The education at doctoral level
The education at doctoral level consists of course-part and a thesis-part and can be completed with a doctorate or licentiate degree. A doctorate degree is equivalent to four years of full time study and a licentiate degree is equivalent to two years of full time study.
Learning outcome
The ambition is that the students after the education within the Doctoral Program in Physics will be well prepared for their roles in the society, both nationally and internationally.
Furthermore, the ambition with the third cycle program is that the students will become independent, well-educated researchers. After completion of their studies, students should be able to:
- describe and explain theories and empirical results within the area in question,
- formulate specific research questions within the area in question,
- use scientific methods and develop new knowledge through their own scientific studies,
- produce critical analyses and evaluate methods applied and results from their own and others' scientific studies,
- present and discuss research results in the scientific community, and identify needs for new knowledge and have the knowledge to initiate and lead research.
The course part
The coursework may consist of lectures, literature studies, problem-solving, and active participation in seminars, and must include at least 30 credits for a licentiate degree and 60 credits for a doctorate degree.
In the case of a doctorate, a minimum of 60% of the total course component must be at third-cycle level and in the case of a licentiate degree, a minimum of 50% of the total course component must be at third-cycle level.
- Choice of courses
There are no mandatory courses within the Doctoral Program in Physics.
For this reason the student's and supervisor's planning, design and monitoring of the individual study plan is of central importance for the education.
An introductory course in university pedagogy is a requirement for students when teaching at the first- or second-level levels during the education.
The choice of courses to be included in the education should be based on student's prior knowledge, and the knowledge and skills considered necessary for the realization of the theses and dissertation work, and in order to achieve the program objectives.
See the subject study plans for more detailed information.
- Courses outside the Doctoral Program in Physics
The student may, in consultation with their main supervisor also select other courses within or outside KTH in order to acquire the knowledge considered necessary for completing the thesis work the dissertation.
In particular it is recommended to take courses within related doctoral programs at KTH, as well as courses available through the cooperation that exists with Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.
The thesis part
The aim of the education during the thesis-part is for the student to develop an ability to make independent contributions to research, as well as a capability for scientific collaboration, within as well as outside their own subject of study.
The thesis should include new research results which the student has prepared independently or in collaboration with others. The main scientific results should meet the quality requirements for publication in internationally recognized journals with peer review.
The thesis is typically written as a collection of scientific articles with a specific written summary, a so-called compilation thesis. During the thesis work the student should therefore strive for international publication of the achieved research results.
- Scope of the thesis
A licentiate thesis should include scientific results corresponding to at least two for the research area representative articles publishable in internationally recognized journals with peer review, and include research results that have been presented at at least one international conference.
A doctorate thesis should include scientific results corresponding to at least four for the research area representative articles publishable in internationally recognized journals with peer review, and include research results that have been presented at at least two international conferences.
The doctoral thesis and licentiate thesis should be written in English.
Supervision
During the education the student is supervised by one main supervisor and one or more assistant supervisors. The main supervisor is appointed in connection with admission and is, together with the student, responsible for that course studies and the dissertation work is progressing as planned.
Other supervisors are appointed to assist the principal supervisor throughout the education.
For more information, follow the links to the right.
Supervisors within the program
Individual study plans
The individual study plan is the document that described the individually designed 3rd level education and therefore constitutes an essential tool to ensure the quality and implementation of the education. The content of the individual study plan must be specific as to constitute a real support providing background for discussions for the PhD student and supervisors.
´More information for supervisors and PhD students is found in GUIDELINES (requires login)
Thesis and thesis defence
The thesis work is a mandatory part of the third cycle education to be defended at a public defense in accordance with internal regulations and uidelines that are specified for doctoral and licentiate degrees in the KTH Internal regulations at third cycle.