FAQ

1. General
What is BiPS?
So am I BiPS?
What is the advantage of being BiPS?
How do I get in touch with you?
What do I have to do as BiPS member?
Where can I meet you?

2. Application
What requirements do I need to meet to apply?
When can I apply?
Who do I contact?
I have my own funding. Does this guarantee admission?
What is the working language at the institute?

3. PhD Studies
What are the requirements to obtain a PhD?
What is a rigorosum? What are the alternatives?
How do I choose a department/faculty?
What is a TAC?
How do I choose TAC members?
Do I have to register at the TU Dresden to be a BiPS?
I struggle with my PhD and look for help. Who can I turn to?

1. General
What is BiPS?
BiPS is the abbreviation for Bioscience PhD students Dresden and is a network to support PhD students. All independently employed PhD students at CRTD are BiPS members by default. Furthermore, interested students from other life science-related institutes in Dresden (e.g. the Medical faculty or the Department of Biology) can join BiPS to participate in BiPS activities with their supervisor's consent.

So am I BiPS?
We have noticed that it can sometimes be challenging to decide whether a certain PhD student is a BiPS or not. Therefore we have looked for ways to simplify this decision. Check out our decision tree!

What is the advantage of being BiPS?
BiPS offers access to life science research communities in Dresden while pursuing a PhD. We support vital networking opportunities by organizing events like our Scientific Symposium and the Beer Hour.

How do I get in touch?
As a new PhD student, please visit the CRTD student office. You will then be added to our mailing list and receive all information about our events.  Alternatively write to the student representatives.

What do I have to do as BiPS-Member?
All BiPS members need to organize regular meetings with their TAC members. You are welcome to become active and organize events together with others. After all, our network can only thrive with many contributions.

Where can I meet you?
There are many chances: join our events/meetings, contact us via email or meet us at the "BiPS socials like 'coffee breaks', etc." which will be announced via email.

2. Application
What requirements do I need to meet to apply as a PhD student?
The requirement for the application as  a PhD student is generally a Master’s degree. Having practical research experience is also helpful.  Additionally, you need a supervisor for your PhD project. Find more about this subject here.

When can I apply?
Everytime.

Whom do I contact?
If you know which lab you want to join you should send your written application directly to the respective PI. In case of other questions contact either the BiPS coordinator or one of the BiPS representatives.

I have my own funding. Does this guarantee admission as a PhD student?
Having your own funding will certainly facilitate joining the lab of your choice. However, you will still need to apply to the respective PI.

What is the working language at the institutes?
English is the working language.

3. PhD Studies
What are the requirements to complete a PhD?
To obtain your PhD title you have to prepare your dissertation (PhD thesis), defend your PhD project during a 30-45 min presentation and pass the rigorosum (oral exam) or fulfill alternative requirements. More details on this can be found in the examination regulations for doctoral candidates (Promotionsordnung).
Please see the Promotionsordnung of the Faculty of Medicine here.
Please see the Promotionsordnung of the School of Science here.

What is the rigorosum? What are the alternatives?
The rigorosum is an oral exam in two different fields, where the subjects may be proposed by the doctoral candidate. Students that are enrolled at the School of Science may be able to replace the rigorosum under certain conditions, for more details see here.

How do I choose a department/ faculty?
Which faculty you chose depends on the title you want to obtain: if you want to graduate with a doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.), you have to enroll at the faculty of science, for a doctor rerum medicinalium (Dr. rer. medic.) you have to enroll at the faculty of medicine.

What is a TAC?
The Thesis Advisory Committee provides guidance for student and supervisor toward the successful completion of the project. It evaluates the student’s progress at annual intervals and provides constructive scientific advice to improve possible theoretical and practical weaknesses. The TAC consists of three faculty members. The primary supervisor is the group leader in whose laboratory the research is conducted.

How do I choose TAC members?
The first TAC member is always your Doktorvater/-mutter, which can be your PI or another faculty member of the Biology or Faculty of Medicine at TUD. For the second (your PI if he/she is not a professor) and third TAC member you can ask anyone who holds a PhD degree and is affiliated to the university. Usually, you choose someone who knows your field of research and can provide helpful suggestions. You should discuss your choice with your PI and also contact other PhD students working in your research area.

Do I have to register at the TU Dresden to be a BiPS?
No. You do not need to enroll at the university for BiPS. However, probably you have to enroll for 2 semesters to comply with your faculty's PhD regulations (Promotionsordnung). Enrolling at the TU Dresden has several advantages (public transport ticket, student discounts, university sport courses etc.) and can be done at the beginning of any semester. Once you are registered, you have to do it every semester by paying the semester fee (~ 300€).

I struggle with my PhD and look for help. Who can I turn to?
The work and life of a PhD student is often tough and many of us struggle to cope with it at some point. We may face difficulties with colleagues or supervisors, stress, fear of failure, depression and more.
Part of our purpose as BiPS is to support each other in such difficult times. So if you have problems, try to reach out to us and talk about it. Often this already helps.

Depending on the issue, there are always people you can turn to:

• friends and colleagues
• the BiPS Representatives
• CRTD BiPS coordinator
• Persons of Trust of the CRTD
• the Studentenwerk, which offers psycho-social counseling. Their office is located near the main station and they offer professional counseling sessions free of charge for students.
• the Nightline Dresden is a phone number, operated by students for students where you can anonymously talk about your problems