Postgraduate - CourseDoctor of Philosophy

Candidature in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 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 knowledge and understanding of the chosen discipline. Doctoral students are supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout their candidature.

Successful completion of the program will signify that the student has successfully 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 candidate's capacity to carry out independent research.

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 doctoral 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.

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 professional development training program, depending on the progam.

Areas of research

This course may be undertaken in any of the areas of researchareas of research (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/research/) offered by the faculty.

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 faculty 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 faculty

(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. The thesis should embody the results of the student's investigation, which demonstrates independence of thought and the candidate's ability to carry out research in that discipline. 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.

(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)).

• Biomedical sciences PhD program
• Education, teaching and learning in medicine PhD program
• Nursing and midwifery PhD program
• Primary health care PhD program
• Psychological sciences PhD program
• Public health and preventive medicine PhD program
• Translational research PhD program

Note: At Monash University Malaysia only the following programs are available: Biomedical sciences, Psychological sciences, Primary health care, and Public health and preventive medicine.

Doctor of Philosophy