Science and Technology

PhD Science and Technology

PhD Programme 3 years

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Gisle Bjørneby, NMBU

The PhD programme Science and Technology at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

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The PhD programme consists of the following study options:

  • Physics,
  • Applied informatics,
  • Applied mathematics,
  • Structural engineering, building technology and architecture,
  • Mechanical and process technology,
  • Water and environmental technology,
  • Geomatics,
  • Science and mathematics education,
  • Pedagogics

Job opportunities

The PhD programme in Science and Technology shall qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the faculty’s subject areas, where there are high demands on scientific insight and analytical thinking in accordance with recognised principles of academic and research ethics.

Learning outcomes

The PhD programme is a doctoral programme that will educate independent researchers of international calibre in conjunction with national and international research communities.

Study structure

Study content

Social relevance:

The PhD education in science and technology is highly relevant to society in light of the increased need for highly educated researchers with competence in the natural science and technology, both applied and theoretical. Specialisations in the natural and educational sciences represent areas of key importance to society, since they form the scientific basis of school and education as well as of society in general. The engineering sciences are highly relevant to society in view of the increased need for highly educated researchers in the different fields of technology and for continued development and innovation.

Learning outcomes:

KNOWLEDGE
On completion of the PhD programme in Science and Technology, the new doctor is expected to:

  • Have in-depth knowledge in the chosen subject area within science and technology.
  • Be at the forefront of knowledge in his/her specific research area.
  • Have in-depth knowledge about scientific theories and methods within the field.
  • Be able to assess and analyse different theories, methods and processes in research and in development projects in the field ¿ also from an international perspective.
  • Be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods in the field.
  • Be able to identify new relevant ethical issues and to conduct her/his own research with scientific integrity.
  • Be able to assess the need for, initiate and be proactive in the development of the natural sciences, technology and education sciences.
  • Be able to manage complex interdisciplinary work tasks and projects.

SKILLS

On completion of the PhD programme in mathematical sciences and technology, the new doctor is expected to:

  • Be able to formulate research issues, and to plan and conduct research and academic development work of high international calibre within his/her field.
  • Know how to use the scientific equipment, instruments and analysis tools of her/his field of specialization.
  • Master relevant statistical methods and be able to assess the utility and limitations of different statistical methods.
  • Have conducted original research that has led to new knowledge that can be published in international peer-reviewed journals.
  • Be able to handle complexity, create an overview, and synthesize scientific information.
  • Be able to perform critical assessments and give constructive criticism on scientific work in his/her field.
  • Be able to disseminate research findings both orally and in writing in academic as well as popular science forums.

GENERAL COMPETENCE
On completion of the PhD programme in Sciences and Technology, the doctor is expected to:

  • Be able to conduct her/his research with professional and ethical integrity, and to identify and assess relevant environmental and ethical concerns.
  • Be able to understand complexity in interdisciplinary tasks and projects .
  • Be able to disseminate research and development work through recognised national and international channels and to participate in scientific debates in international forums.
  • Be able to disseminate his/her research findings to the business sector, the authorities and public administration, as well as to the general public through the media.
  • Have some experience in teaching students within her/his subject area or field of specialisation.
  • Be able to place his/her own research in broader academic and societal contexts.
  • Be able to assess the need for, initiate and if appropriate, stimulate innovation in the field.

Qualifications after graduation:

The PhD programme in Science and Technology is a doctoral programme that will educate independent researchers of international calibre in collaboration with national and international research communities. The programme will qualify candidates for research work and for other work with high demands on scientific insight. The PhD programme seeks to meet the current and future needs for competence in research, development and dissemination in the research, higher education and public administration sectors as well as in the business sector. The PhD candidate will complete an education that offers deeper and broader competence based on a relevant master`s degree. He/she will carry out an independent work of research that will lead to a scientific thesis of high academic quality. The PhD candidate will learn critical thinking skills, how to disseminate knowledge and academic collaboration.

Contents and structure:

The Department of Mathematical Sciences and Technology has a broad subject portfolio within sciences and technology which includes:

  • Natural sciences
    • Physics
    • Applied Informatics
    • Applied Mathematics
  • Technology
    • Structural engineering, building technology and Architecture
    • Mechanical and Process Engineering
    • Water and Environmental Engineering
    • Geomatics
  • Educational sciences
    • Science and Mathematics Education
    • Pedagogics

An educational and research plan is drawn up together with the candidate and the principal supervisor / research group at the start of the programme of study. It is finalised during the first year partly by means of the compulsory introductory seminar. The required coursework totals 30 credits (though the candidate can take more on a voluntary basis) to ensure that the candidate has adequate time for his/her own research, which is the most important part of a PhD programme in science and technology. Five of these credits must be in research ethics.

