Adopted by the Board at Molde University College on 28 February 2002 and updated on 19 September 2002 and 30 October 2003 in accordance with the Law of 12 May 1995 Number 22 concerning universities and university colleges §46.5.

§1. Scope of Regulations

Regulations pertain to the doctoral programs that lead to the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) at Molde University College .

These regulations contain rules for admission and completion of the PhD programme at Molde University College .

§2. Objectives of the doctoral programme

The doctoral programme shall qualify for research and other work in society where expertise is required. Independent research in a particular area and a dissertation of high professional quality are important parts of this program. In addition, the doctoral candidate receives advanced training in theory and methods that provide professional depth and breathe in their chosen subject area along with placing the subject within a broader framework. Through this programme the candidate will also receive training in publishing/presenting their work.

§3. Admission

3.1 Applicants formal education

In order to be accepted to the doctoral program the applicant must have a master's degree or equivalent within the subject area applied for that is relevant to the doctoral programme and the dissertation. The applicant should have a strong academic background from a previous study, and have received average grades during the last two years of the master's degree programme (equivalent to 120 credits) or an equivalent education with a B or better grade that is comparable to the grading system at Molde University College . The College can require the applicant to take specific courses and/or pass examinations in specific subjects before being accepted.

3.2 Plan for the doctoral programme

The application for this programme must include:

A short description of the research topic
A schedule for implementing this programme
A plan for funding the study
A statement of support/facilities required
The name of a possible advisor
Plan for stay abroad
Plan for professional publication/presentation
Information about possible copyright restrictions to protect others rights

The description of the research plan should be done in cooperation with the principal advisor and include a topic, problem, selected theory and research method. The description should include a schedule for how the various parts of the research work are expected to progress.

If the applicant plans to use a language other than that which is approved by the Regulations in §6.7 ledd, the applicant must apply for permission, which must be submitted with the plan of study.

3.3 Conditions for admission

Admission is based on a collective assessment of the research proposal, the applicant's formal qualifications and plan for the doctoral study, including schedule, plan for funding, approval of the advisor and the applicant's access to other necessary professional and material resources.

Approval of the courses depends on the supplementary purview and required components in this part of the program.

Admission can be refused if:

The intellectual property rights agreement is an impediment to publication and the public presentation of the dissertation.
The copyright agreement is so unreasonable that the college should not participate in the project.

3.4 Procedure for Admission

Send the application for admission to Molde University College . The college will evaluate the application, study plan, and appoint an advisor(s). The decision for admission is made by The Doctoral Degree Committee. The college will determine the criteria for ranking qualified applicants in situations where the number of applicants exceeds capacity.

§4. Contract

Admission is formalized in the form of a written contract. The contract is between the doctoral candidate, the academic advisor(s), Molde University College and possibly external institutions. The contract states the parties' mutual rights and responsibilities. The contract shall state the topic of the dissertation, contract period, funding, instruction arrangements, workplace and organized training program.

Any substantive changes in the arrangements outlined in the contract must be approved by the college.

§5. The Doctoral Degree Programme

5.1 Normal Time Frame

The doctoral programme is designed so that it can be completed within a three-year period. Within this period there should be a minimum of one semester set aside for organized instruction (courses, etc.). The instruction should be complete when the dissertation is submitted. The contract period can be extended in the event that a student is granted leave from the program on the basis of his/her rights as an employee.

When special academic consideration is appropriate, the college can approve a different schedule. However the same academic standards and qualifications must be attained.

The maximal time period for the PhD programme is six (6) years from the time of admission to the submission of the dissertation for evaluation. Leave of absence, an extended illness, employment obligations and approved part time study will not be counted in the six (6) years. The candidate will lose the right to defend the dissertation if the maximum amount of time has been exceeded. The Doctoral Committee determines whether the maximum study time has been exceeded.

