Phd's in other countries compared to North America...

[LKD]

I was wondering if Phd's in other European countries, more specifically Austria, are of the same standards in USA or England? Are they well recognized in USA for work or other opportunities? It seems like some countries have a wierd education system. I realize in some countries it takes the same amount of time to get their bachelors and masters degree as one would require to complete only their bachelor's in US. In America, one could spend a few years completing their Phd, but it seems like one could get their phd in a year or two in countries like Austria. :/

i'm just curious because I know someone who started and finished his Phd in one year in Austria.. had previously finished his undergrad and masters in 4 years. While another guy is doing is Phd at a school in Vienna that doesn't officially have a phd program. He's just collaborating with a prof in the school and will get awarded with a phd in the end.

 

[mrsCALoki]

I was wondering if Phd's in other European countries, more specifically Austria, are of the same standards in USA or England? Are they well recognized in USA for work or other opportunities? It seems like some countries have a wierd education system. I realize in some countries it takes the same amount of time to get their bachelors and masters degree as one would require to complete only their bachelor's in US. In America, one could spend a few years completing their Phd, but it seems like one could get their phd in a year or two in countries like Austria. :/

i'm just curious because I know someone who started and finished his Phd in one year in Austria.. had previously finished his undergrad and masters in 4 years. While another guy is doing is Phd at a school in Vienna that doesn't officially have a phd program. He's just collaborating with a prof in the school and will get awarded with a phd in the end.

hun, there are places all over the world, including US, that will just email you any degree you want.

There are also semi accredited schools that offer all kinds of degrees. Part of life. It is like having a Rolex or a Rohex watch. (Yes you can buy lookalike watches in Hong Kong, in case someone did not know.)

How good a school the degree comes from counts a lot.

 

[Onelongfinger]

You can buy a PhD certificate for $9.99 too. Lol.

 

[LKD]

ok i'm not talking about fake phd certificates... i mean it seems to be a legit school, although as Mrs. mentioned, some seem to be semi accredited schools or what you call 'private' universities :/

 

[Onelongfinger]

The level of education is different between countries. Standards are very different. As an example, I had staff who had a Masters degree but had lower technical knowledge of a 3rd year Canadian student.

 

[LKD]

The level of education is different between countries. Standards are very different. As an example, I had staff who had a Masters degree but had lower technical knowledge of a 3rd year Canadian student.

true.. i'm just curious about the European standards. i know england standards are fairly high.. Even in Austria, the standards can be pretty high in some national technical school.. I'm just confused in the cases i described above.

I'm an immigrant myself... and I still remember learning things in grade 9 biology and science here, things I had to learn around grade 5 back in the country I came from :/

 

[shakenbake]

For starters, look here for entrance requirements to academic degrees at U of T.

http://portal.sgs.utoronto.ca/current/admission/intdegequiv.asp?#country

Also, there is an office of Comparative Education Services at U of T to tell you if the 'Ph.D.' is really equivalent to the Canadian Ph.D.

http://learn.utoronto.ca/international-professionals/comparative-education-service-ces

Co-incidentally, I got mine 25 years ago, today, and the minimum residency requirement beyond a Masters degree at U of T was two years. How did the Austrian student get one in just one year? That doesn't leave time to do any worthwhile research for a doctorate in any field of study.

You must also realise that the term 'Doctor' in some countries might mean just a bachelors degree, as a courtesy to the recent graduate. The term 'Doctor' can be used quite loosely around the world.

 

[mrsCALoki]

You must also realise that the term 'Doctor' in some countries might mean just a bachelors degree, as a courtesy to the recent graduate. The term 'Doctor' can be used quite loosely around the world.

LOL same for M.D. In some countries I can become an M.D. in about 2 weeks. In others I am 2 years away. You might want to keep that in mind next time you see an M.D. in other parts of the world. (oh in case anyone cares, yes I have had medical training in US).

 

[Aardvark154]

My practical knowledge regarding German/Austrian Doctorates is nil, however, from research the time it takes entirely depends upon the subject matter.

The first PhDs as we know them as earned degrees were granted by German (and I presume also Austrian) Universities in the early nineteenth century. From there they spread to the U.S. circa 1860 and then to Canada circa 1900, they didn’t arrive in the U.K. until 1917.

In Germany after the awarding of a PhD those who wish to continue with an academic career generally go on to complete a habilitation thesis Habilitationsschrift it technically is an additional academic qualification rather than a degree per se.

 

[rex_baner]

I met an electrical engineer who had his Phd and had no idea how to use an oscilloscope. It was so bad that we had to show him how to turn it on.

 

[Samurai Joey]

Standards for graduate programs do differ between countries. However, I would expect that continental European countries, in particular a nation like Austria, would likely have standards comparable to those of North America or the UK. After all, some of the greatest mathematicians and scientists in history have studied in Austria (for example, physicists Erwin Schrodinger and Wolfgang Pauli, mathematician Kurt Godel).

