3438 - Master of Philosophy
This course entry should be read in conjunction with information provided in the Faculty information section of this Handbook by the managing faculty for this course
Abbreviated title | MPhil |
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CRICOS Code | 047818C |
Managing faculty | Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences |
Study location and mode | Off-campus (Gippsland, Caulfield, Clayton) On-campus (Gippsland, Peninsula, Caulfield, Clayton) This course may be undertaken at approved off-site locations. |
Duration (years) | 2 years FT, 4 years PT |
Postgraduate research component* | 100 per cent |
Contact details | Research Degrees Office, telephone +61 3 9905 4313; email research.degrees@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/pgrad/research/ |
Course coordinator | Associate Professor Igor Wendt |
Description
The MPhil is a research degree which requires a candidate to submit a thesis. The work undertaken as part of this research degree must constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of a field of study of direct concern to the faculty, and must demonstrate the capacity of the candidate to carry out independent research.
The MPhil in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences may be undertaken in any of the areas of research offered by the faculty. For detailed descriptions of disciplines available, please refer to 'Principal areas of research' and 'Monash institutes of research' listed in the faculty chapter of this handbook.
A candidate for the MPhil is required to conduct a prescribed program of research for a specified period under the direct supervision of a member of the academic staff. 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.
Candidature rules
Duration of candidature
The normal period of candidature is 18 months full-time, or its equivalent in part-time study. The total permissible period of candidature is two years full-time, or its equivalent in part-time candidature up to a maximum of four years part-time, after which the candidature will lapse. The minimum period of candidature is one year (two years part-time). Candidates are encouraged to complete their theses as quickly as possible.
Probationary candidature
Probationary candidature applies for all masters by research candidates. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of the 6-month (full-time) or one-year (part-time) period of probationary candidature. The head of the academic unit may lodge a request for deferral of the confirmation process where it is anticipated that a masters by research candidate will upgrade to doctoral candidature following one year full-time or two years part-time candidature.
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 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.
External candidature
External candidates must demonstrate personal maturity and research experience to pursue independent, sustained and structured research off-campus. In addition to the conditions above, external students must satisfy an annual five-day on-campus attendance requirement each year or equivalent over the period of candidature. A portion of this attendance may be off-campus, provided that the candidate is able to interact with the principal or associate (university) supervisor during this time. Regular interactive communication should take place between candidate and supervisor at least once every two weeks, via telephone, video conference, email or other interactive communication. Daily communication should also be possible, as required.
Employment restrictions
Full-time candidates are permitted, with the approval of their main supervisor, to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment throughout the year, being no more than 15 hours of work per week on average. Up to a maximum of six hours only on average of this employment may be undertaken during normal working hours (9 am to 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays). However, this may be extended to a maximum of eight hours if the employment is limited to one weekday. The candidate's supervisor(s) must be satisfied that any part-time work undertaken does not interfere with the candidate's study program and progress. International students need to be aware that the employment restrictions outlined above apply even though a student visa permits students to work up to 20 hours a week.
Objectives
Students who have completed the course will demonstrate a thorough understanding of relevant research techniques in their field through a review of the relevant literature. They will demonstrate their ability, under supervision to apply relevant research techniques to their chosen field of study. Students will be able to present high-quality written work suitable for publication in appropriate scholarly journals, and be able to critically evaluate both their own and others' written work in their chosen field.
Students will also be able to
- identify and define research questions
- identify the appropriate research methods to address the research questions
- demonstrate mastery of their chosen research methodology/methodologies
- demonstrate theoretical knowledge at masters level in their chosen field of research
- communicate their research findings in a format appropriate to their academic discipline
- write up their research into a high quality thesis
- contribute new information or new ways of understanding information in the field of research.
Requirements
Progression to further studies
Award(s) received on completion *
* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.