PhD in ASTRONOMY, ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE SCIENCE

List of courses / activities for the first year

More information Experiments from Space The course provides highlights on a selection of experiments from space that are ongoing or planned for the next decade. The course illustrates the experimental challenges, the expected science outcome, interactions and complementarities among different experiments. The course is held by different members of the PhD Board (and invited experts, if needed). General introduction (F. Piacentini) LiteBIRD (TBD) Euclid (TBD) James Webb Space Telescope (TBD) Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (TBD) Athena / IXPE / XRISM (TBD) Ariel / TESS / Cheops / Plato (TBD) Gaia (TBD) Solar Orbiter (TBD) Ground-Based Experiments: The course provides highlights on a selection of ground-based experiments that are ongoing or planned for the next decade. The course illustrates the experimental challenges, the expected science outcome, interactions and complementarities among different experiments. The course is held by different members of the PhD Board (and invited experts, if needed). General introduction (D. Del Moro) Vera Rubin Observatory (TBD) EST / Fly-Eye (TBD) VLT / E-ELT (TBD) Einstein Telescope (TBD) Cherenkov Telescope Array (TBD) Simons Observatory (TBD) NIKA2 (TBD) Sardinia Radio Telescope / SKA (TBD) Method of choosing the subject of the thesis The subject of the thesis is chosen by the student in agreement with the supervisor/co-supervisor among the projects presented during the admission phase to the PhD program. Admission to the second year Admission to the second year of the course is decided by the Academic Board on the basis of the following elements: a) a report (maximum 10 pages) in which the PhD student describes the state of the art in the research field in which he intends to carry out his activity, integrated with the description of any research activities already carried out, any publications, and any extracurricular teaching followed. b) The evaluation of the report in point 2.a) by a Commission composed of members of the Academic Board. c) A detailed opinion of the supervisors on the activities carried out by the PhD students during the first year of the PhD. d) An overall judgment of the Academic Board on the research activity carried out, including the assessment of the presentation at the workshop and of the teaching activity carried out

List of courses / activities for the second year

More information Communicating your results to your colleagues (and the public): Communication, both oral and written, is an essential part in various fields of the scientific profession. The purpose of this course is to provide PhD students in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Science with the tools to develop the skills needed: to best present their results in peer reviewed scientific articles, conferences and seminars; to submit observation proposals to the time assignment committees of the major ground-based and space-based telescopes; to send effective applications and resumes to compete for national and international research and job positions. Lessons will be held in English, with face-to-face meetings in the morning and practical sessions in small groups in the afternoon. The overall course will be spread in three days and it will be held in one of the institutions involved in the Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Science PhD program. Method of preparation of the thesis The preparation for the thesis is mainly centered on the experimental activity aimed at achieving the objectives indicated in the project. Drafting of scientific reports and/or manuscripts for publication which can become an integral part of the thesis. Critical discussions on the experimental results obtained with the supervisor and co-supervisor. Admission to the third year Admission to the third year of the course is decided by the PhD Board on the basis of the following elements: a) a Progress Report (maximum 5 pages) on the progress, the completion plan of the remaining activities, the list of or the foreseen plan for the publications, and the didactic activities followed. b) A detailed opinion of the supervisors on the activities carried out by the PhD students during the second year of the PhD. c) An overall judgment of the PhD Board on the research activity carried out, including the evaluation of the presentation at the workshop and of the teaching activity carried out.

List of courses / activities for the third year

More information Budgeting Science: the funds universe: The course will provide third year students with an overview of the main possibilities to apply for research grants in Europe and beyond. In particular, the topics covered will be: - An introduction to the science funding: the difference between experimental and theoretical science. How expensive to do science is? - Horizon 2020, Apre, Miur, EIT, JCR: the world of crowfunding", what they are looking for? - The EU opportunities: what's a science research project? An introduction to the Project Cycle management (PCM), the Logical Framework Approch (LFA) and the Goal Oriented Project Planning. - Project evaluation: how to reach the goal? The evaluatin process and the project start monitoring. Method of admission to the final examination Admission to the final exam is decided by the PhD Board on the basis of the following elements: a) a Progress Report (maximum 5 pages) on the progress, the completion plan of the remaining activities, the list of or the foreseen plan for the publications, and the didactic activities followed. b) the detailed judgment of the supervisors on the activities carried out by the students in the three years of the PhD programme. c) the overall opinion of the PhD Board on the research activity carried out, including the assessment of the presentation at the workshop and of the teaching activity carried out. d) the publication of at least one article of scientific interest in indexed journals where the PhD student appears as author or proceeding where he/she appears as first author. Final examination 1. As a rule, the final exam is scheduled within the last month of the scholarship. At the student's request, it is possible to postpone the final exam up to a maximum of three months after the last month of the scholarship. This request must be presented to the coordinator at least three months before the conclusion of the doctoral programme. 2. If the student is admitted to the final exam pursuant to article 14, paragraph 4, the PhD Board identifies two or more evaluators (hereinafter also referred to as "referees"), choosing them from among professors and researchers from Italian or foreign high qualification, external to the university and to the research groups where the student has carried out his thesis work. 3. The doctoral student sends the draft of the thesis to the Coordinator and the Vice-Coordinator. The coordinator sends this documentation to the referees selected by the PhD Board, and contacted in advance by the supervisors, with the request to express an analytical opinion on the thesis and to send a report with comments and suggestions useful to the doctoral student for any improvements to the thesis work. The referees must also give their consent to the admission of the doctoral student to the public discussion of the thesis. The referees can propose a postponement for a period not exceeding six months of the discussion of the thesis, if significant additions or corrections to the thesis are necessary. 4. The final exam consists in the public discussion of the doctoral thesis before a special National Commission composed of Full and Associate Professors not belonging to the positions of Sapienza University of Rome and University of Rome "Tor Vergata". The Commission is appointed by the Rector of the University administrative headquarters of the Course for the cycle of interest. 5. The PhD Board, or the Giunta upon its delegation, designates the Examining Commission for the achievement of the qualification, observing the provisions of the University Regulations. 6. In the event of the impossibility for the Commissioners to be present at the meeting place for the completion of the final exam, it is possible for the Commission meeting to take place via video conference.