Doctor of Philosophy

Enrolment 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 enrolment.

Students are also required to complete compulsory coursework or training activities as part of the Monash doctoral programMonash doctoral program (http://www.monash.edu/migr/future-students/phd). These discipline-specific and professional development activities are designed to impart skills and knowledge that will assist students to conduct their research.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 3 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 10, the Bologna Cycle 3 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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 student's capacity to carry out independent original 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.

Conditions of enrolment

Students are to refer to the Handbook for Doctoral DegreesHandbook for Doctoral Degrees (http://www.monash.edu/migr/faqs-and-resources/content) for all policies and procedures relating to their enrolment.

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:

(1.) 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

(2.) 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 student'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.

(3.) satisfactorily complete a program of coursework study and/or professional development training as outlined under 'PhD programs' below.

Students must pass any required coursework units, the assessment of which is conducted in accordance with the University's Assessment in Coursework Units PolicyAssessment in Coursework Units Policy (http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/assessment-in-coursework-units-policy.html) and supporting procedures. 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 may be subject to a termination process under the Graduate Research Termination ProceduresGraduate Research Termination Procedures (http://policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/grad-research-termination-procedures.html).

Students are required to undertake regular progress milestones to support them in conducting research of an appropriate quality, originality and depth as required by their course of study, in accordance with the Graduate Research Progress Management policyGraduate Research Progress Management policy (http://policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/research/mrgs/grad-research-progress-mgmt-policy.html) and supporting procedures.

PhD programs

• 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.