Melbourne School of Graduate Research

Introduction

Definition

These Masters by Research guidelines are designed to be generic to all Masters by Research degrees offered across the University of Melbourne, however there will be some variations across Faculties and Graduate Schools and students should refer to the websites listed at the end of this document for course-specific information.

The Masters by Research degree is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The thesis demonstrates a critical application of specialist knowledge and makes an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research.

On the completion of the course students should be able to:

The Melbourne Experience and graduate attributes

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

Research higher degrees further develop these core attributes in important ways.  Masters degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who have a capacity for defining and managing a research project characterised by originality and independence. Their training equips them for more sustained and original work at the doctoral level or for applied research positions in a wide variety of contexts.

The University expects its research Masters graduates to have the following attributes:

Structure of the Masters by Research

A candidate for a Masters by Research degree must be an enrolled student in this University and is required to carry out research at the University for a specified period under the direct supervision of one or more members of the academic staff in the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.

Masters by Research programs are available in three forms:

Check with the relevant Faculty or Graduate School to see which Masters by Research programs are available in your intended area of study.

Duration

Duration of candidature is usually 12-18 months months of full-time study, or two-three years of part-time study. Extensions may be sought in addition to this. The Research Training (RTS) is available for a maximum of two years.

For more information refer to the Australian Government's RTS website at http://www.innovation.gov.au/ScienceAndResearch/programs_funding/Pages/ResearchTrainingScheme.aspx.

Legislation and prescriptions

The statutes and regulations governing the examination and award of Masters by Research degrees at the University of Melbourne can be found at the following URLs:
Regulation R3.6 – Degree of Master
http://unimelb.edu.au/Statutes/r3006.html
Statute 12.1 – Examiners
http://unimelb.edu.au/Statutes/s121.html
Statute 12.5 – Examination of Theses for Higher Degrees
http://unimelb.edu.au/Statutes/s125.html
Statute 11.3 – Enrolment for a Higher Degree
http://unimelb.edu.au/Statutes/s113.html
Statute 11.5 – Unsatisfactory Progress
http://unimelb.edu.au/Statutes/s115.html

The Melbourne School of Graduate Research

Research is central to the University's identity and aspirations, and underpins both learning and knowledge transfer. The Melbourne School of Graduate Research (MSGR) works closely with staff from a range of departments, faculties and services across the University to deliver a high quality research training program.

MSGR undertakes a range of policy development and performance monitoring initiatives to maintain and improve the University's reputation for excellence in research training. Academic Board committees (including the Research Higher Degrees Committee and Graduate Research Scholarships Committee) are important structures through which the broader academic community provides direction in research training.

In addition, MSGR provides a range of quality services and academically enriching programs that encourage our students to interact with their colleagues, staff, industry and the community and acquire practical skills and respected attributes for their future careers.

You can read more about the range of services and programs offered through MSGR as listed below.

Academic Enrichment Programs

The Melbourne School of Graduate Research offers a wide range of academic enrichment programs, workshops and online resources for graduate researchers, as well as professional development and training opportunities. These programs are designed to support graduate researchers travelling the critical path from commencement to completion of their studies and transitioning to employment.

A full list of short courses, workshops and seminars is available on the MSGR website at: http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/programs/index.html

MSGR also hosts an exciting and intensive RHD orientation and induction program to welcome new graduate research students to the University research community, to introduce the key resources, to begin graduate researchers thinking about their research and to inspire them to remain connected to other graduate researchers and MSGR.

The new Global Research Ethics and the Integrity Module (GREIM) is an innovative, facilitated online support program designed to enable graduate researchers to deepen their understanding of ethical issues, good practice and policy in research ethics and the range of ethics related resources for graduate researchers. It offers the opportunity to improve critical thinking, ethical reasoning, online communication and fosters active engagement with experts and other graduate researchers.

The MSGR Academic Activity Grants Scheme offers grants to support RHD student-led academic activities such as conferences, symposiums, visual exhibitions, seminars and musical recitals. These events must be organised primarily by and for graduate researchers at the University and generally demonstrate a multi and/or inter-disciplinary focus or a multicultural approach. Applications are called for twice a year.

