Dr. rer. nat. or Ph.D.?

Based on the doctorate regulations, the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy awards the academic title “Dr. rer. nat.” for individual doctoral degree programs (according to PromO Section 1 (1)). The title “Ph.D.” is only awarded on request to doctoral candidates who have successfully completed a structured doctoral studies program (according to PromO Section 1 (2)).

Doctoral studies programs recognized for the award of the title "Ph.D." in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy include the following:

A complete listing can be found here.

Doctoral students who have successfully completed a doctoral studies program may decide once, at the time of dissertation submission, which title they wish to be awarded; no subsequent change is possible. However, we recommend that you decide which title you will pursue at the beginning of your doctoral studies program, if possible.

For advice, please feel free to contact the coordinators of the Graduate Center: graduate-center@bcp.fu-berlin.de

The term “Ph.D. student”, which is frequently used in working groups, is familiar to everyone internationally, but also suggests that you will receive the title “Ph.D.” at the end of the process. However, as a “doctoral student” you will be awarded the title “Dr. rer. nat.” upon successful completion of the doctoral degree program and you may only use the title in the form it was awarded to you. Note: The term “Ph.D.” is not a possible translation, but a different title; the title “Dr. rer. nat.” also remains in the English version of the doctoral certificate.

Overview Doctorate Procedure

1. Supervision, Topic and Funding

What are the requirements for admission? What has to be done before starting the doctorate? What funding opportunities are there?

2. Start of Work

What insurance cover is required at the start of work?

3. Admission

When and where should I submit my application for doctorate admission? What documents are required for admission?

Mitgliedschaftsverhältnis FU / Enrollment

4. FU Membership and Enrollment

Is there a need to become a member of the FU Berlin? Is enrollment including the student ID card and the semester ticket necessary?

Regelbearbeitungszeit / Standard Time to Completion

5. Standard Processing Time

What is the standard processing time for the doctorate? What should I do if the standard processing time can not be met? How can a change of supervisor take place?

Schreiben der Dissertation / Writing the Thesis

6. Writing the Thesis

Is a monograph necessary or may a cumulative work also be submitted? What must be considered? What should be on the title page?

7. Submission of the Thesis

How many copies have to be submitted? What should be taken into account when submitting a cumulative thesis? Which forms are necessary for submitting the thesis?

8. Review and Display Period

Who appoints the doctoral committee? How is the review procedure organized? How long is the display period?

9. Defense of the Thesis

Who organizes the disputation? When should the disputation be announced? How many members of the doctoral committee must be present? How long does the disputation take?

10. Publication of the Thesis

When does the publication take place? Which kinds of publication are possible? Is the publication required for the award of the certificate?

11. Awarding of the Doctoral Degree

When can the title be used? When and where do I get the certificate?

12. Offer: Joining the Alumni Network of ERG

How can I register for the alumni network of the Ernst-Reuter-Gesellschaft? What are the advantages?

Image Credits

Graduate Center / Doctorate