Overview

The course aims to:

• provided a programme that is academically rigourous at a level appropriate to postgraduate research and consistent with standards nationally and internationally
• educate students in all aspects fo research and critical evaluation, including research methodologies, cirtical review and ethics
• provide skills appropriate for research in professional contexts.
• provide education which will allow students to deliver translational research which has significance nationally and internationally.

Contact

Dr. Sue Franklin
Research Department
Phone: 234274
Email: Sue.Franklin@ul.ie

Graduate Profile

Shane Knox (PhD Candidate) - Programme Development Officer, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council

"I commenced my PhD studies with the GEMS just more than a year ago.  I am delighted with the assistance and guidance I have received thus far.  You might think this is only to be expected of such an Institution but what sets GEMS apart is the level of support, the personal interest and the down to earth direction and committment offered by experienced supervisors and faculty.  This brings a very welcomed human influence to the research experience."

Suzanne Dunne (PhD candidate) - Quality Management Executive, Irish Pharmaceutical Industry

"I found the GEMS to be welcoming with a very streamlined process for managing PhD applictions.  My supervisors have an open door policy, are always interested in hearing about my progress and their guidance is always extremely useful.  Also UL provides regular and relevant training for postgraduate students which isn't always available elsewhere."

Programme Content

 Core Modules

1. The research project (270 credits) spans all four years, and is supervised by a primary supervisor from your home department.  The final thesis may be completed as a monograph or in an article based format
2. Introduction to doctoral studies (6 credits) is designed to induct the student into good practice with respect to carrying out their Ph.D.  Lectures and workshops will include, for example, principles and regulations for a Ph.D. at the University of LImerick, expectations of the student and supervisory committee and how to maximise supervisory guidance and information on seeking research funding.  Exercises in critical review will support the student's study of the literature.  In addition the student will learn about ethics in theory and in practice and in terms of making an ethics application within the faculty.  In addition this first module will encourage the intake of Postgraduate students across the faculty to meet and work together.
3. Research Integrity (3 credits) builds on the previous strand looking more widely at ethics in research. This will be a workshop based module, with a small number of initial lectures on good research practice and on research misconduct. Workshops will review and debate examples of good and bad research practice; and examine how investigations into research misconduct should be undertaken using a scenariobased approach.
4. Entering the academic community (3 credits) will equip the student with skills to network with respect to their research. A series of workshops will allow the student to explore how to develop international contacts, get abstracts accepted at conferences, prepare good conference presentations and posters, run workshops and review abstracts.
5. Postgraduate School workshops (3 credits). This module comprises an accumulation of credits obtained by attending workshops provided by the Postgraduate School. The workshops attended must accumulate to a minimum of 3 credits
6. Postgraduate professional portfolio (9 credits) will be a student-centred module, guided by the research supervisory team. Students will maintain a portfolio of activities such as attendance at invited speaker programmes and presentation at a conference. The portfolio will comprise documentation of the activities and reflective work reviewing the different experiences.

Entry Requirements

1. Applicants will normally be expected to hold an Honours degree (minimum 2.1) or equivalent in a discipline appropriate to their area of proposed research.
2. Entry points may differ for applicants with postgraduate qualifications. Please contact the Course Director for further information.