5.2 Instruction

Instruction shall count for a minimum of 60 credits. Of these a minimum of 30 credits must come from formal courses. The course work must include training in the subject area and research methods that are needed to complete the dissertation and to qualify for employment that places great emphasis on the need for scholarly insight. The programme shall also include instruction in scientific theory and ethics. A grade of B or better is required to pass a course.

The college is responsible for providing all doctoral degree candidates instruction on a high scholarly level. If the college cannot offer this level of instruction, the candidate will be given the right to participate in a course at another institution that offers an approved doctoral programme.

The instruction can be given as regular lectures/seminars, partly as short, concentrated courses or in other forms that are approved by the college. In those subject areas where there are no formal course offering, an individual reading list can be approved as a part of the instruction programme.

All students accepted for this degree program shall follow the instruction programme. It must be documented that the candidate has acquired the necessary academic knowledge. Such documentation can be obtained through required practical exercises, written or oral examinations, lectures, seminars, published scientific and/or popular science articles or in other approved ways.

As a segment in the instructional component the doctoral candidate can hold seminars or give lectures as a way of obtaining training in and help to disseminate scholarly information. A popular science project that requires similar work can be approved instead of seminars or lectures.

The doctoral student normally spends at least one semester at a recognized foreign academic or research institution where it is possible to continue their research work for the dissertation. If this is not possible or desirable, an approved Norwegian institution can be selected. Other arrangements that can be made to ensure the student obtains insight into alternative research methods and different approaches to the subject.

The college can exempt the student from participation in part of the instruction programme if the equivalent requirement completed at another institution is approved. In special situations full or partial exemption can be granted if other training or research activities give the required competence and can be documented.

5.3 Academic Advising

Work for the doctoral dissertation shall be done under individual guidance. The principal advisor shall be employed by the college. In addition, the candidate may have one or more co-advisor(s), which are normally not from the college. The advisor(s) must have a PhD or equivalent academic expertise. The doctoral candidate and advisors must maintain regular contact in accordance with the guidelines that are defined in the contract concerning academic guidance in research, jf. § 4. The doctoral candidate should have an opportunity to have the dissertation work discussed in a seminar. The principal advisor has the main responsibility for making sure that the doctoral student participates regularly in an active research environment with senior researchers and other doctoral students.

§ 6. The Dissertation

The dissertation shall be an independent, scholarly work on the highest academic level when it comes to formulating the problem, specifying concepts, methods, theory and experimental basis, documentation and presentation. The dissertation shall contribute to the development of new knowledge and be at an academic level that merits publication in appropriate scholarly journals.

The dissertation can be a separate piece of work or it can be a continuation of the master's degree thesis/cand. philol. dissertation in the field of study. The dissertation can also be a continuation of previous academic work done in connection with other examinations in the field.

Individual work that has been assessed for the MSc degree thesis/cand.philol. dissertation or dissertation for the Master of Arts degree or equivalent cannot be submitted unless it is a minor part of the dissertation consisting of several related works.

Several minor works can be accepted as part of the doctoral dissertation when they contribute to the whole work. In addition to the separate parts there shall be a summary that explains more specifically the entire work.

Part of a joint research project can be accepted for evaluation (as one of several projects, jfr. 4. ledd), provided that it represents an independent contribution that can be identified in the event that it is necessary for evaluation. In such cases the other author(s)/contributor(s) and others who have followed the research should clarify what contribution the doctoral candidate has made.

Research or part of a research paper that has been approved for the PhD degree at a foreign university or university college cannot be accepted for evaluation, even if it is delivered in an appropriately revised form.

The dissertation shall be written in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English, German or French. If the candidate wishes to use another language, he/she must apply for special permission in accordance to jf. § 3.2.

The dissertation shall be available to the public at least two weeks prior to the defense. No restrictions can be placed on the publication of a doctoral dissertation except the previously agreed to postponement of the date of publication. Such an agreement may be made when the doctoral work is partially or wholly funded by an external party that may need time to determine if it is in its interest to patent or commercialize the research results. An external party may not require that all or part of a doctoral dissertation be withheld from publication or made unavailable to the public.

