The Doctor of Philosophy aims to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the conduct of individual research at a level that will make a distinct contribution to the knowledge base of the sciences.

• Why study this course?

  University Research Centres

  • Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation
  • Institute for Land, Water and Society
  • National Wine and Grape Industry Centre

  Faculty Research Centres

  • Centre for Research in Complex Systems

  Cooperative Research Centres

  • Cotton Catchment Communities
  • Future Farm Industries
  • High Integrity Australian Pork
  • National Plant Biosecurity

• Subjects

  The below information is for new students. Current students should select their subjects by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment

  Course structure

  Students will work with their supervisory team to complete all aspects of their research project. The supervisory team will be comprised of one principal supervisor and at least one co-supervisor who are both permanent academic staff at Charles Sturt University. Supervisory teams may include additional co-supervisors who are adjuncts and/or external to CSU with appropriate qualifications. All supervisors will be required to meet minimum qualification and professional experience standards and have been formally registered on the CSU Supervisor Registry.

  PhD
  Under the guidance of their supervisors, students will determine an appropriate area of study that aligns with the Faculty’s designated fields of research, where appropriate, gain ethics and other approvals, conduct a detailed research investigation, and write and submit a thesis for examination.

  Students are also required to complete and submit a formal research proposal that has been reviewed and endorsed by a review panel and approved through the School-based endorsement of candidature process. This will normally be required to be completed within the first year of full-time equivalent enrolment. Students will also be required to engage with University progress reporting requirements as advised by the Research Office on admission. Additional requirements and conditions of enrolment, probation and progress may be applicable to individual students.

  
  PhD by Prior Publication
  Under the guidance of their supervisors, students will demonstrate extensive, high quality, peer-reviewed research, write an integrating essay or chapter, and additional materials as deemed necessary and relevant by the supervisors, and submit this together with their publications for examination.

  Enrolment pattern

  Students will be enrolled in a single 192-point subject for the duration of their degree. The subject code will be determined according to the School in which students are enrolled within the Faculty of Science.

• Admission information

  The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the University holds the delegated authority to approval for admission to a research higher degree programs. 

  Doctor of Philosophy

  Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy
  The RAC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy candidature upon the following evidence, that:

  • the proposed program of study and research is at a level appropriate to the degree being sought;
  • the  proposed  area of research  falls  within  an  approved University  field  of  research  for  admission  to  a higher degree by research;
  • the proposed supervisors are sufficiently expert in the area of research, and have the time and commitment to be able to provide appropriate supervision, and that adequate physical resources are available;
  • the applicant has the appropriate background and ability to undertake the proposed course (refer also to Entry Qualifications, below);
  • the applicant has given the necessary commitment to work regularly on the approved program of study and research and maintain regular contact with the supervisor(s).

  Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy Degree
  The entry qualifications required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program are:

  • qualified for the award of a Master by Research at an acceptable level; or
  • an appropriate Bachelor degree with class 1 or class 2(i) honours from an Australian university or an equivalent overseas tertiary institution, taken over a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent); or
  • qualified for entry into a Charles Sturt University Master by Research program, and completed a minimum of 4 years full-time equivalent study, and duly enrolled and shown exceptional ability in the conduct of a research project which is clearly capable of being extended to a doctoral level; or
  • qualified for the award of a coursework Master’s degree with a research project and thesis/dissertation component. It is normally expected that a grade equivalent to the appropriate class of Honours will have been obtained; or
  • some other appropriate combination of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications (such as relevant graduate diplomas) and research experience that demonstrate  capacity   to   undertake   research   at   a Doctoral level.

  Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication

  Basis of Approval for Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication
  The RAC shall base its decision on admission to a proposed Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication candidature upon the evidence required for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy and in addition the following evidence:

  • the publications (which may include books and non-print materials)   that   will   be   included  in   the   submission presented for examination;
  • any information  on  the  quality  and  citations  of  the publications to be included in the submission;
  • a statement making clear the applicant's contribution to all jointly-authored publications;
  • a statement from the co-authors of any jointly-authored publications confirming the extent of the applicant's contribution to these publications;
  • the  names  of  two  persons  who  are  able  to  provide academic references relevant to the proposed PhD candidature.
  • a statement of no more than five pages that:
    •  indicates the way in which the work has developed;
    • demonstrates   the  contemporary   relevance  of  each publication;
    • makes clear the way in which the publications make an original scholarly contribution to knowledge;
    • provides  a  thematic  overview  which  serves  to  link  the individual publications into an integrated whole;
    • confirms the papers have not previously been submitted as part of a degree;
    • includes a statement indicating whether or not additional research activity  may   be   required   in   order to convert the publications to an integrated whole, and if so, an outline of the necessary work.

  The application for the Doctor of Philosophy by Publication will be subject to external assessment.

