UNIMOREDoctoral Schools and Programs

made byStudents Mobility

Office of Comunication and External Relations

in collaboration with

CEA - Centro E-learning di Ateneo

CLA - Centro Linguistico di Ateneo

Society

Human Sciences Labour Relations Law (The European Legal Culture of Undertaking and Institutional Framework)

Health / Life

Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) Molecular and Regenerative Medicine Neurosciences Sciences and Technologies for Health Products

Science / Life

Earth System Sciences: Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage Food and Agricultural Science, Technology and Biotechnology Multiscale Modelling, Computational Simulations and Characterization in Material and Life Sciences Physics and Nano Sciences

Technology

High Mechanics and Automotive Design & Technology Industrial innovation engineering Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Index Doctoral School

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UNIMORE

The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) is committed to state-of-the-art research. It is ranked among the top 8 comprehensive universities in Italy for its high quality of research, according to the most recent assessment of the Italian Ministerial Commission for the Evaluation of Research (CIVR).

Ongoing research is conducted by 21 university departments representing all the principal disciplines, by 11 integrated medical departments, and by numerous departmental and interdepartmental centers involved in specialized research activities. Many of them are internationally recognized.

The University’s staff consists of approximately 880 professors, lecturers and researchers.UNIMORE is part of the Regional High Technology Cluster, involving all the Universities in the Emilia-Romagna Region, and offers cutting-edge facilities for technology transfer in the sectors of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, advanced materials, ICT in business applications and regenerative medicine.

DOCTORAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS

PHD PROGRAMSOur doctoral programs provide advanced research and professional skills to highly qualified students. Many of the programs are jointly coordinated with national and international partners and all doctoral programs offer the possibility to spend time abroad for research and internships. All candidates seeking acceptance in one of the PhD programs must undergo a formal selection process consisting in a written examination and an oral interview. Previous schooling, research and publications are also taken into consideration during the selection process. All doctoral programs at the University begin on January 1 and last three years, and no fewer than 50% of the students enrolled in our programs receive full scholarships. English is the official language for most of our PhD Programs.

PHD SCHOOLSOur PhD Schools bring together various PhD programs; they provide a central focal point for students throughout their academic career. Centralizing the PhD programs in this way allows our students to benefit from a broad range of interdisciplinary seminars and courses. International collaboration is encouraged throughout the students’ studies, with workshops, seminars and social events held jointly with other universities in Europe and the United States.

PHD PROGRAMS AT UNIMORE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS PhD programs are open to all candidates who have attained a second-level degree (Master degree) from an Italian University, or an equivalent academic qualification from a foreign University.For further information, please look at the call for applications. http://w w w.unimore.it /en/academics/doctorates.html

ADMISSION PROCEDURES Admission is competitive and applications are evaluated on the basis of qualification and academic potential through a selection procedure and schedule of examinations and interviews whose details are made available for each PhD program. The interview also tests candidates working knowledge of English and, if specified, of another second language, as indicated in the application form.

ADMISSION APPLICATIONS Applications must be submitted by the end of October of each year according specifications given about the online procedure.Candidates interested in more than one PhD program have to submit a separate application for each program. Please note, therefore, that each application refers to but one PhD program.

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SELECTION COMMITTEE Each committee responsible for the evaluation of candidates is appointed by Rectorial decree and is composed of five members.

RANKING At the end of the selection process, each committee publishes a final ranking list of candidates on the basis of merit. The final rankings of candidates will be made available online at the University website. Candidates cannot be enrolled in a PhD program if they are already enrolled in another PhD or Master program in Italy or abroad.

ENROLMENT Within the mandatory twelve-day time limit starting from the day after the publication of the final rankings on the University website, those candidates qualifying for a place on the merit list must enrol in the first year of the PhD Program. For further information, please check the call for admissions.

VACANT PLACES In the event of vacant places, eligible candidates will be contacted via e-mail and will be invited to enrol.

SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are awarded on the basis of examination results and according to the positioning of candidates on the final merit-based list. Scholarships are renewed on a year-to-year basis. PhD scholarships cannot be combined with other scholarships or other forms of financial assistance paid

for by the University and/or the Italian government, with the exception of those designed to be integrated with PhD student research activities for periods spent abroad. Scholarships will be increased for students spending periods of time abroad or overseas.

INFORMATION ON PHD PROGRAMS STARTING IN 2012 http://www.international.unimore.it

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FEESThe amount of a scholarship (net of taxes) is approximately € 1,040.00 per month.

