Study programme

The "Civil Engineering" doctoral program has a duration of 3 years and encompasses a total of 180 ECTS credits, reflecting the overall workload for doctoral students.

The fundamental program structure includes the following components: dissertation, lecture courses, activities aimed at developing generic skills, research seminars, discussion groups, other activities geared towards enhancing the research output of doctoral students, particularly in terms of publishing research papers.

The dissertation, which is the most pivotal component of the program, encompasses research, dissertation preparation, and its subsequent defense. Prior to defending the dissertation, every doctoral student is required to have at least one paper published or accepted for publication (where they are the sole author or one of the primary authors). This paper must be indexed in the WoSCC (Web of Science Core Collection) and must be thematically related to the dissertation. The successful completion of this requirement earns the student 10 ECTS credits. In total, 115 ECTS credits are allocated for all dissertation-related activities.
The dissertation can be written and defended in either Croatian or English. Furthermore, the dissertation's title, abstract, and keywords must be presented in both Croatian and English. The abstract should be structured to provide a clear understanding of the dissertation's objectives, research methods, results, and conclusions.

It's crucial to emphasize that the dissertation must represent an original scientific work and may also be published in the following formats: 

a) The monography structured into the following chapters: hypothesis of the work, relevant overview of the current state of research, description of research methods, presentation of the candidate's research with results, conclusion demonstrating an unquestionable original scientific contribution and list of literature used by the candidate.

b) The dissertation that adheres to the "Scandinavian model", wherein it comprises a compilation of published scientific papers accompanied by an extensive chapter offering a critical overview. This critical review, typically included as a "state of the art" chapter, encompasses an introduction, a discussion, a conclusion, and an in-depth analysis of the relevant literature. Its primary purpose is to position the dissertation's results within the broader context of existing scientific knowledge. 
For this type of dissertation, the scientific work must be published after enrollment in the doctoral program. The core of the dissertation should consist of a cohesive collection of a minimum of three papers published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database or analogous databases related to the specific scientific fields. At least one of these papers should be published in a journal with an impact factor higher than the average impact factor of journals within the specific research area of the PhD thesis.
In principle, each paper should primarily contribute to the qualification of a single PhD student unless there is an exceptional justification. Furthermore, the doctoral student is required to be the lead author on at least two of the aforementioned papers. It is crucial to emphasize that combined papers must introduce new scientific contributions compared to individual papers.

To fulfill the lecturing requirement, doctoral students must engage in a minimum of four courses, each carrying 6 ECTS credits. The selection of these courses is a collaborative process involving the doctoral student and their mentor or supervisor. Additionally, with the consent of the supervisor, doctoral students may opt to include courses from related programs provided by the University of Zagreb or other universities.

Apart from these credits, a total of 27 ECTS credits must be acquired through other obligatory forms of work. These include development of generic skills, research seminars and discussion grups.

The development and acquisition of generic skills are facilitated through the mandatory course titled "Methodology of Scientific Research" (6 ECTS). In addition, Research Seminars and Discussion Groups are organized to bolster research efforts and promote the adoption of research methodology and critical thinking. 

The Research Seminar encompasses several activities, including the public defense and discussion of the dissertation's theme and its original scientific contributions. It may also involve presentations during the dissertation preparation phase, discussions, guest lectures, and similar obligatory work forms. The schedule for research seminars spans all three years of the doctoral program. Attending these seminars earns students 16 ECTS credits in the first year and one ECTS credit annually in the second and third years. The higher credit allocation in the first year is due to the doctoral candidate's requirement to collaborate with their mentor and present their work at the Doctoral Symposium in Civil Engineering, an event hosted by the Faculty of Civil Engineering. This work is subsequently published in full in the symposium proceedings.
Discussion groups are organized by mentors or study counselors and serve the purpose of engaging in discussions about recent scientific advancements, pertinent new literature, selected research topics of interest, and more. Each year, students earn one ECTS credit through participation in discussion groups.

Other elective forms of work encompass options such as publishing papers, enrolling in additional elective courses, engaging in research at other scientific institutions, and participating in summer schools or relevant workshops, whether within the university or at other scientific organizations. A minimum of 14 ECTS credits should be acquired through these elective forms of work. Importantly, these required ECTS credits must be earned through participation in at least two different activities.

The program's structure, including the aforementioned activities, is outlined in below. 

CONDITIONS FOR ENROLMENT TO HIGHER YEARS OF STUDIES

In the first semester of the doctoral studies, the doctoral candidate must create a Study and Research Plan, which is jointly signed by the candidate and the study counselor, and accepted by the Scientific Commitee. The Study and Research Plan includes a list of enrolled subjects, the sequence of exams, the method of acquiring ECTS credits, and the expected timing of submitting the doctoral thesis topic. In consultation with the mentors or study counselors, doctoral candidates may also choose subjects from related doctoral programs at the University of Zagreb or other universities.

To progress to the second year of their doctoral studies, each candidate must successfully complete three courses, one of which must be "Methodology of Scientific Research" and obtain 17 credits as specified in Article 13, Paragraphs 4 and 5, of the Ordinances. Additionally, obtain a favorable evaluation from their study counselor for their performance during the first year of the program.
For enrollment in the third year of studies, candidates must attain all the credits pertaining to the first year of studies and additionally, secure 2 ECTS credits as defined in Article 13, Paragraphs 4 and 5, of the Ordinances, possess an approved dissertation topic and receive a positive evaluation from their mentor regarding their progress during the second year of studies.
In their reports, the study counselor or mentor confirms the doctoral candidate's active participation in seminars, discussion groups, and doctoral research work. 

Doctoral candidates may enroll in the first and second year of studies only twice. Doctoral candidates are expected to complete their studies within six academic years.