Third-cycle courses
In addition to the thesis itself, doctoral education includes a course component. The range and content of the course component is governed by the general syllabus for the third-cycle subject.
Student account
For most third-cycle courses, you will need to log in to a learning platform called Canvas. To do so, you must first create a student account. Please note that this also applies to you who are already admitted as a doctoral student at MDU and have login details and you who are employed at MDU.
You need to create a student account
University-wide courses
Mälardalen University offers several university-wide courses at doctoral level. A university-wide offering is intended to promote joint studies across the Schools and subject boundaries and thereby increase the critical mass that doctoral students need during their education..
Spring 2025 - Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy I, 1.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the premises for doing research and being a doctoral student, with consideration for the different third-cycle subjects at Mälardalen university (MDU). The course provides guidance and support to start third-cycle studies at MDU and facilitates the understanding of interdisciplinary perspectives.
This is the first module of three independent modules in this course. This module focuses on University organization, rules and regulations at MDU, supervisor-doctoral student relationship, supervision process, and the ISP.
Host School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Course coordinator
Robbert Jongeling
Study period
2025-02-07 and 2025-02-21
Location
Campus Västerås. Physical presence required.
Enrolment
Please contact: robbert.jongeling@mdu.se
Number of participants eligible for admission
25 participants
Language of instruction
English
Literature
No literature, homework assignments will be published on the Teams group for the course
Course code
FOID003
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy I Pdf, 508 kB.
Spring 2025 - Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy II, 1.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the premises for doing research and being a doctoral student, with consideration for the different third-cycle subjects at Mälardalen university (MDU). The course provides guidance and support to start third-cycle studies at MDU and facilitates the understanding of interdisciplinary perspectives.
This is the second module of three independent modules in this course. This module focuses on Research fields, research methods, planning of research, oral presentation of doctoral projects, and introduction to academic writing, research communications, and networking.
Host School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Course coordinator
Robbert Jongeling
Study period
2025-03-07 and 2025-03-21
Enrolment
Please contact
Number of participants eligible for admission
25 participants
Location
Campus Västerås. Physical presence required
Literature
No literature, homework assignments will be published on the Teams group for the course
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOID004
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy II Pdf, 583 kB.
Spring 2025 - Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy III, 1.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the premises for doing research and being a doctoral student, with consideration for the different third-cycle subjects at Mälardalen university (MDU). The course provides guidance and support to start third-cycle studies at MDU and facilitates the understanding of interdisciplinary perspectives.
This is the third module of three independent modules in this course. This module focuses on the thesis and defense processes, the publication process, funding opportunities, academic careers, and research commercialization and exploitation.
Host School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Course coordinator
Robbert Jongeling
Study period
2025-04-04 and 2025-04-11
Location
Campus Västerås. Physical presence required
Enrolment
Please contact: robbert.jongeling@mdu.se
Number of participants eligible for admission
25 participants
Language of instruction
English
Literature
No literature, homework assignments will be published on the Teams group for the course
Course code
FOID005
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy III Pdf, 511 kB.
Spring 2025 - Academic writing II -The academic article: Genre and form 2.5 credits
Content
The course aims to further the doctoral student’s competencies in recognizing, analyzing and selecting an appropriate academic genre and type of organization that best serves the doctoral student’s data and field.
The doctoral student is expected to have made certain preparations to benefit from the course content: The doctoral student should have completed part of the planned data collection and have access to empirical material that can be processed during the course. If empirical evidence has not been collected, the doctoral student may instead have collected material in the form of relevant literature for a literature study.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Sara Irisdotter Aldenmyr
Seminars/Lectures
April 1, kl 9-12, Campus Västerås
April 9, kl 9-12 online
April 17, kl. 9-12 online
April 30, kl 9-12 Campus Eskilstuna
Examination date
May 7
Enrolment
Closed
Course literature
Swales, J.M. & Feak, C.B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: essential tasks and skills. (3., [rev. and expanded] ed.) Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.
Additionally, about five articles related to your specific field of research.
Number of participants
15 participants
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK021
Course syllabus
Spring 2025 - Academic writing IV - Publication and dissemination 2.5 credits
Content
The objective of this course is to provide doctoral students with the opportunity to improve their skills in academic publishing and communication. Furthermore, the course aims to help novice researchers to tackle the complex processes involved in publishing in international academic journals, including selecting suitable venues for publishing in their field, responding to peer-reviews and engaging in editorial and review work. The course also aims at equipping the participants with digital and critical skills in disseminating knowledge within and beyond academia through technology-enhanced tasks.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Olcay Sert
Lectures + examination date
Seminars take place in Västerås.
18 February, time 13:15-16:00
4 March, time 13:15-16:00
18 March., time 13:15-16:00
Examination date will be announced at the beginning of the course.
Enrolment
Closed
Course literature
Literature will be announced at course start.
Number of participants
Max 10 participants
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK023
Course syllabus
Spring 2025 - Research ethics I 2.5 credits
Content
This course provides opportunities for you as a doctoral student to advance your knowledge about legislation regarding research ethics, research ethical principles and good research practice, as well as related communicative and societal aspects of research.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Lena Johansson Westholm
Lectures + examination date
The course will be held on campus in Eskilstuna and Västerås with no possibility of online participation.
Lecture dates:
2025-03-13 9.15-15.00 Västerås
2025-04-03 9.15-15.00 Eskilstuna
2025-04-24 9.15-15.00 Västerås
2025-05-22 9.15-15.00 Eskilstuna
Examination date: 25-05-30
Enrolment
Closed
Course literature
The course literature will be available on the Canvas site for the course a few weeks before the course starts.
Number of participants
40 (extended) participants
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK018
Course syllabus
Spring 2025 - Introduction to Design of Quantitative Research, 3,5 credits
Content
The course teaches participants to develop fundamental knowledge of quantitative methods in scientific studies. The course introduces fundamental concepts for the design of quantitative studies.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Alexandra Dylman
Lectures/seminars
Seminars take place on campus Västerås.
(v. 11) Fri 14 March 13-16
(v. 12) Tue 18 March 9-12
(v. 13) Tue 25 March 9-12
(v. 14) Tue 1 April 9-12
(v. 15) Mon 7 April 9-12
Course literature
Information on literature will be given on Canvas in due time.
Number of participants
Max 25 participants
Place of study
Campus Västerås
Language of instruction
English
Enrollment
Closed
Course code
FOUK031
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to Design of Qualitative Research Pdf, 190 kB.
Spring 2025 - Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis, 4 credits
Content
The course teaches participants to develop the skills to independently perform quantitative analyses in scientific studies and draw conclusions by interpreting the results. The course introduces fundamental concepts, tests and tools for performing statistical analysis. Students are expected to implement the tests using empirical data provided.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Alexandra Dylman
Lectures/seminars
Seminars take place on campus in Västerås.