The admission fee for non-scholarship students is approximately €1,322.00 per year, to be paid in three instalments, according to the procedure and within the deadline specified in the call for applications.

Admission fees might be reduced on the basis of income. Students interested in fee reductions should submit the appropriate application.

FINAL EXAMINATION The PhD degree is attained at the end of the course, after a final examination is taken, consisting in the final dissertation discussion, in front of a Board of Examiners.

ACCOMMODATION Subject to availability, accommodation for PhD students is available at the university residences in Modena and Reggio Emilia.

BENEFITS Students can benefit from privileged fares for catering services at the cafés and restaurants that have an agreement with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, as well as public transport passes. Every PhD student will be provided with an identity badge (which grants him/her access to university libraries, canteen services and bus passes), and a university mailbox with credentials (username and password) to access the university computerised facilities.

PHD AGENDA- August Publication of the call for applications.- October Deadline for applications.- November/December Admission Exam.- December Publication of the ranking; Enrolment.

For further information, please, check http://www.unimore.it/didattica/dottorati.htmlThe call for applications is indicated for each PhD program by the end of August.

CONTACT PhD Programs Office (Ufficio Esami di Stato, Dottorati e Master) Via Università, 4 – 41121 Modena Tel.: +39 059-2056423 Fax +39 059-2056574 E-mail: segr.postlaurea@unimore.it

PROFILEThe Doctoral School in Human Sciences is organized in mono- or multidisciplinary research groups that are well integrated in the international research community. Doctoral School students are required to attend all courses and seminars expressly addressed to them. They can also enroll in normal University courses that are of specific interest to their research. Students obtain credits for all of their educational activities. The School has over 73 academic members, distributed among 4 departments.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School currently offers 3 distinct programs with a duration of 3 years:

Didactical, Narratological and Educational Sciences

This program is aimed at researchers in the areas of the semiotics of texts, aesthetics, the theory and history of narrative genres, and the design of organizational and evaluative processes in training and educational contexts. The program is based on an innovative interdisciplinary convergence – unusual for Italy – between general didactic-pedagogy and specific disciplinary domains. The acquisition of theoretical, empirical, methodological-procedural and evaluative knowledge constitutes the main objective of the program.

Comparative Languages and Cultures Program

This program is aimed at researchers who want to critically analyze the characteristics of languages and modern cultures in a historical, comparative, rhetorical-communicative and cultural perspective. PhD students deal with a range of interpretative tools regarding the problems of textuality and linguistic varieties. Their research is carried out almost exclusively in an international context.

Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, History

This program is aimed at young scholars interested in research in: i) issues in the international debate in anthropology, philosophy, sociology and history; ii) the methodological tools for the study of cultures and cultural relations; iii) work on sources and documentation; iv) roots of interdisciplinarity through the study of the classics of these fields.

RESEARCH AREAS• Language, learning and understanding• Narratology• Theories and methods of training and

assessment• Didactics of mathematics and sciences• Digital learning environments design• Comparative languages and cultures:

textual interpretation• Comparative languages and cultures:

language and text variation• Religious and historical-political sciences• History of ideas• Language, mind and knowledge

• Psychology of persuasion• Society, individual and culture• Museum education• Philosophical anthropology, human and

life sciences• Typological and historical-cognitive

linguistics• Communication studies

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTS• Departments of Social Cognitive and

Quantitative Science• Departments of Language and Culture

Science • Departments of Studies on Textuality and • Translation

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 31

FIND OUT MORE www.dottoratoscienzeumane.unimore.it

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Human Sciences

School HeadProf. Stefano Calabrese

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PROFILEThe International Doctoral Research School in Labor Relations is characterised by an approach that prioritizes the empirical and experimental dimension of research. The aim of the School is to provide young researchers with the necessary tools to play an important role in Italian and international firms, international agencies, institutions, associations and trade unions, and the School programs all encourage internships with these bodies. Heavy emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary and comparative methodology. The School has a board composed of 25 Italian and 20 international academic members from fields including Italian Labor Law, Comparative Labor Law, Organization Theory and Design, Human Resources Management, Safety Management, Industrial Relations, Labor Economics, Labor Economic History, Social and Labor Statistics. The academic staff is deeply committed to developing innovative research in theoretical and applied areas and a good number of them receive funding by private firms and agencies. The doctoral program, encompasses a number of high quality multidisciplinary courses. Most courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School currently offers three distinct programs all lasting 3 years. The research areas covered by the programs are: Human Resources Law, Industrial Relations Law, Labor Law, Organisation Theory and Design, Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations.

