Doctor of Philosophy - Mathematics.pdf - School of Mathematics and ...

School of Mathematics and Physics
Milestone Procedures
Discipline: MATHEMATICS
PhD
Milestone 1: Confirmation of Candidature
Confirmation is a critically important event for every research higher degree candidate. At
this milestone:
• the candidate receives formative advice about the direction, scope, planning, and
feasibility of the project; and about the acquisition or further development of
appropriate research and professional skills;
• the school/institute reviews the human, physical, financial resources needed to
sustain the candidature, in compliance with relevant university, disciplinary, and
external regulatory protocols; and
• the University is assured by the school/institutes review that continuation of the
candidature is likely to lead to an assessable thesis in about the period for which the
candidate, school/institute, and University are funded to support the candidates
enrolment.
WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
ADMISSION AND CONFIRMATION OF
CANDIDATURE
Written work Accepted formats
Word limit
School/Institute expectations for PhD
Specific confirmation document
required.
At least 8 pages unless special
permission is given by the Chair of the
Confirmation Committee.
Page 1 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
ADMISSION AND CONFIRMATION OF
CANDIDATURE
Quality expectations:
Timing
Assessment process
School/Institute expectations for PhD
It is expected that all written material will
be of an appropriate standard in terms of
scientific writing style, language,
punctuation, grammar and logical
presentation of information. The
confirmation document will contain a
brief literature review. It will also explain
the research undertaken so far by the
candidate, the interest and significance
of this research and future plans for the
rest of the thesis. This document will
include a detailed timeline for the
completion of the thesis, a list of written
work produced and conferences
attended, presentations given and a
short description of the resources
required and/or available for the project.
Since the Confirmation Committee will
not have specific expertise in the area of
research this document should be
accessible to a broad audience of
professional mathematicians or
physicists, not only to researchers
working in the area of the thesis.
Candidate provides Confirmation
Committee with document one week
before oral presentation/interview.
Written work is assessed by the
Confirmation Committee and after the
confirmation presentation and interview,
the Chair of the Confirmation Committee
writes a Confirmation Report on the
basis of discussion within the
Committee.
Page 2 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
ADMISSION AND CONFIRMATION OF
CANDIDATURE
Oral work Accepted formats
Duration
Quality expectations
School/Institute expectations for PhD
A confirmation talk at the UQ
Mathematics Postgraduate seminars is
acceptable at confirmation due date.
The introductory talk
can be informally presented to the
Thesis
Committee, or in a Research Group
Seminar.
During the first 8 weeks of candidacy,
student is required to give a short
introduction of their project to their
research group. This talk should include
a list of objectives for the first 12 months
of candidacy, which is to be presented to
the School PGAO to be kept on file and
given to Confirmation committee at
confirmation.
15-20 minutes for confirmation talk.
10-15 minutes for introductory talk.
The introductory talk should be clear and
explain why the topic is interesting and
convey what work is to be completed
during the first 12 months.
Interview/Dialogue
Timing
Assessment process
Participants:
Expected duration:
Delivery of the Confirmation presentation
should be confident and professional,
and the content should provide a clear,
concise and logical argument for the
work undertaken.
Before interview, after submission of
written work.
Oral presentation is assessed by the
Confirmation Committee and after the
confirmation presentation and interview,
the Chair of the Confirmation Committee
writes a Confirmation Report on the
basis of discussion within the
Committee.
The Confirmation Committee is chaired
by the Discipline PG Coordinator, and is
comprised of a quorum of four experts
(from a pool of 8), from outside the
Advisory Team
Up to 40 minutes
Page 3 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
ADMISSION AND CONFIRMATION OF
CANDIDATURE
Quality expectations:
Timing
Assessment process
School/Institute expectations for PhD
Candidate is expected to be prepared to
answer questions on the progress of
their project, to defend their approach, to
provide details of proofs or numerical
calculation and research plan if
requested.
