The PhD student can choose to obtain their degree in Bioscience, or in Bioscience with specialization in one of the following areas:
The national objectives for third cycle degrees (licentiate and doctoral degree) and local requirements are stated in the Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
To be qualified for admission in Bioscience the student must have earned a degree at the second-cycle level. The orientation of the student’s degree shall also have a sufficiently close connection to the subject of the doctoral programme. Equivalent requirements apply to individuals who have taken their first degree in a country other than Sweden. The examiner, in consultation with the principal supervisor, shall assess whether the applicant has the requisite capacity to successfully complete the doctoral programme. Other requirements for general entry are regulated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Regulations regarding admission are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
The study programme towards a doctoral degree encompasses 240 higher education credits. The study programme towards a licentiate degree encompasses at least 120 higher education credits. One year of full-time studies equals 60 credits.
For the licentiate degree programme the credits are distributed between courses and thesis work as follows: courses at least 30 credits and thesis at least 90 credits.
For the doctoral degree programme the credits are distributed between course work and thesis work as follows: courses at least 60 credits and thesis at least 180 credits.
It is strongly recommended that graduate students, in addition to their own research area, acquire skills in the following two areas prior to receiving their PhD degree in Bioscience:
- Statistical planning of biological experiments and analysis of experimental results
- Ethical issues in bioscience research
This knowledge can be assimilated either through formal courses or seminars, participating at conferences, during work in the graduate school or through previous education.
Courses
Courses within the graduate school include general courses that cover all doctoral programmes at Chalmers as well as courses specific for the graduate school.
General courses in Chalmers’s doctoral programmes
The general course requirements for doctoral programmes at Chalmers are regulated in Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications.
Courses specific for the Graduate school
FKBT190 Advanced Technologies in Bioscience (6 HEC for PhD, 4 HEC for lic.) is a mandatory course in the Graduate School of Bioscience. This course should consist of in-depth studies of 2-3 techniques that the PhD student uses in their research. Examination is in the form of one written report per technology.
Elective courses should have a strong focus on bioscience, or about the subject of a particular specialization. When the PhD student choose to specialize within a particular subject, approximately 50% of the elective courses should be with focus on bioscience.
Licentiate thesis
A licentiate thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in English.
The purpose of the licentiate thesis is to account for the relevant scientific results that have been attained during the thesis work and describe these in a way that is accessible outside of the scientific inner circle of researchers. A licentiate thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a monograph. If the licentiate thesis is a compilation thesis it should begin with an introduction, a summarizing text, followed by the included scientific articles. The purpose of the summarizing text is to put the studies in context, and to present relevant results that for various reasons are not described within the articles.
The licentiate thesis must include at least 2 scientific articles based on own original research, whereof at least 1 article, with the student as first author, must be published.
Other regulations concerning the licentiate thesis are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Doctoral thesis
A doctoral thesis shall be written in English. In exceptional cases it can be written in Swedish; in such cases it shall contain a summary in English.
The purpose of the doctoral thesis is to account for the relevant scientific results that have been attained during the thesis work and describe these in a way that is accessible outside of the scientific inner circle of researchers. A doctoral thesis can either be written as a compilation thesis or as a monograph. If the doctoral thesis is a compilation thesis it should begin with an introduction, a summarizing text, followed by the included scientific articles. The purpose of the summarizing text is to put the studies in context, and to present relevant results that for various reasons are not described within the articles.
The thesis must be based on at least 4 scientific articles based on the doctoral student’s own original research whereof at least 2 must be published and at least one of these as first author.
Other regulations concerning the doctoral thesis are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
Supervision
The Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes states that for each doctoral student at least two supervisors shall be appointed. One of them shall be appointed principal supervisor. The doctoral student has the right to supervision during the studies unless the Head of Department decides otherwise.
Other regulations concerning supervision are stated in Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes.
5. Examination
After completion of a doctoral programme a doctoral degree is awarded. A licentiate degree can be an intermediate stage in a doctoral degree. If a licentiate degree is not a part of the individual study plan, a midway seminar shall be held to denote that licentiate level has been reached.
Requirements for midway seminar are the same as for a licentiate degree but without a licentiate thesis. Concerning scientific publications, it is sufficient if the manuscript as first author is submitted to a scientific journal and under review.
Examination, licentiate degree
For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have received a grade of pass for the licentiate thesis and its presentation and must also have received a grade of pass for the other elements that are included in the programme.
Examination, doctoral degree
For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the doctoral student must have had a doctoral thesis and its defence approved and must also have passed the other elements that are included in the programme.
Other regulations regarding examination are stated in:
- Appointment regulation for doctoral programmes
- Local Qualifications Framework for Chalmers University of Technology – third cycle qualifications
6. Title of degree
The title of qualification is Teknologie doktorsexamen i Biovetenskap or Filosofie doktorsexamen i Biovetenskap The English translation of the title of the qualification is Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Bioscience.
For a licentiate degree the title of the qualification is Teknologie licentiatexamen i Biovetenskap or Filosofie licentiatexamen i Biovetenskap. The English translation of the title of qualification is Degree of Licentiate of Engineering in Bioscience or Degree of Licentiate of Philosophy in Bioscience.
The degree is given a title corresponding to the name of the faculty within which the undergraduate degree was earned. The title is determined by the Head of Department in connection with admission.
Any decision regarding exemption from use of the defined title is made by the Head of Department. In some individual cases, it is possible to use a title that does not correspond to the name of the faculty within which the undergraduate degree was earned.