The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Dentistry represents the highest level of postgraduate academic and scientific education offered by the College.
The PhD program is primarily research-oriented and is designed to develop independent researchers and academic specialists who are capable of generating original scientific knowledge and contributing substantially to their field.
Academic Coursework
The PhD program includes an initial academic component consisting of approximately one major course or academic study period of about three months, according to the approved postgraduate curriculum and regulations.
This academic component provides the student with advanced preparation before beginning the main research phase.
The course may cover areas such as:
•Advanced research methodology.
•Scientific and academic research.
•Advanced biostatistics.
•Critical analysis of scientific literature.
•Research design.
•Evidence-based scientific practice.
•Scientific writing and publication.
•Research ethics.
•Advanced concepts related to the student's specialty.
The purpose of this stage is to ensure that the PhD candidate has the necessary scientific and methodological skills to undertake independent doctoral research.
PhD Research and Thesis
After completing the required academic component, the major part of the PhD program is devoted to original scientific research and preparation of the doctoral thesis.
The candidate is expected to undertake a substantial research project under the supervision of qualified academic staff.
The research process includes:
•Identification of an important scientific research problem.
•Development and approval of the research proposal.
•Comprehensive review of the scientific literature.
•Development of an appropriate research methodology.
•Ethical approval where applicable.
•Experimental, laboratory, clinical, or epidemiological research, depending on the specialty.
•Collection and analysis of scientific data.
•Statistical analysis.
•Interpretation of findings.
•Comparison of results with previous scientific literature.
•Development of conclusions and recommendations.
•Preparation of scientific manuscripts.
•Preparation and submission of the doctoral thesis.
•Final PhD thesis defense.
The PhD thesis should demonstrate originality, scientific rigor, independence, and a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the relevant field of dentistry.
Scientific Publication Requirements for PhD Candidates
Scientific publication is a fundamental component of doctoral education because a PhD candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to conduct and communicate high-level scientific research.
According to the proposed postgraduate structure, PhD candidates should publish two scientific research articles in recognized, high-quality international journals before completion of the degree, subject to the current university and Ministry regulations.
Preference should be given to journals that are:
•Internationally recognized.
•Peer reviewed.
•Indexed in reputable scientific databases.
•Indexed in Scopus or another database recognized by the relevant higher-education authorities.
•Appropriate to the subject and specialty of the doctoral research.
•Published according to recognized standards of research and publication ethics.