A doctoral dissertation that was not approved after a previous evaluation can be evaluated again if it is revised appropriately, either as a sole work or as one of many related works, but not earlier than six months after it has been rejected. A new evaluation can only be done once.

§ 7. Quality Assurance and Reporting

During the contract period the PhD candidate shall deliver an annual written report to the doctoral committee about the progress related to the PhD plan. The principal advisor delivers a separate report annually. The report should be written on a special form.

§ 8. Termination of the Contract

A severe breach of contract, such as the lack of progress within a reasonable time period, violation of ethical rules and major changes in the research project, may result in the colleges termination of the doctoral candidate contract.

§ 9. Evaluation

The PhD degree is awarded on the basis of:

a) An approved dissertation and its satisfactory defense in a public forum.

b) The satisfactory completion of an instruction program, possibly other approved academic training or qualification.

c) An approved trial lecture.

§ 10. Submission

The application to have the dissertation evaluated should be sent to Molde University College and the number of copies of the dissertation (determined by the college) must accompany the application. Documentation that the instruction program has been completed must also accompany the application. If the dissertation is approved for defense, additional copies must be submitted in accordance with the rules. In addition, submit a short summary of the dissertation that is appropriate for a press release. The dissertation shall be available to the public at least two weeks before the defense.

§ 11. Appointment of the Dissertation Committee

About a year before the doctoral candidate plans to defend the dissertation, a public presentation of the work in progress should be held along with a presentation of the plan for completion of the work. The Doctoral Committee and the principal advisor shall participate in the presentation and give the candidates feedback along with a determination of whether the plan for completion of the work is realistic. If the Doctoral Committee finds the presentation satisfactory, it should appoint within a reasonable time a Dissertation Committee that will evaluate the trial lecture, the dissertation and its defense. The Dissertation Committee shall have a minimum of three members appointed by the college. The college selects the committee's chairperson, who is normally the internal representative. This is done to ensure that the work progresses. The Dissertation Committee shall have a minimum of one member that is employed by a recognized foreign educational or research institution. Only one member can have a permanent position at Molde University College . The Committee shall have both genders represented, to the extent possible. All members shall have a doctoral degree or equivalent professional expertise. Habilitetsreglene i Forvaltningslovens § 6 flg pertains to the committee members, jf. Lovens § 10. The appointed advisor(s) cannot be a member(s) of the Dissertation Committee, but if desired, may be called to the Committee meetings to clarify the guidance and the dissertation. The doctoral candidate is informed about the committee's composition.

§ 12. Work of the Dissertation Committee

Withdrawal and Corrections

A dissertation that has been submitted cannot be withdrawn until the Dissertation Committee has determined whether it is worthy to be defended for doctoral degree. The doctoral candidate has the right to correct errors in the form of the dissertation. In this situation a list of corrections must be submitted no later than one month before the defense.

Irrespective of those reasons stated previously, the college can give permission to revise the dissertation on the basis of the Dissertation Committee's preliminary comments.

If the dissertation is not approved, it can be submitted again after six months.

Obligation to Provide Information

An advisor may be summoned by the Dissertation Committee to provide information about the advising process and the work done for the dissertation.

The Committee can request the doctoral candidate submit supporting material and/or other relevant information.

The Dissertation Committee's Findings

The Committee in its report states whether the work is worthy of a doctoral degree defense. Any dissenting views must be substantiated.

The Dissertation Committee's findings are presented to the doctoral candidate, who is given 14 days to provide written comments. If the candidate does not wish to provide written remarks, the college must be informed as soon as possible.

Deadlines

The Dissertation Committee shall present its findings no later than three months after receiving the dissertation, unless the college stipulates otherwise. If the Committee allows the dissertation to be revised, a new period commences upon resubmission of the dissertation.

§ 13. The Consequences of the Dissertation Committee's Findings

Unanimous Committee Decision

If the report, with possible comments, represents the unanimous view of the Committee, it cannot be rejected by the College Board. The Board cannot disregard the unanimous view of the Committee.

