wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Tue Oct 6 02:34:14 EST 1998
Auth: S Steele, University Webmaster
Copyright © Monash University 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
A
candidate for PhD is required to carry out a prescribed program of research for
a specified period under the direct supervision of a member of the academic
staff. The supervisor, in consultation with the candidate, is responsible for
developing the research program to be followed by the candidate, and for
reporting at regular intervals on the candidate's progress.
The PhD is a research degree which requires a candidate to submit a thesis. A
candidate may include published work which is directly relevant to the argument
of the thesis, provided such work has been written during the period of
candidature. Candidates may not present in, or in support of, a thesis any work
which the candidate has presented for any other degree or diploma at this
university, or any other institution, except with the permission of the PhD and
Scholarships Committee.
The total permissible period of candidature is five years (full-time), or its equivalent in part-time candidature up to a maximum of eight years part-time, after which the candidature will lapse. The minimum period of candidature is twenty-four months (forty-eight months part-time). This may be reduced to twelve months (twenty-four months part-time) in very exceptional circumstances. Candidates are encouraged to complete their theses as quickly as possible.
Full-time candidates must be able to devote the equivalent of a minimum of four days a week to the pursuit of their research project; all part-time candidates must devote at least two full days a week, or equivalent, to their studies. In the Faculty of Medicine, part-time candidates in laboratory disciplines must undertake their two days of study during normal working hours/week days. For those part-time students in non-laboratory disciplines, at least one of their study days must be a week day.
Candidates enrolled full-time are permitted to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment throughout the year, being no more than fifteen hours of work in any one week. However, up to a maximum of six hours only of this employment may be undertaken between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.
The
PhD and Scholarships Committee is the body responsible for administering the
PhD regulations and for advising the Academic Board on all matters of policy
relating to the doctoral program. It has final responsibility for approving
admission to PhD candidature, and for such matters as variations in
candidature, questions of supervision, progress, submission and examination of
theses. The committee also deals with the allocation of scholarships to
graduate students.
The committee responsible for administering the degree at the faculty level is
the Scholarships and Graduate Matters Committee.
The
minimum qualifications for admission to PhD candidature are:
(i) a bachelors degree requiring at least four years of full-time study,
and which normally includes a research component in the fourth year, leading to
an honours degree at first or upper-second class level; or
(ii) a course leading to a masters preliminary qualification at a level
rated by the relevant department and faculty as equivalent to a first or
upper-second class honours degree; or
(iii) a masters degree that entailed work, including a significant
research component, at least equivalent to (i) above; or
(iv) a medical degree (MB BS or equivalent) together with research
experience. The BMedSc degree (awarded at a satisfactory level, equivalent to
honours IIA or above), is well recognised as providing such experience. In
other cases documentary evidence of research experience or its equivalent (eg
first part of a relevant fellowship) would normally be required.
Under exceptional circumstances, the PhD and Scholarships Committee may accept
candidates with a degree of a lower grade than honours IIA if they have
demonstrated an ability to undertake research at PhD level by, for example,
producing evidence of quality work that can be reported on by a referee, or by
adducing relevant professional experience at a high level.
Refer to the Doctoral information handbook produced by the Research Training and Support Branch.
A
candidate's primary or principal supervisor must be a member of the
university's academic staff who has appropriate research experience and a
continuing active involvement in research. Honorary members of staff may also
be appointed as primary supervisors, where appropriate.
An associate supervisor may also be appointed and while that person need not be
a member of the academic staff, he or she should be of recognised standing in
the relevant field of research.
The Faculty of Medicine strongly feels that research masters students with the ambition and ability to complete a doctorate should be given every opportunity to convert to PhD candidature. However, the onus will be on the students to convince their Departmental Graduate Matters Committee (DGMC) and the Faculty of Medicine Scholarships and Graduate Matters Committee (SGM) that they have the capability to successfully complete a PhD in the time of candidature available to them.
1
A candidate should be enrolled for a minimum period of nine months of full-time
candidature (or equivalent) before the upgrade can be considered.
2 The decision to recommend to the PhD and Scholarships Committee that a
candidate be permitted to upgrade his/her candidature will be made by the
faculty SGM upon recommendation from a departmental review panel.
3 The review panel will normally comprise the DGMC and the candidate's
supervisor. At least one other member of the DGMC should be conversant with the
general area of research but not directly involved with the candidate's
specific project. (If necessary, such a person may be co-opted from within the
department/faculty or from outside it.) The review panel shall consider an oral
presentation and a written submission made by the candidate (see below). The
review panel may also interview the candidate.
4 An oral presentation on the research project should be given either at
a departmental seminar and/or viva voce. Members of the review panel
should be in attendance. The oral presentation should describe the research
undertaken to date and the anticipated future directions and scope of the
proposed PhD research program.
5 A written submission of 3,000-10,000 words should address the
following:
This document will be submitted to the PhD and Scholarships Committee, together with the faculty recommendation regarding upgrade.
The university has recently endorsed the introduction of PhD candidature by external mode. The main aspects of this program are as follows:
Candidates should refer to the Doctoral information handbook for guidelines relating to the responsibilities of the university, department, supervisor and candidates.
All research must be conducted in accordance with Monash University 'Guidelines on responsible practices in research and the problems of research misconduct' as set out in the document Monash University education, research and community services policies.
The
following guidelines for supervision of postgraduate research students have
been endorsed by the faculty's Scholarships and Graduate Matters Committee.
Each department appoints a member of staff to take special responsibility for
the affairs of its graduate students (coordinator for graduate matters). The
coordinator convenes a small committee on graduate matters which has
responsibility for assuring that:
The other duties of the committee may include:
Students and supervisors are reminded that theses should normally be submitted within three to three and a half years. Heads of departments are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that graduate research students are kept informed about any alterations to these guidelines.
Candidates from affiliated institutes (eg Baker Medical Research Institute, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Mental Health Research Institute, Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research, Victorian Institute of Animal Science) must apply and enrol through a department of the faculty and all aspects of candidature and scholarships must comply with Monash University regulations.
All students, except international students, are required to pay a contribution towards their higher education. The contributions are collected under HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme). However, at present most Australian citizens and permanent residents undertaking full-time study for a PhD are granted an exemption from payment of this charge.
All students are required to pay a compulsory students amenities fee as a condition of enrolment. The university has given approval for off-campus Clayton students who have 75 per cent or more of their course loading taught at a point more than one kilometre from the Union building at the Clayton campus to receive a 15 per cent discount on the amenities fee. Students who qualify for the discount must first pay their amenities fee as per their enrolment details and fees advice form. When the amenities fee has been paid a student can then apply for the discount by completing an 'Application for refund of fees' form. A completed form must then be approved and signed by the student's supervisor as well as the head of the department. The form should then be forwarded to the Income Section for processing.
The main awards available to PhD students are Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) (for Australian citizens and permanent residents only) and Monash Graduate Scholarships (MGS). Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, at least a bachelors degree with upper second class honours or a qualification and experience deemed equivalent. Other eligibility criteria also apply. Applications should be lodged by 31 October each year. Application forms, which are available from the end of July, may be obtained from the relevant academic unit.
A number of departments offer their own postgraduate awards to selected students. Further information may be obtained from the relevant department.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Tue Oct 6 02:34:14 EST 1998