And now it’s your turn – an exercise:

And now it’s your turn – an exercise: • What is good scientific content of a PhD-project • Webster Universal Dictionary, Science: • Systemized knowledge derived from observation, study and experimentation carried on in order to determine the nature or principles of what is being studied • The systemized knowledge of nature and the physical world

What is good science in your field? • In groups try to answer the following: • Produce a you more narrow definition of the good scientific content of a PhD project which is operational in your branch of research • How can one – in your branch of research – practically determine what is “good science” • Can you measure how good science is? And if, then how so?

4 groups with 5 each (more or less)We have this roomDiscuss for 10-20 minutes, then present

3. Collaboration agreements • Agreement on the relationship between supervisor and student shall contain: • Meeting frequency • Supervisor and student shall meet regularly, preferable no less than once a week. Also where student and supervisor meet frequently on an informal basis, more formal meetings should be arranged regularly • Communication forms • It shall be stated how communication is to take place. If supervisor and student are not at the same facility, e-mail, Skype, and etcetera's can be used – however not as the sole communication form. Personal meetings should take place on a regular basis • Mutual expectations • What do you expect from your supervisor, and what does he/she expect from you?

4. Plan for PhD courses • According to Ministerial Order you must have 30 ECTS of courses • Keep it at the 30 ECTS – more is NOT better • General courses must cover minimum 10 ECTS • Preferable, courses should be max 6 ECTS • Conferences/workshops can cover up to 6 ECTS • Such ‘course’ must be accompanied by a written report that relates the specific activity to the PhD project • Only courses at PhD level can be approved • Under certain circumstances, a master-level course can be upgraded to PhD level and then approved

5. Fulfillment of knowledge dissemination • You are obliged to disseminate knowledge during your study • Make a plan for dissemination of knowledge and findings from the project, for example: • Newspaper articles • Seminars • Conference presentations • Teaching

6. Agreements on immaterial rights • In a number of cases a PhD study potentially leads to immaterial rights that can/must be patented • According to Ministerial Order any agreements on intellectual property rights must be contained in the study plan • Therefore: If relevant, outline agreements on immaterial rights to patents, etc. produced during the PhD project

7. External collaboration • According to Ministerial Order, the PhD student must ‘participate in active research environments, including stays at other, mainly foreign, research institutions’ • The Doctoral School strongly suggests to stay a foreign research institution for at least 3 months • If this is not possible, other research collaboration of similar extent must be conducted • Conference and seminar participation is NOT external collaboration !!!

8. Financing budget • How are the running costs of you PhD study financed? • Here it is NOT the financing of your salary but of e.g. travel costs, laboratory costs, and etcetera which must be stated

9. List of references • List the references you referred to while writing the study plan • You have gone through much literature during the first couple of months. Here you show the core literature you up till now have found

11 month study plan • The 11 month study plan has the same structure as the 2 month plan • It is, however, more detailed than the 2 month plan • After 11 month you should have a clear overview over where you PhD study is leading • It is YOU who writes the 11 month plan

Time plan, milestones, deliverables • You shall now have a clear time plan covering all 3 years of the study • Milestones cover achievements rather clearly identified • Deliverables include a list of papers or other written work targeted at disseminating your work. The list includes: • Tentative title of the work • List of author of the work • Tentative outlet for work

Courses • The planning of which courses you need to attend is now completed. List courses stating • Place/Organized by • Number of ECTS covered by the course • Whether it is a general or a project course • If it is already completed • You need 30 ECTS and not more • The PhD courses can be AAU-courses or courses from other institutions worldwide

External collaboration • At this time you should have a clear concept of external collaboration • Which institution are you going to collaborate with? • How will this collaboration express itself? For example: • Duration of stay at the external partner • Publications on research conducted together with the external partner

Where to find information • http://www.phd.teknat.aau.dk/ • Click Practical information • Rules and regulations • PhD Courses • Forms and templates • Funding opportunities • Chronology of the PhD study

And now it is your turn again • What is a good supervisor and a good PhD student? • Put in a few bullets • the essence of what is a good supervisor • the essence of what is a good PhD student • Present it • You have as before 20 minutes to discuss

The groups are:

And now it’s your turn – an exercise: