Postgraduate - CourseDoctor of Philosophy

Candidature in a Doctor of Philosophy involves the independent investigation of a research problem that has been formulated by the student. It is expected that the research undertaken will make a significant contribution to the discipline in which the student is enrolled. Doctoral students are supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout their candidature.

Students are required to complete a compulsory program of coursework and/or training. These discipline-specific programs are designed to impart skills and knowledge that will assist them to conduct their research.

Successful completion of the program will signify that the holder has completed a course of postgraduate training in research under proper academic supervision and has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the student's capacity to carry out independent research.

Candidature rules

For all candidature rules and other important information for PhD students refer to the Handbook for Doctoral DegreesHandbook for Doctoral Degrees (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/research-degrees/handbook/content/).

This course consists of:

• a research and thesis component
• a coursework study and/or training program, depending on the program.

Students must, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the school or department of enrolment in the student's chosen discipline for a specified period, including attending and/or presenting at seminars and other related activities as indicated by the relevant department/school

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of not more than 80,000 words on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners. Submission of the thesis based on or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished workconjointly published or unpublished work (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/) may be permitted.

In certain disciplines in the faculty, creative work or performance or a written critical commentary may also form part of the thesis assessment.

(c.) satisfactorily complete a program of coursework study and/or professional development training as outlined under 'Areas of study'.

Students must pass any required coursework units. If a student fails a coursework component of their degree, they can repeat the relevant unit once in a later semester. Students who fail to pass the repeat attempt of the unit will be subject to a termination process under the Candidature Progress Management RegulationsCandidature Progress Management Regulations (http://www.monash.edu.au/legal/legislation/research-graduate-school-committee-regulations/candidature-progress-management-regulations.pdf) (refer also to the Candidature Progress Management policypolicy (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/candidature-progress-management-policy.html) and proceduresprocedures (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/termination-of-candidature-procedures.html)).

Research topics are available in most of the faculty's areas of research strengths, depending on supervision and resource availability. Each student will be assigned to the coursework study and training program most relevant to their research focus from the following:

• Film, media and communications PhD program
• Historical studies PhD program
• Linguistics and applied linguistics PhD program
• Literary and cultural studies PhD program
• Philosophy PhD program
• Social and political sciences PhD program
• Theatre, performance and music PhD program

Doctor of Philosophy