The PhD programme
A PhD degree will qualify you 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 compulsory for all candidates on the PhD programme. It must be equivalent to six months’ work, or between 30 to 40 credits. The content will, in combination with your thesis, give you academic breadth and depth within your field.
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:
- Department of Pharmacy
- Department of Physics
- Department of Geosciences
- Department of Informatics
- Department of Biosciences
- Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Mathematics
- Natural History Museum
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.
- 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 plan 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.