Doctor of Philosophy


General information

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (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 candidate, together with the supervisor, is responsible for developing the research program to be followed. Both report at regular intervals on the progress of the project.
The PhD is a research degree and candidates are required to submit a thesis, the length of which would not normally exceed 100,000 words.
The PhD and Scholarships Committee is the body responsible for administering the PhD. It has final responsibility for approving admission to PhD and for such matters as variations to candidature, questions of supervision, progress, submission and examination of theses.

Admission requirements

A class I or class IIA honours degree in a relevant field is required. Applicants who have completed MSc part one may also be recommended if the head of department concerned certifies that the level of achievement is comparable to a class I or class IIA honours degree. Applicants holding IIB honours degrees or lower qualifications may be accepted by the PhD and Scholarships Committee if they have obtained considerable further research experience as MSc candidates (or in some other way) which might be considered a satisfactory substitute for a class I or class IIA honours degree.
The Faculty of Science allows candidates to be admitted into PhD candidature by either of two paths:
1 a student may enrol initially in MSc part two and may transfer to firm PhD candidature after the department has reviewed the student's research progress and determined that the project may be expanded to the PhD level;
2 a student may be accepted as a probationary PhD candidate for a period of twelve months. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of the candidate's progress at the end of the twelve-month period.
In exceptional circumstances, departments may seek to nominate a student for firm PhD candidature. Departments will need to substantiate their request with a written statement from the head of department to accompany the application.
A candidate for the degree of MSc, who has not submitted a thesis, will not normally be permitted to transfer to PhD candidature if that candidate has spent more than thirty-six months in MSc candidature.

Part-time PhD enrolment

The faculty board, through the Committee on Graduate Matters, may on the recommendation of the head of department concerned, recommend to the PhD and Scholarships Committee admission of applicants to part-time PhD enrolment who comply with the following guidelines.
1 Subject to the requirements of the regulations relating to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy the faculty has determined that applicants shall provide written evidence that they can devote:
1.1 at least two full working days per week or its equivalent to their studies in a laboratory discipline; or
1.2 at least one full working day per week or its equivalent in a non-laboratory discipline.
2 Applicants in full-time employment shall provide written evidence from the employer to the effect that sufficient time as defined above will be made available for them to undertake their studies.
In special circumstances and on the recommendation of the Committee on Graduate Matters, exceptions to these provisions may be recommended by the faculty board to the PhD and Scholarships Committee in support of approval of a particular application.

Duration of candidature

The minimum period of candidature is twenty-four months. This may be reduced to twelve months in exceptional circumstances. The maximum period of candidature is five years (full-time) or eight years (part-time).

Transfer from PhD to MSc candidature

A PhD candidate may transfer from PhD to MSc candidature without undue regard, provided the period of expired PhD candidature does not exceed two years. This allows the candidate to transfer into the MSc degree with at least one year of full-time candidature remaining.

Inquiries

For further information on the PhD degree refer to the Doctoral information handbook, which can be found at http://www.monash.edu.au/phdschol/docprog, or contact the Research Training and Support Branch, Clayton Campus, on email: rt&s@adm.monash.edu.au.