Regulations

(1)
TU Dortmund University has the right to award PhDs.

(2)
It shall award the degree of a Doctor of Science (Dr. rer. nat.) or the degree of a Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. phil.) on the basis of a PhD in the subjects of chemistry or chemical biology in accordance with these Regulations for PhD Examinations. The Faculty of Chemistry shall be responsible for conducting the PhD examination procedure.

(3)
The degree of Doctor of Sciences shall be awarded on the basis of a thesis whose topic is predominantly scientific in character or whose results are of significance for the sciences. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall be awarded on the basis of a thesis whose topic predominantly relates to specialised teaching methodology or whose results are of significance for the teaching methodology of the subject.

(4)
TU Dortmund University may award the honorary doctorate (Dr. rer. nat. or Dr. Phil. h.c.) at the request of the Faculty of Chemistry (article 24).

The PhD demonstrates a special capability for independent scientific work going beyond the general objectives of study. This capability is determined on the basis of written work (a thesis) that advances the state of scientific knowledge, an oral examination (disputation), and the successful completion of the structured PhD programme.

(1)
A PhD Commission shall be established to carry out the awarding of a PhD and to accomplish the further tasks allocated to it by these Regulations for PhD Examinations.

(2)
The PhD Commission shall consist of seven members, including four members from the group of university teachers pursuant to section 11(1) no. 1 of the Universities Act, two members from the group of academic staff pursuant to section 11(1) no. 2 of the Universities Act, and one PhD candidate from the group of students pursuant to section 11(1) no. 4 of the Universities Act. The chair must belong to the group of university teachers. The members of the PhD Commission shall be selected separately according to groups by the Faculty Council, acting on the suggestions of the respective groups. Re-election shall be permitted. The term of office shall be two years for the committee members and one year for the student member. A representative shall be selected for each group. The composition of the PhD Commission is to be announced.

(3)
In particular, the PhD Commission shall have the following tasks:

• determining whether the admission requirements for the PhD pursuant to article 4 are met and deciding on admission to the PhD examination procedure pursuant to article 6;
• initiating the PhD examination procedure and determining the assessors pursuant to article 12;
• determining the Board of Examiners pursuant to article 13;
• defining periods and deadlines;
• deciding on special cases in PhD examination procedures;
• deciding on objections;
• deciding on the doctorate to be awarded.

(4)
The PhD Commission shall ensure that the provisions of the Regulations for PhD Examinations are complied with. It shall report regularly to the Faculty Council on the development of the PhD examination procedure and, if necessary, shall provide suggestions for modifying the Regulations for PhD Examinations and improving the PhD examination procedure.

(5)
The PhD Commission may delegate the accomplishment of ongoing affairs to the chair. The PhD Commission shall make decisions on refusals and objections as a body.

(6)
The members of the PhD Commission shall be obliged to maintain confidentiality. They are to be obligated to do so by the chair if they are not in public service.

(7)
The meetings of the PhD Commission shall not be public. The proceedings of the PhD Commission shall be valid if more than half of the members with voting rights are present. The chair shall have a casting vote. In the case of decisions relating to examination performances, only the members of the group of university teachers and post-doctoral research associates shall be entitled to vote.

(1)
Admission to the PhD examination procedure shall be granted to those who provide evidence of

1. a relevant master’s degree with 300 credits (CR) and a mark of at least 2.5 or
2. a degree following a relevant course of university study with a standard period of study of at least 8 semesters for which a degree other than a bachelor’s is awarded and a mark of at least 2.5 or
3. a degree following a relevant master’s with less than 300 CR and a mark of at least 1.5 and subsequent studies to prepare for a PhD with a final mark of at least 1.5 or
4. a relevant course of university study lasting at least 6 semesters leading to a bachelor’s degree with a mark of at least 1.5 and subsequent studies to prepare for a PhD with a final mark of at least 1.5.

In justified exceptional cases, the PhD Commission may also admit applicants that have not achieved the minimum mark required in sentence 1 points a) to d).

(2)
Admission shall be granted to the PhD examination procedure in accordance with articles 1(2) and 1(3) for the award of either a Doctor of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy in accordance with the chosen topic of the thesis.

