Doctor of Philosophy | 2017

Overview

The research involved in producing a doctoral (PhD) dissertation involves a significant contribution to a field of knowledge.

Students are encouraged to identify potential supervisors who match their area of research interest. Students are also advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.

Information relating to research being undertaken within the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health can be found on the Faculty Research Students webpage. Students should note that this site does not contain an exhaustive list of possible topics; instead it provides information on a sample of potential areas of interest.

Entry Requirements

Schools/disciplines have varying entry requirements. Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Doctor of Philosophy will be able to:

1. Demonstrate expert and specialised technical and research skills in a discipline area to independently and systematically generate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial scholarly contribution to a discipline.
2. Critically reflect on, synthesise and evaluate a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of a discipline area.
3. Communicate research findings, explaining and critiquing theoretical propositions, methodologies, results and conclusions to peers and to the community.
4. Apply detailed knowledge of research, research integrity, ethics and the rights and safety of others, to plan and execute original research with intellectual independence and with full autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsibility for personal outputs.

Course Structure

Study at the Doctoral level is by advanced research thesis and the requirements for the degree are not defined by a total credit point value, but by successful completion of the advanced research thesis. The normal full-time study pattern requires enrolment in 48 credit points of subjects per year in accordance with the table below, for a minimum of 4 years. Part-time study is also available in most cases.

Potential candidates should discuss their research plan with the Head of Postgraduate Studies or Head of School of the relevant School, at which time the supervision arrangements of the School will be outlined.

Rules and procedures for Doctoral degrees by Thesis are listed in the Course Rules. Doctoral candidates are urged to be familiar with the Code of Practice - Supervision and General Course Rules governing Thesis and Research Degrees, including the regulations regarding preparation and submission of the thesis.

Under the current higher education legislation, it is not possible for students in a research degree to exit with a coursework degree. Students may transfer between research degrees or cease HDR enrolment and apply for admission to a coursework program as a new course. More information on this is available in the General Course Rules.

Specialisations

Students will identify their area of research and specialisation in consultation with their academic supervisors.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au