Phd in INFRASTRUCTURES AND TRANSPORT

List of courses / activities for the first year

More information Ours is a multidisciplinary doctorate shared by different sectors, all interested in the advancement of knowledge in the field of transport and related infrastructures. In order to find a shared language, it is necessary to consolidate some common foundations in the field of engineering. This translates into the fact that students must first of all acquire the fundamental knowledge for a modern scientific activity of a quantitative type (hard science). Students can then opt to conduct their own research with other methods (soft science). Considering the most common origins (courses of study) of students and teachers, we believe that any gap in necessary knowledge can be filled by studying the following subjects, assuming a good knowledge of the English language: - computer science (at least one programming language eg javascript, .net/c#, python); - statistics and optimization (machine learning, big data); - representation of reality and processing of geographical data (GIS, CAD, BIM, database). In addition to organizing an educational program with ad hoc lessons and seminars provided by the College professors on specific topics of common interest, textbooks, specific university courses offered by Sapienza and online courses will be recommended. However, the student will also have to independently organize the learning of these subjects. This knowledge must be acquired mainly during the first year of the doctorate. To this end, a personalized Educational Program will be established by each student, with the support of their tutor. This will have to include, not only the compulsory courses held by the professors of the college in the form of seminars, but also other courses held by Italian and foreign colleagues in this or other universities, through online or face-to-face lessons, possibly using the most modern platforms digital. To acquire specific IT or technological knowledge, courses held by experts in the sector, even if not university-based, are considered equally valid. It will be the student himself who will self-certify the performance of these activities and it will be his duty/obligation to bring the skills obtained through the courses he has followed to the attention of his tutor and the teachers of the college, in the context of the annual report of his activities. This program may also include, but not only, participation in conferences, seminars, summer or winter schools related to the more specific field of one's research activity. During the first year, therefore, the completion of the basic preparation is taken care of, according to the topics in which the doctoral research activity is expected to be developed. The training activity includes the following activities. Seminars: The student must attend the seminars offered by the doctorate in the specific academic year for a total of 6 credits. The program and calendar of doctoral seminars will be detailed at the beginning of each academic year and published on the website. The seminars, mandatory for all students, will take place from January to September and will be organized so that the students reach a common cultural basis pertaining to the following topics: use of cad and gis, introduction to programming, territorial planning tools, tools for data analysis, optimization and operations research. Some of these modules will be shared with the other doctoral courses belonging to the Doctoral School in Civil Engineering and Architecture and one or more English courses will also be organized with them depending on the level of knowledge of the students who join. Computer courses dedicated to the calculation programs most used by school students (such as Matlab or statistics programs) are also provided. We point out the presence of many courses in English in Sapienza within which teachings useful for the purpose are provided: Control Engineering - Information, computer science and statistics engineering Data Science - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Artificial Intelligence and Robotics - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Computer Science - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Engineering in Computer Science - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Management Engineering - Information, computer science and statistics engineering Statistical Sciences - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Statistical Methods and Applications - Information engineering, computer science and statistics Sustainable Transportation and Electrical Power Systems - Civil and Industrial Engineering Transport Systems Engineering - Civil and industrial engineering Participation in all those courses, organized by Sapienza or other bodies, which aim to increase soft skills, such as oral communication and presentations, writing scientific articles, starting entrepreneurship (start-up) is then encouraged. Research activity: Research will in any case constitute the main part of the activities carried out in the first year. The aim is to acquire scientific methodology, learn to work in a research group, and get to know the national and international community in the chosen research area. In the first year, the student will carry out an in-depth bibliographic research aimed at the collection and analysis of scientific literature, with the identification of the most significant publications for the specific topic he has chosen to investigate. Furthermore, it will carry out a survey of the research activities in progress on similar or contiguous topics developed at other national and/or international research centres, in order to identify their possible evolutionary lines and possible collaborations to be developed during the three years, also for the possible activation of co-tutorship activities aimed at obtaining the European Label or in any case the title of PhDEuropaeus. To deepen their knowledge and follow the most innovative experiences of their research field, the student participates in specialization courses, seminars, conferences and workshops at national and international level. Collaboration with the host structure is stimulated from the first year in terms of teaching support activities and collaboration in research activities already underway on similar or contiguous topics. Method of choosing the subject of the thesis Within the first year