Progress reports
Bi-annual progress reports are a compulsory requirement of research higher degree enrolment. They are an important record of the progress made by candidates each semester and may be referred to later in a students candidature, particularly in the event they request to vary their candidature.
Accessing the progress report
The Office of Research and Higher Degrees will notify candidates by email (to the candidates UMail account) when a progress report is available to be downloaded from the Research website. Instructions and time lines to complete and return the report will also be available from the Research website.
It is important that candidates carefully read the instructions for completing the report to ensure they understand the implications of the information they do/do not include in the report.
Who completes a progress report
Candidates who are currently enrolled in the dissertation (research) component of one of the following programs should submit a progress report.
- Doctor of Business Administration (Research) (DBAR)
- Doctor of Education (DEDU)
- Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)
- Engineering Doctorate (ENGD)
- Master of Business Research (MBSR)
- Master of Engineering (MENG)
- Master of Engineering Research (MENR)
- Master of Health (MHEA)
- Master of Science (MSCI)
- Master of Spatial Science (MSPS)
- Master of Spatial Science Research (MSSR)
Candidates on approved leave of absence for the whole of the current semester are not required to submit a progress report.
Candidates on approved leave of absence for part of the current semester, are required to submit a report.
Completing the progress report
Candidates and their supervisors are strongly encouraged to meet to discuss programs and complete the progress report.
If the candidate and supervisor are unable to meet, the candidate should complete the relevant sections and forward to the principal supervisor.
It is important to document any circumstances and/or events which may impact on a candidate’s ability to complete their studies either within their scholarship tenure, or before their expected submission date.
When the supervisor completes their ratings and comments, the candidate is entitled to review and comment on them. Therefore the supervisor will return the form to the candidate to lodge with the Faculty by the due date.
Confidential reports
If a candidate wishes to make a second “confidential” report (i.e. does not wish to refer some or all of their comments to the supervisor) they should contact the relevant Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) to do so.
Failure to submit a progress report
Failure to submit a progress report by the due date will result in a Fail (F) grade being recorded for that semester.
Allocation of grades
The Research Committee, through the Office of Research and Higher Degrees, allocates a grade for all research courses each semester.
Normally, candidates who are deemed to be making satisfactory progress (i.e. meeting required milestone dates, and confirmation in particular) will be awarded an ‘SP’ grade.
Candidates who have submitted their dissertation for examination will be awarded an ‘IIP’ grade. This indicates the result is incomplete, but in progress, and will be amended to reflect ‘P’ (Pass) or ‘F’ (Fail) after the examination result is available. Refer also to ‘Examination of Dissertation’.
Candidates who fail to submit a report, or who have been deemed to be making little or no progress (i.e. unsatisfactory progress) will be awarded an ‘F’ (Fail) grade.
Students with an ‘F’ grade may be asked to ‘Show Cause’ why they should remain in the program under Academic Regulations. Refer also to “Show Cause”.
Grade release
Grades are released to candidates via UConnect after 4.00pm on the official university grade release date. Refer to the University calendar for specific dates.
Note: Candidates who have a debt to USQ will not have their final grade in any course officially communicated to them nor shall they be permitted to graduate.
Appeal of graded result
Candidates may appeal against the award of the final grade in a course. Refer to Section 6 of Academic Regulation 5.11 Appeals of Research and Higher Degrees. Appeals for research owned courses (i.e. courses badged RES****) should be forwarded to the Manager, Higher Degree Research Students by email orhd@usq.edu.au in the first instance.
Further information
For further information or assistance in completing progress reports please email orhd@usq.edu.au telephone +61 7 4631 1438.