Dr. rer. nat. - Leibniz Universität Hannover

Doctorate Regulations of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, and the
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Sec. 1
Conferral of the Academic Degree of
Dr. rer. nat.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover (hereinafter called Leibniz Universität Hannover) confers,
through the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, and the Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science (hereinafter called the Faculties), following a doctoral procedure, in
compliance with the following regulations, the academic degree of "Doctor of Natural Sciences" (Doctor rerum
naturalium, abbreviated: Dr. rer. nat.).
Sec. 2
Graduation Performances
(1) Graduation performances consist of the doctoral thesis and optionally the oral doctoral examination or the
thesis defence.
(2) The doctoral thesis is a scientific paper independently prepared by the doctoral candidate in the field of
natural sciences (hereinafter to be understood as the subject categories specified in the annexe), provided this
paper constitutes a scientific progress. The doctoral thesis has to deal with a coherent subject-specific topic
and comprise a self-contained presentation of the research work and its results. Scientific publications may
form a part of a doctoral thesis. If the doctoral thesis consists of several scientific papers, a presentation of the
guidelines of the papers submitted has to be added in an appropriate extent. In case of several authors of
such scientific papers, the contribution of the doctoral candidate must be clearly distinguishable without a
doubt. Parts of the doctoral thesis may have been published even before their submittal.
(3) The oral doctoral examination extends to a major subject (Sec. 9 Para. 4) and a minor subject (Sec. 9
Para. 5). The oral examination in the major subject serves as proof that the doctoral candidate masters this
subject in an appropriate broadness and profoundness. This includes the ability to critically discuss the
formulated problem and the results of the doctoral thesis and to integrate them into the overall field of the
major subject. The oral examination in the minor subject is to prove if the doctoral candidate features
respective content-related and methodical knowledge and has an overview of modern developments.
(4) The thesis defence includes a scientific presentation reflecting the essential contents of the thesis, as well
as a subsequent discussion. The defence is to show that the doctoral candidate is able to critically discuss the
results of her or his doctoral thesis and integrate them into the scientific environment. This includes the ability
to present and explain in-depth knowledge, relating to both content and method, in the subject area mainly
touched by the doctoral thesis.
Sec. 3
Admission Requirements
(1) For admission to doctoral studies for the degree of Dr. rer. nat., either of the following is required:
a) regular natural science studies, having been concluded with a passed diplom examination, a master
examination, a final state examination, or an equivalent final examination at a scientific university in the scope
of the Constitutional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany, or
b) regular studies of teacher training for grammar schools or vocational schools, in two natural science school
subjects (e. g. biology, chemistry, geography, mathematics, physics, food science), having been concluded
with the passed master examination or the first state examination for teacher training for grammar schools or
vocational schools in the scope of the Constitutional Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.
(2) Applicants not fulfilling the requirements of Para. 1 but proving to have studied at least eight semesters at a
scientific university and obtained a degree, may direct a well-founded application to the dean regarding the
request for assessment of admission requirements. For the equivalence of the final examination of a foreign
scientific university, the prevailing equivalence agreements apply.
(3) Highly qualified graduates from universities of applied science may, on the basis of their well-founded
application addressed to the dean, be admitted to doctoral studies, provided they have successfully taken
assessment tests as per Para. 5. after a course of study at Leibniz Universität Hannover usually extending to
two semesters. For graduates from universities of applied science having concluded a consecutive, ten
semester course of study, the two semester studies at Leibniz Universität Hannover shall be waived.