The three research programs are:Labor law and industrial relations Organisation theory and designLabor economics

CAREER PROSPECTSDoctoral graduates may apply the knowledge acquired either by carrying out research in public or private research institutions at the national and international level, or as experts working for public or private bodies in need of policy making skills in relation to the design and impact of labor policies, labor market practices, organisation of human resources and productive processes, collective bargaining, relations with trade unions, the administration of collective agreements, the management of industrial disputes and dispute resolution.

SCHOLARDSHIP AND FUNDING The School operates thanks both to public and private funding. The allocation of funding for a doctoral research scholarship may be conditional on the implementation of a specific training or research project, previously agreed upon between the School and the sponsor.

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTSFoundation Marco BiagiDepartment of Business Economics Department of EconomicsDepartment of Communication Sciences

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 73

FIND OUT MORE www.fmb.unimore.it

School Head Prof. Luigi Golzio

Labour Relations

PROFILEThe School of Legal Sciences offers three distinct programs which are of extreme importance for the legal profession: the European legal culture, the relationship between undertakings and contracts, and the pluralism of legal systems. The PhD student focuses on the history of the pluralism of legal systems with the aim of finding guidelines for the future. The School is devoted to multidisciplinary research and teaching in the attempt to increase understand of the complexity of society today. The School regularly organizes seminars concerning both international and European issues, creating the framework for constructing an international network of research and cooperation. Moreover, the School encourages doctoral students to carry out research for their theses abroad, to experience other perspectives and thus sharpen their critical thinking. For those students who spend a period of their research abroad, the School offers the possibility of achieving a European PhD.The school has over 26 academic members.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSPluralism of Legal SystemsThe aim of this program is to critically analyze comparative European and non-European legal systems with an emphasis on their philosophical underpinnings. The program

contributes in various ways to the research and teaching of the Law Faculty in these fields, and provides a support structure of specialized staff and relevant activities. This program analyzes particular cases in their widest context, taking into account international and transnational influences on the way in which actors, legal and other, respond.

Civil Law (Commercial and Business Law)

The program in Civil Law (Commercial and Business Law) focuses on the material law of the European Community and its institutions. The research in this field moves along three guidelines: a) the Community norms intended to favor the free circulation of production factors in the context of particular phenomena such as business activities and commercial financial relations (the four fundamental freedoms, policy of Private Law relationships, Labor Law & Industrial Relations and Economic and Commercial Law; b) the Community norms regarding trade with EU Countries (common business policy and competition agreements with EU Countries); c) the policies and funding that favor the internationalization of companies. Special attention is paid to the institutions overseeing Criminal Law regarding businesses and corporate activities along with national, European and international arbitration rules.

Public Law and Transnational Law

This program analyzes public and private legal aspects of the internationalization process of commerce. It covers international jurisdictions, the European Court of Justice,

the European Court for Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, as well as the organization of ordinary and constitutional justice. The program concentrates on how public and private laws on the national and international level can be integrated so as to characterize Europe both politically and socio-culturally.

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTThe Department of Legal Science. www.dipgiur.unimore.it

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FIND OUT MORE www.dottgiur.unimore.it

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School HeadAljs Vignudelli

Law The european legal culture of undertaking and institutional framework

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PROFILEThe School provides a highly interdisciplinary academic environment, spanning from clinical to epidemiologic research activities. It offers a wide range of research projects in which very diverse and technologically advanced methods are implemented by highly collaborative research groups. The School is presently organizing a taught program involving national and international scientists. The School is located within the Hospital of Baggiovara which is part of the Faculty of Medicine, Modena. It numbers over 100 academic members distributed among 13 Departments, involved in a broad spectrum of research activities including all medical and surgical disciplines, molecular biology, proteomics, and nanopathology and stem cell technology. All the research groups participating in the School collaborate with prestigious national (e.g. the Istituto Superiore di Sanità ) and international (e.g. McGill University) institutions. This guarantees excellent opportunities for collaborative research with international laboratories; a fact which also enhances employment opportunities. The School Board is composed of internationally recognized Italian and foreign professors. Research projects are supported by laboratories equipped with advanced technical instrumentation and specifically trained personnel. All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School covers five thematic programs all with the duration three years:Oncology This program covers teaching and research from basic science through to applied clinical investigation about the molecular and biological bases of cancer development, early diagnosis, innovative and evidence-based therapeutic approaches as well as prevention strategies.Public Health This program deals with the role of chemical, physical and genetic factors in the etiology of chronic and acute diseases, the development of analytical methods to measure environmental toxins and biological agents, and the optimization of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. It also covers the methodology to approach epidemiologic data and evaluate health services as well as new approaches in forensic medicine. Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology This program includes studies on: disorders of the connective matrix; oxidative and nitrosative stress; cardiovascular disorders; pharmacology and therapy of organ damage; transplanted organ rejection; compatibility of biomaterials and diseases related to nanoparticles; proteomics applied in oncology and in chronic-degenerative disorders; lung and kidney disorders and infectious diseases; microbiologic and virologic techniques; immunology and immunopathology. Specific topic areas concern cellular and molecular bases of diseases and the molecular targets of drug treatment of organ damage.Clinical genetic and molecular medicine This program is specifically devoted to translational medicine concerning

