Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate handbook 2005: Units indexed by faculty
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Postgraduate handbook 2005 - Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Master of Philosophy

Course code: 3438

Course description

The MPhil is a research degree which requires candidates to carry out a prescribed program of research for a specified period under the direct supervision of an academic staff member. On completion, candidates are required to submit a thesis for examination. They 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 a thesis any work which they have presented for any other degree or diploma at this university, or any other institution, except with the permission of the Research Graduate School Committee.
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.

Duration of candidature

The normal period of candidature is 18 months full-time, or its equivalent in part-time study. The minimum period of candidature is 12 months (24 months part-time). The maximum period of candidature is 24 months full-time (48 months part-time).

Time available for study

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, Nursing and Health Sciences, 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.

Employment restrictions

Candidates enrolled full-time are permitted to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment throughout the year, being no more than 15 hours of work in any one week. Normally, up to a maximum of six hours of such employment may be undertaken between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Entry requirements

The minimum qualifications for admission to MPhil candidature are:
(1) 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 (H2) or upper-second (H2A) class level, or
(2) a course leading to a masters preliminary qualification at a level rated by the relevant department and faculty as equivalent to a first (H2) or upper-second (H2A) class honours degree, or
(3) a masters degree that entailed work, including a significant research component, at least equivalent to (1) above, or
(4) a medical degree (MB BS or equivalent) together with research experience. The BMedSc degree (awarded at a satisfactory level, equivalent to H2A or above) is well recognised as providing such experience. In other cases, documentary evidence of research experience or its equivalent (eg a relevant fellowship) would normally be required.
Under exceptional circumstances, the Research Graduate School Committee may accept candidates with a degree of a lower grade than upper second class (H2A) honours degree, if they have demonstrated an ability to undertake research at MPhil level by producing evidence of either quality work that can be reported on by a referee or relevant professional experience at a high level.

Inquiries

Dr Karen McConalogue (manager)
Research and Graduate Programs Office
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Monash University, Victoria 3800
Australia
Telephone: +61 3 9905 4313
Email: karen.mcconalogue@med.monash.edu.au
Website: http://www.monash.edu.au/phdschol/mphil/

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