Introduction
Doctoral study is one of the most important activities at the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS), University of West Bohemia (UWB), Pilsen. In agreement with the Czech Higher Education Act, doctoral study programmes at the Faculty are focused on scientific research and creativity. Ph.D. students contribute significantly to the successful fulfilment of the research objectives of both the Faculty and its research centre, Centre of Excellence “NTIS – New Technologies for the Information Society”. They also participate in many national as well as international research projects.
Basic Information
Study on doctoral study programmes (hereinafter referred to as "DSP") is governed by the effective Higher Education Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Higher Education Act"), Part 3 of the valid Study and Examination Regulations of the University of West Bohemia (hereinafter referred to as "SER") and Dean's Decree 11D/2017 (hereinafter referred to as the “Decree”). The duration and organization of study on a DSP depends primarily on the selected form of study (full-time or part-time) and by the student´s individual study plan (hereinafter referred to as "ISP"), which also sets submission deadlines for application to the state doctoral examination and defence of the dissertation. The maximum period for both forms of study is seven years from the start of study. This maximum period is given in SER by the student's obligation to submit an application for the defence of the dissertation.
The credit system is not used for Doctoral studies. The organization of studies in Doctoral study programmes is ensured by the guaranteeing department, which is usually also the student's workplace (this department may have finalised a contract on the training of students with another partner workplace). DPS students are registered with the guaranteeing department; this department is subsequently classified in the information system as their workplace. The Head of the guaranteeing department (or the head of a section of the department), as a senior employee, ensures conditions are met for fulfilling the study requirements of DSP students in cooperation with the supervisor. These conditions may vary depending on the form of study.
Doctoral studies take place under the professional supervision of a supervisor, with whose consent the student determines, inter alia, his/her working mode and holiday terms. The supervisor is responsible to the Study Field Board for his/her activities. Each Study Field Board has its own chairman who is responsible for the execution of the Board’s decisions. A specialist consultant may be appointed to the student at any time during his/her study at the suggestion of the supervisor to address specific problems related to the dissertation topic; the consultant must be a renowned expert in the given field.
Study obligations also include adequate participation in lessons provided by the department which is the student's registered workplace. This participation in the lessons takes place in accordance with the student's individual study plan based on an agreement between the supervisor and the Head of the guaranteeing department. The form and scope reflect both the needs of the training workplace, updated annually, and other student activities that are prescribed for him/her in the individual study plan for the given year (usually 4-6 hours a week for each semester). The student's teaching duty is posted in the normal way for academic staff of the department, typically before the beginning of the academic year via the information system. Changes to the extent (i.e. increase or decrease) of the teaching obligation are agreed between the management of the department and the supervisor.
Full-time students can be employed on a particular project by the workplace Faculty up to a maximum of half-time. Employment consisting of work on a project is subject to the approval of the supervisor and the Head of the guaranteeing department. For part-time students, the workload is not limited.
The Dean decides on matters not regulated by the Decree, the SER, the Higher Education Act and related regulations.