Phd in LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT

List of courses / activities for the first year

More information The Doctorate in Landscape and Environment has a duration of three years and is obtained by earning a total of 180 educational credits, which means 60 ECTS per year. One ECTS is equivalent to 25 hours (for courses and seminars, 12.5 hours are allocated to face-to-face teaching, and 12.5 hours to the doctoral student's study and research contribution). To this end, the Doctorate in Landscape and Environment offers a training program structured into four types of educational activities: A. Advanced institutional courses: This includes disciplinary and interdisciplinary training activities, language and computer skills enhancement, as well as training on research management and knowledge of European and international research systems. It may also include disciplinary courses offered by faculties and universities affiliated with the doctoral program, subject to approval by the Board of Professors. B. Seminar or laboratory activities: These comprise seminars and workshops offered by the doctoral program faculty and the Scientific Committee for the current year. Each seminar focuses on a theme that connects general issues with specific locations and is divided into three phases: instructional phase, experimental design phase, and dissemination phase, including innovative publicizing and third mission activities, public engagement, and citizen science. C. Activities related to research: These include cultural activities (roundtables, conferences, symposia, online journals, websites) offered within the Doctorate that doctoral students are required to attend. It also covers research activities within departmental laboratories or research groups affiliated with the Doctorate, contributing to the doctoral student's scientific growth. Teaching activities related to the objectives and purposes of the Doctorate can also be recognized for credits. Participation in competitions, projects, and experiments can also be credited. D. Independently chosen educational and research activities: These are activities related to the doctoral student's research, chosen autonomously and approved by the Board of Professors. They can include participation in conferences, congresses, publication of papers, research activities at other research institutions during study visits abroad, and other cultural or publicistic activities related to the doctoral thesis. The recognition of credits for such activities is subject to evaluation and approval by the Board of Professors based on established parameters and criteria commonly adopted by the scientific community. The first year focuses on research activities, including lectures and seminars, to deepen knowledge in the areas of design, conservation, enhancement, and management of the environment and landscape. The first year also involves selecting the individual research topic. The allocation of the 60 credits for the first year is as follows: A. Up to 10 credits for attending an institutional university course relevant to the candidate's research discipline, agreed upon with the Tutor and certified by the respective instructor, or for disciplinary and interdisciplinary training and language and computer skills enhancement. B. Minimum of 22 credits for training (seminars and workshops). C. Maximum of 12 credits for research internships within departmental research structures, maximum of 2 credits for teaching internships in courses or laboratories, maximum of 4 credits for participation in competitions, maximum of 2 credits for cultural activities, and maximum of 8 credits for activities abroad. D. Maximum of 2 credits for participating in external conferences related to the thesis, maximum of 2 credits for publications, and maximum of 12 credits for thesis preparation. The recognition of credits is subject to the submission of critical notes (where doctoral students reflect on the interrelationships between the activities they have attended and their own research) or the publication of papers and contributions in volumes (if specified as part of the activity). Many seminars and conferences have resulted in the publication of volumes in the Doctorate's ET series (e.g., Habitat Seminar, Ecology and Aesthetics in Landscape Design Seminar) or the DiAp Print Theories series (e.g., RECINTI Seminar). Method of choosing the subject of the thesis The doctoral thesis consists of an elaboration of original research capable of advancing knowledge in relation to relevant themes and issues within the disciplinary scientific debate and community, with reference to both the National Research Program (PNR 2021-2027) and the PNNR and the Next Generation EU (NGEU). The aim is to promote greater alignment and more effective coordination of research policies at the European, national, and regional levels, as well as to strengthen the presence and competitiveness of Italian researchers in the European Research Area and on the global stage. The thesis may also be written in a foreign language agreed upon by the Board of Professors. The training activities of the doctoral program during the first year are aimed at enabling the doctoral student to make an informed selection of the thematic scope of their thesis. By May of the first year, each doctoral student will be assigned tutors by the Board of Professors who will supervise the research activities and the progress of the thesis. The tutors, who come from different disciplines, ensure and promote an interdisciplinary approach to research. The Doctorate Coordinator will convene a collegial meeting with all the professors for the presentation of the research topics that the doctoral students intend to develop for their doctoral thesis. Based on the proposal presented by the doctoral student, the Board of Professors discusses the choice of the topic and confirms or integrates the tutors. By July, in agreement with their tutors, each doctoral student must develop a research project by defining objectives, conducting a state-of-the-art analysis, outlining the activities, and specifying the expected results. The research project is submitted for approval by the Board of Professors. During the first year, doctoral students can acquire a maximum of 12 educational credits for the preparation of their thesis. Admission to the second year Throughout the academic year, the activities of doctoral students are monitored by the coordinator and members of the board through weekly meetings dedicated to specific cycles or activities. Periodically, doctoral students are required to submit critical notes on their activities and their interconnections with their individual research. By October 31st of each year, the board evaluates the activities of the doctoral students to determine their admission to the following year. By the same date, the boards make decisions regarding exemptions from fee payments. Doctoral students must enroll in the following year by November 30th of each year. Admission to the second year of the program is conditional upon acquiring the required 60 credits (with a maximum waiver of 10%, i.e., a minimum acquisition of 54 credits). The credits will be attributed by the Doctorate Coordinator, with approval from the Board of Professors, based on the report submitted by each doctoral student, explaining the activities carried out for each of the four aforementioned categories. The statements made in the report by each doctoral student must be supported and documented. Any outstanding credits (up to a maximum of 6 ECTS) must be completed during the second year, or else the student may be excluded from the Doctorate.

