Doctor of Philosophy (Natural and Physical Sciences)

Designed for high performing university graduates, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a postgraduate research degree with a supervised project of original research at its core. Develop high level independent research skills while making an original contribution of knowledge to a specific discipline or area of practice.

As a JCU PhD candidate, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake focused research in the tropics. You’ll explore and generate new knowledge to meet the social, environmental and sustainability challenges facing tropical communities.

Knowledge

A substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of a field of work or learning, including knowledge that constitutes an original contribution.
Substantial knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning.
Skills

Cognitive skills to demonstrate expert understanding of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on that theory and practice.
Cognitive skills and use of intellectual independence to think critically, evaluate existing knowledge and ideas, undertake systematic investigation and reflect on theory and practice to generate original knowledge.
Expert technical and creative skills applicable to the field of work or learning
Communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions.
Communication skills to present cogently a complex investigation of originality or original research for external examination against international standards and to communicate results to peers and the community.
Expert skills to design, implement, analyse, theorise and communicate research that makes a significant and original contribution to knowledge andor professional practice.
Graduates of a Doctoral Degree will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:

With intellectual independence.
With initiative and creativity in new situations andor for further learning.
With full responsibility and accountability for personal outputs.
To plan and execute original research.
With the ongoing capacity to generate new knowledge, including in the context of professional practice.

a) a bachelor’s degree with Second Class, Division A (Honours) or above in a degree program that included a total of 12 credit points of supervised project work, the results of which contributed to the Honours grade;

b) a postgraduate qualification (e.g., masters by coursework or graduate certificate/diploma of research methods) which includes a supervised research component of at least 12 credit points (FTE) graded at the equivalent of distinction or above;

c) Master of philosophy degree or equivalent, where at least two-thirds of the degree consisted of a supervised research component and resulted in the production of a thesis or equivalent method of communicating research outcomes;