An amendment of the admission pursuant to sentence 1 shall necessitate readmission to the PhD examination procedure.

(3)
A course of study in chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, biology or physics shall be deemed to be relevant within the meaning of section 1 for admission to a PhD leading to award of a Doctor of Science. A course of study in other scientific, engineering or mathematical fields shall also be deemed to be relevant if it has a sufficiently high proportion of content from the subject areas of chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, biology or physics. Study of the subjects chemistry, biology or physics in a teaching degree shall only be relevant if the degree leads to a teaching post at upper-secondary schools (Gymnasien), comprehensive schools for stage II secondary education (Gesamtschulen, Sekundarstufe II), or vocational colleges (Berufskollegs) and if the master’s thesis was prepared in one of these subjects. The PhD Commission may also admit other applicants in justified exceptional cases. The PhD Commission may make the admission under sentence 4 contingent on completion of studies in preparation for a PhD within the meaning of section 5. In the event of an amendment to the admission under section 1 sentence 2, the PhD Commission shall also consider work done in the previous PhD examination procedure.

(4)
Study of the subjects chemistry, biology, physics or natural and social sciences (Sachunterricht) in a teaching degree shall be deemed relevant within the meaning of section 1 for admission to a PhD leading to award of a Doctor of Philosophy. Section 3 sentences 4 to 6 shall apply accordingly. As a rule, a justified, exceptional case shall be deemed to be present for applicants that have undertaken a relevant course of study within the meaning of section 3 sentences 1 or 2.

(5)
Applicants that provide evidence of a degree pursuant to section 4(1) points c) and d) must complete studies in preparation for the PhD (preparatory course of study) amounting to at least 2 semesters or at least 60 CR prior to final admission to the PhD. The exact contents and scope of the studies in preparation for the PhD shall be specified by the PhD Commission. Foreign students with a degree comparable to section 4(1) points c) and d) must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the German language before attending the preparatory course of study.

(6)
Those who did not graduate within the jurisdiction of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) may be admitted if the degree is determined to be equivalent. This determination shall be made by the PhD Commission at the candidate’s request. In cases of doubt, the Central Office for Foreign Education is to be consulted. Individual cases shall be decided by the PhD Commission, which shall attach conditions if necessary.

(7)
Applicants that have an equivalent degree from a foreign university shall be admitted only if they have the necessary knowledge of German or English for completion of the PhD examination procedure.

(1)
The applicant shall make their application for admission to the PhD in writing to the chair of the PhD Commission. The following are to be submitted with the application:

• indication of the PhD subject and the doctorate sought;
• the topic of the thesis;
• written confirmation from a university teacher or habilitated member of the faculty of their willingness to supervise the thesis;
• evidence that the admission requirements pursuant to article 4 have been met, especially by presenting degree certificates and the certificate of aptitude for higher education;
• a curriculum vitae in tabular form showing the applicant’s scientific and professional career;
• a certificate issued by the envisaged supervisor confirming the necessary knowledge of German or English for completion of the PhD examination procedure, insofar as the applicant is applying for admission to the PhD on the basis of a foreign university degree that is equivalent according to article 4(1) points a) and b).

The certificate of registration is to be presented to the PhD Commission three weeks at the latest from admission.

(2)
Declarations are to be enclosed with the application stating:

• whether the applicant had already applied for a PhD examination procedure at TU Dortmund University or
• whether he/she was in such a procedure and has either completed or abandoned it or
• whether the applicant has already been admitted to a PhD elsewhere and is in a PhD examination procedure or
• whether he/she has already abandoned or completed such a procedure.

In the latter case, an indication is also to be given of the success achieved in the PhD.

(1)
The PhD Commission shall check that the application documents are complete in accordance with article 5 and that the admission requirements for the PhD are met in accordance with article 4. If the application documents are incomplete, the PhD Commission may impose conditions on the applicant. The PhD Commission shall notify the applicant in writing of their admission or non-admission as a PhD candidate.

(2)
The application for admission is to be rejected:

• if the applicant does not meet the admission requirements pursuant to article 4 or has failed to produce the missing documents within the period set by the PhD Commission,
• if the subject area of the thesis is not represented in the faculty, or
• if technically competent supervision of the thesis is not assured.

