doctoral thesis
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doctoral thesis
An extensive academic work that one must write in order to obtain a doctoral degree. Also referred to as a dissertation.
Sie forscht seit drei Jahren für ihre Doktorarbeit in der Physik.
She has been doing research for her doctoral thesis in physics for three years.
The word is a simple compound of 'Doktor' (doctor/doctoral degree) and 'Arbeit' (work/paper). It therefore refers to the academic work that one produces for a doctoral degree.
Die Fertigstellung einer Doktorarbeit dauert oft mehrere Jahre.
Completing a doctoral thesis often takes several years.
In connection with a doctoral thesis, certain verbs are used for the different phases: You 'schreibt' (write) it, 'reicht sie ein' (submit it), 'verteidigt' (defend) it, and 'veröffentlicht' (publish) it.
Er muss seine Doktorarbeit bis Ende des Monats einreichen.
He has to submit his doctoral thesis by the end of the month.
To describe the process, you say 'an einer Doktorarbeit schreiben' (to be working on a doctoral thesis). To name the topic, you use 'eine Doktorarbeit über' (to write a doctoral thesis on/about) plus the accusative.
Sie schreibt an ihrer Doktorarbeit in Biologie.
She is working on her doctoral thesis in biology.
dissertation
Dissertation and Doktorarbeit refer to the same academic work for a doctoral degree. Dissertation is the formal academic term; Doktorarbeit is the more common and often less formal term. The choice therefore depends mainly on the conversational situation.
Sie erzählt Freunden, dass sie ihre Doktorarbeit endlich abgegeben hat.
She tells her friends that she has finally submitted her doctoral thesis.
Die Universität hat ihre Dissertation offiziell angenommen.
The university officially accepted her dissertation.
