Frequently asked Questions
Regulations 2006 vs. 2020
| Regulations 2006 | Regulations 2020 |
|---|---|
| Dr. rer nat. / Dr. sc. ed. (Didaktik) | Dr. rer. nat. / Ph.D. |
Papers and manuskripts can be included in cumulative dissertations only. This requires an application submitted at least 4 month before submission of the Thesis | Publications (published and accepted) and manuscripts (but no reviews) can be included in any dissertation. This needs to be discussed with the Thesis Advisory Committee (GradSchool members) or all supervisors (non-GradSchool members). |
| A cumulative dissertation requires application. | A thesis is considered cumulative as of 3 included publications. |
| A summary in German and in English is required | A summary in German or in English is required. |
Included publications remain part of the public dissertation (the doctoral student needs to clarify the copy right regulations) | Upon publications of the dissertation, included papers can be replaced by literature references. |
| Supervisors usually are reviewers. | Supervisors can be reviewers. |
| Certificate and diploma in German only. | Certificate and diploma in German and English. |
Registration as a doctoral student at the University is required by law of the state North Rhine-Westaphalia. | Registration as a doctoral student at the University (students/international office) is required until all examinations are completed. |
Valid only upon application for ongoing doctoral projects (application with submission of the doctoral thesis, but by 12.03.2022 at the latest). All doctoral students affected by this regulation will be informed in time before 12th March 2022. | Applicable for all doctoral students. |
Doctoral regulations 2020: How can published and accepted articles and manuscripts be included in the dissertation?
According to the doctoral regulations of 12.3.2020 the dissertation is a written doctoral thesis, which must prove the ability to carry out independent scientific work including its presentation and must contain scientifically significant results (§7, 1).
Articles published in professionally recognized, peer-reviewed media, such as specialist journals and books and articles accepted for publication as well as manuscripts may be included as chapters in the dissertation, provided that the own contribution is substantial. These included publications and manuscripts must be preceded by a comprehensive, comprehensible explanation in which their significance in connection with the dissertation is explained. In the case of articles and manuscripts with several authors, this explanation must clarify which specific contributions were made, both in terms of the results and in the writing of the article itself (§7, 3).
For dissertations in the field of physics, the inclusion of each individual publication and unpublished manuscript, as well as the use of content from publications, must be approved by the Thesis Committee (for members of a graduate school) or the supervisors (for doctoral students who are not members of a graduate school) (§7, 6).
In general, it is strongly recommended to discuss the form and content of the dissertation with the supervisors and the mentors of the Thesis Advisory Committee well in advance of submission (§7, 6).
There is no general answer to the question of whether or not a particular publication can be included in the thesis. Rather, this must always be discussed in each individual case. This question can therefore only be clarified with the supervisors and mentors of the Thesis Advisory Committee. The question cannot be answered by the Faculty’s Doctoral office.
Doctoral Regulations 2020: Do the registration deadlines also apply when changing to the new doctoral regulations?
The registration deadline does not apply retrospectively. The regulations of 2006 require two terms of matriculation as doctoral student (i.e. one year). The regulations of 2020, 12th March require the registration of the doctoral project and matriculation as doctoral students for at least two years.
Therefore, admission to the doctoral examinations according to the regulations of 2020 is possible anytime for all doctoral students who you have been admitted and matriculated before March 2020.
Doctoral regulations 2020: Is it necessary to prove that a course of "good scientific practice" has been completed?
Yes, there is the obligation to attend a course on good scientific practice. However, this does not apply retrospectively for doctoral students who were admitted before March 2020. Nonetheless, participation certificates for courses taken as of January 2021 need to be submitted either in form of the certificate issued by the graduate school (for graduate school members) or in form of individual certificates (non-graduate school members).
All doctoral students who were admitted March 2020 or later need to proof their participation.