Postgraduate Study Handbook

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES Postgraduate Study Handbook Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences Massey University Albany 2009

1 Welcome from the Head of the Institute Welcome to the. I want you to know that all of the Institute staff recognise the commitment that you are making to obtain postgraduate qualifications. We wish to see that you are provided with an environment which helps you to achieve your goals and we will do what we can to assist you in your endeavours. The transition from an undergraduate student to a postgraduate student is an important one. Your presence within the Institute sees you embark on a much more independent educational process as you move into a research environment. I want you to feel part of the Institute. We will strive to provide you with working conditions that includes study and computing facilities. It may not be possible for us to assign a dedicated desk in an office but certainly shared facilities will be available. This Handbook is one way that we can make sure that the requirements for your programme of study are clearly set out, together with information that will help you to get the most out of your time with us. You have various staff to consult if you have concerns your lecturers regarding your papers, your supervisor regarding your research, the Postgraduate Subject Advisor for your discipline area regarding your programme details, the Institute Postgraduate Studies Coordinator regarding overall degree regulations, and myself for any general concerns. Please feel free to consult the appropriate person, but rest assured that if you require my advice I am only too willing to do what I can to be of assistance. I wish you well for your studies this year and hope that life as a postgraduate student in the Institute will be a rewarding experience for you. Professor Tony Norris Head, February 2009

Introduction 2 The purpose of the Postgraduate Study Handbook is to provide postgraduate students in the with information they need in order to succeed during their academic studies. The Handbook contains information about: The people in the Institute who are here to help you The assistance the Institute and Albany campus can offer to you. You should also have the Postgraduate Policy and Procedures Handbook that is published by the Office of Postgraduate Studies in the College of Sciences. That Handbook contains detailed information about postgraduate regulations, examination of reports and theses, protocols for supervised postgraduate research, and the forms used by the College of Sciences to track your progress through to graduation. Important Upcoming Events In addition to important University dates and deadlines (see, for example, http://wwwv.massey.ac.nz/massey/students/dates/important-dates.cfm), the following dates and events should be on your diary: Fortnightly IIMS Postgraduate Seminars / Lightning talks (to be advised) All postgraduate students are expected to make a research seminar presentation sometime during the year, and to attend IIMS Postgraduate Seminars as well. These seminars are organised by the IIMS Postgraduate Committee, with the assistance of Institute staff. A schedule and announcements of upcoming seminars will be made through the iims-postgrad mailing list. 6th Annual Postgraduate Conference Following on from the success of this conference in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 the IIMS Postgraduate Committee will be organising this event for sometime in Octoberr 2009. Postgraduate students will be expected to either make a paper presentation or contribute a poster. Research Project Due Dates All postgraduate research projects now have a uniform due date corresponding to the last day of examinations for the relevant semester. Projects submitted after the due date will incur a late penalty. The project due dates for 2009 are: Friday 19 June for first semester projects and Wednesday 11 November for second and double semester projects. Who's Who in the Institute Postgraduate Studies Coordinator Approves postgraduate student admissions into the Institute, in consultation with the Postgraduate Subject Advisors. Represents the Institute on the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the College of Sciences and, in this role, participates in the development of postgraduate studies policy. Supervises the preparation and distribution of information about postgraduate studies to students and staff. Provides Institute orientation and settling-in assistance to postgraduate students in the Institute. Oversees postgraduate student access to computer laboratories, fax machines, photocopiers, office space and library resources, as appropriate. Provides advice to postgraduate students, including direction to appropriate personnel for academic or support services.

Organises activities of a social and academic nature for postgraduate students. Oversees the timely distribution and collection of forms that track student progress through their degree programme. The Postgraduate Studies Coordinator for the Institute is: Dr Ian Bond office: QA 2.59 email: i.a.bond@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 9430 3 Postgraduate Subject Advisors For each field of study within the Institute, the Postgraduate Subject Advisors: Provide subject/discipline advice relevant to programme selection, course content and structure, and admission most appropriate to the student's academic background, ability and career aspirations. Recommend other staff, if appropriate, whom a student should consult for academic advice. Provide leadership and coordination in the subjects taught in postgraduate programmes in the College of Sciences. Convene meetings of supervisors and examiners of thesis/projects, and consult with the external examiner (if necessary) to obtain a recommended grade for honours, diploma, or masters research and to provide a recommendation for the programme examination results to the Office of Postgraduate Studies. The Postgraduate Subject Advisors in the Institute are: COMPUTER SCIENCE: Professor Ken Hawick office: QA 2.53 email: k.a.hawick@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 9532 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Dr Brian Whitworth office: QA 2.03 email: b.whitworth@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 9486 MATHEMATICS: Dr Shaun Cooper office: IIMS 3.15 email: s.cooper@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41034 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING: Professor Ken Hawick office: QA 2.53 email: k.a.hawick@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 9532 STATISTICS: Dr Barry McDonald office: IIMS 3.11 email: b.mcdonald@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41039 IIMS Postgraduate Committee The IIMS Postgraduate Committee meets regularly to discuss IIMS postgraduate issues and organise events of interest to postgraduate students. The membership of the Committee will be