The application for admission may be rejected if an earlier PhD examination procedure was already cancelled or finally concluded without success. A notice of rejection is to state the grounds for rejection and is to be accompanied by advice on the right of appeal.

(3)
If admission is granted subject to conditions as set out in section 1, this can be revoked if a condition was not met within the deadline.

(1)
After admission to the PhD is granted, the PhD Commission shall appoint as the supervisor of the thesis a university teacher or habilitated member of the faculty based on the PhD candidate’s suggestion. In agreement with the PhD candidate, the number of supervisors may be increased to two. The additional supervisor may belong to another faculty of TU Dortmund University or another university in Germany or abroad. The additional supervisor must be a university teacher from a university that has the right to award PhDs or a habilitated member of a university. In exceptional cases, a PhD shall be sufficient if the Faculty Council has beforehand established, by resolution, special scientific qualification in excess of the PhD itself (special scientific capability) for supervising the PhD.

(2)
The supervisor is responsible for:

• working with the PhD candidate to produce a schedule for the preparation of the thesis and to coordinate the structured PhD programme, taking into account that the PhD examination procedure is usually to take no longer than three years;
• seeking regular updates from the PhD candidate on the scientific progress of their project during the preparation of the thesis and contributing to solving technical issues in an advisory capacity;
• providing comprehensive verbal or written commentary on contributions made by the PhD candidate.

(3)
The PhD candidate shall be obliged to report to their supervisor in writing at least once a year on previous and planned scientific activities.

(1)
The PhD examination procedure is divided into the thesis (150 CR) and the structured PhD programme (30 CR).

(2)
The content of the structured PhD programme and the topic and scope of the thesis shall be selected and restricted by the PhD candidate in consultation with the supervisor so that the PhD examination procedure may be completed in 6 semesters. Confirmation of performance in the structured PhD programme shall be given by the supervisor.

(3)
The structured PhD programme is divided into three different areas:

Work related to the PhD  -  at least 10 CR
Further scientific education  -   at least 7 CR
Interdisciplinary competences  -  at least 5 CR
Total CR  -  at least 30 CR

The structured PhD programme may be completed once the minimum number of CR, both in each individual area and in total (30), and all compulsory attendance certificates (TN) are present. If a PhD candidate was already admitted to another university’s PhD examination procedure, the PhD Commission may upon application reduce the number of CR to be achieved in the structured PhD programme if the PhD candidate is continuing at TU Dortmund University a thesis commenced at the other university. In doing so, the PhD Commission shall take account of the status of the thesis and of work carried out in a structured PhD programme of the other university.

(4)
The following must or may be carried out as work related to the PhD:

a) Annual report and work schedule in written form (compulsory)  -  3 CR (regardless of the number of reports required)

b) Two presentations (poster or talk) at conferences/workshops (compulsory)  -  3 CR per presentation (6 CR in total)

c) Attendance at the working group seminar (compulsory)  -  1 CR

d) Publication activities (optional)  -  3 CR per publication (max. 9 CR)

e) Period of research at another university or research institution with two-page report and letter of acknowledgement
(optional)  -  1 CR per week

Total CR  -  min. 10 CR

(5)
Further scientific education includes attending and/or participating in lectures, colloquia/talks, internships and language courses. The following work must or may be carried out within the scope of further scientific education:

a) A specialist lecture or lecture related to the subject. Attendance at further specialist lectures or related lectures is optional. The lectures must not be identical to lectures already attended during the diploma, bachelor’s or master’s programme. (TN, compulsory)  -   1 CR/semester hour (max. 6 CR)

b)Attendance at 30 specialised scientific and/or teaching methodology colloquia/talks (10 per academic year): these may be colloquia/talks organised by the faculty or external colloquia/talks (e.g. organised by the German Chemical Society or a Max Planck Institute). If the prerequisites of section 3 sentence 2 are otherwise met, a PhD candidate may complete their structured PhD programme after 4 semesters by attending at least 20 colloquia/talks or after 5 semesters by attending at least 25 colloquia/talks. (TN, compulsory)  -   0.2 CR per colloquium/talk (max. 6 CR)

c) Internships in industry, research institutions or other faculties/fields (e.g. physics, information technology, economics, biology or medicine) for the purpose of further education (TN, optional)   -  1 CR/week (max. 3 CR)

d) Unrelated lectures(TN, optional)  -   1 CR/semester hour

e) Language courses at a university for at least one semester (final certificate, optional)  -   1 CR/semester hour

f) Language courses abroad at an accredited language school (at least 5 hours of teaching per day, at least 3 weeks) (final certificate, optional)  -  0.5 CR/week