List of courses / activities for the second year

More information In the second year of the program, the doctoral student, through the training activities, expands their knowledge and, above all, develops research skills, including autonomous research, actively collaborating in the organization and preparation phases (instructional and critical proposal phase), channeling the activities into scientific outputs (papers, proceedings, articles, contributions in volumes). The doctorate promotes the publication of the outcomes of conferences, symposiums, and design seminars through a specific series called ET, which is a publication series of the Doctorate in Landscape and Environment at Sapienza University of Rome. The activities can be chosen from those already listed for the first year, second year, or third year, as there is no rigid separation. Each year, workshops on topics relevant to the doctorate are organized, also in collaboration with other institutions. The 60 credits of the second year can be achieved as follows: A • Up to 4 credits for attending an institutional university course related to the candidate's central research discipline, agreed upon with the tutor and certified by the instructor, or for disciplinary and interdisciplinary training and language and computer skills improvement. B • Minimum of 10 credits for training (seminars and workshops). C • Up to 12 credits for an internship within research structures of the department or for a research period agreed upon with the board at a research facility, preferably abroad. • Up to 2 credits for didactic internships in courses and laboratories. • Up to 4 credits for participation in competitions. • Up to 2 credits for cultural activities (1 conference of 2.5 hours = 0.1 ECTS). • Up to 8 credits for research-related activities abroad. • Up to 6 credits for organizational collaboration activities in cultural events (conference organization, websites, journals, social media, department series, etc.). D • Up to 4 credits for participation in external conferences related to the thesis. • Up to 6 credits for publications. • 30 credits dedicated to autonomous research, meetings and discussions with the board of professors, participation in conferences related to the thesis. • Up to 4 credits for participation in conferences as a speaker, poster presenter, or for publications. The recognition of credits is subject to the submission of critical notes (through which the doctoral students reflect on the interconnections between the different activities pursued and their research, submitted periodically to the coordinator) or the publication of papers and contributions in volumes (when specified within the activity). Many seminars and conferences have led to the publication of volumes in the ET series of the Doctorate (e.g., Habitat seminar, Ecology and Aesthetics in landscape design seminar, etc.) or in the DiAp Print Teorie series (e.g., RECINTI seminar). Method of preparation of the thesis The second year is dedicated to the development of the doctoral student's research program. In this phase, the possibility of a study period abroad is also encouraged, if the topics addressed make it appropriate. In addition to the guidance provided by internal faculty members (usually two or three tutors from different disciplines for each doctoral student), the doctoral student may also seek the support of an external instructor. Both periodic meetings with their tutors and collective meetings are scheduled, allowing the doctoral student to engage with the entire board of professors and their fellow students. The roundtable discussions, organized in close collaboration between faculty members and doctoral students, aim to facilitate external discussions on thesis topics with professors and experts from other universities and research institutions, as well as with public entities and institutions. Admission to the third year Throughout the year, the activities of the doctoral students are monitored by the coordinator and members of the board through weekly meetings dedicated to specific cycles or activities. Periodically, doctoral students are required to provide critical notes on their activities and their interconnections with individual research. By October 31st of each year, the board evaluates the activities of the doctoral students to determine their admission to the following year. By the same date, the board deliberates on exemptions from fee payments. Doctoral students must enroll for the following year by November 30th of each year. Admission to the third year of the program is subject to the acquisition of the required 60 credits (with a maximum deviation of 10% less, i.e., a minimum acquisition of 54 credits). These credits will be assigned by the Doctoral Program Coordinator, with approval from the board of professors, based on the report presented by each doctoral student, which explains the activities carried out for each of the four aforementioned categories. The statements made in the report by each doctoral student must be supported and substantiated by documentation. Any outstanding credits (up to 6 CFUs) must be recovered during the second year, otherwise, exclusion from the doctoral program will be imposed at the end.

