Higher Degree Committee
TOR 03
[1] Purpose
Higher Degrees Committee (HDC), Faculty of Science, is a standing committee of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Science, responsible for oversight of research and academic matters related to postgraduate degree programmes.
[2] Committee Composition and meetings
A. Membership
I. Dean (Chairperson of the Committee): Prof. DUJ Sonnadara
II. Director, Postgraduate Studies: Prof MR Wijesinghe
III. Heads of the Departments
- Prof.DD Wickremasinghe – Zoology & Environment Sciences
- Prof. KMN de Silva – Chemistry
- Prof. KPSC Jayaratne – Physics
- Dr. CD Thilakaratne – Statistics
- Dr. MR Lamabadusuriya – Nuclear Sciences
- Dr. SSN Perera – Mathematics
- Dr. CM Nanayakkara – Plant Sciences
IV. 2nd member from each Departments (senior lecturer or above)
- Prof. WRM de Silva – Chemistry
- Dr. Dilushan Jayasundara – Physics
- Dr. DR Jayewardena – Mathematics
- Dr. HIU Caldera – Plant Sciences
- Dr. JHDSP Tissera – Statistics
- Dr. G Galhena – Zoology & Environment Science
- Dr. J Jeyasugiththan – Nuclear Science
V. Coordinators of postgraduate programmes (Postgraduate diploma, M.Sc)
- Dr. KGSU Ariyawansa – MSc in Agricultural Microbiology
- Dr. LHR Perera – MSc in Analytical Chemistry
- Dr HIC De Silva – MSc in Applied Organic Chemistry
- Dr. KGDAD Tillekaratne – MSc in Chemistry Education
- Dr. CJ Wijeratne – MSc in Mathematics Education
- Dr. JK Wijerathna – MSc in Financial Mathematics
- Dr. MK Jayananda – MSc in Applied Electronics
- Dr. HHE Jayaweera – MSc in Applied Electronics
- Dr. RV Coorey – MSc in Physics Education
- Dr. JHDSP Tissera – MSc in Applied Statistics
- Dr. SD Viswakula – MSc in Applied Statistics
- Dr. GP Lakraj – MSc in Applied Statistics
- Dr. AA Sunethra – MSc in Applied Statistics
- Dr. RV Jayathilaka – MSc in Applied Statistics
- Dr. MDT Attygalle – MSc in Actuarial Science
- Dr. EYK Lokupitiya – PG Dip in Climate Change & Env Mgt
- Dr. D Halwathura – MSc in Environmental Science
- Dr. MR Lamabadusuriya – MSc in Nuclear Science
- Dr. J Jeyasugiththan – MSc in Medical Physic
- Mr. ERAD Bandara – MSc in Applied Statistics
VI. Senior Assistant Registrar: Mrs. TDD Pathiranage
VII. Senior Assistant Bursar: Ms. PLC Fernando
B. Meeting Schedule
The Committee shall meet once a month (generally the last Tuesday of each month)
