Description and educational objectives

The PhD program in Physics is part of the Graduate School in Science and Technology and it is based at the Physics Section of the Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences at the University of Parma. The PhD in Physics aims to provide the skills that are necessary to carry out research of high scientific and professional qualification in the field of Physics.

The PhD in Physics, with a duration of 3 years, is established as a unifying element of the third-level University education in the Physics’ area. Besides their main commitment to the research activity, students are supposed to spend a substantial part of their training period in attending advanced courses as well as national and international schools. Students are encouraged to spend part of their time abroad in order to participate in scientific collaborations in their fields of interest and follow advanced courses in support of their research program. During the three-years, teaching commitments are progressively reduced towards a full time engagement in the research activity. The evaluation of the training program is carried out - at the end of each year - through open seminars held by the students. The independent scientific research is expected to lead to publication of results in international, peer reviewed journals. 
The ultimate goal of the PhD in physics is a highly specialized scientific training that opens professional carriers in academic institutions and research laboratories, either public or private. 

The PhD in Physics is divided into three areas corresponding to major groups of disciplines of Physical Sciences covered by the research activity of the Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Theoretical Physics, Biophysics and Applied Physics.