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