Doctoral Programme in Chemical Sciences and Technology
Training activities
This Doctoral Program includes the following training activities:
| Training activities | Number of hours | Attendance hours | No attendance hours | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recent advances in chemistry | 21 | 9 | 12 | Compulsory |
| PhD scientific conferences | 48 | 24 | 24 | Compulsory |
| Writing and presentation of scientific results in chemistry | 130 | 40 | 90 | Compulsoty |
| Publication of scientific articles | 100 | - | - | Compulsory |
| Attendance at conferences and scientific meetings | - | - | - | Compulsory |
| Stay in another research center | 500 | 350 | 150 | Elective |
| Training in teaching tasks | 200 | 120 | 80 | Elective |
A description of each of the training activities is shown below.
Recent advances in Chemistry
Detail and planning
Brief description of contents: Attendance at conferences and cycles of conferences on topics directly related to the specific competences of the doctoral program
Planning:
- Each academic year, each PhD student must attend six conferences, freely chosen from the panel of activities organized annually by the PhD Program.
- A wide range of conferences will allow part-time students to carry out this training activity
Skills: CB13, CB14, CB15, CA05, CA06, CE03, CE04, CE06, CE07
Learning outcomes: By attending conference cycles, students are able to update their scientific and technical knowledge autonomously and continuously (CB015), as well as being aware of scientific advances (CE04) in order to have the ability to advise from a scientific-technical point of view to public and private institutions (CE03), it is possible to promote the ability to communicate with society in general in the languages of regular use (CB15), contributing to the realization of original research (CB13) critically synthesizing new and complex ideas (CB14, CB16) formulating judgments and fostering critical capacity and the defense of solutions (CA05, CA06).
Languages: Spanish/English (priority).
Control procedure
The control procedure will be carried out by demanding signatures as evidence of attendance and the presentation of a critical report-summary on each of the conferences.
The conferences attended will be recorded in the doctoral student's activity document.
Actions and mobility criteria
The student may carry out similar activities at another university or institution. In these cases, the mobility will be covered by the research group in which the doctoral student is integrated, through either scholarships from public calls or through fellowships provided by the international doctoral schools of the universities of the consortium.
PhD Scientific Conferences
Detail and planning
Brief description of contents: Minisymposium to be held in Santiago or Vigo, which will include:
- Invited lectures, given by relevant speakers, preferably visiting professors.
- Oral communications, in which the doctoral students will present the most relevant aspects of the research carried out throughout the academic year.
- Poster sessions, in which each student will present a poster related to the research topic of her/his PhD thesis.
Planning:
- It will be held each academic year, preferably in the month of June.
- Given the intensive nature of this activity, part-time students will be encouraged to obtain the corresponding permits or authorizations in order to participate in this training activity.
Skills: CB11, CB12, CB13, CB14, CB15, CB16, CA03, CA04, CA05, CA06, CE04, CE06, CE07
Learning outcomes:
- Knowing and using the tools for presenting the results of their research work (Open office, Powerpoint, etc).
- Acquisition of knowledge about scientific advances, recent techniques and instrumentation related to the PhD student's specialization line of research.
- Deepening of knowledge in other fields of Chemistry.
Languages: Spanish/English (priority).
Control procedure
Students will previously send abstracts of the communications to be presented, towards prior organizational criteria.
Participants will receive a certificate of participation.
The PhD student's activity document will include the type and title of the talk and poster presented as well as the certificate of participation.
Actions and mobility criteria
By establishing as a criterion that it will be organized each year in Santiago or Vigo, this activity involves mobility of students from Vigo to Santiago or from Santiago to Vigo.
The costs of organizing these activities will be borne by the universities of the consortium.
Regarding the financing of student expenses, the expenses may be covered by the PhD student's research group, or through scholarships or grants from public or private institutions.