Total CR min. 7 CR

The PhD Commission may exempt the PhD candidate from the requirement to attend a specialist lecture or related lecture (sentence 2, point a) if it is to be expected that special circumstances will make attendance impossible or considerably more difficult for the PhD candidate for the entire predicted duration of the structured PhD programme. The application is in principle to be made together with the application for admission to the PhD examination procedure. If the special circumstances only occur after admission or if the PhD candidate only acquires knowledge of them after admission, the application is to be made without delay after such knowledge is acquired. The exemption does not reduce the number of CR the PhD candidate must achieve in this area or in total. The PhD Commission may make the exemption contingent on the carrying out of comparable work.

(6)
Interdisciplinary competences include various supervisory and teaching work, public relations work and seminars in public speaking and presentation techniques. The following must or may be carried out as work within the scope of interdisciplinary competences:

a) Supervision of one-semester laboratory courses for a group of students (optional)  -  3 CR/practical

b) Holding seminars (taking up a comparable amount of time to laboratory courses within the meaning of point a) (optional)  -  3 CR/semester

c) Supervision of individual research interns, co-supervision of bachelor’s and master’s theses, supervision of exchange and Erasmus students, training apprentices (optional)  -  2 CR per candidate

d) At least two weeks’ supervision of interns from schools. Written assessment of the pupil by the PhD candidate (optional)  -  0.5 CR per week per pupil

e) Taking on tasks in the Faculty of Chemistry’s public relations work (e.g. acting as a mentor, participating in organising the campus party, collaborating in external events of the faculty, participating in organising a conference or workshop) (optional)  -  0.5 CR per event (max. 2 CR)

f) Attending seminars in presentation techniques and/or public speaking (TN, optional)  -  1 CR/semester hour

Total CR min. 5 CR

At least one of the types of work listed under points a) to c) is compulsory. The PhD Commission may exempt the PhD candidate from this if it is to be expected that special circumstances will make it impossible or considerably more difficult for the PhD candidate to undertake this work for the entire predicted duration of the structured PhD programme. Section 5 sentences 4 to 6 shall apply accordingly. In the event of an exemption, up to 5 CR may be obtained through work pursuant to sentence 2 point e).

(7)
The PhD Commission shall issue a certificate of successful participation in the structured PhD programme.

The PhD candidate must submit a piece of independent scientific work in the awarding faculty’s area of science that represents an advance in the state of scientific knowledge. In the course of this, the rules of good scientific practice are to be observed at all times. As a rule, the thesis is to be submitted in German or English. The PhD Commission shall decide on exceptions in agreement with the supervisor.

(1)
The PhD candidate’s application for acceptance of the thesis is to be made in writing to the faculty’s PhD Commission.

(2)
The following are to be submitted with the application:

• the thesis in German or English in the form of four bound, typed copies and as a PDF file on a suitable data medium;
• a summary of the thesis in English and German not exceeding two A4 pages;
• a sworn written statement that the thesis was written independently and that all sources and aids used in the thesis were noted;
• a declaration as to whether the thesis has already been submitted in its current or another version to TU Dortmund University or to another university in connection with a state or academic assessment; and
• proof of the successfully completed structured PhD programme pursuant to article 9(7).

(3) Withdrawal from the PhD examination procedure is to be declared in writing to the PhD Commission. It shall only be permissible

• provided the thesis has not been finally rejected or
• after acceptance of the thesis and before the start of the oral examination.

In all other cases of withdrawal, the examination will be deemed to have been failed. Article 14(8) shall apply accordingly.

