Information for Postgraduate Research Students
Useful information and resources for postgraduate research students in the School of Life Sciences.
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- Annual Review and Progression
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The School has a formal process for assessing the progress of research students. All students, supervisors and thesis committees must submit regular reports on the students' progress. Students must also present their work to their subject group and exhibit a poster to the School.
Annual Review and Progression Timeline
The main emphasis of your work will be on your research project but you should also aim to acquire a wide background knowledge and the ability to express yourself on a range of topics, both verbally and in writing.
Click here to view the timeline.
Please note that students will not be re-registered unless they have completed the appropriate reports, and have been recommended for registration by their supervisor and thesis committee.
Yearly Reports
A report on your experimental work should be written at the end of each academic year. This report should be submitted to Emma Chorley, the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator (forms and information will be circulated closer to the time). The report should include an introduction, followed by separate discussion and experimental sections, and references. These reports will be very useful to you when it comes to writing your thesis, and should be written with that aim in mind. All reports are to be written in English.
The Thesis Committee
The Thesis Committee (TC) is appointed by the co-supervisor in consultation with the PhD student by the end of October, and the names (form in appendix 1 of this handbook) sent to Research & Enterprise Co-ordinator, Emma Chorley (lifesciphd@sussex.ac.uk). The main supervisor is not part of the TC. The co-supervisor and two other members of faculty make up the committee.
It is your responsibility to organise the timing and location of every TC along with your co-supervisor.
Every year, the REC (Emma) will email you the forms that need to be completed and the date of the deadline. This is called Progression Review (previously Annual Review). The documentation from this process provides the basis for the annual recommendations that the subject group Research Degree Convenors have to make to the Director of Doctoral Studies concerning your re-registration as a PhD/MPhil student for the forthcoming academic year. Provided you are making satisfactory progress the Director will then approve your progression to the next academic year.
TC0 should take place by early December/January. It involves a 10 minute presentation and an approximately 20 minute discussion on the proposed project. A short report should be prepared in advance of the meeting consisting of a maximum of 3 pages. This report should include an Introduction (background and objectives), Materials and Methods, and a Timeline of the project). The aim is to ensure the student is engaged with their project, to identify any issues with project and/or student, and to identify any extra support that might be needed. The supervisor may attend TC0. Feedback from the TC is given to both the student and the supervisor.
TC1 should take place by the end of the summer term (early to mid-June) and should involve a 15-minute presentation followed by an approximately 45 minute discussion. The presentation should be on the progress that has been made in obtaining results and meeting the objectives of the project. Prior to the TC, the supervisor and co-supervisor must have read and approved the 1st year report. The co-supervisor raises any potential problems with student at the TC. The TC members are not expected to read the report, though they may request a copy. The aim is to ensure student is on track, to provide critical evaluation of results and approaches, and to identify any problems at this stage. Feedback is given to both the student and the supervisor (who is not permitted to attend). The co-supervisor completes the recommendation form.
TC2 is the same format as TC1 but occurs at the end of 2nd year, by the end of the summer term. After the TC, student is told about the outcome and provided with feedback. The co-supervisor completes the recommendation form.
TC3 is a similar format to TC2 but occurs at the end of 3rd year, by the end of the summer term. The student must present a plan of their thesis describing the content of each work chapter, highlighting the work that needs to be completed, and a timeline for the completion of their thesis. This meeting is to support the writing of the thesis so that extra support can be put in place if required. After the TC, student is told about the outcome and provided with feedback. The co-supervisor completes the recommendation form.
Useful documents:
- Postgraduate Research Symposium
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The aim of the annual Postgraduate Research Symposium is to bring research students and faculty together from all of our subject groups for a wider discussion about the ongoing research projects happening across the School.
All third year research students (PhD and MPhil) submit a poster in portrait format depicting the key aims and objectives and findings of their research project.
This is not an optional event; it is an essential requirement for the postgraduate training programme, which the School is committed to deliver. It is therefore expected that all postgraduate research students and their supervisors attend the event.
- Useful Resources and Forms
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- PGR Handbook 2021-22 - This handbook contains information about how the School operates, key contacts and what is expected of you and your supervisors.
- Online resource for new doctoral researchers - The Doctoral School have created an online resource designed to help new doctoral researchers navigate the early days of their doctorate at Sussex. Bringing together information from the main Sussex website, alongside video interviews with current doctoral researchers and staff from across the campus, the resource will provide you with all the guidance you need to get started with your doctorate.
- Useful Links
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Research Student Administration Office (includes the University’s Handbook for Doctoral Researchers)
Student Centre (first place to go for any kind of support)