A Non-unanimous Decision

If the Committee is not unanimous in its decision, the Board can adopt the majority view of the Committee. If the Board finds reason to doubt whether the dissertation should be approved, the Board can appoint two new reviewers who shall submit individual assessments. If both the new reviewers agree with the majority view of the Committee in the original report, it shall be accepted. If the new reviewers do not agree with the Committee's report, the Board decides which report to accept.

§ 14. Trial Lecture and Defense

If the work is found to be worthy of the doctoral degree, the final requirement is

a) a public trial lecture on a given topic and

b) a defense

The Dissertation Committee determines the topic of the trial lecture and notifies the doctoral candidate 10 working days before the lecture. The defense is normally held within six months after the dissertation has been submitted to the Committee. The trial lecture is held before the defense.

The lecture and the defense shall be given in the language used in the dissertation, or another language that is permitted by the regulations.

The Dissertation Committee evaluates the trial lecture

If the Committee finds the trial lecture is satisfactory, the doctoral candidate can defend the doctoral work in a defense.

The defense shall be public. The Dissertation Committee functions as opponents. The different tasks are divided internally within the Committee (i.e. first opponent, second opponent, etc.). In special situations opponents may be appointed that have not been members of the Committee.

The defense is led by the Rector or whomever the Rector authorizes. The person leading the defense gives a short explanation of the submission and assessment of the dissertation, the trial lecture and its evaluation. Thereafter the doctoral candidate explains the purpose and the results of the research. The first opponent initiates the discussion and the second opponent concludes the defense. Other individuals who desire to participate in the discussion must notify the leader of the defense within a designated time, which is announced at the beginning of the defense.

After the defense the Dissertation Committee submits a report to the college with an explanation for the evaluation of the trial lecture and the defense of the dissertation. The report concludes with a combined evaluation of pass/fail.

If the trial lecture and/or defense are unsatisfactory, a new defense can be held six months after the first try.

§ 15. Awarding the Degree and Diploma

On the basis of the report from the Dissertation Committee that the trial lecture and defense are satisfactory, the College Board confers the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) on the candidate.

The doctoral diploma is prepared by Molde University College . The diploma will include the title of the dissertation along with information about the subject area of the instruction program in which the candidate has participated.

§ 16. Appeals

16.1 Complaints about admission/application procedures

A decision to reject an applicant for admission in accordance with § 3 can be appealed in accordance with the Forvaltningslovens § 28 flg. Reasons for the complaint should be sent to the college. If the original decision is upheld, the appeal may be sent to the Central Appeals Board for further consideration.

16.2 Complaints related to the approval of courses and instruction

Appeals on rejection of courses or other parts of an instruction program are dealt with in jf. § 5.2 and § 16.1. Complaints regarding special examinations or tests are governed by the Law on universities and university colleges §§ 51 and 52.

16.3 Appeals related to the rejection of an application for evaluation of the dissertation, non-approval of the dissertation, trial lecture or defense

Non-approval of the dissertation, trial lecture or defense can be appealed in accordance with Forvaltningslovens § 28 flg. A substantiated appeal should be sent to the Doctoral Degree Committee. If the rejection of the dissertation, trial lecture or defense was made by the Doctoral Degree Committee, this Committee can overturn or alter its decision if the appeal has merit. If the rejection was not made by the Doctoral Degree Committee, the appeal is sent to the College Board for consideration. If the College Board made the decision to reject the dissertation, trial lecture or defense, the appeal is sent to the Department of Education for a final decision. The Department of Education may evaluate every aspect of the previous decisions. If the college or the Department of Education finds reasons for it, they can appoint a committee or an individual to assess the previous evaluation of the dissertation and the criteria on which it was based, or to make a new or supplementary expert evaluation.

§ 17. Supplementary Regulations

The College Board may stipulate supplementary regulations from suggestions made by the Doctoral Degree Committee that will be included in this document.

§ 18. Effective Date