College of Science
Guidelines for Structured PhDs
Introduction
All students are, in the first instance, referred to the University Guidelines for Research Degree (including the relevant Regulations) contain information relevant to all research graduate students at the National University of Ireland, Galway.
These College of Science Guidelines are a supporting document containing specific information relevant to Structured PhD students in the College of Science.These Guidelines are accurate on November 6, 2015 and updates will be provided on-line at
Contents
- College of Science Structured PhD Framework
- Structured PhD Programmes
- Module Selection
- Registration Instructions
- College of Science Structured PhD Framework
This section describes the framework for all Structured PhDs in the College of Science.All Structured PhD programmes in the College must comply with this framework.
College of Science
Structured PhD
The goal of doctoral education is to cultivate the research mindset, to nurture flexibility of thought, creativity and intellectual autonomy through an original research project. It is the practice of research that creates this mindset. The core component of the structured PhD programme is the advancement of knowledge through original research.
The purpose of structuring doctoral education is to create a supportive environment. It is recognised that doctoral education is an individual journey. The structured PhD is also designed to meet the needs of an employment market that is wider than academia. A traditional PhD without taught components remains available in exceptional cases (e.g. candidates from industry, part-time candidates).
The structured PhD is a formalised integrated programme of research, education, training, personal and professional development activities. It enables the development of discipline-specific knowledge, research skills and generic/transferable skills. It has declared outcomes for all education and training components.
Supervision is by a principal supervisor who is responsible for providing guidance on the research carried out by the student and manages the student’s training. The student and supervisor are supported by the Graduate Research Committee (GRC). The GRC formally monitors student progress through an annual review process in line with national and international best practice. (Students whose progress towards completing the PhD is unsatisfactory may be recommended to submit an M.Sc.)
The structured PhD is normally a four-year programme. New entrants typically register for the programme in September or January of each year. All new recipients of College of Science Scholarships must register for a Structured PhD.Students select modules to the value of 30ECTS in consultation with their supervisor and GRC. These modules will be a combination of
- discipline-specific modules (directly relevant to the student’s research) and
- generic/transferable skills modules (to equip students for employment outside academia).
Each student must complete 30 ECTS over the four years. In exceptional circumstances, students may be allowed to take modules in year 4, subject to the agreement of the student’s GRC. The University Marks and Standards for Structured PhD programmes can be found at
Successful completion and examination of the research is the basis for the award of the degree.
2.Structured PhD Programmes
The local guidelines for each of the Structured PhD Programmes in the College of Science(including programme-specific module descriptions)are available
Orientation and Induction
Students must attend
- the Orientation session organised by the Graduate Studies Office,
- the College of Science Induction and
- any local induction sessions organised by Centres/Schools/disciplines/supervisors.
Blackboard 1GST1
All students will be registered for the Blackboard module 1GST1 Graduate Studies Training, where general information on Graduate Studies at NUI Galway is provided
- Module Selection
Students must select modules in consultation with their supervisor and Graduate Research Committee. Students must complete modules to the value of 30ECTS during their PhD.
Information on Graduate Studies modules (GS***) is availableat
Click on module code (e.g. GS505) to access complete module description
4. Registration Instructions
First please see registration guides at; on how to register and how to select your modules
1SPS1 is the code for the full time firstyear of the Structured PhD in the College of Science). Each student must register for one ofthe following research thesis codes, if registering full time:
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Biochemistry) - Full-time / BI650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Bioinformatics) - Full-time / MA850
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Biostatistics) - Full-time / BO650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Botany) - Full-time / BT650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Chemistry) - Full-time / CH650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Earth and Ocean Sciences) - Full-time / EOS650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Marine Science) - Full-time / MR650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Mathematics) - Full-time / MA650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Microbiology) - Full-time / MI650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Physics) - Full-time / PH650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Statistics) - Full-time / MA651
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Zoology) - Full-time / ZO650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Biomedical Engineering Science) - Full-time / BES650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Anatomy) - Full-time / AN650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Physiology) - Full-time / SI650
1SPS1 / Structured PhD (Pharmacology & Therapeutics) - Full-time / PM650
Students must registeron line for their selected modules.
1.Go to Online Registration online registration is closed, please emailreghelpnuigalway.iewith anyregistration queries or call to SID in ÁrasUiChathail.
2.Login to Online Registration
3.Select My Courses
Full Time students must register for a total of 90 ECTS, to be made up of:
Research thesis module (normally with a 650 code), taught modules, usually 5 ECTS each and Research Component (RM***) see sample below;
4.Click on Build Curriculum
SAMPLE OF COMPLETE RECORD:1SPS1Structured PhD (Science) Full Time
Code / Description / Status / ECTS ValueZ0650 / Zoology / Registered / 0
RM075 / Research / Registered / 75
GS505 / Graduate Research Skills / Registered / 5
GS506 / Teaching andLearning / Registered / 5
PH502 / Scientific Programming Concepts / Registered / 5
TotalCredits / 90 ECTS
Each year students must register for the modules that they intend to complete in that academic year only. It is the student’sresponsibilityto ensure that they are correctly registered. Students should check their registration status online and contact if their record is not correct.
5.2 GSB 16-11-2015