Doctoral theses in our program

A doctoral thesis involves an original research project that must prepare the student to work autonomously in the field of research and development. In our program, the thesis officially begins with the acceptance of the research plan and may continue for the time described below. The thesis must be presented at the end of this period.

From an administrative point of view, the student must renew his or her enrolment on a yearly basis in the period established by the Secretary at the Faculty of Chemistry (the enrolment period usually lasts for a few weeks in September and October). Please note that there will only be one period for the renewal of enrolments, regardless of whether the student was admitted to the program in the autumn or spring semester. The non-renewal of matriculation may result in the student’s exclusion from the program.

In order for this enrolment to take place, the Advisory Committee must deliver a positive evaluation of the student’s research activities in the preceding period. In order to obtain a positive evaluation, the student must submit a report with the approval of his or her thesis supervisor, following a procedure that must be officially coordinated by the spokesperson of the Advisory Committee (for the corresponding form, see Documents and Valoració annual del Projecte de Tesi).

The program’s Academic Committee has established the minimum content for these reports based on the stage the thesis is at, on the understanding that the Advisory Committee may ask the student to submit and present all of the data it deems relevant. The minimum content recommended by the Academic Committee is as follows:

• First enrolment: Brief written summary (one or two sheets) of the research carried out.
• Second enrolment: Brief written summary (five sheets) and an oral presentation of the research carried out.
• Third enrolment: Brief written summary (five to ten sheets) and an oral presentation of the research carried out.
• Fourth enrolment: Oral presentation.

Duration of the doctoral thesis

In accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education (Royal Decree 99/2011, 28 January 2011), the maximum duration of a doctoral degree is three years on a full-time basis, from the student’s admission to the program until the presentation of the doctoral thesis.

If the three-year period expires before the student applies to deposit his or her thesis, the Academic Committee may authorize an extension of one year, and in exceptional circumstances, a further year. For the purposes of calculating this period, absences due to sickness, maternity leave or other reasons referred to in the current regulations do not apply.

Regarding the minimal duration of a Doctoral Thesis, the Doctoral Committee of the Faculty of Chemistry has decided that the Presentation of a Doctoral Thesis will be not accepted provided that it has not overcome three registrations (matrícula) or, which is equivalent, it has lasted more than two courses.

The Academic Committee may allow the student to carry out his or her doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the thesis may last for up to five years, extendable for two years, and in exceptional circumstances, a further year.

Meetings for the doctoral students of the program

It has become necessary to hold regular meetings between the Academic Committee and the doctoral students because of the continuous changes that the doctoral programs are undergoing. The purpose of these meetings is to respond to queries, communicate new initiatives and make suggestions about the way the program operates.

Independently of these meetings, students are encouraged to express their opinions on any aspect of the program to the Program Coordinator, Dr. Pedro Romea, or on broader matters, to the President of the Faculty Doctoral Studies Committee and Vice-Dean of the Faculty.

Incidents during the completion of the doctoral thesis

If the Advisory Committee considers that the research carried out by the student is unsatisfactory or that his or her training as a scientist does not meet the minimum requirements, it will submit a negative evaluation and suggest a series of actions to resolve the problems it has detected. The student will then have six months in which to make improvements and meet the requirements made. If the student does not make satisfactory improvements, the Academic Committee will examine the situation and, based on the reports received and those it considers necessary to request, may then exclude the student from the doctoral program.

If during the completion of the thesis, the student encounters professional or personal obstacles that hinder his or her progress in the research, the student should contact the Advisory Committee to provide a detailed explanation of these. It is the responsibility of the Advisory Committee to suggest a line of action and communicate it to the Academic Committee, which has the final word in any dispute that may arise.