C. MEDICAL SCIENCES DIVISION

[1] 1. ADMISSION OF RESEARCH STUDENTS

[2] All research students will be admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student in the first instance.

[3] 2. PROBATIONER STATUS

[4] Students may hold the status of Probationer Research Students for a maximum of four terms. Candidates should discuss with their supervisors whether to apply for transfer to M.Sc. status or D.Phil. status, and the most appropriate time at which to apply. In exceptional circumstances the Board may grant up to two terms' extension to this deadline.

[5] Students on the programmes listed below may hold Probationer Research Student status for a maximum of six terms:

1. [6] D.Phil. in Cardiovascular Science (BHF)
2. [7] D.Phil. in Chromosome and Developmental Biology
3. [8] D.Phil. in Genomic Medicine and Statistics
4. [9] D.Phil. in Infection, Immunology and Translational Medicine
5. [10] D.Phil. in Ion Channels and Disease
6. [11] D.Phil. in Structural Biology

[12] In exceptional circumstances the Board may grant up to one term's extension to this deadline.

[13] 3. ADMISSION OF STUDENTS TO THE STATUS OF STUDENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE BY RESEARCH

[14] Candidates should submit the statement from the supervisor and the statement from the candidate’s society as specified by the regulations governing the degree of Master of Science by Research. In addition, candidates should submit an outline of their project of no more than 500 words and a timetable for completion. Candidates will be required to give a presentation on their work. Further guidance on the form of the written submission and the form of the presentation should be sought from the departmental Director of Graduate Studies.

[15] 4. ADMISSION OF STUDENTS TO THE STATUS OF STUDENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

[16] Candidates should submit the statement from the supervisor and the statement from the candidate’s society as specified by the regulations governing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In addition, candidates should submit a report of no more than 3,000 words which should include an abstract, introduction, results, discussion and future plans including a proposed timetable for completion. Students may add appendices as necessary of up to a further 2,000 words including methods, figure legends, and references. Further guidance on the form of report should be sought from the departmental Director of Graduate Studies.

[17] 5. PERMISSION TO WORK IN A WELL-FOUND LABORATORY OUTSIDE OF OXFORD

[18] Applicants who are admitted to undertake research under the supervision of the Medical Sciences Divisional Board may, exceptionally, be permitted by the Divisional Board to undertake their research in a well-found laboratory outside of Oxford. Such candidates shall be dispensed from the residence requirements, but shall be required to attend Oxford for such instruction as the Division and department concerned shall require. Before admitting a candidate on this basis, the department concerned shall be required to satisfy itself and the Divisional Board that appropriate arrangements are in place for approving all aspects of the student's academic work, including the following:

1. [19] (i) the availability of the equipment and facilities necessary for the project in the agency concerned;
2. [20] (ii) the existence of a wider collaboration between the department and the agency in which the student is based;
3. [21] (iii) the subject of their doctoral studies;
4. [22] (iv) satisfactory induction procedures;
5. [23] (v) satisfactory health and safety arrangements;
6. [24] (vi) satisfactory supervision arrangements, to include specification of a minimum number of contact hours between student and supervisor, which shall include not less than two face-to-face meetings between student and supervisor, for a total of at least 8 hours, each term;
7. [25] (vii) satisfactory arrangements for monitoring the student's progress within the department;
8. [26] (viii) provision for the student to attend Oxford for such instruction as the division and department shall require.

[27] 6. CONFIRMATION OF STATUS OF STUDENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

[28] [Until 1 October 2013: Candidates should submit the statement from the supervisor and the statement from the candidate’s society as specified by the regulations governing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In addition they should submit a 500 word account of the status of their thesis or, alternatively, an abstract, together with a timetable for completion. Candidates shall normally apply for confirmation of status in the eighth term from their admission as a research student.]

[29] [From 1 October 2013: Candidates shall normally apply for confirmation of status in the eighth term from their admission as a research student, and no later than the ninth term from their admission as a research student. The Board strongly advises candidates to apply for confirmation of status a minimum of one term before they intend to submit their thesis.

[30] Candidates should submit the statement from the supervisor and the statement from the candidate’s society as specified by the regulations governing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Candidates must include a statement detailing the skills training that they have undertaken. This paperwork should be accompanied by a full contents list for the thesis, and include the milestones of any remaining work to be undertaken, and dates for the submission of draft chapters to the supervisor(s) for comment.

[31] Candidates shall be required to deliver a formal, oral presentation of their work. The presentation will be attended by two assessors who are deemed to have the appropriate expertise to comment on the content of the project. The assessors will be appointed by the candidate’s department; at least one assessor will have had no direct supervisory involvement with the student.

