Completion of the Natural Sciences PhD Programme

The training component

The training component is individual, and is planned in connection with the application for admission.

At least 20 credits must be natural sciences subjects, and the 5-credit course MNSES9100 – Science, Ethics and Society is mandatory.

Courses that are part of the training component may not be older than 2 years on the date of admission. Together with the work with the thesis, the training component must provide the necessary academic breadth and specialization.

List of the Faculty's natural sciences PhD courses.

Up to 10 credits can be taken prior to admission, and one can apply for this to be incorporated into the training component. The courses that are part of the training component must normally be taken at the University of Oslo.

If you want to switch a course on the training component, complete the form for changing the training component (odt) and return it to the basic academic unit to which you have been admitted. This is normally donebefore you have taken the course you want to switch to. The Faculty will decide whether you can switch the course or not.

The thesis

The PhD thesis must be an independent, scientific work that meets international standards regarding academic level, method and ethical requirements.

At the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, it is most common to write the thesis in English, and as a collation of several minor works (in Norwegian). 

Progress reports

You must submit written progress reports:

• For the doctoral candidate (odt)
• For the principal supervisor (odt)
• For the subsidiary supervisor (odt)

If you do not submit your progress report, you may lose your place on the programme.

Third Semester reporting for doctoral candidates 

• Procedures connected to the third semester reporting for doctoral candidates

 

Changes during the doctoral programme

Changes to the doctoral project

If the changes are of a minor nature, i.e. the main aspects of the original project description are unchanged, you do not need to take action.

If great changes are entailed, i.e. it actually becoming a completely new project with new hypotheses, etc., you must apply for readmission based on the new project, and end the original agreement. A detailed application must be sent to the basic academic unit to which you have been admitted, which will enclose a statement before the matter is sent to the Faculty, which will make the final decision.

It is possible to receive up to two extensions after the original agreement has lapsed.

You must complete the extension form (odt) together with your main supervisor, and will have to write a new and detailed progress plan for the extension.

The application form must be sent to the department to which you have been admitted, which will make a statement before the application is sent to the Faculty, which will make the final decision.

Maternity leave

• If you are employed at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (the University of Oslo is the employer), your contract will be extended automatically.
• If you have an external employer, it will be your responsibility to send the Faculty a copy of your leave documentation, so that it is registered at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Sick leave

If you have been on sick leave for over two weeks consecutively, you will be entitled to a corresponding extension of your admission contract.

• If you are employed at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (the University of Oslo is the employer), your contract will be extended automatically.
• If you have an external employer, it will be your responsibility to send the Faculty documentation that you are entitled to an extension.Supervision

As a PhD student you will receive individual and regular supervision during your work with the PhD thesis. The Faculty normally appoints two supervisors: a main supervisor and a co-supervisor. 

If you want to change supervisor, complete the form for changing supervisors (odt). Both the previous and desired new supervisor must sign the form. The form must be sent to the basic academic unit to which you have been admitted, which will make a statement and send the matter to the Faculty, which will make the final decision.