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Programme structure – PhD

The nominal duration of the PhD programme is three years. The programme consists of writing a thesis and completing an educational component.

Contents

The PhD programme

The education will qualify PhD candidates for research activity and other employment in which the expected standard of scientific insight and analytical thinking is high. The PhD degree is awarded on the basis of a completed educational component, a scientific thesis and a PhD examination. 

The educational component

The educational component is individual and is planned in connection with applying for admission. Read more about courses, seminars and training.

At least 20 credits must be in natural sciences, and the 5-credit course MNSES9100 - Science, Ethics and Society (or an equivalent course) is compulsory.

Courses that form part of the educational component cannot be older than two years on the admission date. Together with the work on the thesis, the educational component must provide the necessary academic breadth and specialization.

Up to 10 credits can be taken at the Master's level, and an application must be submitted for approval as part of the educational component. Courses that are part of the educational component are normally taken at UiO.

If you want to change a course in the educational component, you must complete the form for changes to the educational component and submit it to the unit you have been admitted to. This must normally be done before taking the course you want to change to. The faculty will decide whether you can change course or not.

Thesis

The thesis is an independent, scientific work that meets international standards in terms of ethical requirements, academic level and methods. Theses at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences are written in English, and can be a monograph or a compilation of several shorter papers.

PhD examination

The PhD examination consists of a trial lecture and a public defence of the thesis (disputation). The trial lecture must be passed before the public defence can be held.

Progress reports

You must submit written progress reports: it is the unit’s responsibility to ensure that annual reports are submitted by the candidate and supervisors. When the unit has received all reports, a summary will be prepared and sent to the faculty. Any significant deviations from the candidate's schedule or other special matters must be specified and remarked on in the summary.

Third semester reports

Third semester reports must be written between twelve and fifteen months after appointment. The results achieved during the period will be presented to a committee, and the PhD candidate must account for any deviations from the progress plan. The unit will freely compose a competent committee with at least three members. Supervision will be discussed both with and without the supervisor present. The committee will attempt to identify any problems. A summary of the committee's conclusions will be sent to the unit's PhD committee and to the faculty.

Reports must be submitted to the department you are taking the PhD at:

Changes during the PhD programme

Changes to the PhD project

You will not need to take action if the changes are minor, i.e. the main features of the original project description have not changed.

If changes are made to the project in the form of completely new hypotheses, theory formation, approaches etc., the project may need to be considered a new research project. In this case, you will need to reapply for admission based on the new project, and conclude the original agreement. A detailed application must be sent to the unit you have been admitted to. The unit will make a recommendation before the case is sent to the faculty for a final decision.

Leaves of absence

Statutory leaves, including illness and childbirth, entitles you to automatic extension of your admission period within your original admission period. You must, however, forward confirmation from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), the social security office, hospital, your employer or any other relevant body that lists the duration and coverage of your leave.

  • If you are employed by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (UiO is your employer), your agreement will be extended automatically.
  • If you have an external employer, you must make sure that you send the department a copy of your leave documents, so that they are registered at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Extension

It is possible to apply for an extension after the original agreement has expired.

You must complete an extension application form together with your main supervisor, and must devise a new and detailed progress report for the extension.

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

Contact

See who to contact.

Forms

Published Apr. 11, 2016 3:56 PM - Last modified July 14, 2023 12:00 PM