[32] The assessors will report to the Board on the candidate’s suitability for confirmation of D.Phil. status. This report will be based on the information provided in the statement from the supervisor and the statement from the candidate’s society as specified by the regulations governing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and in the supplementary statement from the candidate in conjunction with their presentation. In cases where confirmation of status is not recommended the assessors will attach a short written report detailing where the work submitted falls below the standard required.]

[33] 7. THESES

[34] For students admitted prior to 1 October 2009.

[35] A set of scientific papers that concern a common subject may exceptionally constitute an acceptable thesis, but only if with the addition of an introduction, general discussion, and general conclusion they constitute a continuous theme. Joint papers may not be included unless the supervisor certifies the extent of the candidate’s own contribution. Joint papers may be included as appendices in a thesis. Approval to submit a thesis using this format should be sought from the divisional board (via the Chairman, Medical Sciences Graduate Studies Committee, c/o Medical Sciences Office, Level 3 John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU) as soon as possible after admission and not later than the date at which the appointment of examiners is requested.

[36] Candidates with some published work may also include that as part of a traditional thesis, normally as an appendix.

[37] The length and scope of theses in each subject area in the Division is set out in the Notes for the Guidance of Graduate Students issued by the Medical Sciences Board.

[38] 8. BIOCHEMISTRY: JOINT PROGRAMME WITH THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

[39] 1. General

1. [40] (a) The University may, in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (TSRI), through the Department of Biochemistry, admit a candidate to the full-time status of Probationer Research Student, and, on successful transfer of status, of Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (or, exceptionally, Master of Science) jointly with TSRI and permit such a student to supplicate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (or, exceptionally, Master of Science by Research) jointly awarded with TSRI.
2. [41] (b) The Board shall, in consultation with TSRI, elect for the supervision of the programme a Joint Programme Committee, which shall have the power to arrange research supervision, lectures, and other instruction, and shall be responsible to both institutions. The programme directors in each institution will be responsible to the Oxford-Scripps Joint Programme Committee (‘the Joint Programme Committee’), membership of which will consist of faculty members from both institutions.
3. [42] (c) All students accepted on this programme will be admitted simultaneously as students of both institutions, and will be subject to the regulations and guidelines of both institutions, except as provided in the following regulations. Students admitted to the programme will be matriculated as students of the University of Oxford at the beginning of the programme, which is of five years' duration, irrespective of whether they begin their studies at Oxford or at TSRI; and, for the purpose of University of Oxford regulations, numbers of terms shall be reckoned from the term in which the student is admitted to the joint programme, irrespective of whether they begin their studies at Oxford or at TSRI.
4. [43] (d) The joint programme shall be subject to the following detailed regulations for the conduct of the programme and the admission of students, and the granting of leave to supplicate shall be subject to those regulations and any other relevant provisions agreed by the University and TSRI.
5. [44] (e) For the purposes of these regulations ‘Board’ shall mean the Medical Sciences Divisional Board of the University of Oxford or any body or person authorised to act on its behalf in these matters.
6. [45] (f) For the purposes of these regulations, ‘term’ shall mean a term as prescribed in the University of Oxford's Regulations on the Number and Length of Terms, and when the required time in these regulations is reckoned in years, a year shall be deemed to be the equivalent of three terms. (For example, if five years are required, fifteen terms shall be understood.)
7. [46] (g) In the event of a conflict between the regulations and guidelines of the two institutions, the procedure for resolution described in the Inter-Institutional Agreement between the two institutions will apply.

[47] 2. Admission

1. [48] (a) All students will be admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (Joint Oxford/TSRI) in the first instance. The provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for Admission as a Probationer Research Student, §§1, 2, relating to the Status of Probationer Research Student and to the Admission of Candidates as Probationer Research Students, apply except that the Board will discharge its duties under these regulations following consultation with TSRI, through the Joint Programme Committee.
2. [49] (b) Although students may hold this status for a maximum of six terms, candidates should normally apply to transfer from Probationer Research Student (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status in the third term after admission as a research student.

[50] 3. Induction

[51] All students admitted to the programme will undertake an induction session at TSRI, and thereafter will start the full programme of study at Oxford or TSRI in accordance with the regulations set out above and below. Students starting at Oxford will be required to attend the induction course in the Department of Biochemistry.

