The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Science

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Science is a research-based programme in which students become actively engaged in bidirectional translational medicine. The programme focuses on studies that either bring current issues from patients and medical care to laboratory settings, or take scientific discoveries made in the laboratory or clinic and transforms them into new treatments and approaches to improve health and medical care in the community.

Along with supervisory guidance, students identify a research question or topic within the scope of medical science and work independently on a research project. Students are required to complete one taught module, Clinical Research Methodology, which is designed to prepare students for their competency in project planning and management, and also to ensure they become ethically literate and socially responsible. To graduate, students must produce a thesis based on their original research and subsequently pass the thesis examination and viva voce.

1. A Master’s degree in medical science or related fields accepted by the University Senate
    
2. Other qualifications that are equivalent to a Master’s degree or professional qualification related to the field of Medical Science and experience recognised by the University Senate.
    
3.  A Bachelor’s degree with the following conditions:
   • A bachelor’s degree in medical science or related fields with CGPA 3.67 or higher or its equivalent from an academic programme or a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme may direct progression to PhD programme and approval by the University Senate; OR
   • A relevant bachelor’s degree with CGPA 3.00 may convert their candidacy to the PhD programme after one year of studying at Master level and approval by the University Senate.

English Language Requirements

Any of the following:

• IELTS 6.0
• TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 80 (internet-based)

For International/Malaysian Applicants

• English is the medium of instruction of previous degree for candidates from universities in non-English speaking countries outside Malaysia.

Clinical Research Methodology

An advanced study the management of a research project. The first part discusses the design of a scientific project in health and medical settings, including research questions, hypothesis, method selection, problem solving, and data collection and analysis. The second part consists of ethical theory and ethical issues related to clinical research especially the application of ethics for utilizing human specimens. The third part of this subject focuses on the statistical analysis and its methods.

Thesis

Production of thesis is based on students’ original research throughout the PhD candidature. Students must submit a PhD thesis and obtain a pass grade in the thesis examination in order to be awarded a PhD degree.

Areas of Research

The School has a dedicated team of Supervisors with expertise in areas of research including (but not limited to):

• Aging and Geriatrics
• Cardiovascular Research
• Communicable Diseases
• Eco-health
• Genomics and Precision Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Non-communicable Diseases
• Oncology
• Pharmacy
• Public Health and Organisational Health