Training

Training activities take place primarily in the first two years of the PhD program. These focus on acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting research in the relevant engineering fields. These activities can be classified in the following categories:

• Specialized Training Activities (third-level classes). These classes, also multidisciplinary in nature, focus on advanced specific topics within the disciplines relevant to the PhD program. They include doctoral courses organized by PhD@DICAM and other UniBo doctoral programs, as well as high-profile sectoral training initiatives developed at national or international levels (extra-curricular training: e.g., national doctoral schools, summer/winter schools, seminar cycles from prestigious international institutions). Upon approval by the Doctoral Board, training activities from first and second-level courses aimed at gaining specific competencies can also be considered. The training plan for each doctoral student is defined by the Doctoral Board, taking into account the previous academic career of the student and the proposals from Tutors and from the doctoral students themselves. The range of courses organized by PhD@DICAM each academic year covers various specialized aspects relevant to the Doctoral Program. The offered courses, although addressing primarily topics related to a specific curriculum, are open to all PhD@DICAM doctoral students to promote interaction and interdisciplinary research. The schedule and syllabi of the classes are annually made available to the doctoral students. SEE HERE A LIST OF PhD COURSES OFFERED BY THE PhD@DICAM programme.
• Mentoring for research. This is a group of structured activities, formalized through the initiative “Tools and Methods for Research”, aimed at developing research skills in the specific area (research methods, methods of results dissemination, research projects, etc.). These activities are carried out under the direct guidance eof the Supervisor and his/her collaborators. At the beginning of each year, the PhD student and the Supervision team identify the training needs and goals, together with an individual plan to define the ways and the timing to reach those goals. The outcomes of such research plan are then assessed at the end of each year. The course “Introduction to tools and methods for research” is usually considered as mandatory during the first year.
• Transversal training activities. These activities include, for example, classes on written and spoken communication in academic English (mandatory AcES course), on access to bibliographic resources, on protection of intellectual property, on safety and data protection, on communication, on research methods, on soft skills, etc. These activities are provided through the Cross-Curricular Skills Plan of UniBo. SEE HERE A LIST OF COURSES ON TRANSVERSAL SKILLS OFFERED BY UNIBO.
• Specialist Seminar Series. The DICAM Department or other national or international sector bodies organize seminar series on topics of interest to PhD@DICAM, featuring speakers from prestigious Italian or foreign institutions. DICAM organizes courses based on at least five seminars each year. The seminars offer all doctoral students an important opportunity to be exposed to cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary content that complements the main theme of their Research Project, stimulating scientific curiosity, constructive dialogue, interdisciplinarity, and the development of potential collaborations. In terms of doctoral credits, seminars are taken into account through the courses entitled “Frontiers in…”, where PhD students are required to summarize and elaborate on the content of the seminars. PhD students are usually required to achieve at least 1 credit through this type of courses.

The training of doctoral students is normally completed by a period abroad, not shorter than six months, at universities and/or research centers. Moreover, the students will be encouraged to join the international projects participated by their supervisors.

The final thesis is prepared in English. In addition to the final thesis, the ability of the student to carry out research activity should be documented by some presentations at international congresses as well as by some papers published in first rank international scientific journals for the research fields of the PhD programme. The development of national and international patents is greatly appreciated.