Doctoral Program at the Center for Development Research University of Bonn 2018, Germany
Bonn International Graduate School
Nonprofit organization, Browse similar opportunities
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Nonprofit organization, Browse similar opportunities
The Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) is the doctoral program at ZEF. BIGS-DR is part of a group of international graduate programs at the University of Bonn, a graduate framework that maintains the highest level of academic quality.
BIGS-DR is an excellent choice as a stepping stone for your international career in the field of development cooperation, policy or research.The mission is to attract young scientists from all over the world to pursue their development research interests here in Bonn. Under BIGS-DR, students are exposed to an international community guided by a challenging research environment.
BIGS-DR is part of the Center for Development (ZEF), an internationally operating research institute at the University of Bonn. The institute is led by three renowned professors in the areas of social sciences, economics, and ecology: Professor Solvay Gerke (social sciences), Professor Joachim von Braun (Economics), and Professor Christian Borgemeister (ecology).
BIGS-DR is international and diverse. Nearly 650 students have joined the program since its inception in 1999, coming from almost 90 countries. Around 40% of our students are female. Students are part of a BIGS-DR academic atmosphere where the participant can exchange academic and personal experiences. The rigourously structured doctoral program enables students to obtain their doctoral degree in 3,5 years on average. In addition to courses, students will take part in softskill workshops that train them in academic writing, intercultural working, leadership skills, and ethical considerations.
The educational concept provides intensive supervision and tutorship. During the admissions process, the BIGS-DR selection committee helps students find supervisors with overlapping research themes or methods. Once students begin their studies, they will receive additional guidance about selecting a mentor or tutor.Being part of the BIGS-DR academic atmosphere gives the participant the possibility of exchanging professional and personal experiences, advice, and support.
Students who finish and defend their theses successfully are conferred a doctoral degree in sociology, political science, social anthropology, economics, agricultural economics, agriculture, forestry, mathematics or natural science. The degrees are granted by the respective university faculty, which is usually the faculty of the first supervisor. Students may pursue their doctoral study under direct supervision of ZEF professors, but may also be associated with ZEF while being supervised elsewhere. Arrangements within the selected German university are made to ensure that a student is accepted by a distinguished advisor and is acceptable to their faculty. The majority of doctoral students are supervised and undergo examinations by professors of the University of Bonn. BIGS-DR also issues individual certificates of each course and a final transcript of all courses after you finished the program successfully.
BIGS-DR gives external students(enrolled in another progremme) the opportunity to attend lectures and seminars here in Bonn. External participants should review the current course program and keep in mind how they plan on financing their time here. Take a look at the application guide for more information about taking part as an external participant!
BIGS-DR aims to attract scientists from all over the world with outstanding master's or equivalent degrees in economics, social sciences, sociology, political science, economics, agricultural and resource economics, agronomy, biology, ecology, forestry, mathematics or earth sciences. Candidates preferably have work experience in national or international research institutions, governments, or the private sector. Interest in interdisciplinary research is a prerequisite.
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