doktorský prezenční, vyučovací jazyk: angličtina
Zahrnut v programu: PřF D-EXPBIOA Experimental plant biology
Informace o studiu
- Státní závěrečná zkouška a obhajoba disertační práceFor students who are required by law to take the State Doctoral Examination (SDZ) it is stipulated that the SDZ should be completed with sufficient time prior to the defense of the dissertation, ideally no earlier than in the 5th semester of study. The first step involves the student's formal notification of intent to take the SDE, which is submitted to the appropriate departmental administrator. Students are required to prepare brief theses outlining the current status of their project (one page), which must be sent to the examination committee chair at least one week before the exam. The SDZ is conducted as an in-depth discussion focused on the doctoral candidate's work, covering its significance, context, data analysis, and conclusions. During the exam, the student must demonstrate solid knowledge, particularly within the scope of the scientific problem addressed in the dissertation. The student will present their research project within a broader context of plant biology, outlining specific hypotheses, data collected so far, their evaluation, conclusions, and proposed next steps, in a presentation lasting no longer than 25 minutes. During the subsequent discussion with committee members, the student is expected to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge to solve specific problems. The evaluation criteria include: 1) overall knowledge of the topic, including its broader implications and significance, 2) ability to explain and present their work, 3) understanding of hypotheses and approaches to addressing them, 4) familiarity with experimental techniques, and 5) ability to correctly interpret data and discuss conclusions.
The dissertation thesis defense begins with a formal step in which the student submits a notice of intent to defend the dissertation to the relevant administrator and the chair of the subject-area board. For the defense, it is essential that at least part of the research results have been published or accepted for publication in a journal listed in the Web of Science (WoS) database, with an impact factor (IF) higher than the median for the field, and the student must be the first author. If the journal has an IF below the median, the student must have at least two such publications. Students are also required to submit abstracts of their dissertations along with the dissertation itself. The dissertation must be submitted through the MU Information System (IS MU) after prior communication with the relevant administrator, at least 8 weeks before the planned defense. The defense proceedings are conducted in English, with the dissertation being evaluated by two external reviewers from institutions other than Masaryk University, one of whom should ideally be from abroad. The defense is conducted as a presentation of the main theses of the dissertation, followed by a discussion with the reviewers, committee members, and the academic public. The student must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent scientific research, present their own research results, and critically evaluate them. - Návrh témat disertačních prací a témata obhájených pracíProposed Dissertation Topics:
Evolution of Karyotype and Chromosome Organization during Plant Development
Genome Organization and Composition in Interspecific Plant Hybrids
Utilization of Chlorophyll Fluorescence Kinetics to Detect Low-Temperature Stress in the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Lichens
Proteins Involved in the Regulation of Telomeric Repeats
Effects of Heat Stress on Plant DNA Repair Mechanisms
Biology of Telomeres
Epigenetic Processes and Mechanisms in Plants
Genome Dynamics in Plants with Different Reproductive Strategies
Genetic Engineering of Non-Model Plants
Chromosome Organization in the Interphase Plant Nucleus
Analysis of Toxic DNA-Protein Complex Repair in Arabidopsis thaliana
Cryoresistance of Bryophytes with Different Acclimation Potentials to Low Temperatures Studied Using Biophysical Methods
Genotypic Variability in the Induction and Localization of Protective Mechanisms in Plants Exposed to Environmental Stimuli
Studijní a výzkumné povinnosti
- Disertační práce
Doctoral thesis preparation
Preparation of materials for the doctoral thesis. If the student is not building upon previous work (and thus is not well-acquainted with the project topic at the start), their first task is to gather the necessary information, orient themselves within the relevant research area, and demonstrate their knowledge during the English-language admission interview with the committee. Further progress on the issue will be evaluated by the supervisor each semester (Preparation of the Doctoral Thesis (IS MU: XD100)) and annually presented by the student at the PhD Retreat for Experimental Plant Biology (see below).
In the first year, the student must demonstrate an understanding of the current state of the issue, knowledge of the objectives and methodologies for achieving them, along with a feasible scientific plan within the framework of the PhD Retreat for Experimental Plant Biology. This event will involve not only other students in the program but also supervisors and members of the Doctoral Board.
During the first semester, the student is required to form, in consultation with the supervisor and the Doctoral Board, an individual PhD Committee (Thesis Advisory Committee - TAC), which will be composed of at least three experts, including the supervisor, in the field of the doctoral thesis topic. To connect experts in the field may serve also PhD Retreat, where students meet other supervisors and members of the Doctoral Board. The role of the TAC committee is to monitor the implementation of the ISP and to provide feedback on the progress of studies and research. The three scheduled TAC meetings during the 4 years of the standard period of study serve as key milestones and a record is made of each meeting to clearly inform the Doctoral Board of the student's progress and achievement of the objectives. Ideally, the TAC is convened in semesters 2, 4 and 7. The purpose of TAC involvement is to provide effective feedback to students and supervisors, to motivate and support students so that they give maximum attention to their doctoral thesis and complete it successfully and on time soon after the standard period of study. In addition to the three prescribed TACs, a TAC can be convened by either the supervisor or the student at any time during the study. After the standard period of study, the TAC must be augmented by one external committee member and convened annually or as needed.
