Doctorate Geography

DOCTORATE (PhD) IN SCIENCE – LEVEL 9

Purpose and characteristics of the programme

The purpose of the doctoral programme is to provide qualifying students with an in-depth understanding and integrated knowledge of advanced applicable theory in the field of specialisation. A doctoral degree in science is a pure science based research study that requires candidates to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline of specialisation. The degree demands a very high level of intellectual, theoretical and practical specialized science knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of the application of advanced experimental methods and techniques of the modern research, as well as of fundamental scientific and academic values in generating, processing, interpreting and presenting research data orally and in written form.

Exit level outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge, theory and research methodologies and research methods/techniques creatively to complex practical, theoretical and epistemological problems.
• Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which is judged new and/or innovative by peers and makes a significant contribution to the area of specialisation.
• Operate independently and take full responsibility for their own work and its consequences and also assume significant accountability for the work of others.
• Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of advanced research and research development in the science area of specialisation.
• Demonstrate advanced information retrieval and processing skills, using appropriate Information Communication Technology (ICT).
• Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic and integrated grasp of the relevant specialist knowledge and expertise at the forefront of the science field and professional area of specialisation.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, methods/techniques and technologies in the discipline/field of specialisation and participate in scholarly debates at the forefront thereof.
• Evaluate their own and others’ work on the basis of independent criteria.
• Present and communicate the results of research and opinion using the full resources of an academic/professional discourse.
• Operate autonomously in science specialized, complex, unpredictable or new contexts and identify and address emerging ethical issues.
• Use a wide range of complex skills in identifying, conceptualizing, designing and implementing research projects that address complex and challenging problems at the forefront of the discipline/field of specialisation.
• Independently undertake a study and evaluate literature/scientific data and current research in the area of specialisation.
• Produce a thesis which meets international standards of scholarly/professional writing.

SC.8.10              DOCTORATE IN GEOGRAPHY

For admission to the Doctorate in Geography a Master’s Degree in Geography is required. Additional to the general regulations for doctoral study, a residential period of at least two months is also required, unless decided otherwise by the Head of the Department.

Students with a Master’s qualification in another Natural Science discipline and who meet the basic requirements and approval, can also enrol for a Doctorate in Environmental Science (under the banner of Geography).

The Head of the Department has to approve admission to the Doctorate in Geography.
Admission approval will NOT be granted unless the candidate has secured an approved supervisor.

Part time candidates have SIX months from date of registration to submit a proposal.
Full time candidates have THREE months from date of registration to submit a proposal.

SC.8.10.1           GEOGRAPHY   LEVEL 9 (DOCTORATE)

Listed below are the two semester modules for which a candidate must register. ENM0119 is semester 1 and ENM0129 is semester 2. The order of registration will be determined by the date on which the candidate registers.

Outcomes:  On completion of this learning event, the student should be able to:

• Identify and formulate an original research problem related to the science of Geography.
• Conduct original research in this problem independently.
• Prepare a research thesis according to the official requirements of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management.
• Publish his/her research results (or part thereof) in an accredited scientific journal.

Outcomes:  On completion of this learning event, the student should be able to:

• Identify and formulate an original research problem related to the science of Geography.
• Conduct original research in this problem independently.
• Prepare a research thesis according to the official requirements of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management.
• Publish his/her research results (or part thereof) in an accredited scientific journal.