phd ulm university

Sample Years Three – Four

Dissertation

Forming dissertation committee.

After completing the comprehensive exam and advancing to candidacy, the student must form a dissertation committee, in accordance with the Rackham Graduate School’s  “Guidelines for Dissertation Committee Service.”

The Dissertation Committee should be formed prior to defending the dissertation proposal, which should be formed several months before the student expects to defend their proposal URP. When prepared to do so, the student should send the Director of Doctoral Studies and Lisa Hauser the completed “Dissertation Committee Worksheet for Students to submit to Program”, which can be obtained from the link above. The Director of Doctoral Studies and Lisa Hauser will then submit the formal request to the Rackham Graduate School.

Dissertation Proposal

Dissertation proposals can be defended anytime after taking the Comprehensive Exam, but no later than the end of the fifth semester (i.e. December). It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the proposal defense attended by the dissertation committee.

The student must notify Lisa Hauser by email of the proposal defense date at least three weeks prior to the meeting, including the location of the defense meeting, a title, and an abstract. After gaining approval from the dissertation committee, the dissertation chair must send an email to the Director of Doctoral Studies that includes (a) the date of the proposal defense, (b) a list of all committee members present at the defense, (c) a title of the proposal, (d) an abstract of the proposal (250 – 350 words), and (e) a copy of the final dissertation proposal to be filed with URP records. Receipt of the email from the dissertation chair will constitute formal approval of the proposal by the committee and readiness to proceed with dissertation work.

Dissertation Process

The dissertation is prepared in accordance with the  Rackham Graduate School’s Doctoral Dissertation Requirements , and as outlined in the URP Ph.D. Program Overview Schedule and Policies document.

The student is responsible for several steps: (a) scheduling and reserving rooms (and/or a Zoom link if virtual or hybrid) for the URP pre-defense hearing (which ordinarily should occur at least six weeks and no less than three weeks prior to the dissertation defense) and the defense meeting, both in a timely manner; (b) notifying Lisa Hauser by email of the defense date at least three weeks prior to the meeting, including the location of the defense meeting, (and Zoom link, if relevant), a title, and an abstract; (c) providing a complete dissertation draft, including an abstract and bibliography, to committee members at least two weeks (longer is advised) before the defense date; and (d) registering for an eight-hour candidacy enrollment (995 Dissertation Research) for the term in which the defense is held.

A dissertation defense typically consists of two parts: the first is a formal, public presentation of the dissertation research, followed by questions and answers from both the dissertation committee and the audience. Defenses are advertised and open to the public, and other students and faculty are frequently in attendance. The second part is a closed session for the candidate and the dissertation committee. During the defense, the student may be asked to reconsider certain aspects of the work and to make changes or corrections in the dissertation. At the end of the session, the chair will discuss the oral defense with other members of the committee and inform the student of the outcome. The duration of a defense can vary, but the candidate should reserve the room for a three-hour period.

Formal approval of the dissertation (e.g., formatting of the final document) and applying for graduation are governed by the Rackham Graduate School.

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Admission Steps

Higher education - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2025-2026 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

Priority deadline: December 2, 2024

Final submission deadline: June 16, 2025

International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

Masters degree: This program requires a masters degree as well as the baccalaureate.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

Other Required Materials

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Personal statement instructions.

The Higher Education Department understands equity, diversity, and social justice as essential and fundamental concerns in the study, practice, and leadership of post-secondary education.  Please provide a personal statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages, double-spaced).  Include in your statement: (1) Research interests and professional objectives in the study of higher education. (2) Any personal, educational, and employment experiences that have shaped your research and professional interests in the study of higher education. (3) Expectations for how the PhD in Higher Education at the University of Denver specifically will support your research interests and professional objectives.  Note: if there is a specific faculty member with whom you would like to work, based on your research interests, please mention and discuss in this statement.

Diversity Statement Instructions

Please provide a statement of equity, diversity, and social justice (1-2 pages, double-spaced). Include in your statement: (1) Your thoughts on the roles and opportunities for equity, diversity, and social justice in postsecondary institutions and/or higher education policy. (2) Any personal, academic, and/or professional experiences that have shaped your understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, and social justice in higher education.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Additional requirements for this program:

Virtual interview may be required.

Start the Application

Online Application

Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

We accept new students in spring and fall of each year. 

The formal admission requirements are these:

A Master of Science degree (or equivalent) in either the life sciences, physics, chemistry, informatics or a related field.

An overall grade of 2.0 or better according to the German grading system.

Already a PhD position at Ulm University or the Ulm University Medical Center .

More detailed information you find here .

Scientific excellence depends on excellently trained young researchers. The training of such researchers is the key task of the  International PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine . Our major aims in this respect are: • cutting-edge research training of young scientists • scientific independence and self-responsibility of PhD students • improvement of employability through training in key competences.

