DR218 - PhD (Civil Engineering)

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Plan: DR218 - Doctor of Philosophy
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Entrance requirements

Program details

Award title: Doctor of Philosophy
Award abbreviation: PhD
Career: RSCH
Duration: 3-4 years full-time, 6-8 years part-time
Location: RMIT City Campus
Owning school: Engineering (172H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/engineering
ASCED code: 030901
CRICOS code: 079817F

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Purpose of the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering develops advanced research skills that will prepare you for a career in academia and other settings in which systematic and critical analytical skills are required. Upon graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy from RMIT University you will be able to produce creative solutions to existing and emerging complex engineering and engineering-rated problems in academia and industry.

Individually supervised research programs are available in the following areas of research focus:

  • structural engineering, 
  • computational mechanics, 
  • structural optimisation, 
  • construction materials, 
  • high-strength and high-performance concrete, 
  • geotechnical engineering, 
  • construction management, 
  • infrastructure maintenance and management, 
  • water systems engineering and water resources, 
  • transport engineering.

Upon graduation with a Doctor of Philosophy from RMIT University you will have developed:

  • high level skills in research processes, including the ability to independently design a research project, conduct experiments and analyse data from a research project 
  • advanced skills in the analysis and synthesis of knowledge related to specific disciplines, and
  • high level communication skills.

You will be able to pursue an academic career in a university or be employed in senior leadership and management positions in government, scientific and industrial research laboratories.

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Entrance requirements

The minimum requirements for admission to a PhD program are:

  • a bachelor degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honours. The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology courses that constitute at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent). The applicant must have achieved at least a distinction average in the final year; or
  • a master degree that includes a research component comprised of at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent) with an overall distinction average or a master degree without a research component with at least a high distinction average; or
  • evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

At RMIT a grade of distinction represents academic achievement of 70% or higher and a high distinction is 80% or higher.

If you are a current master by research candidate, you are able to apply for a transfer to a doctor of philosophy program through the process prescribed in the RMIT Higher Degree by Research policy and processes.

(from: https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/applying-to-rmit/local-student-applications/entry-requirements/research-programs)

English Language Requirements

A minimum IELTS (academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent. For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents webpage.

Further information and application process

For further information on the steps you need to take to apply for a research program see How to apply – Research programs webpage.

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