Educational Activities
Description of the training project
The PhD program in Computational Intelligence implements a training plan dedicated to learning computational intelligence methodologies and their application to research and development of the future generation of intelligent systems.
The training plan includes three types of activities, each of which must be included in the individual study plans:
• PhD Courses/Schools
• Seminars/Tutorials
• Research
The courses are classified into three different types: A, B, and C:
• A. Advanced/interdisciplinary courses: o A.1 Specific courses for the PhD; o A.2 Courses shared with master's degree programmes [here the list of courses of type A.1 is proposed]
• B. Courses in English, scientific writing and basic computer science;
• C. Ad hoc PhD courses on valorization and dissemination of research, and intellectual property.
Type A1 courses must be attended by all PhD students whose research area or interests are related to the course topic. The A2 type courses can be chosen freely by students, on the basis of their previous studies and their study and research interests, with the prior agreement of their doctoral supervisor, with the aim of broadening and deepening their knowledge and skills. Students can choose to attend other A2-type courses offered in the master's degree curricula of the Federico II University or of other universities, subject to approval by the PhD Academic Board.
Participation in type B and C courses is strongly recommended.
Each PhD candidate is required to spend a period of study and research at an internationally recognized academic or research institution abroad. Activities abroad must be approved in advance by the Coordinator and/or the PhD Academic Board. All the above activities will entitle students to obtain the corresponding training credits. The number of credits for doctoral courses and schools is defined by the PhD Academic Board, according to the duration, level and final evaluation.
The number of credits for seminars is typically 0.2 credits per hour.
The organization of teaching activities in individual study plans must comply with the criteria and the number of annual credits established by the PhD Academic Board. In the first year, or in the first half of the duration of the PhD program, it is expected that attendance of advanced or interdisciplinary courses will be privileged, with the aim of the student to broaden their knowledge in areas not covered in their previous career as master students. In the second year, the individual activity plan should favor the deepening of knowledge in the disciplines related to personal research interests; research activities in the second year start to become prevalent. The student is also invited to attend - especially in the first two years - ad hoc courses for the enhancement of linguistic and computer skills useful for research activity, as well as courses on research and innovation management and entrepreneurship; in the third year, the student will have to favor research activities in the scientific area of interest, which will lead to the preparation of the PhD thesis.
During the entire PhD program in Computational Intelligence, students can also obtain 0 to 4.8 credits (within the limit of 40 hours per academic year) for mentoring or supplementary teaching activities of undergraduate and graduate students. The tutoring tasks are assigned by the coordinators of the degree or master's degree courses, with the authorization of the PhD Academic Board and with the student's consent.