PhD Programme

Doctoral students must complete the two complementary cycles of the doctoral training programme, namely:

  1. Advanced Training Programme (PPA, 30 ECTS), carried out during the first 5 months after enrolment and consisting of three general subjects and two speciality subjects, as follows:

    a. General subjects (14 ECTS): these are organised at IOSUD – UNSTPB level and aim to train doctoral students in scientific research: Ethics and Academic Integrity: Research Ethics and the Social Responsibility of Knowledge (6 ECTS), Research Methodology and Scientific Authorship (4 ECTS), and Project Management (4 ECTS).

    b. Speciality subjects (16 ECTS):

    • Their curriculum is prepared by the doctoral supervisor and endorsed by the Doctoral School Council.
    • They are either subjects based on individual study coordinated by the doctoral supervisor, or courses organised by SD-ETTI or by other doctoral schools in Romania and abroad.
    • The evaluation of doctoral students is quantified through the grades “Very good”, “Good” or “Satisfactory”, which are recorded in a catalogue sheet. A subject is considered passed and the student is declared Admitted if they obtain one of the grades “Very good” or “Good”.
    • Credits obtained through previous doctoral stages or scientific research stages carried out in Romania or abroad, in universities or prestigious research and development units, may be recognised as equivalent at the proposal of the doctoral supervisor and with the approval of the Doctoral School Council.

    c. After completing the Advanced Training Programme, the doctoral student may request a graduation certificate stating the grade obtained.

  2. Scientific Research Programme (PCS, 210 ECTS), with a minimum duration of 42 months, has as its main objective the preparation of the doctoral thesis and the development of professional and transversal competences:

    a. The research activities may be included by the doctoral supervisor in national or international research and development contracts, within IOSUD – UNSTPB or externally, from both the academic and industrial environments.

    b. The research activity is evaluated through the preparation and defence of seven research reports:

    • Report 1 (30 ECTS): one report during the first year, 4 months after completion of the PPA. It is recommended that the report include the targeted research directions, the state of knowledge in the field, the methodology and the targeted research plan.
    • Reports 2, 3, 4 and 5 (120 ECTS): one report up to 10 months after completion of the PPA, the next report up to 16 months after completion of the PPA, the next report up to 22 months after completion of the PPA, and respectively the next report up to 28 months after completion of the PPA. These may be future chapters of the doctoral thesis and/or parts of scientific research reports for national or international projects in which the doctoral student is directly involved, or articles published or submitted for publication where the doctoral student is the main author.
    • Report 6 (30 ECTS), report up to 32 months after completion of the PPA, is recommended to contain conclusions/results obtained up to that date.
    • Report 7 (30 ECTS) is the completed thesis.

    c. The research reports are presented before the doctoral supervisor and the members of the Advisory Committee.

    d. Their presentation may be public. The doctoral student obtains one of the grades “Very good”, “Good”, “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory”, which are recorded in catalogue sheets. A report is considered Admitted if the doctoral student obtains one of the grades “Very good”, “Good” or “Satisfactory”.