Study Plan for Doctor of Philosophy in Design

I. Program Duration

The normal study period of Doctor of Philosophy in Design program is 3 years. The maximum study period is 6 years.

II. Study Mode

Lectures

III. Medium of Instruction

Chinese or English

IV. Academic Field

Humanities and Arts / Fine Arts

V. Major*

1. Theory and Practice of Art Design
2. Design Management
3. Cultural Heritage Conservation

*In the academic year of 2023/2024, only Theory and Practice of Art Design and Cultural Heritage Conservation major are offered for admission.

VI. Course Structure

Table 1: Core courses (9 credits)

Table 2: Major courses** (6 credits)

* The University has the ultimate right to decide which course or whether the course will be opened for all Major subjects.

Table 3: Elective courses (6 credits)

(Complete 2 courses from below)

Table 4: Others (1 credit)

Table 5: Design Work and Thesis (12 credits)

VII. Teaching Requirements

1. Theory and Practice of Art Design

1.1 Students are required to complete three core courses in Table 1, two major courses in Table 2, two elective courses in Table 3, academic activities (ten times of attendance) in Table 4, Design Work in Table 5 to gain 25 credits.

1.2 The minimum word count for the thesis is 40,000. The overall process should follow the thesis composition flow established by the faculty.

1.3 After finishing each course, students will be assessed based on regulations established by the instructor and the Faculty.

1.4 Students who complete all the required courses must attend the qualification exam. Student who fails to pass the qualification exam in the first time is required to take the make-up exam within 3 months. If he/she fails in the make-up exam, his/her Ph.D. study will be terminated. 

1.5 The thesis should pass the assessment and be defended successfully. For those who pass the examination and get the thesis title approved will be allowed to start writing the thesis, besides the thesis, they are also required to start the design work. 

1.6 During the period of thesis writing, students must implement their thesis proposal and pass thesis proposal oral defence. Moreover, student must under supervision to participate related professional activities as well as practical practice. Students in Design may have two times to defend the thesis proposal. The failure of a second Proposal Defense will result in the termination of the student's residence status in the Ph.D. program.

1.7 Students are required to publish at least one first-level academic work/art design work or two second-level academic works/art design works. The works will be evaluated and approved by the Faculty of Humanities and Arts at Macau University of Science and Technology. Please refer to A Guidance for Publication Assessment for the Doctoral Students of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts for details.

2. Design Management and Cultural Heritage Conservation

2.1 Students are required to complete three core courses in Table 1, two major courses in Table 2, two elective courses in Table 3, academic activities (ten times of attendance) in Table 4 to gain 22 credits.

2.2 The minimum word count for the thesis is 80,000. The overall process should follow the thesis composition flow established by the faculty.

2.3 After finishing each course, students will be assessed based on regulations established by the instructor and the Faculty.

2.4 Students who complete all the required courses must attend the qualification exam. Student who fails to pass the qualification exam in the first time is required to take the make-up exam within 3 months. If he/she fails in the make-up exam, his/her Ph.D. study will be terminated. 

2.5 The thesis should pass the assessment and be defended successfully. For those who pass the examination and get the thesis title approved will be allowed to start writing the thesis. 

2.6 During the period of thesis writing, students must implement their thesis proposal and pass thesis proposal oral defence. Students in Design may have two times to defend the thesis proposal. The failure of a second Proposal Defense will result in the termination of the student's residence status in the Ph.D. program.

2.7 Students are required to publish at least one first-level academic work or two second-level academic works. The works will be evaluated and approved by the Faculty of Humanities and Arts at Macau University of Science and Technology. Please refer to A Guidance for Publication Assessment for the Doctoral Students of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts for details.

VIII. Study Time

1. The duration for taking all courses is 12 months and no less than 12 months of thesis composition, up to 24 months.
2. Classes will generally be scheduled from Monday to Sunday, daytime or at nights.

IX. Graduation Requirements

Upon approval from the Senate of the University, a Doctoral Degree will be conferred on a student when he or she has:

1. Completed and met the requirements prescribed in the study plan of his or her program within the specific study period, and achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above (excluding thesis)
2. Abided by the regulations of the University
3. Cleared all fees and charges and returned all University’s property and equipment borrowed

Note:

This study plan applies to students enrolled from the academic year of 2019/2020 onwards. Students enrolled in the academic year of 2018/2019 or before should refer to the study plan of their enrollment year for details. 

All curriculums and study plans are based on the newest announcement of the Boletim Oficial da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau.

※In case of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.