dermatology, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, rheumatology and neurology. Specific targets are: characterization of new diagnostic biomarkers by proteomic studies, application of virology and microbiology techniques in experimental medicine and identification of innovative treatments through the utilization of new molecules and new technologies based largely on regenerative medicine. Surgery This area is characterized by research on: patho-physiological mechanisms; new instrumentation, technologies and materials; diagnostic and therapeutic strategies; prevention and rehabilitation techniques with special reference to the oncologic, urologic and transplantation areas. Research topics include: prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and post-surgery surveillance in oncology, integration with diagnostic techniques; adjuvant treatments coupled with surgery; novel technologies, ever-evolving materials in the setting of mini-invasive, video-assisted, percutaneous surgery; robotic surgery in urology; updated immunosuppressive protocols in transplantation.

MAIN SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTThe Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Geriatrics .The Department has been ranked among the top Medical Research Institutions in Italy.

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 37

FIND OUT MORE www.cem-phdschool.unimore.it

School HeadProf. Paola Loria

Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM)

PROFILEThe doctoral school in Molecular and Regenerative Medicine covers two main thematic areas.The first concerns the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying self-renewal and the differentiation of different adult stem cells by means of post-genomic technologies, functional genomics, animal models, in vitro assays and bioinformatics. It also relates such findings to regenerative medicine, with particular regard to cellular and gene therapy with stem cells in hereditary diseases. The second area concerns molecular medicine, defined as the study of molecular and cellular physiopathology and molecular diagnostics. It aims to identify mutations in candidate genes and their pathogenetic characterization in vitro by means of mutagenesis, minigenes and the study of biological, chemical and physical properties of mutant proteins. It also investigates the role of modifier genes in the phenotypic expression of hereditary diseases, and of new candidate genes in some metabolic genetic disorders. The School has 33 academic members, distributed among 8 Departments.All courses are available in English.

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School HeadProf. Rossella Tupler

Molecular and Regenerative Medicine

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe PhD program includes several research fields.Bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to the analysis of molecular networks; Cancer Gene Therapy; Effects of bio-physic stimuli on proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs; Gene therapy of genetic diseases; Genetic alterations in colorectal carcinogenesis; Genetic basis for disorders of iron metabolism; Genetics and pathophysiology of lipid disorders; Molecular bases of eye inherited diseases; Molecular bases of limb dismorphologies-gene expression in development; Molecular basis of cell cycle regulation, Molecular basis of genetic elastic fiber disorders; Molecular basis of human muscle dystrophy; Regulation of MEF2 transcription factors in skeletal muscle differentiation and development; Stem cells in skin pathophysiology. SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTSDepartment of Biology, Department of Anatomy and Histology (Section of Human Anatomy); Department of Biomedical Sciences; Integrated Department Maternal and Child Health; Integrated Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Services and Legal Medicine; Integrated Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties; Integrated Department of Oncology, Haematology and Respiratory Diseases; Molecular and Regenerative Medicine.

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 25

FIND OUT MORE www.sdmmr.unimore.it

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PROFILEThe aim of the School is to offer an optimal environment for carrying out research projects in a wide range of Neuroscience fields.The school is located in the buildings of the Integrated Department of Neurosciences and the Department of Biomedical Sciences.The School has 24 academic members, distributed among 6 different departments, actively involved in a broad spectrum of research activities in the most innovative fields of Neurosciences.The School board is composed of internationally recognized professors. The doctoral programs offer a number of high quality multidisciplinary courses and provide top level basic and clinical research laboratories.All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe main areas of interest of the PhD program are:

Human Integrated Neurosciences, which include research in Clinical Neuropharmacology, Human and Primate Neurophysiology, Clinical Neurosciences and Cognitive Psychology.