The PhD Commission shall initiate the PhD examination procedure on receipt of a written application for acceptance of the thesis and all of the documents that are to be submitted pursuant to article 11. On initiating the PhD examination procedure, the PhD Commission shall appoint two assessors for the thesis. Suggestions by the PhD candidate may be considered. At least one of the supervisors of the thesis is to be appointed as an assessor. One of the assessors must belong to the faculty as a university teacher or habilitated member. The additional assessor must also be a university teacher from a university that has the right to award PhDs or a habilitated member of a university. In exceptional cases, a PhD shall be sufficient if the Faculty Council has beforehand established special scientific qualification for participation in the PhD examination procedure.

(1)
After initiating the PhD examination procedure, the PhD Commission shall appoint a Board of Examiners, as well as its chair. The Board of Examiners shall as a rule consist of the chair and two additional members. The assessors are to be members of the Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners may include external members from universities in Germany and abroad. The Board of Examiners may be expanded if the PhD is supervised together with another university. The members of the Board of Examiners must be university teachers from a university that has the right to award PhDs or a habilitated member of a university. In exceptional cases, a PhD shall be sufficient if the Faculty Council has beforehand established special scientific qualification for participation in the PhD examination procedure.

(2)
The PhD candidate may make suggestions for the composition of the Board of Examiners. Where possible, the PhD candidate’s suggestions are to be followed when appointing the examiners.

(3)
The Board of Examiners is responsible for:

• deciding whether to accept or reject the thesis;
• marking the thesis;
• conducting and marking the oral examination;
• determining the final result;
• determining whether the thesis is ready for printing or imposing conditions for the layout of the thesis that is intended for publication, taking account of the assessors’ suggestions.

(4)
The Board of Examiners shall make their decision on the result of the oral examination and the overall result immediately after the oral examination. Abstentions are not permitted. The Board of Examiners is to make its decision by consensus. If a consensus cannot be reached, it shall reach a decision by majority vote. The proceedings of the Board of Examiners shall only be valid if all members are present.

(1)
The assessors shall, as a rule, submit independent, substantiated assessments to the PhD Commission within six weeks. In their reports, the assessors shall propose that the thesis be accepted, revised or rejected.

(2)
If they propose that the thesis be accepted, they shall also propose a grade for the thesis. The following grades are permitted:

• “summa cum laude” (with distinction),
• “magna cum laude” (very good),
• “cum laude” (good),
• “rite” (pass/satisfactory).

If at least one assessor proposes the grade “summa cum laude” (excellent), a third report must be obtained from an assessor that does not belong to the faculty. The third report shall give an opinion only on the question of whether the thesis can be assessed as “summa cum laude” (excellent) or whether such an assessment does not come into question. The thesis is evaluated by the Board of Examiners based on all of the assessors’ reports.

(3)
If the acceptance of the thesis is unanimously supported, it shall be displayed along with the assessors’ reports for a period of two weeks in the office of the Dean of the faculty for inspection by members of TU Dortmund University that work in research and teaching. The faculties of TU Dortmund University shall be notified of this without delay in writing. If no objection is made within five days after the period of display ends, the dissertation shall be accepted.

(4)
If the assessors unanimously declare themselves to be in favour of a rejection of the thesis, the PhD Commission shall find that the thesis is rejected. A rejected thesis shall remain in the faculty’s files together with all of the assessors’ reports. Rejection of the thesis shall constitute failure of the PhD.

(5)
If the assessors unanimously declare themselves to be in favour of a revision of the thesis, the PhD Commission shall, acting on the suggestions of the assessors, set a reasonable period of no more than 6 months within which the work is to be resubmitted. If the PhD candidate allows the period to elapse without good cause or if they do not comply with the imposed conditions, the dissertation is to be rejected. Section 4 sentences 2 and 3 shall apply accordingly.

(6)
If the assessors do not agree on acceptance, revision or rejection of the thesis, the PhD Commission shall designate an additional assessor. The third assessor’s report shall be decisive. In cases of doubt, the decision shall be taken by the Board of Examiners.

(7)
In the event of a timely, justified objection to the acceptance of the thesis, the Board of Examiners shall decide how to proceed after obtaining the opinions of the assessors involved. In cases of doubt, an additional assessor must be consulted. In this case, the Board of Examiners shall decide on the final acceptance or rejection of the submitted work as a thesis based on the received assessor’s reports and opinions.

