The Ph.D. Course in Geosciences has a duration of three years and the degree can be obtained after having acquired at least 26 credits corresponding to 156 hours (starting from the XL series; for previous series, Ph.D. students had to acquire 30 credits, corresponding to 180 hours). These credits are earned through courses, summer schools and attendance at a minimum of 12 seminars during the three years.

The Ph.D. student must also carry out independent and original research, culminating in the writing of the thesis. There are compulsory courses that a doctoral student must take, but the student can also independently create, in agreement with his supervisor, his own Individual Training Plan.

Mid-Term Evaluations

To encourage more Ph.D. candidates to complete with good quality and within the prescribed time, as well as to prevent backsliding, the Doctoral course in Geosciences introduced the mid-term evaluations. The mid-term evaluation consists of an annual oral presentation and written progress report. If the Ph.D. candidate gets positive evaluations on his/her presentation and report will pass the year and proceed to the next year or the final evaluation procedure (for the Ph.D. candidates enrolled in the third year of the program). 

Objectives of the Ph.D. Program