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Doctor of Philosophy - Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (DR-PHILMDH)
Doctorate by ResearchYear: 2021 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
Contact
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Health Hub
Level 1, Brownless Biomedical Library
The University of Melbourne (Parkville Campus)
Victoria 3010, Australia
Future students: http://mdhs-study.unimelb.edu.au/degrees/doctor-of-philosophy/overview
Current students: mdhs-gr@unimelb.edu.au
Coordinator
Associate Dean (Research Training)
Overview
Award title | Doctor of Philosophy |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2021 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 006670B |
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 via the thesis, 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 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. All candidates for the degree will be examined on the basis of their thesis which is examined externally. The normal length of the thesis is between 80,000 and 100,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices.
Commencement periods
- Students may commence a PhD at any time during the year between 1st March and 31 October. Commencement between 1st and 28th February or between 1st and 30th November may be approved subject to approval of the proposed principal supervisor. Commencement in January or December is not permitted.
- Commencement in the degree is subject to prior arrangement with their nominated supervisor and the Learning and Teaching Unit. (Scholarships have separate rules and students should seek approval from Melbourne Scholarships to vary their scholarship commencement).
- Please check with the relevant academic unit prior to making any arrangements for enrolment or travel.
Policies
A range of University policies and procedures apply to Higher Degrees by Research and students should familiarise themselves with these policies via the University of Melbourne Policy Library.
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 80% 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 80% or (University of Melbourne) equivalent;
or
- a qualification and professional experience considered to be equivalent;
and
- a research proposal; and
- referee reports (except for applicants who have graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last 5 years); and
- 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; and
- the referee reports.
3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.
4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are: Band 7
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives 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 may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support.
All candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least six months full-time (12 months part-time) advanced study and research at 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 on-line supervision for research higher degree students.
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 first six months of candidature. During this time the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:
- to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
- to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a research higher degree awarded by the University
- to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the University throughout candidature.
Intended learning outcomes
Please refer to 'Graduate Attributes'
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 synthesize 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
- Candidates enrol in a thesis subject for the duration of the degree.
- The normal period of candidature is 3 years for full-time candidates (part-time equivalent) 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.
Subject options
All graduate researchers should discuss coursework 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 coursework subjects.
Applications
Find out how to apply.
Prior to submitting an application, applicants should discuss their research interests with a potential supervisor of the department in which they would like to enrol and discuss any external commitments which may impede their successful academic progress.
Which scholarship can I apply for?
Students can find information about graduate research scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne at Melbourne Scholarships and on the Faculty website.
Resources and Services
The University makes available a broad range of resources and services for graduate research students.
Last updated: 10 November 2023