Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University

Transcription

1 Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University General Syllabus for Postgraduate Research Education in Odontology Register number: OD /252 Approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Odontology on 12 th September 2013 Replaces the Study Plane approved

2 1. Description of the subject and contents Odontology is a multidisciplinary subject where clinical issues connected to dental care are studied on the biological, individual and societal levels. At Malmö University, research in Odontology is conducted within the profile, Oral Health in close co-operation with medicine and other disciplines. The overall vision is that our research should improve the oral health of the population and improve the quality of dental care. Our research is based on issues arising within dental care and exchanges of information occur on a continual basis between care and research. Co-operation with society at large is central to the profile and our research is based on strong international associations. 2. General organization of the PhD research training programme The postgraduate research training programme is intended to advance knowledge and skills within the area of Oral health. Research education at the Faculty of Odontology is based on the student s individual research project, courses and other activities that generate educational credits. Students are currently accepted to postgraduate training in the subject of Odontology and are registered at one of the following departments: Cariology, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Odontological Technology, Oral Biology, Oral Diagnostics, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Prosthetics, Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Orthodontics, Periodontology with Oral Public Health or Pedodontics. The departmental organization may be subject to change. At least two supervisors will be appointed for each doctoral student, of which one is nominated as the principal supervisor. The principal supervisor should be a Professor or Associate Professor and under normal conditions should be employed by the Faculty of Odontology at Malmö University. The principal supervisor must have a qualification (or equivalent competence) in research supervision. Postgraduate training leading to a PhD examination is equivalent to four years of full-time study [240 higher education credits (ECTS)] while postgraduate training leading to a Licentiate examination is equivalent to two years of full-time study (120 ECTS). Research education can be undertaken in parallel to clinical or other duties but must be completed within eight years for a PhD qualification and four years for a Licentiate. Requirements for a Degree of Doctor in Dental Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science (240 ECTS) are: Successfully completed courses of at least 40 ECTS A thesis (doctoral dissertation) corresponding to 200ECTS, where the goals of the Doctoral qualification have been fulfilled. Requirements for a Degree of Licentiate in Dental Science or Licentiate of Philosophy in Dental Science (120 ECTS) are: Successfully completed courses of at least 20 ECTS. A scientific research paper corresponding to 100 ECTS where the goals of the Licentiate qualification have been fulfilled. Prior to admission, the prospective postgraduate student and his or her supervisors must collaborate in drawing up an individual study plan (ISP). The ISP should outline the undertakings made by the postgraduate student and the higher education institution and a timetable for the students study programme. The ISP should be reviewed annually by the student and supervisors and amended as necessary.

3 The compulsory and elective courses within the degree programme encompass subject and project specific courses as well as general ones. General theory and method courses (15-20 ECTS for a doctoral examination and 8-10 ECTS for a licentiate) For doctoral students at the Faculty of Odontology, the following general theory and method courses or their equivalent are mandatory: The search for academic information (3 ECTS) Science in Society (6 ECTS) Research Methodology (5 ECTS) Academic Publishing (3 ECTS) Presenting research for different groups (3 ECTS) Project specific courses (at least 12 ECTS for a doctoral examination and at least 8 ECTS for a licentiate) Postgraduate research courses in, for example, methods or theory courses Participation in seminars Subject specific courses (at most 8 ECTS for a doctoral examination and at most 4 ECTS for a licentiate) Participation at conferences Methods in the clinic or laboratory Literature studies Seminars The compulsory courses can be substituted with courses from other Universities if approved by the examiner. Doctoral students who have been accepted to e.g. National graduate schools where they participate in a structured education package can be exempted from the obligatory courses after approval by the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Research. The elective courses should be chosen by the student and the supervisor in collaboration with the examiner. The courses that each individual student is required to attend should be stated in the ISP. In the event of changes being made, the ISP should be revised. In the absence of mitigating circumstances, all courses must be passed before the thesis is defended. Courses which have been passed should be recorded in Ladok. For courses given by other Faculties or Universities, number of credits which can be counted by the student is decided by the examiner. The examiner for the course package within the degree programme must hold the position of either Professor or Associate Professor. A postgraduate student who, in addition to being eligible for the postgraduate research training programme, has successfully completed a degree at advanced level, or equivalent, can be credited for courses within the postgraduate research programme if the examiner, after review, assess that the previous degree can be accepted for accreditation. Accreditation must be reviewed by the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Education if a student requests it.

