Dear all,
Just to clarify the situation regarding projects.
1) Projects are strictly time limited, you are allowed to work no more than
5 months in the laboratory.
2) It is possible to work longer than 5 months in the laboratory, but the
work undertaken after the 5 month deadline may not appear in the main body
of your thesis. It is possible to include this extra work in an appendix to
the thesis. Since any work undertaken in the laboratory after the 5 month
period does not count towards your studies you should get paid for it. It is
up to individual students and their supervisors to negotiate/arrange such
payment; the department does not have money for this purpose.
3) It is possible to apply for an extension to a project if for any reason
beyond the control of the student the student is unable to work on the
project during the 5 month period. Such an extension will only be granted to
give the student the opportunity to work for 5 months in the laboratory, no
longer. To apply for an extension please write a brief letter to me
explaining the reason and the times you were unable to work. This letter
needs to be signed by the student and the supervisor. Extensions of less
than one week are not considered. Possible reasons for granting an extension
include: sickness, equipment breaking down, essential reagents not arriving
within a reasonable period, absences by the supervisor which prevent the
student working, etc. The last category includes the summer holidays when a
student may not able to work due to the absence of adequate supervision
(remember no working in the laboratory on your own for safety!) I usually
process extension applications the day I receive them. Please note that
extensions are not granted to compensate for bad project management.
Best wishes,
Lloyd