Tue 22 April, kl 9-12
Tue 29 April, kl 9-12
Tue 6 May, kl 13-16
Tue 13 May, kl 9-12
Tue 20 May, kl 9-12
Tue 27 May, kl 9-12
Mon 9 Juni Deadline examination.
Course literature
Information on literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Number of participants
Max 25 participants
Place of study
Campus Västerås
Language of instruction
English
Enrollment
Closed
Course code
FOUK032
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to Quantitative Data Analysis Pdf, 182 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methodologies and Methods, 4 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is for the doctoral student to develop in-depth knowledge of qualitative methodologies and methods relevant to their own third-cycle subject.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Welfare
Contact person
Lisa Salmonsson
Study period
2025-10-13--2025-11-18
Enrolment
Deadline 29 September
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 30 participants
Place of study
Hybrid (campus Västerås)
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FHVV028
Readling list
Will be communicated later
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 – Contributing to and influencing society as a researcher 2,5 credits
Content
The course content and the teaching aims to provide an insight into the role of research communication for research and for society, as well as the role and responsibility of the researcher in a polarized world.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Welfare
Course coordinator
Jonas Stier
Study period
2025-11-17--2025-11-27
Enrolment
Deadline 27 October.
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
100%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study and teaching formats: Seminar takes place on site (Västerås campus). Remaining online.
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FHVV021
Reading list
Will be communicated before the course starts.
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Contributing to and influencing society as a researcher Pdf, 207 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Communicating research, 2,5 credits
Content
Based on the doctoral student's thesis work and research communication, the course content and teaching aims to provide in-depth insights into popular science and multimedia research communication as well as to potential collaboration partners both within and outside academia and the challenges associated with this.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Welfare
Course coordinator
Jonas Stier
Course date
2025-11-28--2025-12-08
Enrolment
Deadline 7 November
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
100%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study and teaching formats
Seminar takes place on site (Västerås campus). Remaining online.
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FHVV022
Reading list
Will be communicated before the course starts
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Research communication - Genres and target groups 2,5 credits
Content
The course aims to provide an in-depth insight into the craft of research communication, both written and oral, and in various genres based on the doctoral student's own research.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Welfare
Course coordinator
Jonas Stier
Course date
2025-12-09--2025-12-19
Enrolment
Deadline 18 November
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
100%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study and teaching formats
Seminar takes place on site (Västerås campus). Remaining online.
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FHVV023
Reading list
Will be communicated before the course starts.
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy I, 1.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the premises for doing research and being a doctoral student, with consideration for the different third-cycle subjects at Mälardalen university (MDU). The course provides guidance and support to start third-cycle studies at MDU and facilitates the understanding of interdisciplinary perspectives.
This is the first module of three independent modules in this course. This module focuses on University organization, rules and regulations at MDU, supervisor-doctoral student relationship, supervision process, and the ISP.
Host School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Course coordinator
Robbert Jongeling
Study period
2025-09-19 and 2025-10-03 (full days 09:00-16:00)
Location
Campus Västerås. Physical presence required.
Enrolment
Please contact: robbert.jongeling@mdu.se
Number of participants eligible for admission
25 participants
Language of instruction
English
Literature
No literature, homework assignments will be published on the Teams group for the course
Course code
FOID003
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy I Pdf, 508 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy II, 1.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the premises for doing research and being a doctoral student, with consideration for the different third-cycle subjects at Mälardalen university (MDU). The course provides guidance and support to start third-cycle studies at MDU and facilitates the understanding of interdisciplinary perspectives.
This is the second module of three independent modules in this course. This module focuses on Research fields, research methods, planning of research, oral presentation of doctoral projects, and introduction to academic writing, research communications, and networking.
Host School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Course coordinator
Robbert Jongeling
Study period
2025-10-17 and 2025-10-31 (full days 09:00-16:00)
Enrolment
Please contact
Number of participants eligible for admission
25 participants
Location
Campus Västerås. Physical presence required
Literature
No literature, homework assignments will be published on the Teams group for the course
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOID004
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy II Pdf, 583 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy III, 1.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the premises for doing research and being a doctoral student, with consideration for the different third-cycle subjects at Mälardalen university (MDU). The course provides guidance and support to start third-cycle studies at MDU and facilitates the understanding of interdisciplinary perspectives.
This is the third module of three independent modules in this course. This module focuses on the thesis and defense processes, the publication process, funding opportunities, academic careers, and research commercialization and exploitation.
Host School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Course coordinator
Robbert Jongeling
Study period
2025-11-14 and 2025-11-28 (full days 09:00-16:00)
Location
Campus Västerås. Physical presence required
Enrolment
Please contact: robbert.jongeling@mdu.se
Number of participants eligible for admission
25 participants
Language of instruction
English
Literature
No literature, homework assignments will be published on the Teams group for the course
Course code
FOID005
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to third-cycle studies and research literacy III Pdf, 511 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Academic writing I - Search strategies, reference management and bibliometrics 2.5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is for the doctoral student to be able to apply systematic search strategies and practices, and to use reference management software. The aim of the course is also that the doctoral students should gain knowledge about how bibliometrics can be used to gain an overview of previous research and to summarize it by using bibliometric techniques.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Karin Molander Danielsson
Lectures + examination date
All seminars must be attended in person.
17/9 9.15-12.00, Eskilstuna
24/9 9.15-12.00, Västerås
1/10 9.15-12.00 and 13.15-15.00, Västerås
8/10 9.15-12.00 and 13.15-15.00, Västerås
15/10 10.15-12.00 or 13.15-15.00, Eskilstuna (participation either before or after noon).
Examination dates: 15/10 (examining seminar) and 30/10 (due date for written assignment)
Enrollment
Registration opens on May 15th. Please register here External link.
Selection will take place three weeks before the course starts. You will be notified by e-mail when you are accepted. In the meantime, questions about the course can be directed at the teacher responsible for the course.
Course literature
Literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Number of participants
Maximum 20
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK035
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Academic writing III - Academic English for researchers 2.5 credits
Content
This course expands on insights from the course The academic article: Genre and form 2.5 credits, and develops skills needed to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in English.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Lectures + examination date
Seminars take place in Västerås. In person presence is required for at least three seminars.
Seminars:
- October 7
- October 14
- October 21
- November 4
Examination date: November 11
Enrollment
Registration opens May 15. Please register here. External link.
Course literature:
Information about the literature for this course will be given in Canvas before course start.
Number of participants
Unlimited
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK022
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Research ethics II, 2.5 credits
Content
The purpose of this course is to provide the doctoral students with the opportunity to advance their knowledge about the philosophical foundations of research ethics, as well as specific research ethical queries regarding participant-based research, humans and technology, and coproduction.
Host School
School of Education, Culture and Communication
Course coordinator
Lena Johansson Westholm
Lectures and examination date
Seminars:
- 9/9 9.15-15.00 Session 1, Eskilstuna
- 7/10 9.15-15.00 Session 2, Eskilstuna
- 28/10 9.15-15.00 Session 3, Eskilstuna
- 11/11 9.15-15.00 Session 4, Eskilstuna
Examination date: 5/12
Enrollment
Registration open May 15. Please register here. External link.
