During the PhD studies at the Faculty of Science and Engineering
Here we have summoned information that is useful for both PhD studies and supervisors at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Here you can read more about supervision, PhD courses, individual study plan and accreditation.
During the PhD studies
Supervision of PhD studies
All PhD students must have at least two supervisors and one of the supervisors must be appointed as the main supervisor. The relationship between supervisors and PhD students shall be characterized by respect, mutual understanding, a constructive and creative spirit and clarity. The supervisors shall be available for constructive discussions and feedback as agreed with the PhD student.
If you, as a PhD student, want to discuss questions about supervision, you can first contact the Director of PhD studies at your department, the Head of Division, the main or co-supervisor or the Head of Department. You can also contact the Faculty director of PhD studies or the Vice Dean with responsibility of PhD studies. More about supervision is to be found in the Study Handbook (pdf) chapter 4, Supervision, and in the Policy for supervision in PhD studies (pdf) at the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
PhD courses
The scope of the thesis, such as the scope of the course, is stated in the general syllabus for the research subject. Compulsory courses for all PhD students are described below but also in the Study Handbook (pdf) chapter 5.5.
1. All students admitted to PhD studies as of January 1, 2010 must complete courses in methodology science, research ethics, sustainability and gender equality or equivalent courses, as decided by the faculty. Registration for the compulsory course "Fundamentals for PhD Studies in Science and Engineering 6 ECTS" can be found here.
2. Basic pedagogical course of at least 3 ECTS for PhD students involved in teaching.
PhD courses at each department can be found at: forskarstudier.liu.se/en/.
You can also find PhD courses in the NORDTEK course database.
Fundamentals for PhD Studies in Science and Engineering, 6 ECTS
All students admitted to PhD studies from 1 January 2010 have to complate the faculty decided courses in philosophy of science, methodology and ethics, or equivalent courses. Registration for the mandatory course "Fundamentals for PhD Studies in Science and Technology", 6 ECTS can be found here.
Course Syllabus
Cycle/Course level
3rd cycle/PhD course
Prerequisites
The course is primarily open to all PhD students at the Faculty of Science and Engineering (LiTH) at LiU.
Learning outcomes
The PhD course Fundamentals for PhD Studies in Science and Engineering, 6 ECTS is organized into four modules (M). The course focuses on important topics that all PhD students need to have knowledge on to fulfill PhD examination outcomes according to the Higher Education Ordinance.
After the course the PhD student is able to fullfill the outcomes related to the different modules, i.e. the student is able to:
M1:
• demonstrate basic skills in planning and undertaking research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate basic skills in research communication
• discuss basic insights into philosophy of science
• connect the foundations, methods, and implications of science to (1) Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) research areas, (2) basic and applied research, (3) connections between research and practice, and (4) the relation between technology and society.
• demonstrate an understanding of the limits and possibilities for research in STEM areas
M2:
• be able to present and discuss economic, social and ecological fundamentals and current global predicaments in sustainable development and technology
• identify and reflect on sustainability aspects related to the PhD students’ own research field
M3:
• to present and discuss fundamental perspectives and concepts in gender and equality
• identify and reflect on gender and equality in relation to the PhD student’s own research fie related to the PhD students’ own research field
M4:
• describe and apply theories and methods in ethics and research ethics
• give an overview of important issues in research ethics, like responsibility for research, ethical vetting, and scientific misconduct.
• reflect on ethical issues related to one’s own research area in general and PhD project in particular
Course content
The course provides fundamentals for PhD studies in Science and Engineering, including research methodology, basic skills including planning and research communication, sustainability, gender and equality and ethics. Learning activities are focused on creating insight into, basic knowledge about and further planning for on fulfilling PhD learning outcomes for PhD students in STEM areas.
Teaching and Course Organisation
The course is organized into four modules (M).
• M1: Introduction to scientific methodology and basic skills for PhD studies,
• M2: Sustainable research and society,
• M3: Gender and equality,
• M4: Research ethics,
Each of the modules is completed through several learning activities, including lectures, seminars, and assignments. Module 1 includes a final assignment that focuses on creating and communicating a plan for continued learning activities on each of the topics of the course.
Course language: English.
Examination
The course is examined based on active participation of the PhD students in the different modules and the different prescribed activities and assignments in the modules.
M1: The module is examined based on active participation of the PhD students, a written assignment, presentations and discussions.
M2: Active participation and individual assignment
M3: Active participation and individual assignment
M4: Active participation and individual assignment
Attendance is required for a passing grade.
Marking scale: Pass / Fail
Literature
Course material includes reading of scientific articles as well as popular scientific material and will be specified in the course description.
Teachers
M1: Nicolette Lakemond
M2: Ola Leifler
M3: Jan Eric Stehr
M4: Elin Palm
Course examiner
Nicolette Lakemond
Additional Information
Relevant for the degree outcomes: A2, B1, B2, B4, B6, C1, C2
Schedule for 2024 (VT24)
Module 1
Day 1: February 6, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Day 2: February 7, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Day 3: May 15, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Module 2
March 1, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
March 15, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Module 3
Thursday and Friday week 12
March 21, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
March 22, 2024, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Module 4
April 9, 2024, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
April 16, 2024, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
April 25, 2024, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Acccreditation
Accreditation of PhD courses is to be done on an application by the student and is made on a provided form. Decision on accreditation of faculty mandatory courses is taken by the faculty board for PhD studies (FUN). A positive decision on accreditation of other then the faculty mandatory PhD courses is taken by the Director of PhD studies at the department. A denial on accreditation of courses can not be made by the Director of PhD studies, but only by the Faculty board of PhD studies (FUN).
Accreditation of faculty mandatory PhD courses
Accreditation of the faculty mandatory courses is to be done on form by the student and is made on a provided form. She/he leaves the application to the faculty board for PhD studies (FUN) for a decision. A course certificate and course syllabus is to be attached to the application. Decision regarding accreditation is made by the chairman of FUN. A copy of the decision is to be provided immediately to the student. The student may appeal the decision to FUN, within three weeks after the decision is made.
Form for accreditation of faculty mandatory courses (pdf)
All documents should be sent as an e-mail attachment to fun.lith@liu.se.
Accreditation of PhD courses other than the faculty mandatory courses
Application for accreditation of other than the faculty mandatory courses is made on a provided form by the student; the application is to be attested or reject by the main supervisor and a positive decision on accreditation is taken by the Director of PhD studies at the department. A denial on accreditation of courses can not be made by the Director of PhD studies, but only by the Faculty board of PhD studies (FUN). An application for accreditation of courses that is not approved by the Director of PhD studies have to be sent to FUN. Regulations on course accreditation can be found in Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6 Section § 6 - 8 as well as the university's local regulations for PhD studies (number LiU-2014-00530) and faculty study handbook for PhD studies. A denial on a request for course accreditation can be appealed.