To LKD:

You say that you know a person who finished his PhD in 1 year. What was his field of research? Do you know if he's a prodigy who had engaged in extensive original research doing his undergraduate program and thus was able to take that background into his PhD? There are certain fields like mathematics in which exceptional prodigies could complete in a very short period, although it is highly unusual. Same question for the other acquaintance of yours.

 

[FAST]

Meaningless

Interviewed a guy for an engineering position,...when I added up his education and employment history,...he would have to be 75 years old.

And as OP have stated here,...absolutely useless, but VERY good liars.

FAST.

 

[LKD]

Standards for graduate programs do differ between countries. However, I would expect that continental European countries, in particular a nation like Austria, would likely have standards comparable to those of North America or the UK. After all, some of the greatest mathematicians and scientists in history have studied in Austria (for example, physicists Erwin Schrodinger and Wolfgang Pauli, mathematician Kurt Godel).

To LKD:

You say that you know a person who finished his PhD in 1 year. What was his field of research? Do you know if he's a prodigy who had engaged in extensive original research doing his undergraduate program and thus was able to take that background into his PhD? There are certain fields like mathematics in which exceptional prodigies could complete in a very short period, although it is highly unusual. Same question for the other acquaintance of yours.

that was back in the 1800's and 1900's.. I don't think you can compare Austria then and now. Vienna was probably one of the centers of enlightened thought back them.. Too many individuals (good and bad) that came out from that country - Mozart, Strauss, Wagner, Nietzsche, Freud, Jung, Loos, Goethe, HITLER etc. Austria is probably a lazy country today xD

The person I know who finished his phd in one year got it in Biomedical Science.. basically studying cells, cancer, research etc. He was definitely not a prodigy to start out with. Wanted to become a figure skater but scrapped that because of injuries. Attended the national university in Vienna for business first, then dropped out because it was hard to study with the large number of students in the lecture hall. Enrolled in a private university I believe, and completed undergrad/masters in about 4 years and phd in 1 year.

I'd think the standards are definitely not the same as north america. I mean, in Austria, one could take the recommended years to finish their degree or take 10 years to finish it if they want. They could take breaks between semesters, go on vacations, work, come back after a few years to finish it etc. In contrast to North America, where you have to finish your studies following a timetable.

I'm just curious because stupid guy is boasting he has a masters and now a phd blah blah and my family thinks so highly of him now. xD

 

[mrsCALoki]

You do not have to go that far a field to see differences. Every university in the world, in Canada, and even in Ontario has its own level of competence and produce grads with different levels of skills. In addition within a university some students are better than others.

If your life depended on the quality of your computer program would you rather have a grad from Waterloo or from the Distant Learning University of James Bay?

Bet you never even heard of DLU ? Thank is ok I just made it up so I did not insult anyone.

 

[shakenbake]

I'm just curious because stupid guy is boasting he has a masters and now a phd blah blah and my family thinks so highly of him now. xD

It might be that he is a braggard, plain and simple. Also, a private university? What guarrantee is there that its progarms would meet internationally accepted standards? Although different in Europe, I know for a fact that there are acceditation boards in Canada and the USA that certify the validity and relevance of degree programs at the genuine, bona fide universities. Accreditation hearings and visits are very thorough and demanding, at least for engineering programs in Canada. U of T nearly lost its accreditation for some of its engineernig programs about 15 to 20 years ago.

Actually, if you go to this site IST Austria,

http://ist.ac.at/graduate-school/phd-program/

The requirement is four to five years of study for a Ph.D.

"Program Description
The duration of the program is on average four to five years (depending on previous education and individual progress) and is divided into two phases: before and after the qualifying exam.
Students with a BS degree have at most two years from their start date, and students with an MS degree have one year from their start date, to pass the qualifying exam.
First part of PhD Studies

When joining the PhD program of IST Austria, a student may be part of a research group (with a Thesis Supervisor) from the beginning or start as unaffiliated student. The overall requirements are the same in both cases.
During the first phasea student must:

• Do three lab rotations with three different professors (approx. two months each).
• Fulfill a course requirement:

1. two introductory courses:"Introduction to Research at IST Austria" and "Scientific Presentation and Conduct"
2. Take four core (or the equivalent of eight half) modules.

• Form a thesis committee and pass a qualifyingexam.
  This includes finding a thesis supervisor (Professor or Assistant Professor of IST Austria), forming a thesis committee, preparing a thesis proposal and a reading list.

The qualifying exam consists of:

• an oral presentation of the thesis proposal (normally 20 – 30 minutes), followed by
• an oral exam about the thesis proposal and the Reading List (normally 30 – 40 minutes).