[52] 4. Residence and other requirements

1. [53] (a) With the exception of the references to part-time students, the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for Admission as a Probationer Research Student, §4, relating to the Residence and other Requirements of Probationer Research Students, apply to Probationer Research Students (Joint Oxford/TSRI).
2. [54] (b) With the exception of the references to part-time students, the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §6, relating to Residence and other Requirements for Students for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, apply to Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) students except that he or she shall be deprived of that status if he or she shall have failed to complete his or her thesis within fifteen terms or within such further extension of time as may have been granted by the Board (see 7(f) below).
3. [55] (c) In line with the regulations referred to in (a) and (b) above which make provision that ‘time spent outside Oxford during term as part of an academic programme approved by Council shall count towards residence for the purpose of this clause’, study at TSRI shall qualify as residence under these regulations; the normal patterns of study, after completion of the induction session under 3. above, shall be as follows:
   1. [56] (i) For students commencing the programme at Oxford: Students will study in Oxford for up to the first three years of the programme, during which period they will be subject to the regulations and disciplinary procedures of the University of Oxford, and for the remaining years at TSRI.
   2. [57] (ii) For students commencing the programme at TSRI : Students will study at TSRI for up to the first three years of the programme, and for the remaining years in Oxford, during which period they will be subject to the regulations and disciplinary procedures of the University of Oxford.

[58] 5. Fees

[59] The following provisions of Appendix I, Regulations on Financial Matters, apply:

[60] §1 Fees payable at matriculation

[61] §2 Fees payable by candidates on registration, entry for an examination, application for leave to supplicate, or resubmission of a thesis for certain degrees

[62] §5 In respect of certificates and personal data

[63] §6 Composition fees payable by members of the University, except that students who begin their study at TSRI shall pay no composition fee in respect of the first two years of their programme.

[64] Students who begin their study at Oxford will therefore be liable for composition fees at the HomeEU or Overseas rate as appropriate in respect of their first nine terms of residence under the terms of section 3, thereafter being exempt under the terms of section 4, of §6; and students who begin their study at TSRI will be liable for composition fees at the HomeEU or Overseas rate as appropriate in respect of their final nine terms of residence (noting in both cases that residence, under the terms of 4(c) above, includes study at TSRI).

[65] 6. Supervision

[66] The Department of Biochemistry and TSRI, in consultation through the Joint Programme Committee, will each appoint academic supervisors for each student, who will be required to make termly reports on students' progress while the student remains in the joint degree programme, i.e. until the thesis has been accepted for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI).

1. [67] (i) For Probationer Research Students (Joint Oxford/TSRI), the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for Admission as a Probationer Research Student, §3, relating to Supervision of Probationer Research Students, apply.
2. [68] (ii) For Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) Students, the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §5, relating to Supervision of Students for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, apply.
3. [69] (iii) For all students, the provisions of the Memorandum of Guidance for Supervisors and Research Students will apply (see 11 below).

