Training component

The content of the training component must, together with the project work, thesis, and previous education, provide the necessary academic breadth and depth that is the goal of the doctoral education. The elements of the training component must be relevant to the PhD candidate’s research project. During the doctoral education period, the candidate should also receive training in disseminating research results to peers, students, and the general public.

At the Faculty of Science and Technology, the training component must include at least 30 ECTS credits and consists of the following elements:

• Courses, research seminars, special syllabi: 20–22 ECTS credits
• Philosophy of science and ethics: 5 ECTS credits
• Dissemination: 3–5 ECTS credits. A presentation at an international conference is mandatory in the dissemination part.

At least 20 ECTS credits in the training component must be completed after admission to the PhD program.

For more detailed information about the training component of the PhD program, see:

• Regulations for the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD) at the University of Bergen (§ 7)
• Program description for the PhD program at the Faculty of Science and Technology (§ 7)

The candidate prepares the individual training component together with the supervisor(s) along with the application for admission to the PhD program. The PhD Education Committee at the department approves the training component.

During the doctoral education period, changes may occur, and courses or other elements in the training component may be replaced. It is important that the candidate keeps the supervisor and the PhD administration at the department informed of any changes and applies for approval if necessary.

Final Approval of the Training Component

A completed and approved training component is a prerequisite for the candidate to apply for thesis submission. Therefore, it is important that all completed activities in the training component are approved and registered continuously.

The candidate must apply to the department’s PhD Education Committee for approval of the training component well before the PhD period expires. If the training component or certain activities are not approved, this may lead to unwanted delays in thesis submission.

The application for final approval of the training component must be approved by the supervisor and include all necessary documentation of completed activities, if these have not previously been approved by the PhD Education Committee.

If not all activities have been completed, the PhD candidate must attach a plan for completing the training component approved by the supervisor. Documentation of elements not yet completed must then be submitted later.

The PhD Education Committee is responsible for the content and final approval of the training component.

For more detailed information on approval requirements, see Program description for the PhD program at the Faculty of Science and Technology (§ 7).

The course in philosophy of science and ethics (MNF990) at the Faculty of Science and Technology is a mandatory part of the doctoral education and provides 5 ECTS credits.

The main objective of the course is to familiarize participants with important topics in philosophy of science and ethics that may be useful in their own projects. At the same time, it aims to provide a broader perspective on their field by developing a better understanding of epistemological, ethical, and societal aspects of their work.

Candidates who wish to include a similar course from another university must apply to the faculty for approval.

All elements of the dissemination part should normally be completed after admission to the PhD program.

Participation in an international conference is mandatory

Participation in an international conference with a presentation of results from the candidate’s own research (poster or oral presentation) is mandatory for all candidates and provides 2 ECTS credits. International conferences do not include national meetings with invited foreign speakers.

Other activities within academic dissemination

• Course in knowledge dissemination: For example, courses in academic writing, presentation skills, or similar.
• Seminar on a self-selected topic: 1 ECTS credit. Duration: 1 lecture hour. Maximum: 1 ECTS credit.
  The seminar must be open to all and announced 2 weeks in advance. The topic is proposed by the student and supervisor and approved by the department. The department appoints a committee of two members to evaluate the seminar. The criteria for the seminar are the same as for a trial lecture on an assigned topic. The purpose of the seminar is for the candidate to demonstrate the ability to disseminate research-based knowledge to an audience with expected prior knowledge at the master’s level in the field. Both academic content and dissemination skills are emphasized in the assessment.

Popular science contributions within the candidate’s field may be included as dissemination in the training component. Up to 2 ECTS credits per contribution and a maximum of 2 ECTS credits in the training component can be awarded.

Popular science contributions involve communicating scientific knowledge to a non-specialized audience using accessible language and explanations that make complex research understandable and engaging without requiring advanced technical expertise or academic knowledge.

Purpose: To inform, inspire, or raise awareness of scientific topics, often emphasizing societal or everyday relevance.
Target audience: The general public or readers without specialized knowledge in the field, ranging from schoolchildren to an interested adult audience.
Language: Clear, simple, and jargon-free, adapted to the audience, with technical terms explained in everyday words.

Popular science contributions may include articles, blogs, podcasts, videos, public lectures, or media contributions prioritizing accessibility over technical detail.

In the guideline overview of popular science contributions, examples are listed, but other contributions beyond these may also be possible.

Approval requirements

The PhD Education Committee at the department assesses the academic level and scope of a popular science contribution. The candidate must document the scope and content of the contribution. The supervisor must approve the activity. Workload is calculated according to ECTS rules: minimum 25 hours = 1 ECTS. Activities that are part of the candidate’s career-promoting work (4-year PhD) cannot count toward the training component.