Doctoral Studies in Italy

1. Supervision

Scientific Board or Supervisor?
Scientific board of 16 members elected by the Faculty/Department.
The student has the same personal supervisor during its thesis work on an active research area in the department.

Subject Assignment?
Subject assigned at the beginning of the doctoral studies , by agreement between the student and supervisor

Duration?
4 years

Who can be a Supervisor?

• Any professor/lecturer in the department.
• No internal or external researchers can supervise doctoral studies.
  

2. Development

Courseware?
No

Course Work:
The students don’t have to take course work during their degree doctoral preparation. The course work can be assessed by examinations.

Presentation of Work:

• In the department;
• At national conferences ;
• At international conferences.

3. Thesis

Submission of Doctoral Written Thesis:

• Language normally used: ITALIAN. Alternative language: ENGLISH;
• No credits allocated to the doctoral thesis;
• The doctoral thesis is a previously unpublished substantial written report.
  

Oral Presentation of Thesis Work:

• Language normally used: ITALIAN. Alternative language: ENGLISH;
• Oral presentation for an open audience and with oral examination at open doors ;
• Duration: typical duration of 1,5 hours with no upper limit.
  

4. Examination

Thesis Examination Board:

• Composition: two internal examiners and one external examiner (3 elements);
• Selection by the scientific committee of the institution or by the rector or equivalent.
  

Evaluation:

• Mark based on the reading of the thesis and the oral presentation of the thesis work, with a grading system.
  
• If the student fails he/she may resubmit a revised thesis within a time limit. The time limit is not precisely defined.