The Doctor of Philosophy is a 4-year degree (full time).

As a Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering and IT) student, you’ll complete a thesis of 80,000–100,000 words. You’ll develop advanced research skills and techniques, and demonstrate academic leadership, independent creativity and innovation – building expertise in a specialist area of your choice.

Research areas

You could choose from research projects in:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Computing and Information Systems
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Infrastructure Engineering (including civil, environmental, spatial and structural engineering)
• Mechanical Engineering

Many of these projects are cross-disciplinary, involving more than one field of engineering, IT or broader study area. Alternatively, you can also pursue an engineering or IT research project of your own.

Thesis

Your thesis will demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and should be an independent contribution to existing scholarship in your area of research.

The normal length of a Doctor of Philosophy thesis is 80,000–100,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit.

You’ll have an experienced supervisor and an advisory committee who will arrange a course of supervised research that suits your requirements and interests, in consultation with you. You can find a supervisor to suit your study area on our Find an Expert directory. You may be required to supplement your research program by attending/enrolling in additional subjects if deemed necessary by supervisors. During your candidature, you’ll attend all departmental seminars.

Handbook: Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering and IT