Research project towards a PhD degree
The PhD thesis research project is at the core of the curriculum. The progress of the project is monitored by a Thesis Advisory Committee.
Requirements in brief
- First TAC meeting within the first six months
- One TAC meeting per year, organised by doctoral researcher
- Written report by doctoral researcher to Thesis Advisory Committee in preparation for each TAC meeting
- Written TAC meeting minutes after each meeting
Thesis Advisory Committee
For each doctoral researcher of the International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the Universitiy of Göttingen and at TU Braunschweig, a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) is set up at the beginning of the PhD project. The establishment of a Thesis Advisory Committee, along with mutual agreement of the TAC members and the doctoral researcher on an abstract and work plan for the PhD project, are prerequisites for admission and enrolment at the university.
The TAC usually consists of at least three scientists. One of its members has to be a faculty member at the university where the doctoral researcher is enroled. If the doctoral degree regulations of the university requires so, two members have to be professors or habilitated scientists. The daily supervisor is a member of the TAC. The doctoral researcher can propose a member of their choice.
The TAC approves the PhD project, reviews the progress of the doctoral researcher and advises them on further studies and research. The TAC also approves a thesis as ready for submission. When it can be foreseen that a PhD project will not be successfully finished, the TAC can recommend to discontinue the project; this has to be confirmed by the IMPRS spokesperson.
The TAC meets at least once per year with the doctoral researcher and documents these meetings by written minutes with an executive summary. These meetings shall preferentially take place in months 3-6, 15-18 and 27-30 after the beginning of a PhD project. On request of the doctoral researcher, one of the TAC members or the IMPRS spokesperson, the TAC also meets in between.
TAC members also assume the role of mentors and advise doctoral researchers on a suitable choice of lectures, qualification courses, encourage and advise on publication of results in scientific journals and the communication of research findings at scientific conferences.
A member of the TAC usually also acts as one of the referees for the submitted thesis and becomes part of the doctoral committee for the defense. After successful submission and defense, the TAC member authorizes the publication of the thesis.
