| Coursework Requirements |
Complete and pass at least six (6) courses or 24 units, unless exemption has been granted by the University, which include:
- One (1) required course: SE6770 Graduate Research Seminar (4 units)
- Five (5) elective courses, of which:
- A minimum of three (3) courses (equivalent to 12 units) must be at level 6000
- A maximum of one (1) course (equivalent to 4 units) may be at level 4000
- The remaining courses must be at level 5000 or 6000
Optional: Up to two (2) Independent Study courses - SE5660 and/or SE6660
Note: Students should discuss with their thesis advisors on the relevant courses they need to take. |
| English Language Requirement |
- Some students may be required to take the Diagnostic English Test (DET) to determine their English proficiency (Selected students will be notified in their offer of admission letter).
- Depending on their DET results, students may be required to take a Graduate English Course(s) or be exempted from taking the course(s) altogether.
- Students who are required to take the Graduate English Course(s) must obtain at least grade 'C' in the course(s) at intermediate level within 2 years of their candidature.
- Graduate English Course(s) are not counted towards the 24 units required for the PhD degree coursework requirements.
- ALL students must complete and pass the compulsory course NG5001 Academic Communication for Postgraduate Researchers.
|
| PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) |
Students must pass a Qualifying Examination (QE) within the first 2 years of the PhD candidature. A second QE may be attempted within this period if the student fail at the first attempt. Students must fulfill the following before being allowed to sit for the QE:
- Complete and pass at least five (5) courses, including two (2) at level 6000, with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50;
- Where applicable, obtain at least grade 'C' in the Graduate English Course(s) at the intermediate level; and
- Other departmental requirements, if any.
The QE comprises:
- Comprehensive examinations as determined by the Department to test the general competence of the student in his/her discipline(s) or field(s);
- Submission of a 30- to 50-page thesis proposal; and
- An oral defence of the thesis proposal held before a 3-member panel of the Thesis Committee
|
| Thesis |
Students must complete and submit a thesis within the maximum period of candidature.A PhD thesis should not exceed 80, 000 words (including footnotes but excluding appendices, bibliography, maps, charts, statistical tables, graphs, illustrations, etc.). |
| PhD Oral Examination |
Students must present himself/herself for an oral examination on the subject matter of the thesis and related subjects after submitting his/her thesis.The oral examination comprises an oral presentation followed by an oral defence/open discussion. |
| Minimum Grade Requirements |
- Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.50 (but ≥ 3.00) in any semester will be issued an academic warning.
- Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.50 for 2 consecutive semesters will be placed on probation.
- Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.50 for the third consecutive semester will be issued a letter of dismissal and denied re-admission.
- Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.00 in any semester will be placed on probation.
- Students whose Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below 3.00 for 2 consecutive semesters will be issued a letter of dismissal.
Note: Students may be issued an academic warning or placed on probation or issued letter of dismissal for poor performance in the PhD QE, research thesis or other programme requirements. |
| Award of Degree |
A student will be recommended for award of degree if he/she has met the following requirements:
- Completed and passed six (6) courses (refer to coursework requirements above);
- Obtained a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50;
- Passed the PhD Qualifying Examination (QE);
- Passed the PhD thesis;
- Passed the PhD Oral Examination;
- Completed and passed NG5001 Academic Communication for Postgraduate Researchers;
- Where applicable, obtained at least grade 'C' in Graduate English Course(s) (refer to English language requirement above); and
- Other departmental requirements, if any.
|