Course literature
Before the course, you should read the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It is also available in Swedish, titled Den odödliga Henrietta Lacks.
The rest of the literature will be available on Canvas after registration.
Number of participants
25 (check syllabus for selection criteria)
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK019
Course syllabus
Spring 2026 - Visual methods - Data collection and analysis 3.5 hp
Content
The purpose of the course is for the doctoral student to develop in-depth knowledge of visual methods, with a focus on the collection and analysis of visual materials. The course provides an orientation in processing and understanding multimodal materials, i.e. materials that include both textual and visual elements.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Course coordinator
Karolina Uggla
Study period
2026-04-13--2026-05-14
Enrolment
Deadline 23 March 2026.
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20
Study location
Partly on campus in Eskilstuna, partly online.
Language of instruction
English
Reading list
Will be communicated later
Course code
FHVV030
Course syllabus
Spring 2026 - Qualitative Research Methods with a focus on ethnographic methodology and analysis, 3,5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is for the doctoral student to develop in-depth knowledge of ethnographic methodology in qualitative research with relevance to their own third-cycle subject.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Course coordinator
Maira Babri
Study period
2026-04-13--2026-05-14
Enrolment
Deadline 23 February. Late registration is possible subject to availability.
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 15 participants
Place of study
Some elements take place on site (campus Västerås) and some digitally
Language of instruction
English
List of literature
Will be communicated later
Course code
FHVV029
Course syllabus
Spring 2026 - Qualitative Research Methodologies with a focus on interview methods 3.5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is for the doctoral student to develop in-depth knowledge of interview and conversation-based methods in qualitative research with relevance to their own third-cycle subject.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Course coordinator
Nina Klang
Study period
2026-03-09--2026-04-09
Enrolment
Deadline 6 February.
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 30 participants
Place of study
Some elements take place on site (campus Västerås) and some online
Language of instruction
English
List of literature
Will be communicated later
Course code
FHVV027
Course syllabus
Course syllabus_Qualitative Research Methodologies with a focus on interview methods Pdf, 226 kB.
Spring 2026 - Philosophy of Science I - an introduction 5 credits
Content
The course aims to introduce doctoral students to central questions related to the production of scientific knowledge, from contemporary and historical points of view. The course also aims to cover different scientific traditions and how they relate to each other.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Welfare
Course coordinator
Martina Summer Meranius
Study period
2026-01-12--2026-02-27
Enrolment
Deadline 2025-12-05. Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study
On site, Campus Västerås
Language of instruction
English
List of literature
Will be communicated later
Course code
FHVV025
Course syllabus
Spring 2026 - Philosophy of Science II -Research, Society, and Coproduction of Knowledge, 2.5 credits
Content
The course aims to enable doctoral students to position themselves within a scientific tradition and/or field by developing and communicating their research in multidisciplinary contexts.
The course also aims to enable doctoral students to study the relation between scientific research and societal challenges and how different disciplines, actors, and organizations coproduce knowledge.
Host School
School of Health, Care and Welfare
Course coordinator
David Redmalm
Study period
2026-03-02--2026-03-25
Enrolment
Deadline 2026-02-09. Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study
The course is given digitally and on site in parallel, so participants can choose. Campus location: Västerås.
Language of instruction
English
List of literature
Will be communicated later
Course code
FHVV026
Course syllabus
University library courses
Spring 2025 – Research data for doctoral students in an open science landscape.
Content
The purpose of the course is for the doctoral student to reach a basic understanding of good research data management and the significance of open science.
The course encompasses:
- Introduction to open science and research data
- Introduction to good research data management according to FAIR data principles
- Developing data management plans, in practice and theory
Scope: Equivalent to 2 credits, need credit transfer
Start date: 10 March 2025
End date: 14 April 2025
Course Coordinator
frida.jonsson@mdu.se
Lectures and examination
- 10/3, 13:15-15:00 – digital lecture
- 17/3, 13:15-15:00 – digital lecture
- 24/3, 13:15-16:00 – Västerås campus
- 31/3, 13:15-15:00 – Eskilstuna campus
Examination will be in form of a written assignment, as well as active participation in seminars and workshops. Attendance is compulsory.
Language
The course will be conducted in English.
Registration
Registration is closed.
Course syllabus
If you have any questions, please email: biblioteket.forskarservice@mdu.se
Literature
Autumn 2025 – Strategic publishing and Open Access for doctoral students, equivalent to higher education, 2 credits
Content
The course encompasses:
- How to evaluate possible sources for publication.
- How to identify a predatory journal or a journal of questionable scientific quality.
- The role of Open Access when publishing.
- How Copyright Transfer Agreements and Creative Commons licenses work, and what the differences are between the licenses.
- An introduction to basic bibliometrics: how they can be used in journal selection and for evaluation of scientific performance.
- Publication support tools, to find a journal to publish in. Scope: Equivalent to 2 credits, need credit transfer
Start date: 20 October 2025
End date: 24 November 2025
Course Coordinator
Sara.landerdahl.stridsberg@mdu.se
Lectures and examination
20/10, 13:15-15:00
27/10, 13:15-15:00
3/11, 13:15-15:00
10/11, 13:15-15:00
Examination will be in form of a written assignment, as well as active participation. Attendance is compulsory.
Language
The course will be conducted in English.
Course syllabus
Course syllabus: Strategic publishing and Open Access for doctoral students, equivalent to higher education Pdf, 152 kB.
Registration
If you have any questions, please email: biblioteket.forskarservice@mdu.se
Business administration
Spring 2025 – Introduction to PhD-studies in Business Administration, 7.5 credits
Content
The course aims to provide participants with an understanding of Business Administration (BA) (in Swedish: Företagsekonomi) as an academic subject compared to other, related academic subjects. Additionally, the course seeks to enhance the understanding of PhD programmes in Business Administration in Sweden (and potentially Scandinavia, contingent upon participants) and prepare the PhD-students for a career in academia by bringing up aspects such as the structure of Higher Education locally and nationally, the academic practices of writing and publishing, and how to give and take feedback on academic work.
All seminar takes place on campus in Västerås.
Seminars
- 2025-02-21
- 2025-03-28
- 2025-04-11
- 2025-04-25
The last seminar is in May 2025. The date will be given during the first seminar.
Date for the examination: 2025-06-01.
Course coordinator
Emilia Rovira Nordman
Enrollment
Send an e-mail to: emilia.rovira.nordman@mdu.se
Language of instruction
English
Participants
Unlimited.
Course code
FOES027
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to PhD-studies in Business Administration Pdf, 290 kB.