Basic Neurosciences, which include research on Molecular Modelling of Nervous Signal Transmission and Transduction,

Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Neuropharmacology, Neurophysiology and Animal Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders.Specific areas of interest include: • Pathophysiology of epilepsy• Mechanisms of functional recovery

following brain damage• Neural substrates of emotion and of

social perception• Pathophysiology and rehabilitation of

motor disorders in children• Pathophysiology of headaches• Behavioral and electrophysiological

correlates of language comprehension• Perceptual and attentive processes• Neural substrates of the perception

and modulation of pain and analgesia• Functional organization and cognitive

aspects of the cortical motor system• Functional activity mapping of the

human spinal cord• Functional organization of the frontal

premotor cortex in non-human primates

• Neuroprotective agents in transient global brain ischemia

• Molecular and cellular neurobiology of stress and neuropsychiatric disorders

• Pathophysiology of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

• Mechanisms of sensory transduction in the nociceptive system

• Modulation of synaptic transmission in the spinal cord

• Pharmacological modulation of glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission

• Mechanisms of signal transduction

School HeadProf. Michele Zoli

Neurosciences

mediated by G protein-coupled receptors

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTSThe Integrated Department of Neurosciences, located within the S. Agostino-Estense Hospital of Baggiovara (Modena). www.neuroscienze.unimore.it

Department of Biomedical Sciences.www.dsb.unimo.it

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 22

FIND OUT MORE www.dottorato-neuroscienze.unimore.it

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PROFILEThe School offers a lively and highly dynamic setting to carry out challenging research projects for the design and development of health products to satisfy people’s real needs for the future.It is located in the Scientific Campus of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and includes 4 Departments (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences and Biology).The School has 41 academic members, actively involved in a broad spectrum of research activities in the most innovative areas in the testing and application of technologies in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and cosmetic fields. It therefore offers an excellent opportunity for stimulating doctoral research. Both theoretical and applied research is covered, spanning the continuum between innovative applications and cutting-edge base research.The School board is composed of internationally recognized Italian and non-Italian professors. Teaching activities and research are carried out in state-of-the-art laboratories. Moreover, an International Advisory Board assesses the activities of the school on a yearly basis. All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School currently offers three distinct research programs.

Design, synthesis and characterization

This program focuses on the following fields:1. Development and application of traditional and innovative strategies for molecular modelling, design, synthesis and production2. Experimental and theoretical characterization of functional characteristics3. Validation of advanced analytical methods on biological and complex matrix4. Interactions with specific biological targets.

Technological applicative program

This program focuses on the following fields:1. Innovative technologies for the targeting of drugs2. Technologies applied to the nutraceutical field3. cosmetic product development4. Industrial biocatalysis and fermentation techniques.

Physio-pharmacological program

This program focuses on the following fields:1. Molecular aspects in the pathogenesis of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases2. Evaluation of the biological activity of molecules involved in intra- and extracellular molecular networks3. Identification of molecular targets of new potential therapeutic agents and study of their modulator effects on protein/protein interactions

4. Ideation, development and validation of animal models of human diseases.

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTDepartment of Pharmaceutical Scienceswww.scifar.unimore.it

DOCTORAL STUDENTS23

FIND OUT MORE www.healthproducts-school.unimore.it

School HeadProf. Rois Benassi

Science and Technologies for Health Products

PROFILEThe Doctoral School in “Earth System Sciences: Environment, resources and cultural heritage” is the first advanced academic program in Italy based on the study of Earth Sciences, offering both environmental and cultural heritage disciplines. This Doctoral School offers a highly in-depth, interdisciplinary study of the Earth System (i.e. environment, resources and cultural assets), in line with the most innovative and topical research being carried out internationally and organized around the most up-to-date requirements of the job market. The School has 54 academic members, distributed among the Department of Earth Sciences and 6 departments.All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe programs offered all have a duration of three years. In addition to lectures, seminars and participation in congresses and workshops are a regular part of the programs. A training activity of at least three months will be carried out at qualified research institutions abroad. The training periods abroad are an essential part of the participants education.The high standard of the School is guaranteed by: a) a staff of highly qualified Italian and non-Italian professors and researchers; b) solid and well-established

scientific co-operation with qualified public boards and Italian and international research agencies; c) access to important and prestigious research centres abroad for internships; d) adequate research funding; e) availability of advanced scientific and educational equipment.

