Study plan for the academic year 2023/2024


List of courses / activities for the first year

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Neurowebinars
Seminars of high scientific value conducted by neuroscientists, psychiatrists, neurobiologists, and biochemists, as well as psychologists and philosophers, engaging doctoral students for approximately 4.5 hours per week with in-depth discussions on central and current topics in the field of interest. Conducted through a platform, they are interactive and highly stimulating for discussion and further personal exploration. Moderation is entirely entrusted to the doctoral student.

Neurophysiology and Synaptology Course
A monographic course held by Professor Centonze on basic neurophysiology, starting from understanding the electrophysiological functioning of neurons, up to the explanation of the basics of synaptic plasticity and inflammatory synaptopathy. The course follows the text "Principles of Neuroscience" edited by Eric R. Kandel, James H. Schwartz, Thomas M. Jessell, Stevan A. Siegelbaum, A.J. Hudspeth. Fourth Italian edition.

Theoretical Seminars on Experimental and Clinical Neuropsychoneuroimmunology Training courses conducted through seminars on specific topics of neuroinflammation, ranging from neuroimmunology to the relationship between immunity and the brain, the gut-brain axis, excitotoxicity-induced synaptopathy, the role of microglia, the role of the adaptive immune system (T and B lymphocytes), neuroinflammation and rehabilitation, immunology of psychiatric disorders, and mental and behavioral disorders in neurological diseases.

Scientific Journal Clubs
Discussion of clinical cases and/or scientific data selected from research articles published in internationally high-impact scientific journals that have an impact on knowledge of new laboratory techniques, innovative results, study and work methods, proposals for new projects, and in-depth analysis of ongoing projects.

Seminars with Visiting Professors on Current Scientific Evidence By invitation, seminars conducted by professors of high international scientific relevance, in English or Italian.

Theoretical Seminars on Central and Peripheral Therapeutic Neuromodulation in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Training courses conducted through seminars on specific topics related to the use of neuromodulation for therapeutic purposes in psychiatric and neuroinflammatory disorders. These seminars provide in-depth knowledge of neurophysiological principles and clinical applications of these techniques, encompassing the physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems, synaptic plasticity, and its role in clinical recovery.

The educational objective of the first year of the doctoral program will be to plan experimental and clinical research and utilize laboratory tools and equipment for conducting in vivo and in vitro research activities.

Method of choosing the subject of the thesis

The doctoral student is introduced to various departmental research activities through interviews with the College of Teachers, professors, and researchers from the department. Special attention is given to students coming from other locations.
Consistent with the experimental work conducted by the supervisor, each doctoral student, in consultation with their tutor, decides on the research topic to be developed during the doctoral training program. The tutor oversees the progress of the research conducted by the doctoral student and provides support in both technical and theoretical training.

Admission to the second year

The student's research activities will be evaluated by the College through annual periodic appointments, during which the student presents the main results acquired during the year. For the final year, the annual report will also include activities carried out in previous years.

The transition from the first to the second year is subject to the verification of the following requirements: a) Participation in at least 30% of the Neurowebinars during the academic year. b) Presentation of the doctoral project using the journal club format: Based on the theme of their scientific research activity, the doctoral student must present an innovative article published in internationally indexed journals with high impact factor (IF).


List of courses / activities for the second year

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The educational objective of the second year of the doctoral program will be to acquire autonomy in research management and interpret the results obtained after analyzing them with appropriate statistical methods.

Method of preparation of the thesis

a)Identification of the topic and experimental model based on theoretical and/or clinical references.
b) Research hypothesis.
c) Collection of experimental and/or observational data.
d) Creation of a database and statistical analysis.

Admission to the third year

In the second year, the presentation of the most significant results by the students is also expected. The College will provide feedback and suggest possible variations or additions to the research plan.

The transition from the second to the third year is subject to the verification of the following requirements:

a) Participation in at least 30% of the Neurowebinars during the academic year.

b) Presentation of the doctoral project using the data club format: The doctoral student must present their preliminary results. It is desirable that data collection is already in an advanced stage.

c) Optional research period carried out abroad at foreign Institutes and/or Universities in collaboration with the Doctorate in Neuroscience of Tor Vergata (a minimum of 6 months up to a maximum of 18 months).


List of courses / activities for the third year

titolocrediti
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10
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4

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The educational objective of the third year of the doctoral program is to develop advanced skills in statistical analysis and data interpretation, culminating in the completion and writing of the final thesis.

Method of admission to the final examination

In order to be admitted to the final examination, the candidate must:

a) Meet the admission requirements of previous years; b) Have published at least one article in an international peer-reviewed journal related to the research topics of the doctoral thesis project; c) Submit a report on the student's research and training activities, as well as a list of publications, which will be evaluated and considered in the final assessment; d) Have received a positive evaluation of the doctoral thesis from both the supervisor and two highly qualified external evaluators.

Final examination

The candidate will defend their doctoral thesis in the presence of a committee composed of internal and external university professors. In the event of an emergency where an in-person session is not possible, a remote discussion via teleconferencing will be allowed.

Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata" - Via Cracovia, 50, 00133 Roma RM