Interview takes place following oral
presentation
The Confirmation Committee interviews
the candidate and the Advisory Team,
both separately and together. The
Principal Advisor completes the metrics
on the Attainment of Milestone form
http://www.uq.edu.au/gradschool/downloads/rhd/milestoneattainment.doc
, which is then sighted
and signed by candidate, and forwarded
to the School PGAO for final review by
School PGC.
Written Feedback
Format
Timing
Note: it is the responsibility of candidate
to ensure that their Principal Advisor
completes the Attainment of Milestone
form, and to bring/send the completed
and signed form to the School PGAO
Candidate is sent a copy of the
Confirmation Committee report, with a
copy to School PGAO, and is also
shown the Attainment of Milestone form
after completion by the Principal
Advisor.
Within two weeks of Confirmation
presentation
Page 4 of 10

Milestone 2: Mid-Candidature Review
The mid-candidature review represents a mid-point between confirmation of candidature and
thesis review milestones. Achievement of this milestone reassures the candidate, advisory
team and school/institute that
• the project is on track for completion within candidature duration, and
• the candidates research and other professional skills are developing appropriately.
WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
CONFIRMATION AND MID-CANDIDATURE
REVIEW
Written work
School/Institute expectations for PhD
Candidate must provide:
• 2-3 page summary of progress
since confirmation noting overall
aim, specific aims, progress on
aims, problems encountered,
progress of papers if applicable,
plans for papers between midcandidature
review and thesis
review if applicable, list of
conference attendance and
presentations (and future plans
for these), a list of seminars
given (including Research
Group Seminars).
• All conference abstracts,
conference posters (A4 format),
all papers published, submitted
and/or in preparation.
Approx volume of work
expected to be completed:
Quality expectations
(advanced drafts, thesis
outline):
• At least one draft chapter of
thesis
An amount of research appropriate for
the first two years of research work.
Depending on the specific area of
research, this may or may not include
the expectation of publications.
It is expected that all written material will
be of an appropriate standard terms of
scientific writing style, language,
punctuation, grammar and logical
presentation of information.
Page 5 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
CONFIRMATION AND MID-CANDIDATURE
REVIEW
Oral work
Timing:
Assessment process:
Accepted formats:
Duration (if considered
appropriate):
Quality expectations:
Timing:
School/Institute expectations for PhD
Approx 12 months after confirmation
(allowing 3 months for re-review if
necessary)
Written work to be submitted to Thesis
Committee (Advisory Team +
Independent Reviewer) two weeks
before interview.
Chair of the Thesis Committee
(Advisory Team + Independent
Reviewer) will provide feedback to
candidate and to the School
PGC/PGAO within two weeks of
interview, and will complete the
Attainment of Milestone form
http://www.uq.edu.au/gradschool/downloads/rhd/milestoneattainment.doc
, attaching
documentation addressing the written
work, the oral presentation, and the
interview component of the Milestone.
A general talk at the UQ Mathematics
Postgraduate Seminars or a formal talk
in a mathematical conference is
acceptable providing the Thesis
Committee attend.
An informal meeting between the
candidate and the Thesis Committee is
also acceptable, using printed slides or
conference poster.
Note: it is the responsibility of the
candidate to ensure that their Thesis
Committee attend either a formal oral
presentation, or to arrange an informal
meeting.
15-20 minutes
Candidate is expected to be prepared to
answer questions on the progress of
their project, to defend their approach, to
provide details of proofs or numerical
calculation and research plan if
requested.
Within 6 months of milestone due date
Page 6 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN
CONFIRMATION AND MID-CANDIDATURE
REVIEW
Interview/Dialogue
Written Feedback
Assessment process:
Participants:
Expected duration:
Quality expectations:
Timing:
Assessment process:
Format:
Timing:
School/Institute expectations for PhD
The independent reviewer on the Thesis
Committee will provide written feedback
to candidate, and a copy to the Thesis
Committee members and to the School
PGAO
Members of the Thesis Committee
20-30 minutes
Candidate is expected to be prepared to
answer questions on the progress of
their project, to defend their approach,
to provide details of proofs or numerical
calculation and research plan if
requested.
