The training component of the doctoral programme consists of 30 credits (ECTS). Credits exceeding 30 will not be included in the training component. The remaining part of the PhD period (2.5 years of full-time work) shall be used for the candidate's project. UiB courses will still be included in the Transcript of Grades from UiB.
The training component should include training in scientific dissemination, theory of science and ethics, as well as training in topics relevant to the candidate’s project. The training component should, in combination with the research, contribute to achieving the learning outcomes as described in the Programme Description. At the Faculty of Medicine, the Midway Evaluation is also part of the training component. Please note that the training component should be planned in close collaboration with the supervisor; and should contain both scientific methodology and theory giving the candidate a deeper and wider understanding of their own field, as well as the more general scientific context.
A plan for the training component shall be included in the application for admission to the PhD programme, but in many cases, this plan will change during the course of the PhD period. Changes shall be made in consultation with the supervisor. You can apply to have elements of the training component approved several times, form available here on Forms for PhD candidates at the Faculty of Medicine.
Deadline for approval of the training component
The training component must be complete and approved before an application to submit the thesis can be made. It is recommended that the training component is completed at least six months before the planned submission. Applications for approval of the training component cannot be processed if the PhD period is not valid.
Compulsory part
- Ethics and health research: MEDMET901 7 credits ECTS. This course includes topics in the philosophy of science, research ethics and scientific methods. Equivalent courses from other institutions may be approved on application. (MEDMET900 (6 credits) was taught for the last time in Autumn 2023. MEDMET1 (8 credits) was taught for the last time in Spring 2021)
- Dissemination activities equivalent to 6 credits (see below). Approved jointly under the course code FORMIDL901. All dissemination activities must be documented at the same time. Dissemination work exceeding 6 credits cannot be included in the training component.
- Midway evaluation is compulsory and should be arranged around halfway through the PhD period. This may not be included under dissemination activities. Completed midway evaluation is rewarded 1 credit in the training component.
- For candidates whose research project includes the use of laboratory animals, training in the use of laboratory animals in medical research is mandatory, if they do not already have this certification. Equivalent courses from other institutions may be approved on application.
Documentation requirements for dissemination activities
Activity: Participation in a national or regional conference with a presentation (poster or oral)
- Presentations at Forskningsdagene (the Research Council of Norway's research days) can be included here.
- National conferences in countries other than Norway count as a national conference.
- Presentations at internal institutional events are not approved as a national or regional conference.
ECTS: 1 credit per presentation, up to a maximum of 3 credits.
Documentation requirements: Different elements of the PhD project must be presented. The same presentation given on several occasions only counts once, unless one is a poster and one is an oral presentation. The UiB logo should be used on both presentations and posters.
Documentation:
- The presentation (poster, abstract, PowerPoint presentation, etc.) and
- The conference programme (and, if relevant, an extract from the abstract book) showing participation, the title of the contribution, date, location and organiser — or confirmation of attendance from the organiser.
Activity: Participation in an international conference with a presentation (poster or oral)
To be approved as an international conference, the conference must have both international participation and speakers from several institutions in several countries.
ECTS: 2 credits per presentation, up to a maximum of 6 credits.
Documentation requirements: Different elements of the PhD project must be presented. The same presentation given on several occasions only counts once, unless one is a poster and one is an oral presentation. The UiB logo should be used on both presentations and posters.
Documentation:
- The presentation (poster, abstract, PowerPoint presentation, etc.) and
- The conference programme (and, if relevant, an extract from the abstract book) showing participation, the title of the contribution, date, location and organiser — or confirmation of attendance from the organiser.
Activity: Original teaching for students (lecture, lab, clinic) or an academic or popular science lecture (minimum 30 minutes)
- Lectures at internal meetings or events (at UiB or your workplace) cannot be approved as original lectures.
ECTS: 1 credit per lecture, up to a maximum of 3 credits.
Documentation requirements: Only one ECTS credit is given per lecture, even if it lasts a double session.
Documentation:
- Confirmation from the course coordinator or organiser stating the scope, date, lecture title and audience.
Activity: Popular science written article, opinion piece or interview within your own field, Wikipedia article (minimum 1,000 words), or academic article that is not part of the thesis
ECTS: 1 credit per article or opinion piece, up to a maximum of 2 credits.