Theories of the Organisation of Firms: the Classics, 7.5 credits
Content
This course aims to provide doctoral students in Business Administration and Industrial Economics and Organisation with a deeper and broader knowledge on the roots of the theories of how companies and markets are organised to be economical.
Participants will gain advanced insights into the application of theory for continued research. The course explores established theories and key contributions within the field of Business Administration. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the theoretical currents within the research field, and provides an overview of the foundational "original research" that has shaped contemporary studies. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of the emergence and evolution of central concepts within the discipline.
Course coordinator
Cecilia Lindh
Seminars and examination date
Seminars take place on campus Västerås.
All seminars take place from 09.15-12.00 on the following dates:
- August 22, 2025
- September 9, 2025
- October 3, 2025
- October 24, 2025
- November 14, 2025
- December 12, 2025
- January 16, 2026
The date for the examination will be announced during the first seminar.
Enrollment
Send an e-mail to cecilia.lindh@mdu.se
Language of instruction
English
Participants
Maximum 12 participants
Course code
FOES028
Course syllabus
Course syllabus_Theories of the Organisation of Firms: the Classics Pdf, 244 kB.
Computer Science
Spring 2025 - Systems, Cybernetics and Complexity, 7.5 credits
Content
This course covers the interrelated topics of systems theory, cybernetics, and complexity theory. A system is a group of elements that interact in a way that creates behavior or properties that do not exist in the individual elements. An important question is how to design systems to fulfil certain purposes. This often involves combining elements of different kinds, such as technology, humans, organizations, or natural objects. It also involves controlling their interactions, which is studied in the field of cybernetics. This is a challenge, since many systems are of immense complexity, due to a large variety of elements and numerous interrelations. Seemingly simple elements, arranged in straightforward ways, can still exhibit surprising behavior that should be avoided if it could be predicted.
Course coordinator
Jakob Axelsson
Study period
2025-01 - 2025-06
Enrollment
Open until 15th of December. Contact jakob.axelsson@mdu.se
Study pace
25 %
Language
English
Course code
FOID007
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Systems, Cybernetics and Complexity Pdf, 264 kB, opens in new window.
Spring 2025 - Research planning, 4.5 credits
Content
The course is primarily intended to focus on the research work needed to be done to complete a licentiate or doctoral project.
The content of the course is twofold.
- The student shall familiarize with her research area and gain an understanding of the research areas of the other participating students. This includes identifying:
a. Core literature and seminal articles
b. Key conferences/workshops/journals
c. Leading researchers and research groups
d. Current research issues - The student shall design a research plan for her licentiate or doctoral project based on the items identified in the point above
Course coordinator
Federico Ciccozzi
Study period
2025-01-2025-05
Enrolment
Closed
Study pace
100 %
Language
English
Course code
FOID008
Course syllabus
Spring 2025 - Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal, 7,5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is that the doctoral students get involved and gain experience in leading research applications to Horizon Europe.
The course include:
Lectures on Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications for collaborative, industry-research applications.
Training to acquire skills for and experience of Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications. To get the PhD students to coordinate and lead an application, involve companies and researchers. To write an application that can be submitted to the course. Create an account on the portal, how to find a topic (Topic) through the "seek funding" function, reflect on how to create a consortium, actually do this, and in writing: how to meet the Section 1 criteria and SMART objectives, How to formulate outcomes and wider impact - vs results, how to write so that the evaluator can follow the thread in each direction, how to formulate work packages, familiarizing with the WBS.
Teaching and training given by merited project managers.
Course coordinator
Gunnar Widforss
Examiner
Konstantinos Kyprianidis
Study pace
25%
Place of study
Västerås (physical presence)
Study period
March-June 2025
Enrollement
Via email to gunnar.widforss@mdu.se. Attach proof of licentiate degree. By February 18 at the latest.
Course code
FOID009
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal Pdf, 244 kB.
Didactics
Spring 2025 - Multimodal Analysis of Pedagogical Interaction, 7.5 cr
Content
This course is designed to help PhD students understand and analyse “pedagogical interaction” (in its broad sense) so as to be able to build links to learning and teaching events and behaviours (in all subjects) in classrooms and beyond.
The course aims to teach 1) theoretical and methodological aspects of multimodal Conversation Analysis and 2) basic analytical steps to carry out and report interaction-based research in education.
“Multimodal Analysis of Pedagogical Interaction” is designed to benefit PhD students who are planning to work on audio-visual data with a micro-analytic, sequential and multimodal perspective. In addition to the lectures, the course facilitates hands-on learning through seminars/webinars and data sessions to help postgraduate students work on “naturally-occurring” data for analytic purposes.
Course coordinator
Olcay Sert
Lectures and examinatiton
All seminars take place in Västerås.
- 13 February, time 10:15-13:00
- 20 February, time 10:15-13:00
- 27 February, time 10:15-13:00
- 6 March, time 10:15-13:00
- 13 March, time 10:15-13:00
- 20 March, time 10:15-13:00
Examination date will be announced at the beginning of the course.
Language of instruction
English
Enrollment
Closed
Course Code
FOUK003
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Multimodal Analysis of Pedagogical Interaction Pdf, 225 kB.
Spring 2025 – Dissertation defence course 7,5 hp
Content
The objective of the course is to enhance PhD-students’ ability to critically assess and evaluate doctoral dissertations, and reflect on questions during or raised in relation to the public defences.
The course runs over several terms to enable attending public defences with a variety of foci, and relevance for the course participants.
Participation in at least five public defences and the related seminars to discuss and reflect on the dissertation and the defence is mandatory.
Information about upcoming public defences is continually updated on Canvas. In order to meet the requirements on variety and relevance, participants are offered to attend seminars together with PhD-students from other universities in the vicinity.
Participants must be prepared to travel to other universities to attend public defences in person.
Individual dates for examinations will be decided in agreement with the participants.
Course coordinator
Nina Klang
Literature
Literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Language of instruction
Swedish. If necessary, seminars will be in English.
Enrollment
Enroll to the course by sending an e-mail to research administrator petra.coolen.larsson@mdu.se
Course Code
FOUK028
Course syllabus
Course syllabus for Dissertation defence course Pdf, 258 kB.
Spring 2025 - Theories and Theorising in Educational Sciences and Research, 5 credits
Content
This first time the course is offered, there will be a particular focus on mathematics education, as the course is an obligatory course in the REMATH research school.
The aim of the course is to provide the doctoral candidates with awareness of and knowledge about a range of perspectives on the relationship between theory and empirical evidence, including different understandings of what constitutes theory. Furthermore, the course aims to introduce doctoral candidates to knowledge of the processes of theorising.
The course addresses some common conceptions of the notion of theory in Education and provides an introduction to a range of historical and current perspectives on the relationship between theory and data in Education. Some cases of theorising are critically engaged and the process of theorising is discussed in relation to engaged perspectives on the theory-data relationship. Ontological, epistemological and methodological positions will be engaged in the comparisons of perspectives.
