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 days 2-4. Day 5 is a so-called PhD day, that is a miniconference. In addition to the five day intensive course, the student must participate in at least three 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. The PhD days are for all PhD students at the department and we encourage everybody to participate in as many PhD days as possible.