Interdisciplinary Studies

INTRODUCTION

The Doctor of Philosophy is available for graduates of a relevant Bachelor degree with 2A Honours or better, or a relevant Master degree which has a substantial research component.  The course consists of the preparation of a research proposal, the conduct of research, the preparation of a thesis, and participation in seminars and conferences.  Although formal coursework is not a stipulated part of requirements, coursework may be required and will be assigned by the appropriate School on an individual basis.

The candidate will be provided with an initial adviser and once the research proposal has been formally accepted a supervisory team will be appointed consisting of a principal supervisor assisted by at least one additional supervisor.  The principal supervisor normally will be a staff member of the relevant School.  Additional supervisors may be staff from within Edith Cowan University or other universities, or may be from research institutes, government or industry.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Studies) involves a three year full-time (or part-time equivalent) research program which culminates in the submission of a thesis.

The interdisciplinary approach recognises that solutions to problems often rely on knowledge gained across traditional disciplines.  In the selection of fields of research, students are encouraged to examine the broad perspective within which the problem lies and to adopt problem-solving techniques applicable across disciplines.

Studies will be undertaken by research and thesis presentation.  Candidates should be available for consultation with the supervisory team appointed.  Students seeking to conduct research on an external basis will be required to reach agreement with the University on arrangements for supervision.

The minimum admission requirement is a master degree or an honours degree (First Class or Second Class, Division A) or the equivalent in a relevant field from a recognised university.

Each semester students enrol into research thesis unit: FST7200 at 50 or 100% of full-time enrolment.

Students are required to continue re-enrolling in the thesis component of their study until the thesis is submitted for examination.

Doctoral candidates will normally complete no less than two years and no more than four years of full-time equivalent study by the time their thesis is submitted for examination.