Doctoral Programme in Dental Medicine (PhD)

Doctoral programmes (PhD programmes) are a central and indispensable part of university-level science. Students in a doctoral programme, as researchers in their field, generate new knowledge and make a significant contribution to the scientific advancement of their discipline. Accordingly, the core of a doctoral programme is an independent research achievement, which is presented and defended at the end of the programme in the form of a dissertation.

 

Qualification Objectives
With its Doctoral Programme in Dentistry (PhD), the Danube Private University (DPU) pursues the continuous and consistent investigation of complex scientific contexts. Such research questions are developed, among other avenues, in close cooperation with national and international university and institutional research bodies.

The Doctoral Programme in Dentistry (PhD) at the DPU is designed to develop and strengthen the ability to conduct independent scientific work, thereby equipping graduates with the competence to contribute, through independent research, to the development of dental, oral, and maxillofacial medicine.

In addition to attaining the highest level of subject-specific expertise, students acquire the general scientific and communication skills necessary for the successful pursuit of a scientific career in academic, industrial, or public sectors.

Graduates of the Doctoral Programme in Dentistry (PhD) have excellent career prospects in dental practices and the dental industry, for example in “Scientific Affairs” or “Clinical Research Management.” In particular, graduates are ideally positioned to pursue an advanced academic career (habilitation).

 

Structure and Organisation
The Doctoral Programme in Dentistry (PhD) is a standard, three-year doctoral programme comprising 180 ECTS in total. It is structured into modular study units over a period of six semesters. The programme includes both theoretical training (courses) and independent, productive research activity (dissertation work), with students receiving supervision and guidance throughout.

In the first module, “Introduction to the Doctoral Programme,” students acquire the essential foundations to prepare and budget project proposals, among other skills. Another module, “Medical Science in the Social Context,” addresses, for example, the ethical aspects of animal or clinical research, as well as research in (dental) medical practice. Following the introduction to scientific working methods and statistics/biostatistics, the “Higher Education Didactics” module teaches students how to present scientific data. A particular modular focus, in preparation for the dissertation, is placed on scientific writing.

A detailed study programme is provided upon application.