In the structured doctoral studies, in addition to their research work, doctoral candidates will acquire subject-specific and interdisciplinary qualifications, important key competencies that will specifically prepare them for their future role as a manager and open up excellent career opportunities. The doctoral candidates can pursue this training either individually (own study plan) or within the framework of a graduate school.

• Advantages of structured doctoral studies at a glance
• Structured doctoral studies – framework conditions
• Planning for structured doctoral studies
• Regulations of the faculties for the recognition of the performances
• Special regulations of the graduate schools of the collaborative research centers

 

Advantages of structured doctoral studies at a glance

• In addition to the research on the doctoral topic, you will complete a subject-specific study programme and acquire additional interdisciplinary qualifications. This enables you to acquire subject-specific and interdisciplinary qualifications during your structured doctoral training – important key competencies that prepare you specifically for your future role as a manager and open up excellent career opportunities for you. For this you can also use courses which the GraFA offers.
• A supervision agreement, which specifies the research and learning objectives and determine the time and work schedule as well as the reporting system, can be concluded between the doctoral candidate and the supervisor.
• Contacts to an institution of professional practice (company, research institution, etc.) or a cooperating university are supported, as far as this is necessary for the doctoral studies.
• As part of the structured doctoral studies, own teaching activities are rewarded with credit points.
• The Rigorosum can be waived upon application after successful completion of the structured doctoral studies and attainment of at least 15 (applies to Faculty 3) or 30 credit points (applies to Faculties 5 and 6).

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Structured doctoral studies – framework conditions

• In Faculty 3, a total of 15 credit points must be achieved. A total of 30 credit points are required from members of the Collaborative Research Centers and from doctoral students of Faculties 5 and 6.
• Of these, at least 4 (Faculty 3) or 6-12 credit points (Faculty 5) must come from subject-specific courses in which a grad has been achieved. This grade or the average of several grades is considered as a substitute for the grade of Rigorosum. More detailed information about the regulations can be found in the corresponding module handbooks.
• Max. 6 credit points can be recognized for own teaching activities.
• A prerequisite for the recognition of courses with a grade is that the same or similar courses have not already been taken as part of the student’s own degree programme (Bachelor, Master or Diploma degree).
• Faculties may also set other requirements (see regulations of the faculties below).
• Courses taken at other universities or research institutions in Germany may also be recognized. The Faculty Board decides uppon application on the recognition of these achievements.
• The Faculty Board of the respective faculty also decides on the recognition of other achievements, such as publications, presentations and/or posters at conferences, and supervision of student qualification theses (bachelor, master, diploma theses).
• Only achievements that fall within the official period of doctoral studies can be recognized. This is the period between the start of the doctoral studies (specified in the Declaration of Intent) and the date on which the doctoral thesis is submitted.
• Doctoral students who are members of a doctoral programme must meet the requirements of the appropriate degree programme.

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Planning for structured doctoral studies

You should decide early on whether you would like to complete structured doctoral studies, as the time required for this should not be underestimated. We recommend that you plan in good time and in consultation with your supervisor the attendance at courses, active participation in conferences with posters and presentations, publication of articles and other scientific achievements.

Also take advantage of the advising opportunities at your faculty and at GraFA.

In the area of additional, interdisciplinary qualifications, the extensive range of courses offered by GraFA is available to you.

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Regulations of the faculties for the recognition of the performances

Each faculty has its own special regulations regarding the recognition of certain achievements for the substitution of the Rigorosum. These regulations can be found in the below. They apply to doctoral studies under both the old and the new regulations for the award of doctorates (exceptions are marked).

• Regulations of the Faculty for Mathematics and Computer Science (valid only for doctoral candidates who submitted their Declaration of Intent before 07th of August 2017)
  (Dekanatsrätin: Mrs Pia Wittenburg)
• Regulations of the Faculty for Chemistry, Physics and Bioscience (valid only for doctoral candidates who submitted their Declaration of Intent before 26th of July 2017)
  (Dekanatsrätin: Mrs Dr. Jana Kriehme)
• Regulations of the Faculty for Geosciences, Geoengineering and Mining
  (Dekanatsrätin: Mrs Andrea Docekal)
• Regulations of the Faculty of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (valid only for doctoral candidates who submitted their Declaration of Intent before 12th of June 2017)
  (Dekanatsrätin: Mrs Dana Gehler)
• Regulations of the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology (valid for doctoral studies from 12th of December 2017.) A total of 30 credit points are required. Approximately 20 to 40 percent of these are to be obtained by attending courses.
  (Contact and further information: Education Officer, Mr Dr. Dirk Renker or Dekanatsrätin, Mrs Dr. Ulrike Mörters)
• Regulations of the Faculty of Business Administration – available only in German language (valid for doctoral studies from 09th of February 2021)
  Regulations of the Faculty of Business Administration– available only in German language (valid for doctoral studies started between 07th of August 2017 and 08th of February 2021).
  For doctoral studies that were started before 07th of August 2017, the Faculty Board decides on application on a case-by-case basis which achievements will be recognized for the replacement of the Rigorosum.
  Detailed information of the Faculty for Business Administration can be received from the Dekanatsrätin of the faculty: Mrs Annett Preße.

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Special regulations of the graduate schools of the collaborative research centers

It should be noted that members of the Collaborative Research Centers generally have to achieve 30 credit points.

• SFB 920 „Multi-functional Filters for Metal Melt Filtration- A Contribution towards Zero Defect Materials“
• Dr. Erich Krüger Research College – Bio-Hydrometallurgical Center for Strategic Elements: see regulations of the Faculty of Chemistry and Physics
• Graduate School „Raw material acceptance“: see regulations of the Faculty of Geoscience, Geoengineering and Mining
• Research Training Group of the Graduate College GRK 2802 „Feuerfest Recycling: Ein Beitrag für Rohstoff-, Energie- und Klimaeffizienz in Hochtemperaturprozessen“ – see regulations of the Faculty of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering

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