Doctor of Philosophy in Radiobiology

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the field of Radiobiology.

The graduate will be able to demonstrate

• Expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of the field, discipline or practice and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives, and create new knowledge or practice (scope of knowledge).
• An ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study or practice (knowledge literacy).
• An ability to develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts (method and procedure).
• An ability to apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems (problem solving).
• An ability to identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and to advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate (ethics and professional practice).
• An ability to make independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues (accessing, processing and managing information).
• An ability to produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards, is considered to be new or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice; and an ability to develop a communication strategy to disseminate and defend research, strategic and policy initiatives and their implementation to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of an academic and professional or occupational discourse (production and effective communication of information).
• An understanding of theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems to achieve systemic change; and an ability to independently design, sustain and manage change within a system or systems (context and systems).
• An ability to demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in a discipline, field or practice (management of learning).
• An ability to operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her work, and where appropriate to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems (accountability).

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduate must be able to apply the following concepts in any field that employs ionising radiation:

• The interaction processes between ionising radiation and matter.
• The principles of radiation dosimetry and radiation protection.
• The practical use of different sources of ionising radiation.
• The theoretical principles of radiation quality and radio sensitivity.
• The analysis and interpretation of radiobiological data.

Rationale

In-depth knowledge of radiobiology is required by all radiation workers if they are to safely perform their duties. Regrettably, most radiation workers do not have the required working knowledge of this specialised field of applied radiation science. Ideally, each work environment that uses ionising radiation should have expertise in radiobiology to advise and provide guidance regarding the biological effects of radiation. These work environments may be clinical (e.g. nuclear medicine, radio pharmacy, radiation oncology, radiology, radiography, and medical physics) or industrial (e.g. mining and nuclear power generation). These fields are expanding, not only in South Africa, but in Africa as a whole, and require high level radiobiological services. Other fields requiring expertise in radiobiology are environmental protection and defence. The dwindling number of well-trained radiobiologists and the expansion of nuclear applications globally warrant the development of skilled human capital in radiobiology at an advanced level.

The qualification will also be responsible for providing adequate working knowledge of radiobiology, through refresher courses, to professionals working for stakeholders.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The only access to this PhD programme is through the successful completion of an appropriate Master's qualification at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) routes are only used at Master's level, but not at Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the qualification are

• Masters Degree in a cognate field/discipline that has the appropriate number of credits at Level 9.

Or

• Master of Science (MSc) in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Radiobiology, or appropriate applied science, or another qualification approved for such purposes by Senate.

This qualification comprises a compulsory module at Level 10 with a total of 360 Credits

• Dissertation (Radiobiology), 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of the field, discipline or practice and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives, and create new knowledge or practice.
2. Contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study or practice.
3. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts.
4. Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems.
5. Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and to advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.
6. Make independent judgments about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
7. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards, is considered to be new or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice; and an ability to develop a communication strategy to disseminate and defend research, strategic and policy initiatives and their implementation to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of an academic and professional or occupational discourse.
8. Understand the theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems to achieve systemic change; and independently design, sustain and manage change within a system or systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Show a clear, systematic and logical presentation of the material and an adequate command of the relevant literature through a dissertation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Defend the thesis during the oral examination and demonstrate a thorough grasp of the current scholarly debates in an area of study or practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show an adequate command of the relevant research methodology, applied in an appropriate and potentially innovative way, through dissertation and oral examination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in a discipline, field or practice.
• Consider whether the dissertation makes an original contribution to knowledge in the subject area concerned, related to an application of the following concepts in any field that employs ionising radiation:

> The interaction processes between ionising radiation and matter.

> The principles of radiation dosimetry and radiation protection.

> The practical use of different sources of ionising radiation.

> The theoretical principles of radiation quality and radio sensitivity.

> The analysis and interpretation of radiobiological data.

> Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in a discipline, field or practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Include evidence that is appropriate, follow ethical clearance processes and obtain an ethical clearance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Substantiate the results of the research with proper documentation and a clear, systematic and logical presentation of the material by means of the dissertation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Show an adequate demarcation and conceptualisation of the field of research and of the research topic; use acceptable linguistic and stylistic editing, and question whether the assignment makes an original contribution to knowledge in the subject area concerned and answer positively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Show an in-depth mastery of the research process, and original, independent work, defend appropriately under scrutiny by peers through dissertation and oral examination.
• Operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her work, and where appropriate to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.
• Operate independently and take full responsibility for own work, and where appropriate lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.

Integrated Assessment

The institution requires the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Radiobiology) students to follow a programme that has been approved by the University with set outcomes pertaining to knowledge and skills.

Formative assessments are performed on a monthly basis. This is done via the monitoring procedures for the qualification. Monitoring of student learning in the qualification is performed via a monthly discussion between the programme committee, supervisor and each individual student.

The final assessment is performed by a process of formal internal and external evaluation of the research project. This is performed by Faculty appointed internal and external examiners according to prescribed University standards and policy: Two independent examiners (that is to say, they must not have been involved in planning and conducting the study), one of whom should be an external examiner, must be appointed by the Head of Discipline in consultation with the supervisor and the Programme Committee. The assignment, together with a copy of the guidelines for assessment and a copy of the standard (pro forma) report form, must be submitted by the Head of Discipline (and not the supervisor) to the examiners for assessment. The examiners must return the completed standard report form to the Head of Discipline together with a more detailed report.

Upon acceptance recommendation of the dissertation by all examiners, an oral examination must be arranged and should preferably be attended by all examiners. The supervisor, and/or the co-supervisor(s) where applicable, are usually involved in an elucidatory capacity. When the candidate passes the oral examination, the supervisor submits a report on the entire evaluation which is then approved by Faculty Board.

In cases where the assignment is not recommended, the Committee for Postgraduate Education must appoint an ad hoc committee to review the reports of the examiners and to report back. The ad hoc committee must consist of the supervisor, the co-supervisor (or other examiner) and two members of the Committee for Postgraduate Education. After the ad hoc committee has dealt with the reports, the supervisor must carry out the decisions of the ad hoc committee before reporting back to the Committee for Postgraduate Education. It is left up to Head of Discipline to lay down policy as to when, during the programme, the assignments are to be submitted so that remedial steps will be practicable.

The written reports of the examiners, together with covering comment, must be submitted by the Head of Discipline via the Executive Head of Department to the Assistant Registrar for further handling.

Lastly, students are required to complete at least two journal articles to be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.