- Publikační činnost
Publication activity, writing and defence of the doctoral thesis
A requirement for the defence of the doctoral thesis is that at least some of the results must be published or accepted for publication in a journal indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database, with an impact factor (IF) higher than the median for the given field, and the student must be the first author of the publication. If the journal's IF is below the median, the student must have at least two such publications generally. In the case of co-authored publications, the student must clearly define their contribution to the results. If the student is a co-author of at least three publications, it is preferred that the doctoral thesis be compiled as a collection of previously published or accepted works, supplemented by a comprehensive introduction and commentary on the topic. If there are fewer publications, the thesis must take the form of a monograph with original results. The defence committee proceedings are conducted in English, and the thesis is assessed by two opponents who must be from an institution other than MU, with at least one opponent ideally being from abroad. In exceptional cases, upon the recommendation of the Doctoral Board, a defence may proceed even in the absence of a published article, in the form of a monograph with original results. In this case, the articles are attached to the thesis as manuscript drafts in the appendices, and the thesis is assessed by three opponents.
- Účast na konferencích a odborných fórech
>Participation in conferences – active participation in at least one international conference is required.
>Participation in meetings organized by the supervisor or head of the research group is mandatory.
- Výzkumné stáže a mezinárodní spolupráce>Improving language competencies – through courses taught in English, participation in seminars in English, and the preparation and presentation of results and manuscripts in English.
>International internship – during the study period, students must complete an international research stay of at least one month (cumulative over the study period) or in accordance with national or university standards.
- Odborné kurzy a další formy teoretické přípravy
>The student is generally required to complete 3 courses (hard skills courses) during the first four semesters, selected from the MU catalog or outside MU (e.g., at summer schools). These must be approved by the supervisor or the chair of the programme board, thereby deepening the student’s expertise in their chosen specialization.
>The student attends generally min. 8 seminars showcasing cutting-edge research in fields such as plant biology, e.g., Mendel Centre Seminars in Bio-omics, Life Sciences Seminars, NCBR Seminars, Doctoral Seminars at the Institute of Experimental Biology (IEB), or similar lectures, earning credit for the course "Specialized Seminar."
>Annual active participation in the PhD Retreat in Experimental Plant Biology.
- Pedagogické kompetenceTeaching activities – the scope and responsibilities are defined in the ISP. The doctoral student may contribute to activities such as supervising bachelor's and master's theses (as a consultant), assisting with regular teaching, preparing teaching materials, organizing excursions or PhD Retreat, educational events, or other activities within the supervising and training institutions.
- Jazykové kompetenceImproving language competencies – through courses taught in English, participation in seminars in English, and the preparation and presentation of results and manuscripts in English.
- Milníky studia
Each student's progress through the stages is monitored by the Doctoral Board and evaluated during annual face-to-face evaluation meetings with all students in the programme. General milestones delineate time stages and represent recommended passage. Thus, the student and the supervisor know the expectations at each stage, which contributes to timely and successful completion preferably within the standard 4-year period of study.
Milestone 1 - End of Semester 1
- Student and supervisor prepare a detailed ISP that is approved by the DB
- The student will form a TAC committee
Milestone 2 - End of Semester 4
- Student completes all theoretical preparation courses (point 4 of the recommended ISP)
- Presents the results of his/her work at the PhD Retreat (point 5 of the ISP)
- Demonstrates fulfilment of the language competence obligations (point 6 of the ISP)
- Fulfils the obligations related to pedagogical development (point 8 of the ISP)
- Fulfils other obligations (point 9 of the ISP)
- - Prepares the baseline of thesis (point 4 of the ISP), which he/she submits together with the application for the State Exam if required (in the 5th semester).
Milestone 3 - End of the standard period of study (i.e. by the end of the 8th semester), the student:
- demonstrates compliance with the obligation to present at a foreign conference (ISP point 3)
- demonstrates compliance with international cooperation (ISP point 7)
- prepares a dissertation and submits a request for a dissertation defense (ISP points 1 and 2)
- Další požadavky
The obligations of each student are defined in their ISP, which is developed during the 1st semester in collaboration with supervisor, approved by the Doctoral board, and recorded in the IS MU. The expected workload corresponds to 60 ECTS credits / year. Due to the individualized nature of the program, the workload distribution (see % below) is indicative and specified in the ISP. Students have duties aimed at increasing their competencies in five main areas, A-E.
During the 1st semester, in consultation with the supervisor and Doctoral board, the student is required to form an individual doctoral committee (Thesis Advisory Committee – TAC), which must consist of at least 3 experts, incl. supervisor, in the area of the dissertation. The TAC assists the student in developing the ISP, monitors its implementation, and provides feedback on the student’s progress in both study and research. During the first four years of the standard study period, generally at least three key TAC meetings will take place, and their outcomes will inform the Doctoral board about the student's progress.
A) Scientific and research activities (approx. 70%): Preparation of the dissertation – ongoing throughout the study period. Study of relevant literature. Publication activity. Presentation and defense of the doctoral thesis.
B) Specialized courses and theoretical training (approx. 20%)
C) International dimension and competitiveness: during the study period, students must complete an international research stay of at least one month (cumulative over the study period) or in accordance with national or university standards.
D) Pedagogical competencies: the scope in the ISP. The doctoral student may contribute to activities such as supervising bachelor's and master's theses (as a consultant), assisting with regular teaching, preparing teaching materials, etc.
E) Other responsibilities – soft skills: Students gain experience in project management and preparation. At least one soft skills course, training, seminar, workshop, or grant application preparation (offered at MU or outside MU, with the approval of the supervisor or chair of the Doctoral board) is mandatory.
Requirements for students in the full-time program: help with organization of PhD Retreat, publication of results in an international journal with an impact factor according the rules.