General Principles
The doctoral program is organized in accordance with the legislation in force, over a period of 4 years, with funding from the state budget, with or without a scholarship, or on a tuition-paying basis, with doctoral tuition fees established through institutional regulations.
In special situations, the duration of the doctoral study program may be extended by 1–2 years, with the approval of the University Senate, upon the proposal of the doctoral supervisor and within the limits of available funds, or reduced by one year, at the request of the doctoral student, with the endorsement of the doctoral supervisor and the approval of the University Senate.
Doctoral studies may be interrupted for well-founded reasons, under the conditions established by the IOSUD regulations.
Admission to Doctoral Studies
The methodology for admission to doctoral studies is approved annually by the POLITEHNICA Bucharest Senate and is published on both the institutional and SD-AC websites. The admission calendar is part of the methodology. SD-AC carries out the admission process in compliance with this methodology.
SD-AC guarantees transparency in the organization and conduct of the admission competition for doctoral study programs and ensures the publication of all information regarding candidate requirements, the manner in which the competition is conducted by doctoral field, and the competition results.
The admission committees responsible for ranking candidates are approved by CSD-AC for each field.
Doctoral Contract, Rights and Obligations
The contract template is published annually on the SD-AC website and includes the doctoral student’s data, enrollment status, doctoral supervisor, the rights and obligations of the signing parties, as well as the doctoral research topic and the language in which the thesis will be written.
The contract is standardized at IOSUD-POLITEHNICA Bucharest level. SD-AC may propose annexes to the contract concerning the progression of the doctoral stage, in compliance with the methodologies in force.
Supervision of the Doctoral Research Stage
Each doctoral supervisor, according to their scientific research expertise in the field in which they are habilitated, proposes research topics annually, which are publicly displayed on the Doctoral School website within their scientific profile.
Responsibility for the structure, content, implementation, and organization of the doctoral student’s training program lies with the doctoral supervisor, who is directly responsible for the student’s scientific progress and for ensuring the conditions necessary to complete the program.
The doctoral supervisor is assisted by the advisory and academic integrity committee, proposed/revised by the supervisor and approved by the CSD.
PPA – Advanced Training
(2 courses)
The doctoral supervisor proposes the topics for two specialized courses within the PPA, which will be endorsed by the CSD and included annually in the curriculum.
These courses may be:
- a course created by the doctoral supervisor;
- a course from the master’s programs;
- a compact course module (8–16 hours);
- an individual specialized study.
- Research Methodology and Scientific Authorship
- Ethics
- Project Management
PCS – Scientific Research
(7 stages)
The individual scientific research program (PCS) is completed by the doctoral student in 7 stages and is evaluated through the preparation of seven research reports presented before the advisory and academic integrity committee.
The presentation of the reports may be public.
Doctoral Student Access to Research Resources
- Providing the resources necessary for doctoral training is an institutional obligation of IOSUD-POLITEHNICA Bucharest, SD-AC, and the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers.
- The doctoral supervisor is required to support the doctoral student’s access to the resources necessary for carrying out the individual research program.
- Access to a research structure within POLITEHNICA Bucharest is granted with the approval of the doctoral supervisor.
- SD-AC provides information on its website regarding access to research resources, specialized literature, the institutional library, and the book collection.
- Specific aspects regarding access to resources are stated in the doctoral study contract.
Change of Doctoral Supervisor and Conflict Mediation
- At the justified request of the doctoral supervisor, CSD-AC may decide to transfer the doctoral student to another supervisor, with that supervisor’s consent, if the student has failed to fulfill their legal or contractual obligations.
- At the justified request of the doctoral student, CSD-AC may decide to change the doctoral supervisor if the supervisor has failed to fulfill their obligations or is unavailable.
- In such cases, within no more than 30 days, the CSD appoints another doctoral supervisor within the same field.
- The SD-AC staffing plan is modified to reflect changes in supervisor, funding, or status immediately before the beginning of the following academic year.
- Conflicts between the student and the supervisor are mediated by the CSD and, if unresolved at this level, by the CSUD. Conflicts between SD-AC and the doctoral student are mediated by the CSUD.
Doctoral Thesis
The doctoral thesis is the original scientific work prepared by the doctoral student as part of doctoral studies in a doctoral field and is a legal requirement for obtaining the doctoral degree.
The doctoral thesis together with its annexes constitutes a public document.
The thesis is written in accordance with the recommendations in the CNATDCU guide on writing doctoral theses in the field of Engineering Sciences.
The public defense process of the doctoral thesis, for the purpose of awarding the doctoral degree, is carried out in accordance with the methodology for completing the doctoral study program.
Grades and Evaluation Recommendations
(Summa cum laude)
The thesis addresses a highly current topic, presents high-level research, appropriate and varied methodology, compelling and conclusive results, and significant and consistent contributions to advancing the field.
Recommended: at least 3 top publications/contributions as first author, in addition to meeting the CNATDCU criteria.
(Magna cum laude)
The thesis addresses a current topic, presents very good research, appropriate methodology, compelling and conclusive results, and an innovative vision that contributes to advancing the field.
Recommended: at least 2 top publications/contributions as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria.
(Cum laude)
The thesis addresses a current topic, is built on an appropriate methodology, with objectives correctly framed within the field and compelling and conclusive research results.
Recommended: at least one top publication/contribution as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria.
The doctoral degree is awarded without distinction. The level of depth, relevance, or substantiation may be insufficiently justified; the methods and methodology are not fully appropriate, and the results only partially support the stated objectives. The CNATDCU criteria must be met.
The doctoral degree is not awarded. The thesis does not meet the criteria of relevance and quality, has serious methodological deficiencies, does not clearly demonstrate achievement of the objectives, or violations of the principles of scientific research ethics are identified.
Indicative Evaluation Criteria
- The timeliness, scientific relevance of the thesis, and the impact of its results.
- The thesis contributions to the field of engineering sciences and to the specific field.
- The presentation style of the thesis content: formal, applied, innovative, etc.
- The doctoral student’s independent critical approach in presenting hypotheses and objectives.
- The way research methodologies are used and reflected in the results.
- The critical analysis of existing solutions and the degree of advancement of the research.
- The evaluation of the doctoral student’s publications and their impact, including through citations or other metrics.
