Doctoral Plan and Aptitude Colloquium

Doctoral students have to write a doctoral plan within the first year of their doctorate. The plan has to cover the following topics:

• research proposal
• teaching responsibilities
• other duties
  
• extended doctoral studies (if relevant)

You must submit your doctoral plan electronically to your aptitude committee (incl. chair) and the at least 4 weeks before the date of your aptitude colloquium. Before submitting, you have to to share it with your supervisor and your second advisor. It is not required to have the signatures beforehand.

A template is provided by the D-BSSE and must be used, see Documents.
 

Within twelve months after provisional admission, doctoral students have to defend their doctoral plan in an aptitude colloquium. The aptitude committee examines the doctoral student’s suitability to independently conduct a research project and to write a doctoral thesis.

The aptitude colloquium consists of a 30-minute presentation by the doctoral student on the planned research project and a 30-minute oral examination.
The physical presence of the aptitude committee as well as of the candidate at the aptitude colloquium is not mandatory.

The aptitude committee consists at least of:

• Chair: a member of the doctoral committee or a full or associate professor of D-BSSE
• Doctoral thesis supervisor
  
• Second advisor(s)

If the aptitude colloquium is concluded with a “failed” result, it may be repeated once, provided that the doctoral thesis supervisor agrees. Any repetition must take place within three months of the first definitive result.

Did you know? You can view the deadline of your aptitude colloquium in your myStudies account.
 

The aptitude colloquium is very important for your doctoral studies. Passing the aptitude colloquium is a condition for definitive admission to the doctorate.

We will provide you with the best possible administrative support so that the aptitude colloquium can be held on time and in accordance with the regulations.

6 months before the deadline of your aptitude colloquium, you will receive a reminder email from us, telling you who will chair your aptitude colloquium, when it can take place, and provide further instructions.  

One thing you can prepare before the reminder email is the choice of your second advisor. If you do not have a second advisor yet, sit down with your thesis supervisor and decide who should take on this role. You can find more information about the second advisor on this website.

It also makes sense to start writing the doctoral plan before the reminder email. Remember, you must submit your doctoral plan at least 4 weeks before the date of your aptitude colloquium.