DR238 - PhD (Medical Science)

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Plan: DR238 - 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: 4 years full time, 8 years part time
Location: RMIT 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: 019901
CRICOS code: 110532A

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Purpose of the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) develops expert specialised research skills that will prepare you for a career in academia, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, 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 one or more disciplines or areas of practice in the medical sciences. Graduates will be capable of undertaking clinical and/or experimental research in relevant fields to an international standard.   

Individually supervised research projects are available in basic, translational and clinical research that broadly focus on healthy ageing and chronic diseases, including the following areas of interest: 

  • Biomedical Research: Respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, ageing population, vaccines, immunology and infectious diseases, reproductive health, neurobiology, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, precision medicine, and regenerative medicine.  
  • Medical Laboratory Science: Biochemistry, natural products, haematology, molecular biology, immunology, histopathology, pathology, transfusion/transplantation science. 
  • Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science: pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences, drug delivery. 
  • Medical Radiations: Quantitative and qualitative projects in in advanced medical radiations theory and practice.  

Upon graduation with a Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) from RMIT University you will have developed:  

  • expert skills in research processes, including the ability to independently and systematically design a research project, conduct experiments and analyse data from a research project.  
  • specialised skills in the analysis and synthesis of knowledge to make a substantial contribution to a specific discipline or area of professional practice.   
  • 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

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 webpage.

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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