of the course, on the basis of what has been acquired, the theme of the doctoral research must be defined with an indication of the aims, methodology, phases and times for the planned activities. The subject of the thesis is agreed between the Tutor and the Student according to the basic training of the latter and the active lines of research relating to the themes of the various curricula. Admission to the second year One of the problems that can jeopardize the success of the doctoral course is the failure by willing and committed students to identify a theme in which they will be able to credibly provide an original contribution by the end of the three-year period. Being tolerant and allowing the transition from the first to the second year in the absence of a well-articulated research project has proved to be an impractical solution over the years which has subsequently generated numerous problems, both for the College and for the students, to the point of generating administrative disputes. The proposed solution is the formal approval by the College of the Research Project, which must take place at the same time as the transition from the first to the second year. The research project can (must not) start from any project presented in the admission competition, but will have to be much more articulated. It will be the College's responsibility to prepare a format; to this end, the one in force for University research projects can be used as a reference. It is important that the student demonstrates the ability to produce text content and not just slides, because this is a fundamental requirement to then realize productivity in terms of articles. The program must include the expected results of the proposed research. Before presenting the program to the entire College on the occasion of the year changeover to October, it must be examined by a subcommittee made up of the tutor plus at least two other College professors indicated by the tutor or chosen by the doctoral student. This must take place, not close to the end of the year, but possibly before the summer holidays, in order to give the PhD student time to make any corrections and translate the program into a slide package for the end of the year. The student is also invited to make a 5-minute video presenting the state of the research. The detailed programme, the slides and the video will be published in a repository and made available to the Collegio. We believe the responsibility of the tutor to be fundamental for the validation of the state of the research and of the programme; however, it is the PhD student's duty to organize the examination of his or her work and finally notify the Coordinator of the College by email of the approval of his/her project progress by the subcommittee (by copying the relative professors) and of its publication in the repository. This is a requirement for passing the year. The teachers of these subcommittees also play the role of co-supervisors, i.e. they follow the doctoral student over the three years with the task, unlike the tutor, of asking questions, raising objections and critically examining the work carried out by the student continuously over time, with the ultimate goal to arrive at the various transitions of the year with greater confidence that the PhD student will continue his/her journey without problems. The subcommittee must meet at least once every semester to listen to the doctoral student; it is the student's duty to organize the meetings of the subcommittee and to give an account of the dates of the same when the year passes. The Collegio approves the program with the student's admission to the second year, possibly with reservations and therefore specifying any suggestions or deficiencies, which must necessarily be filled during the second year. It is the responsibility of the subcommittee to verify this activity and report it to the Collegio in the transition from the second to the third year. The annual verification is scheduled at the end of the first year of the course. In addition to the Didactic Program and the Research Project, the students must draw up a form specially prepared by the Academic Board, published on the PhD website, to evaluate the overall status of their research activities and must prepare an oral presentation of these activities. The Academic Board formulates judgments on each student, explicitly pointing out any critical issues that are thoroughly checked during subsequent checks. Card structure for the first check FORM FOR ADMISSION TO THE 2nd YEAR OF THE COURSE PhD candidate …………………………………………. Cycle ………………………… Curriculum ……………………………… Tutor ……………………………… Research topic ………………………………………………………………………… PhD research (maximum 5 pages) 1 – Acquisition of integrative preparatory knowledge (contents learned through attendance of courses, individual study, deepening of one's own cultural background, etc.). 2 – Bibliographic research carried out (collection and analysis of scientific literature, with identification of the most significant publications for the purposes of the proposed research, for which an annotated summary is presented in the attachment). 3 – Report of the state of knowledge relating to the research topic (brief summary of the scientific reference framework, in relation to the proposed topic: consolidated knowledge and ideas for further study). 4 – Reconnaissance of ongoing activities at national and international research centers (framing of evolutionary trends in the specific research field, as far as known). 5 – Definition of the PhD research (formulation of the topic for the final thesis, with clarification of: purpose, methodology, phases and timing of the planned activities). 6 – Schedule SECTION B Collaboration and support activities; training and acquisition of advanced skills 1 - Participation in didactic activities at the relevant structure (seminar activity, support for frontal teaching, preparation of didactic material, collaboration for student reception, collaboration in the development of degree theses and internships). 2 – Training activities (stays at teaching and research facilities in Italy and abroad, curricular or special courses attended, participation in seminars, conferences, workshops, etc.). 3 - Collaboration in studies, research, structured programs (contributions to PRIN, Faculty and University research, conventions, etc., with program framework and specification of the activity performed).