C. Quorum
Quorum shall be 50% of the membership
D. Convener
AR/ SAR/ DR/ Faculty of Science
E. Meeting Minutes
Recorded and maintained by AR/ SAR/ DR/ Faculty of Science
F. Reporting
Chairperson/ Postgraduate Director
[3] Degree Programmes Covered
Category 01: Postgraduate Diploma/ MSc degrees
Category 02: MPhil / PhD degrees
[4] Duties and Responsibilities of the Higher Degree committee
4.1 Reviews/ revises postgraduate By-Laws, guidelines
MSc / PG Diploma Programmes
4.2 Recommendation of MSc/ PG course curricula and syllabi to the Faculty Board for approval
4.3 Appoints Coordinators for MSc / PG Diploma programmes
4.4 Appoints MSc/PG Diploma candidate selection panels
4.5 Approves selection of candidates for MSc / PG Diploma programmes and recommend for registration.
4.6 Approves M.Sc. research proposals
4.7 Appoints examiners for MSc / PG Diploma programmes
4.8 Reviews progress of MSc / PG Diploma programmes
4.9 Addresses requests related to MSc/PG Diploma programmes from coordinators, Heads of departments, examiners, supervisors and students
MPhil / PhD Programmes
4.10 Approves the MPhil/PhD research proposals and recommends for registration
4.11 Appoints examiners for MPhil/ PhD research projects
4.12 Reviews progress of MPhil and upgrades to PhD programmes
4.13 Reviews progress PhD degrees programmes.
4.14 Addresses requests related to MPhil/PhD programmes from coordinators, Heads of departments, examiners, supervisors and students
University Research Grants
4.15 Recommends progress/ final reports to the University Research and Development Committee
In addition, the HDC addresses any other aspects related to PG Programmes and candidates
Director Postgraduate programmes
- Overseeing the Post Graduate programmes of the Faculty to ensure smooth functioning
- Conducting meetings with MSc coordinators
- Participating in HDC meetings
- Identifying and reporting on matters concerning PG studies at the HDC
- Prepare and revise By-Laws and guidelines pertaining to all PG programmes with necessary feedback from coordinators and HDC and take necessary steps to obtain approval
- Attending Research Committee meetings of the Faculty
- Attending workshops / meetings on matters relating to research or other PG activities
- Dealing with any issues / queries raised by stakeholders (students /supervisors/ coordinators/ examiners) the PG programmes
- Attending PhD and MPhil viva-voce examinations
- Coordinating the compilation and revision of the PG prospectus
- Participating in the Quality Assurance Committee meetings
- Liaise with Quality Assurance Cell on matters pertaining to QA, Programme Review/ Institutional review if required
Coordinators of Postgraduate Programmes
Coordinators in consultation with the Head of the Department shall be responsible for following:
- Liaise with Quality Assurance Cell on matters pertaining to QA, Programme Review/ Institutional review if required
- Preparing the budget of the respective PG programme and obtaining approval from the Finance Committee of the university prior to the commencement of the programme.
- Requesting the Registrar of the university to call for applications in liaison with the Academic & Publications Branch of the university.
- Obtain approval from HDC for the selection panel for prospective candidates
- Facilitating and conducting the selection process
- Preparing the final list of selected candidates for obtaining approval from the HDC.
- Obtaining approval for the final budget from the Finance Committee.
Part I
- Preparing the lecture/ practical schedule for the programme
- Identifying relevant academic staff (including visiting staff) and making arrangements to appointing them through Head/ Dean and the Vice Chancellor.
- Identifying relevant examiners (internal and external) and obtaining approval from HDC
- Where required, identifying examiners (internal and external) for thesis/report and obtaining approval from HDC
- Informing AR/ SAR/ DR– Examinations through the Head and the Dean of the scheduled dates and arranging for examinations to be held
- Coordinating the process of setting, moderating of the examination papers
- Arranging for the supervision of examinations
- Coordinating the process of first and second marking of the examination papers
- Submission of soft and hard copies of results sheets to AR/ SAR/ DR Examinations branch
- Participating in the Examination Board meetings
- Informing students of their performance and the eligibility to proceed to Part II of the MSc
Part II
- Assigning supervisors for Part II
- Informing the students/supervisors of the deadlines for submission of thesis/report etc.
- Arranging for project proposal presentation for approval at the department
- Periodically monitoring progress of students (till the lapse of the registration period)
- Identifying relevant examiners (internal and external) for evaluation of thesis / report etc. and obtaining approval from HDC
- Making arrangement for evaluation of thesis / report etc. including viva / presentation
- Preparing the final mark sheet and sending to DR/ SAR/ AR – Examinations
- Informing students of their performance and the eligibility to proceed to Part III of the MSc
Part III
- Assigning supervisors for Part III and obtaining approval from the HDC
- Informing the students/supervisors of the deadlines for submission of thesis
- Arranging for project proposal presentation for approval at the department
- Periodically monitoring progress of students (till the lapse of the registration period)
- Identifying relevant examiners (internal and external) for evaluation of thesis and obtaining approval from HDC
- Making arrangement for evaluation of thesis including viva / presentation
- Preparing the final mark sheet and sending to DR/ SAR/ AR – Examinations
- Attending HDC meetings
- Forwarding any requests of students to the HDC through the Head