Higher Degree Research

 

Why choose the UWS School of Medicine?

Opportunities

The School of Medicine is a new School and there are great opportunities for you to make your mark as a researcher and be a key part of the contribution we are making to knowledge of bio-medical and clinical science, to understanding the experience of health and illness at an individual and population level and to training health professionals.

Expertise

Research capabilities within the School of Medicine are diverse, and some of the current areas of research include: basic drug design, proteomics, sensory neuroscience, population health, medical education, mental trauma that follows disasters, eating disorders, renal and obstetric medicine, immunology and vascular surgery. Four UWS Research Groups have strong links with the School of Medicine: Molecular Medicine Research Group, Disaster Response and Resilience Research Group, Health Services and Outcomes Research Group and the Bioelectronics and Neuroscience (BENS) Research Group.

Our clinical academics are based at key hospitals throughout Sydney including Liverpool, Campbelltown/Camden and Blacktown/Mt Druitt.

Collegiality 

Each Friday afternoon, students and staff come together for the Research Colloquia. Students also meet with international and local visitors to the School.

In addition to opportunities to present to peers prior to conference presentations, workshops are also run to develop generic skills like giving effective preparation and delivery of research seminars.

Two academic staff members are mentors for postgraduate research students and give students an avenue to discuss issues around their PhD experience alongside the advice and support of their supervisor. 

Facilities

PhD and other postgraduate research students have a purpose-fitted study and computer space in the Research Laboratory building at the Campbelltown campus when the School of Medicine is based.

Laboratory facilities in the School are brand new, with the building being opened in 2008. There are purpose-fitted laboratories for research teams across Integrative Physiology, Pharmacology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Molecular Physiology (including Genetics) and Clinical Medicine. There are also interview rooms available for projects requiring those spaces.

Access state-of-the-art technologies, including the Mass Spectrometry Facility located within the School of Medicine building.

Still not sure about which area you might be most interested in? See what some of our academics are currently exploring.

About the Masters (Hons) program

Master (Honours) (M(Hons) is a research only program which can be completed within 12 months. Students submit a thesis for examination at the completion of their research.

Does the Masters program bridge to a PhD?

The Master (Honours) program is a research only program providing intensive research training for graduates with a Bachelors degree and some evidence ofresearch capability. Students whose research is making a significant contribution to knowledge with high research outputs exceeding that normally expected from a M(Hons) program may be considered for a transfer to a PhD program based on a revised research program.

About the PhD program

The PhD program is a research only program which can be completed after 3 years. PhD students conduct research under the supervision of a principal supervisor, assisted by a supervisory committee. Students submit a thesis or a collection of four published papers for examination at the completion of their research.

Who can apply for the PhD program? 

Students with an Honours class 1 or class 2A Bachelors degree, a Masters degree with a significant research component, or extensive research and/or professional experience will be considered for direct entry to the PhD program.

How do I choose a supervisor?

Prospective students are advised to study the research interests and expertise of staff members. For example through the UWS Staff Directory and Staff Profiles, to identify a staff member whose research interests and expertise match those of the student. Contact should then be made with the staff member to explore and identify potential research projects, confirm the availability of the supervisor and discuss opportunities for research scholarship support if needed. Including a detailed research proposal and an identified supervisor in your application expedites the processing of the application.

What scholarships are available?

The Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (EIPRS) are the major government-funded scholarships for local and international HDR students respectively. International students with fellowships from external agencies. e.g. from their home countries, can also enter the various HDR programs.

Who to contact for advice:

Dr David Mahns
Postgraduate Student Co-ordinator
Tel: 02 4620 3784
Email: d.mahns@uws.edu.au