Writing and presentation of scientific results in chemistry
Detail and planning
Brief description of contents: This is a cross activity that will be taught by the Doctoral Program, as it is not assumed by the doctoral schools of the consortium's universities. It will include training in the task of writing and presenting a scientific text. During the course, the student will learn to use the necessary computer tools, such as word processors, database managers, Excel spreadsheets and tables, presentation software, etc. Additionally, sessions aimed at the defense of the thesis will be given.
Module 1: Writing and speech. Exhibition and argument. Body expression-relaxation. Presentations.
Module 2: Scientific style. Scientific publications and ethics. Types of publications. IMRD structure. Journal selection. Instructions for authors.
Paper submission. Editor's response and article reviews.
Planning:
It is advisable to attend this activity in the second year of the doctoral thesis period.
- It will be taught by organizing two weekly sessions of 2 hours each, over 10 weeks.
- If necessary, a specific group will be organized for part-time students, which will be taught from 7 to 9 in the afternoon or alternatively in sessions to be taught on Saturday mornings.
Skills: CB11, CB14, CB15, CA05, CA06, CE01
Learning outcomes:
- The ability to transmit knowledge.
- The preparation of a presentation and a scientific article contribute to the understanding, critical analysis and synthesis of research methods related to a field of study (CB11, CB14), ability to communicate with the scientific community and society in the modes and commonly used languages (CB15), also contributes to integrating knowledge by promoting criticism and defense of solutions both working as a team and autonomously (CA04, CA05, CA06, CE01).
Languages: Spanish/English (priority).
Control procedure
- Attendance and participation.
- Presentation in English, as a scientific publication, using the corresponding format of a scientific article prepared with the experimental data obtained by the doctoral students in his/her PhD thesis work. These activities will be recorded in the doctoral student's activity book.
Actions and mobility criteria
This training activity may be recognized for those students who take similar courses offered by the Doctoral School of the USC or the Doctoral School of the UVigo or other universities or institutions, in which the skills foreseen for this training activity can be acquired.
Publication of scientific articles
Detail and planning
Brief description and contents: The publication of research results in international scientific journals will be encouraged, establishing as a rule that, in order to get the authorization to present the doctoral thesis, the student must have published a scientific article or at least, it should be accepted for publication.
Planning:
- Period of realization of the doctoral thesis.
- This training activity will be required in a similar way to part-time students.
Skills: CB11, CB16, CA02, CA06, CE01, CE03, CE05.
Learning outcomes: The preparation of a scientific article and its contribution to the understanding, critical analysis and synthesis of research methods related to a field of study (CB11, CB14), ability to communicate with the scientific community and society in the modes and commonly used languages (CB15), also contributes to integrating knowledge by promoting criticism and defense of solutions both working as a team and autonomously (CA04, CA05, CA06, CE01).
Language: English
Control procedure
In order to deposit the PhD thesis, the student must present a scientific article and/or proof of acceptance, which will be included in his/her activity book.
Attendance at conferences and scientific meetings
Detail and planning
Brief description and contents: Attendance and active participation in national and international scientific meetings, congresses and symposiums.
Planning:
- It is advisable to carry out this activity fundamentally in the second part of the period of completion of the doctoral thesis.
- This training activity will be required in a similar way to part-time students.
Skills: CB11, CB14, CB15, CB16, CA04, CA05, CA06, CE01, CE03, CE04, CE05, CE06
Learning Outcomes:
- Knowing and using the tools for presenting the results of their research work (Open office, Powerpoint, etc).
- Acquisition of knowledge about scientific advances, recent techniques and instrumentation related to the doctoral student's specialization line of research.
- Deepening of knowledge in other fields of Chemistry.
With the knowledge of these tools, it is possible to improve communication with the scientific community, contributing to carry out original research (CB13, CB14 and CB15), contributing to scientific progress by integrating knowledge, formulating judgments and promoting critical capacity and the defense of solutions (CB16, CA05, CA06), and knowledge of the scientific advances of the latest techniques related to their specific chemical area of specialization (CE04).
