Ph.D.- Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University’s major research qualification. Candidates undertake a research program and are required to make a significant and new contribution to their discipline. Typically a student’s research will be supervised by a single member of the academic staff assisted by two other members of staff interested in the research area. This panel monitors progress and provides supervision to the student.

Candidates write up to a 100,000 word thesis about their research. The thesis is examined externally with at least one international examiner.

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.

Entry Requirements

Normally a four-year degree at H1 (80%+) level. Some departments of the Melbourne School of Engineering prefer to admit students to the research masters in the first instance with conversion to PhD after 1 year of study. All PhD students are probationary students for the first year of their studies.

Applicants interested in applying for a PhD are advised to enter into communication with the Postgraduate Coordinator in the relevant department to determine the suitability of their proposed research topic and the availability of appropriate supervision.

Coursework Component

Some research degrees require a coursework component.

Intake

Students may commence a PhD at any time during the year subject to prior arrangement with their nominated supervisor.

Where a student is enrolling in a PhD with a coursework component intake may be restricted by the timetabling of subjects. Please check with the relevant department prior to making any arrangements for enrolment or travel.

Awarding of Final Mark & Grade

Where there is a coursework component the final mark and grade for the degree is the mark and grade awarded for the thesis. A pass in all coursework is required to fulfill the requirements of the degree.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD students

All students are required to complete a minimum of four subjects and a maximum of eight. A minimum of four subjects must be chosen from the core subjects detailed below.

If a student does not have sufficient background in the core subjects they may be required by the supervisory panel to take preliminary undergraduate subjects. Undergraduate preliminary subjects will not count towards the postgraduate level coursework requirement. Subjects from other departments may be selected in consultation with the supervisor and the department, and are subject to the written approval of the Head of Department.

All PhD students are required to attend departmental seminars over the period of their candidature.

During their candidature students are trained in research and communication skills with particular reference to presenting their work to both the research and broader communities.

Students will typically participate in leading conferences in their research areas. Students are able to benefit from overseas exchange/training periods through our extensive international collaboration network. he Department maintains an intensive international visitors program, allowing students and staff to collaborate with international experts in particular sub-disciplines.