PhD in Environmental and Biomedical Microbiology

Academic year 2020-21

Interdisciplinary and specific educational activities

The Academic Commission for the PhD Programme in Environmental and Biomedical Microbiology recommends students take at least 30 hours from cross-cutting training activities (similar courses provided and taken at other universities shall be considered). In turn, full-time students are recommended to do these activities during their first year on the programme, whilst part-time students should do them in the first and second year.

Cross-cutting Activities

Communication skills in English: Written and Oral Expression (module I)
Objective
Attaining advanced knowledge in English (written and oral communication)
Number of hours
30
Requirements
Accredited B2 level in English
Method
Intensive and cross-cutting. Elective
Schedule
Semester one in each academic year
Year
First year
Assessment Procedure
Activities where students can practise their writing abilities in English to attain C1-level skills
Mobility
Not applicable
Bibliographic Search Techniques
Objective
Attaining the ability to undertake and manage bibliographic searches on a research topic in different public and private bibliographic databases
Number of hours
30
Requirements
None
Method
Intensive and cross-cutting. Elective
Schedule
Semester one in each academic year
Year
First year
Assessment Procedure
Activities where students can practise their skills in bibliographic searches
Mobility
Not applicable
Communication skills in English: Written and Oral Expression (module II)
Objective
Attaining advanced knowledge in English (written and oral communication)
Number of hours
30
Requirements
Accredited B2 level in English
Method
Intensive and cross-cutting. Elective
Schedule
Semester two in each academic year
Year
First year
Assessment Procedure
Activities where students can practise oral fluency to attain C1-level skills
Mobility
Not applicable
Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Research
Objective
Understanding the purpose and objectives of scientific research in any area
Number of hours
30
Requirements
-
Method
Intensive and cross-cutting. Elective
Schedule
Semester two in each academic year
Year
First year
Assessment Procedure
 -
Mobility
Not applicable

Specific Activities

Up-to-date Bibliographic Review of a Research Topic
Objective
A specific training activity aimed at students acquiring the ability to undertake and manage bibliographic searches on a research topic across different public and private databases
Number of hours
30
Requirements
 -
Method
Mandatory activity
Schedule
 -
Year
First year
Assessment Procedure
Students shall undertake a review task on the latest research in their area by analysing the main works found in a bibliographic search. This review shall be supervised and assessed by the thesis supervisor, who shall write a report on it. At the end of the first year of the PhD programme, students must have passed the activity with a positive report from the supervisor. The positive report shall be included in the doctorand activities document as proof of the task having been performed
Mobility
Not applicable
Research Seminars
Objective
A specific research activity comprising attendance at seminars given by researchers linked to the PhD programme and renowned guest researchers (preferably from overseas research centres). The sessions will be given in either Spanish, Catalan or English, depending on the guest speaker
Number of hours
10
Requirements
 -
Method
Mandatory activity
Schedule
 -
Year
First to third year (full-time students)
First to fifth year (part-time students)
Assessment Procedure
Doctorands must submit a report with a critical review of each seminar to their supervisor, setting out what was explained and how it could affect their research work. The thesis supervisor shall assess this report. In order to pass the activity, students must have attended at least eight seminars positively assessed by their thesis supervisor by the end of their PhD programme. The supervisor shall submit a single document on students' attendance and work, with a minimum of ten attended sessions - of which eight have received a positive assessment - and this report shall be included in the doctorand activities document
Mobility
Not applicable
Preparation and Presentation of a Scientific Paper
Objective
A specific training activity that comprises the preparation of a scientific article. The activity will include writing a scientific article linked to the thesis topic, as well as its public exhibition. The aim is to submit this work as a paper at conferences or in journals with a recognised impact factor
Number of hours
30
Requirement
 -
Method
Mandatory activity
Schedule
 -
Year
Second or third year (full-time students)
Second to fifth year (part-time students)
Assessment Procedure
The work produced and the positive assessment by the thesis supervisor, as well as its bibliographic references (where applicable), shall be included in the doctorand activities document
Mobility
Desirable, although not essential (see M1)
Mobility Activities and Criteria
Objective

This training activity aims to foster exchanges of knowledge and experiences with researchers from other national and international universities and research centres. The common types of activities include attendance at specialised courses, attendance at scientific conferences and research stays at another university or research centre.

Number of hours
0
Requirements
 -
Method
Elective activity
Schedule
 -
Year
Linked to the following specific training activities: research seminars, preparing and presenting scientific papers, and developing the doctorand's research plan
Assessment Procedure
Mobility activities undertaken shall be included in the doctorand activities document. The supervisor shall write a report on the relevance and performance of students' mobility activities
Mobility
 -