Presentation held at Dundee University on 19 January 2011 for postgraduate students for the purpose of providing guidelines and advice on how to complete their PhD research degrees, successfully.

1. Dr. Najib Altawell The Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP) Dundee University January 2011 PhD - Successful Approach -

3. The Reason I am doing my PhD… because…..! To Be Trained As An independent Researcher Why Research? Original work! You Are Spending Four Years (or maybe more) of your life! PhD?

5. Literature Review and Methodology Outline Example: Five - Seven Months Several Outlines For The ‘New Methodology’ Year One

6. SMART S pecific M easurable A greed R ealistic T ime Bound Aims and Objectives

7. Example : Aim/Aims Aim To apply a system approach to biomass materials for the purpose of finding the most economical and efficient types capable of producing sufficient energy on commercial scale

8. Example: 1. To focus on locally produced biomass materials 2. To design and implement a new methodology for biomass energy, with reference to other renewable sources of energy 3. To convert the new methodology into a friendly user software 4. To maximise the energy output from various types of biomass materials 5. Identify engineering solutions that can make the biomass adaptable to present and future electricity generating devices 6. Minimum processing requirements for biomass 7. Formulate technology needed for longer storage life 8. Less unwanted by-products from co-combustion Objectives

9. The Pyramid Example: Step Three Business Business Step Two ‘ Scientific & Technical’ Step One ‘ Regulations & Environmental Issues’

10. Initial Approach: Example

11. Methodology Structure Research (Laboratory) Work & Compiling REA* Methodology Software Sponsor: e.g. E-ON REA = Renewable Energy Analyser Year Two Example:

13. Presentation Part of The Continuous Training Process One presentation/year (sponsor e.g. 2 – 3 months) Results: Third Year Presentation & Conference Presentation

14. Thesis Writing Instructions From Your Supervisors Example: 6 – 12 Months Year Four

26. Final Steps Final editing - including issues related to layout/binding/printing Clarification for some sections of thesis, if needed! Whatever spare-time left use it to look for a job!

27. Four Years is not enough? You Need more time? Time and planning is your Responsibility Also The responsibility of your Supervisor & Institute Extension Extension Extension Extension Extension Extension Extension Extension

30. Post-Doc Industry Academia Or Something completely different?

31. Thank you for listening. Questions?