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 a compulsory program of coursework study as part of the Monash doctoral programMonash doctoral program (http://www.monash.edu/migr/future-students/phd). This discipline-specific program is designed to impart skills and knowledge that will assist them 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 this course will signify that the holder has completed a course of graduate research training under proper academic supervision and has submitted a thesis (or equivalent) 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.

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.

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 or a practice based research project and exegesis 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:

(1.) 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

(2.) satisfactorily complete the program of coursework study as outlined under 'PhD programs' below

(3.) complete one of the following:

(a.) 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.

(b.) develop a practice based research project on an agreed topic approved by the school or department of enrolment in the student's chosen discipline, resulting in a body of work examined by demonstration or exhibition. The examinable material includes a written exegesis, the minimum of which is to be 35,000 words, excluding appendices, bibliography etc. The exegesis is to contextualise the practice-based work. The works in the demonstration or exhibition should engage one or more of the senses, and must not only be new but must also result in a doctoral level contribution, which has substantial disciplinary significance. Unless site-specific, the Faculty requires doctoral examination demonstrations or exhibitions to be conducted on campus.

Students must pass all coursework units with a minimum result of 70 per cent, 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 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 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).

Where the student is undertaking a practice based research project which involves significant physical or laboratory-based production, students will undertake a unit in Occupational Health and Safety appropriate to the research requirements.

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

• Information technology PhD program