In medical studies, acquiring scientific competencies is of great importance. These competencies include knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for understanding, evaluating, and applying scientific concepts, methods, and findings. Scientifically grounded thinking, acting, and decision-making are therefore a necessary prerequisite for responsible medical practice.

The "Service Point Science for Students" supports medical doctoral students before and during their dissertation work in acquiring scientific competencies through a comprehensive advisory service and specific events.

On September 1, 2023, Dr. Petra Hundehege took over the management of the "Service Point Science for Students" from Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mußhoff.

The Service Point Science for Students serves as a point of contact for all doctoral students with questions regarding their dissertation and offers advisory support for issues that arise during the dissertation process. A central information event "How to get a PhD?" is held every semester (only in German) to address general questions about the dissertation process (see below).

If you have specific questions about your dissertation, please get in touch with Dr. Petra Hundehege to arrange a meeting during her office hours.

Please note: All formal procedures in the dissertation process (e.g. registration for the dissertation or submission of the dissertation manuscript) are processed by the Doctoral Studies Office of the Deanery.

• Seminar - Pursuing your doctoral thesis: What you need to know

  Speaker: Dr. Petra Hundehege 
  Duration: 2 hours

  The following topics will be discussed:

  • What do you need to do to start your dissertation?

  • Where do you get your topic from?

  • What types of doctoral theses are there in human and dental medicine?

  • How do you find the best working group or supervisor for you?

  • What happens after submitting your dissertation?

  • According to which criteria is the dissertation evaluated?

• Best Practices in Scientific Research & Writing Scientific Papers

  To be admitted to the doctoral degree programn, it is mandatory for you to provide proof of successful participation in courses on “good scientific practice and writing scientific papers” (see §4 of the Doctoral Regulations of January 18, 2017). This seminar is organised and conducted by the Service Point Science for Students (SerWiS) as a two-part event. Part I: Good Scientific Practice - A Guide and Part II: Good Scientific Practice - Dealing with Sources. It is recommended to attend both seminars as early as possible, preferably before or when you begin your scientific work for the doctorate.

  Note for MedK doctoral students and students of Experimental Medicine: Successful participation in the three events of the MedK or in the Experimental Medicine program (1. Good scientific practice, 2. Planning and documentation of own scientific results, 3. Writing scientific texts) is equivalent to the SerWiS seminar on good scientific practice and writing scientific papers. For admission to the doctorate, a copy of the MedK certificate, certificate of Experimental Medicine, or an equivalent certificate from SerWiS is sufficient as proof.

  For organisational questions about the events, please contact Melanie Wilbers.

  Here you can register for one of the currently offered dates.

• Seminar - Part I: Good Scientific Practice - A Guide

  Speaker: Dr. Petra Hundehege

  The nationally and internationally developed guidelines for good scientific practice will be presented and discussed. Particularly interesting topics for doctoral students include: supervision relationship, scientific misconduct, conflicts of interest, data handling, and conflict resolution. The seminar will be offered as a half-day block event. The rules of scientific work, which are determined by a sequence of specific mental steps and presented in written form, will be conveyed. The structure of a dissertation and the keeping of a laboratory book will be presented.

• Seminar - Part II: Good Scientific Practice - Dealing with Sources

  Speakers: Dr. Nils Beese and PD Dr. Sönke Scherzer

  In the second part of the seminar, moderated by Dr. Nils Beese, Head of the Medical Library Münster, and PD Dr. Sönke Scherzer, Head of the Study Laboratory, participants will receive an introduction to the use of electronic journals, various databases, and the application of different literature search strategies. Additional topics will include citation rules and handling sources in literature management programs. The second part of the seminar will be offered as a approximately two-hour event.