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Faculty of Science & Health

School of Physical Sciences | Structured Doctoral Pathways 2023-2024

Overview

The School of Physical Sciences’ structured doctoral pathway will lead to a PhD in one of the areas of research expertise within the School. The School's structured PhD programme is designed to align with the strategic direction of the University in terms of education, research excellence and translational focus. The programme provides core discipline-specific modules in advanced topics of modern physics centered on core areas of research in the School – including nanoscale physics (semiconductors, optical sensors, lithography and quantum technology), biomedical physics, plasma physics and astrophysics and physics/ STEM education research. For each of these modules, fundamental theory is taught along with relevant research methods and techniques. In addition, the programme also offers a range of modules which focus on students acquiring a broad range of generic and transferable skills – as desired in a modern professional environment. The programme offers flexibility so that each student can select the suite of modules most appropriate for their own specific needs and ambitions.

Selection and Registration

The School of Physical Sciences' assessment continues to be based solely on the student's original
research work presented as a written thesis. To facilitate the greatest degree of flexibility for graduate students, a Physics structured master's pathway is also provided. The MSc programme is based on students obtaining 180 credits for the research thesis and 20 credits from appropriate modules – typically 10 credits from "Core Discipline/Specific Skills” modules and 10 credits from "Generic/Transferable Skills” modules.

The PhD programme is based on students obtaining 270 credits for the research thesis plus between 35 and 55 credits from appropriate GTE modules – typically 20 credits from "Core Discipline/Specific Skills” modules and between 15 to 35 credits from "Generic/Transferable Skills” modules.

It is also School policy that all students who are assigned to teaching-related responsibilities must
complete PS6071 and PS6072 Laboratory tutoring, two 5-credit modules to be taken over at least two years. In order to best serve the needs of each individual student, modules can also be taken from the current GTE offering across the faculties in DCU, on both PhD and MSc pathways. Guidelines are
issued to students, along with advice from their supervisory panel, to enable them to make suitable
choices.

Once approval from the supervisor has been granted, students should register for their approved
Faculty GTE modules during the online registration process. However, if you wish to take a non-FSH
GTE module you MUST first email the module coordinator listed to check that you are eligible to
register for this module, then email science@dcu.ie providing:

  • confirmation and proof of approval from module coordinator
  • module code and title
  • student id number
  • qualification code
Progression

The individually-tailored structured pathway for each student should be discussed and agreed in the
first instance with their supervisor and progress recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Induction and Training

In addition, students will be encouraged to engage with centrally-offered workshops & seminars on
academic, software or transferable skills which align with their development needs. In year one, all
students are required to attend the orientation sessions, the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) and
library-run programme and other relevant induction sessions. GSO communicates details of the
training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester. All first year research students
must also take the Online Research Integrity Training Module (Natural and Physical Sciences stream).

Core Discipline Specific Modules

PhD pathway (20 ECTS) / MSc pathway (10 ECTS)*

  • PS6071: Year 1 Laboratory Tutoring (5 ECTS)
  • PS6072: Year 2 Laboratory Tutoring (5 ECTS)
  • PS522: Microfluidics II (5 ECTS)
  • PS523: Applied Spectroscopy II (5 ECTS)
  • PS525: Nanotechnology & Surface Analysis II (5 ECTS)
  • PS520: Computational Physics II (5 ECTS)
  • PS524: Plasma Science and Technology 2 (5 ECTS)
  • PS528: Advanced Astrophysics 1 (5 ECTS)
  • PS529: Advanced Astrophysics 2 (5 ECTS)

* These modules must be taken over at least two years and should be started in year one.

 

Core Transferable Skills Modules

PhD pathway (15 ECTS) / MSc pathway (10 ECTS)*

  • GS602: Postgraduate Tutoring Principles & Practice (5 ECTS)
  • TP602: Research Ethics (5 ECTS)
  • LC600: English for Academic Purposes (5 ECTS)
  • NS5055: Qualitative Research Summer School (5 ECTS) (Limited places. Students must also register for summer school sessions separately.)
  • MT610: Qualitative Research Methods (5 ECTS)

Doctoral Pathway – Select at least 15 ECTS
Master’s Pathway – Select at least 10 ECTS
Modules may be selected from above listing or other modules available on GTE listing.

 

Non-accredited Training, Workshops and Masterclasses
  • Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
  • Research Integrity Online Training Module (Physical and Natural Sciences stream) (non - accredited)
  • Students are encouraged to take additional training opportunities offered by the School and GSO as appropriate throughout their PhD.

 

Approval Date