Requirements during the doctorate
The requirements for graduation in the doctoral program in physics ("Promotionsprogramm Physik") are regulated in the "Rules and Regulations for the Graduate Schools in Mathematics and the Natural Sciences" ("Promotionsordnung der mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Promotionsschule der Georg-August-Universität Göttingen"). In particular in the attachment 7.
The graduation requirements are separated into a "research programm" ("Forschungsprogramm"), a "training program" ("Ausbildungsprogramm"), a "teaching programm" ("Lehrprogramm"), and the formal thesis submission and defense.
The completion of these requirements must be documented by the submission of the "Course assessment for Doctorates" form ("Leistungsnachweis für Promovierende"), available at the link to the left.
You need to collect signatures on your Requirements Form soon after you have completed something!
Research Programme
These requirements are made to insure the scientific quality of your thesis work.- A first oral report to the thesis committee in the form of an advanced seminar talk 6 months after you have started.
- Thereafter, yearly oral reports to the thesis committee in the same form.
- The presentation of thesis results at one or more scientific conferences (poster or talk).
- The submission of at least one paper largely based on your own thesis work to a recognized scientific journal. You do not have to be the first author.
Training Programme
These requirements are made to encourage you to broaden and deepen your physical knowledge, both in your speciality and beyond.- Attendance at advanced lectures/seminars ("fortgeschrittene Veranstaltungen") for at least 2 SWS (ca. 3 Credits) in the field of your thesis work.
- Attendance at advanced lectures/seminars for at least 2 SWS (ca. 3 Credits) outside of your thesis work. Whether a lecture/seminar ist "outside" or not decides a member of your thesis committee.
Teaching Programme
As part of the teaching programme, you will gain experience in teaching bachelor's and master's students.You must earn at least 8 credits by participating in non-independent teaching, i.e., by supervising exercises, seminars, and internships. Supervising at least one exercise is mandatory. You can earn a maximum of 2 credits by supervising theses.
You can find the exercise groups and internships for which you can earn credits in the application portal. Groups are assigned in June/July for the winter semester and in December/January for the summer semester.
In general, the large beginner lectures earn the most credits (4), while supervising an internship experiment earns 1-2 credits. Ultimately, the responsible lecturer decides how many credits are awarded. Therefore, be sure to collect the signatures with the corresponding credits on your Performance records for PhD students (Leistungsnachweis) in a timely manner.