Doctor of Medical Science

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMedSc) is a graduate research doctorate offered by the Melbourne Medical School to medical graduates of the University of Melbourne and other recognised universities. The DMedSc enrolled candidature course (J15AA) is designed for medical graduates to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research at the doctoral research level.

Intake

• Students may commence the degree at any time during the year between 1st February and 15 December.
• Commencement is subject to prior arrangement with their nominated supervisor and the MDHS Student Centre. (Scholarships have separate rules and students should seek approval from Melbourne Scholarships to vary their scholarshp commencement).
• Please check with the relevant academic unit prior to making any arrangements for enrolment or travel.

Policies and Procedures
A range of University policies and procedures apply to students enrolled in Higher Degrees by Research.

• Candidature (enrolment)
• Examinations
• Courses and course structures
• Academic progress
• Preparation of the thesis
• Selection and admission
• Management of research data and records

Rules and regulations relating to the Doctor of Medical Science govern the teaching out of the Doctor of Medicine (research doctorate) degree (550AA and 550TC). The last intake for the Doctor of Medicine (research doctorate) was 2009.

On completion of the course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced learning in research skills and mastery of appropriate techniques.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research.
• Present the results of their research in publishable form or work towards incorporating their findings in further research.
• Apply the research skills acquired to other projects.
• Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics or code of practice.

The DMedSc is classified as a research doctorate with thesis requirements and examination comparable to the Doctor of Philosophy.

• Candidates enrol in a year-long thesis subject for the duration of the degree.
• 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).
• 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 thesis should normally be between 80,000 and 100,000 words in length excluding tables, illustrations and bibliography.
• Candidates should refer to the University policy library for further information regarding candidature, academic progress, ethics, thesis preparation and examination.

Attendance:

• All candidates are required to complete a minimum of 6 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.
• To be eligible to submit a thesis students must be enrolled in their course for the minimum period of 6 months full-time equivalent.
• All candidates are required to attend departmental seminars over the period of their candidature.

The DMedSc may normally be undertaken in any department of the Melbourne Medical School and in some Faculty-based academic units such as the Centre for Youth, Mental Health or the Department of Medical Biology (WEHI). Please note that entry is subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor and research project and the approval of the Head of Department. The DMedSc may not be undertaken through the following academic units: The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, the Department of Medical Bionics.

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have:

• completed a medical degree with a minimum (University of Melbourne) 80% weighted average, or equivalent; and
• held the completion for at least two years.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider:

• prior academic performance and, if relevant, professional qualifications;
• performance at interview;
• understanding of the research question to be explored;
• motivation and capacity to complete the course in a timely manner;
• relevant prior research and/or professional experience; and
• referee reports.

3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy.

4. The minimum English language requirements for this course are Band 7.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards of Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit Website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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.

Doctoral degrees at the University of Melbourne seek to develop graduates who demonstrate academic leadership, increasing independence, creativity and innovation in their research work. In addition, professional doctoral studies provide advanced training designed to enhance professional knowledge in a specialist area, and encourage the acquisition of a wide range of advanced and transferable skills.

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.
• an ability to formulate applications to relevant agencies, such as funding bodies and ethics committees.

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Applications

• Detailed information regarding the application process is available at: http://research.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/future-grs
• 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.
• The topic areas website may assist you to find an appropriate supervisor. Prospective PhD candidates should also investigate department websites for information on current research and contact details. Refer to the list of departments and schools.
• Listen to PhD students talking about their experience: http://research.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/phd-perspectives

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 and on the Faculty's website.

Facilities and Supports

• The University makes available a broad range of Programs & Services to graduate research students.