Why Study / Key Benefits

The Doctor of Philosophy and Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (Engineering) is an integrated doctoral research programme for international students who want to undertake advanced, supervised engineering research while also developing formal research-management and innovation skills. Swinburne describes the PhD as research designed to make a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession, with research potentially being pure, exploratory, applied, experimental or creative.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced doctoral-level research training in engineering.
• A formal Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management embedded within the PhD.
• Development of independent thinking, decision-making, judgement, logical thought, communication and project-management skills.
• Opportunities for Higher Degree by Research internship experiences.
• Access to supervised research and research-training activities covering areas such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Research that can have academic, industry, professional or applied outcomes.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines:

1. A doctoral research project.
2. A 50-credit-point Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management.
3. Research training and progress reviews.
4. A final doctoral thesis/research output.

The Graduate Certificate contains the following compulsory core units:

• Project Management for Research — INF60016 — 12.5 credit points
• Innovation and Impact in Research — ENT60010 — 12.5 credit points

Students then select two 12.5-credit-point electives, subject to approval and suitability to their research.

Examples of available research-management/research-methodology electives include:

• Research Methods in Science — BIO80005
• Research Methodology — BUS80003
• Quantitative Research Methods — BUS80017
• Qualitative Research Methods — BUS80018
• Research Design and Methodology — CSM80010
• Advanced Research Methods in Health Sciences — HEA40001
• Research Methods — ICT80011
• Applied Research Methods — ICT90003
• Research Skills — NPS60001
• Advanced Quantitative Methods — PSY40001
• Statistical Practice 1 — STA60001
• Research Design — STA60004
• Multivariate Statistics — STA70002
• Advanced Research Communication Skills in Science, Engineering and Technology — COM80001
• Research Engagement — MFP60001
• Research Training — MFP60002
• Directed Study — MFP60003

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Engineering research areas listed by Swinburne are:

• Mechanical, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Maritime Engineering.

Programme Highlights

• Integrated PhD plus Graduate Certificate structure.
• 50 credit points of formal research and innovation-management coursework.
• Original, supervised doctoral research.
• Research areas spanning civil, mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, electrical/electronic, biomedical, materials and maritime engineering.
• Research training in thesis development, publishing and presentation.
• Internship opportunities for Higher Degree by Research students.
• Regular formal candidature-progress reviews.
• Access to Swinburne's research environment and supervisory support.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following potential career directions:

• Academic
• Researcher
• Consultant
• Business development
• Policy, market or economic analyst.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important special requirement is supervisor approval.

Before applying, candidates should:

1. Develop a research topic aligned with Swinburne's research areas.
2. Identify a potential research supervisor.
3. Discuss the proposed project with the supervisor.
4. Obtain appropriate supervisory support.
5. Submit the doctoral application.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students undertaking this programme in Australia generally require the Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable financial-capacity requirements where requested.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Providing the required identity and supporting documents.
• Applying through the Australian Department of Home Affairs.