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 Research Graduate School 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
school 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 Research Graduate School 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 school 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, schools may seek to nominate a student for firm
PhD candidature. Schools will need to substantiate their request with a written
statement from the head of school 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 24 months in MSc candidature.
The
faculty board, through the Committee on Graduate Matters, may on the
recommendation of the head of school concerned, recommend to the Research
Graduate School 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 Research Graduate School Committee in support of approval of a
particular application.
Where the research is principally being undertaken at another research site (eg archives repository, field site, laboratory, commercial or governmental research station, another university etc), suitably qualified applicants may apply for external PhD candidature. The applicant must demonstrate that the external research site provides a research environment that offers appropriate resources, facilities and research expertise for the duration of the candidature. Candidates must have the personal maturity to pursue independent, sustained and structured research off-campus. Such evidence might include previous successful and timely completion of a postgraduate research degree, publications, or relevant work experience particularly in a research-oriented institution. A residency period of at least 15-days per year is obligatory. A special application form, available from the Monash Research Graduate School website, must be completed and submitted to the relevant school.
As an alternative to submission of the traditional thesis, PhD candidates may submit a thesis that comprises a number of published research articles. Guidelines for this are currently being developed and will be posted on the Monash Research Graduate School website.
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 telephone (03) 9905 3009 or (03) 9905 2009. Application forms are available on the internet at http://www.monash.edu.au/phdschol/ or from the Monash Research Graduate School or the Faculty of Science office.
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