Language: Spanish/English (priority).
Control procedure
For the registration in the student's activity book, student must present a certificate of attendance at a congress, symposium or scientific meeting and the communication presented.
Actions and mobility criteria
This activity involves compulsory national and/or international mobility of the student.
Mobility will be paid for by the research group in which the doctoral student is integrated, through scholarships from public calls or through fellowships that can be provided by the international doctoral schools of the universities of the consortium.
Stay in another research center
Detail and planning
Brief description of contents: Stay in another research center, as part of the scientific training of the PhD student and the promotion of collaborations between research groups.
It will consist of a stay at one or several research centers external to the universities of the consortium, preferably international ones.
Planning: Stay of at least three months, to be eligible for the international doctorate. The stay or stays will preferably take place in the second half of the doctoral thesis period.
- Full-time students may not stay for less than three months.
- For part-time students, the possibility of multiple stays of shorter duration will be planned.
Skills: CB11, CB16, CA02, CA06, CE01, CE05.
Learning Outcomes:
- Acquisition of knowledge about scientific advances, recent techniques and instrumentation related to the PhD student's specialization line of research.
- Deepening of knowledge in other fields of Chemistry.
Language: Spanish/English (priority).
Control procedure
The student will have the advice of a tutor at the host institution.
Certificate of completion of the stay and presentation of a report-summary of the work carried out.
This activity will be collected in the student's activity book.
Actions and mobility criteria
The Academic Committee of the Doctoral Program will promote mobility actions through the following actions:
- As a starting point, use will be made of the numerous European student exchange agreements established by the Faculty of Chemistry, which contemplate the exchange of doctoral students.
- The signing of mobility agreements for doctoral students and professors with other national and international entities and institutions will be encouraged.
- The use of other ways to promote mobility actions will be promoted, such as agreements between research groups, mobility programs subsidized by public or private entities.
The planning of the stays will be carried out in accordance with the needs of the research of the PhD thesis, as long as the development of the research allows it.
If the objective is learning and perfecting new methodologies or techniques, the activity will take place during the first phase of the research (first and second years).
If the objective is a specific work with complementary scientific instrumentation, the period will be the final phase of the doctoral thesis (third and fourth years).
Regarding the financing of these activities, the expenses may be covered by the research group that integrates the doctoral student, by the research group that receives the doctoral student, or through scholarships or grants from public or private institutions.
Training in teaching tasks
Detail and planning
Brief description of contents: Students will receive theoretical and practical training through collaboration in the programming, teaching and evaluation of interactive teaching (seminars, lab sessions, tutorials, etc.) of Chemistry subjects of Bachelor's degrees. The activity will be developed under the supervision of a tutor, who will be a professor of the Doctoral Program. The organization will be adjusted in each university to its own rules and regulations
Skills: This activity affects the competence: CB15, CB16, OC01, OC02
Planning:
- It will be taught in accordance with the calendar of teaching activities planned for each academic year
- Students with part-time dedication will also collaborate for a total of 120 hours, but distributed throughout their specific period of completion of the doctoral thesis (greater than 3 years), assigning them teaching collaboration tasks that are developed according to calendars that are compatible with their time availability.
Learning Outcomes:
- Progress in the ability to transmit general chemical knowledge to students.
- Planning the work of the assigned group of students.
- Acquisition of skills in the evaluation of students
Language: Galician/Spanish/English
Control procedure
- Evaluation by the tutor and the coordinator of the Doctorate Program or member of the Academic Commission of the Doctorate designated for this task.
- Certificate of the completion of the training activity.
- The overall assessment of the activity, established by the Academic Committee, will be included in the doctoral student's activities document.
Actions and mobility criteria
The student may carry out similar activities at another university or institution. In these cases, the mobility will be covered by the research group in which the doctoral student is integrated, through scholarships from public calls or through fellowships that the doctoral schools of the consortium universities can provide.