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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

  1. Overseeing the Post Graduate programmes of the Faculty to ensure smooth functioning
  2. Conducting meetings with MSc coordinators
  3. Participating in HDC meetings
  4. Identifying and reporting on matters concerning PG studies at the HDC
  5. 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
  6. Attending Research Committee meetings of the Faculty
  7. Attending workshops / meetings on matters relating to research or other PG activities
  8. Dealing with any issues / queries raised by stakeholders (students /supervisors/ coordinators/ examiners) the PG programmes
  9. Attending PhD and MPhil viva-voce examinations
  10. Coordinating the compilation and revision of the PG prospectus
  11. Participating in the Quality Assurance Committee meetings
  12. 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:

  1. Liaise with Quality Assurance Cell on matters pertaining to QA, Programme Review/ Institutional review if required
  2. 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.
  3. Requesting the Registrar of the university to call for applications in liaison with the Academic & Publications Branch of the university.
  4. Obtain approval from HDC for the selection panel for prospective candidates
  5. Facilitating and conducting the selection process
  6. Preparing the final list of selected candidates for obtaining approval from the HDC.
  7. Obtaining approval for the final budget from the Finance Committee.

Part I

  1. Preparing the lecture/ practical schedule for the programme
  2. Identifying relevant academic staff (including visiting staff) and making arrangements to appointing them through Head/ Dean and the Vice Chancellor.
  3. Identifying relevant examiners (internal and external) and obtaining approval from HDC
  4. Where required, identifying examiners (internal and external) for thesis/report and obtaining approval from HDC
  5. Informing AR/ SAR/ DR– Examinations through the Head and the Dean of the scheduled dates and arranging for examinations to be held
  6. Coordinating the process of setting, moderating of the examination papers
  7. Arranging for the supervision of examinations
  8. Coordinating the process of first and second marking of the examination papers
  9. Submission of soft and hard copies of results sheets to AR/ SAR/ DR Examinations branch
  10. Participating in the Examination Board meetings
  11. Informing students of their performance and the eligibility to proceed to Part II of the MSc

Part II

  1. Assigning supervisors for Part II
  2. Informing the students/supervisors of the deadlines for submission of thesis/report etc.
  3. Arranging for project proposal presentation for approval at the department
  4. Periodically monitoring progress of students (till the lapse of the registration period)
  5. Identifying relevant examiners (internal and external) for evaluation of thesis / report etc. and obtaining approval from HDC
  6. Making arrangement for evaluation of thesis / report etc. including viva / presentation
  7. Preparing the final mark sheet and sending to DR/ SAR/ AR – Examinations
  8. Informing students of their performance and the eligibility to proceed to Part III of the MSc

Part III

  1. Assigning supervisors for Part III and obtaining approval from the HDC
  2. Informing the students/supervisors of the deadlines for submission of thesis
  3. Arranging for project proposal presentation for approval at the department
  4. Periodically monitoring progress of students (till the lapse of the registration period)
  5. Identifying relevant examiners (internal and external) for evaluation of thesis and obtaining approval from HDC
  6. Making arrangement for evaluation of thesis including viva / presentation
  7. Preparing the final mark sheet and sending to DR/ SAR/ AR – Examinations
  8. Attending HDC meetings
  9. Forwarding any requests of students to the HDC through the Head