4 3. Goals of the postgraduate research training programme (Higher Education Ordinance Annex 3, 08/09) The overall goals of the postgraduate research training programme are to train scientists with advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge in areas relevant to Odontology and to prepare them to undertake research tasks independently. Doctor of Philosophy Knowledge and understanding To obtain a PhD degree, postgraduate students should have: - demonstrated broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a limited area of this field, and - demonstrated familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular. Knowledge and understanding Competence and Skills To obtain a PhD degree, postgraduate students should have: - demonstrated the capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations autonomously and critically - demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames and to review and evaluate such work. - demonstrated through a dissertation the ability to make a significant contribution to the formation of knowledge through his or her own research - demonstrated the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in general. - demonstrated the ability to identify his or her personal need for further knowledge, and - demonstrated the capacity to contribute to social development and support the learning of others both through research and education and in some other qualified professional capacity. Judgement and approach To obtain a PhD degree, postgraduate students should have: - demonstrated intellectual autonomy and disciplinary rectitude as well as the ability to make assessments of research ethics, and - demonstrated specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used. For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy the postgraduate student should also have been awarded a pass grade for a research thesis (doctoral thesis) of at least 200 credits. Licentiate Knowledge and understanding To obtain a Licentiate degree, postgraduate students should have: - demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the field of research, including current specialist knowledge in a limited area of this field, as well as specialized knowledge of research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular.

5 Competence and Skills To obtain a Licentiate degree, postgraduate students should have: - demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake a limited piece of research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames in order to contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as to evaluate this work. - demonstrated the ability in both national and international contexts to present and discuss research and research findings in speech and writing and in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, and - demonstrated the skills required to participate autonomously in research and development work and to work autonomously in some other qualified capacity. Judgement and approach To obtain a Licentiate degree, postgraduate students should have: - demonstrated the ability to make assessments of ethical aspects of his or her own research, - demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and - demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and assume responsibility for his or her on-going learning. For a Licentiate, the postgraduate student shall have been awarded a pass grade for a research thesis of at least 100 credits. 4. Entry requirements for postgraduate research training programmes General entry requirements for postgraduate research training programmes comprise one of the following: 1. Successful completion of an appropriate degree at advanced level 2. Completion of a course of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 must be at advanced level, or 3. The acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other manner, either in Sweden or abroad. Specific entry requirements are those that are absolutely necessary in order for the student to be able to undertake the education 1. Adequate knowledge of English. Those individuals who fulfilled the general and specific entry requirements for admission to postgraduate research training (listed below) before 1 July 2007, will be eligible for entry until 30/ (transitional provisions, SFS 2006:1053 p11): A general higher education of at least 120 credits or equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad. Specific entry requirements i.e. knowledge from general higher education or an equivalent education. Particular professional or vocational experience may also be required.

