Postgraduate studies and Ph.D.

Anyone who

• would like to think outside the box in addition to their daily pharmaceutical practice
• would like to know how culture and science are intertwined
• would like to research through a historical example how scientific knowledge works
• is interested in science and the humanities and/or social sciences

is invited to register for a preliminary meeting about a Ph.D. on the history of pharmacy.

Even scientific research is not always carried out because the research has a specific desirable application in sight. In this context, the history of science and pharmacy is basic research. Moreover, it is above all a reflective subject, in which questions about the rapid development of science can be asked, as well as about scientific ethics or the relationship between science and culture.

Working on a topic on the history of science or pharmacy transmits skills that would not evolve that much within scientific studies: you learn how to deal critically and productively with texts, how to write a (historical) text, how to argue and how to present an issue appropriately and professionally.

University positions in the field of the history of science are rare, but, in the meantime, this subject is part of humanistic and cultural science-based research. An academic career is anything but free of risk, so it is only recommended for those who are highly motivated to do research. Those who aim for an occupation in which you have to communicate about science, within science or through science (in public or private institutions), would be well advised to pursue a scientific-historical thesis. In future, many professional CVs will be more fragmented and less straightforward than they are today. If you can imagine changing your career path during your professional life, whether for the fun of experiencing change or because you wish to structure flexibly the balance between private and professional life, then such scientific work can be "useful" to you personally.

Before and during the Ph.D, at least thirteen "Semesterwochenstunden" (SWS) (work load) in the form of lectures and seminars should be attended. As course assessment, two short theses, two short presentations, a literature review and a longer thesis should be provided. Except for the first semester, the lectures are normally held as a weekend compact seminar. The courses can be completed flexibly in terms of time and the course assessments can also be combined flexibly. In total you get 15 ECTS (Credit points).

After defining a Ph.D. topic, candidates have to present it regularly at the Ph.D. colloquium (see below).

After every semester (and after getting their certificate for the course assessment) the postgraduate students have to inform the department on their completed courses.

Time structure and expenditure of time

Declaration: 1 SWS = 1 Semesterwochenstunde (work load) = 1 lesson a week or in total 15 hours

1 ECTS is normally 1 SWS and means an expenditure of 30 hours (including both attendance and individual work). Below you can see the ECTS. Unless otherwise stated, 1 ECTS means a lecture attendance of 15 hours and an additional time expenditure of 15 hours.

The study programme is divided in three phases:

Phase 1: (Duration: one or two semesters) compact introduction, 3ECTS

• 3 ECTS: Introduction to academic work through participation in an elective course on the history of pharmacy: a one-week compact seminar, followed by the semester commencement. The elective course consists, on the one hand, of a seminar component with an introduction to the methods of the history of science and pharmacy. On the other hand, it includes a research component, in which past research literature should be examined in relation to a predetermined topic. On the basis of source material from libraries and archives, new knowledge should be produced. In the week following that, the elective course is completed after writing a short thesis. In the following semester further courses are available: "Arbeitsmethoden in Wissenschaftsgeschichte und Wissenschaftsforschung" (methods of the history of science and science studies). Additionally, the course "Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften mit Schwerpunkt Pharmaziegeschichte" can itself be further elaborated.

Phase 2 (Duration: one or two semesters, but phase 1 & 2 should not take more than 4 semesters): Thematic orientation; application of working methods: 9 ECTS

• 6 ECTS Seminars and lectures (number and topic open to choice). Three course assessments should be completed: two short presentations and a thesis, in addition to a literature research. Following that, it is possible to select an essay or attendance to a further seminar (1 SWS) according to preference

The lectures requiring attendance and the type of course assessment can be combined freely in the second or third semester.

Phase 3: Introduction to the subject of the Ph.D., 3 ECTS: Topic identification and writing a longer thesis on the desired Ph.D. topic.

• The aim of this phase to identify a Ph.D. topic.
• Ph.D. colloquium. This takes place every semester as a compact seminar. During this phase, the colloquium offers the opportunity to get help in topic identification through getting to know other projects and deepening knowledge of methodology. After defining the topic, there is the opportunity to discuss your own work and to communicate further with other Ph.D. candidates.

• Tabular Overview: Table Credits (pdf, 123 KByte)

Ph.D.

After the end of the postgraduate studies, there is the possibility to register for a Ph.D. (you can find more information here) To that end, the postgraduate students have to sign a supervision agreement and submit an official application for admission to the Ph.D. program at the faculty. The requirements of the GradLife-Program can be met by completing postgraduate studies.

From the point of defining a topic onwards, the colloquium has to be attended at least once a year. The student's own topic should be presented after defining a topic, but in any case shortly before completion. Periodically, interim reports should be submitted in agreement with the supervisor.

Termine

Information is always available from September of the year before the start of the degree. The deadline for the applications is the end of the year, and the interviews will take place in the beginning of the year in which the studies will start. For further details, please consult our homepage under "News".