How to defend a thesis: current requirements and process

The dissertation defense in Bulgaria is a complex and regulated process that requires a high degree of scientific preparation from the applicant. Following the established procedures and thorough preparation is the key to successfully obtaining the scientific degree of "Doctor" or "PhD". What are the requirements and the process of dissertation defense in Bulgaria? Let's consider in this article.

Actual requirements for dissertation defense in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the dissertation defense is regulated by the Act on the Development of Academic Personnel in the Republic of Bulgaria as well as additional requirements specified in the statutes of higher education institutions and scientific organizations.

Requirements for the thesis

The dissertation must contain original scientific or scientific-applied results, demonstrate deep theoretical knowledge, and display the applicant's ability to conduct independent research.

Modern standards require the verification of research work using automated anti-plagiarism systems. A dissertation must meet the minimum uniqueness requirements (at least 70-85% for the text excluding citations).

The company "Scientific Publications" offers service of checking the uniqueness of the dissertation text with the help of specialized software, which allows you to increase the originality index.

Point system

Bulgaria has a point system that is designed to evaluate the scientific achievements of scientists. Scientific degrees and academic positions are allocated on a competitive basis depending on the points scored.

The minimum number of points for awarding academic degrees and academic titles:

Details of the scoring system can be found in Act on the Development of Academics in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Scientific publications

Publication in scientific journals indexed by Scopus and Web of Science is one of the criteria for evaluating an applicant for a scientific degree and for allocating academic positions. The higher the quartile of the journal in which the article is published, the more points the scientist receives, which increases his/her chances of receiving the desired degree, title or position.

Conditions for admission to the defense of the dissertation

Candidates are allowed to defend the dissertation:

• having the educational qualification degree "Master"
• who have successfully completed the doctoral program
• who have passed examinations on the individual study plan in front of commissions appointed by the head of the host structural unit. The committee consists of at least 3 persons with scientific degrees, as well as the scientific supervisor of the doctoral student
• meet the minimum national requirements for scientific, pedagogical and/or artistic or sporting activities as defined in the annex for the different fields of science and/or professional fields for each academic degree and for each academic position
• have obtained the required number of points
• who have prepared a research work (dissertation) that meets the criteria of originality and makes a significant scientific contribution to the relevant field of science.

List of documents to be submitted by a candidate for the scientific degree of "doctor" for the defense of the dissertation:

1. Application to the Rector for admission to the public defense.
2. Resume in European format.
3. Diploma (with attachment) on the acquisition of the degree "Master".
4. Thesis.
5. Abstract with abstract in English.
6. List of scientific publications for the dissertation defense and their hard copies.
7. Declaration of originality of results and contribution.

Process of evaluation and defense of the dissertation

1. Preliminary examination

The doctoral student submits the dissertation to the supervisor, who evaluates its readiness for defense within one month from the date of submission. In case of a positive assessment, the supervisor proposes to the Department Council to initiate the procedure of preliminary discussion. At the extended meeting of the department, the thesis undergoes a detailed review, following the results of which a decision is made on its readiness for defense before the scientific jury. If the decision is positive, the extended council also discusses and proposes the composition of the scientific jury.

After the departmental council makes a positive decision on the readiness for defense, the candidate submits documents in the established order for the dissertation defense, according to the requirements of the relevant regulations of the higher education institution or scientific organization.

2. Formation of the scientific jury

The jury is composed of five qualified persons who have a scientific degree relevant to the topic of the thesis. At least one of the jury members is a professor. Three of the five jury members must not be employees of a higher education institution or scientific organization. A supervisor cannot be appointed as a member of the jury.

Jury members prepare two reviews and three conclusions, which are submitted to Human Resources within two months.

3. Conducting the defense of the dissertation

The defense takes place at an open meeting of the scientific jury within a month after the publication of the abstract, reviews and feedback.

The procedure of dissertation defense by the applicant includes the following stages:

1. The President of the scientific jury introduces the doctoral student.
2. The doctoral student makes a brief presentation of the main results of the thesis.
3. The President of the Scientific Jury presents the reviews and expert opinions of the Jury members.
4. The doctoral student answers questions from the jury members and those present at the public defense.
5. Each member of the scientific jury publicly announces his/her evaluation - positive or negative.
6. The President of the Scientific Jury announces the results of the defense. A dissertation is considered successfully defended if it has received three or more positive evaluations.

The scientific degree "Doctor" or "Doctor of Science" is awarded on the day of successful defense of the dissertation.

Dissertation defense is an important and responsible stage in the career of every scientist. To successfully pass this process it is necessary to prepare in advance and publish the required scientific articles in the international databases Scopus or Web of Science. The closer the deadline for the defense, the more applications for publication are received by prestigious publications, which increases the review time and complicates the timely placement of the article in the issue of the publication.

Choose a guaranteed result — order publication in Scopus or Web of Science now and confidently move towards obtaining a scientific degree. Scientific Publications is your reliable partner with years of experience in supporting scientists from more than 45 countries.

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