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 student are supported by a minimum of two supervisors throughout their candidature.

Students are also required to complete a compulsory program of coursework study. This discipline-specific program is 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.

It is expected that graduates will be able to demonstrate the following abilities:

(1.) carry out independent research

(2.) critically review the current research in the literature

(3.) formulate a research problem of high impact and significance

(4.) apply the appropriate research methodology

(5.) analyse the research data

(6.) articulate the research outcome to a variety of audiences.

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 program.

Areas of research

Refer to the research areasresearch areas (http://www.infotech.monash.edu/research/about/flagships/) in 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 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 Submission of the thesis based on or partially based on conjointly published or unpublished workconjointly published or unpublished work (http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/) may be permitted.

(c.) satisfactorily complete the program of coursework study as outlined under 'Areas of study'.

Students must pass all coursework units with a minimum result of 70 per cent. If a student fails to achieve the required grade for a unit they can repeat the entire 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)).

• Information technology PhD program

Doctor of Philosophy