Course coordinator
Guest lecturers
Karl Maton, Wayne Hugo, and Andreas Ryve
Lectures + examination date
Some dates for seminars are still under negotiation as they depend on the planning of the international guests.
- January 24th, 2025, 9-11, zoom
- February 20th, 13:15-15, zoom
- March 13th or 14th, zoom
- April 3rd, zoom
- May 5th, 13:15-15, zoom
- Late May, zoom
- Mid-June, in person at MDU
- Week 35, in person at MDU
Language
English
Enrollment
Closed
Obligatory readings
- Hugo, 2019a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-czYnsK_aI
External link.
- Hugo, 2019b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZuwBT0_cAM
External link.
- Hugo, W. (2019c). Theorising education: A primer for the educational imagination. HSRC Press
- Hugo, W., & Mokoena, M. (2024). How do pedagogic causal mechanisms in vocational education work?. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 1-23.
- Jablonka, E., & Bergsten, C. (2010). Theorising in mathematics education research: Differences in modes and quality. Nordisk matematikkdidaktikk, 15(1), 25-52. (First 14 pages)
- Lee, E. (2023). Resisting dogmatism in social work knowledge generation: Theorising, social justice and implications for social work doctoral education. The British Journal of Social Work, 53(2), 1142-1160.
- Maton, K. (2024a). Now that’s what I call theory! What is LCT? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbvAoNGuYxM&list=PLBqi1rN-vIpRIDu0kBt67_fQVo5C6h1Np&index=6
External link.
- Maxwell, J. A. (2012). A realist approach for qualitative research. Sage. (Chapter 1)
- Niss, M. (2007). The concept and role of theory in mathematics education. Relating practice and research in mathematics education. Proceedings of Norma, 5, 97-110.
- North, M. P. (2015). The basis of legitimisation of mathematical literacy in South Africa. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal.] https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=3af0727dc313b9b091d55c3c228a4b2ad314edb9
External link.(3 pages)
Elective literature will be informed on via Canvas.
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Theories and Theorising in Educational Sciences and Research Pdf, 221 kB.
Spring 2025 - Didactics and Educational Theory as a Field of Research II: Subject-specific perspectives and introduction to systematic literature reviews, 7.5 course credits
Content
The aim of the course is to provide the doctoral students with an overview of subject-specific research within their own disciplinary or field-related area of focus, an ability to relate their own dissertation project to the existing areas of research, and an understanding of the purpose behind and methods for conducting a systematic literature review within the related area of research.
Course coordinator
Johannes Rytzler
Lectures and examination date
The course starts on March 31 with one seminar/lecture every two weeks during weeks 14-22.
9 April, 10.15-15.00 o’clock
23 April, 09.00-15.00 o’clock
8 May, 10.15-15.00 o’clock
21 May, 10.15-15.00 o’clock
4 June, 10.15-15.00 o’clock
Enrollment
Closed
Number of participants
Unlimited
Literature
Information on literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Language of instruction
Swedish, English if non-Swedish-speaking participants are in the course.
Course code
FOUK030
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Didactics and Educational THeory as a FIeld of Research II Pdf, 256 kB.
Spring 2025 - Action Research in theory and praxis
Content
Action research is a methodological framework for research and development used in many professions as a basis for knowledge development in their professional field. The traditions and orientations of action research in educational science, both in Sweden and internationally, are presented in the course. The theoretical starting points form a central content for deepening the knowledge of when and for what the approach is suitable. What kind of results action research contributes to becomes evident through the reading and analyzing of action research studies from the educational field. In the course, the doctoral students' own studies are put in relation to the methodological principals of action research in order to find out whether, and if so in what ways, these approaches fall within the scope of action research.
A course in and about action research is given every two years at a university in Sweden. The Network for Action Research in Educational science in Sweden (Nafus) coordinates and runs these courses.
The courses are given digitally and the teachers on the courses are researchers who themselves work with action research from various universities and municipalities in the country.
Information
The latest course is given by the University of Gothenburg: https://fubasextern.gu.se/fubasextern/info?kurs=FOU1811 External link.
More information will be available in the autumn of 2026.
Autumn 2025 – Dissertation defence course 7,5 hp
Content
The objective of the course is to enhance PhD-students’ ability to critically assess and evaluate doctoral dissertations, and reflect on questions during or raised in relation to the public defences.
The course runs over several terms to enable attending public defences with a variety of foci, and relevance for the course participants.
Participation in at least five public defences and the related seminars to discuss and reflect on the dissertation and the defence is mandatory.
Information about upcoming public defences is continually updated on Canvas. In order to meet the requirements on variety and relevance, participants are offered to attend seminars together with PhD-students from other universities in the vicinity.
Participants must be prepared to travel to other universities to attend public defences in person.
Individual dates for examinations will be decided in agreement with the participants.
Course coordinator
Nina Klang
Literature
Literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Language of instruction
Swedish. If necessary, seminars will be in English.
Enrollment
Enroll to the course by sending an e-mail to research administrator petra.coolen.larsson@mdu.se
Course Code
FOUK028
Course syllabus
Course syllabus for Dissertation defence course Pdf, 258 kB.
Autumn 2025 -Didactics and Educational Theory as a Field of Research I, 7.5 course credits
Course content
See the Swedish page. The course is given in Swedish.
Course coordinator
Enrollment
Registration opens 15 May. Please register here External link.
Teaching sessions and examination
Seminars
- 8/10, 09.15-12.00;
- 24/10, 09.15 -12.00;
- 7/11, 09.15-12.00;
- v 47; info will be available via Canvas.
- v 49; info will be available via Canvas.
- v 51; info will be available via Canvas.
Date for examination: 16/1/2026, 09.15-10.00
Literature
Available through Canvas at start of the course
Number of participants
Not limited
Language of instruction
Swedish
Course code
FOUK027
Course syllabus (In Swedish)
Autumn 2025 - Ethical Considerations in Educational Science Research, 2.5 course credits
Content
See the Swedish page. The course is given in Swedish.
Course coordinator
Anne Lillvist
Teaching sessions and examination
September 4, kl 9.15-12.00
September 25, kl 9.15-12.00
October 30, kl 9.15 -12.00
November 20, kl 9.15- 12.00
December 18, kl 9.15- 12.00
Examination date: Januari 18
Enrollment
Registration May 15. Please register here External link.
Litterature
Information will be given at course start in Canvas.
Number of participants
Not limited (see syllabus for selection criterias).
Language of instruction
Swedish
Course code
FOUK037
Syllabus
In Swedish_Kursplan_Forskningsetiska överväganden i utbildningsvetenskaplig forskning Pdf, 241 kB.
Electronics
For information regarding courses at third-cycle level in the third-cycle subject Electronics, please contact the Director of doctoral education Federico Cicozzi.