Second Part of PhD Studies

After passing the qualifying exam, a PhD student works primarily on research towards a thesis.
Every student and supervisor hold regular progress reviews, and a committee of professors must approve each year that the student makes satisfactory progress towards completing the PhD degree.
A Thesis Defense must be scheduled within four years of passing the Qualifying Exam.
The thesis defense consists of a public oral presentation of the draft thesis (normally 40 – 50 minutes) in the presence of the thesis committee, followed by questions and answers on the thesis.
Once a final thesis is submitted, within two months of the defense, and accepted by the thesis committee, the PhD degree is awarded by the Institute."


Universität Innsbruck, three to five years.

http://www.uibk.ac.at/fakultaeten/betriebswirtschaft/study_programs/phd-program/program_details.html

These are just two examples of Ph.D. program offerings in Austria.

One year for Ph.D. in Austria? Bullshit, plain and simple.

 

[shakenbake]

You do not have to go that far a field to see differences. Every university in the world, in Canada, and even in Ontario has its own level of competence and produce grads with different levels of skills. In addition within a university some students are better than others.

If your life depended on the quality of your computer program would you rather have a grad from Waterloo or from the Distant Learning University of James Bay?

Bet you never even heard of DLU ? Thank is ok I just made it up so I did not insult anyone.

Darn! And here I thought that DLU was a sister institution to LCU (Last Chance University)!

 

[shakenbake]

I met an electrical engineer who had his Phd and had no idea how to use an oscilloscope. It was so bad that we had to show him how to turn it on.

Don't be too surprised. I know of many chemical engineers who have graduated who don't know how to titrate even if their lives depended on it. It all depends on when they graduated and from what specialty.

 

[mrsCALoki]

Darn! And here I thought that DLU was a sister institution to LCU (Last Chance University)!

I thought that was F U

 

[LKD]

It might be that he is a braggard, plain and simple. Also, a private university? What guarrantee is there that its progarms would meet internationally accepted standards? Although different in Europe, I know for a fact that there are acceditation boards in Canada and the USA that certify the validity and relevance of degree programs at the genuine, bona fide universities. Accreditation hearings and visits are very thorough and demanding, at least for engineering programs in Canada. U of T nearly lost its accreditation for some of its engineernig programs about 15 to 20 years ago.

Actually, if you go to this site IST Austria,

http://ist.ac.at/graduate-school/phd-program/

The requirement is four to five years of study for a Ph.D.

"Program Description
The duration of the program is on average four to five years (depending on previous education and individual progress) and is divided into two phases: before and after the qualifying exam.
Students with a BS degree have at most two years from their start date, and students with an MS degree have one year from their start date, to pass the qualifying exam.
First part of PhD Studies

When joining the PhD program of IST Austria, a student may be part of a research group (with a Thesis Supervisor) from the beginning or start as unaffiliated student. The overall requirements are the same in both cases.
During the first phasea student must:

• Do three lab rotations with three different professors (approx. two months each).
• Fulfill a course requirement:

1. two introductory courses:"Introduction to Research at IST Austria" and "Scientific Presentation and Conduct"
2. Take four core (or the equivalent of eight half) modules.

• Form a thesis committee and pass a qualifyingexam.
  This includes finding a thesis supervisor (Professor or Assistant Professor of IST Austria), forming a thesis committee, preparing a thesis proposal and a reading list.

The qualifying exam consists of:

• an oral presentation of the thesis proposal (normally 20 – 30 minutes), followed by
• an oral exam about the thesis proposal and the Reading List (normally 30 – 40 minutes).

Second Part of PhD Studies

After passing the qualifying exam, a PhD student works primarily on research towards a thesis.
Every student and supervisor hold regular progress reviews, and a committee of professors must approve each year that the student makes satisfactory progress towards completing the PhD degree.
A Thesis Defense must be scheduled within four years of passing the Qualifying Exam.
The thesis defense consists of a public oral presentation of the draft thesis (normally 40 – 50 minutes) in the presence of the thesis committee, followed by questions and answers on the thesis.
Once a final thesis is submitted, within two months of the defense, and accepted by the thesis committee, the PhD degree is awarded by the Institute."


Universität Innsbruck, three to five years.

http://www.uibk.ac.at/fakultaeten/betriebswirtschaft/study_programs/phd-program/program_details.html

These are just two examples of Ph.D. program offerings in Austria.

One year for Ph.D. in Austria? Bullshit, plain and simple.

that's for Institute of Science and Technology Austria... probably a well recognized university. I'm wondering about others. From what I see, private universities offering degree programs are just as common as private secondary or english language school here in Toronto. :/

 

[LKD]

it seems like the University of Vienna is ranked 115 around the world university standings for medical studies and engineering compared to UofT which is up at 18, and Harvard at No 1. That should explain the standards