List of courses / activities for the second year

More information The training activity includes the following activities. 1. Ad hoc courses for in-depth study of individual research topics. During the second year the student will have to complete the training activity functional to his research interests on the basis of what is suggested by the tutor, choosing between the doctoral courses offered in the specific academic year and those offered in master's degree courses. 2. Seminar activity. To deepen their knowledge and follow the most innovative experiences of their research field, the student will participate in seminars, specialization courses, conferences and workshops at national and international level. The presentation, both oral and via poster, of the results achieved as speakers is encouraged. 3. Research activities. The research activity will constitute the main part of the activities carried out in the second year and has the aim of starting a solid original elaboration in the specific area of ​​interest, under the guidance of one's tutor. The submission of the results achieved, and possibly presented at congresses and workshops, to peer-reviewed scientific journals is also encouraged, in order to accustom students to scientific comparison at an international level and to all the necessary steps to achieve the publication of their works. Starting from the second year, the development of a part of the activities in an international research center abroad is encouraged. Method of preparation of the thesis At the end of the year the student must have defined the preliminary structure of his thesis or at least have identified its main part, together with his tutor. The preliminary structure of the thesis will be presented to the PhD teaching staff during the month of October and will be modified (if necessary) taking into account the suggestions of the teaching staff. Admission to the third year At the end of the second year of the course, the second annual verification is foreseen. Students must draw up a form specially prepared by the Academic Board, published on the PhD website, to evaluate the overall status of their research activities and must prepare an oral presentation of these activities. The Academic Board formulates judgments on each student, explicitly pointing out any critical issues that are thoroughly checked during subsequent checks. Card structure for the second check FORM FOR ADMISSION TO THE THIRD YEAR OF THE COURSE PhD student …………………………………… Cycle ………………………… Curriculum ……………………………… Tutor …………………… ………… SECTION A PhD research 1 – Update of the logical and chronological program of the activities (clarification of the theme chosen for the final thesis; classification of the activities already carried out and to be carried out in the last year, with updating of the forecasts on objectives and methodology; time schedule). 2 – Research activity carried out in the first two years (identification and documentation of the activities of: data collection, model development, calibration, validation of procedures, any self-verification criteria, etc.). 3 - Examination of the problems that have emerged and of the critical aspects (brief discussion of the elements characterizing the work carried out, with particular attention to the most critical aspects and the difficulties that have emerged, with an indication of the solutions identified or of the feasible alternatives for the continuation of the activities). 4 - Potential to achieve a significant scientific "impact" (critical judgment on the effectiveness and originality that the research, at the end of the PhD, will be able to deploy, in relation to the scientific framework of reference and the evolution of knowledge in progress nationally and internationally ). ANNEXES: Scheme for setting up the final PhD thesis and analysis (scheduling) of the completion activities, any publications. SECTION B Collaboration and support activities; training and acquisition of advanced skills 1 – Participation in teaching activities at the relevant structure (seminar activity, frontal teaching support, preparation of teaching material, collaboration for student reception, collaboration in the development of degree theses and internships). 2 – Training activities (stays at teaching and research facilities in Italy and abroad, curricular or special courses attended, participation in seminars, conferences, workshops, etc.). 3 - Collaboration in studies, research, structured programs (contributions to PRIN, Faculty and University research, conventions, etc., with program framework and specification of the activity performed). Productivity The goals of the PhD student are: - acquire the basic and specific knowledge required to carry out one's own research activity; - communicate the results of their research, through the publication of scientific articles and participation in conferences relating to their specific doctoral research, and more generally the research carried out by the team of which the doctoral candidate is possibly part; - interact with one's own research team (primarily the tutor's group) and possibly participate in the activities of the company with which the PhD student collaborates (if envisaged by the doctoral programme), as well as with the other PhD students, also contributing