Doctor of Philosophy in Natural, Mathematical, and Computational Sciences

This module prepares a student to contribute new knowledge to scholarship in the sciences, particularly the mathematical or computational sciences, such that they can conduct (in subsequent modules) a programme of original, publishable research that advances the state of knowledge in their chosen field.

The main goal of this module is the completion of a Research Plan. The module prepares students to embark upon a substantial, sustained, unified piece of research at the MQF 8 level. The module is taught by the proposed thesis supervisor as a form of preparation specific to the thesis and the requirements of its subject matter. The thesis supervisor must possess a research doctorate in the the field and sub-field of the proposed dissertation, or failing that, recent peer-reviewed scholarship in that area that demonstrates academic expertise. Approval of the match between a doctoral student and supervisor will rest with the dean of the college, and must be reported to Woolf’s QAETAC committee.

This module is not a general introduction to research or research methodologies, but a practical preparation for students preparing to embark upon the thesis. Although these skills are highly transferable to other research domains, it remains the case that the purpose of the module is scoped to the needs of the specific thesis for which it prepares the student.

The module results in a highly structured ‘Research Plan’ for embarking upon independent research at the MQF 8 level in the subsequent modules.

In order to provide context for the submission of the ‘Research Plan’ (which is the purpose of this phase of the module), the student will gain a proficient knowledge of relevant research methods and planning. Thus, in connection with the core learning outcomes resulting from the research plan, the student will additionally gain a proficient understanding of the wider context of research methods and evaluate the fittingness of the chosen method.

Advanced Research Progress and Progress Review helps a student who has just completed the ‘Research Plan’ to undertake a cadence of supervised, original research leading to a substantial portion of their research thesis being completed (2-4 chapters or equivalent).

Although students may request twice-weekly meetings early in the writing process, it is expected (and students typically prefer) not to meet more than twice per month thereafter. This allows the student time to develop their independent research and writing. As the student advances in independence and confidence in their research, and under the discretion of their supervisor, they may reduce their supervisory meetings to 1 time per month, though they must continue to participate in ‘Work in Progress’ seminars each month.

Under the supervision of their supervisor, and through regular submissions and synchronous feedback sessions, students hone and strengthen their ability to conduct innovative, original research at the very forefront of an academic discipline.

While the focus of year one was on preparing the ‘Research Plan’, the focus of year two is on the actual work of research, whether that be in the library, working with datasets, work in the lab, or deep reading in the scholarship on a chosen topic, producing extensive notes and questions, and rough drafts of chapters or thesis sections.

In addition, supervisors in year two will facilitate the student’s participation in the broader scholarly community, whether through presenting in the ‘Work in Progress’ seminar for graduate students and scholars, or through recommended and invited academic conferences.

Entering the third year of doctoral studies, students will have a well-defined research topic, a clear structure to organise their proposed research, a firm grasp of the relevant literature, a practical timeline in which to conduct their research, and a substantial body of drafted thesis chapters or sections (equivalent to 2-4 chapters).

In this module, the aims of the methodology module are fulfilled and the research of the past two years is brought into one overarching argument. The exact length of the thesis will vary by method and discipline, but ordinarily will not exceed 80,00-100,000 words, exclusive of any appendices.

The thesis will constitute a substantial, original, independent piece of research, which is clearly articulated in relation to the primary evidence and secondary literature, and which is organised in relation to the plan first envisaged in the methodology module.

Students may select the Integrated Thesis option for their dissertation, which results in a shorter document drawing directly on publishable or published material. The Integrated Thesis option  will typically be 20-40,000 words (not longer than 80,000 words without express permission from Woolf), exclusive of appendices and data sets. A doctoral thesis on the Integrated Thesis option may be accepted for examination if it consists of a minimum of three papers of publishable quality, framed by an introduction, a literature survey (either written as a stand-alone chapter or divided among the constituent chapters), and a conclusion. The thesis must represent a contextualized and broadly coherent body work, justified in the introduction and conclusion. At least one  paper must be authored primarily by the candidate with the supervisor as a co-author. Any co-authored papers must include a statement describing the candidate’s contribution to the paper. Where the co-author is another student at Woolf who also intends to include the paper in their own thesis, permission to include the paper must be approved, prior to submission for examination, by the Academic Board of the college, with written notice to Woolf’s Quality Assurance, Enhancement, and Alignment Committee (QAETAC).

Regular supervision meetings keep the student on-course with the timeline agreed in the methodology module. Supervisory meetings concentrate on a pre-submitted piece of research in a pattern that continues until the first draft of the thesis is complete.

Although students may request twice-weekly meetings early in the writing process in module two, it is expected (and students typically prefer) not to meet more than once or twice per month by this stage of the thesis. This allows the student time to develop their independent research and writing. All full-time students must meet with their supervisor at least once per month. Students meeting only once a month must also participate each month in Works-in-Progress seminars.

After the completion of the first draft, meetings focus on the harmonisation of the parts, adjustments to the overall argument, and the supervisor seeks to ensure that the student guides the thesis with a single, coherent line of enquiry.

The final meetings with the student focus on polishing the editorial aspects of the thesis, and helping the student prepare for examination.