Doctoral Studies
Doctoral Studies Program
The Department of Mathematics of the School of Sciences of the University of Western Macedonia organizes and operates a Doctoral Studies Program which is drawn up under law 4957/2022 and the relevant provisions and decisions. The PhD is an academic title, which certifies the elaboration of original scientific research and the substantial contribution of the holder to the development of Mathematics and individual scientific disciplines.
The primary purpose of the PhD Program of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Western Macedonia is the substantial contribution of researchers to the development of knowledge, science, research and applications in the academic fields offered by the Department. Specifically, it aims to conduct original scientific research in order to be able to staff Universities, Research Centers, Businesses and Organizations of the private and public sector in Greece and abroad.
The Department provides a doctoral program in Greek and English. The terms and conditions of the Doctoral Studies Regulation apply equally regardless of the language chosen by the Ph.D. candidates.
Terms and conditions
The right to apply for a Ph.D. in the Greek or foreign language Postgraduate Program has those who meet the following conditions:
1) Hold a Bachelor’s Degree of a Greek Higher Education Institution (HEI) or a recognized HEI abroad.
2) Are holders of a Master’s degree of a Greek or foreign Higher Education Institution (HEI), or graduates of at least five-year undergraduate course of three hundred (300) credits of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
3a) hold a certificate of competence in at least one foreign language (B2 level).
3b) by decision of the Assembly of the Department, the certification of good knowledge of at least one foreign language at B2 level may be certified after exams organized by the Department.
Application Procedures
Calls for PhD applications in Greek or other language take place once each academic year, during September - November or whenever the Assembly of the Department deems appropriate. The announcement includes:
- Application deadlines.
- Academic study fields and number of admissions per discipline.
- Supporting documents accompanying applications.
Applications include the following information:
- Doctoral Thesis title/research area.
- The proposed language of the doctoral thesis.
- The proposed supervisor of the doctoral thesis.
Upon submission of the application, the candidate submits the following supporting documents:
- Detailed curriculum vitae.
- Copy of degree and transcript of grades and, where applicable, written certificate of equivalence of DOATAP for degrees from foreign institutions.
- Copy of Master's degree and transcript, as well as, where applicable, written certificate of equivalence of DOATAP for degrees from foreign institutions.
- Abstract of (Bachelor’s) dissertation (if any).
- At least two (2) letters of recommendation from faculty members in envelopes sealed by the academic staff.
- Evidence of adequate knowledge of English.
- Copies of scientific publications and certificates of participation in research programs, relevant experience, etc. (if any).
- Draft-memorandum of the doctoral dissertation to be prepared.
Criteria Application evaluation criteria
Applications are examined and ranked in terms of research relevance by the Department Assembly, who then appoints three-member committees per application category, comprised of the Department academic staff members. The committees examine all accompanying documents and invite applicants to an interview. Subsequently, the committees draw up a detailed reasoned statement to be submitted to the Assembly. Unless no recommendations about supervisors are made by applicants, these are made by the competent committee and are submitted for approval to the Assembly.
The Department Assembly consider the committee opinion about supervisors and make a reasoned statement of approval or rejection of the specific applications for either PhD study programmes in Greek or PhD programs in other language. The statement also includes a decision on the Doctoral Thesis language as well as other requirements (course attendance, commitments relevant to research activities, etc.).
The announcements of PhD candidate positions are posted on the website of the Department.
Structure and Activities
Program Structure and Activities
The Department is obliged to offer research, learning and educational activities, which are evaluated by faculty members of the Department and the supervising professor of the doctoral candidate. These activities have an indicative workload and receive the relevant ECTS, and are offered in both languages (Greek and English), and are divided into compulsory and elective.
Compulsory Research and Learning Activities:
- Writing and Defending a Doctoral Thesis (60 ECTS)
- Two published papers in international journals (Q1, Q2 or Q3 SCIMAGO (SCOPUS): 30 credits (each) (60 ECTS)
- A peer-reviewed paper and presentation at international conferences (Proceedings) (30 ECTS)
- Compulsory Course (6 ECTS)
In order to complete the number of 180 ECTS required obtaining the PhD degree, PhD candidates can choose a number of the research and learning activities offered by the Department of Mathematics and the University of Western Macedonia.
Research and Learning Elective Activities:
- Research Seminar, Department of Mathematics (6 ECTS)
- Teaching assistantship in undergraduate courses (lectures or laboratory sessions) (6 ECTS)
- Two lectures at Greek universities. Lecture plans must be approved by supervisors. (6 ECTS)
- A lecture at a university abroad. Lecture plans must be approved by supervisors. (6 ECTS)
- Discipline-specific presentation at 39-hour educational seminars in the broader field of the PhD. (6 ECTS)
- Contribution to a 39-hour (minimum) discipline-specific Summer School in the broader field of the PhD. (6 ECTS)
Procedure
PhD Thesis Procedure and Duration
Each academic year, the PhD candidate submits a written annual report regarding his/her thesis progress as well as presenting it in person to the Three-member Advisory Committee. The progress report of his investigation shall constitute a renewal of his registration. A copy of the report, as well as comments on it by the Supervisor and the three-member Advisory Committee and progress reports are recorded in the Candidate's personal file.
The duration of studies for a doctoral thesis cannot be less than three (3) calendar years from the date the Three-Member Advisory Committee has been appointed. The maximum period of study is six (6) calendar years. By decision of the Department Assembly, the maximum duration of the Ph.D. may be extended for two (2) additional years, at the request of the Ph.D.’s candidate and the agreement of the three-member Advisory Committee for an important reason.
Rights and Benefits
Rights and Benefits of PhD Candidates
Rights/Benefits
Doctoral studies are offered free of charge. PhD candidates have up to six (6) full academic years from their first enrollment, all the rights and benefits provided for students of the second cycle of studies. Indicatively, the following are mentioned: technological support, awards, scholarships from the institution's resources to achieve academic goals or provide teaching assistantship, funding publications/conferences, student support, representation in student’s (academic) committees, etc. They retain the rights of access, borrowing and use of the electronic services of university libraries for up to six (6) years after the award of the Ph.D.
Obligations
The Ph.D. candidate submits a written annual report regarding his/her thesis progress as well as presenting it in person to the Three-member Advisory Committee. The progress report of his investigation shall constitute a renewal of his registration. A copy of the report, as well as comments on it by the Supervisor and the three-member Advisory Committee and progress reports are recorded in the Candidate's personal file.
The Ph.D. candidate is obliged, throughout the duration of the studies and until the oral support of his/her thesis, to offer his/her services in the exams’ invigilation of the Department, in accordance with the program’s invigilation prepared by the Department. He is obliged to be informed on his own responsibility about the program of supervision by the Secretariat of the Department during each examination period. In case they are unavailable, they should name a replacement and inform the responsible faculty member.
Finally, PhD candidates are required to successfully complete the compulsory and elective educational and research activities corresponding to the 180 ECTS.
