Why Study / Key Benefits

The Doctor of Philosophy and Graduate Certificate of Research and Innovation Management (Science) combines doctoral research with formal research-management and innovation training.

Key benefits include:

• Undertake supervised doctoral research designed to make a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession.
• Research may be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental or creative.
• Develop advanced research and analytical capabilities.
• Build skills in independent thinking, project management, data analytics, critical thinking and communication.
• Complete formal research-management coursework alongside the PhD.
• Receive guidance and support from research supervisors throughout candidature.
• Participate in research-training sessions covering areas such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting.
• Internship opportunities are available for Higher Degree by Research students.
• Study within Swinburne's Science research environment, covering areas including astrophysics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines doctoral research with 50 credit points of Graduate Certificate coursework.

PhD research

The PhD involves supervised independent research leading to a significant and original contribution to the selected discipline or profession.

Swinburne describes the research as potentially:

• Pure.
• Exploratory.
• Applied.
• Experimental.
• Creative.

Candidates receive supervision throughout their candidature and can participate in research-training sessions covering thesis writing, publishing, presentation and related research skills.

Graduate Certificate core units

The two compulsory core units are:

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

These two units total 25 credit points. They are completed within the first 12 months of PhD candidature, before Confirmation of Candidature.

Graduate Certificate elective units

Students select two elective units, normally totalling another 25 credit points.

The published list includes options such as:

• Aviation Research Topics – AVA40001.
• Research Methods in Science – BIO80005.
• Research Methodology – BUS80003.
• Quantitative Research Methods – BUS80017.
• Qualitative Research Methods – BUS80018.
• Research Design and Methodology – CSM80010.
• Social Entrepreneurship – ENT80018.
• Advanced Research Methods in Health Sciences – HEA40001.
• Research Methods – ICT80011.
• Applied Research Methods – ICT90003.
• Neuroscience Methods – NEU40002.
• Research Skills – NPS60001.
• Advanced Quantitative Methods – PSY40001.
• Statistical Practice 1 – STA60001.
• Research Design – STA60004.
• Multivariate Statistics – STA70002.
• Data Management and Analytics Using SAS – STA70003.
• Bayesian Statistics – STA80007.
• Advanced Research Communication Skills in Science, Engineering and Technology – COM80001.
• Research Engagement – MFP60001.
• Research Training – MFP60002.
• Directed Study – MFP60003.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Science research areas listed for this programme are:

• Science.
• Astrophysics.
• Chemistry.
• Biology.
• Mathematics.
• Physics.

Programme Highlights

• Doctoral-level research qualification with an integrated Graduate Certificate.
• Maximum course duration of 4 years.
• International-student course.
• CRICOS code 096282B.
• Hawthorn, Melbourne.
• Science research focus.
• Research areas covering science, astrophysics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics.
• 50 credit points of Graduate Certificate coursework.
• Two compulsory research-management units.
• Two elective research-related units.
• Supervised doctoral research.
• Research-training opportunities.
• Internship opportunities for Higher Degree by Research students.
• Formal progress reviews throughout candidature.
• International students on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Academic.
• Researcher.
• Entrepreneur.
• Business development.
• Analyst – policy, market or quantitative.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: DR-SCIGC.
• Current CRICOS code: 096282B.
• The course is currently listed as available only to international students.
• Maximum duration is 4 years.
• A suitable research topic and willing supervisor are required before application.
• The Graduate Certificate component is not available as a separate direct-entry qualification within this course; it is incorporated into the doctoral pathway.
• The two Graduate Certificate core units must be completed within the first 12 months and before Confirmation of Candidature.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• The current standard 2027 Swinburne international scholarships exclude doctorate degrees.
• Research stipend scholarships remain a separate potential funding route for eligible doctoral applicants.
• The course page currently contains an apparent discrepancy between the general 70,000–100,000-word PhD examinable-outcome description and the later specific statement of a thesis of up to 60,000 words. This should be clarified with Swinburne before application.
• Specific 2027 research start dates and application deadlines are not currently displayed on the accessible Science course page.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this CRICOS-registered doctoral course in Australia generally require a Student visa, subclass 500.

Study requirements

Swinburne specifically states that international students in Australia holding Student visas must study:

• Full-time.
• On campus.

Fully online study is not available to international students in Australia who hold a Student visa.

Genuine Student requirement

The Department of Home Affairs requires Student visa applicants to respond in English to Genuine Student questions.

The questions address matters including:

• Current circumstances and relevant ties.
• Why the applicant wants to study the selected course in Australia with the selected provider.
• Understanding of studying and living in Australia.
• How the course will benefit the applicant.
• Other relevant information.