Handbook

For a student to qualify for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the student must receive a determination that the degree be awarded following thesis examination.

The Doctor of Philosophy is entirely a research degree.

In a Doctor of Philosophy with a time-based research project, the student will undertake a supervised research project, culminating in submission of a thesis, which may be in the form of an exegesis and artefact.

In a Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Published Work, the student will undertake a short program of work culminating in a thesis comprising a contextual statement and a body of published work accumulated prior to acceptance into candidature.

By negotiation with the principal supervisor, a student can undertake optional experiential learning activities and / or courses related to their higher degree by research that enable them to develop research relevant transferable skills and experience and which may include:

• industry placements, internships and other engagement and commercialisation activities where the purpose is to provide an industry situated learning experience
• non-award courses as relevant to the development of high-level research skills and/or research relevant transferable skills

Thesis

The submitted thesis must meet all requirements for presentation and lodgement specified in the Higher Degrees by Research Policy and must not contain:

• Material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma, or
• Any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis or in the notes

Assessment

The thesis examination will assess whether the student has demonstrated the following attributes:

A significant original contribution to knowledge

• Ability to conduct an original investigation or testing of ideas
• Competence in independent research or experimentation
• A thorough understanding of the appropriate techniques in the field demonstrated both by their application and a thorough review of the literature
• Critical use of source material, experimental results (where appropriate) and published works
• Appreciation of the relationship of the special theme of their research to the wider field of knowledge
• The capacity to present well-written work
• A high degree of independence of thought and approach

A significant original contribution to knowledge means uncovering new knowledge by the:

• Discovery of new facts
• Formulation of theories
• The innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas

Except that, for a thesis involving an exegesis and artefact, a significant original contribution means enhancing artistic, creative or another practice in a way that contributes to that practice and to the intellectual discourse of the field.

To be accepted for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy candidature, an applicant must have at least one of the following Australian qualifications (which must include studies relevant to the proposed field of research), or the equivalent qualification as approved by the relevant authorised delegate:

• A Bachelors degree with Honours class 1 or 2A
• A Doctor of Medicine with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5
• A Graduate Diploma or Masters degree by coursework with a research component of at least 18 units, with an average GPA of at least 6 in the research component
• A Masters by Research degree

Applicants must also satisfy the University that they are reasonably likely to be able to complete the requirements of the award within the maximum duration.

In addition, to be accepted for enrolment in a Doctor of Philosophy candidature on the basis of Prior Published Work, an applicant must have:

• Completed their qualification (as above) at least three years before their application for candidature for this degree
• Spent at least three years following conferral of the qualifying award substantially engaged in the practice and study of the discipline or related discipline
• Satisfied the University that there is a prima facie case that their prior published work meets the requirement for admission to the award

Exceptions can be approved in accordance with the Higher Degrees by Research Policy.

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