Process for speciality degrees
Below is a summary of the additional requirements for speciality research degrees as many have their own unique requirements for examiners to follow.
Below is a summary of the additional requirements for speciality research degrees as many have their own unique requirements for examiners to follow.
In the context of the PhD (Creative Writing), “thesis” refers to creative work and accompanying critical component.
The PhD (Creative Writing) is undertaken by 100% research. Students produce a thesis during enrolment and under academic supervision.
The creative work should be constituted by a novel or a group of short stories or work of creative nonfiction, a play or a group of plays or a sequence of poems (book length, approximately 100 pages), or a portfolio of works of various genres. The creative component should be professionally presented.
The accompanying critical component can take the form of an exegesis or other work of scholarly research, or be a combination of both:
The creative work and the critical component must each be no less than 35,000 words. The combined word total of the two components must not normally exceed 100,000 words or be less than 75,000 words.
In the context of the Master of Arts (Creative writing), “thesis” refers to one or more creative works and an accompanying critical component.
The MA (Creative Writing) is undertaken by 100% research. Students produce a creative work and; accompanying critical component during enrolment.
Grading descriptors see: http://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/faqs-and-resources/masters/chapter-seven/7-9
The degree study program consists of research only leading to a substantial folio of original music compositions. A minimum of 50% of the music compositions in a folio must have been performed in public concerts, which must be evidenced by the concert program notes. The folio of music compositions must also include the concert program notes and a critical commentary on the compositions. The normal duration of the original music in the portfolio is between 50 – 80 minutes and the critical commentary is 20,000 – 25,000 words in length.
Examiners should note that the critical commentary should not be assessed as a separate research paper. It functions as a contextualisation of the research undertaken in the form of composition. In other words, the composition folio constitutes the research outcome and the critical commentary is intended to comment on that research. Please return the composition portfolio when you submit your report.
Examiner’s assessment
The PhD (Music Performance) is undertaken by 100% research and results in two assessable components:
The written dissertation will normally be between 25,000 to 30,000 words in length and should demonstrate that the candidate has developed the capacity to research and address contextual, methodological and/or theoretical issues related to the themes or problem explored in the performance project. It should demonstrate that the candidate has acquired the ability to research and contribute to performance studies.
The performance project
Examiner’s assessment
In the case of a recommendation - Revision and re-submission, if a revised performance project is required and the original examiner is prepared to act as examiner for the revised work, they will be initially notified of the re-performance dates by the supervisor.
The PhD (Theatre Performance) is undertaken by 100% research and results in two assessable components, a performance project and a thematically related written dissertation.
The written dissertation will normally be between 30,000 to 35,000 words in length and demonstrate that the candidate has developed the capacity to research and address contextual, methodological and/or theoretical issues related to the themes or problem explored in the performance project. It should demonstrate that the candidate has acquired the ability to research and contribute to performance studies.
The performance project
The examination process
The PhD in Visual Arts is built on the idea that the research is in the visual outcomes; the art, design or architectural project is the research.
The exegesis is to contextualise the research, articulate its methods and approach, place it in an historic, theoretical, social or political context which contributes to the understanding of the research outcome; it is not an independent research project but a supporting discussion of the research.
The research outcomes in the exhibition would be expected to demonstrate:
The exegesis would be expected to demonstrate:
The creative outcomes and the exegesis in combination are expected to provide a substantive cultural contribution to the art, design or architectural form.
The DPsych is a thesis of no more than 70,000 words.
While the standard of argument required in a DPsych thesis is of equal depth to a traditional PhD thesis, the DPsych thesis is shorter and therefore the scope of the DPsych research project and discussion is necessarily more limited.
As with the PhD, DPsych candidates are required to create knowledge in an academically rigorous way with appropriate transparency in the framing and procedures of the work conducted, well-grounded argumentation and critical reflection.
The degree is awarded following the successful completion of the three components of the DPsych program:
Examiners are asked to note that the award of this degree is based on the dissertation plus two other assessable components – the practica and coursework.
The SJD is a professional doctorate that enables candidates to combine advanced coursework with independent research aimed at enhancing the contribution of law to society.
Final assessment of a candidate’s SJD program comprises two components:
The thesis provides the main opportunity for candidates to plan and carry out independent research resulting in a thesis that provides a significant contribution to knowledge, or to understanding of the subject with which it deals. The research need not be as extensive as for a PhD thesis.
The work submitted for a higher doctorate must have been published not less than one year prior to its submission to Monash University for examination.
Work submitted for a higher doctorate degree may include conjointly authored work provided the conjoint work is clearly indicated and satisfactory evidence is produce to show the applicant was responsible for the major portion of the work. The submission should otherwise contain the original work of the candidate.
The submitted work must include:
To qualify for the award of degree the work submitted must:
Examination of the work
The examination of the work is undertaken by three independent examiners, at least two of whom are from outside the university.
The expected length of a thesis submitted for Research Master’s by Research and Coursework is 20,000-25,000 words.
The award of the Research Master’s by Research and Coursework degree depends on the results for both coursework and thesis components. A thesis examiner is required only to judge the merit of the thesis.
Examiner’s assessment. The Committee wishes to receive:
It is expected that MEngSc(Res) theses generally do not exceed 50,000 words.