Writing Centre

The Melbourne School of Graduate Research is home to the University's Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers. Unique to Melbourne, this program aims to assist graduate researchers students who are nearing the end of their research to communicate their ideas to an audience outside the academy. This could be in the form of the traditional thesis-to-book conversion or, equally, the outcome could be a magazine or newspaper article, an exhibition or even a documentary for the screen. The Centre runs a twice-yearly, six month program which includes a generalist beginners' workshop Writing for Readers, a more specific advanced program geared towards specific outcomes, Preparing for Publication, and an individual assistance program which may take the form of a mentorship, editorial assistance or even a stipend to assist with writing time. Interested students should visit
http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/writingcentre or call (03) 8344 4722 for more information.

Research resources

Graduate Library Research Consultant

MSGR has a dedicated Graduate Library Research Consultant who runs workshops and seminars on how to make the most of the library's services and resources, including how to conduct literature reviews, identifying critical databases for your research, developing effective search strategies, customising the bibliographic software package EndNote, and contacting information experts to help you with your research queries. Individual appointments with the Research Consultant can be made by calling 8344 8466. See http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/programs/research/index.html.

Joint Academic Scholarships Online Network (JASON)

JASON is a national database of graduate scholarships sponsored by a consortium of Australian Universities. MSGR hosts the JASON office in recognition of our commitment to Australia’s graduate research training community. The public website is available at: http://www.jason.edu.au.

The database includes scholarships offered by Australian and overseas universities, Federal and State Governments, foundations and private sector organisations. As such, it provides a valuable service both to students looking for scholarships and to the organisations awarding them.

JASON contains scholarships for graduate research degrees and coursework. JASON covers international scholarships which may be tenured in Australia (for international students) and abroad (for Australian students) as well as national scholarships for study within Australia (for local and international students). JASON is a very valuable resource which is used widely by the university and student communities across Australia and overseas.

The Graduate Centre

Located in the heritage-listed 1888 Building, the Melbourne Graduate Centre is jointly administered by the Melbourne School of Graduate Research and the Graduate Students Association (GSA). It houses meeting rooms, study spaces, social facilities and computer labs for graduate students, all of which are complemented by the beautifully landscaped surrounding gardens and courtyards. A full overview of Graduate Centre facilities can be found on the MSGR web site at: http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/aboutus/facilities/index.html.

24-hour access to the Graduate Centre

All graduate students can access the Graduate Centre 24 hours a day using their student ID card as a swipe card. During the Graduate Centre opening hours (Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 6:20pm) students can enter the building without having to use a swipe card.

Computing & publishing facilities

The Graduate Centre contains two computing labs, a PC-only lab (Room 154, First Floor) and a lab containing both PCs and Macs (Room 127, First Floor). Both these labs have internet access and are intended for use by graduates researching and writing their theses. The Graduate Presentation & Publishing Centre (GPPC, G23 Ground Floor) caters for publishing the needs of graduate students. Word processing, text and photo scanning, image manipulation, and desktop publishing are all supported.

Printing facilities

Student printing in the Graduate Centre can be done in the GPPC or in the GSA Print Room. The Print Room (Room G22, Ground Floor, West Wing) provides a range of services, including laser and digital printing in black and white or colour, photocopying in black and white or colour, transparencies, thesis/report binding and a fax service. Archival/acid-free paper is also available. The Print Room is open 9.30am–5.00pm on Monday, and 10.00am–5.00pm Tuesday to Friday. GSA staff are on hand to assist with the facilities.

Study carrels

Study carrels providing study space for up to 68 graduate students are available in the Graduate Centre. Each carrel is equipped with a computer, telephone, ample shelving, lockable cupboards and filing drawers. There is also a wheelchair-accessible study carrel with adjustable desks. Carrels are allocated for an initial six months on a time-share or room-share basis, with priority given to students writing up their theses. Although the carrels are in high demand, occupant turnover means places continually become available through the year, and all graduate students are eligible to apply for one of these spaces. GSA administers the carrels on behalf of the Graduate Centre. Carrel applications are accepted throughout the year and are considered by the Carrel Allocation Committee each month.

