Graduate Degree Studies at Technion
PhD candidates who intend to study as external students (not as full time-scholarship recipients), are required to submit a detailed letter guaranteeing to dedicate at least three days towards their research (on Technion campus or outside it). The letter is to be supported by their employer and approved by the departmental Graduate Committee.
Study Tracks and Requirements for PhD Degrees
| Tracks of study for a PhD | Course study | Duration of studies in semesters | Scientific writing in English | Submission date of a research topic (research proposal) | Candidacy examination | Seminar lecture / submission of work / final examination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular track | 5-12 advanced credits | 12 | Within three semesters from the beginning of the course of study | Within 11 months from the beginning of the course of study | Within one month after the submission of a research proposal | V |
| Direct track | Addition of at least five advanced credits to the master’s degree requirements | Addition of eight semesters. (Different rules apply for scholarship recipients) | Within three semesters from the conversion to a PhD | Within 5 months from the conversion to a PhD | Within one month after the submission of a research proposal | V |
| Combined MSc-PhD track. For students identified and intended to be transferred to the PhD in the early stages of their studies. | Addition of at least five advanced credits to the master’s degree requirements | Addition of eight semesters.(Different rules apply for scholarship recipients) | Within 5 months of the from the conversion to a PhD | Within one month after the submission of a research proposal | V | |
| Special track | 25 advanced credits for graduates of a four year degree, 36 advanced credits for graduates of a three year degree | 12 | Within three semesters from the beginning of the course of study | Within 18 months from the beginning of the course of study | Within one month after the submission of a research proposal | V |
The research
The research will be original, theoretical or experimental, basic or applied, with emphasis on the analytic and scientific approach, with guidance that is much more limited than in research for a master’s. The candidate must provide its research skills and its ability to perform original, valuable research. Additionally, the student must provide that he has the qualities of initiative, imagination, persistence, judgment and deep thinking required for independent research. The research will be considered to be valuable if it is at a level that enables its written publication in a scientific journal with an international reputation, and if it significantly progresses the knowledge and understanding in the research area.
The advisor
A member of Technion’s staff who is a deputy professor or higher may be appointed as a responsible advisor.
Roles of the advisor
Candidacy examination
Instructions for submitting a research proposal
The exam
The purpose of the exam, which will take place about one month after the submission of the research proposal, is to test the candidate’s approach to the problem and its control of the background and literature of the research, and to demonstrate all of the candidate’s skills and suitability to the research towards a PhD. The examination procedures will be determined by the Committee.
The exam report will be provided to the Dean of the School with an explicit recommendation of one of the following possibilities:
- Passing the exam
- Failing the exam
- A recommendation to transfer to a master’s degree with or without a thesis (in the direct and special track only).
The Dean may require the candidate to take supplementations in the course study and fulfillment of requirements in areas relating to his research, and determine a date by which they must be fulfilled, in reliance on the recommendation of the Exam Committee.
Failing the exam
A student who fails the candidacy examination will be permitted to take it one to two semesters later, as determined. In this case, the student will submit a new proposal to the advisor about one month before the exam date.
Notwithstanding the above, the Dean may, at the recommendation of the Exam Committee and the Department Committee, interrupt the student’s course of study following the first failure.
The seminar lecture / submission of the work / exam