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Doctor of Philosophy (Science and Agriculture)

includes:

Doctor of Philosophy (Science and Agriculture)

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree which aims to afford the graduate systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or for professional practice. A doctoral candidate shall undertake original and significant research on an approved topic, the results of which are presented in a thesis. Candidates awarded a Doctoral degree have demonstrate advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge with the research making an original and significant contribution to knowledge or understanding.

The Doctor of Philosophy by Publication is a research degree which aims to afford the graduate systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or for professional practice by synthesising original research that has been undertaken elsewhere. A doctoral candidate is required to undertake original and significant research on an approved topic, the results of which are presented in a thesis. Candidates awarded a Doctoral degree have demonstrate advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge with the research making an original and significant contribution to knowledge or understanding.

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree which aims to afford the graduate systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills for the advancement of learning and/or for professional practice. A doctoral candidate is required to undertake original and significant research on an approved topic, the results of which are presented in a thesis. Candidates awarded a Doctoral degree have demonstrate advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge with the research making an original and significant contribution to knowledge or understanding.

  • Award Names
  • Availability
  • Duration
  • Admission
  • Credit
  • Graduation
  • Course Structure
  • Enrolment Pattern

The course includes the following awards:

Doctor of Philosophy PhD

Course Study Modes and Locations

Doctor of Philosophy (Non Laboratory Based) (4901AA)

Distance Education - Uni Wide
On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory Based) (4901AB)

Distance Education - Uni Wide
On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Non Laboratory Based) (extended) (4904AA)

On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory Based) (extended) (4904AB)

On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Non Laboratory Based) (extended) (4904AG)

On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory Based) (extended) (4904SC)

On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (By Publication) (4905SC)

Distance Education - Uni Wide
On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Non Laboratory Based) (5901AG)

Doctor of Philosophy (Non-Laboratory Based) (5901AG)

Distance Education - Uni Wide
Distance Education - Uni Wide
On Campus - Uni Wide
Distance Education - Uni Wide
Distance Education - Uni Wide
On Campus - Uni Wide

Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory Based) (5901SC)

Distance Education - Uni Wide
On Campus - Uni Wide

Availability is subject to change, please verify prior to enrolment.

Normal course duration

Doctor of Philosophy (Science and Agriculture)

Full-time 3.0 years (6.0 sessions)


Part-time 6.0 years (12.0 sessions)

Overall Duration: 3.0
For normal candidature:
Overall Duration (FTE): 3.0
Full-time: 3 years minimum/4 years maximum
Part-time: 6 years minimum/8 years maximum

For candidates in PhD by Prior Publication:
Overall Duration (FTE): 0.5
Full-time: 6 months minimum /1 year maximum
Part-time: 12 months minimum/ 2 years maximum

The allocation of 192 credit points to the course duration (and each shell subject) was initially calculated based on a full-time study load for 2 sessions in each of 3 years (32 points per session), or a part-time study load for 2 study sessions in each of 6 years (16 points per session). As in all Higher Degrees by Research, candidature time may vary. However, variations to candidature time do not alter the total number of credit points allocated or required for graduation. Students will re-enrol in the same shell subject for each enrolment session until they demonstrate through the examination process that they have met the requirements of the subject and course.

Normal course duration is the effective period of time taken to complete a course when studied Full-time (Full-time Equivalent: FTE). Students are advised to consult the Enrolment Pattern for the actual length of study. Not all courses are offered in Full-time mode.

Admission criteria

CSU Admission Policy

The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the University holds the delegated authority to approval for admission to a research higher degree programs. 

Doctor of Philosophy

Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy
The RAC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy candidature upon the following evidence, that:

  • the proposed program of study and research is at a level appropriate to the degree being sought;
  • the  proposed  area of research  falls  within  an  approved University  field  of  research  for  admission  to  a higher degree by research;
  • the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the area of research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available;
  • the applicant has the appropriate background and ability to undertake the proposed course (refer also to Entry Qualifications, below);
  • the applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).

Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The entry qualifications required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program are:

  • qualified for the award of a Master by Research at an acceptable level; or
  • an appropriate Bachelor degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas tertiary institution, taken over a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent); or
  • qualified for entry into a Charles Sturt University Master by Research program, and completed a minimum of 4 years full-time equivalent study, and duly enrolled and shown exceptional ability in the conduct of a research project which is clearly capable of being extended to a doctoral level; or
  • qualified for the award of a coursework Master’s degree with a research project and thesis/dissertation component. It is normally expected that a grade equivalent to the appropriate class of Honours will have been obtained; or
  • some other appropriate combination of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications (such as relevant graduate diplomas) and research experience that demonstrate  capacity   to   undertake   research   at   a Doctoral level.

Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication

Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication
The RAC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication candidature upon the evidence required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy and in addition the following evidence:

  • the publications (which may include books and non-print materials)   that   will   be   included  in   the   submission presented for examination;
  • any information  on  the  quality  and  citations  of  the publications to be included in the submission;
  • a statement making clear the applicant's contribution to all jointly-authored publications;
  • a statement from the co-authors of any jointly-authored publications confirming the extent of the applicant's contribution to these publications;
  • the  names  of  two  persons  who  are  able  to  provide academic references relevant to the proposed PhD candidature.
  • a statement of no more than five pages that:
    •  indicates the way in which the work has developed;
    • demonstrates   the  contemporary   relevance  of  each publication;
    • makes clear the way in which the publications make an original scholarly contribution to knowledge;
    • provides  a  thematic  overview  which  serves  to  link  the individual publications into an integrated whole;
    • confirms the papers have not previously been submitted as part of a degree;
    • includes a statement indicating whether or not additional research activity  may   be   required   in   order to convert the publications to an integrated whole, and if so, an outline of the necessary work.

The application for the Doctor of Philosophy by Publication will be subject to external assessment.

Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication Degree
A candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication is expected to be an experienced researcher with a significant historical record of refereed publications of doctoral standard. An applicant for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication shall meet the requirements specified admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program. Admission to candidature will be subject to external assessment.

An applicant who has already been awarded a PhD will not be admitted to the degree.

Credit

CSU Credit Policy

No special arrangements apply.

Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Course Structure

Students will work with their supervisory team to complete all aspects of their research project. The supervisory team will be comprised of one principal supervisor and at least one co-supervisor who are both permanent academic staff at Charles Sturt University. Supervisory teams may include additional co-supervisors who are adjuncts and/or external to CSU with appropriate qualifications. All supervisors will be required to meet minimum qualification and professional experience standards and have been formally registered on the CSU Supervisor Registry.

PhD
Under the guidance of their supervisors, students will determine an appropriate area of study that aligns with the Faculty’s designated fields of research, where appropriate, gain ethics and other approvals, conduct a detailed research investigation, and write and submit a thesis for examination.

Students are also required to complete and submit a formal research proposal that has been reviewed and endorsed by a review panel and approved through the School-based endorsement of candidature process. This will normally be required to be completed within the first year of full-time equivalent enrolment. Students will also be required to engage with University progress reporting requirements as advised by the Research Office on admission. Additional requirements and conditions of enrolment, probation and progress may be applicable to individual students.


PhD by Prior Publication
Under the guidance of their supervisors, students will demonstrate extensive, high quality, peer-reviewed research, write an integrating essay or chapter, and additional materials as deemed necessary and relevant by the supervisors, and submit this together with their publications for examination.

Enrolment Pattern

Students will be enrolled in a single 192-point subject for the duration of their degree. The subject code will be determined according to the School in which students are enrolled within the Faculty of Science.

Contact

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) or email inquiry@csu.edu.au

The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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