progress will be reviewed for CF/CV of PhD candidature

Student’s progress will be reviewed for confirmation of Masters candidature

Complete and pass the CF/CV Seminar

Complete and pass the Confirmation Seminar

Note: If a student fails to pass at any of the above stages, he/she will have to withdraw from the programme.

CF = confirmation, CV = conversion

Examinations

PhD Masters by Research Submit thesis for

examination Submit thesis for

examination Oral Examination (Viva) for

PhD

Academic progress

• Prepare annual reports• Prepare CF/CV document

• Initiate CF/CV• Give CF/CV seminar• Form TAC

• Write thesis• Notify thesis submission• Submit thesis/plagiarism check• Revise thesis

• PhD oral exam• Revise thesis• Bind thesis• Submit thesis

Many important details & deadlines to remember

• Matriculate• Take courses• Read• Do

CF = confirmation, CV = conversionBe proactive & responsible

An important web page to look for information and forms

Go to http://www.nie.edu.sg/ Study@NIE (Tab) NIE Portal Academics Graduate Programmes

Important web page

Academic progress checklist

• Please diligently fill up this “Checklist” throughout your higher degree research candidature

• Keep a “Record of Meetings/Discussions with Supervisor & Co-supervisor”

• Initial Target Setting Report for New Masters/PhD Student – please complete & submit it to GPL within ONE MONTH of registration

Student-supervisor (co-supervisor) relationship

• Supervisor, mentor, friend• A lengthy personal & professional

relationship• Includes selecting a research topic

planning the research identifying and acquiring the necessary

resources managing the project actively conducting the research carrying out the literature review analysing and interpreting data writing the thesis defending it publication of the thesis writing a reference letter, helping to find a

position

Student-supervisor (co-supervisor) relationship

• Supervisor, mentor, friend• A lengthy personal & professional

relationshipMaintain

a good relationshipIndependence

TAC

• To provide critical guidance to PhD students during their candidature at NTU

• To monitor student progress and provide timely advice for every PhD student

PhD – Thesis Advisory Committee

HDR students’ personal code of conduct

Excellence

Academic/Research Integrity

Quality

Academic integrity/dishonesty

• Submission of the work of another person as your own or reproduction of ideas or statements of another person without acknowledgementPlagiarism

• Copying another student’s work with or without their knowledge Collusion

• Allowing another student to practise collusionComplicity

• Also known as “double dipping” - submitting a whole paper previously submitted to satisfy the requirements for another course or a substantial portion of it to fulfill a course requirement.

Self-Plagiarism

Use Turnitin, anti-plagiarism software

Do not commit acts of academic dishonesty.

Such acts constitute serious academic misconduct.

You will be subject to strong disciplinary actions.

NIE Portal → Academics → Graduate Programmes →

NIE Academic Integrity Framework

• NIE Academic Integrity Framework

• E-briefing on Plagiarism and Referencing

Academic dishonesty

Academic integrity/dishonesty

Ethics clearance

• If research involves human subjects, must apply for ethics review & approval from NTU IRB

• Must NOT start data-collection before given ethics clearance

• Plan and apply for ethics clearance early!(Discuss this with your supervisor)

• NTU IRB (Institutional Review Board) guidelines and forms available on the IRB website: http://research.ntu.edu.sg/GuidelinesnForms/Pages/default.aspx*Requires log in

Approval from DAC, MOE

• To collect data from schools, must apply for approval from Data Administration Centre, MOE

• Plan and apply for approval early!(Discuss this with your supervisor)

HWG702

• HWG702 University Teaching for Teaching Assistants

• Full-time PhD students required to take up and pass HWG702 before confirmation (Those with relevant teaching experience may apply for exemption)

Tips for succeeding as an HDR

1 Plan ahead, manage your time and keep records

2 Take responsibility for your own learning and progress, and manage flagging

3 Ask those close to you for support and approach them for help when necessary

4 Familiarise yourself with important procedures

5 Interact with your supervisor and understand each other’s expectations

Tips for succeeding as an HDR

6 Co-operate with other students for mutual help and support

7 Take responsibility for your own learning and progress, and manage flagging

8 Develop skills for creative and critical thinking

9 Develop good academic writing, discussion and presentation skills

10 Make good use of resources from the Library and Information Services in NIE

Recognizing research by HDR students

Dean’s Commendation for Research

Recognizes excellence in research amongst NIE HDR students

Nomination: a publication based on your approved research in NIE

(in an international refereed journal or a refereed chapter in the book of a leading international publisher)

Briefings/Talks

GPL’s talks/briefingsNIE Graduate Student DayPhD oral examinationPlease attendInteract

Enjoy your stay at NIE, NTUSuccessful completion of your HD

MA MSc PhD

http://convocation.ntu.edu.sg/InformationforGraduates/Pages/ColourofHoods.aspx