Master of Philosophy

Course code: 3521 + Course abbreviation: MPhil + Total credit points required: 72 + 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton;Gippsland)

Course description

A candidate for the degree of Master of Philosophy 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. Assessment in the MPhil is by 100 per cent thesis, the length of which would not normally exceed 50,000 words.

The Research Graduate School Committee is the body responsible for administering the MPhil. It has final responsibility for approving admission to the degree and for such matters as variations to candidature, questions of supervision, progress, and submission and examination of theses.

Duration of candidature

The normal period of candidature is 18 months full-time equivalent (or 72 points). The minimum and maximum period of candidature is 12 and 24 months full-time equivalent respectively.

Course objectives

Successful completion of the program will signify that the candidate has successfully completed a course of research training and has satisfied the examiners that he/she can carry out a research project and analyse critically the results.

Entry requirements

An applicant for admission to candidature must have qualified in the university for:

a degree of bachelors with honours 1 or honours 2A, or
have qualifications which in the opinion of the Research Graduate School Committee are equivalent or a satisfactory substitute.

Part-time 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 MPhil enrolment who comply with the following guidelines.

1. Subject to the requirements of the regulations relating to the degree of Master 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 research.

In special circumstances and on the recommendation of the Research Degrees Committee, 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.

External candidature

Where the research is principally being undertaken at another research site (for example an archives repository, field site, laboratory, commercial or governmental research station, or another university), suitably qualified applicants may apply for external MPhil 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. An annual on-campus attendance of 10 days is required for external MPhil candidates. Apportionment of these days would be determined on a case-by-case basis (for example, a single block of time or the equivalent in shorter blocks). The residency requirement assumes the relevant academic unit has a regular seminar program from which external candidates may benefit while on-campus. A special application form, available from the Monash Research Graduate School website at www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/, must be completed and submitted to the relevant school.

MPhil theses based or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished work

This option allows candidates to submit for examination a thesis consisting of, or partially consisting of, conjointly published or unpublished work, linked by a clear theme. A detailed statement at the front of the thesis must indicate the nature and extent of the candidate’s contribution to the work presented and the underlying research. Essentially, the initiation, key ideas, development and writing up of each of the works should be the primary responsibility of the candidate. An introductory chapter that places the specific work in the broader context of its relevant research area and a concluding chapter that draws together the research documented in the preceding chapters are required. Other linking material that converts the work into a coherent whole is also essential.

Transfer of candidature

Transfer from PhD to MPhil candidature

A PhD candidate may transfer from PhD to MPhil candidature without undue regard. Doctoral candidates who wish to transfer to masters candidature must lodge an MPhil application form from the Monash Research Graduate School. This form may be downloaded from www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/.

Transfer from MPhil to an MSc or to PhD candidature

Where appropriate, an MPhil candidate may discontinue the MPhil program and transfer to another appropriate masters-level program. A candidate may also upgrade from the MPhil program to a PhD degree. In such cases, the Research Graduate School Committee’s existing upgrade procedures shall apply, with the start date of the doctoral candidature normally backdated to the start date of the MPhil program.

Contact details

For further information on the MPhil degree, refer to the Doctoral and MPhil Information Handbook for Research Candidates and their Supervisors, which can be found at www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/research/doctoral or contact the Monash Research Graduate School by email at mrgs@adm.monash.edu.au or telephone on +61 3 9905 3009.

Application forms are available at www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/ or from the Monash Research Graduate School office (building 3D, Clayton campus) or the Faculty of Science Office.

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