2010/2011. Research Graduation Projects Guidelines (RGPG) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Qatar University

Transcription

1 Research Graduation Projects Guidelines (RGPG) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Qatar University Qatar University College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

2 Table of Contents Topic Page Introduction 3 Graduation Project procedures 3 Student Responsibilities 4 The Role of the Supervisor 4 The Role of the Chair of the Advisory Committee 5 The Role of the Advisory Committee 6 Appendices: Forms Appendix I: Graduation Project TimeLine 7 Appendix II: Graduation Research Project Proposal 8 Appendix III: Graduation Project Log Sheet 9 10 Graduation Research Project Final Examination Form April 2011 Page 2 of 11

3 Introduction Research Graduation Projects Guidelines (RGPG) The purpose of this handbook is to provide the student, academic supervisor and the Chair of the Advisory Committee with the general guidelines of the undergraduate research graduation project, and the appropriate forms needed. The graduation project in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) represents the culmination of a student s education, skills and experience in his/her major. The project will vary according to the major and sub-disciplines, and will be determined by the student and his/her project supervisor. Projects in humanities, for instance, might be an expanded version of a research seminar paper; projects in technical fields may be a website, a DVD, or other multi-media creation; projects in the sciences might be portfolios of student work and experiments. Whatever the major is, the goal of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is to have every student produce a significant piece of research work in the subject matter of his/her major. This project should demonstrate that the student can think critically and creatively; gather, recognize, and interpret data; solve problems; interpret and communicate findings; and attain understanding and proficiency in the modes of inquiry common to his/her discipline. Graduation Project Procedures The graduation project must be completed in the following order: 1. An initial proposal must be submitted and approved by the supervisor and department (see form attached as Appendix II) 2. Project timeline must be submitted by the student and approved by supervisor (see form attached as Appendix I) 3. Log Sheet including the project activities must be signed and approved by the supervisor (see form attached as Appendix III) 4. Final Thesis/project must be completed and approved by supervisor. 5. Oral presentation/examination must be completed and approved by committee members (see form attached as Appendix IV). April 2011 Page 3 of 11

4 Student Responsibilities Student responsibilities include the following: 1. Agree with supervisor on the topic. 2. The student agrees with the supervisor on the members of the Advisory Committee, whose composition will depend on the topic chosen by student. Final committee membership must be approved by the department/program 3. Develop a written proposal to be approved by the academic supervisor and the Advisory Committee after completion. 4. Keep a daily (weekly) log sheets and maintaining all documentations, tasks, lab books and papers, including all work and activities related to the project. 5. Finalize the graduation project, incorporating the comments and feedback by project supervisor/committee members. 6. Conduct a presentation, and defend your project to your selected committee. The Role of the Supervisor The academic supervisor is an academic faculty member who has experience with the project topic. The main responsibilities of the academic supervisor include, but not limited to the following: 1. Supervisor presents a list of topics to students. 2. Advising and assisting the student in the planning and developing the project. 3. Arranging with the external organizations and agencies for students who are conducting external research if needed and available. 4. Arranging to meet regularly and work with the student on his/her project. April 2011 Page 4 of 11

5 5. Discussing the proposal and hence the project, and the difficulties that the student might be facing during the work. 6. Following the student s progress, and providing the Chair of the Advisory Committee with regular progress reports. For courses that run for 2 semesters, there should be 1 report every 2 months; for 1 semester courses, it should be submitted monthly. However, if the student is not making progress, the Committee, supervisor, student and Chair of the Advisory Committee must meet and decide on a course of action. If the supervisor does not approve the work, it must be reported to the Committee for proper action. 7. Reviewing and signing all required forms related to the project. 8. Provide guidance to the student about the academic research standards, advise them on early coordination with the library for literature reviews, the need for statistics in the final analysis and the problem of plagiarism. 9. Approving and recommending the written proposal thesis document after review, and submitting it to the other members of the Advisory Committee. 10. Providing the Advisory Committee with any changes in the project. The Role of the Chair of Advisory Committee The Chair of the Advisory Committee is responsible for the administration of the project activities such as: 1. Determining specific guidelines, rules, regulations, policies or other specific documents necessary for the graduation project. 2. Updating faculty members who are advising students on forms and procedures. April 2011 Page 5 of 11

6 3. Making recommendations to meet the department graduations project goals and timelines based on an annual assessment, surveys and evaluation of the graduation project program. 4. Arrange for departmental Research Day during which all the students get to present their work. 5. Preparing for the final presentation and project defense and announce the timetable of presentations, invitations and make arrangements for room reservation, etc. 6. Provide final report about the projects. The Role of the Advisory Committee 1. The Advisory Committee should include at least three members, one of whom should be the project supervisor. 2. It is strongly recommended that one of the Advisory Committee members be from outside the department (when applicable). 3. The Advisory Committee members should be familiar with the examination process as well as the research topic. 4. A primary responsibility of the Advisory Committee is to assess the project, prepare assessment reports related to student s work with clear indication if the project has been approved, and if not, what are modification needed. All committee members must sign all official forms associated with completing the research requirements including final examination. 5. Altogether the Committee must meet three times to approve the project, follow up on the progress made and conduct the final examination. 6. Minutes should be taken at the Committee meetings. April 2011 Page 6 of 11

7 Appendices: Forms Research Graduation Projects Guidelines (RGPG) Appendix I: Graduation Project TimeLine Action Suggested Time/ Month Declaration of general topic area Select the topic/ literature review Students submit the Project Proposal Form to the academic supervisor with attached relevant literature citations and proposed method of data analysis. Department s Advisory Committee reviews proposals Student receives proposal approval and begins research project Submit first draft for supervisor review Submit second draft for supervisor review Submit third draft for supervisor review Submit final for supervisor review Final project due (submit final draft for evaluation) Oral presentation and examination defense Student s Signature Date Supervisor s Signature Date April 2011 Page 7 of 11

8 Appendix II: Research Graduation Project Proposal Student s Name: Program Home Phone Graduation Research Project Proposal Student s ID: Department: Cell Phone GPA: Total Hours Earned Academic Supervisor Graduation Term: Project Title: Brief Description Project Information ( on separate sheets of paper ) What is your experience on this topic? What do you plan to use to present your knowledge? List materials and resources that you will need?( Official Use I have discussed this project with the student and it is Approved Disapproved Comments, Suggestions or Concerns: Student s Signature Date Chair of Advisory Committee s Signature Date Supervisor s Signature Date Dept s Chair Date April 2011 Page 8 of 11

9 Appendix III: Graduation Project Log Sheet Student s Name: Academic Supervisor Student s ID: Topic Below, you will keep record of your work on the project. When you meet with your supervisor, provide him/ her with this form. Have him/her sign and date the form returning one copy to you and retaining one copy for their records Date/ Time Spent Description of what you did Resources used Next step in plan Are you keeping up with the timeline that you established? What problems did you face? Student s Signature Date Supervisor s Signature Date April 2011 Page 9 of 11

10 Appendix IV Graduation Research Project Final Examination Form Please print the following information: STUDENT S NAME:. STUDENT ID NUMBER:. MAJOR:.. Department:. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT:.. DATE OF ORAL DEFENSE:. COMMITTEE PARTICIPATING IN ORAL EXAM: SUPERVISOR: COMMITTEE MEMBER 1 Signature of Approval Date COMMITTEE MEMBER 2: Signature of Approval Date COMMENTS: GRADES: ORAL WRITTEN Supervisor s Signature Date April 2011 Page 10 of 11

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