4 announced in the first few weeks of the academic year and volunteers are welcomed. To bring an issue before the Committee or volunteer to assist with events, contact Guy Kloss at g.kloss@massey.ac.nz or (09) 414 0800 ext. 9585. Graduate Students Advisory Committee Representative A postgraduate student in the Institute sits on the campus Graduate Students Advisory Committee. If you have any concerns about Massey University s postgraduate programmes which you would like the Committee to deal with, you can ask your representative to voice them for you at a Committee meeting. The Institute's representative on the Graduate Students Advisory Committee is: Maarten Jordens office: IIMS 2.15 email: m.jordens@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41067 IIMS Postgraduate Administrator The IIMS Postgraduate Administrator takes care of the day-to-day administration and organisation of postgraduate events. Our administrator is: Freda Mickisch office: IIMS 2.05 email: f.mickisch@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41062 Head of the Institute Appoints the Postgraduate Studies Coordinator and Postgraduate Subject Advisors and oversees the carrying out of their responsibilities as listed above. Acquires and allocates Institute resources that are made available to the staff and postgraduate students in the Institute. Provides advice, assistance and guidance as required to ensure the goals of the postgraduate programmes are met. The Head of the is: Professor Tony Norris office: IIMS 2.03 email: t.norris@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41040 Academic Staff of the Institute Virtually every academic staff member in the Institute participates in the conduct of postgraduate study in teaching, research supervision or both. A list of staff is available on the Institute's staff Web site at http://www.massey.ac.nz/~wwiims/people/ General Staff of the Institute The IT Support Manager assists postgraduate students with Institute-provided computing support services. For example, the Manager oversees the IIMS Postgraduate Computer Laboratory and supports University computers in offices available to postgraduate students. The IT Support Manager is: Anil Malhotra office: IIMS 3.24 email: a.malhotra@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41045 The Executive Assistant to the Head of the Institute assists Professor Norris in carrying out his responsibilities. The Executive Assistant to the Head of the Institute is: Annette Warbrooke office: IIMS 2.04 email: a.warbrooke@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41031

5 The IIMS receptionists/administrators provide secretarial, reception and administration support within the Institute. They are: Michelle Campbell office: IIMS 2.02 email: m.l.campbell@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41066 Colleen van Es office: IIMS 2.02 email: c.vanes1@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41044 College of Sciences The Academic Programmes Administrator of the College of Sciences-Albany provides academic programme advice to students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The Academic Programmes Administrator of the College of Sciences-Albany is: Sarah Cowpertwait office: QA 2.45 email: s.a.cowpertwait@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 9522

6 Support Services for Postgraduate Students Financial Assistance Summer work: In some instances money may be available for summer project work. Students should check with their Postgraduate Subject Advisor or supervisor in late October or early November. You will need to complete the appropriate employment contracts and tax forms and if you are not a New Zealand resident you must have a work permit. Casual assistance: The Institute may be able to offer casual assistant work during the semesters. Students should check with their Postgraduate Subject Advisor or supervisor prior to the start of each semester if they would like to earn extra money by helping with undergraduate marking and tutorial assistance. Students can usually work 6-10 hours per week in this capacity. IIMS scholarships: The Institute offers a few competitive scholarships of approximately $4,000 to cover the tuition fees for one year of study at postgraduate level. Awarding of the scholarship is based on grade point average, with consideration given to spreading the scholarships across the subject areas within the Institute. See the Postgraduate Studies Coordinator for more information. University scholarships: Students should consult the Massey University Scholarships and Awards Web site for details on the numerous scholarships available to Massey students. This Web site is available at http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/fees/scholarship-bursary-award/scholarshipbursary-award_home.cfm. For additional information on University scholarships contact: Mrs Shirley Morris Graduate Research Officer (Scholarships) Graduate Research School (GRS) Massey University Private Bag 11 222 Palmerston North email: s.e.morris@massey.ac.nz telephone: (06) 356 9099 ext. 7823 Student loans and allowances: Student loan and Student allowance information can be sought by contacting StudyLink at: telephone: 0800 88 99 00 web site: http://www.studylink.govt.nz/ Research Project Support Generally, student research projects are self-funded. That is, the student is expected to cover any costs directly associated with the conduct of the research project (e.g., purchase of specialised software or hardware, postage for survey data collection). If a student wishes to present a case for Institute funding of research project costs, a request for funds should be made to the Head of Institute through the supervisor in the initial planning phase of the project. Computer Laboratories for Postgraduate Students Two campus postgraduate computer laboratories are available on the Albany campus in the basement of the Quad B building (Lab 1) and in Building 38 on the Oteha Rohe campus. These laboratories are accessible to postgraduate students via swipe cards. To obtain your swipe card to the University computer laboratories pay $12.00 ($10 refundable) to the Cashier (Quad Building A, level 1). Be sure your enrolment is complete and up-to-date as your eligibility to receive an access card will be verified by the cashier. The pre-programmed card will allow you access to the campus postgraduate computer laboratories for your enrolment period.

