Individual Training Plan

Requirements for the Individual Training Plan
The individual training plan forecasts/includes:

  • A research project, prepared in collaboration with the supervisor.
  • Within the first two years, taking -- and passing the exam of -- at least two Courses of the Doctoral Program (courses common to both curricula) and other courses within the offer of the Program, for at least 56 teaching hours.
  • Participating to the “Seminario Dottorato” and attending the seminars of the student’s research group.
  • It is also possible to attend Summer Schools, courses of other Doctoral Programs and master courses; the number of hours recognized for these activities will be decided case by case.
  • Research and training periods abroad are possible.

Objectives of the Individual Training Plan
The objective of the training plan is to educate a researcher with both a broad mathematical and scientific culture, and advanced competences in his/her research area. Some courses -- among which those of the Doctoral Program -- aim at broadening the student’s culture, while some others are specialistic. In order to develop and improve the capability of presenting their results, and as an incentive to collaborating, students are requested to speak at the “Seminario Dottorato”.

Training Plan
The types of activities that students can undertake to fulfill the requirements of their individual training plans are described in the Course Catalogue, which is posted on the website of the Doctorate Program at the beginning of each academic year, and is then updated during the year. These activities are described in the following.

  1. Definition of course.
    A Course is a teaching activity that consists of a series of frontal lessons, for a total of 8 up to 24 hours, delivered over several days and followed by a final examination.
    Passing the final exam, the students obtains the credits for the course. Attending courses and other training activities without taking the final exam does not give credits but is encouraged. Students must enroll to each course trough the website of the PhD Program. In so doing, they commit to attend  the course; cancellations are possible, up to one month before the beginning of each course. All courses are delivered in English.
  2. Definition of seminar.
    A seminar is a presentation of about one hour, without final examination. Seminars are given by qualified personnel, including Doctoral students, on research and highly specialized topics.

Training Plan activities

  1. Compulsory course.
    Within the first two years, students must attend, and pass the examination of, at least two Courses of the Doctoral Program (courses common to both curricula). Usually 5-6 such courses are offered each year, and they may change from year to year. These courses are listed in the online Course Catalogue.
  2. Sectorial/specific course
    Within the first two years, students must attend, and pass the examination of, other courses for at least 56 hours. These courses may be taken from the Courses of the Doctoral Program and from the Courses of the two Curricula. About 18  courses of the two curricula are offered each year, each course being of  8, 12 or 16 hours; their offers change from year to year. Courses from other Doctoral Programs, Summer Schools and master courses can be taken as well as substitutes for these courses, the number of hours recognized for these activities will be decided case by case. The offer of the Courses of the Curricula and of the recommended external courses is detailed on the online Course Catalogue.
  3. Soft skills courses
    Students are encouraged to attend soft skills courses. Some of these courses are listed on the online Course Catalogue. It is mandatory to attend at least one soft skill activity.
  4. Seminars
    Students must regularly participate to the “Seminario Dottorato”. Within the three years, each student must give at least one talk within the “Seminario Dottorato” on her/his own research topics and results. Students are encouraged to attend the seminars of their research group.
  5. Group activities.
    Collaboration activities are encouraged, through dedicated discussion spaces and the “Seminario Dottorato”.
  6. Schools.
    Schools may be used to fulfill part of the training duties, provided that they have a final examination. The number of hours recognized for these activities will be decided case by case.
  7. Other training activities.
    Training activities offered by other Doctoral Programs at UNIPD and other Italian and non-Italian Universities, and by master programs, may be used to fulfill part of the training duties, provided that they have a final examination. In particular, there is an exchange agreement with the Doctoral Program in Information Engineering, and some of their courses are listed in our Course Catalogue. The number of hours recognized for these activities will be decided case by case.
    The Doctoral Program considers very important for the Students’ training, and warmly encourages, research and study periods at top-rank Departments of foreign Universities.
  8. Participation to conferences.
    Students are strongly encouraged to participate to conferences, presenting whenever possible their research results. Travelling and participation expenses are covered with the funds of the Doctoral Program and with the research funds of the supervisors.