The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program in Individualized Interdisciplinary Program (Research Area) are designed for students who have well-articulated research goals which cannot be reached through established research postgraduate programs. They aim to create an organic study curriculum pattern to facilitate students’ intellectual growth, exploration into novel research direction, and a long term commitment in an interdisciplinary research field.

The programs offer students a broad academic freedom to create a unique research postgraduate program focused on a specialized area of research in ways that best suit their own intellectual interests and passions, by working on an interdisciplinary research topic and using courses from different Departments/Divisions to fulfill the curriculum. Students have to develop a research plan and framework which allow them to explore their unique research interests and to work with their supervisors from different research areas to pursue and complete their degree.

On completion of the program, students will be conferred an PhD degree in Individualized Interdisciplinary Program. The chosen area of research will also be specified in the degree title (e.g. PhD in Individualized Interdisciplinary Program (Bionics Engineering).

On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Generate an advanced degree curricula that interrelates knowledge and skills from selected academic areas, and proficiency in the areas of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of research;
• Develop knowledge and understanding of appropriate concepts, methods, and materials in disciplines which appropriately constitute the framework of their studies;
• Demonstrate curricular understandings and proficiency of research skills through a comprehensive examination, group interaction and evaluation, professional presentations, and the successful completion of thesis defense;
• Develop multi-dimensional perspectives and innovative problem-solving skills to existing and emerging problems; and
• Develop distinctive skill mix that enables them to communicate effectively with people of different levels and disciplines within and across organizations.