Introduction to PhD studies at TVM, TVM0023

COURSE SYLLABUS, third-cycle courses

ECTS: 4.0

Course Code: TVM0023

Educational level: Third-cycle course

Entry requirements: Admitted to PhD studies at TVM

About the course

The Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics at LTU offers all postgraduate students an introductory course covering many essential aspects of their education at the beginning of their studies. The course is provided in collaboration with the university’s Human Resources Department and is integrated with the biannual introduction for employees, which they oversee.

Postgraduate students may be enrolled at the department or hold a doctoral position for four to five years, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (HF), which also governs the national learning objectives for postgraduate studies. Additionally, the university has its own governing documents for postgraduate education, such as a handbook for doctoral-level education, developed by the faculty boards. Each doctoral student also has an individual study plan, where learning objectives are established and reviewed twice a year.

The introductory course at TVM is a mandatory requirement for postgraduate students, particularly for those holding a doctoral position at the department. The course is designed and delivered collaboratively by representatives from various research disciplines within the department and is coordinated by the Director for PhD Studies (UL-F). The course comprises 4 higher education credits (ECTS), equivalent to approximately 4 weeks of work.

At the university, department, and research subject level, there are specialized postgraduate courses available for doctoral students, covering topics such as academic publishing, scientific writing, and research methodology.

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to inform all research students at the department about the applicable rules and guidelines and to prepare them for doctoral studies. By doing so, the course aims to enhance the quality of education and, consequently, increase the success rate of doctoral students.

Upon completion of the course, students should:

• Be familiar with the regulations and rights related to postgraduate education.
• Be able to formulate research questions effectively.
• Be capable of designing their Individual Study Plan (ISP), including a research plan.
• Be able to identify and mitigate research-related risks.
• Understand publication strategies and be able to build a publication list.
• Understand how research findings can be communicated to the public and utilized by industry and society.
• Be able to apply different research methodologies.
• Understand and adhere to ethical principles in research and publication.
• Be prepared to plan for their career after completing PhD studies.
• Understand the importance of gender and equality perspectives in research.
• Establish a professional network within the department.

Course content

The introductory course is structured as a series of independent course modules that can be delivered separately. Each module is led by a responsible instructor from a research discipline and is assessed individually by them. The course study guide outlines specific learning objectives for each module, which are developed by the responsible instructor in collaboration with the Director for PhD Studies (UL-F).

• Introduction
  • Human Resources and/or UL-F and Head of Department
  • About the academic environment
• About the ISP: importance and usage
• Gender and equality: Part of the present course TVM0023 is to take FOR050F – Gender and Equality 2.0 credits (ECTS)
• Research Ethics
• Life as a PhD student
• Rights and obligations as a PhD student
• Publication Process and Strategy
• Funding – an important part of the academic career
• Presentation techniques
• Career Planning

Examination

Each course module is assessed by the responsible instructor or, alternatively, by the Director for PhD Studies (UL-F). The 4 higher education credits for postgraduate students are reported upon course completion by the main supervisor of each student or, alternatively, by the course examiner.

Grading scale: Pass/Fail.

Course literature: Material and handouts available in the course canvas room.

Education cycle: Running cycle (annual wheel)

Course is given periodically: Yes (every year).

Send application to: Prof. Lars-Göran Westerberg (Director for PhD studies), lgwe@ltu.se. Doctoral student enter name, civic registration number, e-mail, Division and Department in the application.

Deadline for application

Ongoing application. PhD students register for the course by contacting UL-F.

Course open for application by doctoral students admitted to other universities than LTU: No

Limited number of students: 60

Tuition

No tuition fee.

Other

To pass TVM0023 the course FOR050F Gender and equality 2.0 ECTS must have been completed and reported in Ladok.

Contact person: UL-F, Prof. Lars-Göran Westerberg, Director for PhD studies, e-mail: lgwe@ltu.se, phone: +46 920 491268.

Examiner: Professor Lars-Göran Westerberg

Course syllabus decided by: Margareta Ring Groth, Head of Department

Date of decision: 2025-03-07