Approx one year after confirmation
Thesis Committee will discuss the
candidates performance in interview,
and the Chair will complete the relevant
metrics of the Attainment of Milestone
form on the basis of this discussion
Candidate will receive copy of written
feedback from Chair of Thesis
Committee in response to the
candidates report, draft chapter/paper,
and performance in interview
Within two weeks of Interview with the
Thesis Committee
Page 7 of 10

Milestone 3: Thesis Review
The thesis review:
• enables the school/institute to determine collectively that the thesis should be ready
for assessment by the expected date or determine a new submission date,
• allows any differences of opinion among the candidate and the advisory team about
the readiness of the thesis for assessment to be aired and settled collegially,
• assures the candidate and advisory team of the scope, originality and quality of the
thesis,
• identifies any major concerns that need attention before submission,
• provides a forum for discussing the mix of disciplinary knowledge required among the
thesis assessors to review the breadth of work contained within the thesis, and
• enables the candidate and the advisors to express any reservations or concerns
about having any particular individual act as an assessor.
In addition to matters normally covered by feedback and recommendation documents, the
thesis review feedback attests to the quality and scope of the research, details decisions
reached about the mix of thesis assessors, records reservations about particular individuals,
and states the expected thesis submission date.
WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN MID-
CANDIDATURE REVIEW AND THESIS
REVIEW
Written work Accepted formats:
Quality expectations:
Timing:
Assessment process:
School/Institute expectations for PhD
The candidate will be asked to provide
their Thesis Committee with written work
comprising a thesis title, an outline of
chapters, a thesis abstract, keywords,
and a final draft of at least one chapter
Work must be of assessable standard
Approx 3 months before intended
submission date. Written work to be
submitted to Thesis Committee
(advisory team + independent reviewer)
three weeks before interview.
The Thesis Committee will discuss the
written work presented by the
candidate, and will advise candidate,
Discipline PGC and School PGC on
issues pertaining to the intended
submission of the thesis.
Page 8 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN MID-
CANDIDATURE REVIEW AND THESIS
REVIEW
Oral work Accepted formats:
School/Institute expectations for PhD
An exit talk at the UQ Mathematics
Postgraduate Seminars is acceptable
providing the members of the Thesis
Committee attend.
Interview/Dialogue
Duration (if considered
appropriate):
Quality expectations:
Timing:
Assessment process:
Participants:
Expected duration:
Quality expectations:
Timing:
An informal meeting between the
candidate and the Thesis Committee is
also acceptable, using printed slides or
conference talk notes when the
candidate has given a formal talk at a
mathematical conference.
Note: it is the responsibility of the
candidate to ensure that their Thesis
Committee attend either a formal oral
presentation, or to arrange an informal
meeting.
40 minutes
Delivery should be strong and
professional and content should provide
a clear, concise and logical argument for
the work undertaken.
Within 6 months of intended submission
date of thesis, and before interview with
the Thesis Committee
The independent reviewer on the Thesis
Committee will provide written feedback
to candidate, and a copy to the Thesis
Committee members and to the School
PGAO
Members of the Thesis Committee
Up to 60 minutes
Material presented must be of
assessable standard
Approx 3 months before submission.
Note: it is the responsibility of the
candidate to arrange a date for interview
with their Thesis Committee for thesis
review.
Page 9 of 10

WORK TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN MID-
CANDIDATURE REVIEW AND THESIS
REVIEW
Written Feedback--
-----
Assessment process:
Format:
Timing:
School/Institute expectations for PhD
An interview between Candidature
Committee and candidate will be held to
discuss the material presented for thesis
review. After the interview the
Committee will discuss the candidates
performance in interview, as well as the
written work presented for review, and
the Chair will complete the relevant
metrics of the Attainment of Milestone
form http://www.uq.edu.au/gradschool/downloads/rhd/milestoneattainment.doc
on the basis of this
discussion
Candidate will receive copy of written
feedback from Chair of Thesis
Committee in response to the written,
oral, and interview component of thesis
review.
The Chair of the Thesis Committee will
provide written feedback to candidate
within two weeks of interview with the
Thesis Committee
Page 10 of 10