Doctor of Philosophy (Civil Engineering)

4 years full-time

This duration incorporates the Master: 2 years full-time.

Learning and teaching

You'll develop skills in:

• conducting independent research including literature reviews
• planning and conducting laboratory-based experiments
• developing mathematical models to simulate a civil engineering system.

Regular and frequent meetings with your supervisor will guide you in these activities.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

You will undertake the approved research program under the supervision of an appointed research supervisor. Successful completion involves submitting a thesis or project.

Program structure

You'll undertake a research project and submit the outcomes as a thesis for examination. You must also complete a Research Methods course at the start of the program.

The following program structure(s) is an example of what students are currently studying in this program.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

Graduates work in senior positions in academia, research organisations and industry.

You may have the opportunity to visit an overseas research group or laboratory for a short term. RMIT will support you in presenting your work at international conferences.

You must meet the University entry requirements for this type of program.

If you satisfy the following requirements you will be eligible for selection; however, there is no guarantee that you will be selected as demand for the program varies each intake.

Program entry requirements

A recognised degree in civil engineering, with excellent results.

All Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) applicants must have at least one of the following:

• Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours
• Master degree by research
• Master degree by coursework that includes a research component of at least 1 semester in duration graded as Distinction or above
• Such other qualifications or experience as considered to be appropriate or Masters coursework.

Prerequisites

None

Selection tasks

You must include a research proposal of between 1 and 5 pages with your application.

Generally, a research proposal consists of:

• a title/topic
• research questions to be investigated in the context of existing research/literature in the area
• methodology/research tasks required to undertake the research
• particular needs (e.g. resources, facilities or equipment that is necessary for your proposed research program, if applicable).

Some programs require more lengthy proposals with additional elements.

1. Find a supervisor.

2. Check program entry requirements and confirm you're eligible.

3. Check and complete the selection tasks (if applicable) by the relevant closing date - these tasks are listed in the program entry requirements.

4. Check the application method and application closing dates.

5. Complete and submit your application.

6. Your application will then go through the research selection process.

Tuition fees vary according to each program and are adjusted annually.

Fee assistance

If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen you may be eligible for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place where your full tuition costs are funded by the Commonwealth Government.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more about RMIT research scholarships.

Other fees

In addition to tuition fees you will also pay the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF). You may be able to defer the fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

There may be other additional expenses and administrative fees associated with your studies.

You may be eligible to apply for a PhD program on completion of the research program.

Learn more about pathways or if you are eligible for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Civil, Environ & Chemical Eng

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