BMS PhD Program
The BMS PhD program consists of two Phases:
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Recommendation: my experience with the BMS has been full of great turnarounds both academically and socially and the immense support and assistance guided my way through the program and I could only highly recommend anyone interested in doing a PhD program in Mathematics in Berlin to give a thought to the BMS as I did.
Sorelle
Phase I – graduate courses
Phase I students are enrolled as master students in Mathematics at either Freie Universität Berlin (FU), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) or Technische Universität Berlin (TU). They should complete the master’s degree in four semesters (two years).
Each Phase I student is guided by a BMS faculty member as their Phase I advisor and mentor. Phase I advisors and students are initially matched based on academic interests. The advisor can become the student’s master’s thesis advisor if their research interests align sufficiently. The student can also choose a different advisor/ mentor at any point during Phase I and may also write their master’s thesis with a different faculty member.
Phase I students are typically enrolled at the university at which their advisor is appointed.
During Phase I, students must find a matching Phase II supervisor for their doctoral project. The supervisor should provide funding for at least three years and/ or advise the student on further funding sources.
Phase I students need to follow the BMS Study Regulations as well as the Master’s Study Regulations of the university at which they are enrolled.
The course program for Phase I is entirely in English and courses are offered at all three Berlin universities. Phase I students can freely choose where they attend courses, regardless of their enrollment. All courses in the BMS course program are also open to other Mathematics students in Berlin as they are part of the official course catalogues at FU, HU and TU Berlin.
In addition, Phase I students are expected to attend the MATH+ Friday colloquia which take place every two weeks during the lecture period. The BMS invites top international researchers from all eight BMS Research Training Areas for the colloquia and with it offers a regular space for students to meet faculty members and each other.
Phase I always starts in the winter semester and new students are asked to move to Berlin in September to attend a German Language Course and complete all administrative procedures before the semester starts. During the BMS Orientation events, the new students learn more about the study regulations and courses and the German culture. All courses start in mid-October.
The BMS offers a maximum of 10 BMS Phase I scholarships per year. These are granted for 1+18 months (extendible by 6 months), and amount to 1,000€ per month.
All BMS scholarships are tax-free and do not include health insurance.
In addition to the scholarship, the student can earn up to 6,000€ per calendar year without paying taxes.
Phase I scholarships are awarded based on academic merit. However, the BMS Committee can include social aspects in their decision making. Students with a sufficient financial background are asked to fund their studies themselves to allow others who don’t have the same means to attend the BMS program as well. Students with sufficient German language skills are normally expected to support themselves by other means, either with student jobs like tutoring for undergraduate classes, or by applying for outside scholarships, for instance from the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes.
Overview:
- 1,000€ / month
- Start in September to help with moving costs (extra month)
- First contract for three semesters
- Students must apply for a scholarship extension for the 4th semester with a transcript and a letter of support from their advisor.
- Extensions beyond 4 semesters can only be considered in special cases, such as medical leaves, pregnancy or other cases of significant hardship.
The German university system offers a lot of freedom: Each semester students can choose how many and which courses to take. As course registrations and exam registrations are separate, students can also attend various courses in the beginning and at the end of the semester choose which ones to complete with the exam.
This is a recommended plan for Phase I:
1st semester:
- Attend three to four different core courses and find your (mathematical) passion.
2nd semester:
- Attend one or two core courses.
- Attend an advanced course and/ or a seminar in your chosen field of passion.
3rd semester:
- Attend more advanced courses/ seminars to prepare for your master’s thesis.
- Talk to faculty members about your master’s thesis and your PhD. Depending on your research interests, there might be several people who you are interested in working with or just one. It is important at this stage that you confirm who will be your master’s thesis advisor and who could potentially become your PhD supervisor.
Meet with your BMS Liaison Officer to discuss your plans for the future.
4th semester:
- Write your master’s thesis.
- Prepare for your PhD project and apply for funding.
Note: BMS Funding for Phase II can only come in the form of a MATH+ Project. The call for MATH+ Project proposals is open in March, at the end of the third semester. Your potential PhD supervisor should submit a proposal for a PhD position together with you before the deadline.
Phase II – doctoral research
In Phase II, students take on independent research towards a PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) and complete this with a doctoral dissertation and a defense. Phase II students must follow the PhD regulations of the university at which they are enrolled. Phase II is completed with the title Dr. rer. nat. issued by the university at which they submit their dissertation.
Their doctoral project is advised by a Phase II supervisor who must be a member of the BMS Faculty. Students should take time evaluating their potential supervising relationship and expectations on both sides. An initial meeting with the potential supervisor to discuss expectations, supervising style and project goals is strongly recommended.
All Phase II students must sign the Phase II Supervision Agreement together with their PhD supervisor.
In addition, Phase II students are recommended to have a Phase II mentor who is independent from the PhD supervisor and can advise on various topics, such as conflicts, career prospects or combining academic and personal life. Student and mentor should therefore have a good personal relationship and trust in confidential meetings.
Phase II typically lasts 3-4 years.
PhD funding can come from different sources:
- Research projects without teaching obligations
- A teaching position (“Haushaltsstelle”)
- A foundation or institution which awards PhD scholarships (check the DAAD databank for options)
The Phase II supervisor should ideally provide funding in the form of a PhD position for at least three years or advise the student on other funding applications.
On a research project position or a teaching position, students receive are employed as scientific staff at the university. This comes with all the benefits of a union contract (TVL).
Research project position are typically granted for three years with a 66-75% position and do not include any teaching obligations. Teaching positions are typically granted for five years with a 100% position but include teaching obligations every semester.