PhD Requirements
Students that complete the MSc programme successfully with a
grade of at least 'Distinction' can apply for a PhD-programme
either at the Faculty of Sciences or the Faculty of Agricultural
and Applied Biological Sciences of the U.Ghent, or at the Faculty
of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The candidates
are requested to follow the instructions for enrolment of each
faculty and furthermore, they are subject to the by-laws of the
PhD-programme of the faculty/university where they take enrolment.
The study programme of a doctoral student consists of course
work and other study activities with a total load equal to at
least 1500 hours. The programme is designed by the trainee's supervisor
in consultation with the trainee, and two other members of the
academic staff. The latter form together with the supervisor or
promoter, the supervising committee of the PhD-student. In general,
the total length of the PhD-programme ranges from 3 to 4 years.
Students have to submit a progress report every year to the supervising
committee for evaluation.
One fifth of the study programme of doctoral students consists
of regular course work and seminars, with the objective to deepen
and broaden the knowledge of the graduate trainees enrolled in
the PhD-programme. The remaining part is composed of other study
activities and achievements, which are of importance for the training
of doctoral students as researchers. Among these are: active participation
in national and international conferences, congresses, symposia
and workshops; study leaves abroad; the supervision of MSc thesis
research projects and the supervision of students in practicals
and workshops; the development of reports and scientific papers
for publication in national and international refereed journals;
participation and/or organisation of training sessions on technical
issues, the development of research proposals, the provision of
assistance in the organisation of conferences, symposia, etc.
The main task of the PhD-programme is still the conduct of a
doctoral research project, the development of a PhD-dissertation
and the public defence of the manuscript summarising the research
findings. Upon the successful completion of the study programme
and the public defence of the PhD-dissertation, the degree of
Doctor in Applied Sciences, Doctor in Sciences or Doctor in Applied
Biological Sciences is awarded. The doctoral degree is offered
by the faculty/university where the doctoral student is enrolled.
Candidates that want to apply for the PhD-programme must be holders
of an MSc/MEng degree (or equivalent) in a physical land resources
related discipline, which they obtained with a minimum score of
70%, equivalent to ‘Distinction’. They have to submit
an extensive description of the research proposal defining thoroughly
the objectives of the research and giving a detailed workplan.
The research subject of the PhD candidate must fit perfectly into
the ongoing research of one of the organising institutes. Applications
to the PhD-programme are evaluated for each applicant individually.
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