Very many different sub-areas within the mathematical sciences and technology may be relevant for the PhD education. IMT deems it vital to provide adequate research education that is as closely linked to the individual¿s research area as possible. It is therefore customary to offer specially adapted courses, often including a separate study component with designated key support literature adapted to the candidate¿s subject area. The course is assessed and quality assured by IMT¿s research committee, and an external examiner is a requirement. In addition, more extensive PhD courses are held with several students participating in each course.

In order to carry out their own research activity, students must also familiarise themselves with extensive additional literature, although an evaluation of this is not a prerequisite.

The plan must be subject-specific and must describe the programme¿s content and structure. It must also describe the progress and coherence in the study plan and how this will lead to the student developing competence and achieving the learning outcomes over time.

Evaluation:

The objectives and the relevant learning outcomes are evaluated in the final instance through the trial lecture and public defence of the doctoral thesis. The required coursework is evaluated using various forms of evaluation such as oral or written examinations, submitting assignments or a term paper. The content of the doctoral work and the required coursework must be approved by IMT's research committee, and the committee monitors progress by means of the annual progress reports and the compulsory seminars (introductory, midway and final seminars). Other input to learning outcomes does not need to be evaluated separately, but the principal supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the objectives are met through relevant measures, subject-related discussions and steps towards dissemination within the time frame of the doctoral degree work.

The degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) is awarded on the basis of:

  • Approved completion of the required coursework
  • An approved doctoral thesis
  • An approved trial lecture on a specified topic
  • An approved public defence of the doctoral thesis (disputation)

See the PhD Regulations, section 12.

Cooperation with other institutions:

Provision is made for all PhD candidates to engage in national and international research collaboration. This may take several forms, often through stays at other research institutions.

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

IMT offers a number of key facilities for conducting research, including laboratories (electronics lab, hydraulics lab, purification lab for water and waste water, a special workshop for construction, drawing office, robots and sensors, etc). In addition, there is a pilot plant for most purification processes related to water and waste water technologies. The majority of laboratories and the workshop are staffed by technical personnel who have competence in the use of the special machines.

Admission requirements:

See PhD Regulations sections 5 and 6.

It is not possible to apply for the PhD education without being able to secure and document full funding for the entire period of admission. Therefore, most applicants to a PhD programme at NMBU, first apply for a position as a research fellow (within a relevant dicipline/field). The best option is to look for vacant research fellow positions at: https://www.nmbu.no/en/about-nmbu/positions

The PhD programme option must be specified in the application and must be selected from among the programme options listed in this document as well as from among the respective subject specialisations approved by IMT`s board.

Learning activities:

MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE KNOWLEDGE

  • The required coursework of at least 30 credits, consisting of a combination of compulsory and elective courses in the subject area at the 300 or 400 level or similar, including 5 credits within research ethics. The required coursework will be adapted to the individual specialisation of the PhD student in the subject area, based on his/her previous knowledge/master`s degree.
  • Reading and keeping updated on literature within the subject area.
  • Working on the synopsis of the thesis where the candidate has independently written an introduction that provides a theoretical and practical background for the research work.
  • Discussing and justifying the choice and use of research methods.
  • Putting his/her findings as a whole in an international scientific perspective.

MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE SKILLS

  • Participating in planning and shaping of his/her PhD project in detail, and in planning new project applications, if relevant.
  • Supervision and own research, where the PhD student actively benefits from the competence of the supervisory team.
  • Developing his/her academic network outside the supervisory team; preferably international.
  • Attending courses on research methods when relevant.
  • Working on publications, submissions to journals, handling comments from referees, as well as working on the thesis.
  • Taking part in peer review of scientific work, e.g. giving feedback on colleagues/manuscripts, and attending seminars where other PhD students/and researchers/ideas and results are discussed.

MEANS OF ACHIEVING GENERAL COMPETENCE

  • Taking a course on research ethics with a recommended volume of at least 5 credits.
  • Supervision and own research.
  • Working on publications and on the thesis.
  • The trial lecture. The trial lecture requires familiarisation with a specified topic quickly, time management, searching for/selecting/ evaluating/processing information, and giving an oral presentation of this topic.
  • Presenting own research findings at national and international scientific conferences.

Giving lectures to students and/or being a mentor in his/her own area of competence.

Studies abroad:

During the planning of the PhD programme, provision is made for collaboration and exchange with other research institutions, preferably international. Including this in the plan guarantees its implementation. The usual practice is to form a supervisory team of two to three supervisors together with the principal supervisor at the department. It is normal therefore to include a co-supervisor from the exchange institution in the group. IMT`s research communities demonstrate a high degree of national and international collaboration. The research communities in educational sciences at IMT engage in collaboration nationally (national research schools in education - National Graduate School in Education (NATED) and the Norwegian National Graduate School in Teacher Education (NAFOL)) as well as internationally. PhD students are brought into such networks and collaboration along the same lines as other research staff.