Scope of the PhD Medical Research – Cardiovascular Science
Within the framework of this structured PhD programme, doctoral candidates need to obtain a total of 180 ECTS:
- 30 ECTS that each student can choose individually to improve knowledge and methodological skills directly related to the PhD project
- 120 ECTS within the scope of the research project, including study blocks in Munich and regular research progress meetings
- 20 ECTS for the dissertation
- 10 ECTS for the disputation conducted in Munich
In addition to the 30 ECTS required by the MMRS guidelines, PhD MR – CVS programme students have to earn extra curricular ECTS through the successful completion of pre-defined courses and the mandatory bi-monthly progress sessions (within the scope of the 120 ECTS).
Study Blocks in Munich
Upon joining the PhD programme, candidates commence their doctoral journey with Study Block I in Munich, held from October to early December in line with LMU's winter semester. All PhD MR – CVS programme students undergo the same curriculum to guarantee a consistent knowledge base across all candidates.
Study Block I, lasting eight weeks, is an intensive period filled with daily lectures, workshops, and seminars, requiring full-time commitment from all doctoral students. The programme focuses on the biology, cardiovascular disease insights, treatment options, epidemiology, and associated risk factors of a healthy cardiovascular system. In addition, it provides an understanding of basic research methods, analytical tools for cardiovascular studies, and interdisciplinary skills like scientific writing. Each module will be concluded with a written exam.
Study Block II, taking place in Munich in September and October of the following year, delves deeper into cardiovascular research and its methodologies, emphasising the latest advancements and current best practices in cardiovascular science. Furthermore, Study Block II overlaps with Study Block I for the new cohort of PhD candidates, providing a platform for networking and knowledge sharing among peers.