Higher Degrees by Research
Orientation Briefing
By
Dr Koh Chong Lek
Sub-Dean, Higher Degrees (Research)
Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning
5 August 2013
Dr Koh Chong Lek
Sub-Dean
Higher Degrees (Research)
GPL, NIE, NTU
Higher degree students in NIE
Higher degree students in NIE as of August 2013*: 1,793
Masters by Research
Masters by Coursework
MA and MSc
56
MA and MSc
553
M Ed
836
MEA (International)
54
Master of Teaching
23
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
204
Doctor in Education (EdD Dual Award with
the Institute of Education, University of London)
NIE Doctor in Education
15
52
* Includes August 2013 Research & Coursework intakes (as of July 2013)
Outline of the briefing
• Basic info on admin, exam matters
• Student handbook
• Academic progress checklist
• Student-supervisor relationship
• Code of conduct
• Academic/ research integrity
• Ethics clearance
• Approval from DAC, MOE
• Tips
TAC
CeL
SSC Libris
Head
Deputy Head
HDR Coordinator
OAAS
GSO,
NTU
Graduate Studies & Professional Learning
Office of Academic Administration and Services
GPL (Level 3, Block 7)
GPL: Dean
Prof Paul Teng
Associate Dean (HD)
Prof Christine Goh
Sub-Dean [HD (R)]
Dr Koh Chong Lek
• Chang-Tan Wey Ling (Head/GPL Admin & SM)
• Cindi Chiam LH (PM)
• Sharon Low (PM)
• Noor Azizah Bte Mokhtar (SPE)
• Joanne Lee SY (PE)
• Nurhasni Binte Khamis (PE)
Important contacts
Contact point
Matters
Office of Academic
Administration & Services
(OAAS)
masterscourse@nie.edu.sg
Course related:
Course registration
Course withdrawal
Course accreditation/exemption
OAAS
nieadmpp@nie.edu.sg
Student records
Student Services Centre
Blk 3b, NIE Student Hub (Level 1)
General services
IT and Infra Services Hub
 Blk 3b, NIE Student Hub (Level 1)
Computer-related enquires
 6790 3033
 servicedesk@nie.edu.sg
Important contacts
Contact point
GPL Office
6790 3929
 higherdegrees@nie.edu.sg

Supervisor
Course Coordinator
Academic areas
Higher degree academic
matters
Supervision and other
academic issues
Coursework matters
Information sources
Information source
NIE website
Areas


NIE Portal




General NIE matters
General programme
information
Announcements
Student Handbook
Downloadable forms
Updating of your addresses
and phone numbers
Blackboard (GeNIEus,
Information and learning
the e-learning platform in materials for individual
NIE)
courses
Student handbook
Student Handbook on Higher Degree
Programmes by Research
Go to http://www.nie.edu.sg/
Study@NIE (Tab)  NIE Portal 
Guides and Policies  Handbooks 
Graduate Programmes  Student Handbook
(Higher Degree by Research)
Important procedural matters
Leave of Absence
Course Registration
Online Add/Drop & Confirmation/Conversion
Course Deferment
Programme/Course Withdrawal
Extension of Candidature
Examination matters
Grade Point Average (GPA) System
Examples:
Letter grade
A
B
BC+
F
Grade point
5.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
0.00
Examination matters
 Term Grade Point Average (TGPA): an
average of all courses in any term of study
 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA):
an average of all courses up to the time of
calculation of the GPA
Minimum
TGPA/ CGPA:
3.00 (B-) Masters
3.50 (B) PhD
A research student’s progress path
• Fulfill course
requirements
• Submit thesis
for examination
• Pass CF/CV
exercise
• Pass PhD
oral exam
CF = confirmation, CV = conversion
Fulfill course requirements
PhD
Masters by Research

Complete four graduate level
courses with
(i) an overall average
Grade B
(ii) all courses C+ and above

Complete three graduate level
courses with
(i) an overall average
Grade B(ii) all courses C+ and above

Submit an in-depth literature
review

Submit an in-depth literature
review

Achieve minimum CGPA of
3.50 (B)

Achieve minimum CGPA of
3.00 (B-)
Fulfill course requirements
Poor academic performance in coursework
• TGPA below the required grade point:
Academic reminder
• TGPA below the required grade point
for two consecutive terms of study:
Termination
Pass confirmation/conversion exercise
PhD



Submit CF/CV report on
research work within stipulated
timeframe
Student’s progress will be
reviewed for CF/CV of PhD
candidature
Complete and pass the CF/CV
Seminar
Masters by Research



