ESF DREEK05 Regional economics
Name in Czech: Regionální ekonomie
doctoral combined
Included in the programme: ESF D-REEK Regional Economics

Final state doctoral examination and defence of the doctoral thesis

The student registers for the Final doctoral exam no later than in the 4th (full-time students) or no later than in the 8th semester (part-time students).

Along with the application form, the student submits the theses of his/her dissertation thesis that include thorough information about the topic, present situation in the area of knowledge about the studied topic (theoretical background of the work, achieved results in research and their comparison), the project and the aims of the research (the formulation of the project that is dealt with in the dissertation thesis, the aims of the research), the procedure of the research (the specification of the research process, the schedule of the process, the current state of the dissertation thesis), and expected outcomes of the work for the particular scientific area. The exam is carried out in the form of a discussion on the submitted theses.
The defense of the dissertation thesis is carried out in two rounds. The first so-called „small“ defense which is the defense of the first (complete) version of the dissertation thesis is carried out internally in the presence of staff members of the supervising department and invited experts. The purpose is to provide the student with professional discussion at the supervisory department and to assess the quality of the dissertation thesis. The conclusion of the „small“ defense is in the form of a recommendation which he or she can include into the dissertation.

The final defense of the dissertation thesis is carried out in front of the committee for dissertation thesis defense. The opponents of the dissertation thesis can be or do not need to be the same as during the „small“ defense.

Requirements of the study

The study in the doctoral study program consists of relatively independent parts - a study part (specialized courses) and a research part. Nevertheless, as early as in the first semesters of study, students are working on research papers, essays, and other professional texts for conferences at home or abroad. The prerequisite to successfully finish the study is to obtain 240 credits, to undertake an internship abroad, or its equivalent under the Government regulation no. 274/2016, pass the Doctoral state exam and defend the dissertation thesis. The research activities content:
- Literature review and the Preparation of the dissertation thesis – during first two semesters of PhD studies student specifies research topic of his/her dissertation thesis based on study of relevant literature. Till the end of studies student works on preparation of the dissertation thesis with the credit value of at least 120 credits
- Competence in English for academic and specific purposes - completion of two semestrial courses in English or writing a foreign-language paper and giving a foreign-language lecture at a qualified expert forum
- Research workshop - a presentation of a paper at an important and thematically relevant research conference or at a summer school
- Defense of the dissertation proposal – has to be passed no later than in the 4th (full-time students) or no later than in the 8th semester (part-time students)
- Internship abroad or its equivalent - students have to spend at least one month of their studies at a foreign institution or participate in an international research project or other involvement in international co-operation
- Participation in teaching (teaching assistance) – students are involved in teaching seminars in bachelor and master programs, supervising bachelor and master thesis, seminar papers evaluation, up to a maximum of 150 hours for the entire studies (max. 10 % of a workload of PhD studies, max. of 8 credits per semester and the max. of 25 credits per the whole study can be obtained by the teaching assistance)
- Publications - the student is obliged to publish at least 3 papers, which he or she contributed to as an author, presenting the results of the research carried out during the preparation of the dissertation thesis. These should include: at least 1 publication of the J type in the WoS or Scopus databases in a language commonly used in the particular scientific discipline and at least 2 publications published according to the supervisor’s recommendation or with his or her approval.

The study of specialized courses forms 15 % of the workload of PhD studies.
Students have to complete all compulsory subjects - Econometrics, Methodology I, Methodology II and study-field compulsory course, before submitting their application to the DSE (defense of dissertation proposal).

Proposal of dissertation topics and topics of defended dissertations

Factors of Economic Success of Regional Development
"Resourceful Region" as a Concept for Regional Development Strategies
Economic Resilience of the Czech Regions
Evaluation of the Regional Development Programmes
Influence of Direct Foreign Investments on the Economic Development of the Region
Assessment of the Innovation Environment as a Starting Point for Formulating an Innovation Strategy
Successful Technology Transfer as a Factor for the Development of the Regions and their Competitiveness
Different Approaches to the Implementation of Regional Innovation Policy in the Czech Regions
Internationalization of Universities as a Factor of Regional Development
Regional Education as a Basic Pillar of the Knowledge Economy
Assessment of the Main priorities of the Transport Policy of the Czech Republic in Terms of Cross-border Networks
The Importance of Participative Budgeting in the Conditions of Czech Municipalities
Strategy Proposal for Adapting Czech Agricultural Policy to Global Climate Change
Evaluation of the Instruments of Sustainable Tourism Development and Possibilities of their Implementation

Recommended progress through the study plan

Compulsory courses

Students complete required courses during the first year of study.

Code Name Guarantor Type of Completion Extent and Intensity Credits Term Profile Cat.
ESF:DXE_EMTREconometrics D. Němeczk 0/24/012 1-
ESF:DXH_MET1Methodology 1 O. Krčálzk 0/24/06 1-
ESF:DXR_INRRInnovation and Regional Development V. Klímovázk 24/0/08 2-
ESF:DXR_REGERegional Economics M. Viturkazk 24/0/012 2-
ESF:DXR_RERSRegional research seminar V. Žítekz 24/0/08 2-
46 credits

Selective courses

The student chooses from selective courses according to the doctoral thesis and in agreement with the supervisor.

Code Name Guarantor Type of Completion Extent and Intensity Credits Term Profile Cat.
ESF:DXE_HOPOEconomic Policy Z. Tomešzk 0/24/06 2-
ESF:DXF_OCAKAsset Pricing T. Výrostzk 0/24/012 2-
ESF:DXH_TEFITheory of the firm P. Suchánekzk 0/24/012 2-
ESF:DXV_PUECPublic economics J. Nemeczk 0/24/012 2-
42 credits

Povinně volitelný blok

Code Name Guarantor Type of Completion Extent and Intensity Credits Term Profile Cat.
ESF:DXE_EMT2Econometrics 2 D. Němecz 24/0/012 --
ESF:DXH_MET2Methodology 2 R. Staněkz 24/0/06 --
ESF:DXH_MSTAMultivariate Statistical Analysis M. Králováz 12/12/012 --
30 credits