Curriculum

The completion of the Graduate School comprises three main parts: the doctoral program, testing procedures, and the closure in which a doctoral degree is obtained. For important information on the doctorate at the Graduate School you can download the guide for doctoral studies.

1. Registration:

• Application: Application forms are available at the Uniportal. Doctoral students that are already enrolled at the University of Lucerne, please use the form on the Re-enrollment doctorate.

• The board of the GSL decides on admissions to the doctoral program. The decision of the board is made on the basis of an outline of the planned dissertation 3-5 pages (Times New roman 12 P) and of a short written statement (10 lines) sent by the potential supervisor.

2. Doctoral program

• Throughout the duration of the doctoral program, enrolment at the University of Lucerne is required
• The doctoral program is subject to the requirements of the Graduate School and is governed by the doctoral degree regulations (Wegleitung zur Promotionsordnung).

2.1 Content and time requirements:

First Year:

• Submission of a first part or a complete research design (elaborate exposé of the dissertation) to supervisor.
• Presentation of the dissertation plan in a colloquium of the KSF
• Attendance of a content or methodological course
• A progress report on the thesis with a brief assessment by the supervisor to the board of the GSL

Second Year:

• Presentation of the dissertation’s progress in a colloquium of the KSF
• Attendance of a course (content or methodological)
• Attendance and presentation at an international conference (may also take place in the third year)
• A progress report on the thesis with a brief assessment by the supervisor to the board of GSL

Third Year:

• Presentation of the dissertation’s progress in a colloquium of the KSF
• Application for the start of the examination process to the board of the GSL
  
  

The course attendance requirements may be fulfilled, with prior agreement of the supervisor, at another university or institution under scientifically recognized events such as summer schools. Certificates on the academic performance will be issued. The award of ECTS credits is not foreseen.

2.2 Different arrangements and transitional provisions


Academic staff

- For academic staff in faculty positions and in externally funded projects, the total duration of the doctoral program may be extended up to four years.
- It is possible to be exempted from one of the two courses required in the first or second year with a justified request to the Board.
- The requirement participation and presentation at an international conference may take place between the second and fourth year of study.
- A progress report on the thesis with a brief assessment by the advisor takes place on the third year. In addition, a presentation on the thesis’ progress is to be made in a colloquium of the KSF on the fourth year.
- The request to begin the examination process needs to be made to the GLS Board no later than in the fourth year of study.


Doctoral students currently not holding a position at the University of Lucerne

- For PhD students without a job or scholarship of the GSL the total duration of the doctoral program is not limited. Admission to the GSL is, however, initially for five years. A review of the dissertation progress is made after that time by the Board of the GSL who decides on the continuation after that time.
- Progress report of the thesis with a brief assessment of the advisor to the Board of the GSL is made once a year.

Fellows

- Recipients of the GSL fellowship are also required to attend a total of two courses during the three-year funding from the KSF. The content of this course can be related to the dissertation topic.


PhD students that started before the fall 2009

- Doctoral students who began their research before the HS 2009 cannot be included in the GSL. The doctoral regulations valid until 2009 (Promotionsordnung) apply in this case.

Doctoral students as of the fall 2009

- Doctoral students who began their studies in the fall semester 2009 may still enter the GSL.
- Previous work in the program will not be credited (research seminars, etc.).
- The performance requirements of the first year, the exposé, the research colloquium and the course will not be required.
- However, the progress reports of the first year, as well as those of the second and the third years are still required.


Doctoral students from spring 2010 onwards

- Doctoral students that registered in the spring of 2010 onwards are automatically members of the GSL
- It is possible to credit previous work (research seminars, etc.).
- In the assessment of the first year, the exposé and optionally either the research colloquium or the course, are no longer required.
- Still required are the progress report of the first year, and the prerequisites of the second and the third year.


Double doctorate

Individual arrangements apply in this case.


3. Testing procedures:

• Upon completion of the doctoral program, the doctoral candidate hands-in three copies of the dissertation together with the application for admission to the examination process of the GSL.
• The Board of the GSL makes the decision on the request and determines first and second Reviewer (usually the supervisors, which were determined during the doctoral studies).
• First and Second Reviewers have four months to review the work. The dissertation and the comments by the reviewers are then available for consultation during four weeks at the dean’s office (Dekanat) of the KSF.
• Thesis defence: The date of the defence is determined by the GSL.
• The members of the defence committee (Disputationsausschuss) (consisting of primary and secondary reviewers as well as dean and vice dean) decides on the acceptance and rating of the dissertation.


4. Qualifications and title award:

• After a successful defence, the title of doctor designata or a doctor designatus (Dr. des) is awarded.
• The dissertation is to be published within two years of the the oral defence (disputation).
• Conclusion: The KSF awards after the publication of the thesis and on the basis of the requirements of the program (i.e. course work, dissertation, oral defence, publication of the thesis) the following academic titles:
Doktorin/Doktor der Philosophie (Dr. phil.) / Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. phil.).
Additionally, on request: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• The GSL also awards a certificate, in which the achievements during the doctoral studies are documented.