Doctoral (PhD) programmes focus on scientific research and independent creative work in research or development. These programmes are based on individual study plans supervised by a supervisor or a consultant. They lead to a doctoral state examination and defence of a PhD thesis (dissertation). Graduates of these programmes receive a title of ‘doctor’ (Ph.D. after the name), which is the highest scientific title a person can achieve at a university. The diploma is issued by the Charles University.

The 1^st Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University offers PhD programmes in biomedicine (DSPB), which are established based on an agreement between the Charles University and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The individual programmes are accredited at the Charles University jointly for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. Further detailed information about PhD programmes in biomedicine is available in section V Biomedicine and on the website of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Offered are the following programmes: (01) Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, and Virology, (02) Cell Biology and Pathology, (03) Developmental and Cellular Biology, (04) Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, (05) Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, (06) Animal Physiology, (07) Immunology, (08) Microbiology, (09) Neurosciences, (10) Pharmacology and Toxicology, (11) Medical Biophysics, (12) Biomechanics, (13) Imaging Methods in Medicine, (14) Kinanthropology, (17) Experimental Surgery, (18) Preventive Medicine, (19) Biomedical Informatics. Programmes (15) and (16) have been discontinued.

In addition to PhD programmes in biomedicine, the 1^st Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University also offers PhD programmes accredited only at our faculty or in collaboration with other relevant faculties of the Charles University. Information about these programmes is available in section Other PhD programmes. In this group, the following programmes are offered: Psychology (area Medical Psychology and Psychopathology), Bioethics, History of Medicine, Specialisations in Healthcare (Addictology course), and Parasitology.

In collaboration with the General University Hospital in Prague and University Hospital Motol, the 1^st Faculty of Medicine each year opens a competition for placement in a combined programme of scientific and professional education, ‘M.D., Ph.D. programme’. Doctoral students can apply to this programme after the second year of their doctoral course. While in the M.D., Ph.D. programme, doctoral students receive a full stipend and while working half-time in a hospital.

Further general information about PhD programmes at the Charles University, including updated guide ‘Basic Information for Students in PhD Programmes’ and ‘PhD Study Manual’, is available at university website in section PhD Studies.

For further information regarding particular PhD programmes or fields of study accredited at the 1^st Faculty of Medicine, contact the relevant officers for PhD programmes.