Doctor of Philosophy

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Undertake research in your area of interest, and of broader significance to the University, industry and the community. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program provides the necessary research skills and training, including:

  • ethics
  • critical appraisal of literature
  • oral presentations skills and techniques
  • production of thesis and scholarly publications

The course promotes the development of academic knowledge and attributes necessary to become capable, independent, competent and highly sought-after researchers to conduct original research to add to the knowledge base of:

  • chemical engineering
  • civil engineering
  • electrical and electronic engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • computer engineering.

During your study, you will be assisted by a team of research supervisors in the different aspects of your project.

Course Essentials

How to apply

Applications have closed for this course.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Engineering and Science

Careers

  • academic and research focused positions in the relevant fields of study.
  • a research-related or high level professional in chosen industry

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Course Objectives

Graduates of this course have the academic knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to become capable, independent researchers, in order to be able to pursue a research-related or high level professional career in their industry and/or as a Higher Education academic in their field of studies.

The course objectives are to produce graduates who have:

  1. expert understanding of a substantial body of theory and its practical application at the frontier of a field of work or learning, including substantial expert knowledge of ethical research principles and methods applicable to the field.
  2. intellectual independence and cognitive skills to undertake a systematic investigation, reflect critically on theory and practice and evaluate existing knowledge and ideas, including identifying, evaluating and critically analysing the validity of research studies and their applicability to a research problem.
  3. expert cognitive, technical and creative skills to:
    • design, develop and implement a research project/s to systematically investigate a research problem.
    • develop, adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge.
    • manage, analyse, evaluate and interpret data, synthesising key ideas and theorising within the context of key literature.
  4. expert communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions; to disseminate and promote new insights; and to cogently present a complex investigation of originality, or original research, both for external examination and to specialist (eg. researcher peers) and non-specialist (industry and/or community) audiences through informal interaction, scholarly publications, reports and formal presentations.
  5. capacity to reflect on, develop and evaluate strategies for achieving their own learning and career goals.
  6. intellectual independence, initiative and creativity in new situations and/or for further learning.
  7. ethical practice and full responsibility and accountability for personal outputs.
  8. autonomy, authoritative judgment, adaptability and responsibility as an expert and leading scholar.

Units and electives

PhD is a research based degree with a maximum duration of 4 years (full time) and 8 years (part time).

Chemical Engineering

Semester 1

Semester 2

Civil Engineering

Semester 1

Semester 2

Computer Engineering

Semester 1

Semester 2

Electrical Engineering

Semester 1

Semester 2

Mechanical Engineering

Semester 1

Semester 2

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission Information

  • International: Achieved an IELTS (Academic Module) result with an overall score of 6.5 (no band less than 6), or equivalent, and completed a Masters degree or a relevant four year undergraduate degree with Honours or its equivalent at a high standard.
  • Other: Completed a Masters degree or a relevant four year undergraduate degree with Honours or its equivalent at a high standard.

How to apply for this course

Applications have closed for this course.

Please contact the College of Engineering and Science for the next course intake date.

You can also contact us directly:

  • Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100
  • Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

At Victoria University, we make every reasonable effort to make sure the information displayed online about our courses is accurate and complete. We continually look to provide innovative courses. Those courses are shaped by a number of things including your feedback and changes in Government funding arrangements. As a result there may be changes to the courses we deliver and fees charged. We will update the website regularly to reflect any changes.

Information about course fees, articulation and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations, and services available to students can be accessed on the University’s website or by contacting the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100.