The advisory committee—officially the Guidance and Academic Integrity Committee (Comisia de îndrumare și integritate academică)—has a role complementary to that of the doctoral supervisor.
Composition
Under the current UBB information, the committee consists of three members in addition to the doctoral supervisor: two UBB academic/research staff and one member external to UBB, with the required doctoral qualification and academic/research rank. Its composition is established by the supervisor in consultation with the doctoral student.
Main role during the PhD
- Provides independent scientific guidance. The committee gives the doctoral student feedback on the research project, methodology, results, interpretation and development of the thesis. It is intended to provide perspectives beyond those of the main supervisor.
- Monitors research progress. At least once every 12 months, the student presents their progress to the committee. This includes the research project in Year 1 and research/progress reports in subsequent years.
- Evaluates the doctoral student’s presentations. Each presentation receives a “pass” (admis) or “fail” (respins) assessment, with the committee’s main observations and recommendations recorded in an official report.
- Provides feedback and recommendations. The committee can identify scientific, methodological or structural problems and recommend modifications or further work before the student proceeds.
- Plays a formal role before the public defense. The completed thesis is presented to the committee during the pre-defense (presusținere). The supervisor and committee members evaluate the thesis and their decision is part of the documentation required to proceed toward the public defense. The positive evaluation of the thesis by both the supervisor and the advisory committee is required for acceptance for public defense.
- Contributes to academic integrity oversight. Under the current UBB framework, the committee