As a Doctor of Philosophy candidate, you will undertake supervised research with the aim of making a significant and original contribution to a discipline or profession. This program is suited to applicants who: have some prior research experience are interested in a pursuing a career in research have a desire to make an original contribution to research in a particular field have a naturally inquiring mind and a desire to know more wish to gain an internationally recognised qualification want to enhance their employment opportunities. Research areas include: design, industrial design. Course structure The Doctor of Philosophy degree is generally completed over a period of four years full-time or eight years part-time. Candidates undertake research, which may be pure, exploratory, experimental and/or creative, and are required to submit a written research thesis, a written research thesis including associated papers, or an artefact with an accompanying exegesis. The examinable outcome will normally be equivalent to 70000 to words. Where the examinable outcome takes the form of a thesis, it is acknowledged that thesis length can vary according to the nature of the work and the discipline. Throughout your candidature you will receive guidance and support from your research supervisors. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of research training sessions on topics such as thesis writing, publishing and presenting. For the Graduate Certificate component, students are required to complete 50 credit points comprised of four units of 12.5 credit points each: 2 core units of study (25 credit points) 2 elective units of study, or equivalent (25 credit points) Career opportunities The Graduate Certificate component of the program will provide students with a wider range of career opportunities by exposing them to industry practices in their specific field. This course is unique, giving our graduates a point of difference in a competitive job market. Students will also be exposed to innovative research viewpoints through course work, mentoring and networking arrangements, which will increase their confidence to pursue new business opportunities and working with industries. Students will have the option of taking a work placement as an elective unit subject to visa restrictions. Aims and objectives The Doctor of Philosophy program has the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. Graduates will demonstrate a capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research. While the research is conducted under a supervisor, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently. On the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate component, you will be able to critically analyse, evaluate and transform information, apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide effective solutions to complex problems and apply coherent and advanced knowledge of research principles and methods to prepare a piece of research. You will also be able to communicate effectively in professional practice to a range of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team, and use the basic tools and practices of research within project work.