Doctoral plan & Aptitude colloquium
Doctoral students write a doctoral plan within the first year of their doctorate. It should cover the following topics:
- research proposal
(abstract, introduction and current state of research in the field, progress of work to date and objectives, detailed work plan, timetable, references) - teaching responsibilities
- other duties (e.g. operation or maintenance of equipment etc.)
- extended doctoral studies (if relevant)
Please note that the doctoral plan has not the character of a legally binding agreement but is rather a declaration of intent between you and your doctoral thesis supervisor and should be conceived as a living instrument. Changes are possible and in many cases certainly necessary. Major changes should be documented in the annual status conversations.
This is a possible Download template for the doctoral plan (PDF, 602 KB) that can be used for orientation. Please check whether your department uses a specific template or has different requirements. If this is the case, follow the instructions of your department.
Important:
The doctoral plan forms the basis for the aptitude colloquium, which all doctoral students must complete within the first year of their doctorate. It must be submitted to the following persons and bodies for their information prior to completion of the aptitude colloquium:
- the supervisor of the doctoral thesis;
- the second advisor;
- the Doctoral Committee for the attention of the chairperson of the aptitude colloquium and any other members of this committee.
Once the aptitude colloquium has been passed, definitive admission to the doctorate is granted.
Within twelve months after provisional admission, doctoral students defend their doctoral plan in an aptitude colloquium. In doing so, they prove they can assess the relevance of their research area and place it in the current context of scientific research. Passing the aptitude colloquium is a condition for definitive admission to the doctorate.
The aptitude colloquium is conducted by the aptitude committee, which is composed as follows:
- the chairperson
(member of the doctoral committee or another person appointed by the doctoral committee) - the doctoral thesis supervisor
- the second advisor
The Doctoral Committee may appoint additional members to the aptitude committee (in individual cases or in general). These are also authorised to examine. Details can be found in every Department's Detailed Stipulations.
Please note the following:
- All doctoral students have to take their aptitude colloquium within their first year
(The deadline for taking the aptitude colloquium can be found in your admission letter. It can also be viewed in myStudies.) - The deadline for taking the aptitude colloquium must be strictly adhered to. Should you miss it, there is no possibility of a second attempt. The consequence would be dematriculation.
- If the aptitude colloquium cannot be completed within the first year, a Download request for extension of the deadline (PDF, 149 KB) must be submitted.
- Please note the Download Principles of the Vice Rector Doctorate for deadline extensions for the aptitude colloquium (PDF, 72 KB).
- The organisation of the aptitude colloquium is the doctoral students' own responsibility
- Contact the doctoral administration of your department to discuss the details of the organisation of the aptitude colloquium