Doctor of Philosophy

Swinburne University of Technology

About

As a Doctor of Philosophy candidate you will undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.

This program is suited to applicants who:

have some prior research experience are interested in a pursuing a career in research have a desire to make an original contribution to research in a particular field have a naturally inquiring mind and a desire to know more wish to gain an internationally recognised qualification want to enhance their employment opportunities.

Research areas include:

Product Design Innovation, Human Factors and Health in Design, Humanitarian Design and Shelter, Information Design, Design Engineering and Aged Care, Cross-Cultural Design, Human Computer Interaction Design, Aesthetics, Strategic Design and Management.

Find out more about research areas and expertise in the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design.

Structure

have some prior research experienceare interested in a pursuing a career in researchhave a desire to make an original contribution to research in a particular fieldhave a naturally inquiring mind and a desire to know morewish to gain an internationally recognised qualificationwant to enhance their employment opportunities. Research areas include: Product Design Innovation, Human Factors and Health in Design, Humanitarian Design and Shelter, Information Design, Design Engineering and Aged Care, Cross-Cultural Design, Human Computer Interaction Design, Aesthetics, Strategic Design and Management. Find out more about research areas and expertise in the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design . research training sessions

Entry requirements

  • a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Research or
  • a bachelor degree (three or four years) and an Honours year or
  • a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a Masters by Coursework or
  • a bachelor degree (three or four years) and a postgraduate diploma in Psychology or
  • a bachelor degree (four years) in an approved discipline.

Find out more about entry requirements.

Learning outcomes

The Doctor of Philosophy program has the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. Graduates will demonstrate a capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research. While the research is conducted under a supervisor students are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently.

A Doctor of Philosophy graduate is expected to be able to:

  • conduct independent research at a high level of originality and quality
  • independently conceive of, design, conduct and complete a research project or program
  • understand their given substantive area as well as the given methodological approach(es)
  • communicate an argument convincingly, with clarity and relevance to appropriate audiences.

Other key skills obtained by research graduates include:

  • Independent thinking
  • Decision-making skills
  • Good judgement
  • Logical thought, rationality
  • Communication skills
  • Project management skills
  • Data analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Critical thinking

Institution