Post-Graduate studies. 3rd education level
To advance and promote research work in the field of medicine, to maintain and fortify the scientific school, to ensure sustainable faculty development, as well as to rejuvenate and internationalize science, the university’s top graduates are eligible to apply to PhD programs according to the existing regulations with the aim of achieving scientific degree.
PhD program promotes the planning, education and training, and qualification of individuals with elevated educational and scientific expertise. These individuals are equipped to conduct advanced scientific research, contribute to the evolution of science through innovative approaches, and communicate effectively with the scientific community.
PhD programs
A PhD student is an individual with higher professional education enrolled in a PhD program to enhance their professional knowledge and to write a dissertation to attain a PhD degree. Admission to PhD programs is competitive and is open to those holding a master’s degree or its equivalent, as well as diploma specialists. In medical (clinical) specialties, individuals holding a doctor-specialist qualification are also eligible for applying to a PhD program.
Each PhD position is substantiated by the specific needs of the given specialist within a department or research centre, the necessity to prepare and train young personnel.
PhD programs are carried out on a full-time and part-time basis (3 and 4 years respectively), free of charge and paid. Admission to postgraduate studies with existing education and full funded tuition fees by the state for available free places, is carried out within the terms stipulated by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.
In order to be admitted to a PhD program, the applicant is required to pass differentiated tests with specific entry requirements: the certificate of attestation for passing the subjects “Foreign Language”, “Informatics and basics of information and communication” or the equivalent reference and takes an exam in a professional subject. Admission is done on a competitive basis. The government allots state scholarships with fixed amounts for full-time learners.
Following admission to the PhD program, the academic supervisor of the PhD student, the topic of the dissertation and the work plan are approved by the scientific coordination council.
Throughout the academic program, adhering to the regulations for awarding scientific degrees set by the RA, the PhD student is required to engage in the researcher’s credit system, attend both general and professional training courses, successfully pass qualification exams, participate in expertise, attestations, and scientific events, and publish scientific articles, including in journals with an impact factor.
By the end of the program, the PhD student should accumulate a total of 180 credits, structured as follows:
| Educational | General educational component (18 credit) |
Name | Credit | Total |
| Professional foreign language/academic writing | 1.5 | 18.0 | ||
| Philosophy and methodology of science | 1.5 | |||
| Medical informatics | 2.0 | |||
| Medical psychology | 0.5 | |||
| Scientific ethics | 0.5 | |||
| Methodology and tools of scientific research | 2.0
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| Biostatistics | 2.0 | |||
| Project design, development and management | 1.0 | |||
| Evidence-based medicine | 1.0 | |||
| Intellectual property rights and patent case | 1.0 | |||
| Management. Management of human and material resources | 1.0 | |||
| Communication skills and business writing | 1.5 | |||
| Laboratory research methods | 1.0 | |||
| Environment and health | 0.5 | |||
| Health law | 0.5 | |||
| Ethical expertise | 0.5 | |||
| Professional Educational Component (10 credit) |
Professional Subject 1 | 3.0 | 10.0 | |
| Professional Subject 2 | 3.0 | |||
| Related Subject 1 | 2.0 | |||
| Related Subject 2 | 2,0 | |||
| Qualification Exams (12 credits) |
Foreign Language | 3,0 | 12.0 | |
| Informatics | 3,0 | |||
| Professional | 6.0 | |||
| Practical Training (10 credits) |
Pedagogical | 3.0 | ||
| Research | 4.0 | |||
| Team work | 3.0 | |||
| Topic Approval | Dissertation topic/plan approval | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
| Research | Practical Skills | Experimental and clinical activity (collection of primary data) | 35.0 | 35.0 |
| Conferences | Participation in a local conference | 2.0 | 15.0 | |
| Poster presentation at a local conference | 5.0 | |||
| Oral presentation at a local conference | 8.0 | |||
| Participation in an international conference | 4.0 | 20.0 | ||
| Poster presentation at an international conference | 6.0 | |||
| Oral presentation at an international conference | 10.0 | |||
| Articles | In journal published in RA | 3.0 | 20.0 | |
| In journal published abroad | 5.0 | |||
| In journal included in Scopus, Web of science list | 12.0 | |||
| Attestation | Ongoing | Attestation1 | 5.0 | 11.0 |
| Attestation 2 | 6.0 | |||
| Final | Department session | 3.0 | 9.0 | |
| Ethics Committee | 2.0 | |||
| Primary Papers, Materials, and Methods Review Committee | 4.0 | |||
| Pre-defence | 15.0 | 15.0 | ||
| Total | 180.0 | |||
Applicant
Individuals who meet the above mentioned criteria and are capable of conducting scientific research alongside their professional commitments can be included in the application process for obtaining a scientific degree.
The applicant submits their scientific work project for expertise, according to the established procedure and after receiving a positive feedback, applies to the scientific coordination council of the university for the approval.
The maximum duration of the program is 5 years.
PhD programs conclude with the defence of the dissertation, resulting in the award of the PhD scientific degree.
The Science Department at YSMU implements a researcher’s educational program aligned with the 3rd educational level, comprising two main components: educational and research.
It contributes to the development the required foundation of the researcher’s professional knowledge, abilities, and scientific and pedagogical skills. There is a webinar auditorium within the Science Department’s premises, where various events such as lectures, sessions, meetings, and business meetings are regularly conducted for researchers, both in-person and online.
The YSMU Science Department oversees the process of training and qualification for scientific personnel.