6th Annual Joint IUQB Conference

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6th Annual Joint IUQB Conference Opportunities
and Challenges in Developing 4th Level
Education The role of the PhD in research
Professor Frank Gannon
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PhD as it was

• An apprentiship for a career in academic research
• Approx. 4 years
• Different requirements in different countries

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National variations

• Ireland/UK a private oral examination with
  varying stringency
• Nordic Countries 3 - 5 publications required
• USA rotation and advanced courses in addition to
  research
• Germany oral examination on broad range of
  topics plus research and a ranking
• France, Netherlands Public examination and
  ranking

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Evolutionary pressure on the PhD

• New expectations for career after PhD and hence a
  different range of skills required
• Much work is done by a team
• Inter-disciplinarity
• Time limits

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Choices

• Rounded vs T shaped vs Classical PhD

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Classical PhD

• Defended by established scientists who see other
  courses as a distraction
• Time limit changed it into a report and not a
  thesis
• Seen today as inadequate for career development
• Seen as incomplete to meet goals of major
  investment programmes
• Advantage of training in data analysis, problem
  solving, team work, organisation, writing,
  presentation, dealing with deadlines and
  frustration etc. plus some technical skills

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Rounded PhD

• The preferred choice of many (most?) science
  administrators
• A la Carte mixture of professional skills-a
  credit system?
• Balance of non-science relavant skills to
  advanced courses in complementary scientific area
  is not always clear
• Value to industry not yet proven

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The T shaped PhD

• A combination of the classical and the rounded
• Advantages of the classical retained with a depth
  of skill and knowledge acquired
• Balance and career development aspects of
  rounded provided for
• Flexibilty for individual assured

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A question of timing for the T shaped PhD

• Should the generic extra skills be introduced at
  the start, in parallel or at the end of the
  research component ?
• How should it be examined?
• Should it be optional?
• Should the final year be the time for choice?

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Consequences for Higher Education Institutes

• Are the skills available to provide more than a
  classical PhD?
• Should schools with expertise in certain areas be
  promoted ?
• Is the cost of an extra year worth it?
• Should there be a separate degree -MBA like- be
  offered after the standard PhD as an extra
  qualification?
• Will it prove more attractive (better preparation
  for the work force) or less attractive (delays
  Post Doc or first job) to the students?

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