The correct progression of the students’ career and its final outcome are evaluated annually by the PhD board and, most importantly, through the preparation and defense of the doctoral thesis. In particular, the assessment of doctoral students' activities proceeds according to the following timeline:
1. At the end of the first year, the students compile a technical report describing their first-year activities. The report includes the list of courses completed during the year, as well as the research activities undertaken. Additionally, it encompasses other activities, such as courses aimed at developing soft skills and any additional support teaching activity conducted by the student. The technical report, which must be approved by the supervisor assigned to the student by the PhD board, serves as the basis for the PhD board's decision regarding the admission of students to the second year of the program. The assessment of the first year emphasises particularly the proper execution of educational activities, recognizing that research activities in the first year may have just begun and might not have yet yielded significant results.
2. At the end of the second year, in addition to the technical report detailing the courses and the research activities, the students present some selected outcomes of their research to the PhD board. This presentation takes place during the 'poster day,' during which doctoral students showcase their research using posters and are available to answer questions from the PhD board members, as well as from all departmental faculty and researchers. Admission to the following year is determined by the PhD board based on the technical report, once again approved by the supervisor, and the research presentation made during the poster day.
——— Procedure and Timeline for Attaining the PhD Degree ———
3. One month before the end of the third year (typically in September) the student must submit a formal request to the PhD Board to initiate the thesis defense procedure and pursue the PhD degree. The request must include
- A report summarizing the three-year research activit
- An evaluation letter from the supervisor
- A summary of the thesis (maximum 3 pages)
- A presentation of the thesis to be given in front of the PhD Board
The PhD Board evaluates the candidate’s request. If the evaluation is positive, the process leading to the award of the PhD degree is initiated. Specifically, the Board appoints at least two external reviewers, based on the supervisor’s recommendation, to assess the thesis.
4. By the end of the third year, the student must submit the complete thesis—prepared using the official template - to both the PhD Coordinator and the PhD School Secretary. The Secretary, with the supervisor’s assistance, will forward the thesis to the appointed reviewers along with the appropriate template.
IMPORTANT
If the candidate is unable to submit the thesis by the end of the third year, an extension may be requested. The extension request must:
- be countersigned by the supervisor
- clearly state the reasons for the extension
- be submitted together with the documentation listed in point3, at least one month before the end of the third year
- A presentation of the thesis to be given in front of the PhD Board
If the PhD Board approves the request, all subsequent deadlines will be extended accordingly. The extension period cannot exceed 12 months.
5. Once the external reviewers submit their evaluations (typically within one month of thesis submission), the PhD Board formally admits the candidate to the thesis defense. Simultaneously, the Board appoints the defense committee (based on the supervisor’s suggestion) and sets the defense date. If not done so yet, the candidate must fill the AlmaLaurea questionnaire and submit the receipt to the coordinator. The questionnaire can be accessed from the AlmaGO app or through the link: https://www.almalaurea.it/servizi-per-chi-studia-e-si-laurea/questionari.... If the reviewers do not approve the thesis, the candidate has six months to revise the work and resubmit it for a second review. After the second round, the candidate will be admitted to the defense regardless of the reviewers’ final opinion.
6. At least before the defense the student candidate must submit the final version of the thesis, incorporating any revisions suggested by the reviewers. Instructions for submission are available
here.
