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Postgraduate Admission requirements for the Postgraduate programmes in the Department of Environmental Sciences 2017 intake Department Qualification Contact details for the Department of Environmental Sciences Curriculum: Purpose of Research Proposal Modules: DPENV00 Application dates Admission requirements for the DPENV00 Department of Environmental Sciences PhD: Environmental Sciences (Qualification code: 98009) Further contact: Prof M Tekere, Postgraduate coordinator for the PhD Environmental Sciences program Tel: +27 11 471 2270 E-mail: [email protected] A research proposal module (DPENV00) and a thesis (TFENS01). Students are required to first register and comply with the requirements for the research proposal module before registration for the thesis will be allowed. The purpose of this module is for students to gain the knowledge and skills required to execute a research project that falls within the scope of the research groups particular to Environmental Sciences (see key focus areas further on in document). The learner accredited with this module will be able to: Identify a research problem. Formulate the problem, research questions and/or set appropriate hypothesis. Set well defined research objectives. Compile a literature review. Present a suitable methodology and data analysis for the research project. Identify the contribution the research will make to the Body of Knowledge. Draft a research proposal that addresses all of the above. Students interested in the PhD in Environmental Science program need to apply during the bulk application dates of Unisa. An appropriate Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, or Physical Sciences or a related field. 1 and TFENS01 modules International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees. In the case of a course work Master's Degree the applicant must submit a PDF version of their research project that formed part of such a degree. In addition to the above requirements, ALL applicants must submit a 5 page concept document (PDF) describing their intended research. An approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity in the discipline or department will be implemented. Students, who are awaiting Masters dissertation examination results, must still submit applications by the due date. Applications will be considered once results become available. Selection criteria Students will be accepted on the following criteria: 1. A score of at least 60%. 2. Suitability and viability of the intended research as presented by the student. 3. English writing skills as reflected in the submitted documentation. 4. The supervision capacity within the specific research group. 5. The full academic record will be evaluated and ranked (aspects that will be taken into account with the ranking is the number of supplementary opportunities a candidate has used to obtain the graduate degree; the percentages obtained for other modules in the graduate degree; the number of times a student repeated a module; the length of time the student took to complete the graduate degree. 6. Should it be determined that more students from a specific group are registering for the qualification, the correction of this bias will be included in the ranking criteria for admission. 7. All students from outside the borders of South Africa will only be considered if their application is accompanied by the name and curriculum vitae of a possible supervisor located in the country in which the research is to be undertaken. 8. Due to the gender bias of the present cohort of students, preference 2 Selection procedure Procedures for unsuccessful applications Documents to support application Assessment mode for DFENV00 Assessment criteria for Research proposal will be given to female applicants during the selection process. 9. Due to the racial bias of the present cohort of students, preference will be given to South African Indian, Coloured and Black applicants, followed by South African White applicants and lastly foreign nationals during the selection process. Apply online for a student number and appropriate qualification. Application should reach the student admission office no later than 15 November 2016. The application will be forwarded to the Department of Environmental Sciences for consideration. A selection committee will complete the review process of the application by 31 January 2017 In cases where clarity is required on the application the research field/theme leader may consider requesting an interview (telephonic or in person) with the candidate. Applications of selected candidates will be submitted to the College Research Innovation and Higher Degrees committee for final approval. Successful candidates will be notified by 15 February 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. Successful applicants must formally register by 15 March 2017. Candidates who were not successful may apply to the COD of the Department for the reasons for rejection of the application. A further appeal may be submitted through the appropriate Unisa procedures A Candidate will be requested to provide the following documentation: An updated CV. A five page research concept document within the scope of the research group. Full academic record. The research concept document will be assessed through the use of an assessment rubric. The assessment is based on the vetting of each research concept document within the Department of Environmental Sciences. The vetting committee consist of two appropriate internal departmental experts of which one should at least be familiar with the field of research. The vetted concept document is then discussed at a Departmental Vetting committee meeting which consists of staff members who are conform to the following criteria: senior staff members and/or may have NRF rating 3 and/or are supervisors or co-supervisors of students and/or have examined research proposals before and/or have been requested to do act as an external examiner for other universities. Assessment criteria for Research Concept Document for PhD in Environmental Sciences Admission Form2017.pdf Final Research Proposal Assessment criteria.doc Mode of delivery of DFENV00 Mode of supervision for DFENV00 External supervision New intake for 2016 Online delivery will be followed through means of study units on myUnisa, discussion forums and the submission of two assignments on myUnisa related to the research proposal. Contact sessions may be organised by the post graduate programme coordinator for all masters and doctoral students in the Department of Environmental Sciences. A seminar may also be organised for the presentation of completed research proposals which may be delivered through video conferencing or on the Florida campus. Supervision may be delivered in different modes depending on the requirement of the supervisor and study design. One-on-one contact sessions may be required which can be delivered through video conferencing for students in remote areas or through personal visits to the supervisor. Should the need arise to include an external supervisor, the decision will be made based on the expertise or assistance required from an external supervisor on a particular part of the project. This will only be implemented if the internal capacity of supervision cannot support the requirement of the research project. Students undertaking research outside the borders of South Africa must be allocated an external supervisor/ co-supervisor that is knowledgeable, or resides in the area in which the research is undertaken. Students are welcome to identify possible external supervisors, however, the selection and appointment of these external supervisors remains the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Science. Enrolment plan 2017 Two (2) new students can be accommodated in the PhD Environmental Sciences program for 2017. The number of students will be accommodated in two of the 4 Motivation for intake Appeals for Doctoral degree admission research themes indicated in the columns below. The Department is not obliged to accept all applicants that apply. Applicants will be approved on the basis of the submitted research concept document. The Doctorate in Environmental Sciences programme will continue a selected intake in each year. Currently there are two Environmental Scientists with doctoral degrees who will continue with the bulk of D supervision. Appeals will only be directed to the College if the enrolment target of the particular qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available. MandD CAES Appealsform2017.docx Key Focus Areas for Doctoral Candidates in Environmental Science for 2017 PhD level capacity Capacity for each Possible supervisor research project Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, PhD 2 Prof M Tekere and pollution remediation Tel: 011 471 2270 E-mail: [email protected] Focus Areas 5