Design
Postgraduate Research

The research higher degree programs of specific interest to Design graduates are:

A list of the topics of current RHD students is also provided below.

Master of Creative Arts (MCA)

To qualify for the degree of Master of Creative Arts a candidate shall fulfill a program approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) consisting of:

• a substantial creative work; and
• a work of critical analysis which must provide a rationale for the techniques and strategies adopted and which must situate them in relation to a theoretical, and/or historical cultural context; and, where appropriate, a substantial account of production and/or performance process; and
• such other work as may be prescribed.

Normal entry to candidature in the degree is a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class I or II.

Degree rules are outlined in the Policy Library document: Master of Creative Arts 1 - Schedule 000203

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The degree of Master of Philosophy is an ungraded degree awarded for research that demonstrates that the candidate has a thorough understanding of the relevant techniques in the field. This is demonstrated both by their application and a thorough review of the literature that they have:

• managed to demonstrate competence in the chosen field through judicious selection and application of methods to yield fruitful results;
• shown the capacity to evaluate these results critically; and
• the capacity to present well written work.

Candidates are expected to complete their degree within two years of full-time or four years of part-time study.

Normal entry to candidature in the degree is a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class 1 or 2/1.

Degree rules are outlined in the Policy Library document: Master by Research - Schedule 000216

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy is an ungraded degree awarded for research that demonstrates that the candidate has the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality. The research should uncover new knowledge either by:

• the discovery of new facts,
• the formulation of theories, or by
• the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.

Candidates are expected to complete their degree within four years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study.

Normal entry to candidature in the degree is a relevant Bachelor degree with Honours Class 1 or 2/1 or equivalent qualification, or a coursework Master degree including a minor thesis completed at an appropriate level.

Degree rules are outlined in the Policy Library document: Doctor of Philosophy - Schedule 000091

• MPhil: Studies in Visual Anatomy Transported through Digital Media and Three-Dimensional Modelling to Arrive at Two-Dimensional Outcomes in Illustration
• MPhil: Illustrating the Moment of Movement in Motion; a Comparative Approach to Birds and Fish
• MPhil: Captive Asian Elephants - Conservation through Art and Science
• MPhil: Floral Language, or Mapping the Floral
• MPhil: Red Fox - A Visual Journey into the History of a Creature That is Both Revered and Reviled
• MPhil: Drawing Now: The Relevance of Drawing, New Directions in the 21st Century
• MPhil: The Psychology of the Gaze
• MPhil: The Visual Narrative: A Contemporary Exploration
• MPhil: Wild Visions: An Artistic Investigation into Animal Vision and Related Natural Environments
• MPhil: Just Frogging About : A Frog Field Guide Book of NSW Frogs, Illustrated.
• MPhil: The Relevance of the Graphic Novel as a Form of Visual Communication
• PhD: A Tryptic exploring the design process
• PhD: The Application of Evolutionary Computer and Neural Network Techniques to form Design
• PhD: The Identification And Analysis Of Graphic Design In The Labelling Of Australian Wine
• PhD: The Development of a Methodology, Adapting Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Used in Engineering for Use by Artists Producing Sculpture
• PhD: Visualising the Dreamtime: Bringing the Dreamtime alive through Words and Pictures