Energy and Enviromental Engineering
Autumn 2024 - Research Methodology, 5 credits
Content
The course is offered to students who are in the initial stages of their PhD. The course involves two assignments and one individual project. Active participation in the course lectures and submitting “exit tickets” one of the assignments. Further details on the second assignment and project will be given throughout the course.
The course introduces theories and methods relevant to research and development in the engineering sciences. A further aim is to encourage reflection and constructive critical discussion of current research, research methods and their theoretical background.
Course coordinator
Amir Vadiee
Lectures and examination
Lectures are in hybrid form: You can attend in person or via link.
Dates for seminars/workshops preliminary defined as:
Fredag 6 december 9:00-16:00
Fredag 13 december 9:00-16:00
Fredag 17 januari 9:00-16:00
Torsdag 23 januari 9:00-12:00 (preliminary datum)
Examination date: Monday 10 February 2025 (re-examination date will be decided later and announced during the course).
Enrollment
Closed
Literature
Information on literature will be given on Canvas at course start.
Number of participants
25 participants
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOES025
Course syllabus
Autumn 2024 – Research Planning, 5 credits
Content
The "Research Planning" course objective is to provide students with a
comprehensive understanding of the key principles and practical skills necessary
for effective research planning at the PhD level. Through a combination of
theoretical knowledge and hands-on exercises, students will learn to formulate
clear and specific research questions, conduct thorough literature reviews, and
develop robust research designs and methodologies.
Course coordinator
Sasan Sadrizadeh
Start date
2024-09-02
Language
English
Enrolment
Please contact, Sasan Sadrizadeh
Course code
FOES022
Course syllabus
Cancelled - Autumn 2024 – Experimental measurement techniques, 7.5 credits
Content
The course comprises modules for introduction to experimental methods and
theoretical frameworks, measurement uncertainty and repeatability, advanced flow
visualization methods to state-of-the-art instrumentation for temperature, pressure,
and velocity measurements used in Energy and in Environmental research. The
course discusses how to start an experiment, which techniques to use, intrusive and
non-intrusive measurement techniques with their advantages and disadvantages
will be discussed. Particular focus is given on the fundamental phenomena on
which the measurement techniques are based for data analysis and post-processing.
The course is cancelled
Course coordinator
Valentin Scheiff
Course start
2024-09-16
Language
English
Enrolment
Please contact, valentin.scheiff@mdu.se
Course code
FOES020
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Experimental measurment techniques Pdf, 279 kB.
Spring 2025 - Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal, 7,5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is that the doctoral students get involved and gain experience in leading research applications to Horizon Europe.
The course include:
Lectures on Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications for collaborative, industry-research applications.
Training to acquire skills for and experience of Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications. To get the PhD students to coordinate and lead an application, involve companies and researchers. To write an application that can be submitted to the course. Create an account on the portal, how to find a topic (Topic) through the "seek funding" function, reflect on how to create a consortium, actually do this, and in writing: how to meet the Section 1 criteria and SMART objectives, How to formulate outcomes and wider impact - vs results, how to write so that the evaluator can follow the thread in each direction, how to formulate work packages, familiarizing with the WBS.
Teaching and training given by merited project managers.
Course coordinator
Gunnar Widforss
Examiner
Konstantinos Kyprianidis
Study pace
25%
Place of study
Västerås (physical presence)
Study period
March-June 2025
Enrollement
Via email to gunnar.widforss@mdu.se. Attach proof of licentiate degree. By February 18 at the latest.
Course code
FOID009
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal Pdf, 244 kB.
Spring 2025 - Experimental measurement techniques, 7.5 credits
Content
This course aims to equip PhD students with a comprehensive understanding of experimental measurement techniques, emphasizing the principles and practical applications of data analysis from experimental work. Students will develop skills in designing experiments, identifying potential risks, graphing experimental data, and assess uncertainties. The course will also delve into the processing of signals and images given during laboratory visits and workshops.
Additionally, students will explore the use of modern technological tools, including calculators and engineering software, to enhance the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of experimental findings. The course discusses how to start an experiment and which techniques to use, intrusive and non-intrusive measurement techniques.
Further, advantages and disadvantages of these techniques will be discussed. Moreover, there is focus on the fundamental phenomena for data analysis and post-processing. By the end of the course, participants will be well-prepared to critically design, analyse, and communicate high-quality experimental research.
Course coordinator
Valentin Scheiff
Lectures + examination date
All lessons are on site on campus Västerås.
First seminar: May 26.
Lessons during weeks 22 and 23.
Examination: Final submittance September 28.
Enrollment
Apply for the course with an e-mail to valentin.scheiff@mdu.se before May 11.
Literature
Literature will be announced on Canvas at course start.
Number of participants
Maximum 12
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOES029
Course syllabus
Course syllabus_Experimental measurement techniques Pdf, 212 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Project Management and Commercialisation of Research Results,7.5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is to give the students tools for taking decisions on how to act if they want to commercialize their research results. Different routes will be presented and discussed as well as what to consider.
Course responsible
Erik Dahlquist
Study period
September 1 until December 18
Lectures + examination date
The teaching sessions are on site at Campus Västerås. The opportunity to participate via link is available.
Enrollment
Apply for the course here: Register for the course External link.
The link opens on June 2.
Literature
Literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Number of participants
Unlimited
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOES023
Course syllabus
Course syllabus_Project Management and Commercialisation of Research Results Pdf, 227 kB.
Health and Welfare
The courses are connected to the following research topics:
- Working Life Studies
- Public Health Science
- Physiotherapy
- Social Work
- Care Science
Autumn 2025 - Health and Welfare: Research and Utilisation, 5 credits
Content
The course objective is that students will understand and apply various perspectives, theories and concepts within health and welfare, relate to its complexity, as well as clarify their own knowledge contribution in relation to health and welfare.
Course coordinator
Jonas Stier
Course date
2025-08-11--2026-06-16
Enrolment
Deadline 3 June.
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Number of participants
Maximum 10 participants
Place of study
Digital with campus-based seminars. Campus location Eskilstuna and Västerås.
Language
English
Reading list
Will be provided before the course starts.
Course code
FHVV020
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Health and Welfare - Research and Utilisation Pdf, 171 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Animals in Society 7.5 credits
Content
The objective for the course is for the student to acquire knowledge of some of the theories and methodological approaches used to study the relationship between humans and other animals within the frame of the research field of human-animal studies.
Course coordinator
David Redmalm
Course date
2025-09-01--2026-01-18
Enrolment
Deadline 13 June
Please contact david.redmalm@mdu.se
Study pace
25%
Number of participants
Maximum 40 participants
Place of study
Online
Language
English
Reading list
Will be provided before the course starts.
Course code
FHVV031
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Person-centredness and recovery-orientation in caring and research about caring, 7,5 credits
Content
The objective of the course is that doctoral students acquire additional in-depth knowledge about theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of person-centred and recovery-oriented care and their application in research and practice.
