Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

The Doctor of Philosophy program may be undertaken in any of the principal areas of research in the broad field of pharmaceutical science. Students may nominate their preferred area of study. However, they are strongly encouraged to discuss their research interests with senior research staff to ensure appropriate facilities, equipment and services are available, and to obtain guidance on suitable topics.

By the completion of this program students should be able to:

• produce a thesis that displays competence at understanding and carrying out research in the broad field of Pharmaceutical Science
• under the guidance of a supervisor, devise a realistic research topic to investigate a particular pharmaceutical science research area
• identify key research questions that are not too general and ambitious
• select and review relevant theory and literature
• design a study and choose appropriate methods to investigate the specific research questions
• select appropriate modes of analysis
• consider ethical issues involved in research
• implement, critically appraise or apply research in a particular field
• prepare a comprehensive written report that is professionally presented and contains all the required components of a PhD thesis.

Assessment is by 100 per cent thesis, the length of which would not normally exceed 100,000 words.

Students enrol in the appropriate research unit relevant to their field:

• PRU0001 Research in medicinal chemistry
• PRU0002 Research in pharmacology
• PRU0003 Research in pharmaceutics
• PRU0004 Research in pharmacy practice

Doctor of Philosophy