The programme

Overview

Main features of the programme

The aim of the course is to provide competences at the highest academic level in the main research areas of Theoretical and Applied Computer Science, such as: Algorithms, Architectures, Machine Learning, Data Bases, Bioinformatics, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Formal Methods, Quantum Computing, Information Systems, Intelligent Systems, Security, Robotics. Moreover, inter-disciplinary topics are considered, such as information technologies applied to life sciences and to complex biological system analysis. The members of the Council actively collaborate with national and international research centres and companies within projects funded by national and european programs (PRIN, H2020, ERC, PNRR, PON, et cetera). Over the years, these projects have contributed to the financing of several doctoral fellowships and to support other research activities connected to the doctoral degree.

Programme objectives

The goal of the Computer Science doctoral course is to graduate researchers with deep knowledge in Computer Science and able to develop new methodology and tools by applying advanced methods. After completing the course of studies, the PhD graduates will be able to successfully embark in work projects employing pure and applied research. The goals will be reached via attending several advances courses and the writing of a doctoral thesis conforming to the highest international research standards in CS. The learning programme is based on 15 advanced courses in computer science disciplines, lasting between 12 and 20 hours each, which will be held on site. Moreover, other basic and interdisciplinary courses are guaranteed by the University’s doctoral school. Besides that, the PhD Programme promotes attendance to external specialized Winter and Summer Schools and the spending of periods of study and research abroad, at public and private organizations. The overall research period abroad may last up to 50% of the duration of the course.

Career perspectives

The research competences provided by the doctorate in Computer Science open a wide range of job opportunities in academia research centres as well as in the industrial sector, thanks also to the collaborations with companies maintained by the members of the Collegium and the Department of Computer Science.
In past years, the University of Verona has awarded the PhD to a large number of excellent researchers, as testified by their many publications in international journals and prestigious conference proceedings. All those who earned the title in the last five cycles currently have an occupation: the majority as post-docs in Italian and foreign universities, but also in national organizations (such as ISTAT, IIT, et cetera), national firms (including spin-offs of our university) as well as international ones (such as Microsoft, Siemens, Illumina). Roughly 90% of those who have earned the title in the last 10 years are employed in universities (as professors, researchers, or research associates), research centres and national and international firms.



Faculty Board of PhD in Computer Science

Coordinator
Cicalese Ferdinando
Type of body
PhD committee
Department
Informatica
Tasks

The Council of the Doctoral School in Computer Science is the organizing and supervising body of all the educational activities related to the achievement of the Research Doctorate degree. These activities should give students an in depth knowledge of Computer Science and of the research methods specific to the specialties chosen by the students. To achieve these objectives, the Council organizes, through its member, advanced courses, supports the student participation to national and international doctoral courses, and grants permission to extended periods of research and study abroad. The Doctoral Council is in charge of the evaluation of the students' careers and approves the advancement to the following year and the dissertation defense, according to the evaluation of each student doctoral committee.

Records and documents present in the year:

April 29, 2024

April 5, 2024

February 29, 2024

February 13, 2024

January 26, 2024

QA Board of PhD in Computer Science

Coordinator
Cicalese Ferdinando
Type of body
Quality Assurance Board
Department
Informatica
Tasks

Further information on MYUNIVR

Ferdinando Cicalese
QA Manager
Mila Dalla Preda
member
Nicola Assolini
PhD student representative
Records and documents present in the year:

The Italian University system

schema_qualita

First-cycle degrees: Bachelor’s degree programme

First-cycle degrees are aimed at enabling students to achieve a command of general scientific methods and content, and to acquire specific professional knowledge.
Admission requirements: secondary school diploma after completing 13 years of study in total and passing the relevant State examination, or equivalent foreign qualification; admission may be subject to further assessment.
Duration: three years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 180 CFU; doing an internship and preparing a dissertation/thesis may also be required. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree, graduates may continue their studies by enrolling in a Master’s degree or other second-cycle degree programmes and courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree (Laurea), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore”.

Second-cycle degrees: Master’s degree

Second-cycle degrees aim to provide students with an advanced training and knowledge to take on highly-skilled roles.
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree, or a foreign equivalent qualification; curricular admission requirements for each course may vary depending on each University.
Duration: two years.
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 120 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”. Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees
Some courses (Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, Architecture and Building Engineering-Architecture, Law, Primary Education) are offered as Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degrees (Corsi di Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico).
Admission requirements: applicants must hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent foreign qualification; admission is subject to passing an admission test.
Duration: five years (six years and 360 CFU for Medicine and Surgery, and Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics).
Graduation: in order to obtain the degree, it is necessary to gain at least 300 CFU, as well as preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis. Upon completion of a Single-cycle degree, graduates may continue their studies by applying for a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca) or other third-cycle courses.
Academic title: upon completion of a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale), graduates are awarded the title of “Dottore magistrale”.

Third-cycle degrees

PhD programmes: these courses enable students to gain reliable methodologies for advanced scientific research through innovative methodologies and new technologies, and generally include internships abroad and lab activities at research laboratories. Graduates wishing to apply for a PhD programme must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition; PhD programmes have a minimum duration of three years. In order to complete the programme, students must produce a research thesis/dissertation and present it at a final examination.
Academic title: upon completion of a PhD programme, students are awarded the title of “Dottore di ricerca”, or “PhD”.
Postgraduate specialisation courses: these are third-cycle courses aimed at enabling students to develop advanced knowledge and highly-specialised skills, such as in the medical, clinical and surgical fields. To be admitted to these courses, applicants must have a Master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent qualification) and pass an open competition. Postgraduate specialisation courses may last from two (120 CFU) to 6 years (360 CFU) depending on the type. Academic title: upon completion of this programme, graduates are awarded a “Diploma di Specializzazione”.

Professional Master’s programme

1st-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di primo livello”.
2nd-level Professional Master’s programmes: these courses enable students to further enhance their scientific knowledge and professional skills. In order to apply, applicants must have a Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent qualification. The minimum duration is one year (60 CFU). Please note that completing this course will not provide you with direct access to a PhD programme (Dottorato di Ricerca), or other third-cycle courses, as these courses are run and managed by each University at the local level. Upon completion of this programme, students are awarded a “Master universitario di secondo livello”.

Other useful things

Crediti Formativi Universitari (CFU/ECTS credits): Italian university courses are based on the CFU system. 1 CFU is equal to 25 hours of study. The average annual academic workload for a full-time student is generally assumed to be 60 CFU. CFU and ECTS credits serve the same purpose and generally have the same value.
Degree class: Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes that have the same learning objectives and activities are grouped into “degree classes". The educational content of each programme is set autonomously by each university; however, universities are required to include certain educational activities (and the corresponding number of CFU credits) set at the national level. These requirements are established in relation to each degree class. Degrees in the same class have the same legal value.
Double/Joint degrees: the Italian universities may establish degree programmes in partnership with other Italian or foreign universities. Upon completion of these courses, graduates are awarded a joint or double/multiple degree, one from each Partner University.