Upon admission, the Academic Board considers students cv's and research interests, possibily suggesting some individual study aimed at strengthening the background knowledge.
The foundation programme of the first year foresees a core set of compulsory courses covering advanced mathematics and probability theory, inferential statistics, and statistical modeling. A set of specialized modules is also activated, covering a range of more advanced topics. Planning of specialized courses takes into account, whenever it is possible, broad individual research interests of the students enrolled. As for the latter point, students may also be encouraged to follow specialized courses or Summer Courses at other Departments, Universities or Institutions, in Italy or abroad. Individual activities of students in core courses may also be designed to fulfill their needs in specific areas or to focus on special topics related to their research interests. One side objective of courses during the first year is to train students to team work, seminar presentations and paper preparation. Lectures in the first year courses are delivered in English by leading international researchers and experts, including academic staff from all of the partner Universities.