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Ph.D.- Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences (551AA) // Course structure
About this course
Coordinator
Associate Dean (Research Training)
Contact
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
UoM Health Hub
Level 1, Brownless Biomedical Library
The University of Melbourne (Parkville Campus)
Victoria 3010, Australia
Course structure
- Candidates enrol in a thesis subject for the duration of the degree.
- The normal period of candidature is 3 years for full-time candidates with the possibility of up to 12 months extension.
- All candidates are required to complete a minimum of 12 months full-time research at the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.
- Normally the entire degree is undertaken at the University.
- A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisor/s and an Advisory Committee who in consultation with the candidate, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate.
- A candidate may be required to supplement their research program by attendance at, or enrolment in, additional subjects if considered necessary by the supervisor(s).
- All candidates are expected to attend departmental seminars over the period of their candidature.
- Academic progress is reviewed regularly throughout the degree.
- All candidates for the degree will be examined on the basis of their thesis which is examined externally. The normal length of a PhD thesis is between 80,000 and 100,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices.
- Candidates should refer to the University policy library and the Graduate Research Hub for further information regarding candidature, academic progress, ethics, thesis preparation and examination.
- To be eligible to submit a thesis for examination, students must be enrolled in their course for the minimum period of 24 months full-time equivalent.
PhD with Coursework in Neuroscience
PhD coursework in neuroscience is offered once annually (Semester 1) and provides a sound basis from which the research project can be conducted efficiently. The coursework consists of a structured 4-week program normally taken in the first month of candidature. Through a series of built-in assessment tasks, the coursework facilitates progression to confirmation. The program aims to teach essential theoretical concepts and facilitate the understanding of specialised literature. Key areas of contemporary neuroscience research provide a focus for developing advanced research skills and integrating this new multi-disciplinary knowledge into the research project from the start of candidature.
The coursework brings together the cohort of new graduate researchers coming from a variety of background disciplines across the three Melbourne Brain Centre locations, other research institutes, departments, schools and faculties. Any graduate researcher undertaking a PhD that engages the neurosciences is potentially eligible for participation in this coursework. Subject selection should be discussed with the Supervisor and with the Course Convenor (Dr Kathy Lefevere-Burd) and should also include discussion as to whether successful completion of the coursework will form part of the requirements for confirmation. The coursework is a confirmation requirement for all graduate researchers enrolled through the Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, unless exceptional circumstances apply. Students seeking exemption may apply to the Course Convenor who will seek approval from the Director, Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Applications for exemption must be submitted before the subject selection's application deadline. To select subjects, graduate researchers should complete the Subject Selection Form available from the Course Convenor. The approval of the Supervisor, Head of Department/School and the Course Convenor is required. For PhD students of the Melbourne Schools of Engineering and Science, Faculty approval should also be sought. Contact the relevant Faculty.
Places in these subjects may be limited and preference will be given to first year PhD students based at the Melbourne Brain Centre, Howard Florey Laboratories and other centres and institutes for whom the coursework is part of the confirmation requirements and those who choose to complete all four subjects.
This coursework is not available to Masters or other students.
Refer to
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
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Subject Options | No longer available |
Subject options
This information is relevant only for PhD students engaged in the neurosciences.
Neuroscience Coursework structure:
Code
Name
Study period
Credit Points
No longer available
Getting Started in the Neuroscience PhD Program (Introductory Day)
This introductory program (0 points) provides essential information for successful completion of the coursework subjects and is compulsory for all students taking all or any of the following coursework subjects. This program brings together the multi-disciplinary cohort of new PhD students engaging in the neurosciences across the entire University, facilitating supportive networking and new friendships. This introductory coursework program is in addition to any induction or orientation program organised by the student’s home department for research.
Getting Started in the Neuroscience PhD is followed by 37.5 pt of coursework comprised of four week-long consecutive subjects:
All graduate researchers except for those enrolled through the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences will complete:
Psychological Sciences graduate researchers may choose to complete the following subject instead:
All graduate researchers choose between the following A or B subjects. Only one subject may be taken at 12.5 points:
- NEUR90009 Brain Imaging and Neural Networks A 12.5
- NEUR90010 Brain Imaging and Neural Networks B 6.25
- NEUR90011 Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience A 12.5
- NEUR90012 Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience B 6.25
- NEUR90013 Neuroscience of Behaviour & Cognition A 12.5
- NEUR90014 Neuroscience of Behaviour & Cognition B 6.25
All other graduate researchers should discuss subject options with their supervisor and the Course Convenor and note that the approval of the Supervisor, the Head of Department or Faculty nominee, and the Course Convenor is required to undertake one or more subjects.
Last updated: 30 January 2024