DR234 - PhD (Laboratory and Clinical Science)

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Plan: DR234 - Doctor of Philosophy
Campus: Bundoora 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: Bundoora Campus
Owning school: Health and Biomedical Sciences (173H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/health-and-biomedical-sciences
ASCED code: 010999
CRICOS code: 085837G

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Purpose of the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory and Clinical Science) 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 completion you will be able to contribute to the generation of new knowledge vital to the growth and development of Laboratory and Clinical Health Science. Graduates will be capable of undertaking laboratory and/or clinical research in relevant fields to an international standard.  

 Individually supervised research programs are available in areas of research that relate broadly to the ageing population and chronic diseases in both basic and clinical studies in Bundoora Campus.

 Laboratory Science Research

The School of Health & Biomedical Sciences has five research laboratories equipped with state of the art technology to conduct basic research in, these are located in the research areas of:

  • Chinese Medicine research
  • Lipid Biology and Metabolic disease
  • Neurotherapeutics research
  • Perinatal Programming research
  • Sensory Systems and Behavioural Neuroscience 

Clinical Health Science Research

The School of Health & Biomedical Sciences already has a well-established Clinic Centre in the Bundoora Campus for clinical training and research. Recently, the School of Health & Biomedical Sciences has established a Health Sciences Research Hub with world-class facilities that integrate both laboratory and clinical research in the areas of ageing and chronic diseases. The clinical health research conducted at the School of Health & Biomedical Sciences is ranked at the top level of Australia.

Integration of laboratory science and clinical health research

The School of Health & Biomedical Sciences research vision is to deliver outcome to improve the public health by translational research. The establishment of this new program is aligned with our research priorities and strength.  Several of senior staff at the level D and E are experienced supervisors in both laboratory and clinical research.  This Program will provide quality training for PhD with research skills in molecular biology, cell culture, pre-clinical animal studies, drug screening, drug target identification, molecular pharmacology, biochemical assays, RT-PCR, western blotting, histology, drug quality control, clinical trial design and implementation.

 Upon graduation with a Doctor of Philosophy (Laboratory and Clinical Science) 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; 
  • high level research skills in a variety of areas
  • advanced skills in written and oral communication of laboratory research and clinical research;
  • high level understanding of the components involved in successful translational research.

 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

This program was discontinued from 2023, with the last intake Semester 2,2022. All students will have the opportunity to complete their program by the end of 2025.

Doctor of Philosophy

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.

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 web page.

Further information and application process

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

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