Ph.D.- Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences

Course 551-AA (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus:	2009
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level:	Graduate/Postgraduate

Contact

The Melbourne School of Graduate Research
Graduate Centre (1888 Building)
Grattan Street
The University of Melbourne 3010
Australia

Telephone: + 61 3 834 48599

Fax number: +61 3 9349 2103

Web: http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/

Future Student Questions: http://gradstudies-unimelb.custhelp.com/

Course Overview:	The Doctor of Philosophy is administered at The University of Melbourne by the Melbourne School of Graduate Research. 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 appendicies. 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.
Objectives:	The University expects its doctoral graduates to gain 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 students 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.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:	The Doctor of Philosophy degree is the major research degree offered within the faculty. It is administered by the School of Graduate Studies under the control of the Academic Board of the University. Candidates undertake a research program which is likely to make an original and substantial contribution to their discipline. Supervision is normally through a supervisory panel with one principal supervisor. Candidates may write up to a 100,000 word thesis, which is examined externally. The PhD may be undertaken by approved graduates as a supervised research program in any of the departments of the School of Medicine or the research institutes affiliated with the faculty. Candidates should hold a recognised medical degree, or an honours or masters degree in science from an approved university. Intending candidates should first contact the head of the department in which they wish to work. International students interested in applying for a PhD are advised to enter into written communication with a prospective supervisor to clarify and develop their research proposal prior to making a formal application.
Majors/ Minors/ Specialisations	three years full time or six years part-time with the possibility of extending to a maximum of four years full-time or eight years part-time, subject to departmental approval.
Entry Requirements:	The criteria for assessing applicants' eligibility for PhD candidature are: Minimum qualifications Applicants are normally required to have completed at least a four-year honours degree at H2A standard from an Australian university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the RHD Committee to be equivalent. For particular disciplines applicants are also required to complete, at an appropriate level, a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or a Graduate Record Entry (GRE) test. Minimum level of academic achievement Applicants should have achieved an overall H1 (80-100%) or H2A (75-79%) grade in the relevant honours or Masters degree. Relevance of the degree The completed degree must be in an area that is relevant to the intended PhD, including sufficient specialisation such that the applicant will have already developed an understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to the intended PhD. Evidence of research ability Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project/component that accounts for at least 25% of their year's work at 4th year or at Masters level. Graduates of certain professional degrees at the University of Melbourne, including MBBS, BVetSci, LLB, BPhysio and BEng are deemed to have met this requirement. Currency of applicant's knowledge of the discipline The applicant's degree/s and/or professional experience must demonstrate that their knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their research higher degree is current. Assessment of level of commitment Based on interview or other communication, an assessment should be made of the level of understanding, motivation and time commitment of the student for the proposed program of study. For example, a full-time student would be expected to devote at least 40 hours a week and a part-time student about half of this. Applicants must also meet the University’s English Language requirements .
Core Participation Requirements:	For the purposes of considering request 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 may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
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 additions to the supervised research program, to facilitate a students' acquisition of these attributes.
Links to further information:	www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au
Notes:	Application Procedure Detailed information for prospective PhD students regarding the application process, including the application form is available on the MSGR website at http://www.gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/future/phd.html . It is important to note that there is a separate application form for local and international students. 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 and Research Report websites may assist you to find 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 faculty homepages . Applications are accepted year-round. Which scholarship can I apply for? Students can find information about postgraduate scholarships offered by the University of Melbourne at the Postgraduate Scholarships Office . Facilities and Supports: MSGR makes available a broad range of Programs & Services available to research and postgraduate students.

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three years full time or six years part-time with the possibility of extending to a maximum of four years full-time or eight years part-time, subject to departmental approval.