to joint research and publications . The scientific productivity of the PhD students and of the Academic Board is a pre-eminent aspect in the evaluation of the PhD program as a whole. Everyone's participation is required to achieve this goal. In particular, teachers and students must upload their work to the ISIS University system. The productivity of PhD students is measured by obtaining the following qualifications: - publication of scientific articles in indexed journals; - presentation of contributions to conferences and conventions; - technology transfer activities (e.g. patents and participation in startups or spinoffs); - research activities at qualified Italian or foreign institutes (e.g. research stays abroad); - didactic activity at university level (e.g. lessons, tutorials, tutoring, thesis); - participation in national or international research groups (eg organization of conferences, responsibility in European projects). These are the criteria that are usually taken into consideration for research competitions. We want to train a researcher who can also work in an industrial production context and/or in public administrations. In this sense, the doctoral program must also favor the training of the researcher as a highly qualified professional. Only the works, of any nature, published in the ISIS catalog can be evaluated as an active contribution. To make everyone's contribution tangible, each PhD student is required to achieve at least 4 of the aforementioned qualifications over the three years of work, including a scientific article in an indexed journal (acceptance of the publication is sufficient). Two of these qualifications must be obtained for the transition from the second to the third year of the doctorate. These contributions are a prerequisite for the passage of the year. Teachers are expected to contribute at least one job per year on the system. The coordinator will take account of the qualitative and quantitative performance of the doctorate each year, during the renewal. To encourage the productivity of the PhD student, the Academic Board (and in particular each individual professor) will have to provide a list of opportunities every year: - research stays abroad at institutions/teachers; - summer school; - conferences dedicated to early stage researchers; - journals, perhaps not too competitive, which accept good quality work in times compatible with the doctoral programme.

List of courses / activities for the third year

More information The training activity includes the following activities. 1. Seminar activity. During the third year, the knowledge relating to the topic of doctoral research is further deepened through participation in seminars, specialization courses, conferences and workshops at national and international level. The presentation, both oral and via poster, of the results achieved as speakers is encouraged. 2. Research activity. The third year is entirely dedicated to completing the research and drafting the doctoral thesis, preferably in English and with international referees. Submission of results to peer-reviewed scientific journals is highly encouraged; hopefully, most (if not all) of the material prepared for the doctoral thesis must also be published in the form of scientific papers. Participation in the organization of international seminars and workshops is encouraged. Any research periods abroad can be carried out or completed during the third year. Each student is encouraged to organize a seminar on the topic of doctoral research, to which national and/or international experts are invited in order to encourage discussion and networking. Method of admission to the final examination The student must submit, by 31 October of each year, his final thesis to the judgment of at least two evaluators external to the board of teachers appointed by the board itself. Subsequently, the doctoral student must present to the teaching staff, in an exhaustive manner, the research topics covered by the thesis and the work carried out in the three-year course. The board verifies the progress made in the second and third year also in relation to any critical issues highlighted during the annual checks. The teaching staff, considering the opinion expressed by the external evaluators, formulates an overall evaluation considering the following aspects: • originality and innovation of the research object of the thesis; • significance and ability to analyze the results obtained; • overall expertise on the topics of the thesis. Final examination The Academic Board appoints a Commission entirely external to the Board itself made up of Italian and/or foreign professors and/or researchers who are experts in the overall topics covered in the candidates' doctoral theses. The Commission is eventually supplemented by foreign professors and/or researchers if the exam is also aimed at obtaining the title of DoctorEuropaeus or the Double Degree following a co-supervision thesis. Before the exam session, the Commissioners examine the thesis work, the judgments of the external evaluators and the minutes of the teaching staff in which the admission of the candidates to the final exam was approved. During the exam, the candidates present orally the work carried out during the PhD course and discuss it with the commissioners.