PhD Programme objectives

The PhD Programme (also called Doctorate Programme) in Computer Science and Mathematics aims to train researchers and high-level professional experts in these scientific sectors. These figures will be able to contribute significantly both to knowledge progress and applications and innovative technology development, in order to guarantee the ability of future PhD Doctorate students to enter the world of work. According to their vocational preparation, they will be able to work both in environments that promote the more theoretical aspects of research (universities and research laboratories) and in contexts where the applicative aspects are more important (firms), as well as in public administration and advanced tertiary sectors.

Another objective of the PhD Programme is to insert the Doctorate students, as early stage researchers, into a system of exchanges and stages, which promote national and international contacts. This can also be achieved by student participation in research projects within their own Departments. At the end of his/her course of studies, the PhD student will have an in-depth knowledge of the state-of-the-art of the research theme of his/her thesis, be able to converse with researchers on analagous topics, take part in avantguard international projects and detect and validate the applicative and technological spin-offs of his/her research. Thanks to the various didactic experiences accumulated, he/she will be ready to collaborate in any university course where his/her specific disciplinary skills are required.

The study plan includes:

1. INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH, guided by at least one Tutor, which culminates with the defense of an original PhD dissertation. The Academic Board appoints one Tutor for each student. In some cases, one ore more Co-Tutor(s) may be appointed. Students get a desk in one of the research labs of either the Computer Science Department or the Mathematics department and interact with all people in the department (faculty, young researchers, staff, students). They should have formal meetings with their Tutor(s) at least once a month.
   During the three years programme, the PhD students present their research regularly, in internal seminars and annual reviews and in summer schools and conferences, both in Italy and abroad. Students get some funds to attend conferences, workshops, schools. They are also required to spend a period of time for study and research in a foreign institution, for at least three months.
2. 2. SPECIALIZED COURSES, of 1, 2 or 3 credits, for a total of 15 credits to be acquired in the first two years (each credit corresponds to either 8 hours of lectures or 15 hour of practice). The student chooses the courses of interest to be attended on each one of the first two years; four of such courses, for at least a total of 8 credits, require a final exam to be given by the end of the second year of the PhD Programme. By the end of the first year, the student has to pass at least two exams. The specialized courses may also include international schools of interest for the individual research.
3. SEMINARS on various topics, to be attended during the three years Programme, for at least 40 hours: a) 10 hours on topics related to advanced information technology; b) 10 hours on scientific research writing; c) 20 hours on topics related to research programs, knowledge sharing with industry, copyright and patents. Such seminars are part of the student education, as required by article 4, section 1. (f) of the 14th Dec 2021 Ministerial Decree n. 226 ("Regulations concerning ... criteria for the creation of PhD Programmes by registered institutions”).