Dissertations
Dissertations are the academic papers written as part of a doctoral program. Through them, the student demonstrates that they are able to deal with scientific issues independently.
Depending on the subject, a dissertation either deals with a topic theoretically or describes and interprets empirical/experimental findings. As a rule, the dissertation must contain new findings on the chosen subject and be methodologically sound. There are no general regulations at the University of Vienna regarding the amount of text in a dissertation. More detailed regulations on the supervision and assessment of dissertations are laid down in the statutes.
Supervision
The following are authorized to supervise and assess dissertations
- University professors
- Habilitated employees
- Associate university professors
- Assistant professors according to the collective agreement of the University of Vienna
- Research assistants with a doctorate: Authorization to supervise dissertations that have been acquired in direct competition with other scientists with the involvement of an international review and whose purpose is to build up a group of young scientists by the research assistant (excellence funding from the European Research Council, START and Wittgenstein Prize, "Junior Group Leader" from the Vienna Science and Technology Fund)
- Scientific staff of the
- GMI - Gregor Mendel Institute for Molecular Plant Biology
- IMBA - Institute for Molecular Biotechnology
- CeMM - Research Center for Molecular Medicine
- IMP - Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
- After consultation with the subject representatives, persons with a teaching license or equivalent qualification at a recognized domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution or an institution of equal status to universities may also be called upon for supervision/assessment.
The basis for the approval of the doctoral candidate's dissertation topic is the exposé, which contains the key points of the dissertation project including a work plan and is presented as part of the public presentation at the faculty. The exposé and the presentation of the project during the public presentation should be submitted by the end of the first year of the doctoral program at the latest.
The Director of Studies decides on the approval of the dissertation project and supervision on the basis of the exposé, its public presentation and any written statement from the Doctoral Advisory Board.
Mandatory annual progress reports summarize the results and achievements of the previous year and specify the next steps for the coming year. The dissertation agreement and the progress reports must be submitted by the doctoral students to the respective SSC.
Co-supervision
If the topic of a dissertation and the supervision have been approved, the supervisor may propose to the member of the management team of the faculty or center responsible for teaching that the dissertation be co-supervised by an employee with a doctorate who has obtained third-party funding for the student's employment to work on the topic, including an international review (from the Fund for the Promotion of Scientific Research or the European Commission).
The staff member, the student and the supervisor define the basis of the collaboration and review the progress of the dissertation at regular intervals. The Vice Dean for Teaching can inform him/herself about the progress and revoke the co-supervision for important reasons.
Assessment
After submission, doctoral theses are assigned at least two assessors, who are different from the supervisor, by the head of studies in agreement with the head of the study program. Doctoral students can submit a proposal for three possible assessors together with their supervisors. At the request of the doctoral candidate, the relevant doctoral advisory board can also make suggestions.
Using a supervisor as an assessor is possible in justified individual cases in exceptional cases. In this case, an assessment by a suitably qualified external person must also be provided for.
Each supervisor is entitled to submit a statement on the thesis within a maximum of four months, which must be brought to the attention of the assessors. If two assessors have been consulted and one of them assesses the dissertation negatively, the Studienpräses must consult another assessor.
[Video in German:] Info-Video zur Betreuung und Mitbetreuung von wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten
Doctoral Center
The Doctoral Center offers all doctoral candidates a wide range of support services (advice, events, etc.), including an extensive range of courses to acquire key skills. The spectrum of courses ranges from workshops on writing an exposé to academic writing and project management.