Nutritional nad Metabolic Sciences

 

Characteristics of the study programme

The study program focuses on clinical nutrition and metabolism. It builds upon the basic medical education and the master's program in Nutrition Specialist (Clinical Nutrition Therapist). The aim of the doctoral study program in Nutritional and Metabolic Sciences is to prepare experts with in-depth knowledge of nutrition and metabolism. This includes knowledge from the broad fields of clinical nutrition, dietetics, metabolism, physiological and pathophysiological effects of nutrients, including in-depth knowledge of their properties. Nutrition and metabolism are receiving increasing social and scientific attention in light of the latest research findings. The proposed study program is a logical outcome of both growing scientific interest and the smooth continuation of education in this field at the faculty. The aim of the doctoral program in Nutritional and Metabolic Sciences is to train experts with in-depth knowledge of nutrition and metabolism. This includes knowledge from the broad fields of clinical nutrition, dietetics, metabolism, physiological and pathophysiological effects of nutrients, including in-depth knowledge of their properties.

Admission procedure requirements specific to the study programme

The conditions and procedure for the admission process for the combined study are the same as those for full-time study.

We recommend contacting your potential supervisor in advance and consulting with them about the appropriate way to prepare for the admission interview. Each study program has its own specifics, so your supervisor can help you prepare for the admission exam (interview). Work on the project will take place at the following workplaces: Third Internal Clinic of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, other clinical or theoretical workplaces of Charles University, workplaces related to the field, especially workplaces of members of the subject area board) or a partner of the study program (Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences). You will work on the given project as part of your PhD studies.

Topics of dissertation thesis

The applicant chooses a general topic and contacts a potential supervisor. Together, they discuss the chosen topic and agree on its precise specification. In case of uncertainty, we recommend contacting the chair of the SAB. If necessary, the chair may recommend consulting another specialist depending on the focus of the intended project. 

If the applicant does not know which topic/supervisor to choose, they should contact the chair of the OR, with whom they will consult on a suitable topic and potential supervisor. 

This choice is preliminary; the admissions committee may propose a different supervisor after consulting with the applicant.

Supervisors of the study programme

Each supervisor must be approved by the SAB. The criteria for accepting new supervisors are determined by the SAB. If the proposed supervisor has not yet been approved by the OR, this must be done no later than the candidate's enrollment in the program (assuming the candidate is accepted).

Requirements during the study

Students must complete at least three courses listed by the departmental board and specified in the ISP, a dissertation discussion, a dissertation defence, and other obligations outlined in internal regulations. All students must pass an English language exam (or provide a certificate) and, no later than in their fourth year, participate in the Scientific Conference of the Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. Students are expected to provide proof of active participation in one international professional conference and one domestic professional conference and/or the equivalent in active participation in two Czech professional conferences (both oral presentations) and one poster presentation at a domestic professional conference. Other requirements include an international internship (DS025) or an internship at a leading domestic workplace. In consultation with the supervisor, it is also recommended to complete an internship at a clinical workplace. The student participates in a research study conducted by the workplace or a partner workplace, or the student submits one grant application to: the internal grant agency of Charles University, GAČR, GA MZ ČR, or another (foreign) grant agency dedicated to research (approved by the supervisor); the student is the principal investigator.

Courses requirements

During the first to third years of study, students must complete at least three compulsory elective courses and an English language exam (or provide proof of an internationally recognised certificate). The departmental board lists these courses:

Courses recommended by the SAB

Upon consultation with the supervisor, students may also enrol in other courses from other PhD programs at Charles University that are related to their field of study.

Publication activity requirements

Before defending their thesis, students must submit at least two research articles. During their studies, students are required to publish at least one article in a journal with an IF greater than 0.5, where the student is the first author. The second publication must appear in a professional journal with international indexing, where the student is at least a co-author.

Requirements for internships

A study stay or work placement at a suitable foreign or, if agreed with the supervisor, an excellent domestic workplace is expected. Internships at clinical workplaces are also available as optional subjects.

PhD thesis pre-defence

PhD thesis pre-defence (D040004) must be completed no later than in the third year of study, after fulfilling all study requirements specified in the individual study plan. The discussion consists of one part with the following sub-sections:

Exam topics from metabolism

Exam topics from clinical nutrition

Defence requirements

Students submit the printout of the dissertation thesis, the dissertation summary, and the defence request at least three months before the expected defence date. The defence consists of a 15-minute presentation of the hypotheses, methodology and research outcomes given by the student in front of the  SAB members. The following discussion involves questions from the reviews and additional questions of the committee. 

• to request the defence, students have to fulfil all the requirements specified in the Individual Study Plan 
• to have completed publication activity requirements 
• to submit 4 printouts of the summary and 3 printouts of the dissertation

Profile of a graduate of the study programme

Graduates of the doctoral study program are able to apply advanced research methods that enable the expansion of knowledge in the field. As part of their research work, they are able to conduct thorough literature research on a given topic and process it for the purposes of research and teaching, and subsequently create an independent research design for applied research in the field and carry out a research study.  Graduates are able to publish their research results in domestic and foreign professional journals and other types of professional communication platforms, as well as present the results of their work at workshops, conferences, and professional meetings. Students are also qualified to teach undergraduate students, plan further educational activities and strategies in their field of research, and plan long-term funding sources for practical work and research. Graduates have a deep understanding of the subject matter and are able to combine or replace other procedures to solve problems in the field. Graduates of the program have a thorough understanding of dietetics, nutrition, and metabolism and are able to apply their knowledge in practice, whether in scientific research or real-world professional practice, where they bring the ability to further experiment, create programs, and draw clear conclusions. At the same time, they are able to create new job positions, employ experts, and plan work programs for them.

Information about graduate employment

Students in the doctoral program will gain a deep understanding of the field and its roots in theory and its interventions. The combination of pillars of study aims to provide program graduates with the expertise for transdisciplinary scientific research applied in this field. Thanks to this, among other things, program graduates will be well prepared for the practical needs of science and research, as well as for expert positions in the public and private sectors. Their transdisciplinary background will enable them to collaborate with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, communicate the results of their research to managers and decision-makers at the (inter)ministerial level, and take on, for example, leadership positions at a high level of expertise and/or establish themselves as scientific researchers at domestic or foreign workplaces. The program is tailored to the needs of current international research in the field of nutritional and metabolic sciences and thus reflects the current level of knowledge and research in the field.