Training in the principles of good scientific practice covering all aspects of the research process is required in this category. This includes good scientific conduct for researchers and supervisors during the research process, project design (including controls, statistics and randomization), data management and ownership, documentation and archiving, ethical issues in human and animal research as well as data protection, publishing and reviewing ethics, current guidelines (e.g. DFG and university regulations) as well as procedures for non-compliance with good scientific practice.

Category C1: Minimum 5 hours

Details: Participation in the GSP content of the STMM Introductory Days is mandatory. If equivalent courses have been completed recently, these may be recognized under certain circumstances.

Proof: Participation in the STMM Introductory Days; Other evidence must be uploaded to the STMM platform LEARN and confirmed by the STMM office.

Participation in internal scientific exchange involves the discussion of research and literature in the student’s own research environment, through regularly participating in lab meetings, progress reports and journal club presentations throughout the whole course of the doctorate.

Category C2: Minimum 50 hours

Details:

During the course of the doctorate regular participation in:

1. Lab or progress meetings in your own working group
2. Literature seminars (journal clubs), within or outside your own working group.

Each individual participation is recognized with 1 h

Proof: The completed form or a list of participations is uploaded regularly (e.g., annually) to the STMM platform LEARN. Confirmation by the supervisor is required, either electronically or by signing the form.

External scientific exchange involves joining presentations about research from outside the student’s own research group, such as attending talks given by invited speakers, as well as UMM Grand Rounds, lecture series offered by institutes and clinics, Tag der Wissenschaft etc.

Category C3: Minimum 25 hours, at least 1 conference participation

Details:

During the course of the doctorate:

1. Regular participation in research lectures (at least 6 per year), each individual participation is recognized with 1 h
2. Participation in at least one conference during the doctorate, will be recognized with 5 h per full day

Proof: Evidence and/or the completed form must be uploaded to the STMM platform LEARN. Confirmation by the supervisor is required, either electronically or by signing the form. The conference visit can also take place as part of the STMM Summer Symposium.

During the course of the Dr. sc. hum. each student is required to give presentations internally and externally, including progress reports, journal club presentations and the presentation of research results at scientific meetings.

Category C4: Minimum 40 hours

Details:

During the course of the doctorate:

1. At least one progress report in the own working group per year, will be recognized with 5 h workload
2. At least one own presentation in a literature seminar (journal club) per year, will be recognized with 5 h workload
3. At least one presentation (poster or oral) at a conference during the doctoral period, will be recognized with 10 h workload; this presentation can also take place as part of the STMM Summer Symposium or another symposium at the UMM

Proof: Evidence and/or the completed form must be uploaded to the STMM platform LEARN. Confirmation by the supervisor is required, either electronically or by signing the form.

Key competences for scientists include contents such as literature research and critical analysis of scientific literature, scientific writing of papers and grants, a basic knowledge of the design of animal experimentation and ethical permission applications, knowledge of project planning and data management. Some of these topics are best covered in combination with aspects from good scientific practice (C1). Additional components include patents and intellectual property issues, as well as soft skills such as communication skills, time and conflict management, career planning etc.

Category C5: Minimum 20 hours

Details: Within the STMM events (Introductory Days, Industry and Innovation Days and Summer Symposium) there is some C5 content. Many courses are offered by the Graduate Academy.

Proof: Participation in STMM events; other evidence must be uploaded to the STMM platform LEARN and confirmed by the STMM office.

In this category, training in subject-specific skills needs to be undertaken, in particular specialized methodologies that are of relevance for the student’s own research. Examples include methods for data analysis, statistics and bioinformatics, imaging (EEG, MRI, microscopy etc.) and image analysis, image processing and image quantification, wet-lab methods (FACS, sequencing methods etc.), animal work (e.g. FELASA course), and training in clinical studies, psychophysiology and innovation and entrepreneurship.

In addition to courses and workshops, lab exchanges to learn a new method can also be accredited in this category.

Category C6: Minimum 30 hours

Details: Content that is relevant to the own doctoral topic or can be found in the subject area of innovation and translation.

Proof: Evidence and/or the completed form must be uploaded to the STMM platform LEARN. Confirmation by the supervisor is required, either electronically or by signing the form.

At least three thesis advisory committee (TAC) meetings including a written report, presentation and discussion of the project are mandatory for each Dr. sc. hum. student and supervisor(s). The regulations governing TAC meetings and the associated documentation can be found on the STMM web pages.

Category C7: 10 hours per TAC, 30 hours total

Details: At least three TAC meetings during the course of the doctorate, each of which is credited with 10 h of work.

Proof: The written report on the doctoral project and the TAC report must be uploaded to the STMM platform LEARN.