[70] 7. Student progress

1. [71] (a) Completion of coursework at TSRI
   1. [72] (i) All students will be required to undertake a sequence of taught coursework in connection with the proposed field of research at TSRI and to pass the associated examinations in accordance with the TSRI requirements unless exempted from this requirement under (ii) following.
   2. [73] (ii) Candidates may, in advance of registration for the joint degree programme, apply to the Joint Programme Committee for exemption from all or part of this requirement in recognition of study and examinations previously undertaken.
   3. [74] (iii) A student who fails any element of the coursework will be required to resit the examination, or to pass an equivalent element, before proceeding to the next stage of the programme.
2. [75] (b) Admission of students to the status of Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI)
   1. [76] (i) Students who begin their programme of study at TSRI will apply for transfer of status according to the stated requirements, i.e. by entering the TSRI qualifying examination for PhD candidacy, having completed and passed the taught coursework elements as provided under (a)(i) and (a)(iii) above.
   2. [77] (ii) For students who begin their programme of study at the University of Oxford, the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §3, Admission of Candidates to the Status of Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, shall apply, and in addition, unless exempted under the provisions of (a)(ii) above, such students will be required to undertake the sequence of taught coursework at TSRI, and to pass the coursework examinations, as provided under (a)(i) and (a)(iii) above, when they have moved to TSRI.
   3. [78] (iii) Application for transfer of status should normally take place during the third term after admission to the programme. However, if a student undertakes work in two or more different laboratories within the particular institution during the first year, application for transfer of status may be delayed until after the third term, but must be made before the end of the sixth term. A candidate whose first application for transfer to Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status is not approved shall be permitted to make one further application, following the procedures laid down in the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §3, cll.1 to 4, and shall be granted an extension of time for one term if this is necessary for the purposes of making the application.
   4. [79] (iv) The recommendations open to the assessors of the application for the first time shall be: [80] Transfer to Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status; or [81] Transfer to Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status; or [82] Rejection of application to transfer to either Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status or Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status, with the opportunity for submission of a second application, if the candidate chooses.
   5. [83] (v) The recommendations open to the assessors of the application for the second time shall be: [84] Transfer to Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status; or [85] Transfer to Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status; or [86] Rejection of application to transfer to either Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status or Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status, with consequent removal from the Register of Graduate Students.
   6. [87] (vi) It is possible to transfer to M.Sc. (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status initially and thereafter apply to transfer to Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status if this is appropriate.
3. [88] (c) Admission of students to the status of Student for the Degree of Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI): Guidelines for transfer to M.Sc. status [89] If, exceptionally, it is agreed that the student should apply for transfer to the status of student for the degree of Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI), the procedures set out in the programme guidelines will be followed. [90] The decision to work towards the Degree of M.Sc. by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI) should be reached in discussion with the supervisor(s) concerned and agreed by the Director of Graduate Studies at Oxford and the Dean of Graduate Studies at TSRI.
4. [91] (d) Confirmation of Status of Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) [92] With the exception of the references to part-time students, the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §4, Confirmation of Status as a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, will apply to Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) students. The status of a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) will be confirmed under the provisions above, on the basis of supporting statements from the supervisors from both institutions, when it has been confirmed by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Dean of Graduates at TSRI that the student is continuing satisfactorily to conduct research. Confirmation of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status exists to give faculties and departments an opportunity to monitor the direction and progress of a student's work in the period between transfer of status and submission of thesis. It intends both to assess the progress of the research work and to support the work of a student and his or her supervisor(s) by ensuring that the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduates at TSRI are aware of the state of the research in progress, and the likely timetable for submission. Application for confirmation of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) status should be made normally after the ninth term, and must be made before the fifteenth term; the detailed arrangements for application at Oxford and at TSRI are as set out in the programme guidelines. [93] A candidate whose first application for confirmation of his or her status is not approved shall be permitted to make one further application following the procedures laid down in this section, normally within one term of the original application, and shall be granted an extension of time for one term if this is necessary for the purposes of making the application. If, after considering a candidate's second application for confirmation of status, the Board concludes that the student's progress does not warrant this, the Board may approve his or her transfer to the status of Student for the Degree of Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI).
5. [94] (e) Termination of status
   1. [95] (i) Probationer Research Student (Joint Oxford/TSRI) [96] The provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for Admission as a Probationer Research Student, §4, cl.6, apply. Decisions made under these provisions will be the subject of consultation between the two institutions through the Joint Programme Committee.
   2. [97] (ii) Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) [98] The provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §6, cl.8, apply except that he or she shall be deprived of that status if he or she shall have failed to complete his or her thesis within fifteen terms or within such further extension of time as may have been granted by the Board (see (f) below). Decisions made under these provisions will be the subject of consultation between the two institutions, through the Joint Programme Committee.
6. [99] (f) Extension of time [100] Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) [101] If a full-time Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) has held that status for fifteen terms, but has been prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing his or her thesis, the Board shall have power to grant an extension of time for a period or periods, not exceeding nine terms in all, to be determined by the Board. Applications for such extension of time shall be made through the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant at the University of Oxford not later than the term in which the student is due to apply for permission to supplicate; applications made under these provisions will be the subject of consultation between the two institutions through the Joint Programme Committee.

[102] 8. Suspension of Graduate Students from the Register

[103] The provisions of the General Regulations of the Education Committee Governing the Examination of Students for the Degrees of M.Sc. by Research, M.Litt., and D.Phil. and Concerning the Maintenance of the Register, cl. 4, apply; action proposed under these provisions will be the subject of consultation between the two institutions through the Joint Programme Committee.

[104] 9. Removal of Graduate Students from the Register

[105] The provisions of the General Regulations of the Education Committee Governing the Examination of Students for the Degrees of M.Sc. by Research, M.Litt., and D.Phil. and Concerning the Maintenance of the Register, cl. 5, apply; action proposed under these provisions will be the subject of consultation between the two institutions through the Joint Programme Committee.

[106] 10. Reinstatement of Graduate Students to the Register

[107] The provisions of the General Regulations of the Education Committee Governing the Examination of Students for the Degrees of M.Sc. by Research, M.Litt., and D.Phil. and Concerning the Maintenance of the Register, cl. 6, apply; action proposed under these provisions will be the subject of consultation between the two institutions through the Joint Programme Committee.

[108] 11. Memorandum of Guidance for Supervisors and Research Students

[109] The provisions of the General Regulations of the Education Committee Governing the Examination of Students for the Degrees of M.Sc. by Research, M.Litt., and D.Phil. and Concerning the Maintenance of the Register, cl. 7, apply.