Wireless access

The Melbourne University Wireless network ((UniWireless)) service provides access to the University of Melbourne network for graduate students who have a laptop computer with a wireless network card. UniWireless can be accessed in certain areas of the Graduate Centre, including the graduate lounge, Ross McKay Courtyard, General Study room 153 and the Loft.

The Loft

The Loft is a space for graduates to meet, study or just relax. Located, as the name might suggest, at the very top of the Graduate Centre, the Loft consists of a lounge/social/discussion space, two meeting sections and separate work table areas with power point access. There is also a mini kitchen with a refrigerator and tea/coffee set up, as well as and internal telephone, heating and cooling. The Loft is open to students from 8.00am–10.00pm weekdays and can be accessed through the first-floor door at the top of the main central staircase, between rooms 102 and 103.

Meeting rooms

The Graduate Centre has a range of rooms suitable for meetings, discussion groups, running workshops and seminars or hosting small conferences. Bookings are organised on site for students, University departments and external groups.

Graduate Centre Bar and Cafe

The Graduate Centre Bar and Cafe engender a wonderful relaxed social atmosphere where staff and students can enjoy an informal chat over a coffee, mix work-related matters with a meal or participate in lively debate. Sheltered outdoor areas provide alfresco dining opportunities and a range of catering services are also available for anyone hosting functions in the Graduate Centre.

Infrastructure support

The University of Melbourne has established guidelines on research higher degree candidature for departments, supervisors and candidates (refer to Appendix A: Guidelines on Research Higher Degree candidature for departments, supervisors and candidates).
The Statement on Infrastructure Support for Postgraduate Research Students focuses on the responsibilities of departments regarding facilities and resources for graduate research students. The Statement can be viewed in full at  http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/current/links.html

Excerpt: 'High quality education of postgraduate research students requires that the University provide appropriate facilities and resources. Completion rates, submission times, satisfaction with the graduate research program and research outcomes are all closely related to infrastructure provision. Departments play a crucial role in ensuring that graduate research students are only admitted to higher degree candidature where there are appropriate facilities and resources to support their research studies. Departments must seek to provide optimal standards of resources for graduate research students'.

Students with disabilities

Many people are not aware that a wide range of medical conditions can result in experiencing a disability. If your study is adversely affected by a chronic illness (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), mental health condition (such as depression or anxiety), learning disability (such as dyslexia), vision impairment, hearing impairment or physical impairment, you may be eligible for disability support. The University provides a range of services that can assist students experiencing disability to participate fully in University activities. The Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) has primary responsibility for identifying the impact of a disability on study and implementing appropriate support services across the University. Students experiencing disability are encouraged to inform the University about the impact of their condition or impairment to assist in providing services responsive to their needs.

Given the self-directed research focus and context of research higher degree study, many students experiencing disability no longer require the disability services received at an undergraduate level. It is also common for the impact of a condition or impairment to change significantly or become evident (for the first time) for students who are undertaking a research degree. If you are unsure of what services are available, whether you should discuss or disclose to your supervisor how your condition or impairment impacts upon your studies or how to effectively manage any experience of disability during your candidature, you are welcome to contact the DLU for confidential advice.

Staff from the Unit are available by appointment to meet with students and discuss individual requirements. Documentation from a relevant health professional is required to receive services from the DLU. The DLU provides a confidential service for students and manages private and health information within the University’s Privacy Policy. For further information please see:
http://www.unimelb.edu.au/unisec/privacy/

Depending on the nature of and impact of your condition or impairment, the services the DLU can provide include note-takers or Auslan interpreters for departmental seminar programs, production of reading materials in alternative format (Braille, e-text, audiotape, large print), participation assistance (e.g. in laboratories and libraries). In addition to these services the DLU can also provide advice on the use of adaptive technologies (e.g. voice recognition software, screen readers, screen enlargers etc) and ergonomic furniture.

If you wish to know more about these services, please contact the Disability Liaison Unit.
Richard Berry House
Monday to Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm
Phone: (03) 834 47068 Voice
Phone: (03) 834 44369 TTY
E-mail: DLU-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Web address: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/index.html

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