The objectives of the PhD and the dissertation
The PhD programme is aimed at expanding methodological and disciplinary knowledge and preparing the dissertation that will constitute the final outcome of the doctoral programme. The presentation of an original research project is an essential prerequisite for admission into the PhD programme. The training activities generally observe the following annual program, partially modifiable for organizational and educational needs.
First year
During a first meeting between November and December, the topic of the dissertation will have been defined and approved in a meeting with the Scientific Board of the PhD programme, which will also appoint an advisor. Subsequent tests will be held three times a year (the calendar will be announced at the beginning of the academic year).
By the end of March, the PhD candidate is required to present a report on the progress of her/his research and submit to the advisor, to the Coordinator and to the Didactic office a brief presentation of her/his work (maximum two pages) and a working bibliography.
For the April/May meeting, the PhD candidate will present three bibliographical reviews, related to three texts belonging to a list proposed by the Scientific Board of the PhD programme and different for each disciplinary area, along with two reviews of critical texts related to the dissertation topic. All reviews (both bibliographical and critical) must be sent to the Scientific Board of the disciplinary area, 15 days before the date of the meeting.
The two critical reviews and the three bibliographical reviews will be part of the evaluation permitting progression from the first to the second year which will take place in October. On this occasion, the PhD candidate is required to report on the bibliography related to the dissertation topic and on the status quaestionis.
Second year
During the second year, the work and the progress of the research of the PhD candidate will be constantly monitored by the assigned advisor and by the Scientific Board of the disciplinary area.
Tests of the PhD candidate’s activities will be held three times a year and will take place during the months of November/December, March, April/May (the calendar will be announced at the beginning of the academic year).
By the end of December, the PhD candidate must be sent to the Scientific Board of the disciplinary area a report on the progress of her/his research (5 pages and bibliography).
For the March test, the PhD candidate is required to submit, at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting, a substantial part of the work in agreement with the advisor. The text will be accompanied by a detailed index of the parts of the work submitted to the advisor (about 2,000 characters), which will then be examined by the entire Scientific Board of the disciplinary area.
During the April/May meeting the Phd candidate is expected to give a 10-minute public talk reporting on the research progress.
The work carried out in the second year will be evaluated in the examinations required for the progression from the second to the third year scheduled for the month of October.
Third year
During the third year, the progress of the research of the PhD candidate will be constantly monitored by the advisor and by the Scientific Board of the disciplinary area.
Tests will be held three times a year and will take place during the months of November/December, March, April/May (the calendar will be announced at the beginning of the academic year).
On these occasions, as a rule, the PhD candidate is required to submit new parts of the work in a revised version to the advisor and to the Scientific Board of the relative disciplinary area.
During the November/December and April/May meetings the Scientific Board of the disciplinary area will discuss with the Phd candidate regarding the progress of the work. The necessary material must be sent 15 days before the date of meeting.
From June of the third year, the PhD candidate will be engaged in a revision of the entire dissertation which will be definitively submitted, both in digital and paper format by the end of October.