Recommended procedures for the three compulsory seminars of the PhD education

The PhD candidates present their work in three compulsory seminars during the PhD education period Regulations for the PhD degree at NMBU § 9.2). Particular emphasis will be placed on the midway assessment seminar. 

The purpose of the seminars is to ensure that PhD candidates have opportunity to discuss scholarly and practical challenges in connection with the project with a broader audience than the supervisory team, and receive constructive feedback.

• Common for all seminars

  Audience

  • The supervisory team
  • Staff and PhD candidates at the faculty and any relevant research groups
  • Other PhD candidates and their supervisors

  Responsibility

  • The Faculty is responsible for ensuring that the seminars are conducted.
  • The whole supervisory team should be present at each seminar and during the ensuing discussion. At least one supervisor must be present.
  • The PhD candidate is responsible for the presentation at each seminar.
  • Time must be set aside for audience response.

• The start-up seminar

  The start-up seminar is to be held during the first semester, and preferably before agreement of the contract and the education plan.

  The purpose is to give opportunity for input about the project plan and help find relevant courses and activities to be part of the education plan.

  The PhD candidate presents the project plan and the education plan to initiate a discussion on

  • project angles, design, method, scope and realism of the project as well as possible courses, seminars and activities
  • what technical, academic and practical resources are necessary in order to complete the project
  • the possibility, benefits (and challenges?) of spending a period at an educational/ research institution other than NMBU.

• The midway assessment seminar

  The midway assessment seminar will be conducted when the candidate has completed a maximum of two years of the PhD education. The purpose is to evaluate progress and identify any requirements and/ or barriers in the project.

  The candidate must present his/her work and be evaluated by a group of at least two people appointed by the faculty; one of the candidate's supervisors and another member with academic competence within the candidate's subject area who is affiliated to the candidate's faculty or from outside.

  The evaluation group is to consider the academic status and progress, and provide feedback on form 2.4 Midway assessment (to be found under "Progress" on the PhD form webpage).

  The PhD candidate, the supervisors and the faculty must be informed of the committee's report.

• The final seminar

  The final seminar is to be conducted when the work on the PhD thesis is approaching completion.

  The purpose is to receive input on the final work on the thesis and on preparing for the trial lecture/ public defence.

  The PhD candidate presents the results of the project and the content of the thesis.

  Input is given to the final work as well as practical tips and advice on the trial lecture and public defence.

Questions?