PhD regulations

Regulation 5a (ii) of The University of Auckland’s Statute for the PhD degree requires that during provisional registration, a candidate must:

"complete a fully developed research proposal, including a provisional thesis title, a schedule of research, an outline of thesis structure and a statement of the resources required to complete the research. The research proposal should be submitted for approval to the appropriate postgraduate committee of the Department and/or Faculty in which the candidate is registered. The committee may accept the proposal, or indicate changes needed to the candidate and supervisor(s) and request a resubmission, or it may decline to accept the proposal. It will inform the Head of Department of its decision."

In addition to The University of Auckland regulations regarding the annual reviews of PhD students, from 2011 on the Department of Mathematics requires that:

1. Every PhD student will have an Advisory Committee consisting of

a. Supervisor
b. Co‐Supervisor
c. Two others, who might be internal or external to the Department. The people will be chosen by the Supervisor and approved by the HOD.

2. At the end of the first year the student must:

a. Present a significant piece of written work to the advisory committee.

b. Present a formal seminar attended by the advisory committee.

c. Have an oral examination, up to one hour in length, conducted by the advisory committee. In the written work, seminar and oral examination, the student must show that they:

i. Understand the problem under investigation.
ii. Understand how the thesis will develop over the next 2 years.
iii. Understand other work in the field.

3. At the end of the second year the student must:

a. Present a substantial piece of written work to the advisory committee.

b. Have a PhD Review meeting, up to one hour in length, with the advisory committee.

c. In the written work and PhD Review Meeting, show that they:

i. Understand the problem under investigation.
ii. Understand other work in the field.
iii. Are able to explain clearly how their contribution in the previous two years, and the expected work in the next year, is original research and contributes in an original way to the field.

 4. Each year the advisory committee will recommend (to the HoD):

a. Confirmation, or

b. Deferral of confirmation, or

c. Suspension, or

d. Discontinuation. This requires a majority decision of the Advisory Committee.

The Department of Mathematics has a very dynamic programme of seminars, workshops and colloquium talks. PhD students are required to attend the seminars in at least the area of their PhD thesis research. Departmental Colloquia attendance is also compulsory.