ObjectivesThe Faculty of Business offers a doctoral program in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship. The Doctor of Philosophy program develops independent research skills and the ability to relate a specific research topic to a broad framework of knowledge. The PhD program places a major emphasis on independent inquiry, on the development of competence in research methodology and on the communication of research results.
Entry requirementsApplicants are normally required to have completed a Master of Commerce (Honours) at a minimum standard of 2A or have completed an 8-semester Honours degree at 2A standard from an Australian university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the Research Committee to be equivalent.
Academic titleDoctor of Philosophy (School of Business)
Course descriptionPROGRAM STRUCTURE
Courses are likely to be required in the fields of research methods, statistics and the student’s discipline specialisation unless students can demonstrate substantial previous research experience. A program of study will be designed on an individual basis to ensure that students have the breadth and depth of skills required to develop independent research capabilities and to complete their dissertation on a timely basis.
SUPERVISION
Each student will be supervised by a committee of up to three School Members. The committee is responsible for approving the student’s dissertation proposal prior to the examination process.
The dissertation should be a major, substantially original, theoretical or empirical study of an issue or problem or phenomenon pertaining to the student’s major field of study. The School of Business maintains a ratio of doctoral student to staff of less than one-to-one, allowing students to work closely with staff and be exposed to the research activities of the staff and other students.
PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES
The Doctor of Philosophy provides students with the research skills for academic careers in the University sector or for the role of researcher in business research-intensive organisations.
Course Structure
Depending on prior academic qualifications, students undertake between 8 and 12 course- work subjects before sitting the qualifying examinations. Students take the required core subjects listed below and at least 3 advanced subjects drawn from areas directly related to the students dissertation. Normally, a student will commence the PhD program in the January semester and will then undertake the core subjects in the first 2 semesters: BUSN910 Quantitative Methods in Business,BUSN920 Research Methods,BUSN940 Philosophy of Science,BUSN950 Advanced Research Applications
Students then draw on a range of subjects in Economics, Accounting, Management, Marketing, Econometrics, Finance, International Business and Management. The definition of major and minor field seminars will vary according to the candidate's dissertation area. The issue as to what subjects constitute these field seminars will be decided by the Associate Dean in consultation with the student and supervisor. All course-work subjects are open to challenge examinations by the student. The student may sit an examination in the subject being challenged prior to the commencement of the semester, and be granted an exemption if a high level of competence is displayed.
Professional Outcomes
All subjects are available for subsequent credit towards the Postgraduate Diploma of Business and the Master of Business (MBus) degree.