EUA Workshop, London, 11-12 November 2005
Implementing Structured Doctoral Programmes at
Faculty-Level: Benefits, Challenges, Perspectives
Thomas Koch, Scientific Coordinator
Graduate School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
RUB Facts & Figures
¾ Established in 1965 to drive structural reform in the Ruhr region,
now among the 10 largest universities in Germany
¾ 20 Faculties housing all major disciplines on a compact and well
integrated campus
¾ Germany’s leader in the introduction of Bachelor/Master courses,
best practice university 2004
¾ Annual budget 360 m€
¾ 4000 academic and
research staff
¾ 31’000 students
4300 international 2500 doctoral, 15% in structured programmesStructured Doctoral Programmes at RUB
¾ Research Training Programmes
9 DFG Research Training Groups 2 International Max Planck Research
Schools
3 EU Marie Curie Early Stage Research Trainings
¾ Graduate Schools
RUB Doctoral College (“Promotionskolleg”) Cross-faculty:
NRW International Graduate School for Neuroscience
NRW Ruhr-Graduate School of Economics (interinstitutional) Faculty-wide:
Graduate School of Chemistry and Biochemistry International Graduate School for Biosciences
Doctorate Degrees at RUB Faculties
(1998-2004 average)
4,8 5,3 12,0 25,3 27,3 30,0 18,2 6,3 1,8 1,5 7,3 15,3 38,7 25,0 6,2 28,8 14,0 29,0 60,8 0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0 100,0 Prot esta nt The ology Cat holic The olog y Philo soph y, Ed ucat ion and J our nalism Hist ory Philo logy Law Facu lty of Ec onom ics Soc ial S cienc e East As ian Stud ies Spor ts Sc ienc e Psyc holo gy Civil En gine ering Mec hanic al E ngin eerin g Elec tron ics a nd In forma tion Tech nology Mat hem atics Phys ics a nd Ast ron om y Geo scienc es Chemi stry Biology Med icin e Do cto rates co n ferred p .a. (177)Course Structure
at the Faculty of Chemistry
2001 Bologna reforms
2002 New doctorate regulations
Diplom Studies 4.5 years Doctoral Studies
„Traditional“
up to 2001/2002
Bachelor of Science (180 CP) Master of Science (120 CP)3-year research course
Graduate School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry
¾ Established in October 2002
¾ New doctorate and study regulations at the faculty
o 1+3 year doctoral programmeo Internationally compatible admissions o Teaching language largely English o Mandatory interdisciplinary curriculum
¾ Coordination office
o Scientific coordination of doctoral programme o International marketing and recruiting
o Additonal academic and social counselling
¾ Start-up funding by DAAD/DFG
DAAD/DFG Start-up Funding
¾ „Doctorates at Universities in
Germany“ (PHD)
Selection criteria
o Academic excellence
o Structures and transparency o International focus
50 International Postgraduate Programmes
¾ Budget, max. 160‘000€ p.a.
For infrastructure only, i.e.
staff salary, language courses, social activities, teaching material, marketing and recruiting, guest lectures and soft skills, travel
No scholarships
3 years initial funding + 2 years upon peer-evaluation
Institution must agree to continue the programme for at least 5 years after pilot phase
Doctoral Students in Graduate School
0
50
100
150
200
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
D
o
ct
o
ra
l st
u
d
en
ts
Gra duat eS choo l30% international students
Membership
All doctoral students admitted to the structured doctoral programme
at the Faculty of Chemistry belong to the Graduate School
Research Training in (Bio-)Chemistry
All chemistry departments
Inorganic Chemistry I, II
Organic Chemistry I, II
Physical Chemistry I, II
Biochemistry I, II
Technical Chemistry
Theoretical Chemistry
(23 professors, 130 scientists)
Selected laboratories
On campus
Faculty of Biology
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Geoscience
Off campus
MPI for Coal Research
MPI for Bioinorganic Chemistry
MPI for Iron Research
Faculty Research
¾ Broad scientific spectrum
Materials
Molecular Chemistry NanoChemistry for Life Life Science
¾ Many collaborations
3 RUB Centres of Excellence 2 DFG Research Units
4 DFG Collaborative Research Centres
6 DFG Priority Programmes
2 DFG Research Training Groups 2 Graduate Schools
EU-FP6-FET-IP „PACE“ EU-MC-EST „INTCHEM“
¾ 6 m€ external funding in 2004
¾ Constant need for highly
International Doctoral Programme
Admission Requirements
Preparatory Training: B.Sc. or FH degree (1st class) in chemistry or biochemistry,
functional English language skills, basic German is recommended Starting dates: 1 October or 1 April
Research Studies: M.Sc. or Diplom in chemistry, biochemistry or related field,
alternatively 60 CP in preparatory training (1st class), functional English language skills Starting dates: anytime
Curriculum
Preparatory Training
¾ Classes (60 CP)
Mandatory core subjects Elective courses
Intermediate examinations In-depth practicals
Specialisation
Oral presentation and final examination
¾ Admission to research
course (or M.Sc. 2nd year)
Research Course
¾ Individual research project
¾ Classes (Course record form)
Interdisciplinary lecture programme
Literature and methodology seminar
Modern aspects of chemistry and biochemistry
Scientific communication Doctoral research seminar Research management Subsidiary subject
¾ Thesis
Services and Events for Students
¾ Academic
Induction- and poster session
Regular info events Study guides
Individual study counselling Cross-departmental doctoral
research seminars
Guest scientist programme Summer schools
2 Graduation days p.a.
o Chemistry Day
o Christmas Colloquium
¾ Social
Administrative support with
o Immigration o Accommodation o Local authorities o Matriculation
Excursions
Centralised Recruitment
¾ International marketing
¾ Calls for application
Permanent general call for applications Additional specific calls for thematically
focussed research trainings (e.g., DFG-GK, EU-MC-EST,...)
¾ Application form
Self evaluation Research proposal
Transcripts & certificates Letters of recommendation
¾ Evaluation
Elegibility Preliminary ranking Structured interviews Short-term projectInternational Admissions
ApplicationGSCB Office
elegibility, preliminary rankingDoctorate
Board
Recommendation Admission Yes/No Supervision? Funding?Members of Faculty:
Management
Advisory Board
incl. Dean, Head of Doctorate Board and 2 additional Profs.
Speaker
Prof. W. SanderScientific Coordinaton
Dr. T. KochGeneral Administraton
G. TalbotObjectives
1. Implementation of international doctoral programme
2. Aquisition of external funds
Financial Aspects
€ 0 € 50.000 € 100.000 € 150.000 € 200.000 € 250.000 € 300.000 € 350.000 € 400.000 € 450.000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Calender Year Tot a l B u dge t EU (MC-EST) DAAD (PHD)Successful evaluation & aquisition of new funding Initial Funding
„Added Value“ and Sustainability
¾ Benefits of faculty-wide GSCB
Improves guidance and qualification of individual doctoral students with academic, administrative and social support close to the
actual person
Focusses organisatorial resources related to cross-disciplinary research training and recruitment of international graduate students
Enhances the international exposure of faculty research
¾ Ideal host for externally
funded research trainings
and networks
¾ Medium-term funding
largely secured through
external sources
Key Issues
¾ Transition from pilot project to permanent infrastructure
Integration into university budget
Faculty-wide vs. larger organisational structure ¾ Integration of Master programmes into Graduate School
¾ Level of English communication skills in wider University administration