Geology and GeomorphologyMineralogy and CrystallographyPetrology, Geochemistry, Ore DepositsRisks, Resources and ImpactsGeoengineering

PalaeontologyGeophysicsPhysics of the AtmospherePalynology/ArchaeobotanyEarth Sciences for Cultural AssetsBotanyEvolutionary and Environmental BiologyCell biology and evolution.

A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTThe Earth System Sciences School offers a multidisciplinary environment where various research topics join together in a collaborative context. PhD students are given the chance to meet and compare research activities. The excellent PhD student/tutor ratio greatly contributes to the students’ academic growth and guarantees successful completion of the program. Some of the School’s educational initiatives are carried out in collaboration with other University PhD Schools, so as to facilitate the exchange of experience and ideas.

MAIN SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTDepartment of Earth Scienceswww.terra.unimore.it.

DOCTORAL STUDENTS26

FIND OUT MORE www.earthsystem-school.unimore.it

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School HeadProf. Maria Giovanna Vezzalini

Earth System Sciences: Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage

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Food and Agricultural Science, Technology and Biotechnology

School HeadProf. Andrea Pulvirenti

PROFILEThe research activities of the STEBA School include the chemistry, technology, quality and safety of food production and processing. The School has over 28 academic members, distributed among 3 departments, actively involved in a broad spectrum of research activities. All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School offers two distinct programs. Each program offers interdisciplinary research in a number of fields.

Science, Technology and Biotechnology in Agriculture

Crop physiology: research of crop plant ideotype for low-input farming. This research aims at optimizing inputs and designing new physiological ideotypes of crop plants. Product innovation for diversification strategies and business development in agrobusiness. Product innovation is increasingly important for European agriculture. Technical knowledge, management and marketing skills, business strategies, political decisions, agricultural policy are some of the indispensible elements. Fine mapping of resistance genes to root-knot nematodes. The multidisciplinary project will try to connect breeding experience and different genomic tools with the final aim to identify the genes

that are regulating nematode resistance. Construction of a high resolution map of wheat chromosome 5A. The goal of the project is the construction of a high density molecular map needed for anchoring BAC contigs to a genetic map, in order to obtain a physical map for sequencing. Quality Improvement of fruit production. The aim of the research is to understand the critical environmental and physiological factors that can improve fruit production. Innovation and quality in organic zootechny The effects of innovative farming technologies on animal products’ quality, in substitution of current conventional ones, will be investigated. Increase of anthocyanin production in the tomato The main objective of the research is the study of the role of anthocyanins in the response to biotic and abiotic stress.

Food Science, Technology, and Biotechnology Food Microbiology

This general research topic includes: knowledge of food ecosystems; transformation and preservation techniques; microbial activities to obtain metabolites useful for biotechnological applications. Biochemistry Biological activity and metabolism of naturally occurring compounds. Evaluation of the food flavour profile with an electronic nose The correlations among sensory analysis, GC determinations, and electronic nose responses applied to different matrices (food, raw materials and packaging materials) will be considered. Meat production, meat processing and quality assessment. Meat production, like the production of pork, requires high

standards of quality to meet the consumers’ demands (e.g. healthy products, with low levels of fat and cholesterol).

MAIN SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences www.dipsaa.unimore.it

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 34

FIND OUT MORE www.steba.unimore.it

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Multiscale Modelling, Computational Simulations and Characterization in Material and Life Sciences

School HeadProf. Maria Cristina Menziani

PROFILEThe School provides students with a sound working knowledge of modern mathematical, computational and statistical modelling methods and algorithms, as well as innovative experimental techniques, for the characterization of complex systems at a multiscale level. The students will learn to apply this knowledge both in the field of material and life sciences working in multi-disciplinary well-integrated teams that emphasize the benefit of coordinated, iterative interactions between specialists in modelling and/or simulation and experiments.The school brings together leading Italian and international scientists actively involved in a broad spectrum of research activities in the most innovative fields of Material and Life Sciences. Professors and researchers interact with the students on a daily basis, enjoying a continuous cultural and intellectual exchange.The School has 28 academic members.All courses are available in English.

Facilities

Students have access to dedicated study areas and advanced computer and wet labs. Research activities, funded by national and international research funding, are hosted by several Departments officially rated among the top institutions in Italy.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThis is a 3 year full-time program that includes introductory, basic and elective courses, seminars, tutorials, computer and experimental laboratory sessions. Courses are selected so as to combine the experience of researchers from different fields and provide a balance between methods and applications. The final dissertation is to be based on original, state-of-the-art research in line with the international scientific standards.Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topics studied, the PhD program is strongly oriented toward international cooperation. Long-term internships in foreign Institutions are encouraged, as well as co-tutored PhD projects with international partners.

