The Melbourne School of Engineering offers a wide range of graduate
study by coursework and research. The awards offered are:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University's major research qualification. Candidates undertake a research program in a Department of one of the University's Faculties, which is likely to make a significant and new contribution to their discipline. Supervision is normally through a supervisory panel with one principal supervisor.
Candidates write up to a 100,000 word thesis about their research. The thesis is examined externally, with at least one international examiner.
To help you search for areas of research which interest you please visit the Melbourne Engineering Research Institute (MERIT) which provides information on research themes and research staff.
Length/mode: The normal period of candidature is three years for full-time candidates with the possibility of two, six month extensions. All PhD candidates are required to complete a minimum of 12 months full-time research at the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment. The degree may be undertaken in any Department of the University provided adequate supervision is available.
Admission requirements: Students interested in applying for a PhD or Masters by Research are advised to enter into communication with the Melbourne School of Engineering. Broad areas of research interests can be found in this book in the Departmental entries which summarises academic staff and their research interests.
Masters Degrees
Masters courses within the Melbourne School of Engineering vary considerably in structure: from research only, through varying proportions of research/coursework, to coursework only.
Research Masters
The research masters provides students with the opportunity to carry out independent and sustained research under appropriate supervision, to develop advanced research skills and techniques, and to present findings in documented, scholarly form. The research should make an independent contribution to learning, or offer a critical perspective on existing scholarship or methodology.
To help you search for areas of research which interest you please visit the Melbourne Engineering Research Institute (MERIT) which provides information on research themes and research staff.
Length/mode: Normally 1.5 years full time equivalent with a minimum of 1 year full time and a maximum of 2 years full time enrolment.
Admission requirements: Normally a four year degree at first class honours standard, or completion of a masters preliminary program or postgraduate diploma or equivalent pathway study.
Coursework Masters
The masters by coursework programs offered by the Melbourne School of Engineering provide students
with the opportunity for advanced specialist or professional training
in a particular discipline or an interdisciplinary area. Entry into a
master by coursework requires a four year degree at honours level or the
equivalent.
A masters by coursework may be offered which includes preliminary study
usually equivalent to undertaking a graduate/postgraduate certificate
or diploma to meet entry requirements for the masters. In such cases the
masters by coursework degree will take an additional period of time, usually
two years on a full-time basis.
In general there are three types of masters
by coursework:
- 12 month coursework (100 points)
This type usually consists solely
of coursework but some students may be able to undertake a
small research project.
- 18 month coursework (150 points)
There are two types:
(a) Solely by coursework but some
students may be able to include a small research project
(b) Twelve months coursework
followed by a substantial research project of at least
6 months duration.
- Two years by coursework & research (200 points)
Two years of coursework and research with a maximum of
25 points research.
Admission requirements: A four year degree at an honours level or equivalent.
Professional Masters in Engineering
The Melbourne School of Engineering is leading the revolution in engineering
education with the introduction (progressively from 2010) of
the first graduate engineering masters
programs in Australia. These will be Australia 's premium accredited engineering
programs. They draw from the breadth and depth offered through
Engineering pathways in the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce,
Bachelor of Environments and Bachelor of Science and give entry to the
profession at an advanced level. More information here
note: The
Engineers Australia accreditation panel has recommended accreditation
of the five year Bachelor-Masters pathway at the University
of Melbourne
Conversion from Masters to PhD Candidature
Masters candidates may, preferably before the expiry of 12 months candidature, apply for transfer to PhD candidature. The application must be strongly supported by the supervisor and the head (or, if the head is the supervisor, the deputy head) of the Department, and forwarded to the Dean for approval. A masters candidate wishing to transfer to PhD candidature should first approach the supervisor and the head of the Department concerned. When a candidate wishes to transfer to PhD without submitting a masters thesis, the PhD conversion application must be submitted with a substantial conversion report (10-20 pages maximum) summarising the work and results obtained during the masters candidature. These applications are considered by the PhD Sub-committee.
Masters Preliminary Studies
On successful completion of this course a student should have acquired a knowledge of the technical characteristics of the selected study, including the characteristics embodied in the objectives of the relevant coursework subjects selected as preparation for study at the graduate level.
Special Masters Programs
The degrees of Master of Engineering and the Master of Geomatics are awarded in recognition of research or significant contributions to knowledge and practice in the relevant field which have been made either internal or external to the University and not under the formal supervision of the Melbourne School of Engineering. The degree may be gained by submitting a thesis which may comprise published or unpublished reports or papers, or designs for which the candidate has been responsible.
Doctorate Programs
The degrees of Doctor of Engineering, Doctor of Applied Science and Doctor of Surveying/Geomatics are the highest degrees awarded by the Melbourne School of Engineering. They are awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to research, knowledge or practice in the relevant field. The degree may be gained by submitting for examination a thesis comprising published or unpublished reports or papers, or designs for which the candidate has been responsible.
Graduate Diploma
A graduate diploma provides students with an opportunity
to study subjects in their area of interest, gain experience in carrying
out a small research project, update their knowledge of the research and
theoretical preoccupations current in their selected field and develop
their ability to pursue their own inquiries. A graduate diploma
course also acts as an alternative to a masters preliminary program in
order to provide students with a recognised entry qualification for the
masters by coursework. More information here.
Length/mode: Normally 1 year full-time.
Admission requirement: Entry into the graduate diploma requires an undergraduate degree of at
least 3 years duration, not necessarily in the same area as the
desired field of study.
Graduate Certificate
A graduate certificate provides students with an opportunity
to undertake a short course in a particular area of a chosen
discipline. It also provides the opportunity to gain the knowledge
and skills necessary for a new direction in professional development and
specialisation.
On successful completion of a graduate certificate a student
may be eligible to enrol in a graduate diploma in the same
discipline. In these circumstances the graduate certificate
may be used in partial fulfillment of the graduate diploma. More information here.
Admission requirement: Entry into a graduate certificate requires an undergraduate
degree of at least three years duration, not necessarily in the same area
as the proposed area of study.
Length/mode: Normally 6 months (1 semester) full-time. |