Course coordinator
Martina Summer Meranius
Course date
2025-09-01--2025-11-09
Enrolment
Deadline 15 August
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study and teaching formats
The course comprises a blended learning approach, with both digital and campus- based teaching (campus Västerås).
Language
English
Reading list
Will be communicated before the course starts.
Other
Subject to availability, the course is open for applications from teachers with a PhD.
Course code
FHVV033
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Historic, contextual and interdisciplinary perspectives on Work life Science, 10 credits
Content
The objective is for the doctoral students to develop a broad and in-depth theoretical and methodological understanding of work life studies, including its history, contextual dependencies and interdisciplinarity and apply this knowledge to their PhD project.
Contact person
Ulrica von Thiele Schwarz
Course date
2025-09-01--2026-03-06
Enrolment
Deadline 15 August
Please contact
Study pace
25%
Number of participants
Maximum 15 participants
Place of study
Hybrid (campus Västerås)
Language
English
Reading list
Will be communicated later
Course code
FHVV036
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Digital technologies in health systems from a global perspective, 3 credits
Content
This course provides doctoral students with a deep understanding of how digital health technologies (DHTs) interact with diverse users and contextual factors within the healthcare ecosystem, influencing health outcomes.
Students will explore key concepts and principles of DHTs, addressing the challenges and opportunities they present within health systems.
The course covers methodologies for generating Real-World Evidence (RWE) to assess the value and effectiveness of DHTs, as well as international regulatory and legal frameworks.
Ethical considerations surrounding big health data, guided by the WHO guidelines, will be discussed, with particular attention to the global digital equity gap and its relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Course leader
Professor Sarah Wamala Andersson
Course date
2025-10-01--2025-10-28
Enrolment
Deadline 3 september, please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study
Online only
Language
English
Reading list
A reading list and further course details will be available in June.
Course code
FHVV037
Course syllabus
Spring 2026 - Health related behavior change I: Theories, frameworks and interventions, 3 credits
Content
To deepen knowledge about theories and frameworks for sustainable health related behavior change and to analyse interventions for these behavior changes.
Contact person
Petra von Heideken Wågert
Course date
2026-01-12--2026-02-08
Enrolment
Deadline 10 December. Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study
Västerås and digitally
Language
English
Reading list
Will be communicated in autumn 2025
Course code
FHVV034
Course syllabus
Autumn 2026 - Health related behavior change II: Techniques, mechanisms of action, mediators and moderators
Content
To deepen and develop knowledge about behavior change techniques and mechanisms of action for sustainable health related behavior change of relevance for the PhD student’s research field and thesis.
Contact person:
Petra von Heideken Wågert
Course date
2026-08-10-- 2026-09-20
Enrolment
Deadline 19 June 2026
Please contact HVVforskarutbildning@mdu.se
Study pace
50%
Number of participants
Maximum 20 participants
Place of study
Digital and campus- based teaching (campus Västerås)
Language
English
Readling list
Will be communicated in autumn 2025
Course code
FHVV035
Course syllabus
Industrial Systems
Spring 2025 - Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal, 7,5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is that the doctoral students get involved and gain experience in leading research applications to Horizon Europe.
The course include:
Lectures on Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications for collaborative, industry-research applications.
Training to acquire skills for and experience of Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications. To get the PhD students to coordinate and lead an application, involve companies and researchers. To write an application that can be submitted to the course. Create an account on the portal, how to find a topic (Topic) through the "seek funding" function, reflect on how to create a consortium, actually do this, and in writing: how to meet the Section 1 criteria and SMART objectives, How to formulate outcomes and wider impact - vs results, how to write so that the evaluator can follow the thread in each direction, how to formulate work packages, familiarizing with the WBS.
Teaching and training given by merited project managers.
Course coordinator
Gunnar Widforss
Examiner
Konstantinos Kyprianidis
Study pace
25%
Place of study
Västerås (physical presence)
Study period
March-June 2025
Enrollement
Via email to gunnar.widforss@mdu.se. Attach proof of licentiate degree. By February 18 at the latest.
Course code
FOID009
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal Pdf, 244 kB.
Spring 2025 - Industrial System, 5 credits
Content
The aim of the course is to give the doctoral student an introduction to and understanding of the research area Industrial Systems. Furthermore, the course includes an in-depth study where the doctoral student can relate his/her own research to the research area.
Course coordninator
Mats Ahlskog
Examinator
Kristian Sandström
Study pace
20%
Study period
2025-03-28—2025-09-30
Enrolment
Please contact research administrator karola.perona.bast@mdu.se
Language
Swedish or English.
Course code
FOID006
Course syllabus
Industrial Economics and Organisation
Autumn 2024 – Transdisciplinary co-creation for sustainable urban development
Content
The purpose of the course is to contribute to methodological knowledge and
practically applied knowledge regarding co-creation around the development of
knowledge and solutions for societal transitions for sustainable urban
development. The focus is on theory formation and methods for co-creation as a
transdisciplinary practice with a focus on how co-creation can support scientific
production and at the same time function as a driving force in the transition
work.
The course is mainly given to doctoral students in the doctoral school Future
Proof Cities.
Course coordinator
Study period
2024-10-17 - 2025-02-05
Enrolment
Contact estforskningsadministration@mdu.se
Course code
FOES024
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Transdisciplinary co-creation for sustainable urban development Pdf, 259 kB.
Flexible start – Higher Seminar, 7,5 credits
Content
The overall purpose is to provide PhD candidates with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of research in the subject(s) Industrial Economics and Organization and/or Business Administration and about how research is developed through seminar work. The goal is that upon completing the course, the PhD candidates will have broadened their insights about research in Industrial Economics and Organization and/or Business Administration and practiced independent critical review and assessment of new and complex issues. Furthermore, the PhD candidate must have shown the ability to give and receive constructive criticism.
Course coordinators
- Marketing and strategy: Emilia Rovira Nordman
- Accounting and Control: Tobias Johansson
- Political Science: Jörgen Ödalen
- New Organisation and Management Practices: Lucia Crevani
- Economics: Christos Papahristodoulou
Study period
flexibel
Course syllabus
Autumn 2025 - Discursive psychology – use of language in everyday life, organization and society, 7.5 course credits
Content
The course is given in Swedish. Please see the Swedish page for more information.
Course Coordinator
Eva Lindell, docent EST
Seminars and examination date
The seminars is given on specified campus.
Full day seminars are given 26/8, 23/9, 28/10, 24/11-25
Examination date: Final examination 31/1-26
Litterature
Information about course literature will be available in Canvas.
Number of participants
Obegränsat
Enrollment
The registartion opens at May 15. Please register here. External link.
Selection will take place three weeks before the course starts. You will be notified by email when you are accepted. In the meantime, questions about the course can be asked to the teacher responsible for the course.
Language
Swedish
Course code
FOES026
Course syllabus
Urban Studies, 5 hp
Content
Course coordinator
Terene Fell
Enrollment
Only for doctoral students from the research school Future Proof Cities. Please contact the course coordinator by mail.
