9.2.1 Article 2.1 Study load
The PhD programme lasts 4 years in full-time equivalents, or the proportional part- time equivalent with a maximum of 5 years, 30 EC of which consists of a teaching programme.
9.2.2 Article 2.2 Content
Various modules help the PhD students to develop a number of academic skills: some are related to the field of theory, some to methodology and analytical skills, others to personal and research competences. Moreover, the modules focus on developing skills for the candidate’s subsequent career. In addition, communication and discussion of results is at the heart of science: skills in writing and presentation are thus essential. As PhD theses are nowadays increasingly written in the form of a collection of international articles, special attention is paid to writing scientific articles in English. Some of the training modules are compulsory and are followed by all PhD students. The selection of the modules will be tailored to the PhD student’s specific needs and PhD project. The modules to be followed will be decided upon and selected in discussions between the PhD student and the PhD supervisor and are set out at the start of the PhD project in the PhD plan.
The PhD degree programme has three lines of approach:
1 Coaching: by the research supervisors and the thesis advisor(s) during the 4 years of the PhD programme. In principle, each PhD student has a professor of record (promotor) and at least one other supervisor. The second supervisor can be a professor, an associate professor or an assistant professor (PhD holder).
2 Teaching programme: of 840 hours (30 EC), consisting of compulsory modules worth 280 hours (10 EC), in which all PhD candidates participate. This teaching part offers advanced knowledge and skills that every scientific researcher in Spatial Sciences is expected to have mastered. The modules not only cover research skills and methodology from various perspectives, but also deal with communication and social skills. One of the compulsory modules deals with formulating (or elaborating and reformulating) the research proposal for the PhD project. In addition, there is a teaching component worth 560 hours (20 EC) consisting of modules tailored to the needs of the individual student and his/her PhD project.
3 Spatial Sciences workshops: are interactive conference-like settings in which PhD researchers work with others who work in the same field or use a similar approach. The workshops are generally organized by one of the members of
PhD Degree Programmes
the Graduate School and led by guest lecturers. They are specifically intended to help PhD candidates come into contact with international researchers and international research networks.
Table 9.1 summarizes the PhD teaching programme.
Table 9.1 PhD teaching programme in Spatial Sciences
Module EC Lecturers
1. Coaching (4 years)
2a. Compulsory teaching 10
Research proposal
Research proposal: design, elaboration and management
Ethical issues research, scientific integrity
Research and society
3 Van Wissen Van Hoven Ho
Competences Scientific writing and presentation in English
5 *
Two presentations of research, Graduate School meetings / lunch seminars
Debating, communication skills Management skills
Attendance at Graduate School workshops, 5 each year
Labour market orientation; knowledge valorization
2 Huigen Guests
2b. Other teaching modules 20
Scientific orientation
Research frontiers
attendance at conferences, workshops, seminars, scientific
presentations (national, international) 10 Van Dijk De Roo Van Wissen Huigen
Methodology Selection of advanced
methodology modules5
Modules at the Faculty, NETHUR or any other relevant research network 10 Van Wissen Janssen Hutter/Beaumont Groote Van Hoven Ho Woltjer
3. Spatial Sciences Workshops
* in collaboration with the RuG Language Centre
5
PhD students must choose at least 10 EC worth of different research methodology modules. The modules provided might differ each year. Ideally, the methodology modules consist of short modules, with participation by Research Master’s students and external researchers, where PhD students receive additional advanced methodology training.
PhD Degree Programmes
9.2.3 Article 2.4 Examination of the teaching programme
All modules have to be passed, the grading to be determined within each module
9.2.4 Article 2.5 PhD plan
1 After consultation with the supervisor, the PhD student will draw up a PhD plan before the PhD programme begins.
2 The PhD plan must be approved by the Director of the Graduate School, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3.1 of these Regulations.
3 The PhD plan must include the following:
the name and duration of the PhD programme the name of the supervisor(s)
the name of the professor of record
the name of the daily supervisor of the PhD student the extent of the supervision
the time schedule for the teaching (compulsory and/or optional modules, conferences) and the research activities, the writing of the thesis including evaluation, the annual progress interviews and the dates for periodic adjustments to the schedule
a detailed research proposal in NWO format
within the PhD plan, the professor of record agrees to confer with the PhD candidate on the progress of the research on a regular basis: at least once a month (4 hours) or more often, as agreed between candidate and supervisor
the way that the performance and progress of the student will be assessed each year
deadlines, etc. and reports
a description of the teaching and research facilities required for the programme (for example travelling, equipment) that must be available to the PhD student.
4 A PhD student has the right to the same university facilities as a RuG student within the meaning of the Act.
5 If completion of the programme by the PhD student will be delayed or is likely to be delayed by more than a year, which delay is not caused by a special circumstance, the Faculty Board, at the request of the Director of the Graduate School, may terminate the PhD student's programme. In this decision the content of the Development consultations (ontwikkelingsgesprekken) are taken into account.
6 The Director of the Graduate School will inform the PhD student in advance by letter of this decision. The PhD student has the right to discuss the content of the letter with the Director and the professor of record before the request is sent to the Faculty Board.
9.2.5 Article 2.6 Monitoring/supervision
The progress of PhD students is monitored as follows:
• Coaching and supervision will be monitored by the Graduate School.
• The progress of the PhD research will be assessed every year by the supervisors; every year new agreements will be formulated for the coming year: the activities to be conducted and the expected outcomes (articles,
PhD Degree Programmes
chapters, conferences). The assessment form will be sent to the Graduate School to enable close monitoring of progress and supervision.
• In these annual assessments it will be decided whether the PhD project and contract will be continued or not.
• During the first year, progress is evaluated (not assessed) at more regular intervals: after 2 months, 6 months and then one year (assessment).