Unless otherwise specified under the following special regulations, the general university regulations 50 shall apply were appropriate. However, should a conflict in interpretation of both regulations exist, these Special Departmental Regulations shall apply.
1.1.1 The normal minimum entrance qualifications for a Master of Philosophy shall be a Master Degree in Statistics.
1.1.2 Candidates must have shown a potential to do independent research as evidence in performances in project courses and courses in their area of intended specialization, as well as good performances in at least one of the following areas: probability, mathematics and statistical computing.
1.1.3 Applicants without a Master Qualification, but with a strong undergraduate degree in statistics as spelt out in General regulation 50.1 may be admitted. However, such candidates would be required to take selected courses from the Master in Statistics program. Their performance in such courses shall form part of their dossier for progression after the first year.
In addition to general regulations 50.1
1.2.1 In order to register for the MPhil degree, a candidate must discuss the proposed research topic with the department of Statistics and/or proposed supervisor. The application shall include an outline of the research proposal as well as the motivation for wanting to pursue research in that area. Admission shall depend on the availability of an internal supervisor.
1.2.2 A Departmental Graduate Studies Subcommittee shall evaluate the application to determine whether or not the Candidate adequately qualifies to undertake the MPhil program of study. This board reserves the right to request for additional submissions from the candidate including an oral presentation. On the basis of this evaluation, the subcommittee shall make the relevant recommendation to the Departmental Board as to whether candidate is admissible into the MPhil programme in Statistics.
1.2.3 Given the nature of statistics, the MPhil program shall normally be taken on a full time basis. Only in exceptional cases shall a student be admitted on part-time basis.
1.3.1 The program shall be of 2 years duration for full time students extendable to a maximum of 3 years, depending on demonstrable evidence that the candidate shall complete the program within the extended period.
1.3.2 Part-time students must complete the program within four years.
The department shall offer a Master of Philosophy (MPhil.) degree by supervised research in different applied and theoretical areas of Statistical Science. General regulation 50.6 shall apply. Students shall register for the following courses as appropriate.
FSS800 Advanced Social Science Research Methods
STA 800 Supervised research and Thesis in Statistics (MPhil)
1.5.1 The candidates for MPhil program will be mandated to complete yearly appraisal forms to be filled by both the candidate and supervisor. The appraisal form will be evaluated by the Departmental board.
1.5.2 At the end of their first year of study, the student progress shall be evaluated to decide as to whether the student can continue with the program of research or not. The decision shall be guided by the following factors:
a) The student has demonstrated sufficient ability to conduct independent research up to the level of MPhil
b) The research topic is sufficiently broad to include the need to contribute to new knowledge in the area – an MPhil goes beyond the requirements of Master Degree Dissertation to include a candidate’s contribution to knowledge either through extension of existing results/methods, or proposal of new methods.
General regulation 50.9 shall apply
1. The successful candidate shall be awarded the University of Botswana Master of Philosophy (MPhil.) in Statistics (MPhil – Statistics) degree.
The procedure for submitting application for admission to the MPhil and PhD pro-grammes shall be as stipulated in General regulation 50.1 and 50.2 respectively (see Appendix).
In addition to general regulations 50.2
2.1.1 Applicants intending to pursue the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics shall register provisionally for the Degree of Master of Philosophy under Special Departmental Regulation 1.2, unless they already hold a relevant MPhil from this or other University in the intended area of research.
2.1.2 A candidate who already has a Master of Philosophy Degree in the same research area shall be admitted directly into the PhD program after due consideration of the application documents, that shall include a clear statement of additional work to be conducted for the award of the PhD as well as a work-plan evaluated by the intended supervisor and the Departmental Graduate Studies committee and approved the Departmental Board.
2.1.3 Given the nature of statistics, the PhD program shall normally be taken on a full time basis.
Only in exceptional cases shall a student be admitted on part-time basis.
The duration of PhD program as shall be stipulated in general regulation 50.5. The minimum duration of 36 months may be reduced in exceptional cases, such as for transfer students or candidates with sufficient relevant prior learning/research experience, subject to with recommendation from the graduate study committee.
The department shall offer a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by supervised research in different applied and theoretical areas of Statistical Science. General regulation 50.6 shall apply. Students shall register for the following courses as appropriate.
FSS800 Advanced Social Science Research Methods
STA800 Supervised research and Thesis in Statistics (MPhil)
STA900 Supervised research and Thesis in Statistics (PhD)
2.4.1 During the provisional period of registration (where applicable), the Special Departmental regulations for MPhil shall apply. Furthermore, transfer to PhD shall be guided by general University regulation 50.7.1 as well as a recommendation from the Departmental Graduate Study Committee affirming that the candidate has a viable program of study for the degree of PhD and is capable of the required level of independent research required of PhD candidates.
2.4.2 Each PhD student shall complete an annual appraisal form to be filled by both the candidate and primary supervisor. The appraisal form will be evaluated by the Departmental Graduate Study committee and the resulting report shall be presented to the Departmental Examination Board.