Faculty of Science
Candidature Management Plan
Every research project is unique, and unfolds in often unpredictable ways. However, to help you get started, the University has prepared a Candidature Management Plan as a guide to help you along the way.
The Candidature Management Plan (CMP) developed by the Higher Degree Research Office helps candidates in the management of the research process. The CMP is oriented around different forms of candidacy and provides a general guide to essential activities, and an associated timeline.
In the Faculty of Science, higher degree research projects are quite variable in their methodology and expected outcomes. We expect that you and your supervisor(s) will develop a project management plan in your first six months of candidature. As a guide, here is a suggested research milestone or roadmap (based on full-time, internal enrolment, supported by a scholarship):
| Activity | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd Year | 4th Year |
| Initial Research Plan | < 3 months | |||
| Associate supervisor appointed (if not done so on admission) | < 6 months | |||
| Commence Literature Review | < 3 months | |||
| Present detailed research project outline and plan to department | 6 months | |||
| HDR project support funds budget draft | 6 months | |||
| Commencement Report | 6 months | |||
| Departmental seminar presentation | 6-9 months | √ | √ | |
| Annual progress report | √ | √ | √ | |
| Data collection | √ | √ | ||
| Data analysis | √ | √ | ||
| HDR project support funds budget revised | √ (for yr2) | √ (for yr3) | √ (for yr4 if needed) | |
| PGRF application | √ | or √ | ||
| Conference presentation | √ | or √ | ||
| Preparation of early draft chapters/papers | √ | √ | ||
| Completion plan with timeline | √ | |||
| Final chapter/paper writing and revision | √ | √ | ||
| Nomination of thesis examiners (3 months prior to thesis submission) | √ | √ | ||
| Submission & celebration | √ (<3.5 yr) |