[110] 12. Complaints and appeals

1. [111] (a) While at Oxford students may seek advice on matters of concern from a number of individuals who have responsibility for different aspects of the well-being of graduate students; these include supervisors, Director of Graduate Studies, college tutors, the student's college and departmental advisors, head of department, and college head. If resolution of a complaint or appeal is not possible by means of procedures in place within the Department of Biochemistry, then a student may refer the matter to the Proctors for formal consideration, under the Statutes and Regulations of the University of Oxford relating to the powers of the Proctors.
2. [112] (b) While at TSRI, students may seek advice on matters of concern from numerous individuals and a committee who have responsibility for aspects of the well-being of graduate students. These individuals include the thesis research advisor, the student-chosen Advisory and Qualifying Examination Committee (consisting of at least two members of the TSRI faculty, one Oxford representative, and the student's advisor at TSRI) that meets annually or when requested by the student or a faculty member, and the Dean and the Associate Deans. In the absence of a resolution of a conflict, the student is permitted to present his or her case to the President of TSRI who will make every reasonable effort to resolve the conflict.

[113] 13. Appointment of examiners

1. [114] (a) A Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSR) who has fulfilled the applicable requirements set out in the preceding clauses of this section and whose status has not expired, may apply to the Board for the appointment of examiners and for leave to supplicate for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI).
2. [115] (b) Such applications should be made to the Board through the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant at the University of Oxford. They shall include:
   1. [116] (i) a certificate from the student's college that the application has the approval of that college;
   2. [117] (ii) a certificate from the supervisors that the student has pursued his or her course of study in Oxford and at TSRI in accordance with the preceding clauses of this section;
   3. [118] (iii) a statement by the candidate of what part, if any, of the thesis has already been accepted, or is currently being submitted, for any degree or diploma or certificate or other qualification in the University of Oxford, TSRI, or elsewhere;
   4. [119] (iv) a statement by the candidate that the thesis is his or her own work, except where otherwise indicated.
3. [120] (c) The supervisors shall consult with the candidate concerning possible examiners, and forward to the Board the names of suggested examiners together with details of any special considerations which the candidate wishes to make known about any potential examiners.
4. [121] (d) The candidate shall also submit, to the University of Oxford, for examination, at such time and in such format as provided by the General Regulations of the Education Committee governing the examination of students for the degrees of M.Sc. by Research and Doctor of Philosophy, and by the Special Regulations of the Board as set out in this section:
   1. [122] (i) two printed or typewritten copies of a thesis;
   2. [123] (ii) two printed or typewritten copies of an abstract of the thesis, which shall not normally exceed 300 words.
   [124] Submission of additional copies of the thesis, and abstract as appropriate, to the Thesis Committee at TSRI shall be according to the TSRI guidelines.
5. [125] (e) On receipt of an application the Board shall appoint two examiners, in consultation with The Scripps Research Institute, neither of whom shall be the candidate's supervisor. The appointment of examiners by the Board shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Education Committee's Notes of Guidance for Research Degrees, i.e. that it is an absolute requirement for examinations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy that one examiner should be external to the University of Oxford, and that this is the preferred convention for the Degree of M.Sc. by Research. In addition, both the examiners appointed by the Board for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) and for the Degree of Master of Science by Research (Joint Oxford/TSRI) should be external to TSRI. For examinations which are undertaken at TSRI (see 15(a) below), the examiners shall act together with such members of the candidate's Thesis Committee as shall be determined by TSRI, and for examinations which are undertaken at Oxford, up to two members of the candidate's Thesis Committee, as determined by TSRI, shall take part in the examination; the student's TSRI thesis advisor may attend the examination on a non-participatory basis. [126] The duties of the examiners (jointly with the members of the Thesis Committee) shall be:
   1. [127] (i) on behalf of the University of Oxford and TSRI, to consider the thesis and the abstract of it submitted by the student, provided that they shall exclude from consideration in making their report any part of the thesis which has already been accepted, or is being concurrently submitted for any degree or other qualification in this University or TSRI or elsewhere, and shall have the power to require the candidate to produce for their inspection the complete thesis so accepted or concurrently submitted;
   2. [128] (ii) to examine the student orally in the subject of his or her thesis;
   3. [129] (iii) to satisfy themselves by examination (oral, written, or both) whether the student possesses a good general knowledge of the particular field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls;
   4. [130] (iv) to report to the Board through the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant at the University of Oxford on the scope, character, and quality of the work submitted;
   5. [131] (v) to return to the student the copies of the thesis and the abstracts thereof.

[132] 14. Theses

[133] The provisions of the General Regulations of the Education Committee Governing the Examination of Students for the Degrees of M.Sc. by Research, M.Litt., and D.Phil. and Concerning the Maintenance of the Register, cll. 1, and 2, apply.

