Study timetable

When enrolling, the student chooses classes from methodological or branch courses (I. and II. Credit group) during the 1st and 2nd semesters in the total value of 36 ECTS credits.

Selected courses will be held from November until September of the current academic year. Notifications on a class time schedule is sent by email to candidates, and if a number of students enrolled in the course is insufficient, the date can be arranged individually with the teacher.

During the first year of study, the student together with the proposed mentor develops a draft: of future research, plans on his/her scientific presentation at conferences and of publishing papers during his studies, in order to fulfill his obligations on time.

During the second year of study, the doctoral candidate has regular consultations with a mentor, participates in research seminars, and practice presentation skills by participating in scientific conferences.

The Doctoral Thesis proposal is to be submitted during the 3rd semester of the PhD program. 

Before submitting a Proposal, it is necessary to report the research to the Ethics Committee 

After the research has been approved by the Ethics Committee, the student in cooperation and assistance of a mentor, fills in the Topic Application Form (PhD Thesis Proposal) via the OBAD system - Form DR.01 

The Doctoral Thesis proposal is evaluated by the Board for Postgraduate Studies - Doctoral Studies (hereinafter the Board). If the Doctoral Thesis proposal at public debate is evaluated for revision, it is returned  for elaboration, and after the approval of the topic by the Board, a Committee for the Doctoral Thesis proposal is appointed. The Faculty Council at its session confirms the appointed Committee for the Doctoral Thesis. Public debate of The Doctoral Thesis proposal is scheduled at least one week after the session of the Faculty Council at which the Commission was approved.

In order to apply for the Doctoral Thesis proposal, the candidate must attend at least three public debates of Proposal.

The candidate hold the Doctoral Thesis proposal defense as public debate in the scheduled time published on the bulletin board and website of the School in front of members of the appointed Commission, administrator of the Postgraduate Studies Service and Vice-dean for science, or his replacement, and those present in the audience.

The Thesis proposal is held in duration of 10-15 minutes. Guidelines for the Proposal presentation can be found at the following link: Instructions for making a presentation for Proposal. 

On public debate of Doctoral Thesis proposal, all comments and proposals presented during the public debate shall be recorded. After debate, the Committee withdraws and decides on the suitability of the proposed Doctoral Thesis, the competence of the proposed mentor (s) and the if needed proposal revision by commentary. The Chair of the Committee writes the final report from the public debate (form DR.02) no later than three months after the public debate is held. It is necessary to emphasize the scientific contribution of the work and the feasibility of research.

At the next session of the Faculty Council, the mentor or one of the mentors reports on the public debate of the Doctoral Thesis propsal, and the Faculty Council make a statement on the motion by the commission for evaluation of proposals and confirms the proposed mentors. The proposed mentor (s) then becomes the official mentor.

The Department of Postgraduate Studies sends proposal for the final decision to the Council. The council for the field of biomedicine of the University of Zagreb shall provide a proposal for research and a supervisor, to be adopted by the University Senate. The Senate shall confirm the proposed research and supervisor no later than during the fifth semester.

During the third year of study the main activity for candidate is to conduct research along with the activities carried out during the second year of PhD program (consultations with a mentor, research seminars and participation in scientific conferences).