Computing Science/IT Thesis (COSC593)

Enrolment

Candidates should download the COSC593 Approval for Enrolment Form which must be completed and submitted to the school for approval. Candidates must consult their supervisor before enrolling for this unit.

Thesis Examination

Before submitting the completed Recommendation of Examiners Form, the Head of School must first discuss a field of potential examiners (a minimum of three) with the principal supervisor. The examiners may be internal or external to UNE and the Head of School makes the final selection.

It is the responsibility of the School to ascertain whether potential examiners not including the third examiner, are willing and able to examine, and their agreement to examine must be clearly stated on the recommendation to the Head of School.

A person should not be nominated as an examiner if they:

• have had any involvement in the student''s research, including supervision of the candidate in field or laboratory work or elsewhere during candidature;
• are a close associate (spouse/partner, other relative, friend or business partner) of either the candidate or the supervisor of the candidate.

A conflict of interest needs to be declared if an examiner:

• has been a student under supervision of the supervisor either at UNE or elsewhere
• has co-published or co-edited or conducted any research with the candidate
• has co-published or co-edited with any member of the supervision panel in the last 5 years
• has worked in the same department within an institution as the candidate
• has been used as a reviewer/examiner for a previous qualification of the candidate
• has had any other working or supervisor relationship with the candidate or supervisor that could be perceived as a conflict of interest. Refer to Conflicts of Interest Policy for guidance.

Any likely conflict of interest must be declared on the Recommendation of Examiners Form.  The existence of a conflict of interest does not automatically preclude a nominee being approved as a thesis examiner.  When considering a nominee, the Head of School looks at the nature and severity of any conflict(s) of interest.

Note: Where an impasse is reached during either primary examination or re-examination after revision, it is possible that the Reserve Examiner may be activated for the purpose of adjudication.

On the recommendation of the supervisor or supervisors, the School Education Committee will appoint two examiners. Examiners will be sent the relevant degree information.

The examiners of the thesis will be make recommendations on a grade and mark in accordance with the University Assessment Policy. Students will not be required to make subsequent changes or corrections to the examined thesis but the examiners' reports will be provided to the students as feedback.

In the case where the examiners' mark differ by greater than 10%, examiners may consult with each other to reach a closer agreement, prior to a third examiner being sought. Should a third examiner be appointed, then independent of the two examiners, the thesis will be examined. The Committee will meet to consider all reports and determine the final mark and grade.