List of courses / activities for the third year

More information The 3rd year of the program is dedicated to thesis writing. Each doctoral student is constantly supported by the coordinator and their group of tutors. The board of professors periodically verifies the progress of their studies. The 60 credits of the third year are assigned according to the following breakdown: A • No credits in this category B • Maximum of 8 credits for training (Seminars and workshops) C • Maximum of 12 credits for an internship within research facilities of the department or for a research period agreed upon with the board, preferably abroad • Maximum of 2 credits for didactic internships within courses and laboratories • Maximum of 4 credits for participation in competitions • Maximum of 2 credits for cultural activities (1 conference of 2.5 hours = 0.1 CFU) • Maximum of 8 credits for research-related activities abroad • Maximum of 6 credits for organizational collaboration in cultural activities (conference organization, website, online journal, etc.) D • 45 credits for the development, organization, revision, and final writing of the dissertation in dialogue with the tutors • Maximum of 4 credits for participation in conferences related to the thesis • Maximum of 6 credits for publications The recognition of credits is subject to the submission of critical notes (through which the doctoral students propose a reflection on the interconnections between the various activities followed and their research) or the publication of papers and contributions in volumes (when provided within the activity). Many seminars and conferences have led to the publication of volumes in the ET series of the Doctoral Program (e.g., Habitat seminar, Ecology and Aesthetics in landscape design seminar, etc.) or in the DiAp Print Teorie series (e.g., RECINTI seminar). Method of admission to the final examination The thesis is developed throughout the third year through autonomous research activities and constant meetings with the coordinator and the group of tutors. The thesis must be submitted (at least 90% complete) by July of the third year in both hard copy and digital format. The submission to the reviewers must take place by October 31st. The final defense should be held by the end of February of the following year if the reviewers' opinion is positive. Otherwise, the reviewers may suggest postponing the defense to September. The doctoral board admits the doctoral students to the final examination based on the evaluation of the thesis and the activities carried out during the three-year program. The procedure for the final examination is consistent with the provisions of Article 12 of the University Regulations concerning Doctoral Theses: After the expiration of the legal duration of the Doctoral Program, candidates must undergo the evaluation and defense of their thesis to be awarded the title of Doctor of Research by February 28th of each year. Admission to the final examination, accompanied by a presentation from the board, must be communicated to the Research Doctorate Department at least one month before the scheduled date of the defense, along with the indication of the disciplinary sector chosen, in case multiple disciplinary sectors are identified for the Doctorate according to Article 13, paragraph 7. The title of Doctor of Research, abbreviated as "Dott. Ric." or "Ph.D.", is granted following a positive evaluation of a research thesis that contributes to the advancement of knowledge or methodologies in the chosen field of investigation. The doctoral thesis, accompanied by a summary in Italian or English, is written in either Italian or English or another language with the prior authorization of the board of professors. The thesis, which includes a report from the doctoral candidate on the activities carried out during the doctoral program and any publications, is evaluated by at least two highly qualified professors appointed by the board of professors, referred to as evaluators, who may also come from foreign institutions and are independent from the individuals involved in awarding the doctoral degree. The evaluators provide a written analytical judgment on the thesis and propose either its admission to the public defense or a postponement of up to six months if significant integrations or corrections are deemed necessary. After this period, the thesis is admitted to the public defense, accompanied by a new written opinion from the same evaluators, taking into account the corrections or integrations that may have been made. The public defense takes place before a committee whose composition is defined by Article 13 of these Regulations. At the end of the defense, the thesis is approved or rejected with a reasoned written judgment from the committee. The committee, with a unanimous vote, has the authority to award honors in the presence of particularly significant scientific results. The doctoral final examination can only be taken once. In the case of community and international collaboration projects, specific procedures and organizational modalities that take into account the characteristics of individual projects may be provided, as long as they are activated within accredited doctoral courses. After the thesis defense, the doctor of research is obliged to deposit a copy of the thesis, in electronic format, in the university database, which is responsible for transmitting it to the National Libraries of Rome and Florence. Final examination The public defense of the thesis takes place before a committee whose composition is transdisciplinary according to the approach of the Doctorate. The committee provides a concise judgment and formulates an evaluation (sufficient, good, very good, excellent, excellent with honors). Doctoral students interested in obtaining the additional certification of Doctor Europaeus must submit a specific request for the qualification of Doctor Europæus along with their application for admission to the final examination. The thesis committee will award the additional title of Doctor Europæus to deserving theses that have achieved an excellent or excellent with honors evaluation. Theses deserving of publication are published with funding from the Department in the Department of Architecture's scientific series and the DiAP PRINT DOTTORATO project, Quodlibet.