Submit confirmation report on
research work within stipulated
timeframe
Student’s progress will be
reviewed for confirmation of
Masters candidature
Complete and pass the
Confirmation Seminar
Note: If a student fails to pass at any of the above stages,
he/she will have to withdraw from the programme.
CF = confirmation, CV = conversion
Examinations
PhD

Submit thesis for
examination

Oral Examination (Viva) for
PhD
Masters by Research

Submit thesis for
examination
Academic progress
Many important details & deadlines to remember
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Matriculate
Take courses
Read
Do
Prepare annual reports
Prepare CF/CV document
Initiate CF/CV
Give CF/CV seminar
Form TAC
•
•
•
•
Write thesis
Notify thesis submission
Submit thesis/plagiarism check
Revise thesis
•
•
•
•
PhD oral exam
Revise thesis
Bind thesis
Submit thesis
CF = confirmation, CV = conversion
Be proactive & responsible
Important web page
An important web page to look for
information and forms
Go to http://www.nie.edu.sg/
Study@NIE (Tab)  NIE Portal 
Academics  Graduate Programmes
Academic progress checklist
• Please diligently fill up this “Checklist”
throughout your higher degree research
candidature
• Keep a “Record of Meetings/Discussions
with Supervisor & Co-supervisor”
• Initial Target Setting Report for New
Masters/PhD Student – please complete &
submit it to GPL within ONE MONTH of registration
Student-supervisor (co-supervisor) relationship
• Supervisor, mentor, friend
• A lengthy personal & professional relationship
• Includes











selecting a research topic
planning the research
identifying and acquiring the necessary resources
managing the project
actively conducting the research
carrying out the literature review
analysing and interpreting data
writing the thesis
defending it
publication of the thesis
writing a reference letter, helping to find a position
Student-supervisor (co-supervisor) relationship
• Supervisor, mentor, friend
• A lengthy personal & professional relationship
Independence
TAC
PhD – Thesis Advisory Committee
• To provide critical guidance to PhD
students during their candidature
at NTU
• To monitor student progress and
provide timely advice for every
PhD student
HDR students’ personal code of conduct
Excellence
Quality
Academic
/Researc
h
Integrity
Academic integrity/dishonesty
Plagiarism
• Submission of the work of another person as
your own or reproduction of ideas or statements
of another person without acknowledgement
Collusion
• Copying another student’s work with or without
their knowledge
Complicity
• Allowing another student to practise collusion
SelfPlagiarism
• Also known as “double dipping” - submitting a
whole paper previously submitted to satisfy the
requirements for another course or a substantial
portion of it to fulfill a course requirement.
Academic integrity/dishonesty
Academic dishonesty
Do not commit acts of academic dishonesty.
Such acts constitute serious academic misconduct.
You will be subject to strong disciplinary actions.
NIE Portal → Academics → Graduate Programmes →
NIE Academic Integrity Framework
• NIE Academic Integrity Framework
• E-briefing on Plagiarism and Referencing
Ethics clearance
• If research involves human subjects, must apply for
ethics review & approval from NTU IRB
• Must NOT start data-collection before given ethics
clearance
• Plan and apply for ethics clearance early!
(Discuss this with your supervisor)
• NTU IRB (Institutional Review Board) guidelines and
forms available on the IRB website:
http://research.ntu.edu.sg/GuidelinesnForms/Pages/default.aspx
*Requires log in
Approval from DAC, MOE
• To collect data from schools, must apply for
approval from Data Administration Centre,
MOE
• Plan and apply for approval early!
(Discuss this with your supervisor)
HWG702
• HWG702 University Teaching for Teaching
Assistants
• Full-time PhD students required to take up
and pass HWG702 before confirmation
(Those with relevant teaching experience
may apply for exemption)
Tips for succeeding as an HDR
1 Plan ahead, manage your time and keep
records
2 Take responsibility for your own learning and
progress, and manage flagging
3 Ask those close to you for support and
approach them for help when necessary
4 Familiarise yourself with important procedures
5 Interact with your supervisor and understand
each other’s expectations
Tips for succeeding as an HDR
6 Co-operate with other students for mutual help
and support
7 Take responsibility for your own learning and
progress, and manage flagging
8 Develop skills for creative and critical thinking
9 Develop good academic writing, discussion and
presentation skills
10 Make good use of resources from the Library
and Information Services in NIE
Recognizing research by HDR students
Dean’s Commendation for Research
Recognizes excellence in research
amongst NIE HDR students
Nomination: a publication based on your
approved research in NIE
(in an international refereed journal or
a refereed chapter in the book of a leading
international publisher)
Briefings/Talks
GPL’s talks/briefings
NIE Graduate Student Day
PhD oral examination
Please attend
Interact
MA
MSc
PhD
http://convocation.ntu.edu.sg/InformationforGraduates/Pages/ColourofHoods.aspx