Documentation:
- The article or opinion piece.
- For a Wikipedia article, also attach documentation of how the article looked when it was published, with the date.
- For an interview, attach a short reflection note (about half a page). The interview must concern a topic within the candidate's own research field.
Elective part
A number of training elements can be approved in the elective part of the training component:
Research courses
Research courses can be organised by universities or university colleges in Norway or abroad. Please note that courses under 1 ECTS credits will not be approved.
On application, research courses given by institutions not using ECTS standards, may be approved. Approval requires that course documentation be submitted (schedule, course description and syllabus/reading list), in addition to documentation that the candidate has successfully completed the course. These courses must be at master or PhD level and the candidate should always discuss with the supervisor to decide if the course is at an adequate level.
Course credits are calculated in accordance with ECTS standardisation (1 credit per 25-30 hours' work incl. self-study and the examination). Please note that short courses (<25 hours) will not be approved and that several smaller courses cannot be combined. Half credits will not be awarded.
Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to approve these types of courses in advance.
Individual syllabus
Where no courses or other opportunities for training within the candidate's field of research are available, an individual syllabus (special syllabus) can be approved following submission of an advance application to the Programme Board for research training. A description of the special syllabus making it possible to assess the content, level and scope must be included in the application. The examination is conducted by the supervisor with an examiner appointed by the department.
Research stay at other institutions
If the candidate travels to another research institution to learn techniques, conduct experiments or engage in other academic activities, the stay may be approved as part of the training component's elective part. After returning, a report about the stay must be submitted (signed by the candidate and supervisor) in addition to a confirmation from the host institution regarding the duration of the stay and its content. The stay must have a minimum of two weeks duration.
Clinical speciality approved in Norway
Up to one specialty in medicine or dentistry approved in Norway may be approved. Other specialties may also be considered if a master’s degree is required for admission to the specialisation. Awarded credits can be adjusted depending on the specialty’s workload.
Documentation requirements for the elective part
Activity: Research course with ECTS credit at a university or university college
ECTS credits: Credited with the stated number of credits.
Documentation requirements:
- Course certificate or transcript.
Activity: Research course at other institutions without ECTS credit
ECTS credits: ECTS standard (1 credit per 25–30 hours of work, including reading and examination).
Documentation requirements:
- Course description
- Reading list with page numbers
- Timetable
- Confirmation of completed course from the course organiser
Activity: Individual reading list
ECTS credits: 300 pages give 1 credit (maximum 5 credits).
Documentation requirements:
- Reading list with number of pages
- A reasoned application from the candidate and main supervisor describing level and scope
- A recommendation from the department assessing level and scope
Activity: Study or research stay at a Norwegian or foreign institution
ECTS credits: 1.5 credits per week (maximum 6 credits).
Documentation requirements:
- Report on the stay, signed by candidate and supervisor
- Confirmation from the host institution
Activity: Approved medical or dental specialisation
ECTS credits: 5 credits.
Documentation requirements:
- Specialist approval
Limitations
Examinations or other activities which took place more than 5 years before admission to the PhD programme cannot be included in the training component. Approval of specialist education, the laboratory animal science course for researchers, and training components completed as part of the completed medical student research training programme, are exempt from the 5-year rule (provided the PhD project is a direct continuation of the student project).
Courses at master level can be included (max. 10 credits ECTS).
Elective courses for medisine students can be recoginsed with a maximum of 6 ECTS. These elective courses must be at 300-level and be relevant for the PhD project.
National cooperation between the medical faculties
The medical faculties at NTNU and UiO, the Faculty of Medicine at UiB, and the Faculty of Health Sciences at UiT have committed to approving relevant research courses from each other's faculties as part of the training component in their PhD programmes.
The faculties have also agreed that candidates who can document admission to the PhD programme at these faculties will not be charged a higher course fee than the institutions charge their own candidates. This national cooperation in medical fields gives PhD candidates a broader range of courses to choose from. For information about research courses at the different faculties and how to apply, see the respective faculty websites:
UiO: http://www.med.uio.no/forskning/doktorgrad-karriere/forskerutdanning/kurs/ (external link)
NTNU: http://www.ntnu.no/dmf/forskning/phd/emner (external link)