[134] Theses for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) should not normally be more than 50,000 words in length (amounting to approximately 170 sides of A4 paper), exclusive of bibliography, appendices, diagrams, and tables. In exceptional circumstances the permission of the Board can be sought to exceed this limit, but in no case may a thesis be longer than 75,000 words.

[135] 15. Conduct of Oral Examinations

1. [136] (a) The oral examination may be held in either institution, as agreed by the student, the supervisors, and the Thesis Committee in consultation and as endorsed by the Joint Programme Committee, in a suitable institutional or college building. It shall, except in special circumstances, begin not earlier than 9 a.m. nor later than 5 p.m., and may be held in term or vacation. The examiners shall be responsible for informing the candidate of the final arrangements made and shall give reasonable time for the candidate to make himself or herself available. It shall be the duty of candidates to ensure that any letter addressed to them at their college or any other address which they have given is forwarded to them if necessary. The examiners shall allow reasonable time for receiving an acknowledgement from the candidate of their summons.
2. [137] (b) Candidates may apply to the Board for the oral examination to be held not later than a certain date, provided that this date shall not be earlier than one calendar month after the date on which the thesis has been received at Oxford by the Examination Schools, or after the date on which the examiners have agreed to act, whichever is the later. If the Board is satisfied that there are special circumstances justifying this application, it will ask the examiners to make arrangements to enable the oral examination to be held within the period specified. In such cases the examiners, when invited to act, will be informed that the candidate has asked that the oral examination be held not later than a certain date, and acceptance of the invitation to examine will be on the understanding that they would seek to meet this request. If it is not practicable to meet the student's request, then the Board shall decide how to proceed.
3. [138] (c) Notice of the examination shall be given in the University of Oxford in one of the following ways:
   1. [139] (i) It may be published in the University Gazette not later than the day before it is due to take place;
   2. [140] (ii) Not later than two days before the examination the examiners may inform the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant in writing; and post a notice in the Examination Schools; and if the examination is to be held in Oxford in a place other than the Examination Schools, post a notice also at the place of examination.
4. [141] (d) The notice shall state the name of the candidate, the subject of the thesis, the place, day, and hour of the examination, and the names of the examiners. If an examination is held without the giving of notice required by this regulation it shall be invalid, unless the Proctors, on receipt of a written application from the examiners, shall determine otherwise. The student or his or her college, other society, or approved institution, may within fourteen days of the date of the Proctors' decision in respect of the granting of consent, appeal in writing to the Education Committee (who may nominate another member of the committee, other than one of the Proctors, to adjudicate the appeal).
5. [142] (e) An examination held in Oxford may be attended by any member of the University in academic dress. Up to two members of the candidate's Thesis Committee, as determined by TSRI, may take part in the examination, and the student's TSRI thesis advisor may attend on a non-participatory basis, but otherwise no person who is not a member of the University may attend it except with the consent of the examiners. The Proctors, after consultation with the Board, may decide (either at their own discretion or at the request of the candidate or the supervisor(s) or the department) to forbid the attendance of any person or all persons (other than the examiners, including the agreed members of the candidate's Thesis Committee, and the candidate) or to impose any condition on attendance if and to the extent that such action is in their view necessary to protect the interests of the University or the candidate or both, and the examiners shall be informed accordingly and shall include this information in the notice of examination. The student or his or her college may within fourteen days of the date of the Proctors' decision appeal in writing to the Chairman of the Education Committee (who may nominate another member of the committee, other than one of the Proctors, to adjudicate the appeal).
6. [143] (f) Candidates are strongly recommended to take a copy of their thesis to the examination.
7. [144] (g) If, owing to illness or other urgent and unforeseen cause, an examiner is unable to attend the examination, it shall be postponed to a later date; however, if, after appropriate consultation between the Department of Biochemistry and TSRI through the Joint Programme Committee, the Proctors are satisfied that postponement would be a serious hardship to the candidate, they may authorise another member of the Board to attend the examination as a substitute but such substitute shall not be required to sign the report containing the recommendation as described in 16 below. The Proctors shall determine what payment, if any, the substitute examiner shall receive.
8. [145] (h) Oral examinations held at The Scripps Research Institute shall be subject to such detailed regulations of that institute as are relevant.

