Course details

Summary

The PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, the highest level of degree you can achieve. PhD students are critical, curious, creative thinkers who undertake original research over at least 3 years. As well as your supervised original research, through your doctoral programme you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal and professional skills. Doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field.

This course is also offered at overseas and Manukau location.

Molecular Medicine and Pathology

A greater, more comprehensive understanding of human biology and disease is the primary goal of biomedical research. The search is for finer and finer detail, the pursuit of complete knowledge of life and with it, the cure of human diseases. Throughout biological evolution, DNA has been highly conserved across generations. This encoded genetic information is essential to the maintenance of living processes. Understanding DNA and the genetic flow of information constitutes an important route to advances in current medical research. The Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology reflects this modern emphasis on molecular biology research. Moreover, not only do they look at the molecular structure of life, but they translate these molecules and genes to the clinic and to improved understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease.

Areas of study

Molecular Medicine and Pathology reflects a modern emphasis on molecular biology research. Researcher look at the molecular structure of life, then translate these molecules and genes to the clinic for improved understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease. The research effort is represented in many disciplines, including anatomical pathology, cancer, cell biology, developmental biology, gene therapy, haematology, human genetics, immunology, laboratory medicine, microbiology/infectious diseases, neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, rheumatology, and transfusion medicine.

Programme structure

The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree.

On entry to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of goals to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam.

As part of your PhD study, you can take part in our doctoral skills programme, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes specialist subject librarians to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community.

Where could this programme take you?

Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own startup.

Entry criteria

• Masters-level qualification or the equivalent of a bachelors degree with honours
• GPE 5.5
• Evidence of significant research, usually undertaken as part of prior study

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.5; TOEFL (iBT) 90; TOEFL (paper-based) 575; CAE or CPE 176; PTE 58; MELAB 85.