Supervision

Under the terms of the Higher Education Ordinance, every postgraduate student is entitled to supervision for a period of 4 years. Graduate students in clinical subjects are also entitled to supervision while they are engaged in the clinical activities required by their programmes.

This entitlement to supervision is expressed unequivocally. The degree of Supervision must be of such that students are guaranteed regularly scheduled consultation with their supervisors for the discussion of matters pertaining to their programme. Apart from this, however, very little is specified with regard to the extent or type of supervision.

As a rule, postgraduate students have already established contact with their supervisors prior to admission, during voluntary in-depth work, research work or in the context of some other involvement at the department. During this period of initial contact, the prospective postgraduate student usually has a considerable need for consultation and supervision with regard to the choice of appropriate reading, and where to focus research activities etc. On the other hand, the supervisor's responsibility formally begins only after the applicant has been admitted to postgraduate studies.

It often happens that student and supervisor collaborate in a research project, and are cited as co-authors of the publications that will constitute part of the student's thesis. In such cases, there is ample opportunity for the student and supervisor to have frequent contact with each other. In some cases, the supervisor and the student may be working at different departments. Supervision may then assume the character of less frequent consultation, or superintendence, rather than of close co-operation. In these instances, contact between student and supervisor may sometimes be problematic, and - from the point of view of the student - be insufficient. Other problems may arise if the supervisor is temporarily assigned to another location, or changes his or her area of activity. In situations that the postgraduate student finds unsatisfactory, and where the Departmental Chairperson has not succeeded in solving the problem, the Directors of Studies for Postgraduate Education may be able to provide advice and practical help.

Supervisors at the Faculty of Medicine in Lund

The Postgraduate Education Committee makes the formal decision regarding the principal supervisor and, if relevant, an assistant supervisor, upon admission of the postgraduate student. It is possible to change supervisor. Applications to change supervisor are to be made to the Postgraduate Education Committee who will decide in the matter. The reasons for wishing to change supervisor must be well-founded. The student will be informed of any changes in supervisor.

A supervisor is to be officially designated when a student is admitted to postgraduate studies. As principal supervisor, the Departmental Board or the Departmental Chairperson may assign a teacher at the Faculty of Medicine who has been admitted as an unsalaried Senior Lecturer or who, in the judgement of an external consultant, has at least the equivalent competence.

It is often appropriate for the Departmental Board or Departmental Chairperson to appoint one or more acting supervisors in addition to the principal supervisor. Acting supervisors must have a doctoral degree.

The principal supervisor shall:

• participate in the formulation of the student's individual study plan.
• The programme identifies the project in which the student will be working, and specifies the required reading and coursework. The research programme will be presented under the following headings: "Objectives", "Background", "Preliminary Results", "Planned Research" and "Relevance";
• ensure that the student acquires the knowledge specified in the study programme;
• ensure that the department provides the student with adequate resources for the realization of the research project:
• facilitate the student's participation in relevant postgraduate courses, symposia and conferences;
• be supportive and encouraging, and be available for consultations with the student to the extent indicated in the study programme. It is advisable to expedite the student's integration into the department by arranging seminars at which the student presents his/her work from the outset and at regular intervals thereafter;
• assume responsibility for keeping the student informed about opportunities for financial support (stipends, study grants, postgraduate studentships, research opportunities connected with nursing and health care employment, etc) that may be available both at the time of admission and as the postgraduate programme continues;
• ensure that the research progresses at a reasonable rate so that it will be concluded within the time stipulated; the best way to achieve this is through close and continuous involvement in the research;
• initiate the halfway review and be responsible for its completion;
• decide when the research has reached the level required for a doctoral thesis. The primary responsibility for determining when the research meets the requirements on an academic thesis, in terms of both size and quality, rests with the supervisor. (The view of the Faculty Board is that all the articles included in a thesis must meet the academic criteria for acceptance for publication in internationally recognized scientific journals);
• collaborate with the head of the the subject area in suggesting a faculty opponent and members of the examining committee, be present at the meeting of the examining committee, and participate in its deliberations.

If the principal supervisor becomes unavailable for an extended period, due to sickness, placement at another location etc, a deputy supervisor should be designated.