[146] 16. Recommendation of the examiners

[147] Having completed the examination of a candidate for the first time, the examiners appointed by the Board and by TSRI may make any one of the recommendations (a), (b) or (d) below only. Having completed the examination of a candidate who has revised and resubmitted his or her thesis, the examiners may make any one of the recommendations (a) to (f). The recommendations are:

1. [148] (a) That the Board should grant the candidate leave to supplicate for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI). In making this recommendation, the examiners must include in their report statements that:
   1. [149] • the student possesses a good general knowledge of the particular field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls;
   2. [150] • the student has made a significant and substantial contribution in the particular field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls;
   3. [151] • the thesis is presented in a lucid and scholarly manner;
   4. [152] • in their opinion the thesis merits the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI);
   5. [153] • The student has presented a satisfactory abstract of the thesis.
   [154] Examiners shall bear in mind that their judgement of the substantial significance of the work should take into account what may reasonably be expected of a capable and diligent student after completing the five-year joint programme. If the examiners are satisfied that the candidate's thesis is of sufficient merit to qualify for the degree but consider, nevertheless, that before the thesis is deposited the candidate should make minor corrections (which are not sufficiently substantial to justify reference back for re-examination), they must require the candidate to correct the thesis to their satisfaction before they submit their report. If the candidate has not completed these corrections within three calendar months of the date of receipt of the list of minor corrections from the examiners, his or her name shall be removed by the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant at the University of Oxford on behalf of the Registrar from the Register of Students for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI); however, the Board may, on good cause shown by the candidate, grant an extension of time of three further calendar months in which the candidate may fulfil this requirement before the removal of his or her name from the Register. No subsequent extension shall be granted, but it shall be open to a candidate who has failed to fulfil this requirement within those three or six months in total, as the case may be, to apply to the Board for reinstatement as a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI), with the support of his or her society and supervisor(s), upon submission to the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant of a copy of his or her thesis incorporating the required corrections, and upon payment of such reinstatement fee as is prescribed by Council at that time. Permission to supplicate shall not be granted until this fee has been paid.
2. [155] (b) That the Board should offer the candidate a choice between (i) reference of the thesis back to him or her in order that he or she may revise it for re-examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI), and (ii) leave to supplicate for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI), as appropriate, on the basis that the thesis has not reached the standard required for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) but has nevertheless reached that required for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI). If the Board adopts this recommendation, and the student chooses to revise the thesis for re-examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI), the student shall retain the status and obligations of a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) and shall be permitted to apply again for the appointment of examiners in accordance with the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, §7, relating to Examination of Students for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. If such permission shall have been given by the Board during a vacation, it shall be deemed to have been given in the term preceding that vacation.
3. [156] (c) That the Board should refer the student's thesis back in order that he or she may present it for re-examination for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI) only. If the Board adopts the recommendation the student shall be transferred forthwith to the status of Student for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI), and shall be permitted to apply for permission to supplicate for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI) in accordance with the provisions of the University of Oxford Regulations for the Degree of Master of Science by Research, §6, relating to Examination of Students for the Degree of Master of Science by Research. If such permission shall have been given by the Board during a vacation, it shall be deemed to have been given in the term preceding that vacation. The word limit for a thesis submitted under this provision shall be that specified for the Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) under 14 above.
4. [157] (d) That the Board should refer the student's thesis back in order that he or she may present it for re-examination either under (b) above for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) or, if the student chooses, under (c) above for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI) only. The Board shall adopt such a recommendation only if it is fully satisfied that the thesis as it stands is not of the standard required for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI), nor for the Degree of Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI), but that the candidate could reach the standard required for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI). If such permission shall have been given by the Board during a vacation, it shall have been deemed to have been given in the term preceding that vacation.
5. [158] (e) That the thesis has not reached the standard required for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) but has nevertheless reached that required for Master of Science (Joint Oxford/TSRI), and that the candidate may be granted leave to supplicate for that degree on the basis of the thesis as it stands.
6. [159] (f) That the student's application for leave to supplicate should be refused.

[160] If the examiners recommend reference back of the student's application under (b), (c) or (d) above, they shall annex to their report to the Board a statement for transmission to the candidate setting out the respects in which the thesis falls below the standard for the degree in question, and what changes are necessary for it to reach that standard. In exceptional circumstances, examiners of a thesis submitted for the first time, and notwithstanding a recommendation under (b) or (d) above, may certify that they are unable to indicate how the thesis might be changed, within the time allowed, in order to reach the standard required for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI).

[161] On receipt of the examiners' report, the Board shall reach a decision on whether to accept the examiners' recommendation; no candidate shall be given leave to supplicate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI) unless the examiners have made the statements required in clause (a) above. A candidate who has been granted leave to supplicate by the Board shall be required to submit to the Examination Schools a copy of his or her thesis, incorporating any amendments or corrections required by the examiners and approved by the Board, with a view to deposit in the Bodleian or other appropriate library of the University of Oxford. Permission to supplicate shall in all cases be conditional upon fulfilment of this requirement.

