PhD in Chemical Sciences University of Ljubljana

The doctoral program in Chemical Sciences offers three streams:

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering

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

Information on the research work of the faculty is published on our website.

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 program consists of various organized study units with a 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 organized forms of study and 20 credit points from research work;
• 2nd year: 15 credit points obtained from organized 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 organized forms of study and 55 credit points from research work.

Organized forms of study are:

• 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 the doctoral dissertation at least by the UL FKKT Senate, (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 organized 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 is approved by the mentor), first and second-year students will need to prepare a report about the lectures attended and supplement the report with a 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 an academic year (in the first and the second years of study) will be assigned with 10 credit points per year (a total of 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 to broaden their knowledge by reflecting the problems to their own field of research;
• Induction seminar: (5 credit points). The seminar will be organized 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 characterization on their own samples, as well as introduce other activities necessary for starting up doctoral research;
• Professional training (maximum 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 programs, and/or participation at summer schools (number of credit points as determined by the school) and/or pedagogical work (number of credit points corresponding to the scope of pedagogical work);
• Obligatory subject Academic writing, 5 credit points;
• Elective subjects.

The structure of the program with credit points:

1st year

1. Academic writing, 5 ECTS
2. Induction seminar, 5 ECTS
3. Mandatory participation at organized invited lectures, 10 ECTS
4. Professional training, 5 ECTS
5. Presentation of research hypothesis of the doctoral thesis, 5 ECTS
6. Elective subject 1, 5 ECTS
7. Elective subject 2, 5 ECTS
8. Research work, 20 ECTS

2nd Year

1. Mandatory participation at organized invited lectures, 10 ECTS
2. Approval for the topic of the doctoral dissertation, 5 ECTS
3. Research work, 45 ECTS

3rd Year

1. Research work, 60 ECTS

4th Year

1. Research work, 55 ECTS
2. Defense of the doctoral dissertation, 5 ECTS

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

• Being able to critically analyze, 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.