FKKT

Basic data on the programme

The doctoral programme in Chemical sciences lasts four years (8 semesters) with the total of 240 ECTS credit points.
There are three streams: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Academic title conferred is doktor/doktorica znanosti (female holders).
 

The principle objectives of doctoral programme in Chemical Sciences is to qualify professionals seeking employment in research-oriented institutions, assuming leader positions, in chemical and chemistry-related industries as well as public services, or for continuing their research careers in academic environment.

After completing the programme, graduates will acquire the following competencies and skills:

• being able to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesize complex ideas;
• communicate expert knowledge to colleagues, other expert groups, and to the broader public;
• being able to promote advancements in science and technology at the academic and applicative level in a knowledge-based society.

Doctoral study is carried out as a part-time study.

Admission requirements:
1. Admission to doctoral studies in Chemical Sciences is allowed under the following provisions:
a)  Second cycle study programme;
b) Study programmes providing education for occupations regulated by Directives of the European Union, evaluated with at least 300 credits;
c)  undergraduate university programme from the previous system
d) master's programme from the previous system (60 credit points will be assigned for study obligations, pending on the approval of the FKKT Senate, or another appointed body);
e) Completed specialization with previous completion of a three-year higher professional programme. The candidate may be required to take a bridging programme in the total of 10 to 60 credit points, pending on the decision of the  UL FKKT Senate or another appointed body.
f) Completed study programme from other domestic or foreign universities, according to the requirements which apply to students studying in Slovenia. The equivalence of previously obtained education abroad must be officially recognised according to the provisions of Art. 121 of the Statute of the University of Ljubljana.
Mentor's agreement is required for admisssion to the programme.

Selection of candidates will be based on the following criteria:

• grade-point average for all exams and exercises completed (without diploma) on previous university studies or second-cycle Bologna programme  (75%).
• grade obtained for diploma or master thesis from the second-cycle university studies  (25%).

In case of limited access candidates will be ranked by the principle of total points collected.

Knowledge and skills, previously acquired by formal, informal or experiential learning will be assessed according to the provisions of Art. 9 of the Criteria for accreditation of study programmes in case the enrolment quota is exceeded. Recognition of previously acquired knowledge and skills must be approved by the FKKT Senate or another appointed body.

The following criteria will be taken into account:

• professional specialisation,
• diploma from another higher education institution,
• previous research work,
• scientific publications, and
• professional training.

For progression to the second year of studies the candidate must collect minimum 45 credit points, with 5 credit points obtained from obligatory subject, at least 5 credit points obtained from elective subjects, and a positive grade for the presentation of research hypothesis for doctoral dissertation.

For progression to the third year of doctoral studies, the candidate should complete all the requirements from organised forms of study in the first and the second year, and have the title of doctoral thesis approved at least by the UL FKKT Senate.

For progression to the fourth year of doctoral studies, the candidate should complete all the requirements from organised forms of study in the all previous years, and have the title of doctoral thesis approved by the UL Senate.

The doctoral study programme is completed after the candidate has fulfilled all obligations from the study programme and submitted and successfully defended his/her doctoral dissertation according to the Rules on Doctoral Dissertations, adopted by the UL FKKT Senate. Prior to the approval of the thesis by the Senate, the candidate must publish the research results from his/her doctoral work in a relevant international scientific journal.

Transition means termination of studies in another programme and continuing studies in the doctoral programme of Chemical Sciences. Transition does not apply to enrolments in the first year. Transitions are approved according to the provisions of the Statute of University of Ljubljana and Criteria for Transitions Between Programmes adopted by the Senate of FCCT, or by another officially body appointed by the Senate.

Methods of knowledge assessment are defined in course descriptions of particular subjects. The assessment procedures are laid down by the Rules on Examinations of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology which have been adopted by the Senate of FCCT.
The grading scale, as laid down by the Statute of the University of Ljubljana, will be used for knowledge assessment.

The doctoral programme in Chemical sciences lasts four years with the total of 240 ECTS credit points. The programme complies with the provisions of Art. 36 and 37 of the Higher Education Act, and the Criteria for accreditation of higher education institutions and study programmes, which was adopted by the Council of RS for Higher Education. Course units have been weighted according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) which provides for the recognition of studies abroad and exchange of students within the countries which have adopted the ECTS system.
One credit point is equal to 30 hours of student workload.
The study stream and the area of the doctoral thesis are determined by the subject of the student’s research work, which also determines the selection of elective subjects and the content of other forms of study.
The study programme consists of various organised study units with the total of 60 credit points, while the remaining 180 credit points can be achieved by individual research work and doctoral dissertation. Allocation of credit points by years is the following:

• 1st year: 40 credit points obtained from organised forms of study and 20 credit points from research work;
• 2nd year: 15 credit points obtained from organised forms of study and 45 credit points from research work;
• 3rd year: 60 credit points from research work and
• 4th year: 5 credit points obtained from organised forms of study and 55 credit points from research work.

• Public presentation of the research hypothesis of the doctoral thesis (5 credit points) which must be completed before the enrolment in the second year;
• Approval of the title of doctoral dissertation, (5 credit points). The title must be approved prior to the enrolment in the 3rd year;
• Writing and defending the doctoral thesis, (5 credit points);
• Mandatory participation at lectures with invited speakers: the candidate must attend ten organised lectures per year. The topics are thematically balanced and selected to complement the research areas of students, taking into consideration the level of demand which should be suited to all three areas of study, and active student participation (setting questions and participating in discussions). For five lectures out of ten (the selection being approved by the mentor), first and second year students will need to prepare a report about the lectures attended and supplement the report with relevant literature review, and relate the topic to their own research. The reports will be reviewed and approved by the mentor. Participation at 10 lectures and preparation of 5 reports in academic year (in the first and the second years of study) will be assigned with 10 credit points per year (total 20 credit points for two years for active participation at lectures and 10 credit points for preparing reports with literature review). In this way students will be updated with recent developments in various research fields, and by preparing the report broaden their knowledge by reflecting the problems to their own field of research; 
• Induction seminar: (5 credit points). The seminar will be organised within the mentor's research group. The purpose of the seminar is to introduce students to complex experimental work, provide the necessary theoretical backgrounds and implement methods of characterisation on their own samples, as well as introducing other activities necessary for starting up doctoral research;
• Professional training (max. 5 credit points) for work in another research team (5 credit points equal to one month of work). This may also include theoretical studies of research methods and techniques according to individually designed programme, and/or participation at summer schools (number of credit points as determined by the school) and/or pedagogical work (number credit points corresponding the scope of pedagogical work);
• Obligatory subject Academic writing, 5 credit points;
• Elective subjects, as listed below.
   

The programme offers 24 elective modules, each accounting for 5 credit points. In addition to this the candidate may, upon agreement with the mentor, take other electives for 5 credit points from other PhD programmes offered by of the University of Ljubljana and/or other universities from  home or abroad.Elective subjects offered by FKKT are listed below. They have been selected and designed in view of the latest scientific achievements in a particular area and adapted to the needs of students (also catering for the needs of other students taking electives at FKKT). Subjects are organised as modules with a large number of lecturers available who will be able to cater for any number of students enrolled. The principal lecturer responsible for preparing a uniform exam and the course director  will coordinate the work.

Possibilities of elective subjects and mobility

The proposed study programme provides mobility of students and teachers. Students will be able to take elective subjects in a foreign institution, while teachers will be exchanged as invited lecturers. There will be other possibilities of cooperation through research work: students will be able to carry out part of their research in foreign institutions.The procedure of recognition of credit points, acquired at other institutions, must be approved by the FKKT Senate or another appointed body.