Master of Veterinary Science: Submission of a Collection of Papers ...

Master of Veterinary ScienceSubmission of a Collection of Papers for ExaminationCourse OverviewApplicants who have completed approved scientificresearch while not enrolled in a MVSc at the Universitymay apply for a Master of Veterinary Science degree.The award of the MVSc will depend upon the quality andoriginality of the work submitted for examination.FormatCandidates submitting a collection of papers (eitherpublished or unpublished), need to include a generalintroduction, a literature survey, a general discussion,and a summary.EligibilityCandidates submitting a collection of papers must beeither Bachelor of Veterinary Science (or equivalent)graduates of the University of Melbourne with a minimumof four years since graduating from their BVSc degreeand/or applicants who have a substantial connection withthe University of Melbourne and can provide documentedevidence such as research publications while anemployee of the University of Melbourne.Application ProceduresApplicants who satisfy the criteria outlined above mustgain the support of the Faculty before they will beenrolled in the course. The Melbourne School ofGraduate Research assumes responsibility for organisingthe examination of the applicant‟s collection of papers.The Faculty does not provide resources and/orsupervision for the applicant. MVSc applicants completethe standard MVSc application form available from theFaculty of Veterinary Science website:Enrolment ProcedureAfter receiving a letter of offer candidates are required toenroll online as per the instructions in the letter and willbe issued with an invoice for $2,500.Submission ProcedureA Submission of Thesis: Statement by Candidate,Supervisor and Chair of Examiners form will accompanyyour letter of offer. The Chair of Examiners (who isnormally the Associate Dean (Research & ResearchTraining) will be required to complete the Supervisor‟ssection. Please bring the completed form with you toMSGR when you submit three copies of your collection ofpapers.The examiners of the collection of papers will benominated by your Chair of Examiners. The examinationwill be conducted using the same procedures for a MVScas outlined in the Masters by Research GuidelinesHandbook: http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/current/masters/generichbk/ .Frequently Asked Questions1. Over what time span are papers able to beincluded?There is no time limit.2. Is it only journal articles, or abstracts or chaptersin books?Abstracts do not have research content and bookchapters may only be included if they contain youroriginal research.3. Do the papers need to be all from the candidate asfirst author?No, but the preface should make clear what thecandidate's role was in joint papers and the contributionof others.4. How many papers are enough?This is a matter of judgment but must be an equivalentamount of work to a standard MVSc.5. Is it possible to see an example of a MVSc Thesisawarded by this manner?MVSc degrees submitted via collection of papers are notrecorded uniquely as such.All MVSc theses submitted to the University are sent tothe Baillieu Library on the Parkville Campus and theVeterinary Science branch library also keeps a copy so

prospective students may contact either to arrange accessto these collections.6. What happens next in terms of my application?The Faculty of Veterinary Science suggests thatcandidates first check that all the above conditions are metprior to lodging an application for an MVSc.7. Has the MVSc Collection of Papers always beenknown as this?A candidate submitting a collection of papers (eitherpublished or unpublished) was previously known as a nonattendingcandidate or the work an “over the counter”thesis.8. How long will the examination take?It will usually take a minimum of five months for theexamination which includes time for the department tonominate suitable examiners. A result will be sent to thecandidate once all reports have been received andconsidered by the Chair of Examiners.9. There is a literature survey included with each ofmy papers. Do I need to do an additional literaturesurvey?Yes. The idea of the literature survey is to put the wholethesis in context in the field. The introductions of papersare brief and are not exhaustive of the literature. Theliterature survey and the general discussion shouldencompass the literature, both historical and current.10. In what form should I submit my Collection ofPapers?It is expected that the Collection of Papers be bound andformatted according to the requirements for the MVScthesis as outlined in the „Thesis‟ section of the Masters byResearch Guidelines: http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/current/masters/generichbk/thesis.html.11. What recommendations are made available toexaminers of a Collection of Papers?Examiners will be asked to record a recommendation ofeither a pass, or pass with minor amendments, or fail.References The Masters by Research Guidelines are available fromthe MSGR website: http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/current/masters/generichbk/ A list of bookbinders is available from the MelbourneSchool of Graduate Research or the Graduate StudentAssociation.Melbourne School of Veterinary Scienceph: (03) 8344 0357 fax: (03) 8344 7374Authorised by the Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science. Published by the Melbourne School of Graduate ResearchCopyright, The University of Melbourne CRICOS CODE: 00116kThe information in this publication was correct at the time of printing. The University reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.Last updated: 22 March 2011