Chapter 1: Introduction

1.3 Doctor of Philosophy

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Monash signifies that the holder has completed a course of postgraduate training in research under proper academic supervision and has submitted a thesis that the examiners have declared to be a significant contribution to knowledge and which demonstrates the candidate’s capacity to carry out independent research.

A candidate for the PhD must be an enrolled student in the university and is required to carry out a prescribed program of research for a specified period under the direct supervision of a member or members of the academic staff. The candidate, together with the supervisor(s), is responsible for developing the research program to be followed. Both report at regular intervals on the progress of the project.

A candidate may be enrolled on either a full-time or a part-time basis. In fulfilling the requirements for supervised study and research at the university, a candidate is required to attend the academic unit of enrolment on a regular basis and to be involved in the intellectual life of that unit.

1.3.1 PhD (thesis-only)

The thesis-only PhD requires a candidate to submit a thesis, the length of which may vary across disciplines but which would not normally exceed 100,000 words. A PhD project should be designed to take no more than three years of full-time equivalent candidature.

1.3.2 PhD based upon published or unpublished papers

Monash staff who currently hold a 0.5 level appointment or above and who have held an appointment at or above lecturer B level or equivalent for a minimum of three years may be permitted to submit a thesis based upon published or unpublished papers. The papers must be prefaced by a statement signed by the authors disclosing their respective contributions, must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the dean a general theme, and must be submitted while the candidate continues to be a member of the academic staff.

Other candidates enrolled under the standard regulations may also be permitted to present a thesis comprised in part or in full of published or unpublished papers.

In the case of students enrolled under the standard PhD regulations (ie not staff candidature), these papers will have been written up during the course of supervised candidature and will be based upon research undertaken during the course of candidature.

1.3.3 PhD with coursework component

From within the traditional framework, a PhD with formal coursework seeks to widen a candidate’s knowledge base, to place the specialised research project within a broader context, and to enhance the candidate’s research skills generally.

It is possible, in some academic units, to take up to the equivalent of 12 months of full-time PhD-level coursework as an element of the PhD research program. In these circumstances, a slightly shorter thesis may be submitted.

Prospective candidates should consult their academic unit to ascertain if coursework is offered.

1.3.4 Dual-awarded PhD program

This type of program is conducted under shared supervision arrangements agreed to by Monash and the partner institution. Under this program, the degree is awarded by both institutions (see Appendix G ).

1.3.4.1 Cotutelle PhD program

1.3.5 PhD in speciality of visual arts

The Faculty of Art and Design offers a PhD program where the core of assessable work is an exhibition (or equivalent). Documentation supports and comments upon the work and seeks to explain its contribution to human culture, endeavour and knowledge. A three-unit coursework component provides an appropriate theoretical framework.

1.3.6 PhD in speciality of music composition

The Faculty of Arts offers a PhD program where the work submitted for examination consists of a composition portfolio, a critical commentary of between 20,000 to 25,000 words, and concert program notes of the candidate's musical work. At least 50% of the music submitted for examination must have been performed in public concerts.

1.3.7 PhD in speciality of creative writing

The Faculty of Arts offers a PhD program where the assessable work is a piece of the candidate's own creative writing, together with an exegesis which places the work in context. The program is by 100% research.

1.3.8 PhD in speciality of theatre performance

The Faculty of Arts offers a PhD program in which the assessable work consists of a performance project together with a written dissertation. The performance project may be in one of the following practice genres: Directing, Theatre Making, or Dramatic Writing. The outcome of the project will be either: a directed performance, a created performance work or a written performance text..The project will normally be 60 to 90 minutes in duration and the written dissertation 30,000 to 35,000 words. The program is by 100% research.