AUT - Bachelor of honours and research masters degrees
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Bachelor of honours and research masters degrees
The examination process starts before the thesis/dissertation has been completed. In order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the examination process, supervisors or programme leaders are asked to ensure that when a thesis/dissertation is submitted the examiners have already been arranged and are willing to act.
- Formatting and presentation
- Appointment of examiners
- Lodging your thesis or dissertation
- Declaration of suitability for examination
- Examination timeframe
- Recommendation
Note: the content provided is a summary only. A full description of guidelines and processes can be found in the AUT University Postgraduate Handbook.
Formatting and presentation
The thesis or dissertation should be a word processed paper document.
In the case of theses/dissertations incorporating creative, non-written work, an exegesis must accompany the visual work. This generally requires a minimum of 3000 words. Students should consult with their supervisor.
Paper size
Theses/dissertations are to be typed on International Standard Organisation (ISO) A4 size white bond paper. If diagrams, maps, tables and similar presentations do not fit on this sheet size, ISO B4 size may be used. B4 size pages are to be folded and bound so as to open out at the top and the right.Typing
Font size: 12 pointTyping is to be on one side of each sheet only, with the pages numbered consecutively throughout the thesis/dissertation. Typing is to be spaced either double or space-and-a-half with the exception of quotations, footnotes and bibliographies which are to be single spaced.
The following minimal margins are to be observed:
- Left - 4 cm
- Top and bottom - 2 cm
- Right - 2 cm
Appointment of examiners
Once the recommended examiners are approved, the University Postgraduate Centre (for thesis examinations) or faculty postgraduate office (for dissertation examinations), on behalf of the University, formally invites the examiners to confirm their willingness to act in this role and their ability to provide a report within the specified time frame (usually six weeks from receipt of the thesis/dissertation).
It would be expected that the formal invitation would take place prior to the thesis/dissertation being submitted and with sufficient time to call on reserve examiners, or to arrange new examiners if the original nominees are for some reason unable to undertake the role.
In the case of a visual submission presented at an exhibition, the travel arrangements will be organised by the University Postgraduate Centre (for thesis examinations) or faculty office (for dissertation examinations) in conjunction with the programme leader, respecting the confidentiality of examiners.
Lodging your thesis or dissertation
A thesis or dissertation for examination is lodged with the faculty postgraduate office accompanied by a completed 'Lodgement of Thesis/Dissertation for Examination' form.
Lodgement of the copies of the thesis and form needs to be approved by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate), or delegated authority and then forwarded to the University Postgraduate Centre for examination. Dissertation examinations will be processed by the faculty.
Declaration of suitability for examination
The primary supervisor and Associate Dean (Postgraduate), or delegated authority are required to declare that the thesis/dissertation is in a suitable standard for examination. This relates to the presentation of a thesis/dissertation, including legibility, accuracy, clarity of expression and general freedom from typographical and grammatical errors, but is not an indication of the quality of the work. The University will normally not proceed with the examination of a thesis/dissertation considered not to be in a suitable form for examination.
It is important to note that a student has the right to request that the thesis/dissertation be examined, even though the supervisor(s) may not believe it to be of a suitable standard. Such instances must be clearly identified on the lodgement form, which must have statements from the supervisor(s) and the student outlining the circumstances attached to it.
Examination timeframe
Examiners are asked to provide their reports within a certain timeframe. (Four weeks for honours and/or research masters and eight weeks for doctoral examinations). Students should be aware that examiners are not always able to complete their reports according to this timeframe and that it is a guideline only. The University Postgraduate Centre (theses) or faculty office (dissertations) maintains contact with the examiners to monitor progress.
Students may contact the University Postgraduate Centre to enquire about the progress of the thesis examination or faculty office for dissertations. Students should be aware however, that no information (verbal or written) will be given about the recommendations of the examiners until such time as deliberations on the outcomes of the examination process have been completed.
Students and supervisors must not attempt to communicate in any way with the examiners once the thesis/dissertation has been lodged. Students should also be aware that in order to graduate at one of the University's graduation ceremonies, the examination process and consideration of recommendations by the faculty postgraduate committee and/or the University Postgraduate Board must be completed at least six weeks before the ceremony.
Recommendation
There are a number of possible outcomes from the examination process, and the examiners are required to identify the one they recommend as the most appropriate for the student. The outcomes are:
- That the student be granted a pass grade for the thesis/dissertation
- That the student be granted a pass grade for the thesis/dissertation subject to the student making editorial amendments (as identified by the examiners) to the satisfaction of the supervisors and the Associate Dean (Postgraduate) or delegated authority
- That the student be granted a pass grade for the thesis/dissertation subject to the student making amendments (as identified by the examiners) to the satisfaction of the supervisors and the Associate Dean (Postgraduate) or delegated authority
- That the student be required to revise and re-submit for further examination within a specified time
- That the student be granted a fail grade for the thesis/dissertation
Where alterations/amendments or corrections are required, it is the responsibility of the Associate Dean (Postgraduate) or delegated authority, the primary supervisor and/or the programme leader to prepare a report of the required changes. Once the amendments have been made, it is the primary supervisor’s responsibility to complete Form PG8: Amendments to Thesis as required by Examiners.
99kBThe normal timeframe for the completion of amendments is six weeks. The final grade for the work will not be released until all amendments have been completed and signed off and the award approved by the University Postgraduate Board.
Last updated: 19 Jul 2010 11:01am