Research students normally apply for entry to the university to conduct
research on a specific area of interest. If accepted, they are allocated a
supervisor and attend a series of meetings on a one-to-one basis with their
supervisor. Over the period of their research enrolment, the candidate will
research their topic under the guidance of their supervisor, put their
hypothesis, evidence and conclusion into a thesis, and present the thesis for
examination.
Some masters candidates are choosing to enrol for 100 per cent research, viz.
they do not enrol for any units at all, others prefer a 66 per cent Master of
Arts research degree, which consists of coursework to the value of 24 points
plus a thesis.
The PhD degree is purely research, apart from the PhD in comparative literature
where candidates can enrol for some advanced sixth-year-level units.
The
Faculty of Arts at Monash boasts the largest enrolment of higher degree by
research candidates of any Faculty of Arts in Australia. Monash Arts provides a
diverse, stimulating and supportive environment for graduate researchers and,
in conjunction with the Monash Research Graduate School, offers a range of
additional funded support for higher degree candidates to undertake research.
Masters by research and PhD candidates in Arts have access to the full suite of
Monash research resources both in Australia and overseas, and access to
specialist resources in the faculty.
In 2000 and 2001, the faculty overhauled its management of higher degree by
research degrees. In addition to expert and attentive supervision in a wide
range of specialisations, Monash Arts now also provides an impressive range of
research induction and research training seminars and special events for both
commencing and continuing students. The 2001 seminar programs included topics
such as fieldwork, getting published, software and research, research
interviews, thesis writing and thesis examination. In 2002, the program will be
further expanded.
At Monash Arts, we also recognise the importance of providing our graduate
students with professional experience of various kinds. The faculty has a long
tradition of employing its own graduate research candidates as sessional
teachers, casual research assistants and in other capacities. In addition to
providing candidates with additional income while they pursue their research
degrees, this employment also facilitates the acquisition of a range of
transferable skills. During their time in the faculty, students will also have
the opportunity to develop and extend their research and communication skills
in their chosen field, and also to acquire a range of additional skills in
other areas.
Graduate researchers in the Faculty of Arts are encouraged and supported to
participate in a professional research culture, as evidenced by their rate of
publication. In 2000, 25 per cent of the faculty's research publications
reported to DETYA were authored or co-authored by graduate research students.
This impressive achievement is just one indication of the highly productive and
professional graduate research environment fostered by the faculty and its
schools.
The faculty has identified the following established research strengths which
provide the basis for PhD and masters research, and masters coursework, in a
range of disciplines.
For more detailed information, refer to the website at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/research/
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