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Domestic Students

Former or current students apply to study on or off campus directly to UNE using the postgraduate admission form.

1. Admission to Candidature
An applicant for admission to candidature for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture shall:

(a) have fulfilled all of the requirements for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture in the University; or

(b) have fulfilled all of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma in Rural Science; or

(c) have fulfilled all the requirements for some other qualification approved by the school as equivalent to that specified in Rule 1..(a).

(d) A candidate who has been recommended by the school for award of the Graduate Diploma in Rural Science may be permitted to transfer to candidature for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture.

(e) A candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Rural Science who has completed units counting at least 24 credit points and who has satisfactory academic record may be permitted to transfer to candidature for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture.

2. Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Agriculture
2.1. Each candidate shall complete a course of study approved by the school and pass such examinations as shall be prescribed.

2.2. (a) The course of study shall comprise the completion of units with a total value of at least 72 credit points including graduate-level units with a value of at least 48 credit points, including RUSC 695.

(b) All units for the degree must be at 300 level or higher.

(c) The unit RUSC 695 involves a research project and thesis. The project topic must be approved in advance by the Postgraduate Course Coordinator on the recommendation of the head of school, who will also appoint a supervisor for the project. The project may take the form of a design or a field or laboratory investigation or other research.

2.3. The prescribed course of study may be reduced by up to 24 credit points for candidates who have transferred to candidature in terms of Rule 1.(d).

2.4. Depending upon the candidate’s academic and professional background and the nature of the research project, the school may permit the candidate to undertake part or all of the project away from the University.

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3. Period of Candidature
The requirements for the degree shall be completed over a period of not more than two years in the case of full-time candidates or over a period of not more than five years in the case of part-time candidates except that:

(a) where the prescribed course of study has been reduced in terms of Rule 1.(e) the period of candidature may be reduced by up to one semester for full-time candidates or by up to five semesters for part-time candidates;

(b)  in exceptional circumstances and on the recommendation of the candidate’s supervisor, the period of candidature may be extended.

4. Advanced Standing
The maximum advanced standing shall be for units counting 24 credit points which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by University and approved for course comprising:

• 24 credit points for units completed towards an awarded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a relevant area offered by the University; or
• 24 credit points for units completed from another institution and not counted towards an awarded qualifications; or
• 12 credit points for units completed towards an awarded qualification from another University; and
• 6 credit points on the basis of considerable professional experience

Advanced standing shall not be awarded for NR695

5. Supervisor’s Reports
The supervisor shall report to the school on the progress of the candidate’s work after two semesters from the date of enrolment and at any other time considered expedient.

6. Presentation of Thesis
6.1. The thesis shall be written concisely in English and, except with the special permission of the school in exceptional circumstances, shall not exceed 20 000 words, exclusive of tables, plates, figures and appendices. A successful thesis shall show capacity on the part of the candidate for independence of thought and critical evaluation of the candidate’s own and published work in his or her field of study. The candidate shall state generally in the preface and specifically throughout the thesis the source of his or her information and the extent to which he or she has used the work of others. The candidate may not present as the thesis any work that has been the basis of the award of a degree of this University or other institution but is not precluded from incorporating such work in the thesis provided that, in presenting the thesis, the candidate indicates the part of the work that has been so incorporated.

6.2. The candidate shall submit to the Student Centre two copies of the thesis bound in a form approved by the school. The candidate shall submit with the thesis a statement from his or her supervisor certifying that the thesis is in a form suitable for examination.

7. Examination of the Thesis

7.1 On the recommendation of the supervisor or supervisors, the school Teaching and Learning Committee will appoint two examiners, at least one will be external to the University.  Examiners will be sent the relevant degree information.

7.2 The examiners’ reports on the thesis will be considered by the committee which will recommend:

1. the NR695 be awarded an SR (Satisfied Requirements); or
2. that NR695 be awarded an SR subject to the candidate making amendments to the thesis as specified by the examiners and to the satisfaction of the supervisor(s); or
3. that NR695 be failed (N).

7.3 Before making a recommendation in terms of 2. above, the committee may:

1. request the examiners to consult and report to the committee; or
2. permit the candidate to revise the thesis for re-examination if, in the opinion of the committee, the work is of sufficient merit to warrant this concession.

7.4 A candidate permitted to revise the thesis in terms of 7.3(1) will do so within a period of time and under conditions determined by the committee. A candidate who has revised a thesis in terms of 7.3(2) and who fails the re-examination will not be eligible for further examination.

8. Exit Pathways

On completion of 24 credit points, exit with Graduate Certificate in Rural Science. On completion of 48 credit points, exit with Graduate Diploma in Rural Science or the Master of Agriculture