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Course in the research direction

Course developer

Course abstract

Doctoral students complete the course in accordance with the individual doctoral study plan approved by the Faculty of Food Technology. During the course doctoral thesis are partially completed, including the substantiation of the topicality of the research topic, the formulation of the research goal and tasks, research planning and selecting appropriate research, including data processing methods, processing, compilation and analysis of results, work conclusions and proposals.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The doctoral student acquires specific knowledge about the latest findings in the field of research and their application in the development of the doctoral thesis, including the interpretation and analysis of research results. As a result of mastering the study course, doctoral students obtain:
• knowledge - to acquire the highest level of theoretical and practical knowledge in the chosen research direction, creating an analytical collection of scientific literature, managing the diversity of research methods and the ability to choose the most appropriate research context, implement experimental research, integrating theoretical knowledge in the analysis of research results. Knowledge is assessed by the following methods: independent work, review of doctoral thesis literature, exam.
• skills - to analyse, summarize and systematize the literature related to the chosen field of research, to critically evaluate the validity of various scientific findings, to choose research methods and to plan research in accordance with the aim and tasks of the research. Skills are assessed by the following methods: independent work, discussion, chapter “Materials and methods” of doctoral thesis.

• competences - to summarize and analyse the research results, structure them and present the research results, defend the work done in discussions, demonstrating a convincing understanding of the developed work in the direction of research. Competences are assessed by the following methods: developed doctoral thesis, exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

The study course shall be realised for each PhD student individually under the supervision of the promotion thesis supervisor.
1. The summary and critical analysis of scientific literature for literature review
2. Definition of the aim, hypothesis and tasks of the doctorak thesis
3. Research planning and developing of detailed study plan
4. Choice of research methods, their approbation
5. Choice of data processing methods
6. Experimental work
7. Collection of experimental data
8. Summarization and presentation of research results at conferences.
9. Gaining experience in the preparation of scientific publications.
10. Collection and publication of study results (in journals and conference articles).
11. Preparation of draft of promotion work: overview of literature, study methods and materials, results and discussion, conclusions.

12. Promotion examination.

Requirements for awarding credit points

A draft of doctoral thesis must be prepared and the exam must be passed successfully.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The doctoral student develops the doctoral thesis under the supervision of the supervisor, which is the basis of the “Course in the research direction” exam, performing an in-depth theoretical and experimental research on the topic, preparing a draft doctoral thesis and a summary of the research.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The doctoral student submits a draft of doctoral thesis to the examination commission not later than 2 weeks before the doctoral examination. The doctoral student presents the developed doctoral thesis to the examination commission for 20-25 minutes, providing a report on the topicality of the doctoral thesis, aims and tasks, chosen research methods and the obtained research results. The examination takes place in an open meeting of the examination commission, where the examination commission and those present ask questions, discuss the results and conclusions of the examination. The developed work is evaluated on a 10-point scale, if the evaluation is less than 4 points, the exam has not been passed.

Compulsory reading

1. Fundamentals of Food Process Engineering (2018). Edit. R.T.Toledo, R.K.Singh, F.Kong. Fourth edition. Springer International Publishing, 449 p.
2. Principles of food chemistry (2017). J.M. de Man et al. Fourth edition. Springer, 607 p.
3. Food microstructure and its relationship with quality and stability (2017). Edited by S.Devahastin. Woodhead Publishing, 283 p.
4. Food Science and Technology (2017). Edited by G.Campbell-Platt. Second edition. Wiley-Blackwell, 564 p.
5. O’Sullivan M.G.A (2017). Handbook for Sensory and Consumer-Driven New Product Development: innovative technologies for the food and beverage industry. Woodhead Publishing, 337 p.
6. Innovative Food Processing Technologies: extraction, separation, component modification, and process intensification (2016). Edited by K.Knoerzer, P.Juliano, G.Smithers. Woodhead Publishing is an imprint of Elsevier, 481 p.

7. Advances in Microbial Food Safety (2015). Edited by J.Sofos. Volume 2. Woodhead Publishing, 416 p.

Further reading

1. Statistics in food science and nutrition (2013). Edit. A.H.Pripp. Springer, 66 p.
2. Cargill M., O’Connor P. (2009) Writing scientific research articles: strategy and steps. Wiley-Blackwell, 173 p.
3. Hofmann A.H. (2010). Scientific writing and communication: papers, proposals, and presentations. Oxford University Press, 682 p.
4. Boyle J., Ramsay S. (2019). Writing a Science PhD. Macmillan Education/Red Globe Press, 192 p.

5. Wallace M., Wray A. (2016). Critical reading and writing for postgraduates. SAGE Publications, 278 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Science direct datu bāze
2. Web of Science datu bāze
3. SCOPUS datu bāze

4. FOODnetBASE

Notes

Doctoral study program "Food Science"