Research degree applications

Faculty of Engineering and Science offers postgraduate research degrees at both Master and PhD levels in the following four main research clusters and two research hubs:

• Energy and Environment Cluster
• Intelligent Systems, Design and Control Cluster
• Materials and Structures Cluster
• Bio-Process Technologies Cluster
• Curtin Highway Infrastructure Research & Innovation Hub
• Curtin University Digital Innovation Hub

Aside the multidisciplinary research groups, there are also departmental research capacities and strengths within specific engineering and science disciplines.

Chemical engineering

• Separation Processes (Supercritical Fluid Extraction, Membrane, etc)
• Bioprocessing Engineering
• Environmental Technology
• Fuels and Energy
• Material Science and Engineering
• Process System Engineering (Multivariate data and image analysis, modelling, control, optimisation, CFD simulation, etc)

Electrical and computer engineering

• Renewable Energy, Machinery and Instrumentation
• Computer Systems, Software and Networking
• Signal and Image Processing
• Data Engineering

Environmental engineering

• Water Treatment
• Solid Waste Management (industrial and hazardous waste management)
• Domestic and Industrial Waste Water Treatment

Civil and construction engineering

• Structures and Construction
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Environmental Management

Mechanical engineering

• Design, Manufacturing and Optimisation
• Thermal-Fluids and Energy
• Structure and Materials
• Dynamics, Control and Automation

Applied geology

• Organically Influenced Stalagmites
• Geochemistry of Clastics: Implications on Provenance, Paleoweathering and Tectonic Settings
• Hydrogeochemistry
• Environmental Geochemistry: Water and Soil Pollution
• Climatological Studies and Stalactites
• Carbone Geochemistry and Diagenesis
• Patrology and Geochemistry
• Karst Study

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Entrepreneurship and organisational performance

• Performance
• Firm Performance, Managerial Accounting, and Audit
• Entrepreneurship

Corporate governance

• Governance and Disclosure
• Legal Environment

Financial market and macroeconomic dynamics

• Financial Market Integration and Resilience
• Stochastic Financial Modelling
• Dynamic Atmosphere and Economic Growth

Marketing and tourism

• Branding and Digital Marketing
• Sustainable Tourism

Business information systems & operations research

• Business Information Systems
• Operations Research

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Media studies

Our media studies research focuses on the role of media in today’s society. The fast-paced development of new technologies and changing trends, as well as more complex audiences, have become a challenge for the media to understand the changing needs of the world. This research area aims to understand the theories of media and link relevant research to the role and application of media in today’s world. It includes the representation of race and gender in film and television shows, the impact of reality shows on audiences, and the representation of Sarawak natives in films.

New media

The evolving New Media channels have inevitably impacted the identity and social fabric of nations across the world. This research area explores the immense possibilities offered by online media, how democracy or political changes effect one another, online media and electoral politics, and the interrelationships between old and new media.

Cultural and indigenous studies

This research area focuses on changes in social behaviour and the structure of society, and how they affect culture. Areas of study include development and impact on indigenous communities, preservation and sustainability of Sarawak’s ethnic cultures, oral histories and material culture, and ethnographies.

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Step 1: Discuss your research plans

Before applying, you are encouraged to discuss your proposed research with the Faculty’s Associate Dean, R&D (AD, R&D), R&D Coordinator and/or the Curtin Malaysia Graduate School (CMGS). These discussions will help you:

• determine whether your research topic is suitable
• identify a potential supervisor
• understand the admission requirements

Step 2: Prepare and submit your application

Complete your HDR application and research proposal with your agreed interim principal supervisor. Submit the completed application and all supporting documents to the Faculty’s AD, R&D or R&D Coordinator for assessment.

Step 3: Faculty assessment

The Faculty will assess whether:

• you meet the University’s admission requirements
• you satisfy the English language requirements
• you have the academic background and research capability to undertake the proposed project
• appropriate supervision, facilities and resources are available

If these requirements are met, the Faculty will establish an Interim Thesis Committee.

Step 4: Interim Thesis Committee

The Interim Thesis Committee supports your research during the admission process and normally includes:

• a Thesis Chair
• a Principal Supervisor
• one or more Co-supervisors

Associate supervisors may also be appointed where appropriate. External associate supervisors must provide:

• written confirmation of their willingness to supervise
• the required appointment and confidentiality documentation

The Faculty may consult you before finalising the committee membership.

Step 5: Graduate School review

If recommended by the Faculty, your application is submitted to the Curtin Malaysia Graduate School (CMGS) for:

• a preliminary review by the CMGS Office
• a final assessment by the CMGS Committee

You may be asked to revise your research proposal or provide additional supporting documents before a final decision is made.

Step 6: Provisional candidature

Once your application is approved, you will be admitted with Provisional Candidature. This status remains in place until your application for full candidature has been approved.

You may apply to transfer your higher degree enrolment to the University. If your application is successful, you will be required to formally withdraw from your current university before commencing your studies. All transfer applications are accessed on a case-by-case basis.