Handbook home
Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering (DR-PHILENG)
Doctorate by ResearchYear: 2020 Delivered: On Campus
About this course
Coordinator
Associate Dean (Research Training)
Overview
| Award title | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2020 |
| CRICOS code | 056957F |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Research |
| AQF level | 10 |
| Duration | 4 years full-time, or equivalent part-time |
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.
The PhD thesis demonstrates authority in the candidate's field and shows evidence of command of knowledge in relevant fields. It shows that the candidate has a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations. The thesis also makes a distinct contribution to knowledge. Its contribution to knowledge rests on originality of approach and/or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts. The thesis demonstrates an ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context. It is a careful, rigorous and sustained piece of work demonstrating that a research 'apprenticeship' is complete and the holder is admitted to the community of scholars in the discipline.
In scope, the PhD thesis differs from a research Masters thesis chiefly by its deeper and more comprehensive treatment of the chosen subject. It is written succinctly, in English, unless approval has been given for the thesis to be written in a language other than English. The normal length of a PhD thesis is 80,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit. The thesis should not exceed 100,000 words (or equivalent) without special approval from the Research Higher Degrees Committee.
A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisors and an advisory committee who in consultation with the candidate, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the project 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 students are required to attend departmental seminars over the period of their candidature.
Duration
The normal period of candidature is three years for full-time candidates with the possibility of two, six month extensions. All PhD 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 PhD is undertaken at the University. To be eligible to submit a thesis, students must be enrolled in their course for the minimum period of 24 months full-time equivalent.
Intake
Students may commence a DR-PHILENG (Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering) at any time during the year subject to prior arrangement with their nominated supervisor.
Please check with the relevant department prior to making any arrangements for enrolment or travel.
Links to further information
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• A four-year bachelor degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study, and have achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% in the final year subjects or (University of Melbourne) equivalent
or
• A masters degree in a relevant discipline which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study, and achieved a minimum weighted average of 75% or (University of Melbourne) equivalent
or
• A qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent
and
• A research proposal;
• Referee reports (except for applicants who have graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last 5 years);
• The endorsement of a prospective supervisor.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In selecting applicants, the selection committee will consider applicants’:
• Prior academic performance and, if relevant, professional qualifications;
• Understanding of the research question to be explored;
• Performance at an interview;
• Motivation and capacity to complete the course in a timely manner;
• Relevant prior research and/or professional experience;
• Referee reports.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are: Band 6.5.
http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/entry-requirements/language-requirements
For more information on the application process visit: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/doctor-of-philosophy-engineering/how-to-apply/
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
All PhD candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months full-time (24 months part-time) advanced study and research in the University unless studying at an outside institution approved by the Research Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC). The RHDC will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely online supervision for graduate researchers.
Throughout their candidature, candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing-up their research within a University community and environment.
The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the period of probationary candidature. During probationary candidature the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, with the aim to:
- Build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program;
- Acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a PhD awarded by the University;
- Make use of support programs and facilities provided by the Univeristy.
For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Graduate Research Advisor and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the degree students should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced research skills and mastery of theoretical and analytic techniques as appropriate to the field of study, such as the use of archival or primary evidence, analysis of data, and judgment of conflicting evidence;
- Demonstrate specialist theoretical and applied knowledge, and a high level of awareness of past and current research in the field of study;
- Clearly articulate the research hypotheses and findings of their research project;
- Present the results of their research at an internationally publishable standard; demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research integrity, ethics or code of practice
Graduate attributes
Doctoral degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work. The University expects its doctoral graduates to have the following qualities and skills: an advanced ability to initiate research and to formulate viable research questions; a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research; the capacity to contextualise research within an international corpus of specialist knowledge; an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesise research-based and scholarly literature; an advanced understanding of key disciplinary and multi-disciplinary norms and perspectives relevant to the field; highly developed problem-solving abilities and flexibility of approach; the ability to analyse critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment; the capacity to disseminate the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication to a variety of audiences; a capacity to cooperate with and respect the contributions of fellow researchers and scholars; a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship; an advanced facility in the management of information, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study; an understanding of the relevance and value of their research to national and international communities of scholars and collaborators; an awareness where appropriate of issues related to intellectual property management and the commercialisation of innovation; and an ability to formulate applications to relevant agencies, such as funding bodies and ethics committees. The University provides a variety of opportunities in addition to the supervised research program to facilitate a student's acquisition of these attributes.
Course structure
All candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering will be examined on the basis of their thesis. 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).
Graduate researchers who have enrolled/commenced their course prior to 2019 will be required to complete the coursework requirements as outlined in the Handbook entry for the corresponding year of their commencement.
Application Procedure
Detailed information for prospective PhD students regarding the application process, including the application form is available at: http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/applications/research.
PhD applicants should discuss their research interests with a potential supervisor at the department in which they would like to enrol prior to submitting an application. The Find an Expert website may assist your search for an appropriate supervisor.
Prospective PhD candidates should also investigate department websites for information on current research and contact details. Department websites are easily accessed from the faculty homepages.
Applications are accepted year-round.
Which scholarship can I apply for?
Students can find information about graduate research scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne at the Melbourne Scholarships Office.
Facilities and Support:
The University of Melbourne makes available a broad range of Programs & Services available to graduate research students.
Last updated: 30 January 2024