CRUS, 3.7.2008

Background: new federal law on support to Universities

Doctoral education aims to :• Development of scientific competencies: ability to do independent

scientific work;• Acquisition of scientific knowledge and expertise (disciplinary and

interdisciplinary), methods et transverse/transferable skills (project management, presentation techniques, languages and communication etc.) ;

• Active networking with other PhD students and with advanced researchers in Switzerland and abroad.

The PhD prepares for research jobs within academia as well as outside(society at large, private sector, public service…) and gives the abilityto perform very diverse and demanding professional tasks.

Same preoccupations, different names and organization

• Graduate schools: – EPFL, UNIL FBM («écoles doctorales»)

– «transverse faculty », institutional identity, ±disciplinary

• Graduiertenkollege: – FNS+CRUS: ProDoc

– «elite» model, thematically narrow, networks

• Programmes doctoraux /doctoral programmes:– CUSO

– Networks, multi-institutional identity, ±disciplinary, open to all PhD students

Similar discussions at SUK (see SUK web site)

Doctoral program in physicsDoctoral program in physics

• New federal law• Each university defines its

own doctoral program• Evaluation, but no ECTS

credits• Resources are coordinated in

a network, to define a coherent program

• Advisor and student decide on individual program

• Model: 3ème Cycle + transferable skills + students networking

Common courses

Partic-les

HE+ν+AP

Condensed Matter

Theory

ProDoc ProDoc ?

Doctoral program in physics

Basic programBasic program

• Scientific contents based on 3ème cycle de la Physique en Suisse Romande + localk programs

• Transferable skills (scientific communication, project management, patenting, documentation, entrepreneurship, …)

• Socialization, «mentoring», networking

• Active participation of students in the organization

• Unique web portal• eLearning component

ProDoc program 2009/2010ProDoc program 2009/2010

ProDoc resourcesProDoc resources

International resources

ProDoc organizationProDoc organization

PhD students in physicsPhD students in physics

Coordination tasks:Coordination tasks:

• Basic program exists in western Switzerland only• Being developed into SUK-like program by 3ème

Cycle, mandated by CUSO• Working group led by P. Wittwer (UniGe)• Draft of first report exists

• ProDoc coordinator: A. Hamilton (UniGe) • Implement ProDoc, integrate into SUK program• Your input needed, especially for eastern

Switzerland