The University of New South Wales

go to UNSW home page

Research Handbook

PRINT THIS PAGE
Photovoltaic Engineering - 1655
Faculty of Engineering
Program Description
Program Objectives
Program Structure
Academic Rules
Fees
Further Information
Area(s) of Specialisation

Program Summary

 
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
 
 
Contact: http://www.eng.unsw.edu.au
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Research
 
 
Typical Duration: 4 Years
 
 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
 
 
Min UOC Per Semester: 3
 
 
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
 
 
Min UOC For Award: 144
 
 
Award(s):
 
 
Doctor of Philosophy (Research)
 
 

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered in all faculties of the University of New South Wales and encourages initiative and originality in research. Candidates should make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field.

As a general guide, the UNSW entry requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are as follows:
  • A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded an appropriate degree of Bachelor with Honours from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Research Committee of the appropriate Faculty.
  • Candidates may be admitted to the PhD program after one year’s full-time enrolment in a Masters by Research program, with the approval of the Faculty Postgraduate Affairs Committee.
  • In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the degree.
However, as each Faculty manages its own PhD programs, prospective local and international research students should check with the relevant Faculty and/or School for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements also apply. Please see: www.unsw.edu.au/futureStudents/postgradResearch/res/fspgrengreqpolicy.html

Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree encourages initiative and originality in research. Students will make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field and will be competent to carry out research in their chosen area.

Research topics are available for PhD students covering the entire photovoltaic sector but with greatest emphasis on device theory, device and module design, balance of system components, photovoltaic systems and applications. These include:
  • Buried contact and other commercial silicon wafer solar cells
  • Ink-jet printing technology for high efficiency solar cells
  • Light trapping in thin crystalline silicon
  • N-type wafer solar cells
  • Photovoltaic device and material characterization
  • Photovoltaic module design
  • Photovoltaics in developing countries
  • Screen-printed solar cells
  • Semiconductor device modeling
  • Silicon photonics
  • Silicon wafer solar cells
  • Thin-film crystalline silicon photovoltaic devices
  • Third generation photovoltaics

Program Structure

This program involves a minimum of three years full-time study. Students undertake supervised research leading to the production of the thesis.

The length of a doctoral thesis normally should not exceed 100,000 words of text and should be submitted for examination within 4 years of full-time study.

Students may also be required to complete some prescribed advanced coursework. This should be negotiated with a student's supervisor.

Academic Rules

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Further Information

If you are considering applying for a PhD at UNSW you will need to make contact with the relevant School or Faculty. This is necessary in order to establish that your research interests and those of the School and Faculty are aligned, and that there is a suitable supervisor for your particular area of research.

Prospective students are strongly advised to make contact with potential supervisors before applying for research study at the University.

Please refer to the home page of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering for contact details of prospective supervisors http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au

Please refer to the following web-page for further information on how to apply, scholarships, English language requirements, thesis preparation and other research related matters: www.unsw.edu.au/futurestudents/research

Area(s) of Specialisation

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.