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.
A
class I or class IIA honours degree in a relevant field is required.
Applicants who have completed MSc preliminary 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 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
12 months. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a
satisfactory report of the candidate's progress at the end of the 12-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 36 months in MSc candidature.
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:
(a) at least two full working days per week or its equivalent to their
studies in a laboratory discipline, or
(b) 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.
The minimum period of candidature is 24 months. This may be reduced to 12 months in exceptional circumstances. The maximum period of candidature is four years (full-time) or eight years (part-time).
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.
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 Monash Research Graduate School, Clayton Campus, on email mrgs@adm.monash.edu.au or telphone (03) 9905 3009 or (03) 9905 2009.
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