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.
3. At the end of the third year, the students must compile a comprehensive technical report summarizing their educational and research activities over the three years of the doctoral program. The report also includes other activities, such as the soft skills courses and any teaching activities carried out by the student. A critical part of the report is the list of research outcomes achieved during the three years, typically including publications, patents, and other tangible results. Students are also required to give an oral presentation of their research, which will serve as the basis for their doctoral thesis. Finally, the student's supervisor provides a brief assessment of the student's activities over the three years and their readiness for the thesis defense. The PhD board admits the doctoral candidate to present and defend the thesis based on the triennial report, the student's presentation, and the supervisor's assessment. Normally, students are expected to have at least one publication in a prestigious international journal or three conference publications.
4. The defense and awarding of the doctoral title occur following a positive evaluation of the thesis by at least two external reviewers appointed by the faculty council and a favorable judgment from the committee participating in the thesis defense.