Doctoral programme in Mathematics and Computer Science
From the academic year 2022/2023 starting a doctoral programme in Mathematics and Computer Science , which includes two specialities:
1. Mathematical Sciences (Institute of Mathematics and Statistics)
2. Computer Science (Institute of Computer Science)
The doctoral studies focus on the doctoral thesis and research-related activities. The doctoral student can make individual and purposeful choices in their study plan in collaboration with their supervisor(s).
The programme includes courses and training for 30 ETCS. The study module includes speciality-specific courses (15 ECTS) and transferrable skills training (15 ECTS).
The progress review committee assesses doctoral students' advancement about their study plan, the programme's learning outcomes, and required activities within the programme. In addition, specialities can have specific requirements and suggestions for their doctoral students.
Programme aims and requirements
Doctoral studies prepare students for employment as researchers or teaching staff at universities and other research institutions, or as leading specialists outside the academic sphere. Doctoral studies are research-based studies at the topmost level of higher education, during which the doctoral student acquires the necessary skills for independent research, development and creative work; a broad scientific worldview; and competencies in development, management and pedagogical work.
On successful completion of the doctoral studies programme, the doctoral student:
- will be at a high level in their field of research in terms of knowledge and skills, and will publish original research results in international peer-reviewed publications;
- will be able to inter- relate and develop their research field’s research methods, understand interdisciplinary methods and generalise knowledge across disciplines;
- will be able to analyse, synthesise and evaluate novel and knowledge-rich ideas, identify and formulate research questions, and develop theories;
- will be clear, logical, and understandable to the target audience in their written and oral communications, in both the language of instruction as well as a foreign language important to their speciality;
- will be ethical in their conduct, and observe good research practice and other best practice guidelines put forth by the university, good data management practice, and intellectual property rights and data protection requirements;
- will initiate, plan, apply and critically evaluate research and development work, as well as being able to give and receive constructive feedback;
- will be independent, creative and innovative in their academic work, and capable of taking strategic decisions;
- will be able to manage processes and people, work well in a team, and when carrying out teamwork will be open, flexible, and proactive;
- will be able to systematically analyse their own skills and needs for self-improvement;
- will pass on their knowledge through teaching, academic supervision or other means in both an education and scientific context as well as at a broader societal level.
Research, Development and Creative Activities (RDC) Module
The total scope of the doctoral study programme is 6240 hours (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits), of which the Research, Development and Creative Work module constitutes 5460 hours (equivalent to 210 ECTS credits) and the Study module constitutes 780 hours (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits).
The doctoral student will carry out research work with the support of a supervisor or supervisors approved by the council.
The aim of the module is to enhance and strengthen speciality-specific and field-specific knowledge and skills. The aim of the research and development work is for the student to acquire the skills and techniques for planning and carrying out research work, and for analysing and presenting its results. As the result of their research, the doctoral student will complete an independent study in which a reasoned, original solution is presented to an important problem or problems in their specific research field. The doctoral student will become a competent researcher and acquire transferable competencies through practical experience, events and other activities.
On successful completion of the module, the doctoral student:
- will combine, formulate and develop ideas specific to their speciality, and identify and formulate research questions;
- will be able to combine and develop various methods of scientific analysis, pose hypotheses and use the opportunities of interdisciplinary research in their own research work;
- will be able to evaluate results in their field of research in a broader context and integrate them with other fields;
- will be able to present and explain their research and its results both orally and in writing to both a specialised and general audience, being able to do so in at least one foreign language in addition to the language of instruction;
- will formulate and express the results of their research work in an international-level paper;
- will observe good practices and regulations, including good research practice and other best practices put forth by the university, intellectual property rights, and data protection and data maintenance requirements;
- will initiate, plan, apply and critically evaluate research and development work, and provide substantiated feedback on it;
- will be capable of taking strategic decisions and operate independently in an international work or academic environment;
- will pass on their knowledge through teaching, academic supervision or other means;
- will be able to evaluate their own needs for self-improvement activities and plan them;
- will exhibit good communication, management and teamwork skills.
The doctoral student shall:
- write a doctoral thesis that complies with the requirements set in the Regulations for Doctoral Studies, and comply with the progress review regulations set at their faculty;
- give a presentation at at least one high-level international conference and take part in international discussions related to research work;
- actively participate in their chosen speciality’s doctoral seminars throughout the duration of their studies;
- actively participate in their faculty or institute’s research and development work, including contributing to the organisation of activities and participating in events at the Centre for Doctoral Studies;
- pass on their knowledge through teaching, supervising student work or by promoting their speciality;
- analyse their progress and professional development in conjunction with their supervisor and report on the progress of their research and other academic activities at a designated progress review appraisal.
Study Module
The aim of the module is to enhance and strengthen both speciality-specific and field-specific knowledge and skills. The doctoral student will acquire competency in research work and transferable competencies through courses, events and other activities. The aim of the Transferable Skills sub-module is to give the doctoral student the opportunity to develop transferable skills, including getting an overview of research ethics, learning to notice interdisciplinary connections between different fields of research, and improving their skills at self-expression, management and teaching.
Study module (780 hours, equivalent to 30 ECTS credits). The module is divided into two: a general part of the programme (Transferable Skills sub-module) and a specialised study part (Specialist Knowledge sub-module), which are completed according to the student’s individual plan.
On successful completion of the module, the doctoral student:
- will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of their speciality and research field, and be able to critically evaluate and generalise ideas specific to their speciality;
- will be able to analyse their own speciality’s interdisciplinary connections to related fields;
- will be able to identify and critically evaluate various methods of scientific analysis;
- will develop their skill at international publishing and be able to analyse their own academic writing ability;
- will analyse and develop their public speaking skills, apply standards related to both oral and written academic communication to their own work, and follow best practices when giving feedback to others;
- will analyse and substantiate choices related to research ethics, intellectual property, and data protection and management;
- will analyse and combine different methods of teamwork and management (both self-management and on an organisational level);
- will be able to analyse and inter-relate the knowledge necessary for teaching, supervising or promoting their speciality.
The doctoral student shall:
- complete the course “Introduction to doctoral studies at the Faculty of Science and Technology” during the first year (78 hours, equivalent to 3 ECTS credits);
- acquire the specialised and general competencies and attitudes set out in the learning outcomes of the programme and module, both by way of self-analysis and by following the individual plan composed in collaboration with their supervisor(s).
The doctoral student shall make individual and purposeful decisions about the content of the module in discussion with their supervisor(s), and provide a detailed timeline of planned activities in their individual plan. In the remainder of the module (702 hours, equivalent to 27 ECTS credits), the doctoral student shall choose, in conjunction with their supervisor, the necessary university subjects, events at the Centre for Doctoral Studies, local and international events, etc, for the completion of their doctoral thesis and professional development.