Master of Philosophy (Engineering)

A Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research.

On completion of the course students should be able to:

demonstrate advanced learning in research skills and mastery of appropriate techniques, such as the use of archival or primary evidence, analysis of data, judgment of conflicting evidence, etc.
demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research
present the results of their research in publishable form or work towards incorporating their findings in further research
apply the research skills acquired to other projects
demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics or code of practice.

Structure of a Masters by Research Degree

All candidates for the MPhil will be examined on the basis of their thesis. A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisor(s) and an Advisory Committee that arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate.

A candidate may be required to supplement their research program by attendance at, or enrolment in, additional subjects if considered necessary by the supervisor(s).

Students are required to successfully complete two coursework subjects before they are eligible to apply to convert from MR-PHILENG Master of Philosophy to 351AA PhD Engineering.

Subject Options

All students are required to complete a minimum of two subjects and a maximum of four, chosen from the list provided in the University Handbook with the approval of the student's supervisor.

Graduate/Postgraduate subjects not listed in the handbook may be selected in consultation with the student's supervisor and are subject to the endorsement of the subject coordinator and Head of Department.

If a student does not have sufficient background in the subjects they may be required by the supervisory panel to take preliminary undergraduate subjects. Undergraduate preliminary subjects will not count towards the postgraduate level coursework requirement. Other subjects may be selected in consultation with the supervisor and the department, and are subject to the written approval of the Head of Department.

What is a ‘Masters leading to PhD’ in the Melbourne School of Engineering?

In some cases a student who applies for PhD candidature may be offered an MPhil leading to PhD. This means that a student begins their research degree in an MPhil, and after successful completion of approximately 12 months may apply to convert to a PhD degree.

The subsequent PhD candidature will normally be regarded as a continuation of the same program of study, and the PhD commencement date will be backdated to the commencement date of the MPhil. Students who successfully convert to a PhD Degree will become Confirmed PhD Candidates.

Some departments in the Melbourne School of Engineering require the Masters of Philosophy pathway to PhD.

Length

An MPhil consists of 1.5 years full time equivalent with a minimum of 1 year full time and a maximum of 2 years full time enrolment.

Supervision

All research projects are supervised by one or more members of the School's academic staff. Supervisors provide guidance throughout the project, from design and execution to analysis of results.

You should contact a supervisor and secure their agreement to be nominated as your potential supervisor before you submit an application for research.

Entry Requirements

The criteria for assessing eligibility for candidature are:

Minimum qualifications

Normally a four-year degree at H1 (80%+) level.

Relevance of the degree

The completed degree must be in an area that is relevant to the intended Masters, including sufficient specialisation such that the applicant will have already developed an understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to the intended Masters.

Evidence of research ability

Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project/component that accounts for at least 25% of their year’s work at fourth year or at Masters level. Graduates of certain professional degrees at the University of Melbourne, including MBBS, BVSc, LLB, BPhysio and BEng are deemed to have met this requirement.

Currency of applicant’s knowledge of the discipline

The applicant’s degree/s and/or professional experience must demonstrate that their knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their research higher degree is current.

Assessment of level of commitment

Based on interview or other communication, an assessment should be made of the level of understanding, motivation and time commitment of the student for the proposed program of study. For example, a full-time student would be expected to devote at least 40 hours a week and a part-time student about half of this.