Students must take a PhD Qualifying Examination (PQE) to assess their fitness to progress to the PhD degree not later than 24 months from the time of registration / enrolment. There must be at least 2 TAC meetings before a student is allowed to attempt a PQE.
Guidelines, Requirements and Policies:
| Area |
Guidelines / Requirements / Policies |
| Timeline / Deadline to take PQE |
PQE can be attempted after 18 months in the programme (with 16 MC of coursework fulfilled) and should be cleared by the 24th month.
Maximum allowable attempt for PQE: Twice.
If a student fails the 2nd attempt, his/her research scholarship and candidature will be terminated. |
Examination format / documents for submission
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1. A detailed written report of up to 30 pages prefaced by a 1-paged abstract, which includes tables, figures, references etc.
The report* should describe:
- The general field of study, and the specific focus.
- A comprehensive literature review.
- Preliminary results.
- Development of a rationale and/or research plan; experimental design.
- Expected final outcome.
Note:
- The report should be presented with 1.5 line spacing, Times New Roman, font size 12.
* Primary focus of the report should emphasize on the student's research work. The above are intended to be general guidelines. Supervisors are responsible for guiding their students on the format and scientific / technical content of the detailed written report.
2. An oral presentation (which incldues an oral defence).
3. Copies of any manuscript(s) submitted, accepted or published.
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| Coursework and CAP |
Coursework: Completed at least 16 MCs, AND
CAP: minimum CAP of 3.80.
Note: Prior to taking PQE, student should not do more than 8 MCs per semester.
Student with low CAP (between 3.50 to 3.79) but with a good first authored publication may apply to NGS for consideration to take his/her PQE. NGS will consider each appeal on a case-by-case basis. Student who is allowed to take his/her PQE will still be subject to the stipulated reduction of research scholarship and suspension of educational allowances (even if he/she has passed the PQE, which is considered as a provisional pass) until his/her CAP recovers to 3.80). |
Penalty:
Student who do not complete his/her PQE by the 24th month.
Student who does not complete his/her PQE by the 24th month AND CAP is below 3.50. |
1. Monthly research scholarship (RS) stipend will be reduced by S$500.
2. Educational allowances will be suspended.
Note: NGS will only reinstate both the RS and EA after the students has completed and passed the PQE.
1. RS and candidature will be terminated. |
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Procedures:
| Student |
To complete PhD Qualifying Examination Form (Section A) and submits to his main supervisor and TAC members with the following documents BEFORE the oral examination.
1. A detailed written report of up to 30 pages prefaced by a 1-paged abstract, which includes tables, figures, references etc.
The report* should describe:
- The general field of study, and the specific focus.
- A comprehensive literature review.
- Preliminary results.
- Development of a rationale and/or research plan; experimental design.
- Expected final outcome.
Note:
- The report should be presented with 1.5 line spacing, Times New Roman, font size 12.
* Primary focus of the report should emphasize on the student's research work. The above are intended to be general guidelines. Supervisors are responsible for guiding their students on the format and scientific / technical content of the detailed written report.
2. Copies of any manuscript(s) submitted, accepted or published.
|
| Student |
To schedule a suitable date and time for examination (oral presentation and oral defence) with supervisor and TAC members.
Note:
- Date and venue may be decided upon by the student, supervisor and TAC members.
- NGS does not need to be involved.
|
| TAC/Supervisor |
To conduct the examination and recommend continuation / termination of candidature of the student. Reason(s) for recommending continuation/terminating of candidature must be provided in the form.
To forward the completed PhD Qualifying Examination Form to the NGS office no later than 1 week from the date of examination.
Note: Student may submit the required documents to NGS, on behalf of the TAC members. But it should be in a sealed envelope so that the student does not have access to the content of the PQE Examination Form.
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| NGS |
Reviews the comments and approves / disapproves continuation of student's candidature.
Student and TAC members will be notified through email on the outcome of the examination.
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