SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT

The tutor

The tutor is responsible for the appropriateness of the student's training and activities in the programme. He/she must have a PhD degree and recognised research experience. The tutor must be a lecturer participating in the PhD programme with a permanent position at the Veterinary Faculty UCM (Full Professor, Associate Professor-tenured or Associate Professor-hired).

Each PhD student will have a single tutor.

The tutor may be, at the same time, the supervisor or co-supervisor of the thesis.

The supervisor

The thesis supervisor is responsible for the development of the research. The thesis may be co-directed by a maximum of three supervisors if there are academic reasons, such as interdisciplinary subjects, collaboration with other national or foreign entities, or the complementary nature of the co-directors.

All lecturers of the PhD programme, as well as researchers from collaborating entities not belonging to the programme, can be thesis supervisors. Researchers from collaborating entities must apply for temprary affiliation to the programme using the form available on the website. This form must be submitted for each new PhD student whose thesis is to be supervised by the external supervisor. Lecturers from the Veterinary Faculty who have not previously participated in the programme must also complete the application form, in this case only once.

To be a thesis supervisor, at least two years must have elapsed since the researcher completed his/her doctoral thesis. In general terms, thesis supervisors must have at least one period of recognised research activity in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 1086/1989, of 28 August. In the event that the aforementioned decree is not applicable, merits comparable to those indicated therein must be accredited. However, the participation of a trainee director who does not meet these requirements is permitted, with the authorisation of the programme's Academic Committee being necessary in all cases.

If a new supervisor is required for an already registered thesis, the request must be submitted to the Academic Committee at least one year before the end of the PhD student's stay in the programme. The reason for the new supervisor must be given in the appropriate section of the application form.

Once the student has enrolled and paid the fees for the programme, the definitive appointment of the tutor and supervisors will be made within a maximum of three months. This will be done by registering the thesis and signing the commitment document, which will be approved by the Academic Committee. The deadlines for these procedures will be published on the virtual campus of the PhD programme. The Academic Committee, after hearing the student, the supervisor(s) and the tutor(s), may modify their appointment at any time during the PhD programme, provided that there are justified reasons.

UCM Code of good practices for the preparation and supervision of PhD thesis