International School of Advanced Studies

SUPERVISORS & COORDINATORS

IMPORTANT

Verify the rules applicable to the programme and cycle

The standard UNICAM educational structure may be adapted for associated programmes, national PhD programmes and positions governed by specific agreements or funding conditions.

01

Structure of the doctoral programme

The standard UNICAM PhD programme consists of 180 ECTS credits and combines research activity, transferable-skills training and programme- or curriculum-specific educational activities.

The standard structure includes:
• research activity and annual evaluation;
• transversal activities organized or coordinated by SAS;
• courses, seminars and events related to the programme or curriculum;
• final research, thesis preparation and public defence.

02

Individual research and training plan

Each candidate prepares an individual plan with the Supervisor, based on the research project, the programme's educational offer and the activities required for the relevant year.

The plan should be realistic, coherent with the candidate's research timetable and sufficiently detailed to allow subsequent monitoring and recognition of the activities completed.

03

SAS transversal activities

SAS promotes common activities intended to develop skills that are useful across different research areas and in both academic and non-academic careers.

Topics may include:
• research ethics and integrity;
• open science and research data;
• scientific writing and communication;
• gender equality and inclusion;
• project management, innovation and career development;
• health, safety and other mandatory training.

04

Programme- and curriculum-specific activities

Coordinators and Faculty Boards organize courses, seminars, laboratories, journal clubs and other activities related to the scientific fields covered by the programme and its curricula.

The annual offer should indicate the content, responsible lecturer, period, workload, assessment method and number of credits or training hours attributed to each activity.

05

External courses, seminars and training activities

Activities offered by other universities, research institutions, scientific societies or qualified organizations may be included in the individual plan when they are relevant to the candidate's research and training needs.

The candidate should request prior approval whenever participation involves recognition of credits, use of the research budget, a mission, registration costs or absence from ordinary doctoral activities.

06

Attribution and recognition of credits

Credits should be attributed according to the expected workload and the educational value of the activity, applying criteria that are transparent and consistent within the programme.

For activities not included in the approved annual offer, the Faculty Board should verify:

• relevance to the doctoral pathway;
• duration and effective workload;
• scientific level and provider;
• participation and assessment evidence;
• correspondence with the candidate's annual plan;
• possible duplication with activities already recognized.

07

Recording and documenting activities

Candidates should maintain an updated record of courses, seminars, conferences, publications, teaching, tutoring, mobility and other activities completed during the year.

Supporting evidence may include certificates of attendance, assessment results, programmes, abstracts, teaching assignments, registers or declarations issued by the responsible lecturer or host institution.

08

Recovery of missing activities or credits

Missing mandatory activities should be identified before the annual evaluation. Where the absence is supported by reasons accepted by the Faculty Board, the Board may identify suitable replacement or recovery activities.

Recovery arrangements should specify the activity to be completed, the deadline, the expected evidence and the consequences for annual progression if the requirement remains unfulfilled.

09

Tutoring and supplementary teaching

Tutoring and supplementary teaching may form part of doctoral training when they contribute to the acquisition of relevant professional and communication skills.

Under the University Regulations applicable from Cycle XLI, PhD candidates may undertake tutoring, including paid tutoring, and supplementary teaching activities up to 40 hours per academic year, subject to Faculty Board approval and the candidate's prior consent.

These activities must not interfere with research training. For candidates enrolled in earlier cycles or subject to specific funding agreements, the applicable limits must be verified separately.

10

Prior authorization of teaching activities

Teaching and tutoring assignments should be submitted for approval before the activity begins. The request should indicate the institution, course, type of activity, number of hours, period, remuneration and relationship with the doctoral pathway.

The Supervisor assesses compatibility with the research plan and the Faculty Board adopts the academic decision. Further authorization may be required when the activity is paid or falls within the rules governing external work.

11

Annual monitoring by the Supervisor

The Supervisor verifies that the activities declared by the candidate correspond to the approved plan, that the required evidence is available and that teaching commitments have remained compatible with research progress.

Any gaps, changes or unapproved activities should be identified before the annual report is submitted to the Faculty Board.

12

Faculty Board approval and minutes

The Faculty Board organizes the educational activities of the programme, defines curricula, approves individual plans and monitors the training and research pathway of each candidate.

Decisions should clearly record the activities approved or recognized, the number of credits attributed, any activities to be recovered and the authorization of teaching or tutoring assignments.

OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE

Plan first, authorize before the activity and document immediately afterwards

A clear annual plan and timely approval process reduce retrospective requests and make the annual assessment of credits, training and teaching activities more reliable.

Need support with credits or teaching assignments?

Contact the SAS Office before the Faculty Board meeting when the applicable limit, required authorization or supporting documentation is unclear.