Topics

Combinatorial and Numerical Algorithms, Chemo- and Bio-informatics, Experimental characterization of structures and properties, Human Computer Interface, Mathematical and computational Modelling, Neuroimaging, Statistical Modelling and Chemometrics.

MAIN SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTDepartment of Chemistry. www.chimica.unimore.it

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 20

FIND OUT MORE www.multiscale-school.unimore.it

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PROFILEThe School focuses on the study of matter at the micro- and nano-scale with a strong interdisciplinary character spanning from physics and chemistry to biology and engineering. Students benefit from a lively international environment, collaborating directly in important international projects, with access to advanced laboratories and computational facilities.

The School offers 3 year full-time programs, with emphasis on training-through-research. Basic and advanced courses are offered, together with seminars and tutorials. Internships and summer schools in qualified research institutes in Italy and abroad are considered part of the training. The aim is to produce a final dissertation on original themes of high international standard. The School is situated in the Physics Department in Modena and benefits from close collaboration with the Nanoscience Institute of the National Research Council (CNR-Nano) located in the same building. The over 30 faculty members are distributed among 4 different University departments and the CNR-Nano Institute. The school has over 29 members.All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School currently offers two distinct programs:

PHYSICSA program devoted to advanced research in the physics of condensed matter and materials science, through experimental and theoretical techniques. Subjects include: surface science; electronic, optical and ionic spectroscopies and microscopies; magnetic systems; electronic transport in materials and devices; novel materials for energy applications.

NANOSCIENCES AND NANOTECHNOLOGIESA strongly multidisciplinary program open to students with different backgrounds (physics, chemistry, biology, engineering). Students learn approaches to the fabrication and the analysis of nanostructures, as well as advanced nanotechnology applications.

Both programs emphasize fundamental science as well as applications in advanced technologies (light harvesting, photovoltaics, novel magnetic devices, nanomechanics, nanotribology) and life sciences (biotechnology, medicine, diagnostics and drug design).

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTSThe Physics Department and the CNR-Nano Institute are top level research Institutions constantly attracting funding from competitive projects of national and international agencies as well as excellent young researchers from different countries. Total funding over the last five years amounts to 15 million Euros.

www.fisica.unimore.it www.nano,cnr.it

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 24

FIND OUT MORE www.nano-phdschool.unimore.it

School HeadProf. Franca Manghi

Physics and Nano Sciences

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PROFILEThe Doctoral school focuses on aspects of advanced mechanics in strict symbiosis with the surrounding industrial environment, characterized by the presence of many high level mechanical industries and, in particular of car manufacturers like Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini. Most courses are available in English. The School has over 42 academic members, distributed among 3 departments.All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSDesign of High Performance MaterialsThe program in Design of High Performance Materials addresses questions related to the design and the employment of metals and non-metallic materials, with particular reference to the automotive field. Great attention is paid to complex production processes like titanium welding. The possibilities of using alternative materials, like polymers, for car and other mechanical applications are studied.

Modelling and Mechanical Design Methods

The program regarding Modelling and Mechanical Design Methods aims at advancing knowledge in the principles of Mechanical Design, especially in the fields of thermal-energetics and technological structuring, in full accord with the themes

School HeadProf. Antonio Strozzi

High Mechanics and Automotive Design & Technology

pertaining to the HiMech laboratory.

Vehicle Technology

The program in Vehicle Technology is closely intertwined with the HiMech laboratory, developing innovative solutions in the automotive field. Particular attention is paid to the two main areas constituting the vehicle, namely the engine and the frame.

MAIN SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTSDepartments of Materials and Mechanical Engineering. www.dimec.unimore.itwww.dima.unimore.it

DOCTORAL STUDENTS 38

FIND OUT MORE www.himech-phdschool.unimore.it

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PROFILENowadays the design and development of advanced industrial systems requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves knowledge in a wide range of disciplines such as mechanics, informatics, electronics, control system, logistics and management sciences. The Doctoral School in Industrial Innovation Engineering offers serious in-depth research that prepares Doctoral Students to face the complex challenges of modern Engineering. The School has 27 academic members who possess multidisciplinary backgrounds in disciplines such as mechanics, electronics, computer engineering, mathematics, operational research, management engineering, control systems and robotics. The academic staff is deeply committed to developing innovative research in theoretical and applied areas – most of which are funded by private companies and by the European Commission.The School board is composed of Italian and international professors, responsible for course selection and program standards. Research and laboratory facilities are state-of-the-art and all courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School currently offers two 3 year programs:

