Chile

A PhD in Chile typically lasts four years (eight semesters), with a minimum time of 2-3 years and a maximum time of 5-6 years. In 2012, the actual average time to graduate across doctoral programs was a bit over 6 years (SIES2014), but this figure has probably decreased in recent years as programs have taken measures to help students graduate within the expected time. Students are usually funded through governmental scholarships that cover four years of the PhD program (plus a possible six-month extension to write the thesis document) as well as a stipend. These scholarships are only available to students from accredited programs. Other possibilities for students to fund their research include university scholarships, or research projects. There are also students who self-fund their studies, which (probably) lengthens their stay in the program.

The rules for the PhD programs vary for different institutions and can also vary slightly between programs. The two top research universities in Chile are Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) and Universidad de Chile (UCh).

The PhD defence at UC (picture from Michael Arias)

At UC, students will typically take three semesters of coursework (8 courses) followed by a candidacy exam in which students must present, in front of their thesis committee (but without the presence of their advisor!), their research area and their planned research (including, e.g., their research question, proposed methodology and work plan). After the exam, students are considered PhD candidates, expected to mainly focus on thesis work for the remainder of their doctoral program. They are also required to complete three courses in core research-related skills, including ethics, to certify proficiency in a second language, and to carry out a research internship abroad during their studies. At UCh, in the Computer Science PhD program, students have to take 3 courses in their research area during the first year of studies, as well as a course relating to research methodology, and conduct initial thesis work. After the first year, students must undertake an oral qualifying exam covering the area where they will do their research, as well as their initial thesis work.

Cutting the shirt collar at UCh (picture from Pedro Rossel)

If this step is completed successfully, students will work on their thesis for three semesters, after which they must take a Doctoral Proposal Exam. This exam must convince the Thesis Committee that the research is worth continuing (i.e., that the student has made enough progress in the three semesters and will be able to finish in another three semesters). After this, students work on their thesis for the next three semesters. Most PhD programs require the student to publish at least one Web of Science-indexed journal article as first author to be eligible for graduation. Many students graduate with more than one article, or with several articles in conferences or other venues as well. When students have fulfilled this requirement, they write their dissertation—either as a complete document or as a coherent collection of published research articles with an added introduction and conclusion— send it to the committee, and if the committee approves it, they can prepare for their final thesis presentation.

The thesis committee is generally composed of the research advisor (and co-advisors if there are any) as well as other guests.

The Engineering PhD program at UC in particular includes five additional professors, as follows:

• one professor from the same (or close) research area and PhD program; • one professor from the same (or close) research area; • one professor or researcher studying related research topics and belonging to another institution; • one international professor from the research area (who will generally be invited to attend the exam in person); and • one professor that represents the

UC Engineering School of Graduate

Studies, who may be from any other

Engineering discipline and acts as the president of the Committee. The president is usually a full or retired professor.

The exam is usually public, so students will bring their friends and family members, and often other PhD students will also attend to see the process. The exam is a formal event in which students are usually dressed formally, but the committee members may be dressed in their regular clothes. The president of the committee will introduce all members of the committee and lay out the rules of the exam. Then, the student will present their work for an allotted time, usually around 45 minutes to an hour, and then, the committee will ask questions in a predetermined order. There is no limit to the number of questions each member may ask, no limit to the time they may take, and no limit to the number of rounds of questions that are asked, so each member of the committee can ask questions until they are satisfied with the answers. The overall questions portion will last on average for about an hour. After this, the president of the committee will ask all guests and the student to leave the room, and the committee will deliberate. If students have reached this milestone, it is expected that they will pass the exam— however, if the committee is not satisfied by the presentation or the answers, it

“There is no limit to the number of questions each member may ask, no limit to the time they may take, and no limit to the number of rounds of questions that are asked.”

would be possible to fail the student at this point. When they have reached an agreement, everyone is called back into the room and the student is informed of the decision, which is usually positive.

After the exam, each department will have its own tradition. Some offer a brief celebration—champagne, juice, sandwiches, hors d’oeuvres—while others will have the committee and students briefly congratulate each other and then return to their offices. At the UCh Department of Computer Science, students’ shirt collars or a small lock of hair are cut, pasted on a sheet of paper, and pinned on a bulletin board with their name, so other students and family can write congratulatory messages.

A final, formal ceremony is usually held by the university to celebrate all of the students who have graduated in the previous year, who in past years have been over a hundred at both UCh and UC. In this ceremony, students are handed diplomas or medals by the University Rector.

Final UC University ceremony

REFERENCES

Servicio de Información de Educación Superior - SIES. (2014). Duración real de las carreras en Chile. Programas de pregrado y posgrado. Ministerio de Educación. URL: http://biblioteca.digital. gob.cl/handle/123456789/68

Final UC University Ceremony picture retrieved from: https://www.uc.cl/noticias/165-nuevos-doctores-se-graduaron-en-la-pontificia-universidad-catolica-de-chile/