PhD Process
Your PhD in the working group "Software Systems Engineering" is intensively supervised and is supported by regular PhD seminars and PhD workshops. The PhD process is structured into the phases as shown below. Each of the first five phases ends with a Quality Gate. At each transition to the next phase, these Quality Gates ensure that the progress and quality of your work allows you to successfully proceed to the next step.
Phase | Meilenstein |
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Phase 1 | THEMATIC OUTLINE (after 6 months)The outline is a brief sketch of the main idea of your PhD thesis. It typically takes the form of a few Powerpoint slides. You are allowed to choose adequate topics on your own, or we may initially determine an interesting research area for you. The Quality Gate ‘Outline finished’ is expected to be reached within six months. Formally, it comprises the following aspects:
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Phase 2 | PROPOSAL WRITING (after 18 months)Writing a proposal means extending the outline to an about 15 pages long, proper textual description. The Quality Gate ‘Proposal completed’ should be reached 18 months after you began working with us. Your proposal will consider the following points:
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Phase 3 | PLANNING OF A-LEVEL PUBLICATION (after 18 months)Planning you’re A-level publication means that you prepare a submission for a conference or journal with a high reputation. You are expected to lay down your schedule for this in two or three pages. The schedule must be ready after 18 months, or earlier. The final decision which conference or journal will be considered as A level will be taken by your professor together with your supervisor. The plan may be presented at our semi-annual doctoral workshop. The presentation should focus on the following aspects:
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Phase 4 | FIRST PUBLICATION ACCEPTED (after 24 months)We expect your first publication to be accepted within 24 months after the beginning of your work. This can be any publication that conforms to the specifics given below. In particular, your first publication is independent from the A-level publication referred to in Quality Gates 3 and 5. Formal clearance will be given by your professor and by your supervisor. Prior to this, the conference/journal must be agreed upon and your paper needs to pass an internal review. Your first publication shall be accepted at an adequate publication venue, which can be either a renowned conference or journal, a highly recognised workshop, or a doctoral symposium. In any case, the following requirements are obligatory:
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Phase 5 | SUBMISSION OF A-LEVEL PUBLICATION (after 30 months)Submission of your first A-level publication is due 30 months after commencement of work. Formal clearance will be given by the your professor and by your supervisor. Prior to this, the conference/journal must be agreed upon and your paper needs to pass an internal review. |
Phase 6 | WRITING OF PHD THESIS AND DEFENSE (Monat 48)After successfully completing the previous five phases and Quality Gates, the final phase focuses on writing your PhD thesis. After submitting the PhD thesis, it will be evaluated. In a final PhD presentation followed by a discussion you will present and defend your PhD thesis. |