Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence Manfred Nagl RWTH Aachen University, nagl@cs.rwth-aachen.de ECSS 2018, Chalmers U./ U. of Gothenburg, October 8, 2018
Motivation • Different structures for research universities: private elite university USA, collegiate university UK, grandes écoles F, Humboldt model, … • Different cultures in different disciplines preciseness: from math to art constructiveness: from liberal arts to engineering • Doctorates determine a big part of the scientific outcome > • Not too different in a discipline? • Investigation for Informatics Europe 2012 „What makes a good PhD?“ Looking for Informatics doctorates in Europe „How different?“ • Study/ conferences about doctorates in Engg. and Informatics in Germany/ Europe for 4ING, Acatech, TU9, conferences 2008, 2009 • Ombudsman for Doctoral Students in a Faculty of 120 professors 2 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Contents o The investigation and its simple method o Characterization of the process Formal parameters (duration,…) Organization of the doctoral process o Outcome: Dissertation and Ph.D.s’ profiles Thesis / publications / qualifications Profiles and the “Doctoral Environment” o Models Character of Informatics research (very short) Variety of Doctoral Models The Central European Model o Conclusions What is similar / different The essential difference comes from outside 3 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
The investigation and its simple method • Questionaire by JvL,UH,MN • Was sent to 2-5 colleagues p.c. • Experienced colleagues: their university and their country • 70 answers, ratio ≈ 80% • European countries covered • Evaluation • 2 folder • Excel sheet • Report after ECSS 2012 conf. 4 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (1) Formal parameters Duration 20 Age 16 18 14 • Duration 16 12 14 • Age 10 12 • Females ≈15%, from 5 to 40 10 8 8 6 • Foreigners ≈20%, from 0 to 70 6 4 • How many go for PhD? ≈15%, from 5 to 30 4 2 2 0 0 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 36 3 3,5 4 4,5 5 5,5 6 9 5 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (2) Organization of the doctoral process Working Entrance Finalisation Recrui Defen ting ce All these steps can be more or less formalized PhD title in Entrance level different names Ma + language or Ba+Ma courses 6 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (2) Organization of the doctoral process Working Entrance Finalisation Recr Defen uiting ce How to get new students? Who is hiring? Is this done regularly or at a few dates? How much competion? Multilevel selection Formal exam? Mostly own students 7 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (2) Organization of the doctoral process Working Entrance Finalisation Getting Recrui Defen ting started ce Lectures/seminars: general/specific (10-90 ECTS) Reading literature First idea after 1 year Go NoGo Decision Transfer/ Upgrade in UK 8 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (2) Organization of the doctoral process Working Entrance Finalisation On solid Recrui Defen ting ground ce After 2 or 3 years Topic of thesis clear Outline of how to approach Might include approval Candidate Licentiate in Sweden 9 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (2) Organization of the doctoral process Working Entrance Finalisation Recrui Defen Getting done ting ce Doing research Working out thesis 10 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process and its results (2) Organization of the doctoral process Working Entrance Finalisation Defe Recrui ting nce After thesis submission Reference organisation In 1 or 2 steps Reviewers or opponents Formal decision (on predefence) Defence/exam: talk, discussion, questions from 1 to 6 hours Passed/failed or up to n grades Afterwards approvement/ certification 11 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (3) Doctoral process: General aspects Working Entrance Finalisation Recrui Defen ting ce process PhD plan execution monitoring Res./teaching/further topics dev. in group Approved by comm. Formally accepted Incl. budget 12 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Characterization of the process (2) Doctoral process: General aspects Working Entrance Finalisation Recrui Defen ting ce process person/institution handling milestones drop-out most active supervision evaluation/reporting quote 13 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Outcome (1) Dissertation, publications, qualifications Formal Length Language Publication Format Profession Public. #Public. Authors Degree al before Doctorate PhD ≈200pp. ≈70% Internal rep Mostly mo- Not one Social must ≈5-10 Mostly Dr. (50-400) English book nograph Conf./jour- group Some Some Dr. Sci. (CS) (0-100) ISBN nal papers papers saying not require Dr. tech. Dramatic ePubl. Cummula- in our dept. minimum Nearly all in Dr. rer.nat. change very often tive thesis or some English Dr. Ing. (or 80% Only an other univ Dr. Eng.Sc. has to be abstract is D Phil. publ.) published Dottore di Ricerca (or with Cand. Sci. score in Sci D cit.) Tekn D 14 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Outcome (2) Candidates‘ Profiles and Environments Formal Research/ Scientific Indepen- International Competen- Career Relevance position other duties achieve- dence experience ces perspectives for industry ments / soft skills Students/ Research Study Student be- Conferences Scientific Only acade- Industry not employees of plus some Compare ing guided Visiting/ stay- competences mic position interested which sort duty Create ideas for indepen- ing in other And others Industry Relevance Present dence groups Salary in (research +) increases Discuss Now industry relation to Administra- Young scien- Defend as nothing Industry Ma salary tion, mana- tists develo- else is avail- appreciates gement Soft skills ping able (but impor- depend on tance de- the project, creases) esp. on the employee status 15 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Models (1) Character of Informatics Research Theory/Pr Appl Core Inf./Appl. Appl. and Depth/Breadth methods ≈ 30:70 ≈ 60% core Engg. ≈ 40:60? BA or or Bio/Neuro/Med/ Some depth LifeSci. variety variety Nat.Sci. required 16 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Models (2) Variety of Models Classification Dimensions: Handling of the process, Curriculum, Status, Role of supervisor, Responsibility, Financial support, Dissertation Format, Reviewer / Opponent Examination Form, Title, Grades Three Models and many in between: Anglo-American Model Central European Model 1North European Model 17 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Models (3) The Central European Model Coacher Leader Select. 20% Group of Dissert. Ph.D. students 85% Master Project candidate in the samefield 60% third Full payment party money Eng./Inf. Doctorate 85% go to Other Industry Future Projects Quali- Career Payment as … fication 45% have a Patents lead. pos. Clear Career Sci. perspective Rel. to Comp./ research Sci. Qual. Transfer Soft Scills Getting Money/ presentation Money cons. Hard Time Discuss. Org. Teaching Nevertheless Satisfied Group..Fac. Admin. Publ./ Mon. 18 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Conclusions (1) What is similar / different? • Similar : Process/ cand.: age, duration, structure, how many for a PhD, drop-out rate, females, foreigners Thesis: length, English, publications, monograph • Difference of formals : details vary and their degree of formality • Main differences come from the environment Appl. , …, theory Role, importance, estimation not from the scientific process/ product . 19 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
Conclusions (2) Is there a necessity for coherence / unification? • Essence of talk : Dissertation) in Informatics devoted to ambitious research, is precise and more or less constructive Process is fair to the candidate, supervisor cares about progress of the candidate‘s research Faculty giving the framework for process and controls, following good academic practice • Nevertheless there are differences in accademic habits and role of Ph.D.s in society Europe is colourful. Does that upset anybody? Do we want to learn from each other? 20 Informatics Doctorate in Europe: Models and Equivalence October 8, ECSS 2018
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