Why is the course compulsory?

There are several reasons. First, we are obliged to tell you of your rights and responsibilities, i.e. the course is for induction. Second, the assessments of the course are required by the university for its confirmation process. Therefore in order to maximise the likelihood of you progressing into your second year of your studies, we make it compulsory for you to produce those outputs, by making you attend this course. In other words, we’re doing you a big favour.

What are the attendance requirements?

The course is made up of ten days. Days 1, 2, 3 and 10 are compulsory. Of days 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, you need to attend at least four. We recommend you attend all days. There are no exemptions for attendance. These days must be attended by both full-time and part-time students. Days (1/2), (4/5/6) and (7/8/9) are clustered together in a block to allow attendance by part-time students.

The only exception is external students, who must attend days 1, 2, and 10, and three of days 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What dates are the workshops and assessment deadlines?

See the GSOE9400 website.

How long do I have to complete the course?

Full-time: 1 year. Part-time: 2 years. This is so that the course is completed before your confirmation review.

How often does the course run?

A new version of the course starts each semester.

So can I attend days from different versions of the course to accumulate my compulsory attendance?

Yes, but this is not recommended for a full-time student, because it will mean you attend later days before earlier days. It’s much better to do the days in the right order.

I am a part-time student. When should I attend and when should I submit assessments?

You are able to accumulate the days and submit assessments as you like, but the recommended timing is as follows. (This timing assumes that you first enrol in semester 1 – S1 which could be either first or second semester. Another course will start S2, S3 and S4, before you are required to complete the course two years later. Each version of the course will have its own dates for each of the days and for the assessment submission deadlines.) S1: Attend days 1, 2, 3. S2: Attend days 4, 5, 6. Submit assessment 1 S3: Attend days 7, 8, 9. Submit assessment 2 S4: Attend day 10. Submit assessment 3

Can I be exempted from this course?

No. To clarify that: no, not if you are enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering in a postgraduate research degree. It’s compulsory. That’s what compulsory means.

Really?

Yes.

What if I’m special?

You’re not.

What if my supervisor said I could be exempted?

Tell them to speak to your school’s postgraduate coordinator, whose job it is to make sure that supervisors know what they’re doing.

What if I miss some days?

You need to attend all of the compulsory days (1, 2, 3 and 10) and four of the others (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) to pass. You must pass to complete confirmation. Confirmation takes place one year after enrolment for FT, two years for PT. If you do not complete confirmation you cannot continue with your degree. The course runs every semester so you can take these days whenever they occur, but ideally you should take them in order. Days are clustered to assist PT students: (1/2), (4/5/6), (7/8/9) are given together within a week.

I have already had some introduction to the library. Do I need to attend day 3?

Yes. Day 3 is compulsory. It is to ensure that you know all of the techniques relevant to your area.

What if I miss some assessments?

You don’t pass.

Andrew Dempster