Geotech research opportunities
Why do a Research Higher Degree?
Why at UQ, and Why in Geotechnical Engineering?
Postgraduate research students generally have a high personal motivation that stems from their natural curiosity and love of intellectual pursuits. A Research Higher Degree is a valuable asset that increases the chances of earning higher salaries in more satisfying jobs. It is an investment in social standing, and a fulfilment of personal and family ambitions.
The University of Queensland is among the top 100 universities worldwide, a truly global research powerhouse, a leading source of expertise, and a pacesetter in the commercial application of research.
Geotechnical Engineering is a specialisation in the Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, and Geosciences fields. It is assuming greater importance as society demands that buildings and water supply dams rise ever-higher, bridges span ever-longer and ever-higher spans, tunnels reach new depths and lengths, and open pit and underground mines reach ever-deeper in search of ever-lower grade mineral ores. Set against this backdrop, the demand for advanced Geotechnical Engineering expertise will continue to foster demand for Research Higher Degrees in the field.
Research Higher Degrees
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil) – 1 to 2 years equivalent full-time
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – 3 to 4 years equivalent full-time
- Thesis and/or Publication:
- MPhil and PhD Research follows:
- Hypothesis or Research Question
- Methodology – laboratory, and/or field, and/or analytical, and/or numerical
- Results
- Analysis and Interpretation
- Conclusions, including whether or not the Research Question was answered
- Conventionally, MPhil and PhD research is written-up as a comprehensive Thesis
- Alternatively, MPhil and PhD research can be written-up in a number of International Journal and Conference papers, linked by a summary document
- Research outcomes may be separately reported to Industry Sponsors, by UQ researchers and/or student/employee
- MPhil and PhD Research follows:
Tuition Fees
- Domestic and Permanent Residents (including NZ citizens) – No Tuition Fees
- International – $8,250/Quarter
Scholarships (through UQ)
- Domestic and Permanent Residents (including NZ citizens):
- Australian Postgraduate Award (APA):
- Eligibility – Bachelor’s degree with Honours Class I, or equivalent
- Three rounds/year (14 January, 20 May and 7 October 2015)
- $25,849/year (2015 rate, tax free), indexed annually
- APA Industry (APAI):
- Offered by ARC Linkage Grant recipients, generally advertised
- $31,298/year (2015 rate, tax free), indexed annually
- UQ and Industry top-up Scholarships may be available
- Australian Postgraduate Award (APA):
- International:
- International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS):
- $25,849/year (2015 rate, tax free), indexed annually, plus Tuition fees, plus Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- UQ Fee Waiver Scholarships may be available
- UQ and Industry top-up Scholarships may be available
- International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS):
- Industry full-time and part-time salary may be negotiated with employers
Full-Time Studies
- Generally based at UQ, St Lucia
- Able to work part-time (taxable beyond any Scholarships paid)
Part-Time and Remote Studies
- Best where the employed student works on a long-term industry problem or project, which is also their research project
- Part-time is taken by UQ to represent half-time, although many part-time employed students devote an average of 2 days/week to their studies, including 1 weekend day (their own time)
- Generally based on site/at workplace, with periods at UQ St Lucia, as required (no mandatory period at UQ)
Postgraduate Coursework
- Generally involves contact at UQ St Lucia
- Postgraduate Certificate – 8 Units/1 semester equivalent full-time
- Postgraduate Diploma – 16 Units, can include Certificate
- MEngSc – 24 Units, including a minimum 4 Units Thesis, can include Diploma
- $1,000/Unit for all students
- Ad-hoc Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses:
- Costing ~$1,000/day
- Possibly transferable for credit towards a Postgraduate degree