7 Postgraduate students can also have access to the IIMS Postgraduate Computer Laboratories in Quad Building A, room 2.13 and in IIMS Building, room 3.33. Access to the labs is via the same swipe card purchased for access to the campus labs. To programme your card into the security system, see the IIMS Postgraduate Administrator (Freda Mickisch), who holds a list of students eligible to hold a card. Massey University also has a Wireless Network Service and information on this facility can be found at: http://wireless.massey.ac.nz/ Computer Accounts / Printing / Photocopying IIMS PhD students will be given a staff account and the Institute will fund reasonable costs. All other IIMS postgraduate students will use their student account and will receive funding through paper environments. Printing Costs in the Computer Labs A4 black and white 8 cents per page (GST excluded) A3 black and white 12 cents per page (GST excluded) OHT 95 cents per page (GST excluded) A4 colour $1.10 cents per page (GST excluded) A3 colour $1.50 cents per page (GST excluded) OHT - $2.50 cents per page (GST excluded) Interlibrary Loans Interlibrary loans of articles and books cost $5. A limited amount of funds is available for students with a demonstrated need for interlibrary loans. Your research supervisor can assist you in making an application for funds through the Executive Assistant to the Head of the Institute. Urgent requests for interlibrary loans will not be approved. Conference Attendance The Institute encourages students to attend academic and professional conferences to present the results of their research. Regretfully, the Institute cannot guarantee any funds to support this activity. However, Masters and PhD students who have completed their research and wish to present the results at an appropriate international conference should approach the Executive Assistant to the Head of the Institute, to see if partial funding can be provided. Postgraduate Student Publications The following publication services are provided by Massey University to update you on current issues of concern to postgraduate students: The Massey University Postgraduate Guidebook will be available at http://grs.massey.ac.nz/massey/research/graduate-research-school/doctoral-degreeadministration/postgraduate-guidebook/postgraduate-guidebook_home.cfm A College of Sciences, Office of Postgraduate Studies, Postgraduate Policy and Procedures Handbook is under development. GradLink is an electronic mailing list for postgraduate students at the Albany campus. Events of interest to postgraduate students are announced on the list and GradLink provides support and advice through discussion. To subscribe, send an email message to majordomo@massey.ac.nz with the two-word message: subscribe gradlink iims-postgrad@massey.ac.nz All postgraduate students enrolled in PGDiploma, Bachelor (Honours), Masters and PhD programmes are expected to be members of the iims-postgrad electronic mailing list. iims-postgrad is the principal method for distributing important announcements to students (e.g., campus research seminars, upcoming due dates, updates to information posted on the IIMS Postgraduate Web site, relevant Library announcements, opportunities for research publication, social events). The iims-postgrad emailing list can also be used by students to share important

8 information and ask questions to each other, as long as the message is appropriate to the topic of the list (i.e., no jokes, advertisements or general announcements please). Students are added to the list at the start of the academic year, using the email address(es) provided during orientation. Freda Mickisch should be advised of any change in a student's email address during the year to keep the list current. Library Students can access Massey's online library catalogue, via the Web site at http://library.massey.ac.nz/ The Web site also has information on searching online databases, using the Internet to find research materials and other services provided by the Library. You can contact the Library on: Freephone 0800 MASSEY (0800 627 739) and ask for the Library OR call direct on (09) 414 0808, then press 4. For any special needs related to the availability of Science library resources you can consult the Librarian for the College of Sciences: Carine Marais office: Albany Library email: c.marais@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41078 Statistics Advice for Research Dr Barry McDonald is available to assist Master and PhD students with the design and analysis of quantitative research and the choice of appropriate statistical techniques. The first two hours of consulting per year are free, additional support is available for a reasonable fee. For information contact: Dr Barry McDonald office: IIMS 3.11 email: b.mcdonald@massey.ac.nz telephone: (09) 414 0800 ext. 41039 Student Services The Student Services division of the University offers a variety of services to postgraduate students. More information about these and other services is available at http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/campus/auckland/services-for-students/student-servicesalbany.cfm or in the Albany Campus Services A-Z pick up your copy at the Massey Contact Centre, Quadrangle Building A, Level One - opening hours are Monday Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Student Health and Counselling Centre: The Centre offers the following services to students: emergency care Monday-Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm crisis intervention psychotherapy couples therapy and counselling consultation and referrals The Student Health and Counselling Centre can be contacted at: Gate 5, Building 100, Oteha Rohe Campus telephone: (09) 443 9783 email: StudentHealth@massey.ac.nz Best wishes for a great study year in 2009.