Progression through the study plan

The main activity of a Ph.D. student is the continuous work on the thesis project, completed with the dissertation thesis defence. It includes:

• creating a literature review of the thesis,


• data collections,


• statistical evaluation,


• sample processing,


• data analysis and interpretation,


• presentation of results, etc.

In the dissertation thesis, the student presents the results of the scientific work achieved during his/her doctoral studies. The thesis itself must fulfil the following standards regulated by the Dean's Directive No. 5/2021, in brief:

• 60–100 standard pages


• Original results, either already published or accepted for publication


• A collection of already published papers, including a comprehensive introduction to the addressed topic and a summarising commentary


• If submitting the results of a collective scientific work,  the parts the student has worked on must be marked. In this case, the thesis must be accompanied by a statement from the supervisor confirming and evaluating his/her authorship and contribution. 

Students enrolled in the English Ph.D. programme submit their thesis in English. In contrast, students enrolled in the Czech Ph.D. programme are recommended to submit their thesis in English as well (in line with the faculty’s efforts to internationalise doctoral studies). However, these students may also submit their dissertations in Czech and Slovak. The formal requirements for the dissertation thesis (such as obligatory and optional parts, typography, etc) are set in the official thesis template, available on the faculty server.

Minimum requirements of the publication activity are:

• at least one first-author publication of an original paper in a journal with an IF, value above the median of the field (Q1 or Q2),


• or two original first-author publications in a journal with an IF, value in Q3 of the dissertation field. 

Conditions of internships are regulated by Directive No. 2/2024. 

Every full-time Ph.D. candidate must spend an internship abroad for at least 30 days (stays of less than 7 days cannot be included in the cumulative length). 

All students of doctoral degree programmes must complete at least four courses from the faculty-wide core courses taught in English only and at least four field-specific courses. The compulsory curriculum is divided into six thematic areas, with a focus on the development of scientific and soft skills and career options after a Ph.D., and a special focus on Ethics in Biomedical Research.

CORE COURSES: Common and compulsory to all doctoral study programmes (every Ph.D. candidate is obliged to select at least 4 courses from these thematic areas):

• FRESHERS: Skills for Research Careers (mandatory for all Ph.D. candidates)


• Ethics in Biomedical Research


• Acquisition of Scientific Information


• Clinical Data Analysis


• Planning, Organisation, and Evaluation of Clinical Trials


• Computer Network User

FIELD-SPECIFIC COURSES – aim to deepen the knowledge and skills in the studied scientific field and its methodology. The Doctoral Board or Doctoral Committee always determines the offer and the possible obligation to attend them. These may be methodological courses, regular seminars, or events recommended by the DB or supervisor and organised by professional societies.

An indicative list follows, the student will take at least 4 courses, depending on the specific topic of the dissertation:

• General pathology


• Special pathology 1, 2 – (theoretical preparation, according to organ systems)


• Practical pathology 1 – pathological anatomical autopsy, performance, interpretation of results, correlation with clinical findings, necropsy examination


• Practical pathology 2 – biopsy section: receipt, description and processing of material, interpretation of findings


• Basic histopathological methods: special staining, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry


• Molecular pathology


• Specialized study program - pathology (elective courses), at least one:


• Histology and embryology


• Morphometry, documentation (macro- and microphotography), 


• Microscopic image analysis)

Participation in panel diagnostic discussions organized by other institutes on average 6 times a year is recommended. Participation in professional congresses and conferences: Czech National Congress, Czech-Slovak Congress, National Congress of Forensic Doctors, participation in events of the Sternberg Society, participation in events of the Association of Doctors in Brno

All Ph.D. candidates with a work contract at the FM MU are obliged to complete an online course Basics of Medical Education (with the final test), which covers the basic principles and concepts of education.

Ph.D. candidates without a work contract may complete the online course Basics of Medical Education. Voluntarily interested candidates should contact the Office for Qualifying Development.

A wide range of educational activities offered by the university's Centre for Competence Development is then available to all Ph.D. students.

Every full-time Ph.D. candidate participates in teaching, with a maximum of 150 hours in 4 years. 

• At the end of the 2nd, 4th, and 6th semester each year: presentation of progress in own research, results to date, and plans for the next period before a committee composed of members of the subject committee.


• By the end of the 4th and 6th semester: presentation of results at a conference, in at least one case in the form of an oral presentation


• By the end of the 5th semester: submission of an English review of the dissertation topic to the supervisor and subsequently to the subject committee. 


• By the end of the 7th semester: submission of a publication meeting the conditions for successful completion of doctoral studies to the editorial office of a journal.