The lecture on individually selected subject is an optional element in the dissemination part of the PhD study plan. It is rewarded max. 1 credit under the course code INF930. The lecture will be evaluated by a committee of 2 members appointed by the department. The lecture is graded as passed/failed.
The topic is proposed by the PhD cand. and supervisor and approved by the department.
The criteria for lectures on self-selected subjects are the same as for a trial lecture on a given topic. It should demonstrate the candidate's ability to communicate research results, preferably to an audience with the background corresponding to master level in the field. The evaluation considers both the scientific content and the presentation quality.
The lecture must be open to all and announced 2 weeks in advance.
Please note that the time frame of 45 minutes for the lecture is an important parameter that will be measured and taken into account in the total evaluation. Accepted time flexibility is +/- 5 minutes. Too short or too long time will be a reason for failing the lecture.
1. What is a suitable topic: The topic is proposed by the PhD cand. and supervisor and approved by the department’s Board of Doctoral Education. The topic of the given subject must not be obtained from the key issues in the PhD thesis. The candidate is encouraged to choose a topic that s/he has gained insight to for other reasons, usually as a background for the thesis project. It is acceptable to include a limited number of examples from own research where this applies. However, the topic should be suitable and made available for a general audience of scientific and technical staff as well as master- and PhD cand. in the wider field of ICT-related research.
2. Expectations to the lecture: A lecture on individually selected subject at the Department of Informatics is expected to be at a high level both in terms of the scientific contents and the way the topic is presented. The purpose of the lecture is to give the PhD candidates an opportunity to document their ability to disseminate research-based knowledge. The lecture should normally be structured so that it can be followed by an audience with previous knowledge one could expect to find among master's students in the field of study. Both academic content and the ability to disseminate are emphasized in the assessment of the lecture.
3. Evaluation criteria: The lecture is evaluated both on contents and presentation, with possible conclusions Passed or Failed.When evaluating the quality of the lecture, the committee is asked to (as a minimum) pay attention to the following aspects:
- The presentation should be faithful to the given topic. It should include sufficient background. The presentation should reflect the present status of knowledge on the topic. The amount of material should be suitable for the scheduled duration.
- The presentation should be logically structured and with suitable organization of the information. It should contain a conclusion or summary that ties back to the aims of the lecture. Sources should be properly cited.
- The candidate should place the given topic in a larger context, linking it to contemporary issues where natural. The candidate should demonstrate overview of the subject.
- Visual aids should be legible and the figures clear and useful. The candidate should avoid too much jargon and excessive use of abbreviations. The pace should be suitable. The candidate should finish on time.
- The time frame for the lecture is 45 minutes. The time will be measured and is taken into account in the total evaluation. Accepted time flexibility is +/- 5 minutes. Too short or too long presentations will be a reason for failing the lecture.
- The overall quality of the lecture should be at a level that is acceptable for a newly educated researcher from the Department of Informatics.
