Doctor of Philosophy

PhD(Curtin)

Registered full-time Duration: 4 Years

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Course Overview

Doctoral Degrees prepares students to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to AQF level 10 qualifications.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate should uncover new knowledge either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas. The doctoral research will use an in-depth understanding of theories and concepts to develop practical solutions for real-world problems. Subject to and in accordance with Curtin's Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree shall \be awarded for a thesis (as defined in regulations) or a combination of a thesis and coursework in which the coursework component does not exceed one-third of the total doctoral degree program. In all cases the thesis must, in the opinion of the examiners, be a substantial original contribution to the knowledge or understanding of any field and demonstrate the capacity of the candidate to conceive, design and complete independent research.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.

Course Overview Note

Curtin's Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research will apply in respect of enrolment, candidacy, the thesis committee and the examination process. For further information please refer to the General Information section of the front of this Handbook. A candidate shall comply with these Rules as are from time to time amended or remade except that, where the University Graduate Studies Committee is of the opinion that any candidate has been or may be adversely affected by a change in the regulations since initial enrolment, the candidate may be permitted to continue under such Rule or Rules in force at any time during the period of candidature and on conditions the Committee may prescribe. Faculties provide facilities and benefits for those studying research courses, including access to suitable computer facilities and office space for on-campus students, financial assistance to attend appropriate intrastate, interstate or overseas conferences and towards associated research costs.

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Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants for a Doctoral Degree are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards. Applicants require a Master Degree (Research) or Bachelor Honours Degree (first or second class) or a high standard in either a Master Degree (Coursework) or Bachelor Degree with a Graduate Diploma (or equivalent). Alternative entry requirements may be considered, details are provided at http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Specifically, candidates must have graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of master within the University which requires the completion of a publicly available thesis or research project to an acceptable standard; graduated with or qualified for the award of the degree of bachelor with first class honours or upper second class honours within the University; or (i) graduated with a bachelor degree and completed a graduate diploma or its equivalent, or completed a master degree by coursework, with, in both cases, a course-weighted average of not less than seventy percent within the University; and (ii) demonstrated the capacity to undertake significant research; or obtained qualifications from another institution which are recognised by tertiary admission authorities in Australia and which are deemed to be equivalent to, or a satisfactory substitute for, any of the qualifications prescribed above; or enrolled in a research master degree for the equivalent of at least one semester full-time, and shown exceptional ability in conducting the early stages of the research project, which is clearly capable of being extended and converted to doctoral level. This requires the approval of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.

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Course Organisation

Doctoral Degrees require students to undertake a program of independent supervised study and produce significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis, dissertation, exegesis or equivalent for independent examination.

Duration and Availability

A candidate may enrol in a Doctor of Philosophy either full-time or part-time. Enrolment shall be continuous with the exception of periods of leave of absence as approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. The course duration is a minimum period of two years and a maximum period of four years of equivalent full-time study. Research Training Scheme places may be available as well as fee-paying places. The time limits shall be adjusted for approved periods of leave of absence. Registered full-time duration for international onshore students on student visas is four years.

Course Structure				Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 0
GRAD7000	v.1		Doctoral Thesis

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Further Information

Details about doctoral studies are available on the future research students website (http://www.curtin.edu.au/research/futurestudents/) and other graduate studies information is provided through the Office of Research and Development (http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides/). Specific Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) course codes and availability information can be obtained from Faculty Graduate Studies Officers (http://research.curtin.edu.au/about/contacts/gso.cfm).

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

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Handbook