Description of the PhD Program

Since 2003 the Computer Science Department has provided a PhD program that is similar to the PhD programs at top US universities.

Overview of the Program

The PhD program offers highly talented students the chance of becoming excellent scientists and successful managers within a short period of time. With the completion of a doctoral degree after approximately four years, the department certifies a broad - and in a selected range deep - fundamental-oriented education in computer science, as well as the ability to pursue independent scientific research.

Students can be directly admitted to the PhD program with a B.Sc. degree in computer science (or related). They then take a major part of the courses of the M.Sc. program “Computer Science” in addition to the special research-oriented courses of the PhD program. For those students who enter the PhD program later, all courses they already passed during their previous studies are counted. The number of students admitted is restricted due to the capacity of the department.

The major benefit for the students in this program is particularly an early contact with research and the techniques of research by intensive guidance and support, e.g. with special courses for guided research. Thus, the study time up to the dissertation will be shortened. Computer science knowledge acquisition and knowledge application to research problems run in parallel when students enter the program early. Additionally, students obtain skills in writing and lecturing, language skills, and project management competences. Students may apply for scholarships with the Department of Computer Science to finance their studies.

Program Structure

The PhD program consists of two phases. The first phase of our program, called graduate studies phase, can take up to 4 semesters and lays a foundation for writing a PhD thesis. Students need to obtain credits by attending lectures and seminars, doing guided research project work, and preparing a thesis proposal. The second phase of the program, the doctoral studies phase, lasts 4-5 semesters and is more or less devoted to the preparation of the PhD thesis. During that phase, students obtain occupational knowledge from corresponding courses, as well. The transition from phase one to phase two is the acceptance as a doctoral candidate based on an examination and a successful defence of a dissertation proposal.

Work load

Our PhD program is aligned with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Graduate Studies Phase

The first phase of the PhD program, called graduate studies phase, can take up to 4 semesters and comprises of 140 ECTS CP. It provides a combined methodical and practical education in the area of the intended dissertation. The study consists of lectures, exercises, projects, seminars, and team work.

In this phase, a professor of our department (preferably in the potential area of the PhD thesis) acts as a mentor who helps the students to plan their study activities and guides the developing of the thesis proposal.

As an introduction to the area of the intended dissertation, students take lectures (32 CP in total), a practical training (project), and a seminar in the topic area. For broadening their computer science knowledge, students also have to visit lectures from three different teaching areas (12 CP each), do an additional project, and take an additional seminar. Besides this technical work, students take courses for guided research (40 CP). The graduate studies in this phase will be finished with a final oral examination to assess whether the student has acquired the necessary skills during the graduate studies phase.

Finally, a larger individual project (20 CP) should be the basis for the intended dissertation subject. This part of the first phase will be completed by a dissertation topic proposal and a description of the dissertation approach. The topic of the dissertation has to be arranged with the mentor. The student and his or her mentor together develop a concept that describes the topic and the scientific goal of the dissertation. This concept must also show that the dissertation can be completed within two and a half years.

Doctoral Studies Phase

The second phase of the program, the doctoral studies phase, starts by being accepted as a doctoral candidate by the department. Prerequisite for acceptance is the passing of an oral examination for the graduate studies phase. When the proposed dissertation concept has been accepted by the department, an advisor team of at least three professors takes care of the student during his doctoral studies phase. The student can give a proposal for the composition of that advisor team.

The doctoral studies phase lasts 4-5 semesters and is devoted to the preparation of the PhD thesis. The PhD work will be done in the research group of the mentor.

For the acquisition of further knowledge and abilities (“soft skills”), students have to do work that improves their teaching skills, written and oral expression ability, as well as project acquisition and project management. Examples of these activities are the elaboration and execution of parts of a lecture, supervision of seminars, conference contributions, and cooperation for the filing of a project application. This occupational work is done in parallel to the scientific work.

After two and a half years, the doctoral studies phase should be finished and the dissertation should be submitted to the department.

Internationality

The PhD program is internationally oriented. It addresses both German-speaking and English-speaking students. The courses of the program come from the M.Sc. program “Computer Science” which is offered bilingually. More information about this topic can be found at the end of section 2.2. Individual support during the graduate studies phase and the preparation of the doctoral thesis are also possible in both languages.

Further Informations

The regulations for the PhD-Program provides a few more details. You can also adress your requests to the chairman of the PhD-board:

Prof. Dr. Peter Liggesmeyer (promotionsrat@informatik.uni-kl.de)

	Superordinated page: PhD-Program of Computer Science
	A new PhD course of studies (similar to PhD programs in the US)

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