Science - 0057
Doctorate/PhD
Monash University is committed to providing graduate research education of the highest quality in a stimulating, supportive and professional environment. By undertaking a PhD in Science, you will become a member of a dynamic community of scholars committed to innovation and discovery and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within your area of expertise. Monash Science PhD graduates are highly employable, with many pursuing careers in academia and industry around the world.
A PhD in Science takes the form of the Monash Doctoral Program – a PhD for the 21st century. At the core of the program is an extensive, independent research project on an agreed chosen topic, supported by at least two expert academic supervisors. You will also undertake a series of professional development activities or coursework units that equip you with the skills needed to make an impact in academia, industry, government or the wider community. Your study will result in a research thesis or alternative approved output, which makes a valuable contribution to the current body of knowledge on your chosen topic.
At a glance
Course Details
Location |
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|---|---|
Duration |
3-4 years (full time), 6-8 years (part-time) |
Start date |
Throughout the year |
Qualification |
Doctor of Philosophy |
Your study will result in a research thesis (or alternative approved output) of no more than 80,000 words. The PhD research project should be conceived from the outset as clearly achievable within three years equivalent full-time study, with students expected to complete their degree within four years of equivalent full-time study. The PhD program may be undertaken in the principal areas of research on offer, including:
- Biological sciences
- Chemistry
- Earth sciences
- Atmospheric sciences
- Environmental sciences
- Mathematical sciences
- Astronomical sciences
- Physics
In addition to the research component, you will also complete a series of professional development activities or coursework units relevant to your chosen research focus. These activities are designed to provide you with the skills needed to develop your professional skills and support you in your future career.
Study areas
Biological Sciences
Areas of research specialisation include ecology, evolutionary biology, global change, conservation, biosecurity, disease control and genetics, cellular and developmental genetics.
Chemistry
Areas of research within Chemistry can be classified under three broad themes:
Understanding the world around us: water and environmental chemistry, analytical sciences, chemical biology, coal and soil science and computational chemistry.
Preparing for the future: materials science and nanotechnology, green chemistry, synthesis and catalysis, surfaces and surfactants and chemical education.
Lighting up our life: crystallography, biospectroscopy, super-resolution/single molecule spectroscopy and solar energy conversion.
Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Areas of research specialisation include aerosols, boundary layers, bushfire and fire weather, climate science, clouds, convection, economic geology, environmental geology, fluvial geodynamics, GIS and remote sensing, hydrogeology, hydrology, mesoscale meteorology, palaeoecology, pure and applied geochemistry, soil science and soil chemistry, structural geology and geophysics, tropical meteorology, volcanology and applied palaeontology.
Mathematical Sciences
Areas of specialisation include applied and computational mathematics; astrophysics; pure mathematics (algebra, analysis, discrete mathematics and geometry), stochastic processes and interdisciplinary mathematical applications.
Physics and Astronomy
Research specialisations are available in the areas of astronomy and astrophysics, condensed matter physics, imaging physics, particle physics, quantum gases, theoretical physics and computational physics.
Career opportunities
Science graduates gain employment in genetic engineering, agricultural support and pharmaceutical science, banking and finance, environmental consulting, hospitals, medical institutes, mining, petroleum and engineering, research, and wine and food industries. Opportunities also exist in organisations including the Department of Sustainability and the Environment, CSIRO, the defence forces, road and water authorities, museums, local councils, education and the health sector. Depending on their areas of expertise, graduates can be employed as botanists, chemists, ecologists, astrophysicists, environment consultants, food scientists, palaeontologists, genetic engineers, marine biologists, materials scientists, medical scientists, metallurgists, molecular biologists, museum curators, nuclear physicists, financial analysts, communications specialists, forensic scientists, researchers, science journalists, geotechnical engineers, statisticians, teachers, and weather forecasters.
Mosquito-borne
Biologist Beth McGraw studies how mosquitoes transmit dengue fever, aiming to determine how much disease a single mosquito can cause in its lifetime.
Entry Requirements
You need to satisfy the following entrance requirements to be considered for entry to this course.
Minimum Entry Requirements (Domestic students)
Qualifications
All applicants must be able to demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and have adequate training and ability to pursue the proposed course of study.
Detailed information on the admission criteria for Monash graduate research courses is available here.
English requirements
Sound English language skills are required for academic programs at Monash University.
Detailed information on our English language proficiency requirements is available here.
University entrance requirements
Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.
Making the application
Future students
Applications for this course can be accepted at anytime.
Applications for this course are submitted via the research degree and scholarship online application form.
Self assess for credit eligibility
Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page
Fees
Research Training Program (RTP)
This course is supported by the Australian government's Research Training Program (RTP). Under the RTP, domestic students are awarded an RTP Fees Offset which covers the cost of course tuition fees. The estimated annual value of Australian Government support for an RTP Fees Offset is published on the University Graduate Research Scholarships website. The RTP Fees Offset duration is equivalent to the course duration, based on your commencement date and no more than 4 years (FTE) for students enrolled in Doctoral courses and no more than 2 years (FTE) for students enrolled in research Masters courses.
Other costs and fees
For information on other study costs and fees, see other study costs.