Structured Program
Introduction
Preamble
The following information has been put together to help you complete the Structured Program. As per the information in Code of Practice provided to each student by the University of Adelaide, all students enrolled for a Ph.D. (and Masters by research, as per Faculty policy) are required to complete the Structured Program within the first 6 months of their candidature.
Aims
The overall aim of the Structured Program is to enhance your abilities and skills to undertake effective research at postgraduate level, thereby optimising your chance of success. This will include:
- Written, verbal and organisational ability
- Computing and technical skills associated with statistical methodologies
- Research skills including library and computer use
- Philosophical skills that need to be developed by all scientists - innovative thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and contributing to and using the academic and intellectual environment around you.
Organisation
Completion of the core part of the Structured Program is mandatory for all new postgraduates. It comprises formal and non-formal elements.
The formal part of the Program includes:
- Literature review
- Research proposal
- Seminar
The non-formal part includes:
- Introduction to BiometricsSA by the Director and/or Postgraduate Coordinator (including a discussion about the requirements and responsibilities of people involved in postgraduate training; discussion about organising and planning your research; tour and explanation of BiometricsSA and Campus facilities).
- Participation in research group meetings
- Participation in BiometricsSA and Campus seminars and discussion groups
Some students, with shortcomings in their theoretical or technical abilities, or problems with English as their second language, may be required to undertake supplementary work (Directed Studies Component), in addition to the Core Program. This could include the Integrated Bridging Program, one or more supplemented undergraduate subjects, or a specialist course. Your specific requirements need to be discussed in detail with your supervisor and postgraduate coordinator.
Elements of the Core Program
Literature Review
Your literature review should be an organised and critical review of the literature pertaining to the research that has previously been undertaken related to your project, as well as the specific discipline in which you are working (that is a slightly broader view). There is no stipulated length to the review but somewhere in the vicinity of 5 to 15 single-spaced pages (including citations) would seem appropriate, depending on the subject area. The literature review should not be seen as a once-off exercise. By updating it on a regular basis throughout your research, you will have the best part of your thesis literature review completed before you write up. This is also true of your bibliography.
Research Proposal
There are many ways in which this could be put together, but generally it might comprise the following sections - Introduction, Aims, Methodology (which might include a description of proposed directions as far as development of methodology), Timetable, Budget (if appropriate), and Significance of the project.
The literature review and research proposal can be usefully put together into one document with a Table of Contents at the beginning and the References at the end, given that some of the same articles will be referred to in both the literature review and research proposal. Ask to see the documents produced by students who have completed the Structured Program to get an idea of how best you might arrange yours.
Project Seminar
The first seminar you give will be 30 minutes in duration (including question time), and will be scheduled at an appropriate time in the structured program. It should be a verbal presentation of your literature review and research proposal. If appropriate, presentation of the seminar might be at an allied Waite Department. Attendance at a session with the Advisory Centre For University Education (ACUE) on seminar presentation skills is recommended.
Research Groups Meetings
One of the most important and effective exercises in which you will be involved is attending the research group meetings run by your supervisor. Normally such groups will include several postgraduate students, research officers, postdoctoral fellows and the group leader (your supervisor). These meetings are the major forum where research is discussed. This includes aspects of research planning and organisation, and presentation and discussion of results for each research project, including your own. It provides a free-flow of information between members of the group and an opportunity to discuss problems, logistics, common interests and relevant new literature.
BiometricsSA, Departmental and Campus Seminars
As part of your scientific training and to broaden your knowledge base, we strongly urge you to attend Departmental Seminars as well as the special Waite seminars for distinguished visitors. Contact with the scientific community, both University, SARDI and CSIRO is highly beneficial and is strongly recommended, particularly in Applied Research projects.
Supplementary Work (Directed Studies Component)
Intergrated Bridging Program
This is a course to introduce students to scientific writing and seminar presentation, where English is not your first language. It is an extremely good course and uses the literature review as an exercise in developing writing skills.
Undergraduate/Postgraduate Courses
Some students will be required to undertake advanced-level course work to develop their knowledge in a subject area(s) that is directly related and necessary to complete their research project. The work to be undertaken should be decided on in consultation with the student, his/her supervisors and the postgraduate coordinator. The work will be formally assessed and the method of assessment will be organised between the student, supervisor and relevant subject coordinator.
Special Courses
As part of their Structured Program some students may wish to attend special courses which are offered by various sectors of Adelaide University or some outside organisations. You should consult you supervisor about attending these.
Timing and Completion of the Structured Program
The Structured Program must be completed within 6 months of your enrolment. It is to your benefit to complete your Program as soon as possible. Students doing supplementary work need to timetable carefully the various elements of the Program. For instance, if you are required to complete one or more subjects, you need to balance your work-load between semesters, for example course work in one semester, your literature review and research proposal in the next. It is worth discussing your timetable of activities with your supervisor and postgraduate coordinator, particularly in regard to the needs of your research project.
When you have completed all the elements of the Structured Program you need to put them together in a dossier and present it to your supervisor and postgraduate coordinator for final approval. This dossier should include (* Directed Studies Component):
- Literature Review
- Research Proposal
- Certificate from the Research and Presentations Skills Course*
- Results of Undergraduate/Postgraduate Courses (signed by the course coordinator)*
- Certificate showing the completion of any special courses*
- Completed orange form from Graduate Studies "Completion of the Structured Program and the Research Proposal" (to be signed by the student and supervisors before being handed onto the postgraduate coordinator).
For further information contact Associate Professor Ari Verbyla or Mr Trevor Hancock