# Dr. rer. nat.

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Academic degree corresponding to a Ph.D. in natural sciences

***Doctor rerum naturalium*** ([Latin](/source/Latin_language) for 'Doctor of Natural Sciences', lit. 'Doctor of the Things of Nature'), abbreviated **Dr. rer. nat.**, is a [doctoral degree in science](/source/Doctor_of_Science) awarded by [universities](/source/Universities) in several [European](/source/Europe) countries (e.g., [Germany](/source/Germany), [Austria](/source/Austria), and the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic)) to graduates in fields such as [physics](/source/Physics), [chemistry](/source/Chemistry), [biology](/source/Biology), [geosciences](/source/Geosciences), [computer science](/source/Computer_science), [pharmacy](/source/Pharmacy), [psychology](/source/Psychology), and other [natural sciences](/source/Natural_science). Universities might also award different titles for these fields, depending on the topic of a doctoral thesis and which titles a university can award. In German-speaking Switzerland the equivalent of Dr. rer. nat. is Dr. phil. nat. The [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology](/source/Karlsruhe_Institute_of_Technology) for example might award a Dr. rer. nat. or a Dr.-Ing. for computer science graduates, differentiating between degrees in theoretical and practical topics.[1] These doctoral degrees are equivalent to the [PhD](/source/Doctor_of_philosophy) awarded in English-speaking countries.[2] German universities often translate a *Dr. rer. nat.* to *doctorate of natural sciences* or *Doctor of Science*.

To start a PhD in Germany, students must typically possess a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in the related field. PhD programs in the natural sciences are often designed to allow graduation in three to five years, with an average graduation time of 4.3 years.[3] The exact requirements for graduation differ by university but usually include the requirement of a substantial contribution to the field of study.[4]

In the Czech Republic and [Slovakia](/source/Slovakia), a similarly designated degree, abbreviated *RNDr.,* is awarded. It should not be confused with *Dr. rer. nat.,* as the former is nowadays an extension of a master-like degree, but it used to be equivalent to PhD.

## See also

- [Doctor of science](/source/Doctor_of_science)

- [Doctorate § Germany](/source/Doctorate#Germany)

- [Academic degree § Czech Republic](/source/Academic_degree#Czech_Republic)

- [Doctor of Philosophy](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Promotionsordnung des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie 67(KIT) für die KIT-Fakultät für Informatik zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.) oder der Ingenieurwissenschaften (Dr.-Ing.)](https://www.informatik.kit.edu/downloads/promotion/2017/%20%20Promotionsordnung/Promotionsordnung_2017.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Führung ausländischer Hochschulgrade"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150211223335/http://www.kmk.org/wissenschaft-hochschule/internationale-hochschulangelegenheiten/fuehrung-auslaendischer-hochschulgrade.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.kmk.org/wissenschaft-hochschule/internationale-hochschulangelegenheiten/fuehrung-auslaendischer-hochschulgrade.html) on 11 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Academics.de: Zeitspanne der Promotion: Dauer im Durchschnitt](https://www.academics.de/ratgeber/promotion-dauer)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Hochschulkompass: Promotion in Deutschland](https://www.hochschulkompass.de/promotion.html)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Science)
- [Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Education)
- [Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Europe)

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