PhD Programme in Health Sciences

The PhD programme in Health Sciences is a structured research education that consists of independent research work with a doctoral thesis (150 credits) and a training component (30 credits).

Duration and Credits

• Duration: 3 years
• Credits (ECTS): 180

Admission Requirements

For admission to the PhD programme in Health Sciences, the following requirements are stipulated:

• The candidate must have completed a five-year Norwegian master's degree, Norwegian higher-level professional education, or an education deemed equivalent by the faculty.
• The candidate must have achieved a grade of C or better on the master's thesis and as an average for the master's degree.
• Foreign candidates must provide evidence of English proficiency that meets the requirement for Norwegian general study competence.
• The candidate must have satisfactory funding for the study, typically a salary equivalent to that of a research fellow position, including salary, operational funds, infrastructure, and indirect costs.

Program Structure

The PhD programme follows this structure:

• HEL-8900 Doctoral thesis in Health Sciences (150 credits)
• Training component (30 credits)

Training Component

Courses within the training component should be at a doctoral level and cover topics including scientific theory, ethics, and communication. The training component is worth 30 credits, with a minimum of 20 credits completed after admission.

Mandatory Courses

• HEL-8040 Theory of Science, Research Ethics and Research Design (7 credits)
• HEL-8045 Innovation and Public Research Communication (3 credits)
• Courses in Laboratory Animal Science are mandatory for candidates with research projects involving the use of laboratory animals.
• For candidates conducting laboratory research, it is mandatory to complete relevant Health, Safety, and Environment courses at UiT.

Optional Courses (20 credits)

• PhD courses from UiT or other accredited institutions in Norway or abroad
• Specialized curriculum may be approved based on a satisfactory course description in line with UiT's education quality system
• Courses taken at a Norwegian or foreign research school
• Scientific communication
• Popular science representation

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the PhD programme, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate can:

• Critically assess scientific methods and research design suitable for addressing various issues within the field of health science
• Evaluate and analyze scientific-theoretical questions in their own and others' research
• Critically analyze the methodological and academic quality of existing knowledge within their specific field of study
• Assess the need for research and innovation within their own field of study
• Recognize and analyze ethical issues in research
• Evaluate the utility and appropriateness of different communication channels and methods

Skills

The candidate can:

• Critically reflect upon and justify the choice of research methods in a health science research project
• Select, justify, and discuss new issues within their own research area
• Develop projects in accordance with research ethics requirements and guidelines (including Health Research Act)
• Design, execute, and lead a research project at a high international level
• Evaluate and utilize various communication channels for their own research project and field of study

General Competence

The candidate:

• Is innovative and pioneering within their own field of study
• Actively contributes to networks within their field of study nationally and internationally
• Is an active contributor to societal discussions within their field of study nationally and internationally
• Communicates and discusses thoughtfully the issues within health sciences

Job Prospects

A PhD degree in Health Sciences qualifies individuals for a wide range of positions both within and outside academia, where candidates are needed to:

• Be at the forefront of knowledge within their field of expertise
• Possess a strong grasp of scientific theory and methods
• Contribute to the development of new knowledge, theories, methods, interpretations, or documentation forms
• Gain an overview of and analyze complex problem areas
• Formulate research questions, plan, and execute research or developmental work
• Tackle intricate academic questions, challenge established knowledge and practices
• Communicate knowledge from their field to society and engage in academic discussions
• Evaluate the need for, initiate, and drive innovation

Degree Name

Philosophiae doctor in Health Sciences

Language of Instruction

The teaching language for PhD courses in the training component is Norwegian/Nordic and/or English. The thesis, including the abstract, should have a consistent language. As a general rule, this should be English. Norwegian or another Nordic language may be accepted. The choice of language should be specified in the admission application and approved by the admission committee.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods for courses within the training component may include lectures, seminars, and/or guidance through written or oral presentation. The specific teaching methods and extent are further detailed in the individual course description. For the doctoral thesis, the primary teaching method consists of guidance provided by appointed main- and co-supervisor(s).

Outgoing Exchange

The study program utilizes the following measures for internationalization:

• English-language teaching and course literature
• Incorporation of international conference participation with credit in the training component
• International PhD student environment
• International exchange agreements and collaboration agreements

Destinations for Studies Abroad

University of Oulu, Finland

University of Tromso: A Summary

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Overview:

UiT Norges arktiske universitet (University of Tromso) is a public university located in Tromso, Norway. It is known for its focus on Arctic research and education.