Course Title: Ph D Thesis A

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Ph D Thesis A

Credit Points: 24

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
CUED1028A	Bundoora Campus	Research	360H Education	Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013
CUED1028A	Bundoora Campus	Research	360H Education	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Heather Fehring

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7840

Course Coordinator Email:heather.fehring@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

A 3 or 4 year first degree
An Honours Degree or Masters Degree or a Coursework Masters degree with a 72 Credit Point Research thesis.
The co-requisite requirement is that a research methods course must be undertaken in the first semester of the PhD program.

Course Description

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy DR071, by thesis or by project, is awarded for a thesis or project based on research that makes a substantial and original contribution to an existing body of knowledge. 
http://www.rmit.edu.au/programs/dr071

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Ph D by Thesis Capabilities
Problem Solving
Written communication
Critical analysis
Project Management
Independent learning
Reflecting on learning
IT and Online technology awareness and skills

PhD (Project) Capabilities
Effective communication
Critical thinking
Sound research management
Independent thinking
Reflecting on learning
Awareness of and skills in appropriate technology
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/98h0ckszrkgyz.pdf

Refer to RMIT Policy and Procedures for Higher Degrees by Research 
http://www.rmit.edu.au/graduateresearch/policy

Overview of Learning Activities

A PhD involves self directed learning towards the production of a substantial research investigation. PhD candidates are expected to be involved in collegiate coaching with the Senior Supervisor, to attend seminars and workshops scheduled by the Research Office in the School of Education and to attend and present at the biannual Research Student Conferences each year.

Overview of Learning Resources

The RMIT library at Bundoora and the city provides a wide variety of academic books, journals and data bases relevant to the PhD program
The Education liaison librarian is Ms June Frost who provides an invaluable consultancy service to PhD students and supervisors. 
http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/postgraduates

The School provides Endnote CDs for person al use in relation to the PhDs Bibliographic maintenance.

The University provides and Information Technology Services (ITS) to students. These services include resource centres for on-campus personal computing, student email and internet access and software downloads.

Overview of Assessment

All PhD students are expected to attend both Research Student Conferences schedule around June/July and November each year. In addition, they are expected to deliver a presentation about their research study at one of the research student conferences each year 
http://www.rmit.edu.au/education/research

Students must submit Progress Reports to the School of Education Research Office in June and November reflecting on their progress to date and raising any concerns or needs they have in relation to the PhD studies.

Year 1 Confirmation of Candidature to be undertaken at the Research Student Conference in June/July

Year 2 Draft Literature review,
Attend Research Student Conference

Year 3 Redraft Research methods Chapter
Attend Research Student Conference in June/July

Year 4 Collection of data
Attend Research Student Conference in June/July

Year 5 Analysis of data
Attend Research Student Conference in June/July

Year 6 Analysis of data
Attend Research Student Conference in June/July

Year 7 Write up of Revised Literature review
Attend Research Student Conference in June/July

Year 8 Finalise Full draft and under take the official PhD Completion Seminar (School of Graduate Research requirement)
Attend Research Student Conference in June/July and undertake the PhD Completion Seminar
http://www.rmit.edu.au/graduateresearch