The following rule applies to the Doctor of Philosophy.

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Introduction

he degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be awarded for a substantial original contribution to the knowledge or understanding of the discipline and demonstrated capacity for independent research. It will normally be awarded following the submission of a thesis based on research undertaken during candidature. It may also be awarded on the basis of published work accumulated prior to acceptance into candidature.

 

Admission requirement

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person who holds a bachelors degree with honours class 1 or 2A from Flinders University, or who holds qualifications deemed by the Board of the appropriate faculty (hereafter referred to as 'the Board') to be at least equivalent, may be accepted for enrolment as a Doctor of Philosophy candidate provided that
(a)   the program of studies has been approved by the Board, except that in the case of a person already holding the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, or an equivalent qualification, acceptance for enrolment must have been approved by the Academic Senate; and
(b)   the proposed program of studies can be conveniently pursued and appropriately supervised; and
(c)    the person is judged by the Board to be qualified to undertake the program
(d)   where the application is for a cotutelle PhD, the relevant documents have been completed.

 

Qualifications deemed to be equivalent include the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with minimum Credit average, Masters by coursework with an average grade of Distinction or better, or Masters by research.

otwithstanding the provisions of Clause 1, a person may be required as a prerequisite for enrolment as a doctoral candidate to undertake and to complete to the satisfaction of the Board such qualifying studies as the Board prescribes.

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person who does not hold an honours degree of the University or who does not hold qualifications deemed by the Board to be at least equivalent to an honours degree of the University will be required as a prerequisite for enrolment as a doctoral candidate to undertake and complete to the satisfaction of the Board such qualifying studies as the Board prescribes.

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otwithstanding the provisions of Clause 3, the Academic Senate in special circumstances and subject to such conditions as the Academic Senate prescribes in each case, may accept as a doctoral candidate a person who does not hold an honours degree of a university or a qualification deemed by the Board of the appropriate faculty to be at least equivalent to an honours degree of a university, but who has given evidence satisfactory to the Academic Senate of fitness for doctoral studies and whose enrolment is supported by the Board.
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Duration of Candidature

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xcept with the permission of the Board a full-time candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by thesis shall pursue the approved program of studies for a period of not less than two, and not more than four years, and a part-time student for a period of not less than three, and not more than eight years from the month from which enrolment commenced. For candidates who commenced prior to 1 January 2001, the maximum duration of candidature will be four and one half years (full-time) and nine years (part-time).

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xcept with the permission of the Board a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosopohy by published work shall submit copies of the thesis to the Faculty within one year of approval of enrolment by the Board.
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Degree by Thesis

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t the conclusion of the approved program of studies, or within the approved period as specified in Clause 6 above, each candidate for the degree shall present a thesis embodying the results of the work done while enrolled and containing a significant contribution to knowledge or scholarship within the scope of the subject.

he thesis presented for the degree shall not contain material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma; nor shall it contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis or in the notes.
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xcept with the permission of the Board, in the case of a person who is required to undertake qualifying studies, any work undertaken before the completion of the qualifying studies shall not be presented for the degree. 
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Degree by Published Work

1 person shall only be accepted for enrolment in the Doctor of Philosophy on the basis of published work when:
(a)   at least three years have elapsed after qualification for the bachelors degree with honours or equivalent,
(b)   he or she has spent at least three years following graduation substantially engaged in the practice and study of the discipline or related discipline; and
(c)   he or she has normally had a postgraduate research or academic association of at least three years with Flinders University, or other approved institution, and has made a substantial contribution to knowledge and scholarship in the relevant discipline, as determined by the award, or eligibility for the award, of full academic status as defined in the Academic Status Policy.
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person shall apply in writing to the Executive Dean of the appropriate Faculty giving particulars of work the person proposes to submit and a curriculum vitae.
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f the enrolment is approved by the Board, the person shall lodge with the Faculty four sets of reprints or copies of such work, as set out in clause 14, below, and in accordance with the Rules for Higher Degree Theses.
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he thesis shall include, in addition to the relevant publications:
(a)   a contextual statement which would normally include:the aims underpinning the publications; a literature review or commentary which establishes the field of knowledge and provides a link between publications; and a conclusion showing the overall significance of the work and contribution to knowledge, problems encountered and future directions of the work. The discussion should not include a detailed reworking of the discussion from individual papers within the thesis.
(b)   a statement which indicates which portions of the work are claimed to be original;
(c)   a statement which, in the case of work carried out conjointly, clearly states the extent to which the person was responsible for the initiation, conduct and direction of such conjoint research; and
(d)   a statement which clearly indicates any portions of the work submitted that have previously been submitted for any degree in the University or any other institution. 
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Examination

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he Board shall appoint at least two examiners who shall be external to the University, and may appoint additional examiners. The examination of a thesis prepared under a cotutelle arrangement will be subject to the conditions agreed in the proposal governing each candidature.
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he examiners shall each submit to the Board a written report on the candidate's thesis.
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fter considering the reports of the examiners, the Board shall report to the Academic Senate whether the degree should be awarded or not.
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fter considering a report from the Board, the Academic Senate shall decide whether the degree shall be awarded.