Courses and Training

The training activities of the PhD program are designed to provide both disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary breadth. During the first six months, students attend a series of courses and training activites that integrate the main scientific and methodological approaches of the program. The structure ensures that all PhD candidates acquire a solid foundation across the five research themes, while allowing them to specialise according to their research interests and thesis topic.

In addition to their courses and training activities, students must participate in additional educational activities such as seminars and summer schools, which must be certified accordingly (see the section on Compulsory Participation in Seminars below).

 

Time Planning

The coursework is concentrated in the first semester (November–April) of the first academic year and is divided into two main periods:

  • November–December (exams in January): devoted to Thematic Courses. All students attend five thematic courses corresponding to the five Curricula and Research Themes that compose the PhD program. Exams are taken in three of the five courses, chosen in agreement with the supervisor. The exams are scheduled in January.
  • February–March (exams in April): devoted to Specialised Courses. Four specialised courses are offered, with exams scheduled in March–April. Two are compulsory, and two are elective. 

 The list of thematic courses divided by Research Topics and the list of specialised courses are published each academic year in the section below, along with the timetable.

 

Additional Training Activity

In addition, complementary training sessions are organised throughout the first year, including modules on:

Attendance at these training courses is compulsory and an integral part of the educational program of FRONTIERS.

 

Participation in Seminars

Doctoral students will be required to undertake additional education activities in addition to the courses listed above. These activities consist of participation in a minimum of 15 seminars over the 3-year period. Please have a look at the specific instructions about compulsory participation in seminars reported below.

 

Syllabi and schedule of Thematic Courses for the 41-th Cycle

PhD students are offered 5 Thematic Area courses, all to be followed in the period November-December 2024. Tests will be taken only for three of them in January 2025.

The preliminary syllabi and the schedule of the courses are here, and will be integrated in the following days:

Compulsory Participation to Seminars

The PhD Committee, at its meeting on 27·02·2020, decided that doctoral students will be required to undertake additional education activities in addition to the courses listed above. These activities consist of participation in a minimum of 15 seminars over the 3-year period.

Attendance at schools, workshops, or seminars which last at least 3 days (minimum of 2 hours/day) will be considered as 5 seminars. It is suggested that for schools, workshops, or seminars, a certificate of participation be requested by the student from the organising institution. In case of a seminar, it is possible to use the attached letter as a self-declaration to confirm participation in the seminar.