Doctoral Study Program

Doctoral study program - research training group "water for life"

"Water for Life" is one of the research training groups belonging to the doctoral study program established at the "Faculty of Agriculture". It aims at increasing the PhD students’ previously gained scientific knowledge and skills relevant to water related issues in an interdisciplinary approach.

We invite PhD candidates with background in agricultural sciences, natural sciences, business, economic or social sciences of our three faculties being interested in water related topics to participate the module "Water - People - Agriculture" of our research training group.

Within 3 years, three modules are to be absolved. A certificate is issued with the doctoral degree – the modules completed are listed on the certificate.

Registration for Doctoral Study Programm

To register for the "water for life" doctoral study program you need to submit to the doctoral commitee the following:

  1. Application letter including your motivation, scientific interests and a concept of your planned career
  2. Curriculum vitae
  3. Short description of the doctoral project including the aim of the project and the time and task schedule
    (maximum 4 pages in German or English)

See here!

You also need to fill the following forms:

Regristration at the Examination Office

Regristration for the doctoral program and modules (only in German)

If you need more information visit the website.

Modul 1 - Methods of Scientific Working

Overall Objectives:

  • Scientific and interdisciplinary competence
  • Awareness of the wider scientific related environment
  • Acquisition of basic tools for a PhD study and scientific career
  • Excellent qualification and preparation for future challenges


Specific topics:

  • Scientific Environment (relationship with society, organisation and cooperation in research projects, ethic issues, intelectual property rights)
  • Toolbox for thesis writing (literature search and databases, special cases in statistics, writing up and presentation)
  •  How to publish? (where to publish, citation index, writing guidlines)
  •  Funding in Science (funding bodies, proposal writting)
  •  International organisations
  • Survival strategies (coping with stress)

Modul 2: "Water - People - Agriculture"

Modul 2 is compulsory for all WPA scholars. It is organized as a be-weekly seminar with seven sessions per semester. In total 14 sessions of approximately 3 hours each must be attended by the PhD student. Hohenheim internal and external experts on water issues are invited to present their topics and discuss with the PhD candidates. One session must be organized by the PhD student while focusing on topics related to water conflicts.

The following list should be considered as suggestions for possible seminar topics, own ideas can be discussed any time. After the presentation the student must submit a seminar paper.

 

1) Mid-West USA – North China Plain – Common problem – similar causes?

2) Irrawaddy – Water management in Myanmar

3) Global warming and Permafrost Systems – hydrological implications

4) Okavango – ecosystem services and hydrological cycle

5) Taifuns and Hurricanes – importance for global freshwater resources

6) Ice on Earth - function, past and future dynamics

7) Rivers and streams - water in motion

8) Lakes and reservoirs - storing water in landscapes

9) Constructed wetland - functions and applications

10) Fossil water on earth - distribution and potential use

11) Water supplies and demands in the San Joaquin Valley, USA

 

 

 

Modul 3 - "Water for life"

This module will be structured by the individual needs and interests of the PhD students in the area of water issues related to the research topic of the PhD candidate. It needs to be an international module on a PhD level at a center of excellence, a University or an international enterprise.

The module can therefore be completed by an individually arranged (and graded!) internship with another scientific institution meeting the standards for modules of the University of Hohenheim. The content of the module should be defined at latest 18 months after the beginning of the PhD study program in consultation with the supervisor or the supervising team and the management of the WPA Research Training Group. A description of the module content confirmed by the hosting institution should be presented to the person in charge of the module for approval.

Professional skills will be related to one of the following research themes:

  • water as a resource
  • water and climate
  • water and health
  • water productivity
  • water as a societal challenge

Water for life - Seminar WS24/25

"ATSAF Academy" + "Water-People-Agriculture" Seminar:  Winter Semester 2024/2025
No. Day Date Time Speaker Institute Topic Form
1 Monday 07.10.2024 16:00 Shahadat Hossain
University of Gießen, ILRI
Neglected tropical diseases - Roadmaps to paving the way for a healthier future online
2

Monday

 21.10.2024 16:00 Jacop Emanuael Joseph
University of Göttingen, ICRISAT
Agriculutre 4.0 - What is available, what is possible, how is everything connected?
online
3 Monday 18.11.2024 16:00 Gokul Prasad Paudel
University of Hannover, CIMMYT
Modelling agricultural systems - Recent advances in methodology and application potential

online
4 Monday 16.12.2024 16:00 Aaron Willmott University of Hohenheim The hydrological implications of large-scale afforestation and reforestation projects online
5 Friday 17.01.2024 09:00 Ambika Pandey
University of Gießen, IRRI
Sustainable agricultural production - Producing rice in the context of climate change
online

One Research Training Group - three Faculties - many regulations

Stipend holders of the WPA research training group are registered at one of the faculties at the University of Hohenheim and the participation of module 2 and 3 of the doctoral programm research training group  "water for life" is compulsory.
Additionally we invite all PhD students of the University of Hohenheim (non WPA stipend holders) who are interested in an interdisciplinary and international post-graduate education in water relevant issues to participate in the module 2 "water-people-agriculture" of our research training group.

For WPA stipend holders:  We would like to point out that different doctoral degree regulations are existing for the three faculties at the University of Hohenheim affecting admission as well as the content of the different doctoral programs. Please use the information provided at this site to get a brief overview but additionally contact the respective office of your faculty for further important details.

 

FACULTYPhD Program
Faculty of AgricultureThe doctoral school "Water for Life" is part of the PhD study program with in total nine doctoral schools at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. 3 modules need to be successfully completed. ...read more about the structure and admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Agriculture.
Faculty of Natural SciencesThe faculty has established a PhD study program in 2015. For WPA scholars based at the Faculty of Natural Sciences the module 2 and 3 of the doctoral school "Water for Life" are compulsory (see Agriculture Faculty)  ...read more about admission to doctoral studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
Faculty of Business, Social Sciences and Economic The faculty has establish a PhD study program in 2014. For WPA scholars based at the Faculty of Business, Social Sciences and Economic the module 2 and 3 of the doctoral school "Water for Life" are compulsory (see Agriculture Faculty)  ...read more about the PhD program at the Faculty of Business, Social Sciences and Economic .