6 5. Selection and Basis for Admission A selection will be made from the interested applicants. The selection will be based on the qualifications of the applicant at the time of the application. The following aspects will be taken into account: the ability to benefit from the postgraduate training programme, the approach to research, research qualifications, the research programme and its relevance for the Faculty, access to supervisory support, results achieved within the relevant project and expected contributions as an active researcher after being awarded the qualification. Interviews should be used in the selection process. The equal opportunities aspect must always be observed and therefore, factors such as age, gender and ethnic background should not influence the decision on appointment. More information about admissions can be found at The Faculty aims to admit groups of postgraduate students twice annually following the advertisement of places. Successful candidates are admitted to a four-year programme of full-time studies that culminates in a Degree of Doctor in Dental Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science. A Licentiate examination following two years of study is a possible intermediate stage. If there are special reasons, candidates may be admitted to a two-year programme of full-time studies, which is concluded with a Degree of Licentiate in Dental Science or a Licentiate of Philosophy in Dental Science. Individuals who are admitted to Licentiate studies must go through a new admissions procedure in order to continue to the PhD level. In general, only applicants who are employed as doctoral students are accepted to postgraduate education. However, applicants who have an alternative form of funding may be admitted if Malmö University judges that this can be secured throughout the entire course of education. Applicants should be able to devote such a large part of their time to their education that it can be completed within eight years (for a Doctor of Odontology) and four years (for a Licentiate). A guarantee of support to cover their entire period of study should be attached to the application. For more information regarding the policy for postgraduate education at Malmö University, please go to: p%c3%a5%20forskarniv%c3%a5_beslut.pdf 6. Examination and monitoring of progression Courses: All postgraduate students must complete a course package of at least 40 ECTS for PhD studies and 20ECTS for a Licentiate. Postgraduate courses should be examined orally or in writing. Dissertation/Scientific Paper: The postgraduate student must write an academic dissertation (PhD) or a research paper (Licentiate). In the dissertation/thesis, the postdoctoral student should summarise their research work and explain their selected research tasks in an autonomous and scientifically satisfactory way. The dissertation/thesis may be written as a compilation consisting of articles previously published by the student, with an abstract in English and a Swedish education and outreach summary. For a dissertation (PhD), a minimum of four original articles is required of which at least two must have been accepted for publication in a scientific journal with peer-review. For a licentiate degree two articles, of which a minimum of one should have been accepted for publication, is required. Alternatively, the dissertation/thesis can be formulated as a single, coherent scholarly essay (monograph). If the work has been performed as part of a team, the contributions of the postgraduate student must be clearly distinguishable in the dissertation/thesis. The doctoral thesis shall be presented and defended orally at a public hearing with an opponent. The opponent must have a PhD. The thesis is graded as a pass or fail. An examination board comprising three members, of whom at least two are Associate professor or professor, is

7 responsible for the grading the thesis. At least one of those participating in the grading of a doctoral thesis shall be someone who does not have a post at the higher education institution awarding the degree. The opponent and examination board are appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Odontology. The thesis must be available for inspection at least three term-time weeks during before the defence. The licentiate paper shall be presented and defended orally at a public seiminar. The thesis is graded as a pass or fail. A faculty board comprising three members, of whom at least two are Associate professor or professor, are responsible for the grading the thesis. At least one of those participating in the grading of a licentiate thesis shall be someone who does not have a post at the higher education institution awarding the degree. The examination board is appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Odontology. The paper must be available for inspection at least three term-time weeks during before the seminar. The postgraduate student must give an official half-time seminar when approximately half the work for a dissertation is deemed to have been completed. The aim of this is for the student to demonstrate his or her ability to present and discuss research in a qualified manner. A minimum of one examiner with a Ph.D and knowledge of the subject is appointed by the main supervisor. Theses defences and seminars must be held during term-time but exemptions can be made if special circumstances exist if approved by the Dean. 7. Examination requirements and degree titles Postgraduate research training leads to a Doctor of Odontology or Licentiate. A postgraduate student also has the right, but not the obligation, to take a Licentiate qualification as a stage in the PhD training, instead of holding a half-time seminar. The Vice Chancellor has agreed on the following degree titles (Dnr: Mahr 69-06/521): Odontologie licentiat examen i odontologi (Odont. lic.) Degree of Licentiate in Dental Science Odontologie doktor examen i odontologi (Odont. dr.) Degree of Doctor in Dental Science After review by the Dean, the following degree titles can also be awarded to postgraduate students whose general entry qualifications do not include a dental science degree. Filosofie licentiat i odontologisk vetenskap (lic. Odont. Vet.) Licentiate of Philosophy in Dental Science Filosofie doktor i odontologisk vetenskap (dr. Odont. Vet.) Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science Medicine doktor i odontologisk vetenskap (dr. Odont. Vet.) Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science Teknologie doktor i odontologisk vetenskap (dr. Odont. Vet.) Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science 8. Other Postgraduate students with doctoral studentships participate in undergraduate education through teaching, development of laboratory experiments, course materials, etc. as well as participating in and

8 actively supervising specialised studies at both candidate and master levels. Supervision of specialised studies at the master level should only be undertaken after the completion of the half-time seminar. The extent of this work may at most comprise 20% of the postgraduate student s total working hours. Work in undergraduate education should be reported in the ISP. Postgraduate students may apply for compensation in the form of a supplement to their period of appointment up to the actual period of study of four years (PhD) or two years (Licentiate). In accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, postgraduate students who participate in undergraduate education must have completed an introductory course in Teaching and learning in higher education or have acquired equivalent knowledge in another manner.