PhD Courses in Denmark

To provide the students with knowledge about the Department of Physics, life as a PhD student, economics, start-ups and patents, data management plans (DMPs) and work environment. To provide the students with presentation training. To form the basis for a solid and fruitful network among PhD students.

A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:

• Use the acquired knowledge about fundamental subjects concerning funding and economics
• Use the acquired basic knowledge concerning start-ups and patents
• Use the obtained knowledge about data management plans (DMPs)
• Use the attained fundamental knowledge about work environment subjects
• Prepare a pedagogical presentation of your own scientific subject
• Observe time limits for oral presentations
• Make yourself acquainted with other areas of physics
• Become aware of typical issues facing PhD students and strategies for dealing with them.
• Understand the spectrum of career opportunities after the PhD

The five intensive course days include: Lectures, discussions and presentations by students and senior researchers; introduction to the PhD study program, the department and sections; discussions about life as a PhD student; overviews on safety, problem solving and coping with the challenges of the PhD program; case stories about experiences during and after the PhD; overviews on IP, innovation, starting a business; how to use the accounting/travel software; on writing, authorship, convincing your audience in talks and proposals; dilemmas and ethics; career options after the PhD - and many daytime and evening activities for establishing peer support groups, networking and learning together. The subject matter is split so that Day 1 mostly covers the practical things you need to know just as you are getting started as a PhD student. The more general topics are then covered during the final 4 days. In addition to the five day intensive course, the student must participate in at least 4 PhD days during their PhD education. The PhD days are run as miniconferences with talks, posters and an evening program and are offered 2 or 3 times per year.