DoSChem Curriculum

• 2-4 ECTS for faculty colloquia (0.5 ECTS per semester)
  Attendance of the faculty colloquia with interdisciplinary invited speakers, which is held on a monthly basis (typically every 2^nd Monday within the teaching periods at 16:00), is an important multidisciplinary part of your curriculum. It is expected to attend 3 of 4 colloquia in order to collect 0.5 ECTS per semester.
• 4-6 ECTS for PhD seminars and Journal Clubs (1 ECTS per semester)
  You are expected to regularly attend and present the progress of your research in group meetings, department seminars and Journal Clubs. 
  Journal Clubs - the discussion and presentation of scientific papers found in relevant journals could also be attended on a regular basis. Please note, you can participate in the same JC multiple times (up to 4).
• 6 ECTS for DoSChem curriculum-based lectures, seminars
  The DoSChem curriculum partly builds on Master’s‑level courses (u:space entries), which students may choose freely, and also allows participation in courses offered by other universities, research institutes, and other programs such as ITNs. Attendance at summer or winter schools is also recognized. Please provide confirmation of participation (certificate) for each course taken outside the University of Vienna.
  The specific courses are agreed upon by the student, the supervisor, and DoSChem in the dissertation agreement following the successful research project presentation (FÖP). Progress is monitored through annual written reports, where adjustments can be made. Include Responsible Conduct of Research Training into your agreement. 

Mandatory Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Conducting scientific research requires awareness of ethical standards, responsible collaboration, and good scientific practice. The DoSChem RCR training supports doctoral candidates in navigating these challenges throughout their PhD.

The course consists of three modules:

• Module 1 – Introduction to RCR: Identifying and addressing ethical issues and dilemmas in research
• Module 2 – Supervision, mentoring, and collaboration: Managing expectations, roles, and communication in research environments
• Module 3 – Publication, authorship, and peer review: Responsible practices in academic publishing

Course structure and requirements:

• Mandatory component of the PhD curriculum (1 ECTS total)
• Module 1 + Module 2 are taken together within one semester (0.5 ECTS; single registration)
• Module 3 is completed in the following semester (0.5 ECTS)
• All three modules cannot be completed in the same semester
• Interactive format including preparatory reading, lectures, and group discussions
• Registration via u:space

Chemistry students may alternatively attend the PhaNuSpo RCR course if scheduling is more suitable.

Teaching Experience

• Supervision of research projects, Bachelor’s, and Master’s students (recognized as coursework)
• 1 ECTS per 6 weeks supervision (≈ 2–4 internships or 1 Bachelor + internship)
• 1 ECTS for supervising a Master’s student
• Activities can span 2 semesters; max. 3 ECTS in 3 semesters
• Confirmation by PI/assistant via email (doctoral researcher, student, duration) to dragana.delic@univie.ac.at

Additional information:

• Courses can be selected via u:space as well as from other universities, research institutes, or programs (e.g. ITNs, summer or winter schools), provided they support your PhD project
• External courses must be agreed upon with your supervisor and the Director of Doctoral Studies and documented with a certificate
• External coursework should be included in your doctoral thesis agreement and/or annual progress report
• Coursework outside the University of Vienna may require an official SSC recognition form (“Request for recognition of studies and examinations”)
• Course selection and ECTS allocation are defined in your doctoral thesis agreement

For the DoSChem component, you can flexibly collect 12 ECTS.

• 2 ECTS for Focus Area Retreats (up to 2 ECTS per retreat)

Each research focus area organizes an annual 2.5-day scientific retreat held off-site in a relaxed setting with a social program. These retreats encourage innovative research discussions, collaboration, and peer exchange.

During your PhD, you are expected to attend at least 2 retreats of your focus area retreats.

• 2 ECTS: Full participation (2.5 days) with a poster or talk
• 1 ECTS: Participation for 1–2 days with a poster or talk

• 0 ECTS: Shorter participation without meeting these requirements

   

• 2 ECTS for International Symposium organized by DoSChem students (1 ETCS/Symposium)

Once a year – typically in September – a group of students organizes a two‑day symposium featuring high‑profile speakers who represent the scientific range of the DoSChem faculty.

During this event, there is a dedicated session for DoSChem student presentations. It is up to you (on a voluntary basis and depending on your research group) whether you give a talk to communicate your research. As part of the organizing team, you will gain hands‑on experience by approaching and inviting external speakers of your choice, as well as planning the social program and catering. This provides you with valuable experience in collective responsibility, organizational skills, and managing a fixed program budget. Registration for this event is required.

Over the course of your PhD, you are expected to attend 2 student symposia. Your participation will be rewarded with 1 ECTS.

Besides being enjoyable social events, co‑organizing DoSchem retreats and organizing DoSChem symposia demonstrates personal responsibility, enhances your practical and networking skills, and exposes you to the strategic challenges involved in coordinating scientific events such as symposia or workshops. Your organizational efforts will earn you additional ECTS (1–2 per event depending on workload).

• 4 ECTS for conference participation (1-2 ECTS per active participation)

DoSChem strongly encourages you to participate in at least one major (international) conference during your PhD training. Your active contribution (talk or poster) will be credited with ECTS. Attendance alone does not qualify for ECTS. 

A conference of up to two days will be awarded 1 ECTS, while longer conferences will be awarded with 2 ECTS (maximum).
Each student is expected to complete two conference visits, with at least one of them being an international conference.

Please note:

• Active participation (poster or talk) is required to receive ECTS for conferences 

• Proof of participation (e.g. certificate, program, or registration) must be provided. Please submit the conference weblink and your confirmation of participation together with your yearly progress report. 

• Participation in retreats and symposia is expected throughout your PhD 

• 2 ECTS Soft Skill Training: freely selectable, flexible

Translational and soft‑skill training can be completed through courses organized by DoSChem, the University of Vienna (U:RISE‑certified trainings), or external providers. Please provide a confirmation of participation (certificate) for each completed course. Depending on the course concept, your work will be credited with 1 ECTS per 25 hours of workload.

One ECTS can be used flexibly within the DoSChem part of the curriculum. Please ensure that the event you intend to count towards this requirement meets the workload criteria for 1 ECTS and that you provide appropriate proof of participation.

The appointment as DoSChem student representative or deputy student representative is credited with up to 2 ECTS for one year of service (up to a maximum of 4 ECTS for two years).

Organizational contributions (e.g. organizing symposia or retreats) may be credited with additional ECTS depending on workload.