Core Component of the Structured Program

The University of Adelaide structured program comprises ‘core’ and ‘development’ components. Further information about the development component of the structured program is provided later in this guide.

The core component must be completed within six months (or half-time equivalent) from the commencement of your candidature. Satisfactory completion requires that you have:

• attended a School induction program
• completed the introductory training on the Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
• completed the introductory training on animal and/or human ethics where these are applicable to your research project
• formulated a research proposal using the relevant research proposal template for your Faculty (www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/forms/#R). The proposal should explicitly consider the ethical, intellectual property, and resource implications of your proposed research and be all your own work, except where there is clear acknowledgement and reference to the work of others
• completed the 'Higher Degree by Research: Safety Management plan'
• presented your research proposal at a School seminar program
• regularly attended your School’s seminar program and
• lodged the ‘Completion of the core component of the structured program’ form and all other required documentation with the Graduate Centre by the due date.

In many Schools, students are required to complete a literature review and/or to audit coursework courses as part of their core component; your supervisors(s) or Postgraduate Coordinator will advise you where this is the case. The process for the core component is as follows:

1. you, your principal supervisor and the Postgraduate Coordinator will receive an email reminder approximately one month prior to the due date of your core component. The email will direct you to download a copy of the ‘Completion of the Core Component of the Structured Program’ form from the Graduate Centre website (a form will be mailed to you on request)
2. if you fail to lodge the core component documentation by the due date and if no application for extension has been received from your supervisor(s), your candidature will be suspended. Refer to the ‘Suspension of Candidature’ section of this Handbook for further information.

*Approved period(s) of leave of absence will extend the due date.

If your School has concerns about your progress these will be discussed with you and documented during your core component review and a recommendation may be made for the termination of your candidature or, where applicable, transfer to a Master by Research.

Note that students who upgrade to doctoral candidature having already completed the major review during their prior Masters enrolment are exempted from undertaking the core component of the structured program in the doctoral program.