The Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) is a research degree commencing with a cohort-based foundation year of research preparation followed by an independent, supervised research project.

The subjects covered in the first year support the development of the research project and include generic research training and discipline-specific units. These provide you with strategies for a successful research journey, appropriate research design and methodology, timely completion, and effective writing and communication skills. You must achieve an overall weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% in the first year of research preparation in order to continue into the thesis component of the course.

A PhD (I) may be undertaken in any School within ECU, provided there are supervisors available in your proposed research area, and the resources and facilities required to complete your proposed project are accessible. ECU encourages interdisciplinary research that may span multiple research fields and Schools. We encourage you to view the Research Activity pages of the School websites for ECUs areas of research focus.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Apply communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions, and cogently present findings of a complex and original investigation to peers and the broader community.
• Integrate substantial and systemic understanding of complex discipline knowledge with research principles and methods to demonstrate expertise in the field.
• Take responsibility and show initiative for designing and executing original research, demonstrating capacity to generate new knowledge with intellectual independence.

Nutrition and Dietetics:

Nutrition and Dietetics research focuses on understanding the influence of food and nutrition on health, chronic disease risk and improved development and performance.

We have research strengths in nutrition education and food literacy, gut health, chronic disease and clinical nutrition, childhood nutrition, and dietary approaches to improve vascular health. We collaborate with a wide range of industry partners, including plant breeders, horticultural industries, food processors and food companies. This research has facilitated the development and commercial availability of commonly consumed foods and food ingredients with demonstrated health benefits. Our work in this field is internationally recognised; published in leading high impact journals; highly cited; and influential in the field. The research has been translated into policy and dietary guidelines in and outside Australia, and is widely used to promote healthy diets. Specific postgraduate research topics are developed in conjunction with the postgraduate coordinator or potential supervisors, however, applications are particularly encouraged from those with an interest in: Nutrition Education and Food Literacy; Dietary approaches to vascular health Dietary approaches to gut health; Chronic Disease and Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition; Dietetic Practice including the Nutrition Care Process Life Course Nutrition.

Employment opportunities

Academic, Public Health Practitioner, Research Officer, Research Fellow, Public Health Nutrition, Dietitian, Public Health Practitioner, Health promotion Coordinator/Officer/Manager, Compliance Officer, Policy Officer, Lecturer, Research Liaison Officer

Possible future job titles

Public Health, Nutritionist, Dietitian, Health Promotion, Health Policy, Researcher, Lecturer, Executive Officer, Academic