OII MSc SDS Graduate Studies Handbook 2024-25 final

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Table of Contents

• Contents 2
• 1 Introduction 6
• 1.1 Scope and purpose of this handbook 6
• 1.1.1 Disclaimer 6
• 1.1.2 Key sources of information 6
• 1.1.3 Academic progress - who to contact 7
• 1.1.4 Laptop specification for students 7
• 1.2 Induction 7
• 1.2.1 Induction programme 7
• 1.2.2 Other sources of information 7
• 2 MSc Programme 9
• 2.1 Aims of the programme 9
• 2.1.1 Educational aims of the programme 9
• 2.1.2 Programme objectives and outcomes 9
• 2.1.3 Related teaching and learning strategies and methods 9
• 1 9
• 2.2 Skills and attributes 10
• 2.2.1 Intellectual skills 10
• 2.2.2 Practical skills 10
• 2.2.3 Transferable skills 10
• 2.2.4 Achievement of learning outcomes 11
• 2.3 Programme structure and schedule 11
• 2.3.1 Weightings 12
• 2.3.2 Programme schedule 12
• 2.3.3 Programme deadlines 13
• 2.3.4 Nomenclature 14
• 2.3.5 Course details: core papers 14
• 2.3.6 Course details: intensive courses for Introduction to Data Science and Machine Learning paper 14
• 2.3.7 Course details: option papers 15
• 2.4 Choosing option courses 15
• 2.4.1 Examination entry process 15
• 2.4.2 Changing option course choices 15
• 2.4.3 Auditing courses 15
• 2.5 Written examinations 16
• 2.5.1 Examination timetable 16
• 2.5.2 Sitting your in-person examinations 16
• 2.5.3 Sitting your online examinations 16
• 2.5.4 Exam adjustments 16
• 2.5.5 Exam resits 16
• 2.5.6 Excusal from written examinations 16
• 2.6 Submission of summative coursework 16
• 2.6.1 Instructions for submitting coursework 17
• 2.6.2 Resubmission of coursework 17
• 2.6.3 Potential overlap between coursework 17
• 2.6.4 Managing submission deadlines 17
• 2.7 Problems completing your assessments 18
• 2.7.1 Extensions to coursework deadlines 18
• 2.7.2 Declaring illness and other mitigating circumstances 19
• 2.7.3 Suspension of status 19
• 2.8 Exam Board matters 19
• 2.8.1 Examination and marking guidelines 19
• 2.8.2 Board of examiners 20
• 2.8.3 Feedback to students 20
• 2.8.4 Complaints and academic appeals 20
• 2.8.5 Regulation of assessment 21
• 2.8.6 Indicators of quality and standards 21
• 3 Thesis Preparation and Submission 22
• 3.1 Overall thesis guidance 22
• 3.1.1 Choice of thesis topic 22
• 2 22
• 3.2 Thesis title 23
• 3.2.1 Change of thesis title 23
• 3.3 Ethics approval for research projects 23
• 3.3.1 Ethical approval application process 24
• 3.3.2 Travel for research purposes 24
• 3.4 Thesis preparation 25
• 3.4.1 Introduction 25
• 3.4.2 Writing 25
• 3.4.3 References 26
• 3.4.4 Thesis length 27
• 3.5 Intellectual Property Rights and Plagiarism 27
• 3.5.1 Intellectual property rights 27
• 3.5.2 Plagiarism 28
• 3.6 Thesis submission 28
• 3.6.1 Overall 28
• 3.6.2 Title page 28
• 3.6.3 Abstract 29
• 3.6.4 Word processing 29
• 3.6.5 Submitting 29
• 3.6.6 Viva voce 29
• 3.6.7 Resubmitting your thesis 29
• 3.7 Notification of results of MSc 29
• 3.8 MSc thesis prize 29
• 3.9 Digital copies of MSc theses 30
• 3.10 Conferral of degree 30
• 4 Supervision 31
• 4.1 Overview of Supervision 31
• 4.1.1 Role of supervisors 31
• 4.1.2 Contact with supervisors 31
• 4.1.3 Responsibilities of supervisees 32
• 4.1.4 Change of supervisor 32
• 3 31
• 4.2 Supervision reports 33
• 4.3 Skills training 33
• 4.4 Role of College Adviser 33
• 5 Applying for the DPhil programme 34
• 6 Feedback, Concerns and Queries 35
• 6.1 Feedback from students 35
• 6.1.1 Student representation 35
• 6.1.2 Opportunities to provide evaluation and feedback 35
• 4 35
• 6.2 Complaints and academic appeals 36
• 6.2.1 Complaints about university services and academic matters 36
• 6.2.2 Academic appeals about examinations and assessments 37
• 6.2.3 Complaints about staff or student behaviour 38
• 7 Welfare and Support 39
• 7.1 Sources of advice, help and counselling 39
• 7.2 Disability Advisory Service 39
• 7.3 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 40
• 7.3.1 The Equality and Diversity Unit 40
• 7.3.2 The Oxford Students’ Union 40
• 7.3.3 EDI at the Social Sciences Division 40
• 7.3.4 EDI at the OII 41
• 7.4 OII Values and Code of Conduct 41
• 7.5 Bullying and harassment 41
• 7.5.1 Support within the University 42
• 7.5.2 Support external to the University 43
• 7.5.3 Raising your concern about a staff member’s conduct informally 43
• 7.5.4 Making a formal complaint about a member of staff 44
• 7.5.5 Making a complaint about another student 47
• 7.5.6 What to do if you hear about or witness bullying or harassment 48
• 8 Regulations and Policies 50
• 8.1 Codes of Conduct and University Regulations 50
• 8.2 Residence requirements 50
• 8.3 Suspension of status as a postgraduate student 51
• 8.4 Disability 52
• 8.5 University policy on student maternity, paternity and adoption leave 52
• 8.6 Health and safety 52
• 8.7 OII Framework of Expectations for Inclusive Teaching 52
• 8.8 Educational Recordings Policy 52
• 8.9 Data protection 53
• 9 The University 54
• 9.1 The OII as a department 54
• 9.1.1 Organisation 54
• 9.1.2 Graduate Studies Committee 54
• 9.1.3 OII Facilities 54
• 5 54
• 9.2 The Colleges 55
• 9.3 Library facilities 55
• 9.3.1 Oxford libraries 55
• 9.3.2 The OII Library 55
• 9.3.3 The Bodleian Social Science Library 55
• 9.3.4 Bodleian Libraries 55
• 9.4 Computing facilities 55
• 9.4.1 University facilities 55
• 9.4.2 OII IT facilities 56
• 9.4.3 Canvas 56
• 9.5 Training facilities 56
• 9.6 The Language Centre 56
• 9.7 Careers guidance 57
• 10 Financial matters 58
• 10.1 OII MSc Student Research Budget 58
• 10.2 OII MSc Social Budget 58
• 10.3 Disability Support Funding 58
• 10.4 Carers’ Support Fund 59
• 10.5 Grants, prizes and other funds 59
• 10.6 Paid work 59
• 10.7 Travel Insurance 59
• 10.8 Assistance with financial difficulties 60
• 10.8.1 University and college funding 60
• 10.8.2 OII Hardship Fund 60
• 6 60
• Appendix A: Graduate Joint Consultative Committee 61
• Appendix B: Standing Committees 62
• Appendix C: Graduate Supervision Reporting (GSR) 64
• Appendix D: Term Schedules 65
• Appendix E: Draft Examining Conventions Academic Year 2024-25 68