(8)
The chair of the PhD Commission shall inform the PhD candidate of each decision that is taken. Notices of rejection are to state the grounds for rejection and are to be accompanied by advice on the right of appeal. The PhD candidate is to be given a fair hearing beforehand.

(1)
After final acceptance of the thesis, the PhD Commission shall set a date for the oral examination. The oral examination is to take place within six weeks of final acceptance of the thesis. The PhD candidate and the members of the Board of Examiners are to be invited to the oral examination with two weeks’ notice. A notice of the date of the oral examination shall also be displayed in the faculty.

(2)
The oral examination shall be held in the form of a disputation with a preceding PhD defence lecture. It shall serve to determine whether the PhD candidate is able, based on special scientific knowledge and capabilities, to justify and further elaborate on the findings they have developed in the thesis and to place these in the context of their subject area.

(3)
The oral examination shall last at least 60 minutes and no more than 90 minutes. The PhD defence lecture shall last no more than 25 minutes.

(4)
The oral examination shall, as a rule, be held in the language in which the thesis was written. The PhD Commission shall decide on exceptions in agreement with the Board of Examiners.

(5)
The oral examination shall be an individual examination. It shall be led by the chair of the Board of Examiners. Only members of the Board of Examiners may act as examiners; the members of the Board of Examiners and faculty members that hold a PhD shall be entitled to ask questions. Minutes are to be taken of the key topics and results of the oral examination.

(6)
The oral examination shall be open to members of the faculty.

(7)
If the PhD candidate fails to attend the oral examination without sufficient excuse or if they abandon the examination, they shall be deemed to have failed the examination.

(1)
Immediately following the oral examination, the Board of Examiners shall decide in a closed meeting, based on the available assessor’s reports and the performance shown in the oral examination, whether:

• a PhD is to be awarded to the PhD candidate,
• the PhD candidate must repeat the oral examination, or
• the PhD is rejected.

(2)
If the Board of Examiners decides that a PhD is to be awarded to the PhD candidate, they shall determine the mark for the oral examination. Article 14(2) shall apply accordingly to the designation of the grades.

(3)
The Board of Examiners shall then determine the overall mark for the PhD. In determining the overall mark, particular importance is to be attached to the assessment of the thesis. Article 14(2) shall apply accordingly to the designation of the grades.

(4)
In the presence of the Board of Examiners, the chair of the Board of Examiners shall then inform the PhD candidate of the assessment of their performance, as well as of any changes that are to be made to the thesis as a condition for publication.

(5)
The PhD Commission shall issue the PhD candidate with a provisional certificate of the result of the thesis, the oral examination and the PhD. In the event of the PhD being rejected, article 14(8) shall apply accordingly.

(1)
The PhD candidate may repeat a failed oral examination once within one year. The PhD Commission shall determine the date for the repeat examination in agreement with the Board of Examiners.

(2)
If the Board of Examiners has finally rejected the PhD after failure of the repeat examination, the PhD examination procedure shall be finally and unsuccessfully terminated. The notice of final failure is to state the grounds for the decision and is to be accompanied by advice on the right of appeal. The PhD candidate is to be given a fair hearing beforehand.

(1)
After successful completion of the PhD examination procedure, the PhD candidate shall be obliged to duly make their thesis accessible to the scientific community through duplication and distribution. The manuscript intended for publication is to be submitted to the chair of the PhD Commission. The chair shall check, with the involvement of the assessors, whether the conditions imposed by the Board of Examiners have been met.

(2)
The thesis shall be deemed to have been duly made accessible to the scientific community if the author supplies three copies free of charge to the university library for archiving – in addition to the archive copies required for the examination documents. These copies must be printed on ageing-resistant wood- and acid-free paper and must be permanently and durably bound. The publication as a thesis in the Faculty of Chemistry is to be indicated on the reverse of the title page, stating the location of the thesis.

