Doctor of Philosophy

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), an abbreviation for the Latin "Philosophiæ Doctor" (or alternatively Doctor philosophiæ, D.Phil.) was originally a degree granted by a university to a learned individual who had achieved the approval of his peers and who had demonstrated a long and productive career in the field of philosophy. The appellation of "Doctor" (from Latin: teacher) was usually awarded only when the individual was in middle age. It indicated a life dedicated to learning, to knowledge, and to the spread of knowledge.

Related Topics:
Latin - Degree - University - Middle age

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The degree was popularised in the 19th century at the Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin as a degree to be granted to someone who had undertaken original research in the sciences or humanities. From here it spread to the U.S., arriving in the UK at the start of the 20th century. This displaced the existing Doctor of Philosophy degree in some Universities ? for instance the D.Phil. (higher doctorate in the faculty of philosophy) at the University of St Andrews was discontinued and replaced with the Ph.D. (research doctorate). However some UK universities such as Oxford and Sussex retain the D.Phil. appellation for their research degrees, as do German and Scandinavian universities.

Related Topics:
Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin - Sciences - Humanities - U.S. - UK - 20th century - University of St Andrews - Oxford - Sussex

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Some ability to carry out original research must be documented by producing a dissertation or thesis. The degree is often a prerequisite for permanent employment as a university lecturer or as a researcher in some sciences, though this varies on a regional basis. In others such as engineering or geology, a doctoral degree is considered desirable but not essential for employment.

Related Topics:
Dissertation - Thesis - University - Engineering - Geology

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