Doctoral Program of Medical Science

Doctoral Program
in Medical Science

Goals and Qualification Profile

The Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences serves to equip students with the skills for conducting independent research so that they may contribute to the advancement of the medical sciences. It aims to bring about future generations of research scientists in the fields of medical and natural sciences.  

Doctoral students will obtain the skills for independent academic work in a research field of the medical sciences. Due to the comprehensive and in-depth training program they will be able to formulate  independent  research  projects  based  on current issues  in medicine, carry  them  out independently, and through their findings, expand the knowledge base in the field of their specialty. Doctoral students will also be able to engage in critical analysis, evaluation and development of current scientific theories and new concepts in the medical sciences. They shall be regarded as young professionals in the medical sciences who are contributing to the development of medicine in both academic and non-academic fields of activity.

Admission and application

Application and admission

New admission procedure in the Doctoral Program of Medical Sciences!

Candidates who request admission to the Doctoral Program of Medical Science will be invited to a presentation of the doctoral thesis abstract selected and a personal interview in English language.

Registration deadline for hearing (Admission in Winter Term 2024/2025): September 09th, 2024

Courses

As part of the doctoral program, the following courses must be completed:  

Fundamentals of scientific research in doctoral studies

In this course in the extent of 2 semester-hours, students of all Doctoral Schools are made familiar with the course of their doctoral studies and all research-relevant ethical principles and rules. This will give them essential information about the quality criteria that apply to scientific research. The course will also show how the work on the dissertation project is supported by technological and organizational facilities at the Medical University of Graz.  

Introduction to the research topic of the respective Doc School

In this course each Doctoral Schools introduces itself to its own candidates and provides information on its research field, the research topics pusued and the working methods used (total - 1 semester-hour)

Fundamentals of scientific research and general skills

The students need to attend courses in the extent of 4 semester-hours in which they can choose among topics such as scientific theory, ethics, use of statistical methods, methods for planning, documentation, evaluation, and (meta) analysis of medical research studies and experiments, writing of scientific papers, presentation skills, university didactics, scientific English, management of scientific projects, etc.

Dissertation seminar

The students shall complete seminars and workshops (total - 6 semester-hours) in the field of the dissertation topic or in a sub-discipline.  

Literature clubs and guest lectures

During these seminars, (total - 4 semester-hours), the scientific literature relevant to the field of the dissertations is critically presented and discussed. The confirmation of participation in literature clubs, and guest lectures  is to be forwarded to the Dean of Doctoral Studies.   

Presentation of dissertation topic and work plan to the Dissertation Committee

The dissertation topic and the work plan shall be presented to the Dissertation Committee (total - 0.5 semester-hours) in the first semester. The doctoral candidate and the Dissertation Committee agree on the courses to be taken in accordance with the curriculum. The spokesperson of the Doctoral School will forward the presentation and a written assessment by the Dissertation Committee to the Dean of Doctoral Studies.  

Project presentation

In the extent of 0,5 semester-hours, the students present reports of their current dissertation project to fellow students and faculty members of the respective Doctoral School for critical discussion. Confirmation of completed project presentations need be sent to the Dean of Doctoral Studies.

Interim report to the Dissertation Committee

In the third and fifth semester, written interim reports shall be prepared and presented to the dissertation committee (total - 0.5 semester-hours each). The spokesperson of the Doctoral School will forward the interim report and a written assessment by the Dissertation Committee to the Dean of Doctoral Studies.  

Public presentation (e.g. at the Doctoral Day)

During the course of the program, two public presentation, each worth 0,5 semester-hours, shall be prepared and presented at the Docotral Day of the Medical University of Graz or at a scientific congress. Active participation in at least one Doctoral Day during the docotral program is mandatory.

Electives

Courses (Dissertation Seminars; Literature Clubs, Project Presentations and Guest Lectures; Fundamentals of scientific research and general skills) may be completed as electives, taking into consideration the thematic connection with the doctoral thesis and a scientific depth appropriate to the doctoral degree program, and shall be approved by the Rector of Studies in a recognition procedure after a positive statement has been obtained from the spokesperson of the Doctoral School. In total, a maximum of 4 semester week hours may be completed as electives.

Please note that...

... the courses are conducted in English.

... at least 50% of the courses shall be completed at the Medical University of Graz. The interim reports must be made at the Medical University of Graz.

... the successful completion of the courses is determined by the completion of course examinations and courses with continuous performance assessment with a passing grade. The sum of all course examinations represents the first part of the oral dissertation examination.

Contact

Miriam Sedej PhD
T: +43 316 385 71630
Miriam Sedej

Dr.
Domenic Hofmann BA MA
T: +43 0316 385 72086
Domenic Hofmann