(3)
Furthermore, distribution must be ensured by:

• supplying a further 100 copies in book or microfiche form; or
• providing proof of distribution via bookshops through a commercial publisher with the contractually assured guarantee that the thesis is available at all times as a result of being included in the list of available books and that further copies will be printed at short notice in the event of corresponding demand or
• through a commercial publisher with a minimum run of 150 copies; or
• providing proof of publication in a scientific journal; or
• supplying an electronic version produced according to university library guidelines. In this case, the PhD candidate shall confer to the university the right to produce further copies of the thesis and to distribute these and/or make them available on data networks.

(4)
The thesis is to be published at the latest one year after the oral examination. In justified exceptional cases, the chair of the PhD Commission may extend the deadline. If the PhD candidate misses the deadline set to them, all of the rights they have acquired through the examination shall be become void.

(1)
Once the last component of the examination is completed, a PhD certificate is issued on the day of the successfully completed oral examination. The PhD certificate is to be signed by the Dean and the Rector.

(2)
The right to bear the title of doctor shall be conferred with the issuing of the PhD certificate.

(1)
The doctorate may also be awarded in cooperation with a faculty of another university from Germany or abroad with the right to award PhDs. If the PhD examination procedure was conducted in cooperation with a university not entitled to award PhDs, reference may be made to this on the PhD certificate.

(2)
The carrying out of a PhD examination procedure with a faculty of another university shall require the conclusion of a written agreement in which the faculties agree to facilitate a joint PhD and to regulate details of the cooperation.

(3)
If the respective applicable regulations for PhD examinations of the participating faculties provide for a structured PhD programme in accordance with article 9, the faculties of the universities shall reach an agreement on where the PhD candidate must complete this programme and/or which parts of the programme shall be accredited by the respective other university.

(1)
If it emerges before the PhD certificate is issued that the PhD candidate has been or has attempted to be deceptive in the procedure or that essential requirements for the PhD were not met, the Faculty Council shall annul the PhD at the PhD Commission’s request.

(2)
The PhD candidate is to be granted the opportunity for a fair hearing before the Faculty Council makes its decision. The decision is to state the grounds on which it is based and is to be accompanied by advice on the right of appeal.

(1)
The doctorate shall be withdrawn if it subsequently emerges that it was acquired by deception or if essential requirements for the award were erroneously deemed to be present.

(2)
The decision on withdrawal of the doctorate shall be made by the Faculty Council. The affected person is to be given the right to a fair hearing before the Faculty Council makes its decision. The decision is to state the grounds on which it is based and is to be accompanied by advice on the right of appeal.

In accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Courts Order (VwGO), appeals may be made against decisions of the PhD Commission and the Board of Examiners. The appeal is to be directed to the chair of the PhD Commission. Decisions on appeals against decisions of the Board of Examiners shall be made by the PhD Commission. Decisions on appeals against decisions of the PhD Commission shall be made by the Faculty Council. Before adverse decisions are made, the PhD candidate is to be given the opportunity to state their view.

(1)
The “honorary” doctorate (Dr. rer. nat. h.c. or Dr. phil. h.c.) must only be awarded for outstanding or extraordinary achievements in chemistry or chemical biology, including the corresponding teaching methodologies.

(2)
The “honorary” doctorate must not be awarded to members of TU Dortmund University. The “honorary” doctorate must not be awarded to scientists that were until a few years ago members of TU Dortmund University.

(3)
The decision on awarding the “honorary” doctorate shall be taken by the Rectorate, acting on the suggestion of the Faculty Council.

(1)
These Regulations for PhD Examinations shall come into effect on the day after they are announced in the Official Gazette  of TU Dortmund University. At the same time, the Regulations for PhD Examinations of the Faculty of Chemistry of TU Dortmund University of 26 October 2010 (Official Gazette 16/2010, p. 13) shall cease to apply.

(2)
These Regulations for PhD Examinations shall also apply to the PhD candidates already admitted to the PhD examination procedure at the time of their coming into force, provided that the Regulations for PhD Examinations of 26 October 2010 was previously applicable to them. The Regulations for PhD Examinations of the University of Dortmund for the subject areas of mathematics, physics and chemistry of 24 June 1991 (Official Gazette 9/1991, p. 1) shall continue to apply to the other PhD candidates already admitted to the PhD examination procedure. These Regulations for PhD Examinations shall apply to a PhD candidate falling under sentence 2 if they make an application to this effect. The application is irrevocable.