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PRETORIA. — When University of Pretoria (UP) master’s student Michael Barnes submitted his dissertation, he was taken aback when he got a PhD degree instead.
So brilliant was Barnes’ dissertation, that it was converted into a PhD and earned praise from an examiner at the University of Oxford in the UK.
Barnes, a meteorologist at the SA Weather Service in Cape Town, graduated in September.
His examiners recommended that he apply for an upgrade and he ultimately got the nod. But he says he was still shocked as he never expected that his master’s thesis would actually be converted into a PhD.
“I couldn’t believe it. Imagine preparing work for your master’s and (you) end up with a title of doctor at graduation? My (academic) supervisors said they were flattered by my work. They were quite happy.”
His thesis focused on atmospheric dynamics.
“I studied the dynamics of upper-tropospheric weather systems called cut-off lows. The study analysed the properties of these weather systems that extend all the way to the surface compared to those that do not.”
Barnes said he already had published papers in renowned journals by the time he submitted his dissertation — one of the reasons why he earned a PhD.
Regarding his future career plans, Barnes said he would see if any opportunities would arise.
“Work is good here in Cape Town. I wasn’t expecting a doctorate. So at this point, I am not about what lies ahead in my career. I will look into opportunities should they present themselves in the future.”
When he is not busy with his work, Barnes enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. — News 24.
Online Reporter