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Conditions for the Award of Degrees (Faculty of Science)

Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Engineering (ME)

1. The degree of Master of Engineering or Master of Science by research may be awarded by the Council on the recommendation of the Higher Degree or Research Committee of the appropriate faculty (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to a candidate who has demonstrated ability to undertake research by the submission of a thesis embodying the results of an original investigation. 

(1) A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Committee. 
(2) An applicant who submits evidence of such other academic or professional attainments as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the degree. 
(3) When the Committee is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by an applicant the Committee may require the applicant, before being permitted to enrol, to undergo such examination or carry out such work as the Committee may prescribe. 
 

(1) An application to enrol as a candidate for the degree shall be made on the prescribed form which shall be lodged with the Registrar at least one calendar month before the commencement of the Semester in which enrolment is to begin. 
(2) In every case, before permitting a candidate to enrol, the Head of the School in which the candidate intends to enrol shall be satisfied that adequate supervision and facilities are available. 
(3) An approved candidate shall be enrolled in one of the following categories: 
  (a) full-time attendance at the University; 
  (b) part-time attendance at the University; 
  (c) external not in regular attendance at the University and using research facilities external to the University. 
(4) A candidate shall be required to undertake an original investigation on an approved topic. The candidate may also be required to undergo such examination and perform such other work as may be prescribed by the Committee. 
(5) The work shall be carried out under the direction of a supervisor appointed from the full-time members of the University staff. 
(6) The progress of a candidate shall be reviewed annually by the Committee following a report by the candidate, the supervisor and the Head of the School in which the candidate is enrolled and as a result of such review the Committee may cancel enrolment or take such other action as it considers appropriate. 
(7) No candidate shall be granted the degree until the lapse of three academic Semesters in the case of a full-time candidate or four academic Semesters in the case of a part-time or external candidate from the date of enrolment. In the case of a candidate who has been awarded the degree of Bachelor with Honours or who has had previous research experience the Committee may approve remission of up to one Semester for a full-time candidate and two Semesters for a part-time or external candidate. 
(8) A full-time candidate for the degree shall present for examination not later than six academic Semesters from the date of enrolment. A part-time or external candidate for the degree shall present for examination not later than ten academic Semesters from the date of enrolment. In special cases an extension of these times may be granted by the Committee. 

(1) On completing the program of study a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results of the original investigation. 
(2) The candidate shall give in writing two months notice of intention to submit the thesis. 
(3) The thesis shall present an account of the candidate's own research. In special cases work done conjointly with other persons may be accepted, provided the Committee is satisfied about the extent of the candidate's part in the joint research. 
(4) The candidate may also submit any work previously published whether or not such work is related to the thesis. 
(5) Three copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the preparation and submission of higher degree theses. 
(6) It shall be understood that the University retains the three copies of the thesis submitted for examination and is free to allow the thesis to be consulted or borrowed. Subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1968, the University may issue the thesis in whole or in part, in photostat or microfilm or other copying medium. 

(1) There shall be not fewer than two examiners of the thesis, appointed by the Committee, at least one of whom shall be external to the University unless the Committee is satisfied that this is not practicable. 
(2) At the conclusion of the examination each examiner shall submit to the Committee a concise report on the merits of the thesis and shall recommend to the Committee that: 
  (a) the candidate be awarded the degree without further examination; or 
  (b) the candidate be awarded the degree without further examination subject to minor corrections as listed being made to the satisfaction of the Head of the School; or 
  (c) the candidate be awarded the degree subject to a further examination on questions posed in the report, performance in this further examination being to the satisfaction of the Committee; or 
  (d) the candidate be not awarded the degree but be permitted to resubmit the thesis in a revised form after a further period of study and/or research; or 
  (e) the candidate be not awarded the degree and be not permitted to resubmit the thesis. 
(3) If the performance at the further examination recommended under (2)(c) above is not to the satisfaction of the Committee, the Committee may permit the candidate to represent the same thesis and submit to a further oral, practical or written examination within a period specified by it but not exceeding eighteen months. 
(4) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners' reports and the reports of any oral or written or practical examination, recommend whether or not the candidate may be awarded the degree. If it is decided that the candidate be not awarded the degree the Committee shall determine whether or not the candidate may resubmit the thesis after a further period of study and/or research. 

A candidate shall pay such fees as may be determined from time to time by the Council. 

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© The University of New South Wales, 2004-2009. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.