Responsibilities of Supervisor

As part of his responsibilities, the MTC supervisor should:

  1. Provide appropriate academic support throughout the candidature to enable the candidate to achieve the highest standard of research of which he or she is capable;
  2. Advise the student on methodology, the handling of Scripture, historical and theological data, on logical consistency, lines of investigation and sources of research material. The candidate is entitled to expert advice but should not expect the supervisor to conduct the basic research in their chosen topic area;
  3. Suggest ways that the candidate can make the most effective use of time;
  4. Establish at the beginning the basis on which contact will be made and thereafter maintain close and regular contact (at least twice per semester) with the student. In the case of students resident outside New South Wales, an appropriate co-supervisor located near to the student will be appointed who will maintain close and regular contact (at least twice per semester) with the student. In this situation, it is expected that the principal MTC supervisor will meet with the student at least once per year (within the two months prior to the due date for the Annual Report) to formally review progress, and maintain regular e-mail contact (at least twice per semester) with the student. Normally international students are not accepted for part-time Ph.D.s by distance. A minimum period of full-time residence is required;
  5. Require written work from the student on a pre-arranged and agreed schedule so that progress can be assessed at regular intervals;
  6. Monitor the performance of the student relative to the standard required and draw the student's attention to inadequate progress and work that is below the standard normally required;
  7. Provide the student with timely access for discussion and feedback on written material in accordance with stages agreed with the student;
  8. Provide a written yearly report to the Postgraduate Committee on the student's progress and difficulties and problems discussed with the student, and use this report as the minimum means of satisfying the requirement in par. 5 (above);
  9. Comment on the draft of the thesis, which should be submitted progressively chapter by chapter to supervisor for reading and critique;
  10. At the time of submission, certify that the thesis is properly presented, conforms to the format required by UWS and is therefore, prima facie, worthy of examination. While it is not the supervisor's responsibility to correct the student's grammar, syntax, punctuation and English expression, he is responsible to inform the student if it is not of a sufficient standard for the thesis to be presented;
  11. Ensure that the title of the thesis is accurate;
  12. Provide the candidate with accurate information about any long periods of leave (and retirement) during the course of the candidature and arrange, in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Studies, a suitable co-supervisor to act during any such periods;
  13. Consult with experts in the field and the UWS Principal supervisor concerning possible examiners for the student's thesis in such a manner as to ensure that the examiner is free from bias towards the student while taking care not to jeopardise the integrity and independence of the examination process;
  14. Fulfil all other requirements laid down by the Board of Studies on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Committee from time to time.
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