Objectives for third-cycle programmes /courses of study

This internal regulation is based on:

• President’s decision no. UF 0044-09, reg. no. V-2009-0056, dossier

The President has resolved

to establish the following objectives for third-cycle courses at KTH. These objectives are regarded as general and should apply to third-cycle studies throughout KTH. Study plans for each third-cycle subject should specify how the objectives are to be achieved.

Structure of the objectives

The objectives are divided into the following three groups, where:

1. the aim of the third-cycle course of study describes the role that the person with the third-cycle qualification should play in society.

2. objectives that should take the form of requirements should govern the study plans for the various third-cycle subjects. They should also form the basis for assessments in individual study plans of the doctoral student’s ability to fulfil the requirements during the course of study.

3. objectives which are important but which should not also be requirements in individual cases should govern the study plans for the various studies and should be taken into consideration in individual study plans. Nevertheless, it is not required that each individual doctoral student must have achieved these objectives.

1. The aim of third-cycle studies

The aim of KTH’s third-cycle studies is to provide society with qualified researchers who are able to contribute to the sustainable development of society.

2. Objectives as requirements

The objective of KTH’s third-cycle studies is that doctoral students must be first-rate, independent researchers. After completing the studies, persons with third cycle qualifications should have the ability 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
• present research in a pedagogical manner outside the scientific community and in an educational context
• assess ethical aspects of research within the area in question and act on that basis, and
• identify needs for new knowledge and have the knowledge to initiate and lead research

3. Objectives to work towards

Third-cycle studies must also endeavour to ensure that doctoral students will have the ability, after completing the studies, to:

• take part in multi-disciplinary scientific cooperation within the problem area in question and
• analyse the role of research in the development of society

In "Objectives to work towards", the main supervisor and the doctoral student, when monitoring the individual study plan, should state how the individual doctoral student can achieve these objectives. If the objectives have not been fulfilled by the time of the examination, the main supervisor should be prepared to give reasons why they have not been fulfilled.

Contact

Margareta Karlsson, phone: 08-790 7129,

maggank@kth.se