Literature
Literature will be available on Canvas at course start.
Language of instruction
English
Innovation and Design
Spring 2025 - Introduction to Innovation and Design, 5.0 credits
Course objective
The course aims to provide an understanding of relevant theories in Innovation and Design as well as an understanding of how to describe and analyze a practical project in harmony with these. One focus is on collaboration and how joint knowledge development between different actors in a research project, in collaboration, can be carried out.
Course coordninator
Please contact Yvonne Eriksson, head of subject, if you have any questions.
Study period
To be announced
Enrolment
Not open
Language
Swedish or English if needed.
Course code
FOID002
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Introduction to Innovation and design Pdf, 240 kB.
Spring 2025 - Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal, 7,5 credits
Content
The purpose of the course is that the doctoral students get involved and gain experience in leading research applications to Horizon Europe.
The course include:
Lectures on Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications for collaborative, industry-research applications.
Training to acquire skills for and experience of Horizon Europe and method for coordinating and writing applications. To get the PhD students to coordinate and lead an application, involve companies and researchers. To write an application that can be submitted to the course. Create an account on the portal, how to find a topic (Topic) through the "seek funding" function, reflect on how to create a consortium, actually do this, and in writing: how to meet the Section 1 criteria and SMART objectives, How to formulate outcomes and wider impact - vs results, how to write so that the evaluator can follow the thread in each direction, how to formulate work packages, familiarizing with the WBS.
Teaching and training given by merited project managers.
Course coordinator
Gunnar Widforss
Examiner
Konstantinos Kyprianidis
Study pace
25%
Place of study
Västerås (physical presence)
Study period
March-June 2025
Enrollement
Via email to gunnar.widforss@mdu.se. Attach proof of licentiate degree. By February 18 at the latest.
Course code
FOID009
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Writing a Horizon Europe Research Proposal Pdf, 244 kB.
Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
Autumn 2024 – Enumerative Combinatorics, 5 credits
Content
Enumerative combinatorics – the art of counting – is a beautiful subject with many applications. Once considered to be a bunch of seemingly unrelated methods, nowadays the subject has a mature theory, the most fundamental parts of which belong to the toolbox of any research mathematician. In this course, the student will be introduced to this theory and learn to master it well enough to be able to solve related problems that may arise in a research context and to communicate about it with mathematical peers.
Course coordinator
Enrolment
Closed
Lectures + examination date
- Lectures in Västerås every Monday from Sep 9 to Oct 21 at 1:15 pm to 3:00 pm
- Deadline for written assignment: Oct 31, 2024
- Zoom lectures every Thursday from Sep 12 to Oct 24 at 1:15 pm to 3:00 pm
Literature
- Richard Stanley, Enumerative Combinatorics, volume 1, second edition, Cambridge University Press, 2011.
- Jonas Sjöstrand, Generating functions, freely available to course participants as a PDF file.
Number of participants
30 (check syllabus for selection criteria)
Language of instruction
English
Course code
FOUK024
Course syllabus
Autumn 2024 – Partial differential equations II – a functional analytic approach, 6 credits
Course objective
The course aims to equip doctoral candidates with an understanding of the theory and methods in mathematical analysis, with a specific emphasis on linear partial differential equations. In particular linear elliptic and evolution equations will be studied using Sobolev spaces using a functional analytic approach.
Course coordinator
Lectures + examination date
- Start 16 August, 09:00-12:00. Thereafter, dates are decided within the group of active participants.
- All lectures will take place on campus in Västerås. No lectures via link.
- Examination: Date decided with participants.
Enrollment
Closed
Literature
- Partial Differential Equations: Second Edition
Lawrence C. Evans: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. ISBN: 9781470469429
Number of participants
Unlimited number of participants.
Language of instruction
English with non-Swedish speaking participants, otherwise Swedish.
Course code
FOUK029
Course syllabus
Course syllabus Partial differential equations II Pdf, 232 kB.
Spring 2025 – Functional Analysis, 5 credits
Course objective
The course aims to equip doctoral students with an understanding of the theory and methods in mathematical analysis, with a specific emphasis on functional analysis and its application areas.
Course coordinator
Bartosz Malman.
Study period
The course starts on Thursday January the 16th from 13.15-16.00 (place TBA).
Lectures and examination
Subsequent seminars will be planned with the participants. In total there will be 8 seminars.
Examination: As part of the examination, parts of the theory or associated problems must be presented during lessons. Home exam and associated oral exam with dates according to the student's wishes.
Literature
- Functional Analysis, Peter D. Lax, ISBN: 9780471556046.
- Introduction to functional analysis, Reinhold Meise and Dietmar Vogt, ISBN: 9780198514855.
- Self-produced lecture notes.
Language of instruction
English.
Enrollment
Closed
Course Code
FOUK025
Course syllabus
Spring 2025 – Mathematics for Societal Challenges, 3 credits
Course objective
The objective of the course is to give doctoral students an introduction to mathematical problems and methods that are relevant for research directed towards various societal challenges, and to prepare them for being able to participate in such research.
Course coordinator
Kimmo Eriksson.
Lectures
There will be eight lectures on various relevant topics given by researchers at different institutions in Sweden: MDU, UmU, UU, SU, KTH, LiU, Chalmers, and IFFS. The examination consists of group work in which students develop ideas for research based on the lectures and a final seminar in which the groups present their best ideas to each other.
Lectures on Wednesdays 10-12 o’clock:
- April 2
- April 9
- April 23
- April 30
- May 7
- May 14
- May 21
- May 28
Presentation of the group assignment: June 4.
Place of study
It will be possible to take the course remotely. PhD students anywhere in Sweden are welcome.
Language of instruction
English.
Literature
Literature will be announced at course start.
Enrollment
Closed
Course Code
FOUK026
Course syllabus
Course syllabus för Mathematics for Societal Challanges Pdf, 172 kB.
Autumn 2025 - Inverse problems, 6 credits
Content
The course aims to equip doctoral candidates with an understanding of the theory and numerical aspects of inverse problems, with a specific emphasis on
regularization techniques. In particular, Tikhonov type regularization and iterative regularization methods for ill-posed inverse problems will be introduced and various inverse problems will be studied.
Course responsible
Maksat Ashyralyyev
Seminars
Seminars in person on campus Västerås.
Seminar dates:
- 30 October 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 6 November 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 13 November 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 20 November 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 27 November 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 4 December 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 11 December 2025 (13:15-17:00)
- 18 December 2025 (13:15-17:00)
Enrollment
Apply to the course from May 15. Please register here External link.
Course literature
Literature will be announced at course start.
Language of instruction
English
Number of participants
Unlimited
Course code
FOUK036
Course syllabus
Medical and Health Engineering
For information regarding courses at third-cycle level in the third-cycle subject Medical and Health Engineering, please contact the Director of doctoral education Federico Ciccozzi.