Study Plan

Right after enrollment, each PhD student, along with their tutor and co-tutor, will establish their Training Project. This project includes:

1. individual research program;
2. a list didactic activities  that are complementary to research activities, with third-level courses and seminars (potentially supplemented with second-level courses, and in rare cases, first-level courses) that will form personalized study plan.

At the end of each year, PhD students must submit a report on their research activities (countersigned by their academic tutor). They'll also engage in a public discussion covering the most relevant aspects of their work, achieved results, and a general plan for the following year's activities. Progression to the next academic year depends on the Academic Board's assessment of the research work completed and the student's participation in didactic and training activities. Annually, the Academic Board organizes series of seminars and short theoretical-practical courses taught by Italian and international experts, which PhD students must attend.

Essential Requirements for Progression and Degree Attainment (from the 39th cycle onwards):

• Create an ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) profile and link it to other database profiles, such as Scopus and ISI WEB (required for admission to the second year).
• Complete and submit the PhD student opinion survey (required for admission to the second and third year).
• Participate in person in training initiatives (seminars, etc.) organized by the PhD program (required for admission to the second and third year).
• Participate in person in the PhD students' discussion days (required for admission to the second and third year).
• Have at least two scientific publications (one published and one accepted) during the PhD period, clearly demonstrating the candidate's contribution (as first or last author; corresponding author).
• Complete and submit the AlmaLaurea questionnaire: This must be done by the end of your studies, and the completion receipt must be submitted along with your final report on activities carried out.

For Admission to Final Examination:

One month before the end of the three-year period, and with your tutor's favorable opinion, you'll submit a request to the Academic Board for admission to the final examination. This request must include a final report on activities and thesis (in Italian or English; other languages require prior authorization from the Academic Board), along with a summary in Italian or English. [Instructions for final examination]

Annually, for first and second-year PhD students, a scientific results presentation day is organized. This provides an opportunity for them to interact with each other and with the faculty, receiving valuable feedback for their ongoing activities. For newly enrolled students, there's a day dedicated to presenting their projects.

Starting from the 41st cycle, the currently running events will be renamed as follows:

• A PhD Welcome Day: New Beginnings and Research Visions, held annually, where newly enrolled students introduce themselves and their PhD projects – December 2, 2025.
• A PhD Progress Day: Milestones and Results of Ongoing Research, held annually, where students who have completed their first and second years present the status and results of their thesis work – October 27, 2025, begins at 9:30 Aula Magna in Pian dei Mantellini.

Beginning with the 41st cycle, we're also launching Cocktail Day: Sipping Science. This additional collective day is designed to encourage integration among PhD students from different cycles and to foster cultural exchange, with the participation of students from the DSFTA's degree programs – February 13, 2026.