Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.

Overview

By undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy  from the University of Southern Queensland you will have expansive intellectual freedom to be able to make an original and substantial contribution to your area of study.

USQ academics are recognised throughout the world for their excellence in research. Some of the projects you can tap into are at the forefront of cutting edge research. As a research student you would have the commitment and support to make a difference to society in a meaningful way.

USQ is committed to excellence in research training and provide a quality research training experience for our students. We maintain our relevance in research by linking with industry and business through local and international research networks.

To start your PhD you need to clarify your research topic and seek an academic staff member to be your supervisor. This can sometimes take time so it is wise to allow several months for discussion with potential supervisors and for consideration of your application.

Program objectives

Graduates of this program should be able to:

• Investigate a substantial, complex and relevant area of research with specialised research skills that enable them to advance their discipline.

• Critically evaluate relevant research literature, theoretical propositions, methodologies and findings to design and conduct original research.

• Cogently present, verbally and in writing research findings which include propositions, creative works, insights and conclusions to their peers and professional community.

• Independently and systematically apply specialised technical and research skills to plan and execute a research project, undertake research ethically according to the discipline standards and generate new knowledge and original insights that make a contribution to their discipline.

• Apply principles of integrity, research ethics, judgement, adaptability and responsibility in ways appropriate to an expert in their discipline.

Career outcomes

Graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in industry, academia or government with specialisation of your chosen field.