[162] In an exceptional case in which the Board is unable to accept the examiners' recommendation, or in which the examiners cannot reach an agreed recommendation, the Board shall have power to appoint one or two new examiners as it deems necessary (subject to consultation with the Joint Programme Committee), to conduct such further examination of the candidate as the Board may require. The Board shall make a report on any such case to the Education Committee.

[163] The Board may exempt a candidate who is being re-examined under the provisions of clauses (b)-(e) above from the oral examination, provided that the examiners are able to certify that they are satisfied without examining the candidate orally that they can recommend to the Board in the terms required by clause (a) above that he or she be given leave to supplicate for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Joint Oxford/TSRI).

[164] It shall be the duty of the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant, on behalf of the Registrar, to notify the candidate of the Board's decision as soon as may be. The relevant Graduate Studies Assistant shall also be responsible for publishing at the end of each academic year the names of those candidates to whom permission to supplicate has been granted during that year, together with a statement of the subject of the thesis written by each.

[165] When, on the conclusion of the investigation of a complaint made by a candidate, the Proctors recommend that a candidate be re-examined, the Board shall have power to hold a new examination.

[166] 9. D.PHIL IN THE MEDICAL SCIENCES DOCTORAL TRAINING CENTRE

[167] 1. General regulations

[168] These regulations shall apply to all students registered for

1. [169] 1. D.Phil. in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
2. [170] 2. D.Phil in Cardiovascular Science (BHF)
3. [171] 3. D.Phil. in Chromosome and Developmental Biology
4. [172] 4. D.Phil. in Genomic Medicine and Statistics
5. [173] 5. D.Phil. in Infection, Immunology and Translational Medicine
6. [174] 6. D.Phil. in Ion Channels and Disease
7. [175] 7. D.Phil. in Structural Biology

[176] within the Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre, irrespective of the division or department they are based within for their research project.

[177] Programme 1 above is a three-year programme. Programmes 2-7 above are four-year programmes.

[178] The provisions of the following regulations shall apply, except as specifically provided below: Regulations for Admission as a Probationer Research Student; Regulations for the Degree of Master of Science by Research, Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (§1-7); General Regulations of the Education Committee governing the examination of students for the degrees of M.Sc. by Research, M.Litt. and D.Phil., and Concerning the Maintenance of the Register of Graduate Students; and the Special Regulations of Divisional and Faculty Boards concerning the status of Probationer Research Student and the degrees of M.Litt., M.Sc. by Research, and D.Phil.

[179] For the purposes of these regulations `Board' shall mean the Medical Sciences Divisional Board.

[180] 2. Register of Probationer Research Students

[181] The Board may grant a student suspension from the Register of those admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student or deprive a student of his or her status; and in such cases it shall at all times follow procedures determined by the Education Committee by regulation. The Board may also reinstate a student to the Register, provided that the total number of terms a student has spent as a Probationer Research Student has not exceeded six terms in the case of a student on a four-year Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre programme.

[182] 3. Probationer Research Student Status

[183] A student on a four-year Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre programme may hold the status of Probationer Research Student for a maximum of six terms, including the term in which the student was admitted. In exceptional circumstances the Board may grant up to one term's extension to this deadline.

[184] 4. Confirmation of Status as a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

[185] A student on a four-year Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre programme who has been admitted to the status of Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy must apply to the Board for confirmation of his or her status as a D.Phil Student not later than the tenth term and normally during the ninth term after admission to the programme. [From 1 October 2013: In all other respects the procedure for confirmation of status of such students will follow the procedures for confirmation of status of students within the Medical Sciences Division.]

[186] 5. Other requirements for students for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy following a Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre four-year D.Phil Programme

[187] A full-time Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy following a four-year Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre programme may hold the status of a registered research student for a maximum of twelve terms. If such a student has been prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing his or her thesis by that time, the Board shall have power to grant an extension of time for a period or periods, not exceeding six terms in all, to be determined by the Board. Applications for such extension of time shall be made through the Registrar not later than the term in which the student is due to apply for permission to supplicate.

[188] A full-time Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy following a four-year Medical Sciences Doctoral Training Centre Programme shall cease to hold that status if: (i) he or she shall have been refused permission to supplicate for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy; or (ii) the Board concerned shall in accordance with the Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Part A., §2, cl. 3, and with the provisions set down by regulation by the Education Committee and after consultation with the student's college supervisor, have deprived the student of that status; (iii) he or she shall have been transferred under the relevant provisions to another status; (iv) he or she shall have failed to complete his or her thesis within twelve terms or within such further extension of time as may have been granted by the Board concerned.