Each doctoral student is supervised by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of three members: the group leader of the laboratory where the thesis work is performed; a scientist from another institute of Ulm University; and an external reviewer either from industry or from a research institute. Within each TAC, scientists from different disciplines are involved to ensure interdisciplinary training and mentoring in research. The TAC supervises PhD students in their daily laboratory work, monitors the progress of their work and evaluates oral examinations as well as the written dissertation. This multiple supervision approach supports the independence of our PhD students as young researchers. The International PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine is taught entirely in English. During the three or maximal four year period of studies, students must take part in a number of  compulsory activities . Central teaching activities include the lecture  Improve your Textbook Knowledge  as well as a  Journal Club  and the biweekly seminar  Progress Report . The lecture  Improve your Textbook Knowledge  allows graduates from different disciplines to refresh the basic knowledge needed to perform research in molecular medicine independently of their scientific background. In the seminar  Progress Report , students are trained to communicate and present their own research data to their fellow students and to place it in a broader international context. Furthermore, graduates must attend a series of 30 lectures a year presented by external speakers. Another important compulsory course is the seminar  Good Scientific Practice  which takes place at the beginning of practical work. In addition to curricular seminars and lectures, we offer our PhD students a large variety of  optional activities . As one of our aims is to give students insights into the work of industrial employers, we organize excursions to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Summer schools and other scientific events in cooperation with international partner universities and partners from industry motivate students to deepen their knowledge in basic science and practical applications. We also organize scientific retreats focusing on particular research topics. In addition, there is a wide range of key competence seminars organized in order to improve the employability of our graduates. From this variety of optional activities students must choose a minimum of two courses per year. Within the first two years of doctoral training, students are also expected to attend at least two  practical training sessions  in different laboratories or in industry. This allows them to learn new and innovative techniques that go beyond their own research field and to establish contact to possible employers. A particular element of our training concept is the two  intermediate evaluations  that our students must pass on completion of their first and second years of study. Both evaluations take place during our international meetings held in April and October of each year and consist of a poster presentation and/or a public talk. Through their public frame the exams help to actively integrate the graduates into the international scientific community and to ensure proper progress in the scientific project. PhD Students have the chance to seek advice from professional international scientists. Only those students who successfully pass their intermediate evaluations may proceed to the next year of study.

At the end of PhD studies, our students can obtain the Germen degree  Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr.rer.nat.)  or the international degree  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) . They have to decide for one of these degrees after the second intermediate examination. The efforts to obtain either of both degrees are the same.

On the following pages you will find information about the Graduate School’s recruitment service, supervisors' responsibilities, general regulations and the Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). If you have queries that cannot be answered through reference to the various sections, please feel free to contact us. The Graduate School provides a wide range of services. Our offers include:

support in recruiting excellent PhD candidates ( >platform with open positions )

mobility programme  for students' research stays in Germany or abroad

spring and fall meeting with international speakers

financing of travel costs for external supervisors who attend intermediate exams or final disputations in Ulm.

Further detailed informations:

1.Recruitment Service

2. Responsibilities & Regulations

3. The Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC)

Download Study Material

Study and Exam Regulations

Study and Exam Regulation PhD and Dr. rer. nat. 2018 (german)

Study and Exam Regulation PhD and Dr. rer. nat. 2015 (german)

Study and Exam Regulation PhD and Dr. rer. nat. 2015 (english)

Legal position of translating an academic title (german)

Legal position of translating an academic title (english) 

Criteria for exemption of the Spring/Fall Meetings

Study Material

Request TAC Approval

Supervision Agreement

List of Visited Lectures

List of Activities

Guidelines for Writing your Project Plan and Report

Registration Intermediate Evaluation

Choose title Dr rer nat / PhD (to submit for the 2.nd evaluation)

Application for extension of the dissertation period

Mobility Programme Application

• If you have a "University" contract:

    Mobility programme application form-   Submit the form AND evidence for your active participation (abstract or poster)

                Travel Authorization request (Dienstreiseantrag)

               Travel Reimbursement Form

• If you have a "Klinikum" contract:         

              Mobility Programme application form - Submit the form AND evidence for your active participation (abstract or poster)

             Travel Authorization request (Dienstreiseantrag)

               Travel Reimbursement Form "Gäste"           

              Daily allowance

Dissertation/Disputation

Standards for Grading PhD Thesis

Guidelines for Dissertation Submission

Application: Submission of Dissertation

Adherence to Copyright Laws in Dissertations

Revision Process and Guidelines for Disputation

Thesis Defence Registration Form

Display Material

Image Brochure 2016 

In order to enhance the integration of our PhD students into the international scientific community, the Graduate School offers a Mobility Programme awarding financial support to PhD students who wish to participate in meetings, practical training sessions or workshops in Germany and abroad. Our funding comprises travel costs, accommodation, daily allowance, course fees and visa costs. A prerequisite for the approvement of funding is the active participation of the PhD student. In the case of a meeting or conference this takes the form of a poster presentation or a talk, in the case of training courses and summer schools the attendance alone counts as active participation.

