BY– LAWS

MA in Media Research

By – laws made by the council of the University of Colombo under Section 135 of the Universities Act. No: 16 of 1978 and its subsequent amendments.

BY– LAWS

PART 1 –GENERAL

These by laws may be cited as the degree of Master of Social Sciences in Media Research by laws No:- and shall come into operation with effect from 2015.

1. Subject to these By – Laws, a student may be awarded the degree of Master of Social Sciences in Media Research.

If he / she

1. has duly registered as a student of the University for the course of study leading to the degree of Master of Social Sciences in Media Research of the University for the period prescribed by these By – Laws.
2. has completed the course of study as prescribed by these By – Laws, and other rules and regulations of the University.
3. has passed all the examinations, class room tests, assignments, and any other assignments leading to the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research.
4. has paid such registration, tuition, supervision and examination fees and other dues as many have been prescribed by the University.
5. has fulfilled all other requirements prescribed by these By – Laws, regulations and rules of the University.

1.  2.1. The Center for Media Research of Sri Palee Campus shall be in charge of the administration and general direction of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program.

The coordinator for the program shall be appointed by the Rector on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of Mass Media of Sri Palee Campus.

3. 1. A student who wishes to enter as a candidate for the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program shall make an application to the Senior Assistant Registrar (SAR) of Sri Palee campus when the said program is advertised in the newspaper and / or in the website of Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo.
   • A candidate should make an application in the form given by the Campus and submit it with the copies of the relevant certificates. Those who are working, attached to an institution, should send the application through the Head of the institution or relevant authorities.
   • The applications received by the Senior Assistant Registrar should be referred to the Coordinator of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research. The Coordinator should select and call the qualified candidates for the interview in consultation with the Head of the Department. English and IT knowledge shall be measured on a descriptor approved by the campus board of Sri Palee Campus.
   • Once the selection is finalized; the list of selected candidates shall be presented to the Faculty Board of Sri Palee Campus and to the Senate of the University of Colombo for its approval.
4. 1. The selection criteria shall be the method of interview. On acceptance of his / her candidature an applicant shall register as a student of Master of Social Sciences in Media Research.
   • A candidate shall pay non- refundable registration fees, tuition fees and any other fees at the registration and should pay all relevant fees for the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program before the final examination as prescribed by regulations / rules of the University.
   • The initial registration for the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of commencement of the course and maximum period shall not exceed five years.
   • The senate shall have authority to cancel the registration of a student for a caused assigned. No fee shall be refunded if and when the registration of such student is cancelled from the program.
   • A student who is accepted as a candidate for Master of Social Sciences in Media Research shall devote his time to his studies, at the University or at any other institutions approved by the Senate of the University of Colombo.
   • A supervisor/s shall report to the Higher Degree Committee of Sri palee Campus of a student who is not making satisfactory progress in his / her work, is not fulfilling the conditions prescribed for his candidature for which he has been registered.

PART II – COURSE DETAILS

5. 1. Subject to these By – Laws the minimum period of the study for the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research shall be two year.
   • The Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program shall extend over a period of two years, including the intervening period, and four week study leave and a period set apart for written examination.
   • The Master of Social Sciences in Media Research shall consist of fourteen compulsory course units and a research component which carry a total of 60 credits as prescribed by these By – Laws.
6. 1. The course units and the syllabi shall be subjected to change every four years.   
7. 1. A student shall submit three copies of dissertation of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research. It shall be consisting approximately 35, 000 words in accordance with the guidelines.
   • The title and the scope of the dissertation shall be submitted for approval at the end of the first year of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research Program.
   • The dissertation shall be evaluated by two independent examiners appointed by the senate on the recommendation of the campus board.

7. 4. Oral examination on the dissertation shall be conducted by a board consisting of
   1. The Rector who shall be the chairman
   2. Head of the department of Mass Media
   3. Dissertation examiners
   4. The coordinator of the program
   5. Supervisors (as observers)

7.5. Any amendment to the title of the dissertation shall be submitted for approval at least two months before the submission.

8. 1. The examination shall be held soon after the completion of the course units of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research.
   • 80% attendance at designated teaching sessions are required for a student to be eligible to sit the examination of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research.
   • The examination scripts shall be assessed by two independent examiners appointed by the University Senate, on the recommendation of the High Degrees Committee and the campus board of Sri Palee Campus likewise the dissertation also shall be assessed by two independent examiners approved by the University Senate and the Campus Board.
   • Each student who follows the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program shall make an application in the form provided by Sri Palee Campus for entry to the relevant Examination. The Coordinator of the program or relevant authority appointed by the Rector of Sri Palee Campus will certify the relevant applications of the students.
   • If the student who does not undertake or fails to complete the assignment/s at the first occasion will be required to complete in the next two years of the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research program.
   • All the rules relating to the Examination Procedure, Offences and Punishment Regulation No. 1 of 1986 shall mutatis mutandis apply to, or in relation to, the Master of Social Sciences in Media Research examination.

PART – III

9.9.1   The subjects of the first year of Master of Social Sciences in Media Research shall be as follows

The subjects of the second year of Master of Social Sciences in Media Research shall be as follows