The Program in Engineering Management focuses on complex systems’ integration processes, both from a technical and a managerial perspective. The need for integration has multiple causes: increased technological complexity of products and services; globalization, delocalization and outsourcing strategies; the emergence of new network organizational structures. The consequences on production processes are: shortened products’ life cycles, integrated supply chain, smaller production lots, the need for more sophisticated managerial control systems. The program’s main disciplinary areas are: design of flexible production systems, design of intra- and inter- organizational processes, resources and production planning, logistics and supply chain, organizational control, knowledge management, network of firms, management of information flows enabled by new information and communication technologies (ICT).

The Program in Mechatronics and Energetic Engineering focuses on strategic research areas in the fields of innovative Mechatronics devices and systems, and of technologies for energy generation, delivery and efficiency. The applied research areas dedicated to the integration of different technologies to realize innovative Mechatronics devices and systems, and to develop technologies for high energy-efficient systems are crucial in international scientific research. In addition, these research areas have a strong impact on the economic industry. In detail, the above mentioned program deals with fields related to the development of smart Mechatronics

materials, fluid power, the development of industrial electronic systems and devices, the control and the optimization of production and robotic systems, the generation of power from renewable energy sources, high efficiency energy conversion and delivery, analysis and monitoring of the impact on the environment through wireless sensor networks, impact of the human factor on product design.

SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTDepartment of Engineering Sciences and Methods www.dismi.unimore.it

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FIND OUT MORE www.iii.unimore.it

Industrial Innovation Engineering

School HeadProf. Cesare Fantuzzi

PROFILEThe School offers a lively and highly dynamic setting to conduct challenging research in the field of Information and Communication Technologies. It is located on the university’s science campus in Modena, in the middle of one of the most industrialized districts in Europe. The School prides itself on its close ties with industry and works on a day to day basis to integrate its applied research to the needs of the community.

The School has 46 academic members, distributed among 4 different departments, actively involved in a broad spectrum of research activities in the most innovative fields of electrical and computer engineering. Its programs insist upon both theoretical and applied research, spanning the continuum between innovative applications and cutting-edge research.

The School board is composed of internationally recognized Italian and foreign professors, responsible for the curricula of the doctoral program. The courses taught are multidisciplinary and make use of state-of-the-art laboratories and technologies. All courses are available in English.

RESEARCH PROGRAMSThe School currently offers two distinct programs, both offering a 3 year degree:

The Computer Engineering and Science program covers the field of computer engineering and computer science. The research topics span over several heterogeneous fields: distributed information systems; knowledge representation; software engineering and embedded systems; planning and control in manufacturing companies; pattern recognition and computer vision for image and video analysis; architecture of multimedia systems; web systems, services and emerging standards; decisional problem solving, neural and genetic networks; internet mobile agent systems; cellular automata.

The Electronics and Telecommunications program covers the fields of electronics, automation and power systems, measurement techniques and telecommunications and electromagnetism. Its main research fields in electronics are: microelectronics, intelligent sensors, electronics for telecommunication, actuators and control systems. Within the telecommunications fields: digital communication techniques for fixed and mobile systems, future generation networks, emergency networks, optical devices and components, electromagnetic compatibility. In automation and power systems: robotics and control in automotive applications.

MAIN SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTDepartment of Information EngineeringThe Department has recently been ranked among the top Electrical and Computer

Engineering research institutions by the national evaluation board. Its independent funding over the last five year has been 7 million Euros.

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FIND OUT MORE www.ict.unimore.itwww.dii.unimore.it

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School HeadProf. Giorgio Matteo Vitetta

Information and Communication Technology

Society

Doctoral school in Human Sciences

Doctoral school in Labour Relations

Doctoral school in Law (The European Legal Culture of Undertaking and Institutional Framework)

Health / Life

Doctoral school in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM)

Doctoral school in Molecular and Regenerative Medicine

Doctoral school in Neurosciences

Doctoral school in Sciences and Technologies for Health Products

Science / Life

Doctoral school in Earth System Sciences: Environment, Resources and Cultural Heritage

Doctoral school in Food and Agricultural Science, Technology and Biotechnology

Doctoral school in Multiscale Modelling, Computational Simulations and Characterization in Material and Life Sciences

Doctoral school in Physics and Nano Sciences

Technology

Doctoral school in High Mechanics and Automotive Design & Technology

Doctoral school in Industrial innovation engineering

Doctoral school in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)