PhD in Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences

1. Geology
2. Biology

Curriculum 1: Geology

• Stratigraphy and structural geology
• Geosphere-biosphere interactions
• Geochemistry, magmatism and metamorphism
• Marine geology
• Environmental geology
• Geological hazards and natural resources
• Engineering geology, hydrogeology and geomorphology

Curriculum 2: Biology

• Molecular and cellular biodiversity
• Animal biodiversity and evolution
• Plant biodiversity and evolution
• Human biodiversity and evolution
• Population biology and ecology
• Environmental monitoring
• Marine biology
• Computational biology

Appointed by RD n. 709/2023 Prot n. 149534 on Jun 02, 2023

Confirmed for Call for further PhD Positions
Rectoral Decree n. 1066/2023 Prot. n. 0226313 of 04/08/2023

The main goal is to train new researchers to the organisation and implementation of innovative and rigorous scientific approach in the different branches of Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences.
Geology Curriculum: It aims at preparing high-level researchers capable to lead research centered on the analysis/reconstruction of the events that punctuated the Earth geological history. In addition to pure scientific research, this PhD programme will form researchers capable to deal with activities connected with the utilization of natural resources and the sustainable territorial planning and conservation.
Biology Curriculum: It aims at growing in the PhD researchers a high-level knowledge of biodiversity, the underlying evolutionary mechanisms, the ecological processes involved and the potential anthropic threats. Students will learn to plan research strategies and critically analyse data by applying a wealth of modern methodological approaches.

Observation, measurements and evaluation of natural processes are all essential elements in the various fields of Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences. Specifically, the student’s activities include:

• field research
• lab research
• research periods in foreign research centers or museums
• bibliographic research
• data generation, reduction and analysis
• attending courses and seminars held by national and international researchers/Teachers
• publication of at least one paper in an international Journal with Impact Factor within the 3-year program
• at least one participation to national or international conferences, by submitting a poster or an oral communication within the 3-year program.

The main activity of the candidate is the development of an autonomous research project in one of the fields of the two curricula of the programme, under the supervision of an assigned Tutor. This will lead to the progressive development of critical scientific skills, from data generation to data reduction and final data interpretation. Critical lateral thinking and a strong cultural background are also promoted by:

• the attendance to thematic/general courses and seminars, also organized by external Institutions
• own research results presentation in public workshops
• a research period of at least three months to be spent abroad at qualified research institutions
• national and international congresses attendance
• research results publication on I.F. Journals (at least one within the 3 years course), preferably as first author
• the drafting of the doctoral thesis in English. The training activity may also be directly enriched by the student, who is entitled to autonomously choose courses/seminars of specific interest after discussing with the supervisor.

Finally, students may also contribute to complementary teaching activities, such as laboratory training, field activities, seminars for undergraduate and graduate students, and other.

The following activities assure an international training of PhD candidates:

The students spend abroad at least 3 months guaranteed by the Marco Polo grants and the "10% budget" their dedicated.

Other aspects:

• The PhD programme and call is circulated internationally
• The oral admission examination can be carried out in English
• PhD Theses are to be written and discussed in English
• The commission for the final PhD defence may include at least one foreign professor.

Foreign candidates are attracted to our PhD through the international networking of the Board members and through the China Scholarship Council.

Foreign lecturers contributing to the educational programme of the PhD course, ensured by the numerous collaborations and international contacts of the Board members. Starting from the 34th PhD cycle, the Doctoral program invites high-caliber international lecturers and scientists to come to Bologna to deliver workshops and lectures to all our PhD students. Lecturers have their costs reimbursed and they are chosen because of their exceptional scientific impact and the cross-dsciplinary scientific message.

In June 2019 an agreement for "double doctoral degree" was finalized with Macquarie University in Sydney (Australia). Since 2021, the Doctorate has joined the Consortium Agreement Una Europa Doctoral Program in Cultural Heritage (Una-Her-Doc) within the alliance between 8 European universities for a "double doctoral degree". The theme of Cultural Heritage, although not the focus of STVA, have to considered in a broad sense (environmental, naturalistic, landscape). Benefits also come from the participation of the College's professors in international projects, agreements and international programs.

• Publications: Students are encouraged to publish the results of their research work in journals with high impact factor, and the Thesis itself can be prepared  either as a collection of scientific articles or a monographic dissertation. The candidates have to publish at least one scientific article in an international journal with IF within the PhD three-years period and they shall be first author.
• Presentations/ thematic sessions at conferences and workshops.
• Database development.
• Softwares or patents.
• Organization: During the development of their doctoral program, students can organize thematic sessions and workshops.