Doctoral study program of Biomedical Technology was accepted on the 9th regular session on 5th January 2005 by the Senate of the Faculty of Medicine University of Maribor, and at 16th regular session on 15th February 2005 by the Senate of the University of Maribor. Program was confirmed on 15th April 2005 by the Committee for the High Education of the Republic of Slovenia.

Conditions for promotion into 2nd year are met when ALL study obligations from 1st year in the value of at least 51 ECTS credits are collected, and following first year obligatory syllabus accomplished: Biomedical Informatics, Scientific Research Methods, Individual research work– IRW 1, Individual research work with Seminar – IRW 2. Condition for promotion into 3rd year is met when ALL study obligations from 1st and 2nd year, valid 120 ECTS credits, are fulfilled. Enrolment into the third study year is also a dead line for students to submit application for evaluation of the chosen theme for doctoral work, as well as mentor's approval. Last study year is reserved for Individual Research Work – IRW, oriented to preparation of doctoral thesis (60 ECTS credits).

Postdoctoral study. After finished doctoral study candidates are able to carry out independent research and acquire new scientific concepts, develop new diagnostic methods and treatments in depth. Candidates are able to transfer diagnostic and treatments from abroad, to conduct research -clinical work in depth, and to undertake applicative and basic research work.

Doctoral study goals: - educate students in the field of biomedical technology - to enable basic and applicative research and clinical study within wide range of biomedical technology, for example in health care, virtual medicine, telemedicine, public health and measurement procedures, analysis of bioelectrical signals, gerontotechnology, robotics, computing, modelling and analysis of the images, biomaterials in medicine, etc.

After accomplishing doctoral study, candidates will be competent to carry out independent research and acquire new scientific recognitions, to develop new diagnostic and treatment methods in depth, and will be qualified for faster application of diagnostic and treatment methods from abroad. Candidates will also be able to conduct research clinical work, as well as applicative and fundamental research work in depth.

Throughout Biomedical Technology program we will strive to: · educate students in the field of biomedical technology · to enable basic and applicative research and clinical study within wide range of biomedical technology, for example in health care, virtual medicine, telemedicine, public health and measurement procedures, analysis of bioelectrical signals, gerontotechnology, robotics, computing, modelling and analysis of the images, biomaterials in medicine, etc.

Candidates who completed the following may apply for the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Biomedical Technology: - A 2nd-cycle (master’s) study programme in the field of medicine (medicine and dental medicine), pharmacy, or veterinary. Other graduates shall pass an entrance examination in the following courses: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and Biophysics. - An undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in the field of medicine (medicine and dental medicine), pharmacy, or veterinary. Other graduates shall pass an entrance examination in the following courses: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and Biophysics. - A specialisation following an undergraduate professional study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in the field of medicine (medicine and dental medicine), pharmacy, or veterinary. Other graduates shall pass an entrance examination in the following courses: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and Biophysics. Prior to enrolment, candidates shall fulfil study obligations corresponding to 60 ECTS credits. - A study programme educating students for professions regulated by EU directives and corresponding to 300 ECTS credits (e.g. medicine, dental medicine, veterinary science, as well as the five-year study programme in Pharmacy). Other graduates shall pass an entrance examination in the following courses: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and Biophysics, corresponding to 300 ECTS credits. - Graduates of other Slovene and foreign universities in the field of medicine (medicine and dental medicine), pharmacy, or veterinary. Other graduates shall pass an entrance examination in the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, and Biophysics courses in accordance with the criteria applying to students of the Republic of Slovenia. The equivalency of foreign academic qualifications is determined under the procedure for the recognition of academic qualifications according to the Statute of the University of Maribor.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of available positions, candidates shall be ranked according to: - grade point average (15%), - grade awarded for the thesis (5%), and - grade awarded for the elective exam (80%) focused on the fields of medicine, natural sciences, and engineering. Candidates may replace up to 40% of the elective exam with scientific research and professional work. Criteria for the evaluation of scientific research: - scientific monographs, - an independent scientific paper or chapter in a monograph, and - an original scientific paper or review article in journals with impact factor (JCR) or journals indexed in SCI, SSCI, or A&HCI databases. Criteria for the evaluation of professional work: - a professional monograph or review, - an independent professional paper or chapter in a monograph, - published papers in conference proceedings, - professional papers and/or review of these papers, - participation in editorial boards of monographs or journals, and - other documented forms of professional work.

In accordance with the Criteria for Transferring Between Study Programmes, candidates may enrol: • in the second or higher year of the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Biomedical Technology if they have ceased their studies in the previous study programme in the field of biomedicine or an affiliated field and will continue them under this study programme at the same level; • in the second year of the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Biomedical Technology if they have completed: - a master of science study programme in the field of biomedicine or an affiliated field adopted prior to 11 June 2004; or - a specialisation following an undergraduate academic study programme adopted prior to 11 June 2004 in the field of biomedicine or an affiliated field. Candidates may transfer to the study programme provided they fulfil the following criteria: - criteria for enrolment in the first year of the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Biomedical Technology; - they are transferring from a study programme leading to the acquisition of comparable competences or learning outcomes; - at least half of the study obligations evaluated according to the ECTS credit system of the previous study programme relating to compulsory courses of the 3rd-cycle (doctoral) study programme in Biomedical Technology are recognised.

The recognition of knowledge acquired outside of this study program is regulated in accordance with the Rulebook on recognition of knowledge and skills in study programs of the UM no. 012-2019-2.

Written doctoral work and its defending are prerequisites for finalisation of the study, as well as accomplishment of all the other obligations, collecting at least 180 ECTS credits. An article from the field of the doctorate, published in the SCI indexed review, or SSCI with the IF quotation, has to be submitted (Rules of Doctoral Studies at UM No.: 012/2018/1). An article which results from the doctoral thesis must be published after the enrolment to postgraduate study Biomedical Technology. Doctoral thesis has to be defended in front of the commission and has to be published by candidate as a first author.