Doctor of Philosophy PhD

Course codes: 0029 and 0191

The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is to conduct research at the highest level of competence and expertise in disciplines taught within the faculty. The combination of advanced independent study in a specialised area coupled with external examination of the thesis is intended to ensure that the standard required of candidates is high. On completion of the course students should:

have completed a major piece of independent, high-quality, sustained research;
expect to be innovative researchers with a capacity for independent thought and tenacity in pursuit of a goal leading to a career in tertiary education, business or government;
have completed work which should reflect the highest standards of scholarship within the faculty.

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy will normally have qualified for a degree of master or a degree of bachelor with honours of 2A standard or above at Monash or an equivalent institution. All candidates will be required to write a major thesis and may be required to enrol in a masters degree and take coursework as prescribed by the department. Where a student's level of preparation is considered inadequate, additional coursework may be prescribed. All coursework requirements must be completed before transfer of candidature from masters to PhD occurs. In some circumstances students enrolled in the PhD program may be required to undertake some additional coursework.

Under certain conditions, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be taken in one of the departments of the faculty on a part-time basis. These conditions are as follows:

1 Candidates are required to undertake the equivalent of six months of full-time study during the first forty-eight months of candidature. The period need not be continuous but is usually completed in blocks of not less than one month.

2 Candidates must maintain regular contact with their supervisors.

3 Candidates must be able to devote two full working days per week, or an acceptable alternative period to pursuing their PhD studies.

4 Candidates are required to attend graduate seminars organised by the department in which they are enrolled. They are expected to participate regularly in the seminar series and to give at least two seminars during the period of candidature.

A full-time candidate shall normally submit a thesis for examination not less than twenty-four months and not more than sixty months after admission to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. For part-time candidates the minimum period of candidature is forty-eight months and the maximum period ninety-six months.

On the recommendation of the head of the department concerned, the PhD and Scholarships Committee will appoint a member of the university staff to supervise the work of each candidate.

Applicants for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy should request an application form from the manager, Research and Higher Degrees on (03) 9903 2646. Preliminary inquiries to discuss academic work should be directed to the head of the appropriate department.

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