  Entry Qualifications for Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication Degree
  A candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication is expected to be an experienced researcher with a significant historical record of refereed publications of doctoral standard. An applicant for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Publication shall meet the requirements specified admission to a Doctor of Philosophy program. Admission to candidature will be subject to external assessment.

  An applicant who has already been awarded a PhD will not be admitted to the degree.

  See standard CSU admission criteria

• Cost of study

  Fees are relevant for 2016 only and are subject to change in future years. Tuition fees quoted do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

  In some instances a tax deduction may be claimed for self education expenses. Please seek independent qualified taxation advice.

  Alumni discount

  Already studied with CSU? Our 10% Alumni discount applies to this course!
  Find out more

  Tuition costs

  Australian and New Zealand Students

  Fee-paying place

  3300*	Tuition fee per 8 point subject

  As a fee paying student, the Australian Government does not contribute towards your study costs. You pay a tuition fee for each subject you undertake.

  Options:

  1. Defer your payment using a FEE-HELP loan, which is repaid through the taxation system once your income reaches a certain threshold
  2. Pay your tuition fee up-front each session

  * Fee for students commencing study in 2016.

  More information about fee-paying places

  International students

  On campus (onshore) study mode

  3700*	Tuition fee per 8 point subject

  Distance education (offshore) study mode

  3500*	Tuition fee per 8 point subject

  * Fee for students commencing study in 2016.

  More information about international student fees

• Course details

  Enrol type	Course	Mode	Campus	Fee type	Session 1	Session 2	Session 3	Admission code
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (By Prior Publication)	Distance Education	Uni Wide	FPPG	Y	Y	Y	OSPP
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (By Prior Publication)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPPG	Y	Y	Y	GSPP
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (By Prior Publication)	Distance Education	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	JSPP
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (By Prior Publication)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	NT-158
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory based)	Distance Education	Uni Wide	FPPG	Y	Y	Y	OSDL
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory based)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPPG	Y	Y	Y	GSDL
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory based)	Distance Education	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	JSDL
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory based)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	ISDL
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory based) (Extended)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	ISHL
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Non-Laboratory based)	Distance Education	Uni Wide	FPPG	Y	Y	Y	OSDR
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Non-Laboratory based)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPPG	Y	Y	Y	GSDR
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Non-Laboratory based)	Distance Education	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	JSDR
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Non-Laboratory based)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	ISDR
  Direct	Doctor of Philosophy (Non-Laboratory based) (Extended)	On Campus	Uni Wide	FPOS	Y	Y	Y	ISNL

   

  LEGEND
  CGS: Commonwealth Government supported places
  FPPG: Fee-paying postgraduate places
  FPOS: Fee-paying overseas student places
  Admission Code: For your reference if required during your application process
  NO TAC: An admission code is not required for applications to CSU Study Centres
  TEMP: An admission code has not yet been assigned for this course

  Graduation requirements

  To graduate, students must have completed a thesis or portfolio that complies in full with the relevant regulations (H3: Higher Degree by Research: Examinable Works and Examination Regulations), and through the formal University examination process, is deemed to have met the requirements of a doctoral level degree. To graduate students must demonstrate that they have (a) a relevant depth and breadth of knowledge in the discipline, (b) made an original and significant contribution to the discipline, (c) applied adequate research process and methodology, and (d) produced work that is worthy of formal publication.

• How to apply

  Australian and New Zealand students

  Apply direct to CSU

  An online application to CSU takes about 15 minutes to complete. Find out more

  Apply online

  International students

  Apply direct to CSU

  Apply direct to CSU for on campus study at a CSU regional campus, or study by distance education.

  Apply online

  Recruitment agent

  Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

  International recruitment agents

  CRICOS Code(s)

  020110F (Uni Wide)

  Thinking of deferring?

  Find out more about deferral

• About the School

  Schools in the Faculty of Science

  • School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
  • School of Biomedical Sciences
  • School of Community Health
  • School of Dentistry and Health Sciences
  • School of Environmental Sciences
  • School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

  If you know the area of research that you are interested in, it is recommended that you see what staff are currently researching by visiting the Faculty of Science website

  The Faculty of Science Sub Dean, Graduate Studies is available to help define and develop your research interests. Please phone info.csu on 1800 334 733 or submit an online enquiry for contact details.

  In addition to the traditional Doctor of Philosophy, where all research and writing of the thesis is undertaken while enrolled, CSU offers a Doctor of Philosophy by Publication. The Doctor of Philosophy by Publication aims to recognise established researchers who have made a significant independent contribution and have generated significant high-quality, peer-reviewed publications over a sustained period, in a CSU-approved research area. Doctor of Philosophy by Publication candidates are required to write an integrating essay or chapter while enrolled.

• Academic expectations

  For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

  Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

  Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

  Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

  Throughout their studies, CSU students have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English Language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to their discipline. This ongoing development will enable students to effectively participate in their course and graduate as competent professionals.