Applications for the Mobility Programme have to be submitted to the coordination office at least 4 weeks before travelling.

FAQ Student Award Excursions KeyCompSem PR & IYTK Spring /Fall Meeting Annual agenda

...to attend....

To start networking and to get integrated into the “scientific life” the PhD students have to attend several talks and meetings during their PhD.

Introduction Session

Beginning of your PhD we organize a short, but compulsory INTRODUCTION SESSION. The Intro session is a kind of meet and great where we give you some information about the PhD programme, your tasks, your benefits.... And you get the possibility to ask unclear settings.

Spring & Fall Meeting

Twice a year we organize an international meeting - the Spring and the Fall Meeting . The attendance of the Meetings is compulsory for all PhD students.

The intermediate evaluations of our students take place during the meetings. Furthermore, the doctoral student award is presented and the graduation ceremony for students who have finished their studies takes place.

Lecture Talks

PhD Students have to attend 30 optional talks by external speakers per year.

• lectures given during the Spring and Fall Meetings of the Graduate School
• external talks organized by the institutes/SFB´s
• talk from international meetings

...to present....

A very important skill is the presentation of data in a structured and understandable way. To improve those skills and to deal with critical feedback and discussions, the PhD students will present their data in different formats.

Intermediate Evaluation

…are a particular element of our training concept that our students must pass. Both evaluations take place during our spring and fall meetings and consist of a poster presentation and/or a public talk. Through their public frame the exams help to actively integrate the graduates into the international scientific community and to ensure proper progress in the scientific project. PhD Students have the chance to seek advice from professional international scientists.

Progress Reports

Progress Report is a biweekly, compulsory seminar where PhD candidates present their research results to the other PhD students. Each student has to present his/her progress once per year. Furthermore, students learn to chair presentations.

Students are assigned to one of the several groups. At least 12 talks per term have to be attended. However, missed sessions can be caught up by attending sessions of the other groups.

...to study...

The IGradU will support a broad education and therefore implemented mandatory courses to improve knowledge beyond the PhD topic.

IYTK (Improve Your Textbook Knowledge)

The lecture series "Improve your textbook knowledge" is a general introduction into different aspects of Molecular Medicine. The topics presented in the IYTK module should give you a broad overview of important topics in research with the focus on novel methods & their application in this field or state-of-the-art findings that are so important they will appear in all textbooks soon.

The lecture series are compulsory for all first-year students of the PhD Programme. Students have to attend at least 85 % of the sessions in the first year of the PhD-studies.

The programme of the current semester you can find here.

Journal Clubs

The Journal Club is a seminar offered by the institute where the PhD work is carried out. If an institute does not offer a Journal Club, PhD students can attend the Journal Club of their second supervisor's institute. Regular attendance of the Journal Club must be confirmed by the head of the Institute for the registration for the intermediate examination.

The current programme you can find here.

...to participate...

We offer a wide range of key competence seminars and activities for improving methodical and soft skills in order to enhance the employability of our graduates.

Good Scientific Practice is a block course according to the DFG and University guidelines which has to be attended by all PhD students during the first 6 months of PhD studies. This course will ensure correct scientific conduct of our young scientist.

The GSP Course is organized by ProTrainU .

Key Competence Seminars

Our training programme in key competencies is designed to equip students with a full range of skills which will improve the students as researchers, and ensure that they are not only highly qualified but employable in a variety of careers by the end of their studies.  Our training programme has been created especially for our students and is customized to fit the typical situations and problems which occur during doctoral research. We work with highly qualified trainers and experts in their fields.  All offered IGradU KeyCompSem and the registration platform you will find here .

other Activities

Students have to attend two optional activities with a minimum of 8h. These can be workshops, excursions, scientific meetings, summer schools, retreats, mini symposia, ProTrainU workshops or our key competence seminars. Activities not organized by the Graduate School also count.

If you are not sure whether an event will be accepted as an optional activity by the Graduate School, please contact the coordination office.

Practical Trainings

Each PhD student has to attend 2 or 3 practical training sessions before the end of the second study year. The practical training has to cover 10 working days in total and must be completed in 2 or 3 different institutes. Practical training can be completed in the institute of the second or third supervisor, in industry or at MoMAN .

ProTrainU & MoMAN

In cooperation with ProTrainU and MoMAN you can also participate in those courses. Workshop longer then 8h or two workshops longer then 4h count as activity.

What are the BENEFITS in joining IGradU?