Scientific Fields and Graduation

The DK CIM enhances the scientific specialization and training of Ph.D. students in the field of scientific computing. The academic degree that  the students get is Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy).

Scientific fields

The DK CIM comprises the following fields: atmospheric sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics.

The students carry out interdisciplinary research projects in accordance with the high-profile research done within the DK CIM. They are fully integrated in the scientific environment of the University of Innsbruck and UMIT and especially of the DK. They work in close cooperation with the top scientists of the DK, who also provide them with excellent networking and collaboration opportunities within the DK and internationally. Furthermore the students have easy access to the Austrian supercomputing facilities (LEO, VSC, MACH) and are at the same time embedded in the Austrian HPC community. Thus, they not only take part in top research and high-end research projects, but they also get a deep insight into other disciplines, in the course of which they become high-profile researchers themselves, who also acquire the skills to understand and use various scientific languages necessary for interdisciplinary work.

Ph.D. thesis

The Ph.D. thesis project is formulated by a thesis committee, which consists of a supervisor and up to two additional members (a second supervisor from the faculty and an optional third external supervisor). The thesis committee sets up a research plan with defined milestones. It also discusses and guides the students' progressing work on the thesis within the framework of interdisciplinary collaboration. This gives the students the opportunity to write a state-of-the-art thesis.

The Ph.D. is scheduled for three years (six terms), which is equivalent to 180 credit points according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The Ph.D. curriculum enhances the scientific specialization and training of Ph.D. students in the field of scientific computing. Its central part is the Ph.D. thesis (150 ECTS), complemented by the training program (30 ECTS), which includes the successful completion of courses and scientific contributions to international conferences. In addition, the students gain international experience by research stays abroad. Furthermore, the students are given the opportunity to acquire teaching skills, expertise in scientific ethics, project management and conflict management.