Doctoral thesis

Doctoral students decide in consultation with the doctoral thesis supervisor whether the doctoral thesis will be a monograph work or a cumulative thesis.

A “cumulative thesis” includes published or accepted manuscripts, merged in a suitable framework text with introduction and summary.

Please read the Download D-MAVT Complementary Regulations on Doctoral Affairs (PDF, 247 KB) for further information.

D-MAVT stipulates following requirements for a cumulative thesis:

1. at least two publications as first author published or accepted in peer reviewed journals (ISI journals or comparable standard);
2. if there are multiple first authors, then each may include the paper in their thesis. Each should include a statement describing their own specific contribution to the included publication.
3. additional papers as co-author may also be included if topically relevant and of added value to the thesis. Each should include a statement describing their own specific contribution to the included publication.
4. the contributions of each author must be highlighted for every paper;
5. the style of the doctoral thesis must be uniform. A succession of already-published articles in the various layouts of the respective publishers is not permitted;
6. an extended introduction chapter must be included, which covers:
   
   • the overriding research question;
     
   • the methodology used;
     
   • the relevance and the contribution of the thesis to specific subjects;
7. an extended conclusion chapter must be included, which integrates the results of the different publications and includes suggestions for future research, plus providing evidence for a coherent research framework of the thesis.

At the beginning of the organisation of the doctoral examination, the doctoral student informs the Department whether they have written a cumulative thesis and confirm that all requirements have been met.

Formal aspects to consider for your doctoral thesis.

The doctoral thesis supervisor and every co-examiner prepare a written report on the doctoral thesis, in English or German, and send the report with all relevant contact details and signature as an electronic PDF to the D-MAVT Doctoral Administration at least three weeks prior to the doctoral examination.

If the required reports have not been received one week prior to the exam, the exam is cancelled.

Each written report must contain at least the following elements:

1. a short summary of the thesis;
2. an assessment of the value of the scientific work and the thesis quality (no grade is required);
   
3. a recommendation regarding the acceptance of the thesis. (accepted with or without a revision)

Based on the received reports, the examination committee decides about the thesis’ acceptance. If none of the reports advocates against acceptance, the doctoral exam and presentation will be scheduled and announced.

If a significant revision of the thesis is requested (beyond minor corrections such as fixing typos), the examination committee provides the reasons for the required revision in writing, and the doctoral examination must be postponed. If members of the examination committee disagree with the decision, the chairperson tries to mediate a unanimous consensus. If no consensus can be found, a vote is required, with the chairperson casting the deciding vote. The result of the vote must be included in the report.

Please follow the formal guidelines of ETH Zurich when compiling the Doctoral thesis.