Course Information

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)

Effective from 01-JAN-2025 : Code J42

The Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) is a research degree commencing with a cohort-based foundation year of research preparation followed by an independent, supervised research project. The subjects covered in the first year support the development of the research project and include generic research training and discipline-specific units. These provide you with strategies for a successful research journey, appropriate research design and methodology, timely completion, and effective writing and communication skills. You must achieve an overall weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% in the first year of research preparation in order to continue into the thesis component of the course. A PhD is examined externally and is assessed on the submission and oral defence of a thesis or creative work and exegesis and must demonstrate a significant contribution to new knowledge, and an ability to carry out independent research of high quality. A PhD(I) may be undertaken in a variety of areas within ECU, provided there are supervisors available in your proposed research area, and the resources and facilities required to complete your proposed project are accessible. ECU encourages interdisciplinary research that may span multiple research fields and Schools to solve global problems. We encourage you to view the Research Activity pages of the School websites for ECU's areas of research focus. As a PhD(I) candidate, you will be expected to develop a project that can be completed in three years full-time. You may submit your thesis any time after 2 years of full-time study, and the maximum course duration for a PhD(I) is four years full time. A PhD(I) is a significant undertaking, and if enrolled full time you are expected to commit at least 35 hours per week to your research..

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Take responsibility and show initiative for designing and executing original research, demonstrating capacity to generate new knowledge with intellectual independence.
  2. Integrate substantial and systemic understanding of complex discipline knowledge with research principles and methods to demonstrate expertise in the field.
  3. Apply communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions, and cogently present findings of a complex and original investigation to peers and the broader community.
  4. Use expert skills and authoritative judgement to adapt and implement research methodologies and conduct systematic and independent investigation of theory and/or practice at the frontier of a discipline.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 10)

  • Masters Degree (Research);
  • Masters Degree (Coursework) in a related discipline area;
  • Masters Degree (Coursework) with 2/3 research component; or
  • Bachelor Honours Degree.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to hold a Master by Coursework in a related field. Alternatively applicants can hold an Honours degree, or the equivalent in a relevant field from a recognised University, Applicants seeking online study will be required to provide additional information to support their application, as not all projects nor disciplines are suited to online study.

English Language Requirements for Nursing and Midwifery:
International students (other than those students schooled in a recognised country as defined by APHRA at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx) are required to provide any English language test approved by AHPRA with a score equivalent to an IELTS Academic overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0). Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement or we may require additional information to confirm that requirements have been satisfied.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 10 Doctoral Degree Award.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 4 Years
  • Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
  • Mount Lawley: Full Time, Part Time
  • South West (Bunbury): Full Time, Part Time
  • Online: Part Time, Full Time

Non standard timetable requirements

Students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisors as part of the supervised independent research component of the course.

Cross Campus Attendance

Students may be required to attend classes on more than one campus to complete the course.

Course Coordinator

Dr Kate BISCHOF

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit TitleCredit Points
For candidates commencing from 2018 the examination process will consist of both a written and oral component.
RES5115Research Preparation: Principles and Approaches20
WRS6000Writing and Reading Skills for Researchers20
PRO6000Research Project 120
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
CPR6100Communicating and Promoting Research20
PRO6110Research Project 240

Students must achieve an overall weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% in the first year of coursework in order to continue to the thesis component of the course.

Year 2 - Year 4
Unit Code Unit TitleCredit Points
Each semester students enrol into the relevant discipline specific research thesis unit at 50% or 100% of full-time enrolment.
AGR7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies)
ARC7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Architecture and Building)
ART7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Creative Arts)
COM7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Management and Commerce)
ETN7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Education)
HLT7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Health)
INF7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Information Technology)
NAT7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Natural and Physical Sciences)
SCL7200 ^Doctor of Philosophy Thesis (Society and Culture)

^ Core Option

Unit sets that can be studied as part of this course


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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